CALL US AT:

A clash between workers of the Water And Sewerage Authority and the police at the St. Joseph headquarters.

Scores of protesting workers were locked out when they tried to gain entry to the compound yesterday morning.

The workers are demanding outstanding sick leave bonuses.

Their efforts to get closer to management were resisted by police officers attached to the Water And Sewerage Authority.

The national union of government and federated workers represents the employees.

Official Russel Mohammed addressed the workers telling them what management’s offer has been.

The workers are saying the chief executive officer of the utility is no help.

WASA has issued a statement saying it is committed to paying the workers the bonuses.

The company said it recognises that the sick leave bonuses are part of the terms and conditions of employment of daily paid workers.

WASA feels the action yesterday was triggered by other situations, including a recent transfer.

Anthony Fox is identified as the victim in the road traffic accident along the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway.

The accident occurred in the Tarouba area at around 7:20 Tuesday evening.

It is believed Mr. Fox lost control of the Toyota Sienta, while on the northbound lane of the highway.

Police reports say he slammed head-on into a concrete pillar of the Tarouba Overpass.

He was rushed to the San Fernando General Hospital where he died while being treated.

Investigations are underway.

Carnival 2022 is happening but with serious limitation.

The announcement was made after a Carnival working group meeting chaired by the Culture and The Arts Minister yesterday.

A calendar of events is to be drafted.

But there will be no Carnival fetes; just concert type events and only vaccinated patrons will be allowed to attend.

Minister Randall Mitchell said via a statement that events are being planned which would not run afoul of the Public Health Regulations.

He said events would be on a limited basis and fall within the current Safe Zone and Public Health Regulations.

Carnival events are to be limited to 50 percent capacity with controlled entry and exit points.

Sanitisation must take place upon entry.

The statement said fetes, parties and similar type events would not be allowed.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram said more children are being hospitalised.

At the COVID-19 media update yesterday Dr. Parasram said they are presenting with comorbidities.

Dr. Parasram also said there are other issues, which drove the increase in the delta omicron cases during the Christmas period.

Dr. Parasram also said the case of the 3 persons who came forward claiming reactions to the vaccines remain under investigation.

An assurance from Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley that children made orphans by COVID-19 are being cared for by the State where necessary.

In the parliament yesterday opposition MP for Chaguanas east Vandana Mohit warned of an emerging crisis among orphans in need.

Prime Minister Rowley would dispel the notion.

He said there were mechanisms in place to treat with such children.

They were speaking during the questions for the Prime Minster segment of the sitting.

Another mother has died of the coronavirus 6 weeks after she gave birth.

The total number of maternal deaths has now been put at 6.

Director of Women’s Health Dr. Adesh Sirjusingh yesterday said there was only 1 stillbirth and 6 mother to child transmissions of the virus.

He was speaking at the COVID-19 media briefing.

Dr. Sirjusingh said there have also been 22 new infections among pregnant women taking the tally since the pandemic began to 1,181.

He said many of them are critical and unvaccinated.

Dr. Sirjusingh is urging pregnant women to get vaccinated to save their lives and that of their children.

He said according to the CDC the number of vaccinated pregnant women worldwide remains low at 31%.

The First Wave Movement is planning two more marches.

The demonstrations will be against government’s Safe Zone plans for public servants.

Umar Abdullah, who heads the First Wave Movement, is saying the peaceful marches will be staged this month.

Last Sunday his first march led to police officers firing tear gas at scores of protesters around the Queens Park Savannah.

Police say the action was necessary.

Yesterday on his Facebook page Mr. Abdullah confirmed again he was charged for holding an illegal march.

Mr. Abdullah was detained on Sunday during a demonstration at the savannah.

Mr. Abdullah reminded the government of its loss in Tobago, and accused the PNM administration of being a follower.

The Acting Police Commissioner McDonald Jacob says he received a letter from Mr. Abdullah and a process of mediation will begin.

Mr. Jacob has defended his officers’ use of tear gas last Sunday afternoon.

Officers have been condemned by several opposition and labour voices for opening fire at protesters.

They have accused the police of abuse of power.

A late-night earthquake jolts parts of Trinidad.

According to the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre the quake occurred 120 kilometers northwest of Port of Spain, Trinidad, and Tobago at 10:59pm.

The Centre says this quake registered 4.7 and had a depth of 68 kilometers.

The seismic event was widely felt across north Trinidad.

Reports say the quake lasted no more than a few seconds for the most.

The SRC says the earthquake struck in an area north of the Paria Peninsula, the second most seismically active area in the eastern Caribbean.