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Opposition Leader says she does not nor ever had COVID-19

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar says claims that she contracted COVID-19 are completely untrue.

The response followed a suggestion by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley that she be asked about her condition.

Yesterday in the Parliament, Dr. Rowley was questioned by a member of the United National Congress about whether he received the Pfizer shot.

In response to the question by MP Rishard Seecharan, the Prime Minister took offence.

He then pointed MP Seecharan to his Political Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar.


Kamla Persad Bissessar denied that she ever had COVID.

In the statement she said she was sorry to disappoint her supporters in the ruling Peoples National Movement.

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Gaming Amendment Bill is passed in the Parliament

Finance Minister Colm Imbert

The gambling Bill has been passed in the Lower House, without support from the Opposition bench.

The Bill was passed last evening.

Earlier the Finance Minister slammed as a waste of time the Opposition’s use of former Head of the Bar Owners and Operators Association as a temporary Senator.

Theron Mohan sat in the Upper House on Tuesday during debate on the Gaming Amendment Bill.

Minister Colm Imbert said it was in poor taste.

Minister Imbert accused the Opposition of not being interested in curing the ills in the sector.

The Bill was passed in the Upper House without Opposition support as well.

However Independent Senators gave the government the majority it needed.

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Local body applauds declaration of Federal Holiday to commemorate emancipation in the US

Chairman of the Emancipation Support Committee Khafra Kambon

The local body behind the observance applauds the declaration of a federal holiday to commemorate emancipation in the United States.

Chairman of the Emancipation Support Committee Khafra Kambon says it is long over due.

Juneteenth is also called Juneteenth National Independence Day and historically known as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence.

On June 17th, 2021 President Joe Biden signed the Bill, making Juneteenth the 11th American Federal Holiday.

Speaking with Newscenter 5 yesterday Mr. Kambon welcomed the development.

He said it is a day for black Americans to reflect and celebrate.

Originating in Galveston, Texas, it has been celebrated annually on June 19th in various parts of the United States since 1866.

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Opposition Leader suspicious about new plan to appoint Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Police

Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad Bissessar

The Leader of the Opposition is already raising concerns about the plan to appoint a Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Government has said the process to be used this time around will be a simpler one.

On Monday night, during a virtual meeting of her United National Congress, Kamla Persad Bissessar said the government is up to no good.

She claimed the Keith Rowley’s administration is again trying to pick a pliable Commissioner.

The term of Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith is about to come to an end in August.

It is reported that Commissioner Griffith will seek another term.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar said the so-called simplification of the selection of a Commissioner is not sincere.

She said her side would not allow for political interference in the selection of a Commissioner of Police.

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Former President of Travel Agents Association says he doesn’t see industry picking up before 2022

Former President of the Travel Agents Association for the Caribbean Wayne Rodriguez says the industry has been suffering under the weight of COVID-19.

Speaking with Newscenter 5 this morning Mr. Rodriguez said the retrenchment at Caribbean Airlines will only compound an already difficult situation.

He says they have not received any support from the State.

Mr. Rodriguez who is also the owner of Four Season’s Travel Agency tells us the re-opening of the borders comes as no surprise.

However he believes the damage may have already been done.

He does not see the travel industry picking up before 2022.

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Caribbean Airlines retrenchment bill to be paid by taxpayers

The State will finance the retrenchment of 25 per cent of staff at Caribbean Airlines at an estimated cost of $110 million.

This was revealed by Finance Minister Colm Imbert in the Senate yesterday.

On Monday, the airline announced it had suffered over $172 million in losses for the first quarter of 2021 and, in an effort to ensure a sustainable business model going forward, it would be retrenching up to 450 employees and cutting its fleet and routes.

Minister of Finance Colm Imbert said the retrenchment would cost the country more than 100 million dollars.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Wade Mark questioned him.

Minister Imbert expressed regret over the impending cut in staff.

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30-year-old San Fernando man is charged with over $73,000 dollars in malicious damage

A 30- year old man is charged with malicious damage in south Trinidad.

He is Peter Keston Williams.

Police say the San Fernando resident was charged on 19th June, after investigations were conducted into reports of malicious damage on the 13th March.

According to officers on Saturday 13th March the owner of a restaurant and bar located at Retrench Village, Cipero Road was conducting sales, when 3 men walked in.

He said one of the men poured gasoline onto the red roulette machine, then set it alight.

Based on investigations Mr. Williams was arrested and subsequently charged.

The extent of the damage is estimated at  $73,790.

He is expected to appear at San Fernando Magistrates’ Court today.

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Opposition taking government to task over number of COVID deaths

Former Education Minister Dr. Tim Gopeesingh

The Opposition is taking the government to task over the number of COVID deaths recorded.

Former Education Minister Dr. Tim Gopeesingh says a Commission of Enquiry must be set up and the People’s National Movement must clear the air.

Dr. Gopeesingh says Dr. Keith Rowley is yet to give a clear explanation for the entry of Pfizer vaccines.

He further questions whether or not the Prime Minister has considered demitting office.

Speaking at the Opposition’s Sunday news briefing he said an apology for the poor handling of vaccination rollout is not enough.

He said the Commission of Enquiry would also call on the Speaker of the House and the President to account for the handling of the pandemic.

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MOH records low numbers of COVID infections and deaths

The Ministry of Health records low numbers of COVID infections and deaths.

Yesterday the Ministry confirmed 5 people died from the virus bringing the total number of COVID deaths to 737.

The Ministry said the deceased are 1 elderly man with comorbidities, 2 elderly women with comorbidities, 1 middle aged woman with comorbidities and an elderly man with no comorbidities.

For the month of June there have been 242 deaths and 6,710 new positive cases.

There were also 106 new cases of the virus, found from samples taken between June 16th and the 19th.

Trinidad and Tobago now has 8,274 active positive cases.

Up to yesterday the Ministry said 176,849 people have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines.

Eighty-nine thousand four hundred and twelve people have received the first dose of the Sino pharm vaccine.

Thirty-nine thousand one hundred and forty two people have been fully vaccinated.

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PM confirms 400 doses of Pfizer vaccine has been used

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley

Confirmation from the Prime Minister that the 400 doses of Pfizer vaccine to the Ministry of National Security have been used.

Without saying when, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said the vaccine doses were administered with the help of the Ministry of Health.

Addressing a media conference last Saturday, Dr. Rowley again defended the handling the arrival of the gift from the United States government.

There was some controversy over the 400 doses of the vaccine, which took many by surprise.

The Prime Minister admitted he was not aware of the time of the shipment’s arrival and said nothing about it prior.

With questions swirling about the gift of the 80 vials of vaccine, the Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister and now the Prime Minister sought to allay any concerns members of the public had.

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