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The lawyer representing some 70 nationals trapped in Syria wants Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley to intervene in bringing them home.

Attorney Criston J. Williams sent a letter to the Prime Minister saying the group is desperately seeking assistance.

Mr. Williams says the group is living under dire conditions in a Syrian camp.

He says the government must acknowledge the nationality of the individuals and bring them home.

He says winter is approaching and the conditions at the Al Hol Camp will worsen.

Mr. Williams says especially given the innocence of the children there is need for action.

Chief Immigration Officer Charmaine Gandhi-Andrews has also been written to regarding the verification of the nationalities of the 70 women and children.

The search for Reinaldo Novoa is to continue today.

The coast guard and air guard have been looking for Mr. Novoa after he went missing off the coast of Mayaro on Sunday afternoon.

It is said he is a well-known diver.

His wife Jasema Novoa yesterday appealed for help in finding her husband.

She said Mr. Novoa is an experienced diver and went out to sea with a boatman last Sunday at around 3:45pm.

The boatman is reported as saying Mr. Novoa made the dive but he lost sight of the flotation device, which was attached to him.

Yesterday, in the Parliament, National Security Minister Stuart Young was asked for an update by the opposition.

Mr. Young said the search for Mr. Novoa is continuing.

Mr. Novoa’s wife, yesterday, called on members of the public to pray for his safe return.

The ruling Peoples National Movement says the opposition leader’s message, was unethical, disingenuous and showed a morally bankrupt United National Congress.

Public Relations Officer Laurel Lezama Lee Sing also says the opposition leader tried to down play stolen congratulatory message describing it as an “administrative error”.

An apology from Opposition Leader Kamla Persad after her message congratulating the United States President Elect, Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, carried the same words of British politician Sir Keir Starmer.

Social media was awashed with condemnation of Mrs. Persad Bissessar’s message.

She was even accused of plagiarism.

But she is blaming what she calls an “administrative error” for her statement sent to the US officials.

Sir Keir is the leader of the Labour Party and the opposition in the British Parliament.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar’s message was subsequently pulled from her Facebook page.

A new statement was posted late on Saturday.

She also yesterday morning apologised for the initial message.

She said there was an “administrative error” and steps have been taken to ensure such a mistake does not reoccur.

Owners and operators of bars and restaurants are not too pleased with the conditionality attached to the Prime Minister’s easing of COVID-related restrictions.

Last Saturday Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley and his government told restaurant owners, at 50% capacity, they could allow in-house dining once again.

But there must be no alcohol served.

Restaurant owner and Tobago politician Ashworth Jack tells Newscenter 5 that makes very little sense.

Mr. Jack said things are already very grave for the business community.

Meanwhile President of the Bar Keepers and Operators Association Terron Mohan said yesterday his members are fed up of being cast aside.

Mr. Mohan said they are barely able to survive.

According to Mr. Mohan other countries in the region are managing the virus and the authorities here are lagging behind.

On Saturday the Prime Minister said his measures are to avoid mass gatherings.

More concerns over the upcoming Public Services Association elections.

Oral Saunders who leads Team United Public Officers says there are people on the list who should not be there.

He is vowing not to do anything that would delay the November 23^rd election but he says he is keeping a close eye watch on the situation.

However yesterday Mr. Saunders said he remains confident he will be successful when the votes are counted.

There are 6 teams competing in the PSA election.

Some claim there have been no financial audits or budgets at the PSA for over 10 years under the leadership of Watson Duke.

A police officer has fatally shot one of 2 men who reportedly robbed him of money he had to buy a boat engine.

The incident occurred last Saturday night in Longdenville, Chaguanas.

The officer who fired the shots at the 2 suspected bandits, told police he was on a gravel road with his wife, on their way to buy the engine.

He said they met 2 men, 1 of whom placed a gun to his neck and declared it was a hold up.

The men reportedly demanded $1,500 from the couple.

One of the men is said to have put the firearm in the police officer’s mouth.

The officer pushed it away and was able to fire several shots at the assailants.

The robbery victim went to the Longdenville Police Post where he made a report.

Police later found the body of a man when they visited the scene.

The man was shot in the chest and back.

Police say they also found a gun with 6 rounds of ammunition at the scene of the incident.