There is uncertainty over the participation of the Patriotic Front in the August 10^th General Election.

Yesterday, leader of the party Mikela Panday said a decision has to be taken and an announcement made.

She promised that reveal yesterday afternoon.

Ms. Panday said fielding 41 candidates is a major task.

Ms. Panday assured that whatever the decision, her Patriotic Front is in for the long haul.

She confirmed that the Patriotic Front has had coalition talks with some parties, but the United National Congress is not among them.

Two weeks ago Ms. Panday launched her party’s bid for 2020,  naming her father as the campaign manager.

There is a view that the Community Recovery Committee, set up by the Prime Minister 2 weeks ago may be a useful tool in keeping the peace in some areas.

Blue Basin resident Quincy Felix who has served time in prison says turning his life around has been difficult as many continue to label him a criminal.

Speaking with Newcenter 5 in the presence of his attorney Criston J Williams, Mr. Felix said yesterday many young people want a turn around but do not know how.

He said if the newly formed committee can listen to the people, there can be gains.

The committee, chaired by Anthony Watkins was created after violent demonstrations in and around Port of Spain.

The demonstrations followed the police shootings of 3 men in Morvant on June 27^th.

The body of pensioner Winston Kallian is discovered in Wallerfeild.

He was 80-years-old.

Reports say his 37-year-old son Noel Kallian, at an avocado field in the area yesterday morning, made the find.

Newscenter 5 understands the younger Mr. Kallian told police his father went to the field with his licensed firearm but failed to return home.

He said he went looking for him and found him hogtied with a jersey around his neck.

His shotgun was nowhere to be found.

Homicide Bureau of Investigations Region 2 is conducting investigations.

The leader of the Progressive Democratic Patriots Watson Duke is dismissing those who say he should not contest the August 10^th General Election.

Some say his matter in court should stop his candidacy.

But yesterday, Mr. Duke said he is no criminal and is entitled to run for the Tobago east seat in the General Election.

He called on Tobagonians to give him a chance to represent them in the Parliament.

And he also made a plug for his PDP’s candidate in Tobago west.

Mr. Duke also took aim at the Women’s League of the PNM for its silence on the killing of Ornella Greaves in Beetham Gardens, 2 weeks ago.

The Prime Minister says nationals of Trinidad and Tobago stuck in Grenada and Canada are given the green light to return to home.

Dr. Rowley empathised and sympathised with nationals hold-up in foreign countries but made it clear that exemptions must be carefully managed.

He explained that while some have been granted exemptions based on emergencies, situations must be weighed.   

The Prime Minister further recalled that he and other CARICOM countries have had to make hard decisions, which would ensure the survival of citizens.

Trinidad and Tobago closed its borders at midnight on March 22^nd 2020.

Schools will reopen on September 1^st, providing there is no escalation of the Coronavirus in the country.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley made the statement during a media briefing yesterday.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram, who was also part of the media conference sought to clear the air on guidelines, which would govern the return to the classrooms.

Dr. Parasram also spoke to the issue of high-risk students.

School was closed abruptly in early March as a result of the pandemic.

Next Monday, primary schools will be partially opened for Standard 5 students only as they prepare for the S.E.A, which is carded for August 20^th.  

The Minister of Social Services announces new programs to help lift persons out of poverty.

On a political platform in Diego Martin on Saturday Minister Camille Robinson-Regis revealed six new initiatives to be rolled out in the Road to Recovery program.

Minister Robinson-Regis said a new modern approach is needed to facilitate the poor and vulnerable in society and her government is prepared and ready to implement it.

Further the Minister noted that these new programs would not be a permanent solution instead she added it would be a stepping-stone to independence.

Minister Robinson-Regis said government is committed to lifting each and every citizen to a better quality and standard of living.

An open endorsement of the opposition United National Congress and its leader, Kamla Persad Bissessar from an umbrella Islamic organisation.

The Ummah Trinidad and Tobago Muslim Federation yesterday called on its member organisations to give support to the UNC when they go to the polls on August 10^th.

Imam Rasheed Karim told a meeting the Islamic community has suffered under the Peoples National Movement.

The head of Ummah T&T said his federation has teamed up with 25 bodies to publically support the opposition party.

Imam Karim believes there is enough weight with Islam to get the PNM out of office.

He said the Muslim community must remember the many grants and infrastructural support given by the UNC when it formed the government.

The meeting was held in Felicity, Chaguanas and Mrs. Persad Bissesar was among those present.

The UNC leader thanked the federation and individual groups for their support.

Ummah T&T covers several small Islamic organisations in the country.

The Anjumaan Sunnat ul Jamaat Association’s General Secretary Rahimool Hosein says it has never thrown its support behind any political party.

And the Muslim league says it was invited to attend the meeting but does not support any political party.

A vehicle comes under fire in the east, killing Anton “Darko” Blake and wounding 2 passengers.

The shooting in Sangre Grande occurred after midnight on Sunday.

Reports say Mr. Blake was driving a white Honda Accord and was in the company of 4 others, including a 17-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy.

Along Tractor Road off Toco Main Road shots were fired at the vehicle.

Mr. Blake was hit several times.

Two of the occupants of the vehicle are said to have sought cover, but the girl was hit in the left knee.

Another man was hit in the abdomen.

Police were called to the scene and the wounded were taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex.

Mr. Blake died at the scene. He was from Palm Road Valencia.