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A candidate for the Movement for Social Justice’s candidate for Fyzabad, Radhaka Gualbance has reported to the police that a man who seemed to be a supporter of the United National Congress physically attacked her.

Ms. Gualbance says she was assaulted while on a walk about in Fyzabad last Thursday.

In a Facebook post yesterday morning, Ms. Gualbance said the elderly man tailed her and hurled verbal insults, before eventually physically assaulting her.

She believes she was targeted as a woman because her fellow candidates in the walkabout were not attacked.

Ms. Gualbance said the man stopped his vehicle in the center of the road, jumped out, hurling insults at her before calling on a constituent by name to chase her out of the area.

She said both she and the constituent she was speaking with paid no mind and the man got back into his vehicle and left.

But the MSJ candidate said while at another constituent’s place on Berridge Trace, Dow Village, Fyzabad, she saw the man again.

This time the man is reported to have grabbed Ms. Gualbance by the arm and demanded money to vote for her.

Some of her colleagues went to her rescue.

A report was made to the Fyzabad Police Station.

With 3 weeks to go till Election Day there are more questions from the Opposition on what is the process used to determine who is granted exemptions.

Kamla Persad Bissessar is insisting, government must find ways of bringing home those stuck in foreign countries.

Mrs. Bissessar is still not pleased with the method being used by the government to repatriate nationals, affected by the COVID-triggered border closures.

The government of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley have confirmed thousands have already been brought back, and there are others to come.

She said the government’s way so far is hurting families and dousing hopes.

At the unveiling of the UNC’s candidates for August 10^th, which was aired last Saturday, Mrs. Persad Bissessar also suggested a program, which she believes, would help people who are yet to return to work because of COVID measures.

It is called a ‘wage subsidy’. 

She said her team is putting the pieces together before she is able to give more information on the ‘wage subsidy’.

A Fire Fighter has been found dead on a beach in Mayaro.

Forty-seven-year-old Chester Richardson was found dead by a couple walking along the beach on Saturday night.

Fire Fighter Richardson was from Arima and was last attached to the San Juan Fire Station.

Reports are saying there were no marks of violence on the body of Mr. Richardson.

There is a belief that he drowned.

Mr. Richardson was the father of 2.

An autopsy is expected today.

The Bar Keepers and Operators Association says while it is pleased their businesses can now open till 10pm, those found in breach of COVID-19 regulations should be penalized.

Head of the association Teron Mohan tells Newscenter 5 everyone has to be responsible.

The government had reverted to 8pm after videos circulating on social media showed large groups of patrons gathered at bars immediately after the restrictions were lifted.

However Mr. Mohan says those who can’t hear should feel.

Mr. Mohan is calling for dialogue with the authorities on the way forward.

The bar owners sought legal action following the government’s decision and have said they feel vindicated by the courts.

Yesterday Mr. Mohan laid out the plan for safety during the revised operating hours.

On Saturday Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh urged patrons and operators to be responsible and adhere to the safety guidelines.

Police are probing the circumstances surrounding the killing of Gideon King.

Mr. King was stabbed to death by a close female relative at his Toco Road, Matura home yesterday

According to reports, Mr. King and the suspected were involved in an argument when it turned physical.

It is said during the brawl the suspect picked up a knife and stabbed Mr. King in the chest.

Mr. King is said to have died on the way to hospital.

Mr. King was 40-years-old.

He was the Head Chef at Castro’s Restaurant and Bar in Arima.

The woman has since been detained by police and is said to be assisting officers with their investigations.

Bar owners have been given the go-ahead by the high court to have their bid for a change in closing time, heard.

The owners belonging to the bar keepers and operators association have been trying to get the government to rescind the 8pm closure order.

Yesterday in the San Fernando High Court, Justice Avason Quinlan Williams granted the judicial review.

The substantive matter will be heard next Monday.

Lawyers for the bar owners include Anand Ramlogan.

In all 317 bar owners filed the application for judicial review.

Yesterday the association said the Caribbean Premier League presents an opportunity to revise the 8pm closing.

The CPL is to be hosted in Trinidad and Tobago next month.

Interim president of the association, Teron Mohan says the 8pm closing time will drastically affect the earnings of his members, during a period when money can be made.

Mr. Mohan says since there are to be no spectators at the games, bars should be allowed to accommodate persons who want to view the games.

Mr. Mohan told Newscenter 5 yesterday he is hoping for a positive response from the government.

Reports today that up to 150 Venezuelan immigrants have come into the country illegally.

They are now being sought by the police.

It is said the immigrants came ashore at the southwestern coast on Tuesday morning.

Police have been searching for the group, and they found 8 of them.

Reports to the police said on Tuesday, 5 pirogues brought them ashore at Beach Road, Pale Seco.

It is believed the immigrants were taken away from the beach via vehicles sent to get them.

One of the vehicles was intercepted and the 8 Venezuelans, 4 men and 3 women were found inside.

There was also a child among them.

They were taken to the Siparia Police Station.

The driver of the vehicle was also detained and is expected to be charged.

The Venezuelans were then handed over to Coast Guard officers to be placed in quarantine at the Heliport in Chaguaramas.