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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.

The Amalgamated Workers Union clears the air on its demands on government.

Union President Micheal Prentice tells Newscenter 5 that his live call in program last Wednesday has generated negative comments.

Mr. Prentice says the union is being painted as being anti-government and greedy.

He explained that this is far from truth and all that is being requested at this time is for government to meet with union leaders on the state of negotiations.

Mr. Prentice added that for years he has been preaching that an alternative to outstanding increments and salary increases be considered but no one is listening.

He finds it unfair that his union should now be bashed when it is simply calling for talks. 

Meanwhile on Saturday Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley told union leaders representing public servants that things are not in their favor now but it will get better when resources are available.

At a political meeting in Diego Martin on Saturday evening Dr. Rowley reminded the country that his administration had a difficult entry period and it is now made worst by the current pandemic.   

The Prime Minister vowed to ensure that things are made easier as the threat of the pandemic decreases.

Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith says he is aware that assassins have been hired to take him out.

He says those hired are foreign assassins.

The Commissioner was speaking with frontline officers at an event hosted by the ‘I Support Our Services’ initiative on Saturday last.

The Commissioner referred to the recent protests and demonstrations staged against the killings of 3 men in Morvant on June 27^th.

He again defended his officers from the criticisms, which have come from some quarters.

During the event, several officers spoke of being traumatised by recent demonstrations and the impact of criticisms.

The Director of the Police Complaints Authority David West there was no error in the decision to call for the suspension of the officers involved in the Morvant shootings.

Mr. West says the PCA acted within its powers under Section 21-D.

Police Commissioner, Gary Griffith, has been critical of the missive from the PCA regarding the deadly shootings.

Mr. West and the PCA made public its recommendation, and that too was criticised by the Commissioner.

Despite the apparent tensions Mr. West tells Newscenter 5, investigations into the shootings are ongoing and there has been cooperation from the police.

The officers whose guns were discharged have been sent on administrative leave.

The incident took place at 2^nd Caledonia on June 27^th.

Noel Diamond, Joel Jacobs and Israel Clinton were killed by police officers