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There are 3 new COVID-19 infections.

All from the Enchantment of the Seas cruise ship, which is being used as a quarantine facility.

So far 12 of the workers who came home on the ship have tested positive.

The number of positive cases in the country now stands at 133.

Last night Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram said all precautions will continue but no decision has been taken to extend the quarantine of the cruise ship workers.

A decision by the Police Commissioner to put on desk duty, the officers whose guns were discharged in Morvant on June 27^th.

That incident led to the deaths of Israel Clinton, Joel Jacobs and Noel Diamond, and triggered mass demonstrations and clashes between police and protesters 1 week ago.

Hundreds of protesters demanded justice for the 3 men and their families.

They also insisted that the officers should be taken off active duty while the investigations proceed.

On the Take Two program on i95.5fm yesterday, Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith did not wish to say much on the situation in Morvant but he said most of the protesters who went up against the police last Tuesday are young boys.

Commissioner Griffith said these young boys must be saved from the influences of hardened gangsters and their leaders.

He also said the police service is at risk of being overwhelmed by the artillery of younger bandits and in 5 years, it may be too late to pull back.

He spoke of recreational activities, which will involve the police and young residents in some communities.

The move by the Commissioner followed a statement from The Law Association expressing concerns about the number of police killings in recent times.

The association also called for the suspension of the officers involved in the Morvant shootings.

The opposition United National Congress has ditched 6 of its sitting MPs.

Among them, Ramona Ramdial and Fazal Karim.

A total of 10 MPs are now out of the race on August 10^th.

The 10 who wont be on the slate include Ramona Ramdial, Dr. Boendratt Tewarie, Fazal Karim, Prakash Ramadhar, Christine Newallo Hosein and Vidia Gayadeen-Gopeesingh.

Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, Dr. Fuad Khan, Dr. Suruj Rambachan, and Ganga Singh all voluntarily bowed out of the race.

From the Senate the Political Leader has picked Saddam Hosein for the Barataria San Juan seat, Anita Haynes for Tabaquite, Sean Sobers for San Fernando West and Taharqa Obika for Point Fortin.

The Chaguanas Mayor Vandana Mohit will be contesting the Chaguanas East seat, replacing Fazal Karim.

Rodney Charles, David Lee, Roodal Moonilal, Rudranath Indarsingh, Rushton Paray, Dr. Lackram Bodoe and Barry Padarath are on the slate.

It is reported Mr. Padarath who has been in the United States since March will return home this week, in time for the General Election.

He is the incumbent in Princess Town.

The D’abadie/Omeara constituency of the ruling Peoples National Movement must now find a new nominee to send to the party’s screening committee.

Yesterday the PNM leader and Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley announced the removal of retired Brigadier General Ancil Antoine.

The incumbent MP’s statements at a recent campaign launch in the constituency triggered the Prime Minister’s decision.

Dr. Rowley said yesterday the statements made by the sitting MP, were objectionable and insensitive.

Two weeks ago there was a newspaper report, which told of a conflict at a constituency meeting involving the retired brigadier.

He reportedly had some harsh words for constituents and members of the PNM who did not support his selection.

In the reported conflict at the meeting he boasted that although some high-ranking people in the party wanted him out, he was selected and survived some of them.

In a post on his Facebook page yesterday, Prime Minister and PNM Political Leader Keith Rowley said the candidate’s removal is as a direct consequence of the statements made by him at a campaign launch.

The Prime Minister said such statements are not representative of the party or the country’s position.

Well-known dance hall artiste has been shot dead in Arouca.

He is Kyle George, known as Rebel-6.

Reports say Mr. George was gunned down at his Bon Air Gardens home shortly after midnight.

It is said gunmen stormed his house and opened fire.

He was hit several times in the head and upper body.

Mr. George died at the scene.

Police are trying to ascertain a motive for the killing.

Six charges are laid against Fuad Abu Bakr, among them using violent language and breaching the public health ordinance regulations.

Mr. Abu Bakr was arrested near Riverside Plaza in East Port of Spain on Tuesday morning, while demonstrations were launched in several communities.

After spending 24 hours at the Besson Street Police Station, the charges were laid yesterday.

Four of the six charges are linked to his alleged involvement in another demonstration at the Queens Park Savannah on June 8^th.

Mr. Abu Bakr is the political leader of the New National Vision.

However his attorney Khashif Gibson says he is yet to be charged and his client cannot access bail.

Speaking with Newscentre 5 before the charges were laid yesterday, Mr. Abu Bakr’s attorney Khashif Gibson said the conditions under which his client is being held are not ideal.

In a statement yesterday Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bisessar expressed concerns about the violent unrest.

She called for peace and calm while there is an investigation into the fatal police shootings in Morvant last Saturday.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar said she has noted those she calls rogue individuals who assaulted and disrespected police officers.

She lamented that businesses were forced to close early while public servants at the Ministry of the Attorney General had to dodge bullets.

She said thousands of innocent citizens were caught in the dangerous crossfire and there was gridlock on the roads.

The Opposition Leader also recognised the death of Onella Greaves along the Beetham Highway.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar feels all of what happened is the direct consequence of what she referred to as the failed Rowley government’s cruel, punitive and destructive policies, which have impoverished and pauperized citizens in the past five years.

She said naturally, the people from the most neglected, vulnerable communities—un-ironically the PNM’s long-standing urban strongholds—have suffered the most.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar said for too long, they have been trapped in never-ending cycles of poverty, neglect and alleged abuse at the behest of the State.

She has questioned the absence of the Prime Minister on the issue.

Dr. Keith Rowley is expected to hold a media briefing later today, and it is expected he will deal with the matter.