There are reports of a murder in La Romain.
The victim is identified as Darren Rajaram.
The incident is said to have occurred in St. Johns Village.
Reports say Mr. Rajaram was walking along Cipero Street, near the Community Center when an armed assailant approached him.
We are told the gunman opened fire hitting Mr. Rajaram several times.
He was rushed to the San Fernando General Hospital where he died hours later.
Police are said to be searching for a suspect.
Tobago police have arrested 20 for flouting the Public Health Ordinance.
They were held yesterday at No Man’s Land beach, for breaching the public gatherings rules of 5 or less.
It is said officers of the Shirvan Road and Scarborough police stations along with the Emergency Response Patrol, went to the beach where they saw 16 adults and 4 children, ranging in ages from 14 to 16.
They were all detained.
The Caribbean Development Bank says many Caribbean countries will experience a general decline in economic activity in the coming months in light of COVID-19’s impact.
In a release the CDB, many of these countries, including those, which will be supported with emergency loans, will fall into recession this year.
The CDB indicated that Caribbean countries are especially vulnerable to the global outbreak due to their heavy dependence on tourism for income and employment.
The institution has already approved and is making available US$66.7 million for 7 Caribbean countries to finance the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It also noted the bank’s board of directors has approved financing for Antigua and Barbuda (US$13 million), Belize (US$15 million), Dominica (US$2.5 million), Grenada (US$5.9 million), St. Lucia (US$10.8 million), St. Vincent and the Grenadines (US$11.3 million), and Suriname (US$8.2 million).
The 4 people found dead in New Grant have been identified.
They are Venezuelans, Guimar Jose Rausseo Marcano and Jose Serrano, Aaron George and Darnel Mitchell.
The bodies of the 3 men and 1 woman were found yesterday morning at Daly Road New Grant off the Torrib Tabaquite Road.
It is believed they were all shot in their heads.
A gardener who called the police found Aaron George, the first body.
Officers then discovered the other 3.
It is believed the 4 may have been shot elsewhere and the bodies dumped in New Grant.
Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of intelligence and investigations, McDonald Jacob says an arrest is likely soon.
Senior Superintendent Wayne Mohammed of the Second Division said people must be more vigilant.
One of the victims had several addresses.
Demerit points system goes into effect at midnight.
Implementation of the system comes out of the amendment to the motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act.
It is to monitor and encourage safe driving on the nation’s roads.
Attorney-at-law, Marvin Gonsalez said it is good legislation.
Speaking on the Morning Edition program on TV6 earlier, Mr. Gonsalez said the system would help motorists seeking information about their vehicles.
He said so far over 100,000 people have used the online facilities of the Licensing Division.
When the system becomes effective each driver starts with a clean slate.
But demerit points can be accumulated for breaches.
The points are electronically calculated and recorded.
Points accumulated over a 3-year period could cause a driver to lose his or her permit.
There are a number of fines and points attached to exceeding the speed limit.
Motor racing and speed trails between motor vehicles without permission can see drivers fined $1,000 and 6 points.
Failure to produce a vehicle for inspection/driving a vehicle without a valid inspection sticker and certificate can see drivers face up to 9 demerit points and a fine of $1,000.
Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan told the Morning Edition program any glitches in the system would be quickly dealt with.
The Minister also said there is misinformation being circulated by a politician about cameras installed on the Cocorite stretch.
He said they are not linked to this new system as is being claimed.
The United States has imposed travel restrictions on foreign nationals who have been to Brazil in the last 14 days.
Brazil recently became the world’s second major hotspot for the Coronavirus cases.
The country has recorded more than 360,000 cases, while over 22,000 people have died with the virus.
A White House spokeswoman said yesterday the restrictions would help ensure new cases are not brought into the US.
Non-Americans who have been in Brazil in the two weeks before they request entry to the US will be denied that entry.
The spokeswoman said the restriction would not affect trade between the two countries.
The suspension is to take effect on May 28th at one minute before midnight.
The travel ban will not apply to US citizens, or to the spouse, parent, legal guardian, or child of a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, and most siblings under the age of 21.
“The potential for undetected transmission of the virus by infected individuals seeking to enter the United States from [Brazil] threatens the security of our transportation system and infrastructure and the national security,” said the suspension order published by the White House on Sunday.
More nationals who work on cruise ships are expected to return home today.
But the Minister of Health says the growing numbers of returnees could become a problem.
Some cruise ship workers have already returned having been stuck at sea and in foreign places for several weeks.
The Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh yesterday said more are expected today.
Minister Deyalsingh said consideration is now being given to using the ships, which bring the returnees home, as quarantine facilities.
He said the state is looking at having more than 300 nationals aboard Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas, quarantine on the vessel while it is docked in local waters.
The Minister said there are 948 beds available across the local health sector, but half of them are allocated for immediate quarantine procedures.
Trinidad and Tobago’s last known COVID-19 positive patient has been discharged from hospital.
The patient, said to be an elderly woman from south Trinidad was released from the Caura Hospital last night.
She was the last of the 108 people to recover from the deadly virus.
Today, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Roshan Parasram says this is good news for the country.
He says now that there are no active cases of COVID-19 in the country members of the public cannot be complacent.
Dr. Parasram urged persons to continue taking preventative measures against the virus.
The woman spent almost 9 weeks being treated at hospital.
She along with her husband both tested positive for COVID-19 and were treated at the Couva District Hospital.
The husband was released 2 weeks ago.
Speaking with Newscenter 5 this morning Dr. Parasram says community testing will continue across Trinidad and Tobago.
He said the aim is to wipe out the virus, at least in this country.
In a statement last night the Ministry of Health said thus far 2805 samples have been submitted to the Caribbean Public Health Agency and the UWI site for testing for COVID-19 for testing.
It said the number of samples which have tested positive remained at 116 and 8 people have died from COVID-19.
The decomposing body of a man is discovered at his Woodbrook home.
He has been identified as 64-year-old Richard Miller.
His body was found in the living room of his Methuen Street home at round 9:40 last night.
Relatives say he had not been seen or heard from for the last 2 weeks and they decided to check on him, when he was found.
An autopsy is expected to be performed on his body today.
Police say his body was in an advanced state of decomposition and could not determine if there were marks of violence.
Investigations are continuing.
Senate President Christine Kangaloo orders a member out of the chamber after his cellular phone goes off.
Newly minted Government Senator Jason “JW” Williams was asked to leave the Upper House on Thursday.
The Soca star turned politician, is the PNM candidate for the key marginal seat of Barataria/San Juan.
He found himself temporarily leaving the chamber during his second sitting since replacing of former Public Utilities Minister Robert Le Hunte.
During the period of urgent questions, Senate President Christine Kangaloo rose in annoyance to complain of a noise from a smartphone.
The President said can the member, the Senator whose cellphone it is, please leave the chamber and return in ten minutes time.
Mr. Williams is reported to have calmly rose and left the chamber.
LATEST ON
Tweets by @i955fmTWITTER
FACEBOOK
This message is only visible to admins.
Problem displaying Facebook posts.
Click to show error