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Minister of Finance Colm Imbert says, it is proving difficult to provide free pharmaceuticals, with the public health care system.

He’s says, this includes the chronic disease assistance programme or CDAP.

He says, there is a task to find almost half a billion dollars to supplement the ministry of health, for the rest of the year.

Minister Imbert was speaking during the parliament’s standing finance committee yesterday’s.

Minister Imbert also said, the cost of health care has been an increase of billions of dollars over the years.

Meanwhile, the pharmacy board says, there are a number of factors, which may have contributed to this.

Mr. Mohammed also said, there must be meeting with stakeholders to prevent a further strain in the system.

In the 2024 budget, health received the second-highest ministry allocation—$7.409 billion.

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Kamla Persad Bissessar admits she is shocked to learn that there is a plan to unseat her, if the United Patriots team wins the upcoming elections with the United National Congress.

Last night the UNC leader, whose position is not being contested on June 15^th, claimed the opposition team has a mandate to remove her.

At a meeting of her star team Mrs. Persad Bissessar called members of the other team, treacherous.

In Chaguanas last night Mrs. Persad Bissessar, waded into sitting MP’s Rushton Paray and Rodney Charles who are part of the United Patriots.

She hinted at seating changes on the opposition bench in the parliament.

Sanitation workers at the Port of Spain city corporation are refusing to carry out their duties, accusing the mayor of disrespecting them.

At one o’clock this morning, the workers showed up but refused to perform their tasks.

President of the Representing Amalgamated Workers Union, Michael Prentice confirmed industrial action has started.

Mister prentice said, the problem is not a lack of money but the people at City Hall.

He apologized to the burgesses for the pile up of garbage likely to occur.

Efforts to reach both the local government minister and the mayor have not been successful.

Officers of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Unit, arrest four persons for driving under the influence.

A release from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service says, road traffic exercises were conducted early Saturday morning.

It says, one DUI exercise was conducted between 2 am and 6 a.m., on Saturday along the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway.

During the exercise, Breathalyzer tests were administered to a total of 18 persons and four were found to be over the legal limit.

The men, ages 24 to 40, of San Fernando, Siparia and Santa Flora, were arrested in connection with the offence.

Meanwhile, officers of the Freeport highway patrol conducted a speed exercise between midnight Friday and 4 pm Saturday, which resulted in a total of 22 electronic fixed penalties, notices being issued to errant motorists.

In the north eastern division police say, officers of the Barataria station conducted a road traffic exercise between 6:30 pm on Friday

and 1a.m. Saturday.

The release says during the exercise, officers issued fixed penalty notices for various offences including, failing to place a child who is five years and under in a child restraint, or booster seat in the vehicle and driving without a valid inspection sticker and certificate. The TTPS says, in light of recent fatal road traffic accidents on the nation’s roadways, it is urging motorists to put safety first and obey the road traffic laws by not drinking and driving and speeding.

An attempt to get bail for Canadian YouTuber Christopher Chris Must List Hughes, was denied ahead of his appearance before a master of the court today.

Mr. Hughes’ lawyer Criston J. Williams says, he sent a justice of the peace to the police station in Port of Spain, where he is being held.

Mr. Williams says, after a discussion with the officers at the station, the JP was turned away.

Mr. Hughes will there for remain at the station, until his appearance before a master of the court.

The attorney says, up to yesterday afternoon, no one from the team investigating the matter contacted him, to confirm his client’s court appearance.

Mr. Hughes has been charged under the sedition act.

Police are reported as saying there may be other charges leveled against the Canadian citizen.

The police have said, Mr. Hughes’ social media activities was brought to light last week, after certain videos were posted online.

They featured individuals claiming to be gang members, advocating criminal activities and using threatening language.

Bullets fired from the guns of men at the Port of Spain General hospital, leave three dead.

The attacks began in nearby gonzales where Johnathon Arjoon, Jaydon Reyes and Kevin King were shot.

It is being reported that the men were taken to the hospital, after they were wounded.

While on the compound of the hospital, the gunmen pulled up and opened fire on the already wounded men.

It is said, members of staff and those seeking care ran for cover.

One of the men was reportedly shot in an eye.

The National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds, and the police Commissioner Erla Harewood Christopher were at the scene of the shooting, in Gonzales and at the hospital.

Minister Hinds said, he was still trying to gather all relevant information on the shooting.

Trinidad and Tobago nationals at the University of the West Indies Mona campus in Jamaica, Cave Hill Barbados at to receive help with the government assistance for tuition expenses programme, GATE.

The education ministry says, GATE will be expanded to cover the tuition costs of medical studies beginning in August this year.

The ministry says, this measure is to provide students with the opportunity to reach their highest potential, and support the national workforce development.

The budgetary allocation under the GATE programme, is now valued at 400 million dollars per fiscal year.

The ministry says, it represents an investment in the development of current and future generations of nationals.

According to the ministry gate has been, and continues to be a critical asset.

The energy ministry has received six bids for four (4) of the thirteen (13) off shore blocks in its 2023-2024, shallow water bid round for hydro carbon exploration in the country.

Energy minister Stuart Young says, this augurs well as it shows the continuation of three major upstream exploration companies, interested in Trinidad and Tobago.

He says, new and existing stakeholders are showing high interests.

The bid round was launched in October of last year and closed yesterday.

The results confirmed BG International Limited, BP exploration operating company limited, and EOJ Resources Trinidad Limited submitted a total of three bids for block U.C.

BP submitted one bid for block NCMA-2. EOJ submitted one bid for block NCMA-4 and another bid for block lower reverse.

Four road traffic fatalities are recorded over the weekend.

The accidents took place in Chaguaramas, Chaguanas and on the north coast.

In the latest incident the victims have been identified as Jeraldine Matamaroo and Mark Thomas.

They were 25 and 28years old respectively.

Reports say, the incident took place opposite O2 park on the western main road around 9 pm.

Newscentre five understands, the couple was in the car when it lost control.

The vehicle flipped several times before crashing into the sea.

The police and the fire service were called to the scene, and retrieved the vehicle with the bodies inside.

They were pronounced dead and the scene.

Also a 28 year-old female driver is the country’s latest road fatality.

Chris Ragoonanan died yesterday, following an early morning crash in Marabella. 

Reports say, Ms. Ragoonanan, a waitress, of Harmony Hall, Gasparillo, passed away at the scene. 

Ms. Ragoonanan was driving along Union Road in a white Hyundai

Accent, with a female passenger in the front seat at around 2 am.

On reaching Ali’s Hardware, the vehicle reportedly swerved and crashed into a concrete wall causing Ms. Ragoonanan to become pinned inside.

Reports say, the passenger was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where up to late yesterday, she was being treated. 

Meanwhile, the probe continues into the death of motorcyclist Randy Thomas.

He was killed last Saturday when his motorbike crashed into a car along the north coast road in maracas

It is reported that Mr. Thomas was trying to overtake another vehicle when the accident occurred.

Fifty-two year old Mr. Thomas was from pork Chop Hill in Maraval.

The accident occurred near the Maracas lookout.