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Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, pledges her government’s commitment to empowering young people.

She gave the assurance in her message to observe, UN world youth skills day.

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar notes the theme of this year’s event is youth empowerment through artificial intelligence (AI) and digital skills.

The head of the cabinet says since assuming office two months ago, the UNC embarked on the establishment of the ministry of public administration and artificial intelligence to drive innovation across governance, education and the economy.

This ministry, the prime minister says, was created through the merger of the public administration and digital transformation ministries that existed under the former pnm government.

Mrs. Persad-Bissessar says, the reinstatement of the schools laptop programme to ensure every form one student receives a device is another effort to advance digital inclusion, opportunity and equity.

She hopes the 2025/2026 budget will include additional programmes to foster youth development.

As Prime Minister, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar says she remains committed to building a society where every young person is empowered and equipped to shape a better future.

Charged with two sex related offences attorney at law, Martin George appears in court.

The founding chairman of crime stoppers international for the entire Caribbean region, has been granted TT$150,000 bail after he appeared in court on sex related charges.

Fifty-eight year old Mr. George, who is also the chairman and founding director of the Tobago business chamber, appeared before high court master, Indira Chinebas, charged with grievous sexual assault and indecent assault.

According to the charge, Mr. George is alleged to have committed the sexual offences on March 22nd at his law firm in Port of Spain.

The former member of the police service commission appeals tribunal was arrested on July 8^th, at his Port of Spain office by detectives assigned to the, Port of Spain criminal investigations department.

The victim, a young attorney, alleged she was assaulted at the Port of Spain offices of Martin George and company.

He appeared in court yesterday and was ordered not to have any contact with the alleged victim,  “directly or indirectly” and to stay 500 metres away from her at all times.

The matter was adjourned to October 7th, for a status hearing.

Mr.George, who previously served as a three-time member of the PSC, vice president of the Tobago lawyers association and vice president of the Tobago Division of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, is being represented by former attorney general, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, SC, and John Health, SC.

Within the next two months, the promised stand your ground legislation of the United National Congress will be taken to the parliament.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar last night said, the draft is almost complete.

The initiative was promised by the UNC as it sought the vote of the people, leading up to the April 28^th general election.

Now that the party is in government, Prime Minister Persad Bissessar told the Monday night report in Penal, its time to deliver on that promise.

In outlining some of the measures in the draft bill the prime minister insisted, several realities are to be considered.

She said, access to legal firearm is part of the stand your ground legislation as well.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar referred to a familiar but controversial instruction, of the not too distant past.

The prime minister was addressing a political meeting of her, United National Congress in her constituency.

There are grumblings within some sections of the trade union movement, over yet to be realized, salary increases promised by the United National Congress, before the general election.

Specifically, they are the National Trade Union center and the association representing nurses.

President of nurse’s association Idi Stuart says, while some unions accepted the former administration’s 4 percent, nurses and other workers in the health sector remain on 2013 salaries.

He says, he cannot afford to give the new government any grace period, to be later considered collateral damage.

Mr. Stuart says, at this time the government has increased the hours of services, at all health centers across the country with skeletal nursing staff in the sector.

He says, his association wants an over 10% increase which, was promised by the UNC and placed in its manifesto ahead of the general election.

NATUC head, Michael Anisette says, he is coming for the 12 percent, which was promised by Kamla Persad Bissessar led peoples partnership.

He says, the PNM government refused to pay.

They were speaking on TV6’s Morning Edition programme yesterday.

Government is telling dismissed workers of the community based environmental protection and enhancement programme, CEPEP not to worry, the ruling party will not turn its back on them.

Minister in the Ministry of Public Utilities Clyde Elder yesterday said, the corruption within CEPEP is mind-boggling.

He said, his government had no choice but to send home the workers, said to be in the thousands.

On the morning show on i95.5fm yesterday, minister Elder described the workers as collateral damage.

Meanwhile, outside the parliament yesterday opposition senator Foster Cummings called the dismissal of the workers unjust.

Senator Cummings was on his way into the parliament, for a sitting of the upper house.

It is now official Penelope Beckles is the new political leader of the Peoples National Movement.

She is now the first woman to lead the party.

After contesting the internal elections unchallenged Mrs. Beckles yesterday, called on members of the party to return to the fold.

The MP for Arima and her executive were installed at the city hall in Port of Spain yesterday.

New chairman of the party, Marvin Gonsalzes is warning against what he has described as the bloodletting by the government of Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar.

He lamented the dismissals of top ranking officials of state enterprises, such as the water and sewerage authority and the central bank.

Mr. Gonzales also said even the president of the republic may be under threat.

At the special convention, lady vice chairman Dr. Nyan Gadsby Dolly echoed the words of the party’s founder Dr. Eric Williams at a convention in 1960.

She wants members to unite at this time.

She said, there is a party to serve and a country to defend.

The job security of over 500 contracted workers at WASA’s Operational Control Center is said to be, hanging in the balance.

Newscentre Five understands, the contracts of 50, in office, and over 400 field workers have not been renewed and they are yet to receive word on, their employment status within the organization.

Speaking with Newscentre Five, yesterday, former Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales said, the O.C.C project was essential to the transformation of the utility.

He said, thousands of households were receiving water without making payment to WASA.

According to Mr. Gonzales, many of those homeowners were regularized under the programme, to the benefit of WASA.

Mr .Gonzales said, plans are underway to cancel the project which also provided jobs in the 41 constituencies across the country.

On Wednesday Chief Executive Officer Keithroy Halliday was sent home. 

Mr. Halliday was replaced by Jeevan Joseph who is now acting in the position.

This follows a new WASA board being sworn in last week.

Larry Howai is on the job from today, and he says among his priorities is the troubling foreign exchange situation in the country.

Mister Howai has been appointed, cenral bank governor.

This after the appointment of governor Dr. Alvin Hilaire was revoked on the request of Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar.

Details of the circumstances, which led to dr. Hilaire’s removal, have not yet been confirmed, but reports are pointing in the direction of soured relations between the former governor and the new government.

Yesterday, he received his instrument of appointment from finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo.

Mr. Howai is today reported as saying, he did not wish to return to public life, but he agreed to the prime minister’s request when she said, she needed him to help address the challenges.

He is vowing to the fix the foreign exchange situation.

Mr. Howai believes, there is need for better management of the foreign exchange situation and transparency must be added.

Dr. Hilaire is quoted today as saying, he would rather be fired for doing his job.

Commissioner of Police Allistair Guevarro confirms his deputy, Suzette Martin is being investigated.

At his maiden news conference yesterday, commissioner Guevarro said, the allegations against DCP Martin involves the 2022 arrest of a firearms, dealer and trainer in Barbados.

According to the TTPS, the investigation into DCP Martin began after, Professional Standards Bureau officers conducted an audit at the business of an Aranguez firearms dealer.

Asked to detail the allegations against DCP Martin, commissioner Guevarro stressed that the investigation remains active.

He said, DCP Martin remains in her position as Deputy Commissioner and is not currently suspended.

Quizzed on whether keeping her in the post could affect the integrity of the investigation, the top cop expressed confidence in the team led by ACP Curt Simon.

The Brent Thomas audit, is alleged to have discovered several irregularities, which lead to the search of the dealer’s home, where explosive devices and prohibited firearms were discovered.

In April 2023, high court judge Devindra Rampersad ruled that Mr. Thomas’ arrest carried out by officers led by DCP Martin amounted to an “abduction.”

The then Attorney General Reginald Armour later issued an apology to, Barbadian authorities.

The commissioner assured the assembled media and the public, that every aspect of the inquiry would be conducted in full compliance with established police procedures.