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The National Carnival Commission launches carnival 2024, and NCC Chairman Winston Gypsy Peters is manifesting a huge financial return.

At the opening of the festival at the Queens Park Savannah on Saturday night, Mr. Peters stressed on the product and business of carnival.

The NCC Chairman noted the competition for other carnivals.

Mr. Peters then encouraged everyone to do all in their power to keep the culture alive.

Meanwhile, the three stakeholders in carnival signaled their intention to make the 2024 celebrations better than last year.  

Head of the Trinbago unified Calypsonians organization Ainsley King, spoke to protecting the culture of Trinidad and Tobago.

Echoing similar sentiments was head of the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Bands Association Roslyn Gabriel.

President of Pantrinbago, Mrs Beverly Ramsey-Moore made a passionate for the continued support of the national instrument.

The National Security Minister says, there will be no cover-up in the matter involving now-fugitive Anthony Smith.

On The Eye On Dependence programme yesterday Fitzgerald Hinds said, any public officer found to be involved in human trafficking will be brought to justice.

Last Friday, the judiciary said, a 16 year old girl who is a reported to be a human trafficking victim testified against Mr. Smith.

She said, a police officer was among the men she was made to have sexual intercourse with.

But Minister Hinds said, it is not yet certain what officer was involved.

The girl said, at the time she was being trafficked by Mr. Smith.

Along with that being said, the Minister defended his Government’s request for polygraph testing of police officers and all other public officers.

Minister Hinds also noted the reluctance to support the move, on the part of Police Association President Gideon Dickson.  

He made it clear that polygraph testing is important and it works.  

Polygraph testing is part of the miscellaneous provisions (testing and identification) bill 2022, which was piloted by Minister Hinds, in the House of Representatives on Wednesday last. 

The two men shot and killed during an ambush in St. James have been identified as Darnell  Pierre and Steffen Belgrave.

Another man is wounded.

On Wednesday night the three men were among a group liming outside Mr. Pierre’s house on Jeffers Lane, when they were attacked.

A Nissan AD Wagon pulled up close to the group.

A group of men got out of the vehicle with AR-15s and opened fire.

Both 25 year old Mr. Belgrave and 28 year old Mr. Pierre along with the other man were shot several times.

Mr. Belgrave was killed at the scene, while Mr. Pierre died at the Port of Spain General hospital.

Police say, up to 13 shots were fired by the gunmen. Investigators suspect this incident was gang related

The Regulated Industries Commission stands by its decision, which will see higher electricity rates.

The Commission says, it did the best it could in approving and proposing new rates.

However, Chairman Dawn Callendar says, the rates recommended by the RIC reflect 75% of the true rates.

Additionally, Mrs. Callendar says, the organization did all in its power to cushion the effects of the impending hike in electricity rates.

She noted that the reduction is about 2 billion dollars, and responded to concerns over residential rates.

Executive Director Dr. Michelle Salandy says, consideration was given to reduce commercial and industrial customers by 13%, to cushion the trickle down effect.

While she understands price increases are never welcomed, the RIC sought to find the right balance.

They were speaking on tv6’s morning edition programme yesterday,

T&TEC, is yet to accept the proposed rates.

The Prime Minister’s statement on crime is said to be hollow and futile.

On Tuesday Dr. Rowley denounced the continuing crime spree, and vowed to hunt down and apprehend the perpetrators.

In his statement, the Prime Minister said, violent crime had gone from being concerning to ridiculous.

However, political leader of the movement for social justice, David Abdulah labels the situation as frightening, and pours cold water on the Prime Minister’s stance.

Speaking with News Centre Five yesterday, Mr. Abdulah said, in the absence of plans the statement amounts to no more than talk.

In his statement the Prime Minister promised that the state will redouble its efforts to combat violent crime.

He also said, it will not be tolerated.

Bandits steal cash from the Scotiabank ATM in Curepe.

Four trays of cash were stolen on Tuesday night.

It is said, an alarm went off at around 8:03pm at the space located near the priority bus route in Curepe.

When security guards rushed to the scene, they saw the door to the service area open.

The vault to the machine was also open and the trays of cash were missing.

The actual sum of money taken has not yet been revealed.

According to the report CCTV camera footage showed three men, leaving the ATM carrying bags.

The men entered a vehicle and sped off.

In July, this year five trays of cash were taken at the Scotiabank ATM at SS Erin road in penal.

Officials said, the machine was secured at around midday.

Later an alarm was triggered, and security officers realized the keypad to the first ATM had been tampered with.

The bandits are believed to have used two keys during the theft.

Attorney at law and government Member of Parliament, Keith Scotland says, he personally believes the bail act needs to change.

He insisting it is his view, and will not say if his government is heading in that direction.

The Port of Spain south MP said, yesterday a revisit of the bail for murder law should be considered.

Mr. Scotland’s view comes after the murder of Nester “pappi” Sammy in Diego Martin last Sunday.

He was 33 years old and was on bail for possession of firearms and ammunition.

He was also on bail for murder.

Mr. Scotland was on the morning show on i95.5fm yesterday.

He insisted tampering with bail access is a sensitive issue and the approach has to be carefully crafted.

Mr. Sammy was one of eight people who were killed, within 24 hours last Sunday and Monday afternoon.

Immigration officers get new equipment, which will allow them to quicker detect falsified passports, and forgeries of other forms of identification and documents.

This from the Ministry of National Security, which says, it received 25 electronic handheld magnifiers donated by German Federal Police.

The ministry says, the equipment will assist officers at the immigration forensic document examination laboratory.

In receiving the devices, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Ms. Nataki Atiba-Dilchan said, the technology would enhance the work of frontline immigration officers.

Consul at the embassy of the federal republic of Germany in Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Monika Noy said, the donation formed part of the Global Cooperation Programme of the German Federal Police, and serves as an example of the good cooperation between the organization and the Trinidad and Tobago immigration division.

There is said, to be an increase in piracy incidents in the waters off Carli Bay, and the Minister of National Security is being told to do something about it.

This is according to the Member of Parliament for Couva North Ravi Ratiram who says, fisher folk are the ones being targeted and are under constant attack.

MP Ratiram explains, that gunmen are threatening and preventing fisher folk from plying their trade.

The Member of Parliament could not confirm, if the bandits are local but describes the situation as frightening.

He says, reports have been made to police.

Mr Ratiram is calling on the Minister of National Security to intervene.

He says, a radar system to monitor the seas is important.

On Tuesday Carlibay fisher folk took to the streets, over the issue.

Mr Ratiram says, he stands in solidarity with them and calls on the government to heed the urgent plea, for enhanced security measures in the gulf.

The Rafah crossing from Gaza to Egypt has opened for the first time since Israel’s siege began more than three weeks ago.

At least 20 Palestinian patients, and 110 dual nationals, have left Gaza so far.

It’s thought 88 injured Palestinians and around 500 foreign nationals will be allowed out in the first phase.

Civilians have not been able to leave Gaza since Israel’s siege began on 7 October.