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The public will know today, the Regulated Industries Commission’s final determination for the electricity transmission and distribution sector.

The RIC has been reviewing the electricity rates, and engaged in a number of public consultations on the matter.

The statutory body has proposed an increase in rates.

However, it has not yet made a decision.

More are expected to be revealed this morning, by the RIC at a media conference carded for the Hilton Hotel.

The RIC regulates, the delivery of services by the water and sewerage authority and the Trinidad and Tobago electricity.

A release says, it is an independent, statutory body established to ensure the promotion of the highest quality of utility services, at fair and reasonable rates.

Hours of gridlock in and around the capital city of Port of Spain, caused by heavy rains and floods.

Thousands of people spent yesterday afternoon stuck in their vehicles around the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain and other parts, trying to get home.

Woodbrook, St. James, Maraval and downtown Port of Spain were under water and commuters unable to move.

The floods cause massive gridlock as motorists and those depending on public transport, were stuck for hours on the roadways.

Taxi drivers in the capital said, it was hard for them to work their routes, and there have been complaints about of lack of police officers on the roads.

The Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan, was forced to open the priority bus route after six pm to other vehicles.

The Minister said, what was seen yesterday is not uncommon.

The Minister insisted, last night steps are being taken to minimize the flooding incidents in and around Port of Spain.

He said, while the city has evolved but the infrastructure has not kept up with the changes.

Trevie-Ann Raymond has been expelled  from school, after a video captured her verbally abusing her teacher in the classroom.

The incident occurred at the Siparia East Secondary School.

Her mother Cherry Ann Raymond last week said, she was at her wits end in dealing with the girl.

A letter signed by the Education Minister, Dr. Nyan Gadsby Dolly, dated October 16th 2023 was issued to the parent of the girl.

It listed that the principal of the school initially suspended Trevie-Ann for disruptive and unruly behaviour, use of obscene language towards a teacher, issuance of verbal threats, use of aggressive intimidating behaviour  towards a teacher, and gross disrespect towards authority.

The letter said, the Minister of Education was made aware of the principal’s action.

Dr. Dolly wrote in the letter that because of the gravity and severity of what took place Trevie-Ann is now expelled.

She said her order is final.

The way the media report stories involving LGBTQI+ is highlighted by civil society organization, Caiso, as a concern.

This as Caiso expresses condolences to the friends and family of Marvin “goldy” Joseph.

His body was found with multiple stab wounds by joggers on chancellor hill on Sunday.

The feminist civil society organization says, it is saddened at the loss and hopes for due process and, for the rule of law to be upheld in this matter.

In a release Caiso also calls on media to be mindful, of sensational headlines regarding news stories that may include an LGBTQI+ person or someone perceived to be a member of the community.

Two adults are now assisting police with investigations into the possible child negligence.

Two toddlers were found alone in an abandoned building in D’Abadie on Monday night.

Police constables French and Hannaway were on Samaan Drive, near Jordan Trace when they saw two children on the pavement.

The officers estimated that the children may be about three years old, and one of the children was said, to be naked.

The officers noticed the children walking into the structure and they followed.

They are said, to have called out for adults but no one responded.

The children were then seen in a room of the building.

There was no one around until later at around 9 pm.

The children were taken to the Maloney police station.

The child protection unit of the police service was notified.

On a return to the structure, the officers found a couple in the abandoned structure.

The two adults were detained and will be questioned.

The children were also taken for medical attention at the Arima hospital.

The United States gives Trinidad and Tobago the go ahead to pay Venezuela in cash for the natural gas extracted from the dragon field.

During a news conference yesterday, Energy Minister Stuart Young said, the U.S. government has approved an amendment to the license granted in January for the joint development of the field.

The Minister said, the talks are continuing with Venezuela.

Minister Young sees this as significant and the result of negotiations and hard work, even in the face of criticisms.

The Minister also sought to clarify what was signed in Venezuela last month and the need for confidentiality then.

A suspected car thief is shot dead by police in San Juan.

The dead man has not been identified.

Reports say the incident took place near the Croisee at around 6:30 last evening.

News Centre Five understands two men in dark clothing, with their faces covered and armed with a gun, robbed a man of his grey Nissan Wing Road vehicle.

During the incident, the assailants dealt the man several blows about his body.

The vehicle was later intercepted at the Croisee.

When the officers pursued the stolen vehicle, the

occupants are reported to have opened fire on the officers.

They returned fire hitting the two men.

After the shooting ceased, the two suspects were conveyed to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex.

One suspect succumbed to his wounds last night.

The other suspect, who is said to be 18 years old, is receiving medical treatment.

The officers also recovered one firearm at the scene of the incident.

Investigations are ongoing.

The Trinidad and Tobago meteorological service discontinues its hot spell alert.

The TTMS explains, that as the country approaches the end of the heat season, the likelihood of extended periods of extremely high daily temperatures has significantly decreased.

The met service says, this is due to anticipated cloudy and/or rainy conditions associated with wet weather meteorological features over the coming days.

It says, as such the daily temperatures are forecast to be warm as usual for the rest of October. Nevertheless, the TTMS is still advising persons to stay hydrated, and continue to monitor the weather conditions.

There are hundreds of vacancies within the Fire and the Prisons services

This from Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds even as he says, some posts have been filled.

Minister Hinds was responding to a question from Barataria/San Juan MP Saddam Hosein during the standing Finance Committee in the parliament yesterday.

Minister Hinds listed the number of vacant positions in the Fire Service.

He said, the fire service is running well despite the views of some.

The Minister also said, there are 771 vacant positions in the prison service.

Price Smart is giving the assurance, the discrepancies in their customers refunded accounts are due to foreign exchange rate fluctuation.

The company says, customers have been negatively impacted by the situation, which was reported last weekend.

Some customers of the chain have complained about fund withdrawals and refund discrepancies.

Price Smart yesterday confirmed some transactions affected its member’s credit card accounts.

According to Price Smart it was due to a technical issue in processing, which affected multiple banks and merchants outside the chain’s control, in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Bankers Association explains, that those who experienced a recent reversal of transactions on their bank card accounts, can be assured no security breaches made to their banking information.

In a release BATT says, it is aware of the reports from customers regarding a recent reversal, of transactions on their bankcard accounts at select merchants.

It says, this is not any type of fraudulent or cyber-crime activity against customers and their banking information remains secure.

BATT explains, this reversal arose as a result of a processing issue, which would have, unfortunately impacted many of the banks.

It says, its member banks are urgently working to have the matter resolved and legitimate queries are being investigated.