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State owned Caribbean Airlines comes under fire again, for it’s handling of the inter-island air bridge. 

This latest salvo of criticism comes from Secretary for Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation, Councillor Tashia Grace Burris. 

Speaking during yesterday’s sitting of the assembly, councillor Burris described CAL’s current arrangements as disrespectful and inadequate. 

She was at the time, piloting a motion that called for the establishment of a Tobago public transport company to manage air and sea transport, to and from the island, as well as public transport. 

She claimed aircraft bought to service the air bridge are now flying to other destinations. 

The motion called for, an integrated transportation system, something the tourism secretary believes will go a long way in alleviating the problems faced by the travelling public in Tobago. 

She added that it was also a critical part of plans to develop the Scarborough port development project. 

But in response minority leader Kelvon Morris described the motion as, pie in the sky and a smokescreen which left a lot of unanswered questions. 

Quoting figures from passengers utilizing the sea bridge on Tuesday, Mr. Morris said, nothing will come of the motion, as there is no crisis.

Mr. Morris also pointed out that a department of transportation already existed, with the division of tourism, culture, antiquities and transportation. As such there was no need for the new company being proposed. 

There are reports of an early morning double homicide in Rio Claro.

Dead are 13 year old Andrea Lallan and Sylvan Lallan.

Reports say, the incident took place in the area around 2:10 this morning.

It is said, the three persons were asleep in the house when a man armed with guns stormed in.

It is said, the assailant fired several shots at the three persons before escaping.

Residents in the area heard the explosions and contacted the police.

When lawmen arrived they found the victims lying in a pool of blood.

The two people were declared dead at the scene.

The other wounded person was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

Investigations are now ongoing.

The Lifeguards Association says, its members are not to blame for the drowning of five-year-old Damarie Jeffery.

On Sunday afternoon, during a family outing at fun splash water park in Debe, Damarie’s body was found floating in the adult pool.

There have been calls for a greater presence of lifeguards at such facilities.

However speaking with News Centre Five yesterday, president of the association Carl Hernandez said, his members are not at fault.

Mr. Hernandez said, the establishment is privately owned.

Meanwhile hours after he is reported missing at sea, 73-year-old Fareed Kassim’s body is found.

Mr. Kassim of Red Road New Grant reportedly drowned, while bathing at Indian Bay Stonebright Beach in Mayaro on Monday.

His body was found on Tuesday evening.

Three-year-old Shazade Simon died, from blood clots and her death has been classified as an accident.

The autopsy conducted on Shazade yesterday, listed the cause of death to be right heart thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis and 12 per cent mixed partial burns.

Her death was classified as unnatural and an accident.

Her grandfather has however called for an investigation to be conducted, at the San Fernando general hospital.

Shazade passed away on Monday, five days after she was taken to the medical institution.

She sustained second-degree burns, to her abdomen, buttocks and hand but granddad Wendell Lazar said, yesterday she was in high spirits and was due to be discharged.

He is questioning what led to relatives now having to bury the child.

Lazar said, it is too fishy and that something went wrong in the hospital. Something went wrong and they will try to cover up.

He added that the situation had left him puzzled.

He wants answers as he says, they told him the child had two days or a day to come outside and within those two days, his grandchild come out in a box leaving the question, what really happened in the hospital.

Tragedy in Laventille, as a 12 year old girl is found hanging.

Suicide is suspected.

Her name has been given as Sara Sandy.

Sara was a form 2 student at the Caribbean Union Secondary School.

Social media reports say, she lied at Ovid Lane and was found hanging from a rope at a staircase near the kitchen of the house.

According to Uncutt News Media, she was discovered by a relative just after 1:00 p.m. on Monday.

Investigations are continuing into the tragedy.

One activist is blaming Government for the red card issued by the European union, against Trinidad and Tobago over unregulated fishing in its waters.

The group Fishermen and Friends of the sea says, it could have been avoided if the state had updated the necessary laws.

On Monday, the European Commission issued Trinidad and Tobago with a red card for being a non-cooperating country, in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

This move was an escalation of the “yellow card” that Trinidad and Tobago received, in 2016.

The decision will be referred to the member states of the European union, to collectively decide whether to ban T&T’s fish imports.

Yesterday, president of the organization Gary Aboud said, this affects thousands of lives.

He said, that despite calls for consultation on the issue the state has not complied.

In a release on Monday the Ministry of Agriculture said, it was the result of an evaluation of local systems and programs for fisheries management, with focus on combating illegal unreported and unregulated fishing.

It said, the current fisheries legislation is more than 100 years old and does not allow, Trinidad and Tobago to adequately address its international obligations.

An autopsy is expected today on three-year-old Shazade Simon.

This as relatives insist the burns she received was from an accident at her grandfather’s vegetable stall in Williamsville.

One week ago, Shazade was burnt when she reportedly fell onto a pot, which was on a firecracker burner.

On Monday this week Shazade died, at the San Fernando general hospital.

Initial reports stated, she fell into a pot of boiling lentil peas.

The child’s aunt Maurisa Brizan dismissed the accounts given, on social media.

On the day Shazade died, she was telling relatives she would be home soon.

It is yet another situation which involves minors.

Last Thursday two teenagers and a 10 year old were shot dead as they slept at their home in the heights of Guanapo

A young adult, aged 19 years old was also shot dead in the same incident.

Investigations are now ongoing.

On Sunday five year old Damari Jeffrey drowned at a water park, in Debe.

The Trinidad and Tobago Psychology Association says, these latest events maybe traumatizing for the country.

President Kelly McFarlane says, the nation is in pain.

Mrs. McFarlane also said, there are ways in which people can deal with such incidents.

Mrs. McFarlane was speaking with News Centre five yesterday.

Barbados is poised to enjoy a significant jump in cruise arrivals this coming winter tourism season.

The Tourism Minister Ian Gooding Edghill says, the island’s cruise tourism numbers for the new season are looking good.

Minister Gooding-Edghill, spoke about the development at the Barbados tourism marketing incorporated thanksgiving church service at the Ann Gill memorial Methodist church last week.

He said, Barbados remains a desirable destination and cruise improvements within are being achieved.

The Minister explained that plans are already in motion for the 2024 campaign.

A strong warning from the police service to persons intent on taking matters into their own hands when it comes to the perpetrators of crime.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Kurt Simon says, there are methods which persons can use to  subdue criminals.

The DCP’s comments come as an F.U.L holder shot and killed an intruder, during a home invasion in St. Augustine two weeks ago.

Speaking with News Centre five yesterday, Dcp Simon warned persons about taking matters into their own hands.

Dcp Simon also said, recent incidents in which persons exacted retaliation against criminals  should be measured.

On Sunday MP for St. Augustine Khadijah Ameen said, her constituents are living in fear following the murder of a taxi driver Rawle Williams in the Curepe/ St. Augustine area.

Ms. Ameen also said it appears the TTPS does not have resources to deal with crime and the criminal elements.

She reiterated that while residents try to stand their ground they also need the protection of the police service.