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A man is shot and killed in Barrackpore.

He has been identified as Curtis Thomas also known as Coutou.

Reports say the incident took place at Bouccad Trace around 10:40pm last night.

Residents say they heard several explosions and called the police.

It is said when officers arrived they found the body of Mr. Thomas with several bullet wounds.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

And a man is gunned down in Cocorite.

He has been identified as Brendon Barbaste.

Reports say that incident took place at water hole after 5pm yesterday afternoon.

Newscenter 5 understands Mr. Barbaste he was approached by an armed man who opened fire, hitting him in the chest.

The suspect then ran off.

Investigations are continuing.

An assurance to consumers from the President of the Super-Markets Association, that food prices will come down.

Rajiv Diptee’s statement follows a recent report from the central statically office, which notes a fall in headline inflation to 8.3 per cent in January 2023, compared with 8.7 per cent a month earlier.

However, the CSO says food inflation remained unchanged at 17.3 per cent.

Mr. Diptee, however, says he expected costs to lower, and assured when this happens, consumers will benefit.

But he notes that it will take some time for it to trickle down to the consumer.

He explains that import costs from the U.S and Europe have been leveling off, but energy prices and other factors remain high.

Mr. Diptee says these costs will have an effect on the consumer.

Mr. Diptee was speaking on the morning Edition program on Tv6 yesterday.

He believes once costs continues to level off consumers would see food prices decreasing on the shelves soon.

Meanwhile the opposition United National Congress describes the situation as insanely worrisome

MP Couva South Rudranath said the CSO report reflects a portion of the economic hardship, that workers across the country have been experiencing.

He says it is a clear indication of how challenging it has become for average families to put basic food on their tables.

Mr. Indarsingh says these hardships will be intensified by the imminent increases in electricity rates

He says these figures given by the retail price index are a clear indication of how vexatious, any further increases in electricity rates, food, and transportation would be.

There is a new deadline given to children’s homes, which have not been licensed.

Government announced a new date for the proclamation of, The Children’s Community Residences Foster Care And Nurseries Act.

The Act was expected to be proclaimed on, March 31st 2023.

The decision to extend the deadline was taken after some children’s homes did not meet the licensing requirements

And the Gender & Child Affairs Minister says it would do children more harm than good if proclamation takes place at this time.

Some thirteen children’s homes have been given an extension of, three months to get their act together.

A virtual news conference yesterday Minister of Gender And Child Affairs Ayanna Webster-Roy announced a new date.

Government had promised a decision on the proclamation of Sections 3 (1) And (2), and 17 Of The Children’s Community Residences, Foster Care And Nurseries Act By March 31st

But Minister Webster Roy said 13 homes in operation are still unregistered.

She assured the children are being well taken care of.

The Minister assured the public that the homes are consistently being monitored by the Children’s Authority to ensure the safety and well being of the children.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley says last Sunday was another painful day for the country.

Dr. Rowley says his heart goes out to the family.

He is promising to continue to improve the ability and infrastructure, to minimize the frequency of such occurrences.

He calls on members of the public to review their construction designs to allow for escape in an emergency.

Some reports say burglar proofing trapped the mother and daughter, where their bodies were found in the kitchen area.

Dr. Rowley says burglar proofing has sadly become essential, but now maybe a good time to review all individual situations. To allow for improvements without compromising the security aspects of the locked bars.

A Venezuelan man is stabbed to death in Princes Town.

He is 28-year-old Owell Lester Gonzalez Valasquez.

It is said he was involved in an altercation yesterday morning and was found unresponsive along the Naparima Mayaro Road, New Grant.

Police say Mr. Valasquez was stabbed several times in the chest.

He was pronounced dead at the Princes Town District Hospital.

The burglar proofing installed to keep out bandits is believed to have worked against a mother, and daughter who perished in a blaze at their Siparia home.

The bodies of Kemba Morris and her 8 year old daughter Zaya Morris, were found amid the burnt rubble at this home yesterday.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer South Ansar Ali said there was no word yet as to what caused the blaze.

He said officers met the building alight when they responded to the call.

Acfo Ali also said fire officers are expected to return to the scene to determine the cause of the blaze.

He also had some words of caution for homeowners.

Last Wednesday an elderly man said to be in his 70’s  died in a fire in Chatham.

Ezekiel Juba’s remains were found in the living room of his burnt out house.

Police are seeking public assistance in identifying the woman found along the north coast road.

Her decomposing body was found in a garbage bag.

Reports say the bag was secured with duct tape.A motorist yesterday in the Maracas district made the gruesome find. The police were contacted.

The woman is yet to be identified.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact the nearest police station.

The murder of Matthew Granger is now being probed by police.

The 41-year-old man was gunned down in what is being called a drive by in Laventille.

Mr. Granger hailed from Duke Street in Port of Spain.

It is said he liming with friends at around 5:45 along Laventille Road in Laventille, when a vehicle pulled up alongside them and shots were fired from within.

Mr. Granger was the only one hit and died at the scene.

Several spent shells were recovered.

Police say Mr. granger was not known to be involved in any criminal activity.

Meanwhile police are still seeking the identification of a body found in Ste. Madeline.

Reports say the discovery was made just opposite a pond in the area at around 8 o’clock yesterday morning.

Newscenter 5 understands a passer-by alerted police to the gruesome discovery.

Lawmen arrived to find the corpse with several bullet wounds.

Several spent bullet casings were found near-by.

The District Medical Officer ordered the remains moved to the mortuary where an autopsy is expected to be done pending a positive identification.

And Arima is the scene of a fatal robbery.

The victim has been identified as Miguel Pierre.

Reports say the incident took place near phase four in Malabar around 12:30 yesterday morning.

Newscenter 5 understands Mr. Pierre was seated in his vehicle when he was approached by a man wielding a gun.

The assailant shot Mr. Pierre several times before dragging him out of the car.

The suspect then drove off in the vehicle.

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

Lawmen discovered Mr. Pierre lying motionless on his back with several bullets wounds about his body.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigations in the both crimes are now on going.

Members of the Spiritual Baptist faith celebrate their liberation on lands given by government.   

Yesterday was the holiday given to the people of Trinidad and Tobago to commemorate the lifting of the Prohibition Act against the Spiritual Baptists and their worship.

At a celebration in La Horquetta, government Member of Parliament Foster Cummings said there has always been a commitment to the faith.

Minister Cummings said government was proud of its contribution to the faith.

The MP, who is a member of the Spiritual Baptist faith, told of major plans for the land.

Meanwhile Shepard Ray Braithwaite of the National Congress of Incorporated Baptists Organisations said yesterday the plan for the land is being rolled out.

However he said it would take a lot of money to become reality.

He said continued support from the government would be welcomed.