For this exhibition, he has drawn inspiration from his archives and produced striking pieces in oils, the medium he favoured in his early development as an artist.

Bryden believes these paintings to be some of his best work and is pleased to still have the drive to create and be relevant in a pastime he loves so much, said a media release.

The exhibition will also feature pieces on loan from his family’s private collection, many of which have never been displayed in public. Limited edition prints of Bryden’s watercolours will be available for purchase. Journey Through The Past will open at 5pm on Friday, and will be held at the Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago, Federation Park. To encourage a more diversified ownership of his paintings, Bryden will have a silent auction on selected pieces, with a blind bidding process, which will conclude with last bids on September 15 at 3 pm.

Part proceeds from winning bids in excess of their base price will be donated to the All Saints Gordon Home for Senior Citizens.

The exhibition will continue until September 15, from 10am to 5pm daily.

Roodal Moonilal for comments which, Rowley said, were meant as a “dog whistle” to certain people suggesting that the government was using its power to persecute people of East Indian descent.

Rowley delivered the rebuke during a 6.30am news conference at Piarco International Airport before leaving the country for a medical checkup in the US. He is scheduled to return by the end of next week and Minister of Finance Colm Imbert will act as prime minister during his absence.

Rowley said Moonilal, in commenting on Tuesday’s arrest of former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, alleged the move was oppression by the government.

He said Moonilal was “implying that it is executive action by the Cabinet and this party, not actions of an independent police under the guidance of an independent Director of Public Prosecutions ,where the requirements are for information to be converted into evidence and for evidence to be acted upon under the guidance and watchful eye of the DPP, a place where the Cabinet has no presence or involvement.” Rowley continued, “He is saying that this arrest of his former colleague is political action on the part of the government and he went further to say it is action against persons of East Indian background and he named a number of East Indians who had been through the court process and attaches this recent development to it and is indicating to the country that the law enforcement in this country is based on your racial complexion.” He said Moonilal, however, neglected to tell the country that he, himself, was under investigation by the police in connection with the alleged mishandling of more than $400 million at the Estate Management and Business Development Company Limited (EMBD) in August 2015, just before the last election.

Rowley said the Attorney General’s office and a State enterprise had gone to court to complain about eight or ten people, including Moonilal, who were named in connection with that matter.

Furthermore, Rowley said the course of events which led to Ramlogan’s arrest had its genesis in the previous administration.

“Let me remind the national community (that) under the last government, one day we woke up and the news that came out of the government was that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had fired the attorney general and also fired the minister of national security of that government for allegations of wrongdoing that would have taken place on the part of persons in that government.

“That took place before the last general election under the instruction and the hand of Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

The police, under the instructions of acting Commissioner (Stephen) Williams, opened an investigation into these matters and that investigation has been going on and has gone on continuously to the point where, a few days ago, former attorney general Anand Ramlogan was arrested with respect to charges levelled against him.” Reached for comment yesterday, Moonilal told Newsday he is considering suing Rowley for slander and intends to send a letter, upon his return, asking for particulars of the accusation made against him and “the police investigation into the EMBD and whatever possible involvement I have had in that.” He also issued a statement in which he accused Rowley of executing an early morning “hit and run” attack against him and other members of the Opposition.

Moonilal told Newsday Rowley gave information which suggested that he had “intimate and personal” knowledge of an ongoing police investigation “and he has also come to a conclusion saying when I am in court as if he is certain that I will be charged.” Asking how Rowley would know this, Moonilal recalled the prime minister once expressed no confidence in the Police Service to curb crime in TT. He said he had written to Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams who had not yet responded.

He said he was not aware he was the subject of any investigation and he had never been questioned or spoken to about it. Moonilal said Rowley’s statement was reckless and constituted misbehaviour in public office for which he would also consider reporting Rowley to the Integrity Commission.

He claimed the prime minister’s latest comments suggest he has done a 180 degree turn on the issue. Moonilal also alleged this raises the question as to whether there is, “collusion between elements of the police service and the political directorate.” Vowing that neither the Opposition nor himself will be silenced, Moonilal said it was unfortunate Rowley chose to, “sow the seeds of division in our nation.” He regretted that Rowley did not use the briefing to comfort the people of Tobago that transportation problems on the seabridge would be resolved soon or address lingering concerns over the re-appointment of Robert Le Hunte as Public Utilities minister. Le Hunte was sworn in, for a second time, on Thursday (Independence Day).

Knight Riders have an unassailable lead at the top of the standings with 16 points after earning eight wins and one loss.

Knight Riders will also welcome Shadab Khan back into the squad after the Pakistani had to return to Pakistan briefly for fitness and medical tests. The Tridents are in a keen contest with the Guyana Amazon Warriors to earn the fourth and final spot of the knockout phase.

Knight Riders will face the second placed team in qualifier one at Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) in Tarouba, on Tuesday, from 8 pm. Either Jamaica Tallawahs or St Kitts and Nevis Patriots will finish in second position.

Last night, Tallawahs were hoping to seal second place with a victory over Amazon Warriors in Jamaica.

The winner of qualifier one will qualify for the September 9 final at 9 pm. On Wednesday from 8 pm, the eliminator between the third place and fourth place teams will take place. The winner will play the loser of qualifier one in qualifier two on Thursday at 8 pm for a place in the final. All matches in the second phase of the tournament will be played at BLCA

“There are vendors who have been registered already, those are the vendors who will be allowed to remain on Charlotte Street. All other vendors, we are asking you to remove yourself in an orderly fashion.” Mayor Martinez added , “We are going to ask our police service to assist us in ensuring that the areas are properly regulated.

Charlotte Street is the first street we have started the regularisation process, however we are moving to the other streets thereafter.

Once the process is completed on Charlotte Street we want to ensure that vending is properly regulated throughout the city.” Martinez said although vending occurs in all cities around the world, there are rules and process vendors have to follow to ensure the city remains a successful city.

“How it is done? It is regulated.

Vendors are allowed to vend in certain parts and ply their trade in a very decent manner.

They are young entrepreneurs, but at the same time they must be regulated.” He said discussion are being held with the police to further collaborate on new and innovative ways to enhance the safety and security of the burgesses and citizens of the city of Port-of-Spain.

They say the facility, located along the Eastern Main Road, Aripo, continued to be affected by the absence of an air condition system, leaking roof, defective surveillance cameras and a faulty electronic gate, which, for the longest while, was being operated manually.

Further, they complained that the food given to the detainees lacked variety and was not even “fit for dogs.” Established by the Patrick Manning-led People’s National Movement Government in November 2009 to curb the problem of illegal immigrants in the country, the IDC shot to national prominence in January 2016 when workers complained about chronic overcrowding, unsuitable living conditions and fears of a potential health threat at that time.

National Security Minister Edmund Dillon visited the facility, one month later, to get a first-hand account of the situation and promised to look into the concerns of both workers and detainees, particularly overcrowding. And while there has been a marked reduction in the number of detainees at the IDC, sources said many of the other problems persist.

Newsday understands there are now 73 men and 18 women currently detained at the facility. They comprise mostly Jamaicans, Russians, Haitians, Vincentians, Venezuelans, Grenadians and Chinese nationals.

One source said the complaints of the workers and detainees appear to be falling on deaf ears.

“Dillon only paid lip service and management is not saying anything,” an irate source said.

He claimed the absence of an efficient air condition unit was causing serious discomfort to both staff and detainees.

“It has not been operational for about five years and this has caused many of workers to sick-out because they are uncomfortable.

Only the manager’s office has air condition,” one claimed, adding the manual fans were blowing hot air.

He said the problem was particularly acute in the visitors’ lounge.

“This is an international place and when people have to come and visit the detainees, they get soaking wet because of the heat,” he said.

He claimed the leaking roof also posed a major inconvenience as the detainees’ beds often had to be shifted during heavy rainfall.

Another source said the detainees’ diet left a lot to be desired.

“The food is poor, not even fit for dogs and the caterers are getting big money. On mornings they get two hops bread and either butter or cheese paste and for lunch, macaroni and chicken nuggets and a small Orchard drink. This is what they get everyday.” He claimed workers have dubbed the macaroni and chicken nuggets meal the “Road March Dinner” by virtue of the frequency with which the detainees receive it.

He claimed the detainees were poorly treated.

“They order slippers for them and there are no proper sizes.

You have people with big feet wearing small slippers.” He also claimed workers sometimes had to take money from their own pockets to assist detainees with trips to their native countries when they are released.

“I think the Government should consider giving some kind of pardon to the detainees and just send them back to where they come from. Some of them have been here (IDC) too long.” He claimed a Nigerian national, believed to be in his late 30s, is the longest-serving detainee at the IDC.

“He has been here for about five years and he speaks seven different languages and has seven different passports. But that is not our business. Send him back to his native country.” Sources are also calling on the authorities to address the disparity in salary between Special Reserve Police officers at the IDC and those working under the TT Police Service.

“An SRP usually get $7,000 a month but those at the IDC only get $5,000. So, something has to be wrong with that,” one said.

Police sources said the exercise was conducted between the hours of 4 pm and 6 pm.

The police received information which led them to upper Haig Street, Carenage, where they searched an abandoned house. As a result, police found a pistol and a magazine with nine rounds of 9mm ammunition.

No one was arrested in connection with the find.

Residents said the heavy rains pounded the southern borough for at least three hours. Up to late yesterday evening many villagers throughout the borough remained marooned in their homes being surrounded by flood waters. Baby Ethan Soodeen and his young mother Maaltee Seedath were among 30 other households which suffered heavy flood damage. A still traumatised Seedath recalled that flood waters reached up to her neck as she remained trapped inside her home for nearly 30 minutes holding her screaming baby towards the ceiling of the house.

Seedath said she held her baby boy up towards the ceiling to prevent him from drowning. The child’s father, Darren Soodeen, 35, arrived half an hour later and rescued both mother and child. “I keep thinking of how me and my baby could have died, we could have drowned if my husband did not come home in that time,” the still visibly shaken mother said attempting to hold back her tears. Seedath recalled that heaving rainfall started falling at about 2pm on Wednesday. The young mother said that the waters started coming through the front door of the family home. At that time she thought nothing of it until more water started entering the home rapidly. At the time baby Ethan was sleeping in his play pen. “I started to move appliances to high grounds thinking it would not have been much water, but within seconds the entire living room, bedroom and bathroom were filled with water. I rushed to take Ethan out of his playpen because I realised the waters was coming into his play pen,” the mother said.

Frightened and panicking with fear Seedath said that she telephoned her husband who was at the time on work and told him that the place was flooded out. She was fearing the worst. “I was panicking and crying. I climbed unto the bed thinking that we would have been safe on the bed, but I was wrong, the water covered the bed,” he explained.

Seedath said that she could no long sit on the bed with her baby but now had stand on the bed with the floods waters reaching almost to her neck, “I was cold and trembling, I could feel parts of my body going numb, but I did not let go of my baby. I held him up to the ceiling to protect him, he was crying, I was crying and I kept telling him ‘everything is going to be ok baby boy’, mama is not going to let anything happen to you,” the mother told Newsday during an interview at the family Ragoonanan Avenue, Hollywood. She said that she was also screaming for help, but no one heard her.

At a nearby household Aaron Cardinal,31, and his common-law wife Amanda Ramnarinesing,22 were counting their loses. At the time of the flooding the couple who also has a seven month old baby was not at home. “We came home to see our home in water and everything floating. We lost everything, from appliances, to furniture to foodstuff,” he said. Thirty two homes were damaged by flood waters.

The proceedings began with a performance of the national anthem, prompting spectators to raise their voices in unison and sang aloud with the lyrics, as the stands echoed with the lyrics. For his arrival, Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley was met with uproarious applause, shortly before 7 pm yesterday morning as he and members of his Cabinet made their way to the stands for the spectacle.

Officers of the various arms of the protective services showcased their discipline, skill and rythm for their marching out, as members of their accompanying marching bands belted out classic calypsoes to more contemporary soca hits.

Members of the TT Regiment, the Coast Guard Air Guard and Police service and Cadets made up the armed detachments or front half of the parade, while the fire service, prisons service, Ambulance Brigade and the Red Cross made up the rear part of unarmed detachments.

Members of the police service mechanised division were drew an overwhelming round of applause as they crossed the grand stand, as one officer of the police traffic branch, carefully balanced himself over two motorcycles along the stand.

Along the parade route throngs of onlookers struggled to catch a glimpse of the parade, as they packed the pavements along Frederick street and the Western Main Road in St James.

Service men kept the crowds on their toes with their antics as they made their way down Long Circular road to the Police Academy, where the parade ended.

Newsday spoke to avid spectator and retired police officer, Randolph Greene who said that he has attended the parade for over ten years,he was overwhelmed with the large turnout of spectators and supporters.

“It’s a really warming sight to see so many people come out today in unity for our country and our sevicemen.

I saw in the streets a lot of young children waving their flags so I’m glad to see that the tradition has not died.”

Seepersad-Bachan made this claim hours after Rowley said Le Hunte was a TT citizen and would be appointed once the “communication glitch” regarding his citizenship is clarified.

In a statement, Seepersad- Bachan said anyone taking a ministerial oath of office must be familiar with the provisions of the Constitution.

She claimed when Le Hunte was sworn in last Thursday, he did so, “despite knowing that he was in direct violation of Section 42(1) (of the Constitution).” She said it is “a serious disrespect to the citizenry” to have Le Hunte reappointed.

On this basis, Seepersad- Bachan said Le Hunte, “should be disqualified from holding any public office at this time.” She said transparency and accountability in public life demands that existing or prospective Cabinet ministers, respect the Constitution and the rule of law. Saying the issue of corruption in government should start at the top, Seepersad-Bachan said if Rowley is serious about solving the problem of corruption within his administration, “he should therefore lead by example.”

This was disclosed Friday by Port-of- Spain Mayor Joel Martinez at the corporation’s statutory meeting, held at the City Hall, Knox Street, Port-of-Spain.

Martinez did not want to disclose the location and the cost of the homeless centre, and he indicated he would leave the announcement for Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, to make.

“We have had a number of discussions over the last couple of months on the way forward in dealing with the homeless community.

We have set up a committee to take us forward in proposing how we will put up a building to serve the homeless committee and to run it over the next couple of months.” He continued, “The committee is to chart the way forward and to develop structure and scope. Also, to develop a public private partnership between the stakeholders which are the business community of Port-of-Spain, the city corporation, and the government of TT.” He assured the public the project will work because the plight of the homeless has been around for more than 25 years.

Martinez said an attempt was made 25 years ago through an assessment centre at the car park, at Riverside Plaza.

“It has served its time and it’s now considered now not fully appropriate to serve the homeless. As we can see at this time, the homeless are spreading throughout the city of Port-of-Spain into all the suburbs. Hopefully this will be the start of a project that will see some light at the end of the tunnel.”