Pretty soon, finding a free WiFi signal could be as easy as choosing to travel in a maxi taxi.

That’s because the Association of Maxi Taxis of Trinidad and Tobago (AMTTT) and the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT) are in talks to provide WiFi to maxi taxi customers.

This was announced by TSTT’s Chief Commercial Officer, Miguel Garcia, at the launch of Huawei’s Mate 9 smartphone, which took place during the “CONNECT @ bmobile Tech Expo” at Hyatt Regency, Portof- Spain on Wednesday last.

“Last week we started an initiative with the AMTTT, which represents all of the transport routes in the country.

We are providing them with special 4G modems, at very special rates, that will enable them to offer their 300,000-plus commuters free WiFi.” Speaking with Newsday after the launch, Garcia expressed hope that “in the next couple of weeks”, free WiFi will be available on all AMTTT maxis.

Newsday asked if TSTT plans to sign similar deals with other transportation associations, to which Garcia replied, “Yes we are.” “We’re talking to a bunch of taxis and also some other organisations.

I don’t want to reveal (which ones) because it’s not been finalised yet but yes, we are in the process of doing that. The idea is that when anyone in TT gets on some sort of transportation, they can get WiFi too,” Garcia explained.

AMTTT Vice-President, Linus Phillip, told Newsday said some maxi taxis began offering the service this past Monday, having “collected their 4G modems over the weekend.” Asked about the special rates, Phillip said participating AMTTT members “paid $200 plus VAT (Value-Added Tax), which is an excellent price. The normal price is about $350.” Describing the arrangement as a good opportunity, Phillip said he expects most AMTTT members to sign up in the coming weeks.

Several Caribbean countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Jamaica, are among the 48 member countries of the Washington-based financial institutions expected to attend the March 30 to April 2 meeting. The IDB said that the 58th annual meeting of the Group’s Board of Directors will be attended by ministers of finance or the economy, or central bank presidents.

The IDB Group is made up of the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB), which provides resources and financing for public sector, the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC), which focuses on private sector operations, and the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), which provides donations and resources to foster innovative small-scale projects in the region. During the event the IDB Group will release its annual macroeconomic assessment of the region amidst a difficult global economic, political and trade environment.

The findings of the macroeconomic report will be released during the Annual Meeting and panels will discuss fiscal, trade, investment and monetary challenges.

During the meeting the IDB and Paraguay will host the “Latin America and the Caribbean: An agenda of growth and development” Business Forum.

“The event will gather close to 500 private sector leaders and high-level government representatives from the Americas, who will discuss key issues to promote sustained economic growth rooted in rising productivity,” the IDB added.

It said the panellists will discuss the opportunities and challenges for the region in areas including the promotion of food security and the growth of agribusiness, how to foster the development of qualified human capital and an environment that promotes innovation and the investment in infrastructure that the region requires to be a more competitive player in the global economy.

At the investment forum, the IIC’s CEO James P. Scriven will reflect on the IIC’s first year of operations since the IDB Group consolidated its private sector.

He will focus on regional private sector trends and how the IIC is best positioned to tackle its clients’ evolving needs in key economic sectors such as renewable energy, transport, water and sanitation, agribusiness and telecommunications.

The Annual Meeting will feature the 8th edition of Demand Solutions event featuring big and original thinkers and entrepreneurs.

Demand Solutions is designed to inspire creativity and innovation and will highlight the role of women as an engine of innovation and transformation in the past, present and future of Latin America and the Caribbean.

When the gymnasts took to the stage on Saturday night it was illuminated; not only with the lit body costumes but with perfect choreography and phenomenal talent. The hundreds of spectators gathered were entertained to a spectacular grand finale to close off the evening.

Leading up to this pore raising performance was a piece entitled “Unity” which was performed to Machel Montano’s “Bring the beat” with the lyrics, (one love, one soul, one people) reflecting the “Unity” theme.

Putting on a stage commanding piece named “one page at a time” was the most high profile athlete on the night Williams, in a tribute to the late Dave Bobb (one of gymnastics most enthusiastic supporters who never missed a show nor a competition). Thema wowed the crowd with her captivating prowess and grace as she worked the stage with confidence and finesse. Thema then teamed up with Alicia Singh, Arielle Ribeiro, Karissa Kowlessar and Rhenece Andrew as the quintet exhibited confidence as they fascinated the crowd with their energy and rhythmic synchronization.

Earlier in the night, the crowd witnessed history in the making when a full set of uneven bars were used on stage for the first time for the club and for the country. In a colorful display of multiple wardrobe changes, the toddlers entertained on and off the stage and they even engaged the crowd when they took to the aisles of the hall, to rhythmic claps.

The first half was entitled “Wonderland” which saw the young budding gymnasts blend Disney characters with gymnastics displays. Building human pyramids and with the aid of trampolines, balance beams, springboards, hanging rings and other props, the gymnasts had the crowd waiting with bated breath as they went through their routines. On hand to witness such great entertainment was Mrs Sharon Rowley, wife of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.

MODELS display costumes from Kallicharan Carnival 2017 presentation Zante and Fantasy’s Carnival band, 1001 Fantasies at PREStige past students foundation media launch of their Carnival all-inclusive fete ‘#7 PREStige’, which takes place on February 5 at Presentation College Grounds in San Fernando. The launch took place at More Vino in San Fernando.

Author: Tamika Felina and Pommellls Williams STREAMS of sorrow flow through our lives leaving shattered dreams and forlorn faces. No one is immune to the ravages of time. Tales of doom abound and we do hear many but a handful compel us to listen. Such is Unearthing The Diamond: A story of Struggle and Strife to a Successful Life. It draws a line, swearing never to claim victimhood as some twisted badge of honour.

Throughout this narrative anger and calumny never quite settle in and there is never an attempt to reshape the world into hostile camps of good and evil.

The story of Tamika Felina and Pommells Williams unveiled by the former is unlike the “look at me” authorship that is nothing more than well veiled narcissism.

Tamika’s delivery is void of eloquence, colour and flow but it was meant to be that way. A literary showcase it is not. So why is her story so impactful? Tamika is as authentic as it gets. From her entrails she bares all. And we tag along.

That compelling she is. Her storyline is unforgiving but no more than the many horror stories we hear daily. But hers is ineffably different. Maybe it’s her candour and her enormous capacity to endure emotional pain. And of her triumph and redemption we can only marvel. We journey with her every step of the way and hearken to her every word. Gospel. There are moments when we want to disembark but with a mere nudge she abruptly pulls us back.

Her gang rape by fellow high school students, including her boyfriend Phillip, is brutal and terrifying. We share her alarm, disgust, anger, and anguish. In the face of this unrestrained evil we question God’s existence.

Reliving this haunting experience, Tamika writes, “I stopped counting when the 13th one entered me. With each one, I just kept wishing I was dead. When they were all done, Phillip tossed my underwear at me. With them snickering and muttering themselves they left me alone. Somehow they were careful not to hit me in my face…I was now dirty and bloody, not just from my clothes but I was dirty and could not get clean.” But no one believes her. She is expelled.

The integrity of the school must be preserved.

Her aunt also rejects her. On her own she meets Ian, a man to whom she is indebted to this day.

They both sustain each other in the most arid of times. “Then out of sheer desperation, we decided to go up in the hills of May Mountains and start a farm…We would walk each morning for at least four miles to get to our farm up on the mountains,” Tamika recalls.

She later describes a time when exhaustion drained her last ounce of will.

“About three quarters of a mile from home I couldn’t carry my load any further.

I just… sat then down and started crying telling Ian this life was too hard. I had reached my breaking point.” And when Tamika approaches motherhood there are times of levity – tender and reassuring. “That night as we lay in bed, Ian was stroking my belly as the baby kicked. That night he said, ‘If you are a boy kick once, if you are a girl kick twice.’ I laughed and asked why the girl got the hardest task but before I could finish the question, sure enough the baby kicked once again and settled down. Ian was now convinced we were having a boy.” And they did.

But good times never seem to hang around. Ayale is prematurely born and sickly – a prelude to a rattling experience that would test the faith of any parent.

Their baby boy is cancer stricken, given little hope of survival. But Tamika and Ian summon their faith…and with an infinite outpouring of love for Ayale, the incredulous occurs. A miracle.

Their baby makes a recovery although it is discovered that he is hearing impaired; but he beats the odds and eventually excels at art design. And throughout there are instructive lessons. We learn that a name does bear energy. Yes, a seemingly inconsequential name can be weighty, significant. Ayale means life; and life he is granted.

But they are still touched by distress.

Hardship continually mounts. And days of hunger begin to take its toll. Ian becomes irritable even verbally abusive at times. At that point Ian delivers the most poignantly significant statement. “I am not God,” he tells Tamika, advising her to find salvation in the Creator. He gives her a bible. It is a revolutionary moment that reshapes Tamika’s life. She writes, “I believed in God but I didn’t have the kind of faith Ian had. I told him I didn’t know where to start…and he told me to start at the beginning – Genesis 1. That began my personal walk with God as I began reading a chapter a day.” They move from Portland to Montego Bay to easy the burden, in search of plentitude.

Their lot gradually improves as Tamika’s knitting skills start to pay dividends.

Volunteering at a school leads to a pretrained teaching post and eventually to a fully credentialled position that she has proudly held for more than two decades.

And in exercising a keen sense for business there is ease.

Their construction of a wondrous home in the mountains overlooking Montego Bay lends a Cinderella-like ending to a story that must be told.

Unearthing the Diamond is a riveting, existential commentary that captures the vicissitudes of life. We just cannot capitulate when Providence turns against us. We just cannot capitulate when poor choices leave us harangued and literally left for dead. And as Ian once told Tamika, “You can’t just run away when the battle is heating up.” We are called upon to be patient and faithful; industrious and hopeful; accepting and forgiving. And for sure a heavenly meed awaits us.

Feedback: glenvilleashby@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby Unearthing the Diamond by Tamika Felina and Pommellls Williams 2016 Publisher: Baobad Tree Books Available at Amazon/tamikafelina@ gmail.com Ratings:Highly recommended

It can be argued that of these three, the arts remain the region’s most under-exploited opportunity for generating revenue. This is evidenced both quantitatively and qualitatively in the allocation of resources and in reporting on the sector.

Mindful of this constraint, the British Council worked in partnership with the Bocas Lit Fest and the Department of Literatures in English at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, Jamaica, to host a comprehensive workshop in reviewing books/literature and visual arts aimed at Anglophone Caribbean arts writers and culture journalists.

From January 9 to 13, and based at UWI’s Mona campus in the Faculty of Humanities and Education, the workshop brought together a mix of 11 early- career and mid-level professional arts writers from Jamaica, Bahamas, St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago for five days of high-level, hands-on training.

A thriving arts sector requires culture journalists writing about and reviewing the arts for mass media. Across the Anglophone Caribbean, there is a shortage of trained, experienced arts writers able to instigate interest in our creative forms in the public sphere, said a media release from the Bocas Lit Fest. This workshop was designed to help emerging arts writers improve the quality of their coverage and contribute to enhanced attention to arts and culture in the media and broader society.

The workshop covered key issues common to writing about all cultural forms while focusing on specific issues relevant to two key areas of the arts: books and literature, visual arts. For example, the role of arts journalism in the cultural ecosystem, the critic’s responsibilities to the writer or artist, subjectivity vs objectivity; opinions vs fact, ethical and legal issues, and more.

In an effort to expand the NGO’s mandate as a literary development agency, Bocas Lit Fest made its first intervention of this kind in September 2016 with its Food Matters food writing workshop held in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries.

“We’re very grateful to the British Council for making this development opportunity a reality because we need to enhance our cultural environment by giving our critics the tools of the trade.

In the maze of information and misinformation, we need some hand-holding in helping make sense of it all, the riches and the nonsense,” states Marina Salandy-Brown, founder and director of the Bocas Lit Fest.

The writing workshops form part of an ongoing Bocas workshop series dedicated to covering the local and regional creative landscape; future instalments will focus on film, music, the performing arts and fashion.

The website: www.

bocaslitfest.com offers on-going information on training opportunities.

The session, which was facilitated by the School Leadership Centre of Trinidad and Tobago, dealt with conflict resolution with a specific focus on bullying.

At the session, the teachers were exposed to possible root causes of bullies and how to handle children who depict characteristics of bullies, and those who are victims of bullying.

The teachers used the peer environment to share ideas and strategies to resolve conflict that can be used in the classroom at in the home.

As the teachers shared their views of the programme, Danielle Massiah, standard one teacher at the Lower Morvant Government Primary School said, “teaching the programme has changed the students.” Giving an example, Massiah indicated that one boy in particular who was always angry about everything came to her and said, “Miss, I’m really trying to change, I want to change this angry face,” a media release stated.

“Zippy has had an impact on my school, there has been so much progress since the start of the programme.” Saleeka Mohammed, principal of the Fiver Rivers Islamia TIA School, stated in the release.

The Zippy’s Friends programme which is sponsored by the Digicel Foundation comprises interactive group sessions with children aged five to eight. The programme assists children with developing their coping and social skills.

The programme has proven to be extremely successful in the schools in both Trinidad and Tobago.

The programme currently takes place in 96 schools and is endorsed by the Ministry of Education.

These moves may seem simple, but done right, you’ll feel the burn after just one round. The key is keeping your core tight at all times.

The goal of this all body circuit is to use two dumbbells of moderate weight to stimulate an increase in muscle and strength while keeping the intensity high enough to burn fat and it’s only 30 minutes.

It’s a series of combination super sets; a weight bearing exercise coupled with a core or cardio move. Only rest 30 seconds between sets and 1 minute between groups

Here’s the routine:

Dumbbell squat to shoulder press: 20?3 sets Mountain Climbers: 30 secs

Walking lunges with bicep curls: 20?3 Jump rope: 1 min

Dumbbell swings: 20?3 Jump squats: 15

Stiff legged dead lifts to upright row: 20?3

Primer Don’t skip primer, especially if you have dry, oily or textured skin. It can make the world of a difference by blurring texture and providing a smoother, more long-lasting finish to your makeup. Be sure to use a primer that suits your skin type.

Foundation Don’t use a foundation that doesn’t match. Since your face can be a different colour than your body, you shouldn’t match foundation to your face or hands. I recommend matching your foundation to your chest, since this will give you the most uniform appearance. Also, blending a foundation that obviously doesn’t match down your neck, won’t make it suddenly match.

Concealer Avoid using concealer that is too light or ashy under the eyes. Instead, use a corrective concealer 1-2 shades lighter than your skin tone with pink undertones for fair skin, peach undertones for medium skin, and orange undertones for deeper skin. Also, you should use a concealer that matches your skin tone on blemishes, since lighter concealer will simply highlight your imperfections instead of hiding them.

Powder Don’t apply powdered contour, highlight, blush or bronzer on wet or tacky foundation, as this will create uneven patches.

Instead, set your foundation with a translucent powder before you apply any other powdered face products.

Contour and Highlight Don’t use bronzer to contour; if your contour is too warm or orange, it won’t look natural. Instead use a more neutral shade, or even a slightly ashy shade to create natural-looking shadows on the face.

Try to avoid contouring for no reason. If you already have defined cheekbones or a straight nose, contouring them will only make your features appear harsh, exaggerated and unnatural, particularly in natural light. Save heavier contouring for night events and flash photography, which can sometimes wash your features out.

Don’t make your cheekbone contour too thick, or too close to your mouth, as this can look unnatural and muddy. Instead, imagine a vertical line going down your face from the outer corner of your eye and keep your contour behind it, for the most natural effect.

Avoid applying frosty highlight to textured skin. If you have wrinkles, acne, scars or dryness, excessively shimmery highlight will only accentuate them. Instead, use a light hand and _ nely milled highlight powders for a more refined effect.

Blush and Bronzer Avoid using frosty blush on areas with enlarged pores or texture. Instead, use a matte blush, and apply a highlight to the cheekbones for a similar, luminous effect. Also, avoid smiling and applying blush to the apples of your cheeks. When you stop smiling, your apples drop, and your blush will be too close to the centre of your face, which will make your features droop. Don’t contour with bronzer. Instead, use bronzer to add warmth to your face, to create a sun-kissed glow.

Eyes Avoid using frosty shades to define your crease. It will actually do quite the opposite, by accentuating fine lines and creating a muddy appearance. Instead, opt for a matte shade to define the crease of your eye.

Don’t apply black eyeliner to your lower waterline only. This can make your eyes appear tired, droopy and small. Instead, apply eyeliner to your upper lash line to lift and define your eyes, then you can smudge some eyeliner under the eye, but never by itself. If you have smaller eyelids, avoid making your eyeliner too thick, as this can reduce your eyelid space significantly.

Eyebrows Don’t draw brows in too harshly and sloppily, then try to correct it with concealer. This will never look natural. Instead, try to take your time, so you shouldn’t have any mistakes to correct. Use either a pencil, powder or pomade depending on your preference, and set the hairs in place with an eyebrow gel.

Lashes Don’t curl your lashes after applying mascara. This can be catastrophic, especially if your lashes get caught in the curler.

Ouch! If you’re going to wear false lashes, measure them to ensure they _ t your eyes. Lashes that are too long will make your eyes appear droopy and will be extremely uncomfortable to wear. Trim any excess from the outer corner of the lash, then apply.

Lips Don’t apply matte lipstick to dry, chapped lips. It will only accentuate the texture, particularly if the shade is light, bright or metallic. Either exfoliate first and apply a hydrating balm, or opt for a satin or glossy lip.

Second half goals by Jamal Charles, Jelani Peters and Hughtun Hector ensured Connection were comfortable 3-0 winners over Caledonia to celebrate a fifth straight win .

The result put the Digicel Pro League 2016-17 leaders at 40 points, five points more than rivals and second-positioned Central FC, which has two games in hand .

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith, and a brigade of other ministry officials including MP for Laventille West, Fitzgerald Hinds, and Sport Company (SPORTT) chairman Michael Phillips, and officials from the TT Electricity Commission were all on hand for the commissioning of the floodlights at the HCS training ground .

Then it was down to action on the slick surface due to earlier rainfall .

Charles, with a neat flick off the outside of his boot to beat goalkeeper Kern Caesar, celebrated his eighth league goal to put Connection 1-0 in front from Dimitrie Apai’s cross in the 50th minute .

Two minutes later, Connection were celebrating another and it was 2-0 advantage .

This time, defender Peters headed in substitute Shaquille John’s cross from a free-kick which was misjudged by Caesar .

Hector made it 3-0 in the 82nd minute .

Andre Toussaint brilliantly held up play at the edge of the area before slipping a pass to Hector who darted into the area and controlled the ball before hitting past a hapless Caesar .

San Juan Jabloteh and Ma Pau Stars, in a personal battle for a respectable third place finish — with Connection and Central virtually securing the top-two spots — both enjoyed wins in a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium. Jabloteh improved their position in third to 29 points after defeating St Ann’s Rangers 5-0, but Ma Pau Stars kept alive their mathematical chance with a 2-0 win over Defence Force .

Round Two Match Day Seven Results (Friday)

At Ato Boldon Stadium: St Ann’s Rangers 0 vs San Juan Jabloteh 5 (Jamal Gay 10’, Keon Edwards 28’, Nathan Lewis 37’, 68’, Aaquil Campbell 89’)

At Ato Boldon Stadium: Ma Pau Stars 2 (Kerry Baptiste 56’, Jason Scotland 82’) vs Defence Force 0

At Hasely Crawford Stadium Training Ground: Morvant Caledonia United 0 vs W Connection 3 (Jamal Charles 50’, Jelani Peters 52’, Hughtun Hector 82’)

Today’s Fixtures Police FC vs Club Sando, 3.30pm, Larry Gomes Sta