Here’s a list of some movies that will be released in 2017. I have included a children’s book/ movie as well.

The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey – I am not a Captain Underpants fan, but this diaper-wearing toddler hero has inspired many reluctant readers in elementary schools to take the plunge with books like Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets. Boys find this series to be hilarious. With all the heavy literature they’re about to get hit with – even elementary fiction tends to be on the heavy side these days – Captain Underpants is a welcome diversion. In a way, he creates a pint-sized feeling of nostalgia for boys who can fondly look back on their carefree, pre-school days.

The Gunslinger by Stephen King – Teenage boys who have never picked up a book enjoy reading this novel, which is part of the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. Each book in the series gets longer and longer, and yet teenagers come back for all eight books in the series. The Gunslinger is loosely based on the French classic The Song of Roland. King’s tale is a futuristic, post apocalyptic version of this French classic, which is also said to be partly inspired by a Robert Browning poem, “Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came.” The Gunslinger is an action-packed novel that tells the classic tale of good vs evil, and it represents the best of King’s novels.

I’m not into King’s horror, but I love this book. When the movie hits the big screen, Matthew McConaughey is going to be the gunslinger and Idris Elba is going to be the evil character.

Live by Night by Dennis Lehane – Murder, mayhem and mystery are Lehane’s specialty. In this best selling novel, Lehane follows the life of a gangster as he probes the underlife of the Prohibition Era of the Roaring Twenties. Ben Affleck, Elle Fanning, Zoe Saldana and Sienna Miller will star in the movie version of Lehane’s book.

A Dog’s Purpose by W Bruce Cameron – You can never go wrong with a good dog book, and if you can’t find one, just know that Cameron specialises in them. A Dog’s Purpose is the delightfully funny and tear-jerking story of a dog who is reincarnated in several different lives. I defy you to watch the trailer on line and not cry. Dennis Quaid stars in the movie.

Looking for Alaska by John Green – The king of Young Adult Literature has yet another book that is being turned into a movie. First there was The Fault in Our Stars, the story of two teenagers who fall in love in spite of the problem that are suffering from fatal diseases, and Paper Towns, my favourite John Green novel, about a troubled girl who runs away from home and leaves clues for a boy to follow.

Looking for Alaska was Green’s first novel.

It’s not my favourite, but teenagers will read any Green book.

Looking for Alaska takes place in a boarding school where boys are mesmerised by the charm and wild antics of a particular girl.

All the Bright Place by Jennifer Niven – This is one of my best discoveries for the year.

All the Bright Places is a Young Adult (YA) novel no parent, teacher or teenager can afford to miss. This is a moving story of teenage depression that deserves an entire review in the future

The school also enrols differently-abled students, who are said to have big hearts and are very well behaved as they strive to excel at their school work.

For the past few months, the school embarked on a literary competition in which 19 students participated.

The programme, which was organised and planned by volunteer facilitator Joan Porter-Patterson was designed to encourage and motivate the youths to read more and also enhance their spelling and writing capabilities.

The programme consisted of book reading; poetry writing; short stories and spelling. The students were graded based on quizzes during the period and the result was increased vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Porter-Patterson, a former school principal now health consultant and author, planned the programme along with a committee she spearheaded.

An IGDS statement yesterday endorsed the Ministry of Labour’s proposal for truck jobs, but said persons involved in such scheme and their families must have their life choices protected by a policy devised by the Ministry.

“The IGDS commends the Government for partnering with the Canadian company Hire Pro Drivers in a bid to address increasing levels of unemployment at home. Institutional arrangements must be established to ensure that the needs of local dependent households are satisfied in the absence of those persons employed in Canada,” said IDGS.

“Simultaneously, the human rights of individuals relocating for work must be protected.

Consequently, conditions for decent work must form an integral part of the dialogue between government and foreign business in a plan such as this.” The institute said women in TT have had lower levels of employment that men, with International Labour Organisation (ILO) data for 2015 showing the Labour Force Participation Rate at 50 percent for women and 71 percent for men.

Likewise the 2010 unemployment rate was 5.2 percent for males, and 7.0 percent for women.

“If good public policy addresses unemployment and employment issues, the approach must be one that takes on board the complex interactions of social, political and economic variables that see women, on average, clustering in lower-paying sectors and experiencing higher levels of unemployment,” said IGDS.

They hoped new job options do not reinforce current disadvantages in the sexual division of labour, nor entrench impediments to personal advancement.

“Additionally, with regard to the Ministry of Labour’s ten-point plan to assist the jobless in our society, the IGDS hopes that special attention is paid to gender relations within the home as a means of reducing incidents of gender-based violence.

Periods of austerity demand a peculiar awareness of the threat of incidents of domestic violence, intimate partner violence and abuse.

Public policy initiatives must r

The ceremony was held at the Ministry of Planning and Development. Blewitt also called the signing of the document a milestone for the country in the area of climate change.

According to Blewitt, “The Preparation of Trinidad and Tobago’s Third National Communication and First Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC is in keeping with Trinidad and Tobago’s international commitment to sustainable development.

In a press release dated November 6th 2016, Minister Robinson-Regis outlined the priority being placed on Trinidad and Tobago’s global environmental and climate change commitments.

The singing of this document and the official commencement of the project is an important milestone in the national drive to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago’s development pathway is a climate resilient one in keeping with global best practice.

“The Third National Communication (TNC) (TNC) and First Biennial Update Report (BUR) are being prepared to ensure compliance with the UNFCCC requirements which Trinidad and Tobago ratified in June 1994. It has several intended outcomes aimed at improving the national capacity for policy and strategy development around climate change initiatives. These types of initiatives provide much needed updates to the Convention on the national circumstance as it relates to climate change including a national Greenhouse Gas inventory and an assessment of the vulnerability and adaptation issues and technology and capacity needs of the country. This project also addresses the preparation required to fulfil our commitment on the First Biennial Update Report (BUR)…” Meanwhile, Planning and Development Minister, Camille Robinson-Regis, also present at the ceremony, reminded that while the Ministry and other stakeholders are doing their part, the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago must also do theirs. She described each citizen as an “architect” of the future, whose actions, whether good or bad, have an impact on society.

Additionally, she urged citizens to follow environmental laws and become educated about the dangers of climate change and global warming.

She encouraged the public, also, to sort out their trash and conserve electricity by turning off lights in their home when not in use.

She closed, “If we all begin to adopt simple behaviours as habits the positive difference we can make is well within our grasp…The age of empowerment is upon us, let us use our power to the change for good…”

So said Garvin Madera, Chairman, Digicel Foundation at the 2nd Annual General Meeting held at Digicel’s Corporate Booth, Queen’s Park Oval on Thursday.

He added: “While we have been able to maintain all our relationships, collaborating with international and State agencies has given us a new perspective on how a simple idea cna grow into an even more impactful, successful, innovative project.” He then cited their “Preparing You” programme where they were able to apply to the Small Grants Programme of trhe United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to access TT $332,000, which the Foundations wa able to match, to develop a disaster management programme for students with special needs. Madera said this impacted 250 students and five special schools in South/Central Trinidad.

The Foundation also invested TT $796,800 into another initiative EPIC (Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities), with the aim of collaborating with community-based organisations to transform their public spaces. To date 15 groups have each received grants of TT $34,000.

Other projects of the Foundation include: * Zippy’s Friends – TT $1,726,400. (over four years) 13,000 children impacted *Special Olympics Development Programme – TT $531,200. 1,200 athletes, 300 coaches impacted * Kaleidodash – TT $449,999.

(over three years) 4,000 persons reached * Aquaponics – TT $332,000.

(over three years) over 500 children and their parents impacted.

Madera said: It’s been a long fulfilling journey and it’s been fun all the way. Our aim is to continue to support and empower our partners and their initiatives, in areas which presnt vast economic potential, thurs providing a path to broader participation and transformation to our society.” Following power point and video presentations on the Foundations’s overview by CEO Penny Gomez, Maxie Cuffie, Minister of Public Administration and Communications acknowledged the US$1.35 million towards our country’s development, noting that it has been substantial and impactful.

He said: “The Foundation’s noteworthy involvement in the areas of community enhancemetn and special needs in particular persons with intellectual disabilities must be mentioned. I am also cognizant of the partnership with Government and State Agencies, treating on relevant matters such as emergency management with the Ministry of Agriculture.” He then congratulated Madera, Gomez and their team “for the tremendous work that you have accomplished in lifting up our communities and our citizens.” Cuffie then stated: “Over the next four years, this government intends to utilize Public-Private Partnerships to create meaningful projects that resonate throughout key areas and sectors especially as it pertains to community development.”

With overnight leaders Cunupia FC on a bye, UTT got the better of Central 500 Spartans by a 3-0 scoreline on Saturday, in their Match Day 16 fixture, at the UTT O’Meara campus in Arima.

Dillon Bartholomew scored twice, in the 50th and 69th minutes, while there was an own goal in the 64th.

Another team rising was Saddle Hill Hotspur, who took care of Carenage United 3-0 at the Pascal Recreation Ground.

Stern John was among the scorers for Saddle Hill, as he found the back of the net in the 76th minute. Also getting their names on the scoresheet were Kevon Durham (55th) and Steffon Ragoo (83rd).

Youth Stars were also in winners’ row on Saturday, with a come-from-behind 4-1 licking on Petit Valley/ Diego Martin FC..

Canada’s women team started off the day with a 40-0 win over Jamaica, in the last fixture of the group stage, and maintained their undefeated status from day one, by trashing Mexico by a margin of 43-0.

The result was enough to secure them a place in the final against a resilient Jamaican side that were determined to the challenge for the trophy.

However, Canada had other plans as they marched over Jamaica once more, by defeating them 41-0 in the final, and went on their way to lift the RAN 7s Women’s Cup.

The Canadian men’s team also ended the competition undefeated, but they had to endure some eventful encounters before lifting the title as the other teams attempted to put a dent the eventual champions.

The Canadian men started day two with a 24-0 victory over Mexico and then clashed with Jamaica and emerged victorious by a 5-0 scoreline.

In the RAN 7s Men’s Cup final, Canada took on Guyana and the ‘Maple Leaf ’ squad disposed of their challengers by 52-7 to claim the trophy and finished the two-day tournament without a loss.

After a strong start to the tournament, both teams representing Trinidad and Tobago, were defeated in the semi-final stages of the competition.

The women’s team started Day Two positively as they defeated Mexico to emerge as group winners but ‘The Scarletts’ were not able to overcome Jamaica in the semis as they went down 10-5.

The men saw similar fate as they too started off with a 17-7 victory over Bermuda in their first match, but bowed out at the same semi final level by suffering a tough 5-0 defeat to Guyana.

Both teams subsequently lost their third place playoff matches.

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Darryl Smith, expressed his sentiments of the event by stating, “The (TT Rugby Football Union) and its president (Leslie Figaro) have been doing a fantastic job and it was a pleasure to be part of the Rugby Americas North (Ran 7s) by hosting the event on our shores. However, it was a pity our teams did not make it to the finals but hopefully we can build on this experience.” He went on to state the importance of introducing the game at a primary and secondary level to keep the sport growing throughout the country and thanked the investment from the Office of the Prime Minister’s Sport and Culture Fund for making the event possible.

RAN 7s Awards: Women’s Plate Winner – Mexico Men’s Plate Winner – Mexico Women’s Cup Winner – Canada Men’s Shield Winner – Curacao Men’s Bowl Winner – Martinique Men’s Cup Winner – Canada

He spoke yesterday at the annual Oncology Conference of the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association at the Trinidad Hilton.

Deyalsingh bemoaned the high rate of NCDs in the country, and reiterated that the nation’s health care system needs to shift its focus from merely treating illnesses to preventing them, which is, he said, a part of the Health Ministry’s strategic plan to fight non-communicable diseases.

Deyalsingh said, “Trinidad and Tobago as you know, wears a crown of thorns when it comes to NCDs. I would like Trinidad and Tobago to be a world leader just like Jamaica in athletics. I would like Trinidad and Tobago to be a world leader in politics.

I would like Trinidad and Tobago to be a world leader in arts and culture and all of those things. But sadly, we’re a world leader when it comes to NCDs. We have conquered the world brilliantly because of our rates of diabetes, hypertension, our high cholesterol, our obesity – whether in children, obesity in adults. We have conquered the world, we are world beaters. We have gone where no man has gone before in our rates of cancers, breast cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer and so on. So we are world beaters. But that is a crown, a thorny crown which I do not intend to wear much longer as the Minister of Health. I intend to be the Minister of Health, but what I am now, and what everybody before me has been, has been Minister of Health Care.

“We have gotten accustomed in Trinidad and Tobago to delivering health care, that is, you get sick, we try to fix you. But there have been no overarching policies about trying to get you, before you get sick. And in the case of cancers…specifically lung cancer, we tend to get you at stage three and four, in most of the cases; not at stages one and two where we can give you a better quality of life, and where the intervention is different, and where the intervention is cheaper. But we have grown up with a health care system that is focused on a Minister of Health laying a nice little stone in a building, and I’ve opened this, and I’ve opened that, and we’re going to open more dialysis centres, and we are going to cut off more legs due to diabetes, and we’re going to have more radical mastectomies because we caught you at stage three and four.

That paradigm has to change…” Deylasingh said that the Health Ministry spent a year working on a comprehensive First World NCD platform, which will be funded through a $51 million U.S. loan from the International American Development Bank (IADB).

Most of that loan will go towards, Deyalsingh stated, early screening. “Early detection is key,” he said.

Another part of the Ministry’s strategy, according to Deyalsingh, is ensuring that the nation’s primary health care centres are well equipped to assist in fighting the scourge of cancer. Additionally, he expressed concern about the high rate of NCDs at the South West Regional Health Authority, saying that some “forensic investigation” of sorts, has to be done to understand why the southern part of Trinidad and Tobago has such a high rate of these diseases.

Meanwhile, Sharon Rowley, wife of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, in a video message, encouraged women and doctors present to be screened, and emphasised the importance of early screening.

House Speaker, Brigid Annisette George, described the field of oncology as a gift in the fight against cancer.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Nicole Sookhan of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), also championed early screening and pointed out that breast cancer is not easily detected in women with high breast density, usually African- American women.

In those cases, a breast density ultrasound screening is recommended.

In a press statement released by the TTPS yesterday Acting Commissioner of Police, Stephen Williams confirmed a Chinese national reported to the St Margaret’s Police Station that around 12.05 am on Friday, three police officers in a marked police vehicle arrived at his home in Claxton Bay to conduct a search for arms and drugs and took away $400,000 in cash from his premises.

According to reports, three armed men arrived at the home of Wei Hui Zhu, 31, of Soledad Road, Claxton Bay in a marked police vehicle, wearing police tactical gear.

Three more “officers” arrived in a black Sport Utility Vehicle stating they had instructions to search his home. The men found and took $400,000 as well as two iPhones.

Police were yesterday reviewing CCTV footage of the incident.

Police sources revealed one of the vehicles was traced as being the property of the TTPS. They also said the SRP initially refused to cooperate with investigators but began to do so yesterday. They added that others suspects were being questioned and more arrests were imminent. The TTPS press release added, “This matter is actively engaging the attention of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. Commissioner (of Police, Stephen) Williams gives the assurance to members of the public that they will be further updated on the progress and outcome of the investigation.” The investigation is being led by Supt Gassar of the Southern Division.

“Something is happening in Trinidad and Tobago, which was reflective of the story,” Persad-Bissessar said in an analogy of one of the 14th century writer’s best known pieces from “The Canterbury Tales.” “I’m talking about the wife club, tonight I want to tell you the story of the wives here in Trinidad and Tobago,” the former prime minister said at a United National Congress public meeting for the local government campaign in Barrackpore, claiming the wife of a senior government minister was a shareholder of a company which had been paid $55 million by the Housing Development Corporation.

“Fifty-five million for that wife, another company receiving contracts from the HDC and this time the contract amount is $55 million dollar payments, what appears to be happening as in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, the women seem to hold the power but really we have to ask, are these ministers, the men hiding behind their wives to make money off the government and off the country,” she told supporters at Kanhai Presbyterian Primary School.

She did not call the full name, but spoke of someone with the surname Khan, then said she hoped the Energy Minister (Franklin Khan) would not deny the link.In television interviews last night, the Energy Minister said his wife did own a company, started in 2005, in which he was not a shareholder but denied any wrong-doing.

Finance Minister Colm Imbert’s wife Suzanne Williams-Imbert recently filed legal action over reports of contracts between HDC and her company, Bolt Trinidad Ltd.

As Persad-Bissessar put the spotlight on the financial affairs of the family businesses of members of Government she noted, at the same time, that cane farmers were still awaiting outstanding payments and have been asked to “accept less than the amount that you are entitled to and they want you to sign that you would take the money…” “I tell you do not sign those letters, do not take the less money, go to your lawyer (Gerald) Ramdeen and let us fight them in the court to get the full amount of money that you are due,” she said.

And in urging the people of Barrackpore to vote for the Opposition party and retain control of the Princes Town Regional Corporation, she said taxi fares had risen to $15 per person from Barrackpore to San Fernando since the prices of fuel were increased over the past 14 months.

“Right here in Barrackpore because the price of gas has increased once, twice and the Minister laughing, and he is laughing about raising it again, today you have to pay $15 from Barrackpore to get to San Fernando,” she said.

Persad-Bissessar also hit plans for the return of the aluminium plant, saying the People’s National Movement government’s lack of vision was the main factor for the re-emergence of the failed smelter project.

At a mass meeting at Point Fortin on Wednesday night, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley had signalled government’s intention to revisit the project once the “economics look good”.

However, Persad-Bissessar told the crowd which had crammed into the school and overflowed into the adjacent courtyard, that after 14 months in office, the ruling PNM administration “cannot stand up on a platform to tell you one project they have delivered.” “The Rowley government is traversing backwards to bring up plans that the (Patrick) Manning government had and which you rejected in 2010, the whole country rejected,” she said, adding, “and he was really misinforming the population when he says that the smelter project was never stopped, we stopped the smelter project when we came into office.” ”We won the arbitration against Sural (Spanish aluminium company), there is an outstanding dispute resolution that is to go for arbitration with a company,” she said.