“One of the most disturbing things that have come to us as a Cabinet in the last 20 months.” Young was speaking yesterday during an Opposition motion on crime in the House of Representatives.

He said that the previous administration did not lay in Parliament statutory reports on interception of communications between 2010 and 2015 when it is supposed to be laid annually.

He explained the reports would say how many people were intercepted, how many warrants were sought and what happened to it.

He recalled that former government minister Devant Maharaj went to court over the reports not being laid but the judge pointed out that Maharaj was part of the administration that had not laid the reports and did not grant the order He said National Security Minister Edmund Dillon worked with those responsible for the report and got it done.

Young reported that in 2013 only nine warrants were sought by the Commissioner of Police from the courts but “no warrants were sought by the body charged with the responsibility and who has the possession and the control of the equipment, the Strategic Services Agency (SSA).” He said that the number of warrants applied for by the SSA was zero.

“So under them for a whole year they didn’t apply for a single warrant. But you know what’s interesting? Let me tell the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

You want to talk about talk on phone and who spying on who (sic)? In that year not a single application was made to court for a warrant but they listened to 283,418 conversations.” He said not one of these conversations were for evidential purposes.

“Macoing,” said some Government members.

Young questioned if this was the reason the previous administration did not want to file the report when they were in government. He said this administration would not be so irresponsible and they laid the report in Parliament in the first year they were in government.

He also criticised the previous administration on the LifeSport project for “breeding” the Carapo gang and other gangs, for damaging relationships with foreign partners on security – relationships which the current administration has had to rebuild – and for dismantling facial recognition installed to recognise known criminals at the ports of entry from 2010 to 2015.

With two matches remaining, Jabloteh have a tally of 40 points from 16 games, 10 more points than their nearest challengers Point Fortin Civic.

In their Round Two Match Day Seven fixture at the San Juan Secondary School Ground, Jabloteh edged Morvant Caledonia United 1-0, with Tyrese Pierre finding the back of the net in the 40th minute.

Point Fortin Civic blanked St Ann’s Rangers 3-0 at the El Dorado West Secondary School Ground, with items from Thaj Neptune (23rd), Jhavani Jack (43rd) and Moredecai Brown (67th).

Police stayed in third place after a narrow 2-1 win over Central FC at the D’abadie Recreation Ground, Arouca. Daniel Warner put Police ahead in the 20th before Jeremiah Lewis equalised for Central FC in the 41st. But J’Dun Martin netted the winner for Police, in the 62 nd.

Fourth-placed W Connection hammered North East Stars 6-0 at the Union Recreation Ground, Marabella. Adica Ash (55th and 63rd) notched a pair while Jerel Sandiford (31st), Nicholas Dyett (48th), Tarik Lee (50th) and Jabarie Lee (80th) contributed one apiece.

And, at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium Training Field in Marabella, Club Sando trounced Defence Force 5-0. Kerdeem Christopher (77th and 79th) scored a pair, after items from Felix Lewis (fourth), Rhowen Stewart Williams (17th) and Nesean Duncan (75th).

STANDINGS
Under-13 Division
Teams………………………………….P……..W……..D…….. L………F……….A……Pts
San Juan Jabloteh………………… 16…….14…….. 1………1……. 97………16……..43
Police………………………………….. 16…….14…….. 1………1……. 59………15……..43
W Connection………………………. 16……. 11…….. 1………4……. 51………15……..34
Defence Force……………………… 16………8…….. 3………5……. 59………27……..27
North East Stars…………………… 16………7…….. 2………7……. 33………33……..23
Club Sando………………………….. 16………7…….. 1………8……. 51………29……..22
Central FC…………………………… 16………7…….. 0………9……. 52………43……..21
Point Fortin Civic………………….. 16………5…….. 2………9……. 25………48……..17
Morvant Caledonia……………….. 16………1…….. 0…….15……. 11…….128……….3
St Ann’s Rangers………………….. 16………0…….. 1…….15……… 5………89……….1
Under-15 Division
Teams…………………………………..P……..W……..D…….. L………F……….A……Pts
San Juan Jabloteh………………… 16…….13…….. 1………2……. 30………..8……..40
Point Fortin Civic………………….. 16………9…….. 3………4……. 29………11……..30
Police………………………………….. 15………9…….. 3………3……. 26………13……..30
W Connection………………………. 16………9…….. 2………5……. 28………19……..29
Defence Force……………………… 16………8…….. 3………5……. 33………22……..27
Club Sando………………………….. 15………6…….. 1………8……. 25………25……..19
St Ann’s Rangers………………….. 15………5…….. 1………9……. 25………29……..16
North East Stars…………………… 15………4…….. 3………8……. 18………30……..15
Morvant Caledonia……………….. 16………2…….. 4…….10……. 19………49……..10
Central FC…………………………… 16………1…….. 3…….12……… 8………35……….6
Under-17 Division
Teams…………………………………..P……..W……..D…….. L………F……….A……Pts
San Juan Jabloteh………………… 16…….12…….. 3………1……. 44………11……..39
North East Stars…………………… 15………9…….. 4………2……. 42………22……..31
W Connection………………………. 16………8…….. 6………2……. 35………16……..30
St Ann’s Rangers………………….. 15………8…….. 4………3……. 34………16……..28
Club Sando………………………….. 15………6…….. 5………4……. 29………27……..23
Point Fortin Civic………………….. 16………5…….. 3………8……. 29………36……..18
Police………………………………….. 15………4…….. 5………6……. 26………22……..17
Morvant Caledonia……………….. 16………3…….. 2…….11……. 23………42……..11
Central FC…………………………… 16………2…….. 5………9……. 19………43……..11
Defence Force……………………… 16………0…….. 3…….13……. 13………59……….3

Derry was selected by a panel from the Tertiary Sports Association of Trinidad and Tobago (TSATT) based on a combination of academic and professional achievements and fulfillment of social responsibility. These applicants were nominated by the institution they attend and one representative was selected per country. Timothy was awarded the opportunity from a field of nine applicants. Of his achievement, he states that he was pleasantly surprised that being an allround student presented an opportunity of this calibre. He also added that it was his aim to keep volunteering and to encourage others to do the same.

President of the Tertiary Sports Association of Trinidad and Tobago (TSATT) and Senior Sports Officer at UTT, Ian Pritchard, reiterated the idea that students should be encouraged to become involved in extracurricular activities as it bodes well for long-term personal achievement.

Timothy, who has a 3.5 GPA, transitioned from Certificate to Bachelor to Masters programmes within UTT, highlighting the successful transition through the academic ranks. Of his time at the University, he states that his academic and sporting achievements at the University have contributed to the development of his social and leadership skills, and also encouraged him to pursue a doctoral degree in the near future. If successful at this forum, Timothy has a chance of being selected to volunteer at the World University Games in China this August or receive sponsorship to study at any University in the world. His first major sporting volunteer role was at the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup and most recent was at the Pan American Juniors Cycling Championship in August 2016. Together with TSATT, he hopes to implement a programme which increases sport-volunteerism activity in Trinidad and Tobago as he sees sport as monumental to a student’s overall success.

West Indies went down by 93 runs in the third game of the fivematch series at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium here yesterday, to find themselves on the verge of yet another series loss.

“I think the conditions were decent. The bounce was a little bt up and down but … I thought the wicket was a fairly decent one,” said Mohammed who top-scored for the Windies in a weak batting performance.

“What is important is we have a good start at the top and string together some partnerships and whichever one or two guys get set in the batting, they have to try carry on as deep as possible for the team.

“We have played decent cricket in spurts but it’s just for us to keep it more consistent and for a longer period of time, for us to come out on top.” West Indies did well to restrict the powerful Indians to 251 for four off their 50 overs but then struggled in their run chase to slump to 87 for five in the 20th over.

Mohammed then anchored the best stand of the innings, putting on 54 for the sixth wicket with Rovman Powell (30) to put some pressure back on India.

Once they were out, however, the innings collapsed to 158 all out in the 39th over.

“I played the way that I’m accustomed playing – taking a little time to get in and then sort of accelerating a little bit. Unfortunately we didn’t have enough partnerships and that’s where we fell away in the end.,” the Trinidadian said.

“We were just trying to build a partnership which we were doing very well. I was the one to try and bat through the innings and Rovman would have tried to take the chance here and there.” India had stumbled early on, losing the key wickets of opener Shikhar Dhawan (2) and captain Virat Kohli (11) cheaply to slip to 34 for two in the 10th over.

But MS Dhoni top-scored with a Man-of-the-Match unbeaten 78, opener Ajinkya Rahane got 72 while Kedar Jadhav hit a breezy unbeaten 40, as India accelerated late on to gather 100 runs from the last 10 overs and pass 250.

“I thought we were excellent in the first power-play, even up to the 40th over we were very good.

Well done to the guys, and the two spinners in the middle were very excellent – Ashley (Nurse) and (Devendra) Bishoo,” Mohammed pointed out.

“We fell away a little in the end.

I thought if we had given them 70, 80 runs [at the end] it would have been ideal but all in all, to restrict India for 250 was an excellent effort from the bowlers.”

Marketing manager for Cari- Gamers, Darrien Jones explains that last Sunday’s tournament which took place at the Papa John’s St James location, was a strategy game that can be played on mobile phones, tablets and laptops, opening up participation to a wide cross-section of players.

He says that these skills can be applied to real life, as the game teaches players how to read and interpret their opponent’s strategy and analyse behaviours. Thus, you learn over time when is the right time to take risks and capitalise on opportunities.

Jones explains that some gamers play for fun, while the more seasoned enthusiasts play competitively so they can be recognised amongst their peers.

Internationally, gaming which is considered an e-sport is a billion- dollar industry, where the stakes are high and players vie for a prize pool of US$20 million in team sports such as Dota 2.

The Global Games Market Report reveals that gaming is expected to generate revenues of US$108.9 billion in 2017, exceeding last year’s statistics by $7.8 billion. Digital games account for 87 per cent of the market and mobile 19 per cent with players in the Asia-Pacific region contributing to one quarter of the global revenue.

Tournament director Chris “The Duckman” Salloum said Hearthstone is a [strategy] game where the object of the game is to reduce your enemies’ “hit points” to zero. Fundamentally the game isn’t a challenge to understand, but it takes time to master. It requires quick calculations and anticipating your opponent’s play, several turns in advance. “It is similar to other mentally taxing games such as chess. Players also have the opportunity to create innovative combinations of cards to win,” he said.

Salloum said many more events were scheduled for this year. A Dota 2 Pubstomp, which is a free event, takes place on August 12 at 22 Sports Bar, Long Circular Road, St James and another Hearthstone event is scheduled for the Christmas season.

In terms of the legislation around gaming in TT, the laws are still a bit ambiguous, to the extent that some of the international creators of the games do not allow local players to compete for championship points.

This makes very talented local players ineligible to compete for prizes on the international stage.

“There is a lot of potential in TT for gaming and it’s growing.

We do not want local players to be left out on the international arena. We hope it is something that will receive more attention and be addressed in the future.” Salloum says.

The question on everyone’s lips is probably, how can a novice get in on some of this gaming action? Jones said the ability to learn the game and adapt depends on the individual.

“E-sports like any other sport requires the investment of time.

You must treat it like a job and practise. It depends on how bad you want it.” Hearthstone winner, Nicholas Francis who goes by the name of “Heaven” in the gaming world says it feels great to be ranked the top 29 player in North America this season. Francis has attained the rank of “legend” in every season placing him among the best in the world consistently.

To new players, he advises that watching streams helps a lot and, of course, practise. “I love Hearthstone and I have been playing since 2014. I play for fun, but also like to compete professionally,” he says.

Winners are as follows: 1: Nicholas “Heaven” Francis 2: Kevin “Silentasasin” Jardine 3: Amresh “DookieDooks” Dookran 4: Anshuman “MagicTurtle” Sarran-Persad For more info: http://www.

facebook.com/carigamers www.carolyncorreia.com

Failure to provide the information will result in the matter being taken to court. Maharaj told Newsday yesterday that when he applied for a copy of the report under the Freedom of Information Act, he was told there will be a waiting period and he decided to wait until the deadline date before seeking any legal redress in the matter.

He said he has also been in con tact with members of the Defence Force in the hope that his request for the report is made available so he could clear his name. He again described as “erroneous” a statement from the Defence Force accusing him of acting on his own volition in authorising the shooting practice. The allegation was contained in a letter in response to United National Congress senator Wayne Sturge who submitted a request for information after photographs of Al-Rawi’s children posing with, what appeared to be, high-powered rifles belonging to the TTDF were made public.

In a letter dated April 25 and addressed to Sturge, former chief of defence staff Brigadier Rodney Smart said based on evidence adduced by the board of inquiry, Al-Rawi’s children accompanied him to the Regiment’s Cumuto Barracks on October 31, 2015. Smart said Al-Rawi was invited to witness a tactical display so that he would become familiar with the set of actions his security team may have to employ in the event of an incident.

Smart said the board of inquiry deduced that Al-Rawi’s children were not allowed to have high powered weapons belonging to the TTDF in the presence of Al-Rawi and members of the TTDF and there was no evidence that anyone in the TTDF was complicit in the performance of their duties.

“It was established that the former chief of defence staff Major General Kenrick Maharaj, acting on his own volition, authorised the range practice,” Smart said.

The injunction was applied for by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) which is representing workers at the TDC.

The union sought the injunction in an emergency application after the TDC began offering severance packages to workers on Thursday without notifying the CWU. The union has contended that this goes against good industrial relations practices.

After almost four hours of submissions yesterday, the CWU’s lead counsel Douglas Mendes, SC, also sought a temporary injunction to cover the period the parties were in court.

It was granted by Industrial Court president Deborah Thomas-Felix who said the court was one of “industrial common sense.” In arguing against the substantive injunction being granted, attorney for the TDC Fyard Hosein,SC, said it would be “draconian and unparalleled” for the court to make an order against the company, saying it will have a great impact on the country. “The public interest is important,” he said.

Arguments continued well into the late evening yesterday.

In early May, TDC workers received the “assurance” of the company that no offer for voluntary separation can be offered to them without consultation of their majority union.

Although the “assurance” was not given by way of a formal undertaking, this was the position of the TDC at an injunction hearing at the Industrial Court.

The CWU applied for an injunction on May 4 seeking to restrain the TDC from terminating the contracts of workers until the determination of an industrial relations complaint filed in the Industrial Court as well as to restrain the TDC from making any offer for voluntary separation without consulting the union.

Presiding over the hearing were Thomas-Felix and members Albert Aberdeen, Kyril Jack, Kathleen George-Marcelle and newly appointed judge Azeem Mohammed.

Representing the CWU were Mendes and Imran Ali while Hosein and Rishi Dass represented the TDC.

The union filed two previous complaints relative to a decision to shut down the TDC without consulting the CWU and the development of VSE P packages to be considered by the Cabinet.

A decision to dissolve the TDC was announced at a post-Cabinet media briefing on March 9.

President of the CWU Joseph Remy said the union only received a call on the decision in a telephone conversation with the company’s line-minister, Tourism Minister Shamfa Cudjoe shortly before the announcement was made and after the decision was already taken by Cabinet.

TDC has approximately 114 employees with both fixed contracts and month-to-month employment.

Senior officials at the hospital claimed they were unaware of the incident but the hospital’s Communications Department in a media release yesterday stated “The South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) wishes to assure the public and members of staff that we do not condone any abuse towards any member of staff.

The latest incident between two staff members is being thoroughly investigated and will be dealt with as a matter of urgency in accordance with our staff conduct regulations.” The release further stated that “The utmost care continues to be provided to the staff member along with other support services and “the SWRHA is committed to the continued provision of quality health care to both our staff and the nationals of Trinidad and Tobago.” Director of Health at SWRHA Dr. Albert Persaud said he was unaware of the incident but would investigate. Calls to the Acting CEO Gail Millar-Meade went unanswered.

At the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said, “We just can’t afford that and if we can’t afford it then the helicopters will stay on the ground because if we have $200 million the question that arises is, ‘is that the best way to spend $200 million in the fight against crime?’ And that is competing for money for medicine in the hospital and for paying the doctors and the nurses and other expenses and that is what the government has to deal with.” Rowley said there are other helicopters in the country but they may not have the same effectiveness as the Agusta-Westland helicopters.

“Why are we finding ourselves in a situation to pay $200 million to a foreign contractor to maintain the helicopters.

Clearly, at a time when we don’t have the money, we have to look at other alternatives and there may be other alternatives.” Asked if government will consider selling the helicopters he said, “We don’t have a position right now. That may be an option, but we do need to have a capacity to be in the air and to be a part of our border protection.

What is in front of us today requires review because we can’t swallow that. So we have to look at all the other options that are available but we certainly can’t commit today to spend $200 million in maintenance for a year.”

However, before the adjournment was taken, Minister of Agriculture Clarence Rambharat assured Opposition Senator Wade Mark that he was confident a new board will be appointed to the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Committee. Rambharat was responding to an appeal by Mark speaking on a motion on the adjournment of the Senate, that the committee shut down on September 12, 2015 and since then, the Government had not appointed a new board.

Mark said without a board a number of projects, including 24 housing projects, had stalled and this was causing extreme hardship to the prospective homeowners in terms of the delivery of mortgages and deeds, and the distribution of empty lots. He said he didn’t know what the Government had against cane farmers and sugar workers, having closed down Caroni Green and Caroni 1975 Limited. Mark said there was no plausible reason for the Government not to act, adding that in 2016 the Government had allocated $8 million to the committee in the Public Sector Investment Programme and that money would be returned to the Consolidated Fund because of the absence of the board.

Rambharat responded that the committee was one of three paid for by the proceeds from the export of sugar and since 2003 this country had stopped exporting sugar whereupon the rationale and money for the funding of the committees had simply disappeared.

He said the People’s National Movement government had offered the workers of Caroni 1975 a VSE P package resulting in more than 8000 workers getting a two-acre lot and over 7,800 of them receiving residential lands.

Rambharat said the programme has so far cost taxpayers more than $10 billion.