Nicholas Williams was refused bail by Magistrate Brambhanan Dubay who read charge that last week Thursday, Williams had in his possession a Glock pistol, a Taurus pistol, an AK-47 assault rifle, a Beretta pistol and another firearm manufactured in Belgium. In addition, he was also charged with possession of 144 rounds of ammunition.

The charges were laid by PC Barry Bacchus of San Fernando CID.

Attorney Subhas Panday who represented Williams, asked for bail to be granted but Magistrate Dubay refused on the ground that five years ago, Williams had a case for firearms possession.

The magistrate advised Williams of his right to apply to a judge in chambers for bail.

The duo won the 200-metre individual medley, 100m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle, in the 10-and-Under male and female categories respectively.

In the open category, 2017 CARIFTA gold medallists Jeron Thompson of Atlantis Aquatics and Jada Chatoor of Marlins Swim Club both picked up a pair of wins on the closing night.

Thompson, who won the 15-17 male 50m free gold in CARIFTA Barbados, won gold in the said event on Sunday in 24.38 seconds, ahead of Kegan Ford of Flying Fish (24.45) and Johann Ferdinand of Sea Hawks (24.54). He went on to comfortably win the 100m breaststroke in one minute 5.92 seconds.

Chatoor of Marlins, who was the 13-14 female CARIFTA champion in the 400m freestyle, triumphed on Sunday in 4:38.02, ahead of Jahmia Harley of Tidal Wave Aquatics (4:52.99) and Zoe Anthony of Marlins (4:56.71).

Chatoor also staged a comefrom- behind victory in the 200m butterfly to win in 2:33.19 to edge Vrisnelit Faure of Areios Aquatechs into second place (2:33.52).

Chatoor and Thompson are poised as prime candidates for selection on the Trinidad and Tobago National Team, which will compete in the CCCAN Swimming Championships at the National Aquatic Centre from June 28 to July 2. This meet was the final qualifying meet for selection.

Cherelle Thompson of Eagles returned with a bang winning gold in the 50m freestyle female in a time of 26.37. Graham Chatoor kept up the family’s long distance tradition and won the 400m free in 4:25.64.

Ileana Bocage of Flying Fish won gold in the 100m breast female in 1:21.22, while Saturday night’s record breaker Jahmia Harley of Tidal Wave was the victrix in the female 200m backstroke (2:30.13).

Josiah Parag of Blue Dolphins won the 200m backstroke male in 2:20.15 and Aqeel Joseph of Sea Hawks won the 200m butterfly in 2:19.55.

In the masters category, Anton Gopaulsingh picked up wins in the masters male 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke, while Daniel Newallo won the 200m IM.

Danielle Cozier won the 50m free and back in the masters female events.

The CCCAN Swim Team is expected to start training this weekend while the TT contingent for swimming, water polo and diving is expected to be confirmed tomorrow. The open water team will be confirmed following a final 10k trial on Saturday.

The discussions were initiated by the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries and PDVSA and followed a visit to Venezuela by a Petrotrin team on May 24.

“We note that this incident has attracted a high level of public interest and concern and wish to advise that we are also keeping abreast of all reports and developments attributed to the April 23 incident,” Petrotrin said in a media release yesterday. “At this time, technical discussions are continuing with the key parties as a precursor to any conclusions and consequential action to be taken.” Meanwhile, oil has reportedly reached the Dutch island of Bonaire.

Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) member Gary Aboud, on his Facebook page, posted several photos of volunteers engaged in clean-up activities there. He wrote that “oil clumps/tar” had washed ashore on the coastal areas of Sorobon and the Willemstoren, east of Bonaire.

“The Government of Bonaire have begun aerial monitoring to determine the location of the oil drifting in the sea. Curacao and Aruba and representatives of the Dutch ministry for Infrastructure & Environment (Infrastructure & Milieu or I&M) have made a collaborated effort in dealing with this environmental disaster and are expecting more oil clumps to wash ashore,” Aboud said.

“The salt in the sea water has turned most of the oil into tar, so that it cannot easily be detected by air. It will be difficult to determine if more oil is indeed on its way to Bonaire.” He also asked: “Based on Tank 70 capacity of 150,000 barrels and Minister (Franklin) Khan’s statement in Parliament that Tank 70 had 12,853 barrels after the leakage was contained, FFOS have estimated as much as 137,147 barrels may have escaped.

“Can 300 barrels really spread to one mile long by five miles wide in the Gulf of Paria, and affect Trinidad’s west coasts, Guiria in Venezuela, Margarita, Los Roques Islands and now Bonaire?”

She spoke yesterday at an Indian Arrival Day show at the Sangre Grande Civic Centre on Sukhram Street. She urged students to learn of their ancestors’ contributions as part of their own personal self development. She also said that youngsters must have respect for elders as this will instil discipline that will take them far in life.

“We must never forget that 172 years ago Indian indentured labourers from India made the trip on the Fatel Rozack and it was a perilous journey. We know they came under trying circumstances and it was not an easy journey.

They came and settled here. They worked to develop the country we now love,” Jennings-Smith said.

“Do your part so that their sacrifices will not have been in vain.

They left us with a rich cultural heritage which can be seen in what we eat, in what we wear, in the music we listen to and also in the lessons we learn at home from our elders.” Sharing her own experience, Jennings Smith said one of the lesson leant from her great-grandmother who was an indentured labourer, was the use of mediation to solve communal conflicts.

“When we quarrel and fight among ourselves they used mediation for reconciliation and this is something we need to bring back in our society today especially when we have young children at school engaging in quarrels and little fights. Let us be calm, let us look at what we can take from our ancestors and use it to our benefits,” Jennings-Smith said.

Also addressing the audience was historian Dr Brinsley Samaroo who said although it was a day to commemorate Indian Arrival Day all ethnic groups should be acknowledged because all groups have contributed to the development of Trinidad and Tobago.

He told the principals and teachers it was extremely important to teach students about local history in all schools.

Today we mark the 172nd anniversary of the arrival of our forefathers from the different parts of ancestral homeland — Calcutta (now Kolkata), Madras (now Chennai), and Pondicherry — as indentured labourers.

The first batch of indentured workers arrived in Trinidad on May 1845 aboard the historic Fatel Razack.

The final set arrived in 1917 aboard the SS Ganges and SS Mutlah.

Indentureship was discontinued in 1923. It must be noted the Indian labour force helped in the economic development of Trinidad in the sugar plantation industry.

Their journey was long, tedious, arduous and inhumane.

Many died during the passage across the kala pani or black water.

Their living conditions and accommodations were deplorable.

They were sent to various estates on the request of the British rulers.

Our Indian forebears brought with them customs and norms, clothing, jewelry, religion, dance, music and food.

The rich culture, history and traditions we all enjoy and practise today are a direct result of their strict adherence to dharma and Sanskrit.

The language of communication used by our forefathers then was the Bhojpuri dialect which has been replaced by Hindi and Urdu.

Hinduism and Islam, two of the world’s great religions, were introduced to Trinidad by our forebears.

It was not until 1995, 22 years ago, that Indian Arrival Day was made a public holiday.

On this auspicious day, which is both historical and sentimental, we must always be proud of our Indianness and culture.

Though we have practised different forms of religion and worship, the one common or relevant conduit/factoid we can never deny or change is that we are all Indians.

Vanishka Maharaj Asja Girls’ College Charlieville

We should be heartened by the level and intensity of the debate on this issue. Our sense of ownership and consent in respect of our indigenous institutions is crucial to our reassurance, after 50 years of independence, that we are steady, even as we are beset by the inevitable growing pains of a still youthful nation state.

Given this opportunity, the institution itself and all who are legitimately joined in the debate are required to rise to the challenge with maturity to ensure that, while there must be forthright debate and criticism where due, that constructive tone and quality of content form the bedrock of all such criticism, lest we awaken tomorrow to find that we have thrown out the baby, the bath water and the tub.

There is every good reason why the nation must demand that this incident should provide us with a learning experience. How we deal with this will help us build as a nation.

There are issues of transparency and openness and a commitment to holding the JLSC to strict standards of excellence from which no one must shirk, least of all the JLSC. The Law Association is to be commended for having moved quickly to establish a committee to examine and to make recommendations. We should all embrace this initiative and contribute urgently in the national consultation.

I consider it important nevertheless to make one simple point. As egregious as the errors may be that have been committed by the JLSC, there is no basis on which those errors approach even slightly the constitutional threshold for removal from office of a Chief Justice and/or of members of the JLSC. In the case of both the Chief Justice and the members of the JLSC, the Constitution is very clear on the solemn process by which the incumbents in those constitutional offices can be lawfully removed. This removal procedure is prescribed in explicit terms in the case of both the members of the JLSC and the Chief Justice who is ex officio its chairman.

I have had the honour of being appointed counsel to advise two constitutional tribunals, one established to investigate and to advise on the removal of a Chief Justice of TT and more recently the other established in respect of a judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

The threshold of the case to be made out is stated clearly: The incumbent may be removed from office only for inability to perform the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misbehaviour, and shall not be so removed except in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

In order for that to be accomplished a tribunal must be established, comprised of eminent people including former judicial officers and the evidence of culpability or not on the charge brought must be carefully investigated and sifted. The person under investigation must be given a fair opportunity to rebut and test that evidence after which the tribunal may recommend a certain course of action to the head of State.

Simply stated, without burdening this commentary with the reams of judicial authority on the subject from throughout the common law Commonwealth, the apparent errors of process committed by the JLSC in relation to Marcia Ayers-Caesar do not begin to approach this constitutional threshold.

Some members of the Law Association have specially convened an extraordinary meeting to call on the Chief Justice and the members of the JLSC to resign. This is nothing short of an impeachment procedure.

In the exercise of their undoubted right to attend and vote, I would expect that the attorneys present will address and debate the law as the paramount consideration which informs the result they will commit to history.

REGINALD ARMOUR SC via email

“It is also reflected in how we interact with each other and in our social, political and economic expectations.

Today we acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of our East Indian brothers and sisters to our country’s on-going development and success,” he said.

He said this year marks the centennial of the abolition of Indian indentureship as it was in 1917 that the transportation of Indians out of India for labour in another country was ceased. The Prime Minister said in March this year, he was honoured to be invited to the Indian Diaspora World Convention 2017, which was held in Trinidad and Tobago under the auspices of the Indian Diaspora Council.

“I believed that it was important for me, as the leader of a country which has been impacted by Indian indentureship, to attend a Convention which brought together diasporic scholars, researchers and community advocates and activists from various regions and countries, for open dialogue on the Indian Diasporic experience,” he said.

He said today the nation acknowledges and celebrates the achievements and contributions of our East Indian brothers and sisters to the country’s on-going development and success.

“Let us continue to take the best from our convergence of experiences and use it to ensure that our Nation enjoys peace, fellowship and prosperity,” the Prime Minister said.

Let us not treat this as a light thing for it would have taken great faith to leave their homeland and families and journey across this vast stretch of water on just what was told to them by their employers.

Yet in the midst of all this thousands are still rejoicing that the journey was made for many are reaping from the seeds sown by those courageous men and women.

The beautiful diversity which we are now part of in TT , we owe to the sacrifices made by many in the past. We cannot imagine what they all went through in paving the way.

Let us on this Indian Arrival Day reflect on those who made the journey and keep in mind this quote from our national anthem, “Where every creed and race find an equal place and may God bless our nation.” For surely God has blessed our nation. Happy Indian Arrival Day.

ARNOLD GOPEESINGH via email

WHEN Mark Zuckerburg and his team launched Face- Book on February 4, 2004, the intention was to create a social networking platform that allows for healthy exchange through dialoguing, debates, conversations and overall communication.

However, within the last two months the International Women’s Resource Network has been inundated with calls and messages from women expressing concern about not only the unhealthy levels of exchange, but also their own personal experiences. Whilst the impact of social media triggers both positive and/or negative outcomes, and has also changed lives on how we connect and engage, it also creates an opportunity for users to negatively pinch the backs of others, some of whom become deeply offended.

Issues surrounding social media are inescapable and therefore, as individuals, we need to identify our own unique mechanisms to navigate throughout the social media ocean; that navigation also requires us to exercise some level of personal responsibility for our actions and behavioural patterns as well. It’s great to have healthy debates keeping in mind that every individual is diverse and unique, and so, opinions and views on issues would differ, but it’s another thing to become personal in your posts and/or responses and to even use offensive language.

One of the psychological issues that remains at the forefront, is the need by many, in particular women, to amalgamate as many “likes” as possible from their posts, and when this does not happen, some have indicated to us that they are immediately driven into a state of depression.

Scientifically, this is a call for a rain check on your self-esteem and self-confidence, as these important components of your being, existed before the introduction of social media platforms.

Another concern raised was that of becoming so immersed in social networking, that self-neglect steps in, as well as family, friends and even children.

Again a quick rain check here as your family and relationships and most importantly you must always come first.

Avoid allowing social media to distract from your daily chores and responsibilities.

Spending lots of time engaging in online befriending was also raised to the extent that some of the complainants are fearful that this may be a weakness that has taken over their psyche.

Before making online friends, it is highly advisable to check their profiles/background, as we have had a couple instances where women were hoodwinked into different beliefs. Lacking focus and reduction in productivity levels were also brought to the table. Once there is continuous navigation on social media platforms, your brain will eventually wear, and ultimately your attention span diminishes; before this happens, it is best to strike a balance between your normal routine and your social media time.

Another common concern is the compulsion felt by some to share various types of photos which sometimes result in strange comments. Remember all that is shared on social networks automatically becomes public, and therefore, it is best to exercise greater caution is sharing.

As I stated earlier, social networking is fabulous, but the key is personal responsibility.

Sandrine Rattan is a communications/ branding consultant, author and president of the International Women’s Resource Network (IWRN) Contact: thecorporatesuitett@ gmail.com, intlwomensresourcenetwork@ gmail.com or contact 283-0318

Gibbon, who won two gold medals (1km time trial and match sprint) at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, featured during the Queen’s Baton Relay which was held in Port-of-Spain, yesterday morning.

A 10-kilometre race featuring former and current national athletes and sport administrators was held to celebrate the arrival of the Queen’s Baton to TT .

“It was an exciting event this morning, it brought back fond memories, real fond memories,” Gibbon said after the event. “In 1966 I had some success at the Commonwealth Games and memories go back to that.” The former cyclist said he enjoyed participating in the relay with the national athletes, and hopes the experience gave them some motivation. Gibbon said, “(It felt) great to be out there with the next generation of athletes.

It is nice to see younger people coming forward, I hope something like this will motivate them for the future. Commonwealth Games is next year, I will love to see Trinidad and Tobago get some medals.” The relay featured numerous national athletes including the boxing trio of Nigel Paul, Aaron Prince and Michael Alexander and shooter Roger Daniel. Former national athletes at yesterday’s event included the cycling pair of Gibbon and Michael Phillips. President of the TT Olympic Committee Brian Lewis, president of the TT Paralympic Commitee Sudhir Ramessar, and Reema Carmona, wife of President Anthony Carmona also participated.

Asked what advice he will give the young athletes Gibbon said, “Train harder than anybody else.” Speaking about the growth of cycling over the last 50 years, Gibbon is not satisfied, but said, with the opening of the National Cycling Velodrome in Couva, more stars can be discovered.

Lewis, who is also the president of the TT Commonwealth Games Association, was satisfied with the support of the Queen’s Baton Relay. Lewis said, “Well supported, especially by the athletes past and present. It was great to see the turnout of athletes, some of the medal winners of recent years. We had 2014 Glasgow (medallist) Michael Alexander.

You had Roger Daniel (taking part). You had the legendary Roger Gibbon, still our only double gold medallist. I am very happy with the support. We had her excellency (Reema Carmona) doing the first leg, his excellency (Anthony Carmona) was here, the mayor (of Port-of-Spain Joel Martinez) was here.”