McCullum suffered a fractured to his arm just above his left wrist after getting hit by a bouncer from South African Wayne Parnell in a match against Barbados Tridents on Saturday night.

Borde said McCullum, who has already left the Caribbean, will miss four to six weeks.

McCullum is the second leading run scorer in the CPL with 335 runs (before last night’s Tridents/ Patriots match) at an average of 55.83 with a highest score of 91. He has scored three half centuries and has struck the most number of sixes in the tournament with 25.

Yesterday, Borde said McCullum brought a lot of positive attributes to the CPL.

“It is a huge loss to both the league as well as the team,” Borde said.

“I think we (Knight Riders) have done a fantastic job entertaining the crowds so far. CPL is about excitement and he brought a lot of excitement to the cricket, he brought a lot of experience.

Certainly as a team member his knowledge and team camaraderie will certainly be missed there is no doubt about it.

He has thrilled us (CPL) for the last three years and we are hoping that he can continue to do it in the future.” This is the second experienced opener Knight Riders have lost since the start of the tournament.

South African Hashim Amla was injured shortly before the tournament bowled off in early August.

“We already lost Amla at the beginning of the tournament.

To lose him means we have lost two heavily experienced opening batsmen.” Borde said a replacement for McCullum may be arriving in Trinidad in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Borde could not reveal the replacement.

The Knight Riders have had to make do without key players this season, missing leg spinner Shadab Khan of Pakistan for a short period after he was recalled by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Knight Riders will play in qualifier one against Jamaica Tallawahs or St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba at 8 pm, tomorrow night.

IN THE 1986 general election the vast majority of PNM support continued to come from Afro- Trinis contrary to the view that a large number of them liberated themselves from the PNM anchor and shifted to the NAR. The limited numbers that did so would no doubt have been comforted by the fact that the NAR leader was an Afro-Trini.

As I noted earlier, the PNM polled 218,557 votes in the 1981 election, which I deduced were overwhelmingly Afro-Trinis.

In the 1986 election the PNM obtained 183,418 votes — a decline of a mere 35,139 which partially represented abstentions and partially a shift to the NAR. In some constituencies such as San Fernando East (662), Port of Spain South (208), Laventille (319), La Brea (288), Arouca South (181), Pointea- Pierre (323), Tunapuna (725) and St Joseph (496), the decline in PNM votes from 1981 was just a few hundred.

In others such as St Ann’s West, St Ann’s East, Point Fortin, Diego Martin West, East and Central, Fyzabad and Ortoire/Mayaro, the reduced figures from 1981 were just above 1,000. In two constituencies — Port of Spain North and Port of Spain East — the PNM marginally increased its votes from 1981.

One of the outstanding features of the 1986 general election was that the Indo-Trini voters overwhelmingly supported the party led by an Afro-Trinidadian which contradicts the view that Indo-Trinidadians blindly and monolithically throw their support behind an Indo- Trinidadian leader.

Raffique Shah maintains that Indo- Trinis supported Robinson and the NAR because Basdeo Panday told them to do so. As someone who was involved in the formation of the NAR and aware of the elements at play in the choosing of its leader, Shah’s notion is somewhat misconceived.

When it was decided that the ULF and ONR should be dissolved and a single party constituted, the next critical issue to be confronted was the choice of leader for this unitary party. The media led by the Express, with Ken Gordon at its head, skilfully deployed an agenda to promote Mr Robinson for the position of leader of this new entity.

In January 1986, a party convention was held at the Rienzi Complex to formally elect a leader for the NAR. It was a foregone conclusion that Mr Robinson would be endorsed.

Mr Panday was profoundly hurt by the summary dismissal of his claim to lead despite the significant support which the ULF brought. He asked ULF MPs that he be allowed to make a gesture by being nominated for the post of leader, but, at the convention, would make a grand public withdrawal in favour of Robinson.

I was given the task of securing nominations from ULF dominated constituency executives who were almost all Indo-Trinis. There was near universal opposition to the idea that Panday should submit a nomination. The dominant view was that Mr Robinson as an Afro- Trini should be elected to lead regardless of Mr Panday’s sentiments.

I was able to secure nominations only from three constituency executives — Oropouche for which I was the MP, Siparia and Fyzabad where I had some influence.

If at this juncture Mr Panday had chosen to withdraw from the party or ask his supporters to abstain from voting, he would have had little success because Indo-Trini sentiment was not in his favour.

It is therefore erroneous to proclaim that Indo-Trinis would blindly and wholeheartedly support an Indo-Trini leader regardless of the circumstances. Indeed, in 1971 when, prior to the election of that year, Vernon Jamadar had ceded the leadership of the Indo-Trini party, the DLP, to ANR Robinson, Indo-Trinidadians were prepared to stand behind a non-Indo-Trini leader. Subsequently, Robinson unilaterally and without w a r n – ing announced a nov o t e c a m – p a i g n in that year.

Sinanan made the disclosure 24 hours before the Land and Physical Infrastructure Joint Select Committee (JSC) of the Parliament begins the first of three hearings it will hold regarding the seabridge today. The Authority was due to submit its report over the weekend. However Sinanan told Newsday the Authority has been given “more time” to complete its report. He said he expects the report would be provided to him, “by the end of the week.” The minister said some of the issues the Authority is looking at could feature in the JSC’s deliberations.

Sinanan also said he has not aware of the status of Cabinet appointed investigator Christian Mouttet’s enquiry into the procurement of the Cabo Star and Ocean Flower 2 vessels for the seabridge. “He (Sinanan) reports to the Prime Minister,” Sinanan said. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced Mouttet’s appointment on August 15. Mouttet has been given a 30 day deadline in which to submit a report to Rowley. Sinanan, who will appear before the JSC tomorrow, reiterated that he welcomes any investigation into the procurement of the two vessels.

Efforts to contact Mouttet where unsuccessful but senior government officials indicated that he remains on target to submit his report on time. Last month, Port Authority chairman Alison Lewis confirmed that Mouttet met with the Authority’s board of directors and was being provided with documents.

Bridgemans Services Group vice-president Andrew Purdey also said he met with Mouttet last month over the course of two days. Purdey said all the information Bridgemans has on the Cabo Star and Ocean Flower 2 were provided to Mouttet. He described Mouttet as “a professional” and said Bridgemans would supply any further information if Mouttet requires them to do so.

A total of 47 people will appear before the JSC between today and Wednesday. Today’s hearing and tomorrow’s hearing take place from 1 pm at Tower D of the Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Centre.

Lewis and members of the Authority’s board of directors; former chairman Christine Sahadeo and former board members; Works and Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary Sonia Francis- Yearwood and other ministry officials and TV6 reporter Mark Bassant, are scheduled to appear before the committee today.

In addition to Sinanan, Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Fitzgerald Hinds; Cadiz; Purdey; Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union president Michael Annisette; Intercontinental Shipping Limited managing director John Powell; representatives of the TT Inter-Island Transport Company; Ken Shipping and Marine Services Limited managing director Lester Kenny; marine consultant Alfred McMillan and attorney Nyree Alfonso, are due to appear before the JSC tomorrow On Wednesday, the JSC will continue its enquiry on the seabridge at the Victor E Bruce Financial Complex in Scarborough from 1 pm. Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles; THA Minority Leader Watson Duke; former Tobago Chamber of Commerce president Dianne Hadad and representatives from the Inter-Isle Truckers and Traders Association are among the 11 people who will appear before the JSC on Wednesday. Prior to this on Wednesday, the committee will hold an enquiry on the state of agriculture and fisheries in Tobago at the complex at 9 am.

The JSC is chaired by Independent Senator Stephen Creese.

Other members include Energy Minister Franklin Khan, Sports Minister Daryl Smith and Opposition Senator Wade Mark.

After these hearings, the JSC will compile a report which will be sent to the House for debate.

Sinanan will have a certain time period within which to accept or reject the recommendations of the committee.

In an interview with Newsday yesterday, hours after his mother’s body was found in her Fondes Amandes Road, St Ann’s home on Saturday evening, Stephen said, in recent years society has been desensitised to violence, pointing to a rising murder toll as the major reason for the public’s indifference.

It is believed the woman’s throat was slit.

“Crime is just a symptom of the lack of sympathy and understanding that we have for one another these days. I think that Trinidadians have become so accustomed to murder that they have lost their sensitivity to the victims and to people in general,” Stephen said.

He said he was visiting a friend in Brasso Seco at the time of the incident and only learned of it when he received a call from one of his neighbours that a portion of the house was on fire.

Stephen also hit back at social media users who, in the wake of his mother’s killing, have alleged it was part of a plot by family members to collect insurance money.

“First of all my mother was a cancer patient and was not eligible.

The insurance companies would not insure her. So to answer their questions about relatives collecting insurance money is baseless, very insulting and very insensitive. To make a statement based on nothing, without any knowledge based on people or their circumstances, is irresponsible and it shows that insensitivity is one of our major problems.” He said unless law-abiding citizens were prepared to partner with the police in securing their streets, crime and criminality would continue to run amok.

Up until late yesterday afternoon, there was a heavy police presence at the family’s home as officers continued their inquiries into the murder. The home is bordered by a steep slope to it’s western side and is hidden from the opposite side by dense trees and underbrush.

Newsday also spoke to several residents of River Road, St Ann’s who were struggling to come to terms with the murder of the woman many affectionately referred to as “Mama”. One resident, who asked not to be identified, said the mother of three maintained a close relationship with members of the community and expressed his disgust at her demise.

“We would scarcely see her outside her home but whenever she passed, she would always hail us out. She would stop and have these long conversations with us, she was really well-liked and it’s a real tragedy what happened to her. We’re all very angry right now.” Another resident, who asked only to be identified as “Jerome”, said Broadbridge would often employ young men from the community to do odd jobs around her house.

He said she would never hesitate to assist families in need.

“She was a very welcoming person, she would always have a few young fellas from the neighbourhood helping her out, whether it’s to maintain her lawn or whatever. She was all there for us and what happened to her was an outrage.” Several residents have speculated the killer or killers may have come from outside of the community, given her status in the area.

Police said, at about 5 pm on Saturday, residents saw clouds of black smoke rising from the other side of the slope and notified the Fire Service. When they arrived and searched the house, they found Broadbridge’s body.

Rowley is in California for a brief vacation and to undergo a medical checkup.

On Saturday, Moonilal threatened to take legal action against Rowley for statements that he made at a press conference at Piarco International Airport last Friday before leaving for the United States.

Efforts to contact Rowley were unsuccessful.

However, senior government officials said, “While Dr Moonilal is free to approach any court, he will be met with all the necessary responses when required.” The officials also said Moonilal “will have to surpass insurmountable hurdles of fact, many of which pre-date the prime minister’s statements.” They added it was curious that Moonilal, “is only now responding to material already in the public domain.” Moonilal said he asked his attorney Israel Khan SC to write Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams to find out whether or not he is the subject of any police investigation.

At the press conference held at the airport on Friday prior to his departure, Rowley said Moonilal 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 in August 2015, just before the last general election.

Media reports in June claimed Moonilal’s name was on a police search warrant in connection with this matter.

The prime minister condemned Moonilal for alleging there was collusion between certain elements in the Police Service and the political directorate regarding last week’s arrest of former attorney general Anand Ramlogan.

Rowley said the course of events which led to Ramlogan’s arrest had its genesis in under the former Kamla Persad- Bissessar administration.

Ramlogan has been charged with obstructing justice by using threats and bribery in October 2014 to persuade incoming Police Complaints Authority director David West to not give evidence in Ramlogan’s defamation case against then Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley.

He is also accused of misbehaving in public office by improperly endeavouring for West not to testify on Rowley’s behalf.

The matter has been adjourned to January.

Hurricane watches were posted for Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Martin, Guadeloupe and the British Virgin Islands.

The US National Hurricane Centre said the centre of the storm could near that region late tomorrow.

It said islands farther north, including the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, should monitor the progress of the storm.

Antigua’s prime minister, Gaston Browne, urged people to take preventative measures in case the storm should hit, including cleaning drains and removing objects that could be sent airborne by high winds.

“The passage of a hurricane is not a matter to be taken lightly, but we must not panic,” Browne said in a statement.

The Antigua and Barbuda weather service said Irma was expected to bring heavy rains, rough surf and high winds to islands along the northern edge of the Antilles.

The US hurricane centre said Irma had maximum sustained winds of 185 kph yesterday. It was centred about 1,275 kilometres east of the Leeward Islands and moving westward at 22 kph.

In the statement, the ministry said this represents a landmark commitment on Government’s part, by reaffirming TT’s commitment to the protection of the ozone layer as well as taking into consideration the effects of ozone depleting substances on the earth’s climate. The ministry said ratification of Kigali Amendment further strengthens efforts to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in TT, which are climate warming pollutants.

The ministry said its National Ozone Unit has begun this process with the adaptation of climate and ozone friendly technology in the air conditioning and refrigeration sector. The ministry said the aim of this objective is to have consumers adopt more environmentally friendly technology, as well as have a well-trained cadre of technicians to service and repair equipment and appliances.

The ministry highlighted a ten percent reduction of the HFC baseline in 2015 and assistance provided to local manufacturing facilities to transform their production methods to more climate friendly chemicals in the aerosol, foam manufacturing and agricultural sectors. The ministry also said national compulsory labelling standards for refrigerant cylinders have also been implemented.

Dead is Ronald Marshall of Enterprise Street, Chaguanas.

According to police reports at about 1.30pm Marshall was liming with friends near his carwash at Africa Grounds, Enterprise when a man armed with a gun approached the group.

The man pointed the gun at Marshall and shot him several times to the chest. He died on the spot. A district medical officer pronounced Marshall dead and ordered the body be removed to the Forensic Science Centre where an autopsy is expected to be performed today.

Police say the killing was gang related. Homicide Region Three police officers are continuing investigations.

The Arima school which has had several issues with the construction of a new building since before 2010, is now facing electrical problems. In 2012 the school was closed for the new term because parents did not want their children on the compound as the buildings were dilapidated. The Education Ministry constructed and installed pre-engineered classrooms which housed infants to standard three students while standards four and five remained in the concrete structure of the original school.

In September 2013, first year to the standard three students had to stay home for more than two weeks because of the previous year’s unresolved issues with the buildings. During the July/August vacation period this year, the school’s cafeteria was burnt.

When Newsday visited the Pommegranate Avenue, Phase One school, one workman was seen doing minor work. The area where the steel frame for the new school is being built, suggested no construction was done for some time as bush has overtaken most of the walking area.

One parent said, “Tomorrow (today) the parents would be protesting as we are fed up of the same thing every year.” In response to the fears communicated by parents concerning the reopening of the school, Minister of Education Anthony Garcia said, “There is nothing preventing the school from being reopened. After we visited the Arima North Secondary School, we went to Malabar Government Primary and the contractor is doing the final cleaning work. There is no problem associated with that school.” When asked about the resumption of work on the new school, Garcia said, “I have spoken to the contractors and they have agreed to resume operations shortly.” Garcia also explained the burnt area of the Malabar school was refurbished and the school was going to be ready.

When told parents wanted to protest outside the school this morning, Garcia said, “They would look like fools.”

Dieffenthaller is one of the creative minds behind the successful local soap opera “Westwood Park” which ran from 1997 to 2004.

Public Administration and Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie announced Cabinet’s decision on this matter last month. He said the new TTT will focus on local programming and Government information.

While Dieffenthaller supported the intention to increase local content on television, she said, “To say the least…we have not seen or heard of the entire plan nor do we know what the budget consideration is.” She also said no one knows, “what the selection process will be or who will be on charge of this.” Dieffenthaller also said no mention has been made about “the plan for sustainability” of the new entity.

She opined, “If the wrong people from another century are going to try to go backwards, then this is a futile endeavour.” She reiterated while the talk is welcome and long overdue, “if they’re not walking the talk, then it’s just talk.” Diffenthaller said the Filmmakers Collaborative of TT will be expressing its views on the plan in due course.