Police sources told Newsday the woman has a dreadlock hairstyle, and lives in Champs Fleurs.

The men are reported to be stable while under guard at Port-of-Spain General Hospital.

According to reports an unidentified man was standing near a fruit stall on Henry Street at about 3.30 pm, when another man approached and grabbed him.

The two men got into a scuffle, then without warning a woman approached with a firearm in hand, and opened fire on the two men.

Both men were injured, however one of the men ran across the street in a bid to escape, before collapsing on the pavement. The woman ran off. Police believe the man who grabbed the other man knew the woman and suspect they are accomplices.

According to reports, Lall Dwarika of Old St Joseph Road, St Joseph, reportedly had an altercation with another man resulting in Dwarika being struck several times.

Passers-by were able to separate the two men and Dwarika sought medical attention at the EWMSC.

Reports revealed that shortly before midnight he succumbed to the injuries before being interviewed by police.

Yesterday homicide officers told Sunday Newsday they were unaware of the incident until they were contacted by hospital authorities who gave them brief information based on their interaction with Dwarika prior to his death. Investigations are continuing.

The little girl was laid to rest on Thursday afternoon following a funeral service in Whiteland. A post mortem performed on Tuesday at the Forensic Science Centre, St James revealed she died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head and stomach.

On November 24, Jenice was found unresponsive on a mattress at her home on Morocoy Extension, Corosal Road in Whiteland. She was taken by ambulance to San Fernando General Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Jenice lived with her father, stepmother and her step-mother’s two children.

Her parents were separated and her mother lived elsewhere. She was a student of the Whiteland Early Childhood Learning Centre.

Jenice’s grandfather claimed she was an abused child and he had seen marks of violence about her body. Homicide detectives said they would have to determine who was responsible for hitting the child and whether there were any witnesses to the beating. At the funeral service on Thursday, relatives called for justice for her killing.

In a statement issued to the media on Friday, the ministry said the plan will utilise a structured approach to mitigating the effects of the economic downturn.

“Progressively, the National Social Mitigation Plan will seek to strengthen existing social protection mechanisms, by developing a way forward through evidence-based policy and implementation, to effectively and efficiently mitigate the impact of the economic downturn,” the ministry said.

It was also revealed that several of the ministry’s staff attended a seminar conducted by the Centre for Human Development in November.

“The seminar, which brought together professionals from a number of sectors across society, was titled “Protecting Families, Building Resiliency within Challenging Economic Times – Our Roles and Responsibilities,” presented attendees with the opportunity to discuss ideas for positive solutions towards building resiliency and empowering the Trinidad and Tobago population. A number of critical areas were explored by panellists in areas which include: crime, education, religion, society, the economy and health.”

Former Trinidad and Tobago wing-back Aklie Edwards was the goal-getter, in the 14th minute, as Defence Force (who won the title in 2002 and 2009) took home the $110,000 jackpot.

Striker Devorn Jorsling walked away with the competition’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the Golden Boot (leading goal-scorer) trophies, for a tally of seven goals, while Marvin Gordon was named as the Coach of the Tournament.

Friday’s game saw a pair of former national youth team goalkeepers – Andre Marchan (Defence Force) and Glenroy Samuel (Ma Pau Stars) hold centre-stage with outstanding performances.

However, it was the Stars’ defence who failed to deal with a short corner, involving Curtis Gonzales and captain Jerwyn Balthazar, that proved costly.

From the set-piece, midfielder Christopher Durity saw his shot crash off the crossbar and an alert Edwards was quickest to the rebound as he bundled home his effort from inside the six-yard box.

Stars striker Jerrel Britto could have done better when he was set up by his captain, the evergreen Carlos Edwards, but his right footer was blocked by the Defence Force goalie.

On the opposite end, winger Jemel Sebro did well to chase a long ball from Durity and his header was magnificently cleared off his line by a retreating Samuel.

Both teams went toe-to-toe at each other in the second half.

Britto narrowly missed with a right-footed shot in the 53rd while Gonzales, on an overlapping run, picked out Hashim Arcia whose sliced volley was magnificently saved by Samuel.

Referee Crystal Sobers allowed play to continue though Arcia’s shirt was being held by Glenton Wolfe in the 60th minute. However, Arcia met a return ball from Jorsling, shook off Wolfe but saw his effort blocked by Samuel.

Four minutes later, Arcia got a ball from Gonzales but banged his shot off the crossbar while ex- TT and Defence Force forward Jason Scotland had two efforts (in the 65th and 76th) expertly saved by Marchan.

Balthazar had an opportunity to put the game beyond Stars’ reach in the 79th, after a giveand- go with Jorsling, but his left-footed effort went sky-high.

In testament to the veracity of this political science principle, many Trinbagonians also believe that the current political climate in Trinidad and Tobago cannot accommodate new parties and that they are all destined for certain failure.

Based on what we see with the parties that have branched off (not out) in the last decade or so, there is a lot of truth in that belief; but it was not always like that because the system back then favoured new parties. With that said though, ironically, the country’s first party always finished last, and despite a merger and a resurrection, it still died a natural death in 1981.

Under the leadership of Arthur Cipriani, the Trinidad Labour Party (TLP) became the country’s premiere political party in 1934 when the Trinidad Workingmen’s Association ceased operations as a trade union due to stringent measures introduced by the very restrictive Trade Union Ordinance 1932. It wasn’t long before bellicose Buzz (Tubal Uriah Butler) parted ways with Cipriani’s gentle, meek and mild approach to form the Butler Party in 1936.

After spending several years in prison, Butler returned to resuscitate and rename his party in time to contest the 1946 general election, with great success. Butler’s success continued when his party gained an additional three seats in the 1950 general election, despite a strong showing by independent candidates who captured approximately 50 per cent of the total votes. By this time Dr Eric Williams had returned and was making his name by giving political lectures as he built the platform for the formation of the People’s National Movement (PNM) in 1955. As the ‘new kid on the block’, the PNM steam-rolled all competition in the 1956 general election, and that dominance lasted three decades. The PNM efficaciously stunted all new growth.

Eventually, the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR ) – notwithstanding some old faces from the PNM administration on the ballot – came with fresh ideas and new policies, which was exactly what the populace wanted and it was reflected by the landslide victory in the 1986 general election.

The United National Congress enjoyed similar success when a NAR schism opened the doors for a new party and as the sun rose the day after election, Basdeo Panday made history. However, although several parties existed during those periods, the two-party system was not yet properly established until the UNC got involved.

And because of that, we were stuck playing ping pong with rotten eggs. Then the Congress of the People and the Tobago Organisation of the People both found the secret recipe – they broke into the two-party system in a big way; but, we soon realised that power was the end-game and the ‘Fyzabad Declaration’ was signed just in time for the 2010 general election. Suffice it say, the revolution of change disappeared and that insatiable hunger (greed) for power took over.

History has shown us that new parties are not automatically dead on arrival; in fact, as seen above, those parties have been the most successful, but it all depends on timing and message. History has also shown us that new faces and ideas have always been a craving of the electorate, but that has not been the case in recent times.

Too many new parties are not really ‘new’ because they are branches that have fallen off of very old trees, and if you observe well, those branches usually die very quickly, even though they may lie on the ground longer than necessary. Needless to say, unless a new breakaway party was publicly wronged like the CO P was, it would not stand a chance; Trinbagonians no longer want recycled politicians, policies or promises.

If society believes that a new party’s primary motivation for politics is to settle a grudge (MSJ and ILP), their political aspirations will be like running on a hamster wheel.

These new parties continue to repeat the mistakes of others; they almost always refer to themselves as the “third-party option” like the Third Force Movement; some are a one-man show like the Youth Empowerment Party; and others are completely myopic in their national vision like the many nation-dividing “Tobago” parties.

So here we are: disillusioned, disappointed, and left bereft of hope in the two available political options and the new parties just can’t seem to get it right. Will another party ever be able to break through? I strongly believe that lessons will be learnt and the 2016 Local Government Election warning signals will reverberate through the 2020 general election…

and that will be the end of the two-party dictatorship.

(jamille85@msn.com)

That is a myth and a misnomer,” he said.

Lovell made the remarks on Thursday while addressing some 240 recipients of diplomas, associate and bachelor’s degrees at the Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute 2016 graduation ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency, Portof- Spain. “The word ‘free’ implies there is no cost attached and no one pays for it. Not even water is free. Everything has a cost attached to it.” Continuing, he said, “Your education came at a tremendous cost, the majority or part of it was carried by the taxpayers.

That means that you have a social contract with your nation.” Through taxpayers contribution, he said, that as graduates they were expected to be exemplary citizens and play a significant part in the development of the nation.

Noting that for sometime the economy had been overly dependent on the energy sector and that things have not been good with it recently, Lovell said, “We have as a culture come to understand, or coming to understand, that we cannot put all our eggs in one basket and hope to develop as a nation.” Tourism is a critical sector which, he said, “maybe in the past, we have not treated with significance, but going forward, must be seen as absolutely central to our continued development.” Even as they revel in their certification and graduation which came at the end of hard work, patience and sacrifice, he said, “understand that your education is not just an entity unto yourself and for yourself.

It has a wider and economic social application, that is also of consequence not just to you, but the entire society.” He urged that they help in the process of reorienting the economy, and elevating tourism as an industry. The Executive Director’s Award for the most outstanding student, having achieved the highest GPA was presented to Shammah Taylor. Valedictorians were Kyle Jemmot on behalf of full time students and Keon Cooper, for part time.

Four graduates obtained bachelor’s degrees in tourism and hospitality management and seven in culinary management. The majority of graduates were at the diploma and associate degree levels in baking and pastry arts, culinary arts, events and conference management, food and beverage supervision, front office and travel agency operations, culinary management, food and beverage management, hospitality management, and tourism management.

The event will feature awards in approximately 30 categories and will involve all genres of music.

The awards will be “a truly gala occasion of glowing tribute and the conferring of adulation on those whose musical artistry bring honour and glory to God,” said a media release.

The evening’s programme will be a celebration of the writers, singers, musicians, producers and promoters of gospel music.

In explaining the mission behind the awards, the release stated those involved in that genre deserve recognition for the work they do and the impact that gospel music has on people.

“Just as the secular world needs the adulation and praise of their peers to better press on in their quest, the gospel ministers of music and song deserve and demand no less from their brethren and fellow believers,” said the release from Associated Ministries.

It stated that those involved in the gospel music movement should rightfully consider themselves as ministers of the gospel.

“While they may not be seen on a pulpit delivering speeches and sermons of salvation, they nevertheless use the artistry of music and song to minister to believers. Their craft can have telling effect on the lives of people everywhere as they spread the message of hope, inspiration, spiritual insight and ultimately salvation,” the release said.

Churches everywhere are being asked to submit the names of nominees to be considered for awards in whatever capacity those nominees hone their talent and ply their skills.

Anyone interested in participating or contributing to the successful staging of the Gospel Music Awards can contact the organisers at 269-8639, 476- 9578 or via email at gospelawards1@gmail.

com.

Championing the cause of members of the small and medium business community, President of the Couva/ Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce, Liaquat Ali, criticized banks which, he believes, place an unfair burden on small and medium businesses.

“With these commercial banks, it is like an Olympics, they going for gold,” said Ali to the enjoyment of the crowd of business men and women gathered for the Chamber’s annual Christmas Dinner and Awards Ceremony at its Couva office. “But the goal is to see who could make how much money, which commercial bank could make the most profit and it is like bragging rights for these banks now.” Ali assured that he, as a business man himself, had nothing against profitable businesses, but took issue with being treated unfairly by commercial banks, especially since they now take charges on deposits.

“For every $1000 you put in the bank, they taking a charge for that.

That is not fair. We have credit card charges that commercial banks are charging that you are unaware of.” He said elusive US dollars are being distributed unfairly in favour of “big bad business organisations”.

“They are forcing you not to take a loan in US, you paying additional charges on your overdraft, you are paying interest on your US loan, and you have to pay them back in US. And, if for some reason you take a loan for one year and the TT dollar slides against the US dollar, you end up converting dollars to over 8 to 1. So what is the true reflection of the US dollar?” Ali called on “non-commercial financial institutions” to step forward and sell their services to the small and medium businesses.

“We can no longer sit by and allow commercial banks to take advantage of the business community when it is the business community who have the commercial banks where they are. Small and medium businesses are the ones who are facing the problems, not the big bad business organisations because they are the ones who are hoarding the foreign exchange.” A l i , who is also the owner of Tr i n i – d a d Parboil Ltd, then advocated for the US dollar to be allowed to float instead of a fixed exchange rate.

Later in his speech, he urged Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat to ensure that Caroni lands that were allocated for agriculture be used for nothing else.

Ali encouraged farmers to take advantage of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), and asked that Rambharat work towards making loans at the ADB more accessible.

The annual United Way Christmas Concert was held on November 27 at Hyatt Regency Trinidad’s Ballroom, Port-of-Spain. The concert began with patrons enjoying wine and cheese.

Akua Leith, conductor of National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) of Trinidad and Tobago, along with a team of singers such as Kyle Richardson, John Thomas, Wendy Sheppard, Llettesha Sylvester, Danielle Williams and L A Rose, led patrons along a musical Christmas ride.

The NSSO opened the evening’s music with Franz Von Suppe’s Overture: “Poet and Peasant”.

It was followed by Richardson, Sheppard, Rana and Susan Mohip singing “Carol of the Bells, I heard the Bells”.

The singers ran through a range of classic Christmas songs and carols among them, “Oh Holy Night”, “Silent Night”, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. Popular songs such as John Lennon’s “Merry Christmas, War is Over” and Natalie Cole’s “My Grown Up Christmas Wish” were powerfully delivered by Llettesha Sylvester.

The singers paired their voices with the smooth sound of the pan.

United Way’s chairman Ian Benjamin delivered an address saying he hoped the NGO’s work would ignite, “a spirit of volunteerism and philanthropy” throughout the country.

Benjamin said: “Over the course of time we have dispersed more than $20 million in grants and this year we will be disbursing more than $1 million to various NGOs.

“United Way, he added, “was driven by generosity and by volunteers.

“We have more than 3,000 employees who contribute, on a monthly basis, by way of a monthly standing order,” he said.

The employers also match the “generosity” of the employees.

“We also have a very fantastic programme with National Day of Caring which takes place once a year. We are hoping we continue to ignite the spirit of volunteerism and philanthropy throughout the country,” he said.

NGO’s such as Amica House, Casa de Corazon, Credo Sophia House, among others, benefited from the disbursement of the funds.

The NGO’s patron Zalayhar Hassanali, wife of late president Noor Hassanali also attended the event. The show ended promptly at 8 pm with the steel orchestra delivery of the popular “Black Cake and Sorrel”.