Among them is Miss Trinidad and Tobago World, Daniella Walcott.

The 25-year-old Diego Martin beauty will represent this country in five challenge events which take place in the run up to the final, including Beauty with a Purpose, Multimedia, Sports, Talent, and Best Designer/Top Model.

These offer the chance for the contestants to shine, giving them the opportunity to win important points.

In the Best Designer/Top Model segment, Daniella will be wearing a gown designed and made by Zadd & Eastman. The dress, made from 10 yards of hand painted silk chiffon in emerald green, bright green, turquoise and nude, features an off the shoulder ruche bodice with a deep V neck line and floor length extended poetic sleeves. The flared long skirt has a centre slit which accents the legs. A jewel belt brings focus to the waist line.

For the Beauty With a Purpose (BWP) project, she is focussing on Cervical Cancer Awareness with the theme, “Let’s do it for our girls”. In the Talent segment, Daneilla, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design and Production with a major in costume and set design, will perform “Adagio,” a Classical Pop single by Belgian recording artist Lara Fabien.

The Miss World Pageant, now in its 66th year has been hailed as the most prestigious of all beauty pageants. Pageant Chairman Julia Morley introduced the BWP project through which each delegate must work with their national franchise director on a charitable or worthy cause in their respective country to bring about a better live and to assist those in need.

This year’s coronation event takes place on December 18 at the Gaylord Convention Center, Maryland, USA where reigning Miss World Mireia Lalaguna will crown her successor.

It’s a mistake to neglect the calves, as they play a large role in posture and joint health, not to mention that a pair of well-formed calves is sure to turn heads.

On the other hand, there are many women who are not genetically gifted in this area even after many years of using the calf machines at the gym. If you fall into this group, then this article is definitely for you.

In my research on calf routines and the science behind what it takes to see change in the lower leg area there are some fundamental points that you should note.

Our calves are made up of two muscles: gastrocnemius and soleus. These two muscles work together to plantarflex the ankle, which is the action of pointing your toes downward. Gastrocnemius also helps other muscles to flex the knee, bringing the calf toward the back of the thigh.

10 tips on how to get the best out of your calf workout: Because you can hit the soleus best when you’re sitting down, you’ll want to include seated exercises in your calf workout. Do both double- and single-leg seated calf raises to train this muscle.

To best involve the gastroc muscle, do single- or double-leg standing calf raises.

You can do them on flat ground, or off a ledge for added difficulty.

Prior to doing your calf routine I recommend using the treadmill at a steep incline which encourages more calf muscle engagement and is a way to functionally stretch the calves. The Stairmaster is my go-to for legs and butt but if you want to work your calves, this works great, too. Don’t set the pace as fast as you normally would and make sure you do all of the steps on your toes to work your calves After warming up on the treadmill, jumping rope is the ultimate calf pre-workout. Stay on your toes and your calves will be burning within the first 3 minutes of your jump! Jumping rope is also fun and provides cardio benefits as well.

When performing any calf movement, try to complete it slow and deliberate to eradicate any tendon involvement. The Achilles tendon that runs from the rear of the ankle is considerably strong and will take all the pressure from the muscle if this movement is performed to quickly fearing the muscle will tear, thus protecting it.

Try to focus most of your weight throughout the ball of your foot to direct the resistance straight onto the calve muscle. Point the toes out if you need to isolate the outer calve. Point them in to isolate the inner calf.

Following each set do bodyweight standing calf raises from the floor till it burns, this will encourage blood flow to under developed areas and thus grow new sexy muscle.

Vary the number reps, weights, and sets. For example, you can do four sets of 6-8 reps with heavier weight and 15-25 with moderate weight for 3 sets. Try to do supersets between standing and seated calf raises. Drop sets work good too for that extreme pump that will be sure to overload the system and force the necessary change to take place in your favour.

Among the many tasks beyond checking the spelling, punctuation and grammar of any article printed in the newspaper, the proofreader is also required to double check the facts of any material, other than ads, to be printed. Out of the many jobs I’ve held in my life, it’s in the top five. So, with a background of double checking the facts in literature and in life, I was less than amused by the Oxford Dictionaries Word of the year 2016.

post-truth: “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less infl uential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” At first I thought ‘Ah, so there’s a word for it other than ignorant’. I have a pretty extensive vocabulary (thanks NALIS), so I had ascribed many other words, some very colourful, to this phenomenon where facts and information are irrelevant to the decision making process. I am yet to think of a scenario where it is preferable to arrive at an opinion based on emotions than facts. That is equally relevant of picking a spouse or a political party.

My second thought was ‘ Wait a minute, if it’s not based on facts or the truth then it is based on a lie.’ and I shook my head. Here we go again with another attempt to make the dishonest feel a little better about themselves. I remember being in secondary school and reading an article in a Reader’s Digest about factoids.

Oxford has a definition for that too:

factoid: “An item of unreliable information that is reported and repeated so often that it becomes accepted as fact.” I took great umbrage with this word since it sounds similar to the word fact and it is something that parades as a fact but is in fact a lie.

It feels almost like our language is evolving to create unnecessary grey areas when things are black and white. Before I am accused of having a rigid personality I don’t think this applies to things like feelings and emotions. Sticking with the black and white theme, for example someone saying, “I feel like I’m being discriminated against” is making an emotional statement and does not require substantiation. A person saying “Eighty percent of white people killed were murdered by blacks” is not sharing their emotions, a factoid or a post-truth, they are telling a lie. I don’t care how much money they have in the bank.

Both these statements are actual quotes and the person making the emotive statement was harangued and supporting facts were demanded, while the other sharing the lie was readily accepted. Hummm… Back in the day when I worked as a proofreader, the internet was around but something like Facebook was still an idea in the heads of the Winklevoss twins.

People in Trinidad and Tobago got their news from the TV, the papers, and the person living in the corner house. The internet since then has become a cesspool of sorts and that does not only apply to internet dating.

Anyone, anywhere in the world can put anything online and there is no way to know if it is true.

In the introductory seminar when I did my master’s degree, the lecturer flat out advised us against use of internet sources for our research. Only websites from official sources like government ministries, respected journals etc, would be accepted. Referring to something like Wikipedia would get you a fail.

The internet, while fun and entertaining, is generally not considered a reliable source of information in academia, so why are so many people getting their news from it? It seems a bit hypocritical to say that when I spend almost twelve hours a day online. Everything I read I pass through my BS filter; I check the statements and I check the sources too. For the record ‘Somebody said’, ‘I heard it somewhere’, or ‘I read it somewhere’ are never statements that preface a reliable set of information. I’m a cynic by nature, I don’t take anybody’s word for anything. There is a YouTube channel I subscribe to and the host ends each episode with the statement “Stay curious.” Curiosity does not kill the cat, these days curiosity will protect you from factoids and post-truth.

Since we have all these nice, new, cuddly-sounding alternative words, it seems we’re a lot less averse to lies and liars. There seems to be an attempt to reintegrate the unapologetically dishonest into polite society. Political correctness has been useful in many ways. In terms of sexuality and gender, using terms like non-binary, trans/pan/homo/bi/a/grey/demi sexual, while confusing, gives insight into what the non-hetero segment of the community is experiencing and just how diverse the population is. Political correctness has also improved race relations; I much prefer being referred to as an Afro-Trinidadian than a creole or negro or other less flattering terms, and I’m sure this extends to other ethnic groups as well.

However political correctness is not necessary when dealing with the truth-impaired. Soft words legitimise the misinformation spread by hate groups, special interest groups, anti climate change groups etc. when we simply need to call it what it is. Lies.

Oxford has a definition for that too.

lie: “An intentionally false statement. Used with reference to a situation involving deception or founded on a mistaken impression” This softening and desensitisation of people to the difference between truth and lies, makes us all vulnerable to manipulation by the less than civicminded in positions of authority and in the worst-case scenario, demagogues.

demagogue: “A political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument.” Post truth and factoids are the tools of the demagogue to gather power and influence. While I advocate for improved vocabularies across generations, these are two words we don’t need, let’s hold on to two that even the illiterate among us are familiar with, lie and liar. Here are two more we must never forget or compromise:

truth: “The quality or state of being true.

That which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.”

fact: “A thing that is known or proved to be true. A thing that is indisputably the case.” So, Oxford Dictionaries thank you for the definitions used in this article but to be frank I don’t have room for post truth in my vocabulary or my life and that’s the truth.

Miss chocolate praline Entices the taste buds like a cocoa bean Her heart a melting brown middle To be nibbled, to be savoured, to be damned With the last piece, the ultimate torment A dazzling display under her tin foil dress

Miss chocolate praline Lets teeth sink into her body Her gingerbread neighbours are jealous A caramel is a little too gooey Her striking flavours, leaving you tongue-tied Her warm liquid, sticky and sweet on the palate

Nathalie Brule (Translated from the French)

Ahhh… the erotic power of food; acknowledged and celebrated for centuries. One historical legend says that Casanova shared oysters with his paramours to whet their sexual appetites. Both Greek and Roman cultures enjoyed a parade of ripe fruits and exotic dishes before engaging in sensual pleasures and many of us have bought into the idea that a delicious meal is one of the quickest ways to a man (or woman’s) heart.

After all, what courtship would be complete without a romantic dinner? But can one turn the very act of cooking and eating into a sensual affair? Given that we are at that time of year, when food and feasting is at an all time high, perhaps this a great time to take your sexual adventure to a new frontier – sensual (or sensory) cooking.

According to chef Linda Arsenault, sensual cooking is “cooking full of feelings and emotions, nourished by a scented bubble bath, a relaxing massage, sexy music, a titillating cocktail and an inviting meal, accompanied by good wine and a lover most definitely!” Arsenault, further describes this affair as cooking made for two, in which all five senses – touch, hearing, smell, taste and sight – are evoked before, during and after the meal. There must be a blending of sensation and passion.

And what about the ingredients that aphrodisiacs you ask? Well, the sexology world has not had the final say on those, (though delightful anecdotes, many rumours and some hopeful sparkles exists! Lol!), but the menu would most certainly include them. Certain products are considered aphrodisiacs for hundreds of years due to their nutritional composition, while others have acquired this status because of their shape or texture.

The fact is, though, nutrition plays a vital role in love and love-making. The quality or content of our diet has a great deal to do with the quality of our sexual activity and experience. Many nutritious foods can stir libido, revive sexual function and enhance overall health, especially when presented and served in a sensual way. Others, can impair sexual function.

Fresh fruits are considered as sensual as they are nutritious. These include bananas, cherries, coconut, figs, grapes, mangoes, papayas, pears, plums, pomegranates, and strawberries, which are celebrated in erotic literature throughout the world.

The avocado, is considered by some to be undeniably sensual — so much so that the Spanish conquistadors helped spread its reputation throughout the world as a powerful stimulant. The juicy tomato, or “love apple,” a potent source of the powerhouse antioxidant, lycopene, was once a highly sought-after sex drive enhancer.

Even though beets may not look very sexy, information seems to suggest that they influence the production of sexual hormones! Deep, cold-water fish like cod fuel the body, the brain and sex drive. Oysters, are rich in zinc and iodine. Zinc, a vital sexual nutriment, is essential for testosterone production in men and women. Lean proteins and lean meat should be organic, to avoid hormones, antibiotics and other additives which affect the body’s overall health and functioning.

On the other hand, I’m sure you’ve noticed that fried foods and rich cream sauces can leave us feeling more sluggish than sexy. And please note well, that highly processed foods, excessive salt, sugar and saturated fat, are linked to difficulty reaching orgasm and lack of interest in sex.

But let’s get back to the art of sensual cooking. The affair should start with a prelude to actual cooking that involves the body and touch. So, sensual massage, shaving your partner’s body, edible body treats, luxurious and relaxing baths and other spa-like treatments. Follow up with love potions: drinks and cocktails that tantalise the taste buds, warm the body, awaken the senses and inspire love.

Cement the mood with sexy music. Next, prepare the appetisers, the main meal and desserts, using aphrodisiac ingredients, while you take occasional sips of wine. This prep must be done with passion, along with flirting, teasing and other ‘naughty’ things. Indulge in a procession of seductive recipes, with names like “Hot Beef Injection,” “Fondlers Fondue,” and “Hanky Panky Pork.” Top it off with desserts like “Ladyfinger Strokes.” There you have it. A food affair guaranteed to leave to leave you satisfied on many levels. Bon app?tit! Onika Henry is a Tobago-based trained Sex Educator (M.Ed. Human Sexuality) and a Certified Sex Coach. She designs and implements workshops, training and psycho-educational counselling, to address sexual health concerns.

Contact: Tobago: 381-3049.

Trinidad (Wholeness and Wellness Counselling Office): 347-1042.

They were brought to the New World by the European settlers and have been used to bring in the spirit of Christmas, becoming a central part of the Christmas celebrations. Many years ago in Europe after harvest season farmers found themselves with not much to do so they strung ropes of evergreen garlands of cedar, pine and spruce and sold them for extra money.

They also made garlands of orange peels, cornhusks, mosses and dried fruit.

In the 1900’s there was a scarcity of natural foliage and in order to cater to the demands of the market artificial evergreens and holly garlands were substituted using plastic or silk. Eventually in the 1960s PVC became the material of choice for the manufacture of garlands. Today garlands can be made from and decorated with many types of materials for use in both the interior and exterior and are sold in 9-foot lengths and 6-8 inch diameters.

Here are a few uses for garlands:

• Garlands are roped around the Christmas tree and are made of lights, PVC, silk, tinsel, fruits and so on.

• They can be wrapped around or draped along the side of bannisters.

• Windows, doors and doorways can be framed like trim with garlands, which creates a great visual for transitioning from one room to room.

• In the kitchen garlands can have rosemary woven into an evergreen garland with bold ornaments.

• String garlands on porches and railings on the exterior of the building.

There are many ways to decorate garlands: • Pine garlands are obviously made from pinecones. This is a very versatile material that is used for Christmas decorating. Furthermore they coordinate well with all design styles, traditional, rustic, coastal or modern. Use them to make garlands in their natural state, painted or lit. Add berries, twigs and holiday greens to the pinecone garland to welcome your guests.

• Beaded garlands are available in several shapes, sizes and colours. They are also available in a variety of materials like glass, acrylic or plastic. String them together or alone to make a statement or add other materials for an eye popping accent.

• Artificial berry garlands are very common and similarly to beaded garlands they can be strung alone or as an accent. Artificial berries if properly maintained look like they were freshly picked. In a traditional or rustic setting combine the berries with pinecones.

• Flocked garlands are garlands that are covered in an artificial snow substance. These garlands are great for use in a white monochromatic scheme. For a winter accent, decorate the flocked garland with artificial snowflakes.

• Coastal garlands can be created in several ways by including ocean trinkets. One way is to string hemp rope with mercury glass and clamshell ornaments. Or add ocean elements like starfishes or sand dollars to an evergreen garland.

• Stringing together oranges, limes, apples and berries either by themselves or added to an evergreen garland, creates fruity garlands.

• Other popular garlands can be made from burlap, green and gold baubles, pompoms, gold leaf pinecones and bows.

That is why today the European Union (EU) is celebrating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Defined by the United Nations as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women,” violence against women finds expression in many forms. It can range from female genital mutilation to female trafficking, and from domestic violence to child marriage.

In the EU, a third of women have experienced physical or sexual violence since the age of 15. Meanwhile, 75 per cent of women in a professional job or in top managerial positions have experienced sexual harassment.

It is estimated that 500,000 women and girls in the EU have suffered female genital mutilation.

Just as the EU in not immune to the pandemic, nor is TT . In 2015, there were 625 reported instances of crimes related to sexual assault and domestic violence in the country.

This represents a welcome decrease from 825 in 2014 but an increase from the 2013 figure of 551.

Children are not exempt and the Children’s Authority reported 4,158 cases of children in need of care and protection within its first nine months of operation. Of these cases, the highest reported types of abuse related to sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect.

It is a shared problem that demands shared solutions. It is true that the silence surrounding violence against women and children has been broken and it is increasingly being viewed as unacceptable. But that is only the start. Regardless of this shift in global attitudes, the issue remains a universal scourge. Solid action is needed.

Collectively, we must address the root causes of gender violence, understanding it as a brutal expression of gender inequality and systemic discrimination. Evidence shows that where the “gender gap” is greatest, women are more likely to be subjected to violence. As such, a comprehensive approach that enhances women’s rights in education, healthcare, economic participation, and representation in politics is necessary.

Gender equality and ending violence against women is in everyone’s interests. Not simply a human rights imperative, it is a long-term investment for governments.

A McKinsey Global Institute report found that by advancing women’s equality, US$12 trillion could be added to the global GDP by 2025.

Investing in preventing and ending violence against women is also a requirement for sustainable development.

We simply can’t be achieving the best we could be if half of every village and every town is left out of the debate. As US President Barack Obama said: “If half of your team is not playing, you’ve got a problem.

And in too many countries, half of the team — our women and girls — are not participating enough in this.” The EU is taking concrete actions globally to address the issue of violence against women and gender equality. We have created a ten-million- euro fund specifically to promote gender equality across the world. In addition to this, we will be promoting women and girls in all elements of our external activities whether they relate to environment, crime and security, or economic support.

In TT , we directly fund a number of NGOs doing pioneering work to tackle these issues and this year we were delighted to announce another round of funding. We will continue to work tirelessly with all elements of society to promote gender-equality.

Together, our efforts must be relentless. I say “No” to violence against women. Please join me.

AREND BIESEBROEK ambassador EU Delegation to TT

The winners will receive $250,000 while $150,000 foes to the second-placed finalist.

Melisa Santana who placed third placed took home $100,000 and a trophy for her well-received performance of her own composition, “Giants”! Santana was presented with per prizes by Digicel’s strategic partnership manager Christopher Edmond.

To vote for John text the word “vote” to 7802 and to register a vote for Baker text ‘vote’ to 7808.

The top three contestants will all receive handsets from partners Huawei as well as a year free service on Digicel Play and mobile services.

Last week’s show had the studio audience on the edge of the seats as the contestants gave their best performances in three categoriesjudge’s selection, original piece and their favourite song from a series, said a media release.

Baker’s song list comprised “Love on the Brain” by Rihanna which was the judges’ .pick, her own composition – “Miracle” and the Favourite Pick – “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele.

John’s song list began with the judges’ pick of “Love Me Now” by John Legend, followed by “Nobody Else” by which was her own composition and the favourite pick “Superwoman” by Alicia Keys. Also adding to the excitement of the show was Kees Dieffenthaller who appeared as a guest judge as well as opened the show with a rendition of his popular song “Balloons”.

For more info: facebook.com/digicelttn or digicelgroup.com.

This was how grieving relatives described the deaths of their loved own – two men who were both known alcoholics who were found yesterday tied together from their pants waist, their eyebrows shaved off and lipstick placed on their lips. An autopsy done yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James revealed that Khemraj Maharaj, 51, and Mukesh ‘Crucial’ Motilal, 46, died of acute poisoning.

Maharaj and Motilal, both of Tarouba Road, Tarouba were found dead outside their favourite village watering hole the Las Vegas Recreation Club located a short distance away from their respective homes. Both men were found in an embrace, lying on top of each other and kept in a fixed position with a piece of rope which their attackers passed through the loops of their pants to hold them in place from the pants waist. The length of rope used in the crime was cut from a United National Congress (UNC) local government election banner which hung loosely between two utility poles near the bar.

Their eyebrows were shaved, lipstick smeared all over their faces and one man’s hair pulled back in a pony tail style.

Maharaj, a father of three, was a handyman while Motilal, a former Caroni worker, plied his private car for hire.

He was single and had no children.“It is pure wickedness to do that to them,” said one of Maharaj’s relatives.

“They weren’t even friends although they knew each other growing up in the village. The only problem is that they were alcoholics and during the night persons chose to take advantage of them. They were drunk so if anyone gave them a drink they would not even know the difference in taste. We want to know why they put lipstick on his face and shave his eyebrows.” The autopsy showed both men were ingested deadly cocktails not too long after they had eaten a meal. Stomach samples were removed and sent for toxicology testing.

According to a police report, at about 6.30 am yesterday, Cpl Harrigin and PC Balkaran of the Marabella Police Station were on mobile patrol in the area when they observed the men lying on the ground outside the bar. Upon closer investigation, the officers observed that the bodies bore no visible marks of violence.

A team of officers led by Snr Supt Pesnell and including ASP Winchester, Insps Persad, Nanga, Figaro, Sgt Bisnath, PCs Moonilal, Gunness and others visited the scene. The bodies were ordered removed for autopsy. Yesterday, villagers gathered near the scene in shock saying that the men were well known in the village and never troubled anyone.

Looking on as the bodies were removed, a grieving Lena Mahadeo said she last saw her brother-in-law at about 6 pm on Thursday.

“I don’t know what to think of this,” she said.

“We were getting ready for work this morning when the news came home and we came up to see.” Also speaking with Newsday was Motilal’s brother, Vishnu, who said when he last spoke to Motilal at about 8 pm on Thursday, he was drinking at the bar.

“He was in a good frame of mind,” Vishnu said.

“I am really confused about this entire situation.

He always liming there not interfering with anyone and people like him. Is wicked people do this.” The families of the dead men are calling for justice saying that the position and condition they were found in were not of their own doing.

“It is murder, they did not kill themselves.” CSI officers climbed the utility pole and removed the remaining piece of the rope from the banner bearing the face and name of Local Government Election candidate Clint Beroog (Cocoyea/ Tarouba) as part of their evidence. Investigators are hoping that surveillance cameras in the area could assist with their enquiries.

Outside the Science Centre, a grief stricken Reanna Maharaj cried, “Although I don’t really have faith in the police service, I want justice to prevail for my father some way, some how.

I want to know why someone will want to kill him? He was not violent, but a very friendly person. The only thing my father is guilty of is drinking alcohol. He was a very good father and did his best for his three children.”

Relatives said that at 9 pm on Thursday, Jenice was found unresponsive on a mattress and was taken by ambulance for medical treatment.

A student of the Whiteland Early Childhood Learning Centre, Jenice lived with her father Robert Figaro, 37, and other relatives at Morocoy Extension Road in Whiteland.

She was the only child for her father and mother Shana Charles, 30, of Gasparillo.

Charles was too distraught to speak yesterday.

Her grandfather Lucien Fabien, 53, said the child’s death has left him shattered. He claimed that recently, a cast was removed from her hand after other relatives said she broke it during a fall.

Fabien said the little girl had brought so much joy to his life.

Fabien recalled that on Thursday night he and his son had left home when 45 minutes later they got a call from a female relative to come back home immediately as Jenice had fallen ill.

The fifth, Wade Charles, was detained on arrival and taken to San Fernando Police Station. They were accompanied by a foreign service officer from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was among the first to emerge and to leave the airport, even before his charges were released.

The men, who had been held on suspicions of terrorist activities at a hotel in Venezuela on March 19, 2014, were not charged for the offence.

Instead they were found guilty by the Venezuelan courts for espionage.

After the terrorism charges had been dropped, the men had been asked to plead guilty to spying.

They had refused. Nevertheless they had been slapped with the espionage charge, found guilty, and sentenced to the time they had spent in the prison. Tears of joy from the family, relatives and friends of Asim Luqman who first emerged out of the customs and immigration area. His wife and Aamina Luqman and their children were on hand to greet him amidst laughter and tears. He emerged eating a cheese snack. Asked what he was looking forward to he said, “doubles.” Andre Battersby exited before Luqman unknown to relatives and the media waiting outside. To follow almost an hour after Luqman was Dominic Petilall whose wife Saadiqua Mohammed, three sons, brother and relatives converged on him. It was a tearful reunion and all that Petilall would say was that he was happy to be back with his family and to get to know his last son, Mohammed, who was six months old when he was detained in Venezuela.

A few minutes later, Leslie Daisley, took a side exit to be greeted by his wife Latoya Baptiste and son Abdur Rahman Daisley. Daisley, the nephew of Battersby, was too overwhelmed to say anything.

In spite of their incarceration, the men looked fairly well. As the crowd waited for Charles to emerge, Umar Abdullah, Head of the Islamic front told the media that he had been taken to the San Fernando Magistrate Court. “We are yet to find out what is taking place with Charles. I would be speaking with our lawyers to find out the reasons why he was taken to San Fernando.” It was heartbreaking for Charles’ mother Gloria Charles, who while waiting earlier in the day, had told Newsday, “I am the happiest mother alive!” On being told her son was to be detained, she cried out, “that is so unjust and so unfair. I stand up here like a fool for hours. Oh God. You all could have called me to see my child. They took my child and gone with him again!” Expressing how “fed up” she was with this Government, Charles said, “I was waiting to see my son walk through that door and instead get to hear that police take him to San Fernando Police Station. Oh God. You all have a heart. Monday is elections.” Even before Charles was detained, a relative (who did not want to be named) told Newsday, she was “feeling apprehensive” and felt that “The men would not walk free” or “They (immigration) will hold one of them.” She said it was “eerie” that there was heavy police presence at the airport.

When asked why the armed police presence, a senior police officer told Newsday, “It is elections time and we have to ensure security at the airport.” Asked if it was on account of the arrival of the five men, the officer said, the police would also have to ensure that nothing untoward happens on their arrival and they needed to ensure crowd control as well. Initially the men were due to arrive at noon.