The $5000 first prize saw several teams from throughout the nation competing for the title.

At the end of it all, More Fire and Fight Spirit emerged the champions with a gripping tie in points atop the leaderboard.

Stating that the Paharry Sports and Cultural club focuses on developing the youths of the community, founder Denezel Pierre said, “This cricket tournament is just one way in which we hope to provide a platform for youths in the community to demonstrate their skills.” With the club being around for more than five years, Pierre has goals to make the one day cricket event one of the most prominent community tournaments in the country.

In the purchase, TSTT said it bought MCL’s retail business including 900 kilometres of fibre optic infrastructure already deployed; 34,000 homes passed and ready for sales; 6,000 customers; fully deployed operational and business support systems and other assets such as inventory and subsea capacity which it said were valued at more than $75 million. The transaction also covered Massy’s enterprise business, which included long distance termination for international carriers and more than 50 corporate customers receiving data circuits.

It added the deal benefitted both companies as well as the telecommunications industry and the people of Trinidad and Tobago since TSTT had planned to build a fibre plant in areas in which Massy had already deployed a robust network and the State company had already obtained financing for the construction of the plant. It said this gave TSTT the benefit of consolidating both networks and infrastructures resulting in significant foreign exchange savings to TSTT and the country and avoiding the inefficiency of building redundant infrastructure.

“This acquisition also accelerates TSTT’s board-approved strategic intention in relation to its broadband strategy and strengthens its competitive position.

This is the culmination of many months of work, exploration and determination.

The plan is to develop a comprehensive working relationship with Massy in general, where two local companies will use their collective economies, expertise and reach to the benefit of the country and all related stakeholders,” the statement said. It added that MCL was purchased as a “going concern” and will be operated separately.

The two companies entered into a share purchase agreement on May 2, and TSTT received regulatory approvals on July 26.

TSTT said it was very pleased that the acquisition had been completed as it was aligned with the company’s strategic plan for inorganic growth through mergers and acquisitions, and enables TSTT to achieve its goal of becoming an agile broadband com

That’s the word from South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) psychiatric/mental health services regional manager Pooran Sankar who said there has been an increase in mental illness nationally and internationally.

“We are well aware that mental illness is rising in the global burden of disease and, as I said in 1998, unipolar major depression was number five, in 2020 it is expected to be number two and in 2030 it is expected to be number 1,” Sankar said. “So generally, there is an increase in mental health illness. We are seeing 100 persons coming into our departments for mental health services. This is a normal thing that is happening but we are responding and making a difference in terms of treatment.

“The major mental health issue is depression and unipolar major depression. One in four people will require mental health services at some point in their lives.” Asked whether this was local statistics, he said “This is an international World Health Organisation issue, so the research is coming from them.” The Global Burden of Disease study is the most comprehensive worldwide observational epidemiological study which describes mortality and morbidity from major diseases, injuries and risk factors to health at global, national and regional levels.

Sankar was speaking with reporters after the launch of the TT Association for the Improvement of Mental Health at the San Fernando Hill Conference Centre yesterday.

Meanwhile SWRHA acting chief executive officer Gail Miller Meade described the challenge of dealing with mental health issues as a worldwide phenomenon.

“Around the world, the challenge of dealing with mental health issues is growing,” she said, and cited a recent study published in the Daily Telegraph which indicated that some 38 percent or 165 million Europeans suffer from depression, anxiety, insomnia, dementia or other mental and neurological illnesses.

Sankar said the association would also attempt to “heighten the level of awareness and to ensure that people are well aware that if, perchance, there is abnormal behaviour, help is available and there is treatment available.” “We are going to represent their interests. For example, we had a number of our patients who were shot. We haven’t heard many voices, not that we are blaming anybody, but the fact is we have to be more aware of what is happening in this society and how best to deal with these volatile situations,” he said.

In a moving testimonial, former secondary school teacher Caron Asgarali recounted her struggles with depression after having survived being shot in her face, chest and shoulder in an attempted robbery in 2013. She said the first nine months after the incident, she had focused on her physical healing but found she needed professional help for her mental healing.

“I went to the NIS and I had to answer a question and, there and then, in the middle of a public building, I started to cry. And if you know me, I am not a person who is easily moved to tears.” Asgarali said she was diagnosed as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder but, with professional help, was able to deal with the illness.

“Remarkable, isn’t it?” said one family member. “He was on dialysis for 18 years and that alone speaks to the mettle of the man.” Jones passed away at about 5.30 am at Petrotrin’s Augustus Long Hospital in Pointe-a- Pierre. He was surrounded by family members who described his passing as “peaceful.” Speaking with Newsday from Jones’ St Joseph Village, San Fernando home yesterday, family members – who asked to remain anonymous – did not yet have a death certificate, but said Jones most likely died as a result of kidney complications.

“He had been ailing for some time now, but death always comes as a shock,” said one family member who said Jones was taken to the hospital three days ago.

“It was not a routine visit, but it also was not an emergency.

When a person is on dialysis, it is normal for their bodies to go through changes that require visits to the hospital ever so often.

But he died peacefully.

Still lucid and still very talkative. Up to last night (Thursday night) he had been making phone calls and sending emails.” Asked what they believed Jones would consider his legacy, the relative said, “His contributions to the energy industry in Trinidad and Tobago.” Born and raised on Drayton Street, San Fernando, Jones attended Presentation College, San Fernando before graduating from the University of the West Indies with a B.Sc in Chemical Engineering in 1965. His first job was as a process engineer at Texaco Trinidad in 1965 where he worked for three years before taking up leadership positions as president, general manager, and chief executive officer in several privately owned energy companies.

His leadership skills were sought after to handle public affairs under the Patrick Manning-led PNM government. According to a Petrotrin release, “From 2002 to 2003 and 2009 to 2010 he served as chairman at Petrotrin and from 2003 to 2009 as executive chairman. From 2009 to 2010 he served as chairman of the National Gas Company.” Jones resigned from his position as chairman in 2010 after allegations arose of him breaching his fiduciary duty in his management of the construction of the Gas to Liquids plant at Petrotrin’s Pointe-a-Pierre refinery.

The $2.7 billion plant was constructed but failed to begin producing diesel by the contracted date despite massive overruns.

Petrotrin’s board filed a US$1.09 million lawsuit against him for his role in the plant’s failure in 2013. The lawsuit was dropped under the PNM Government in 2016 after Petrotrin’s attorneys were given access to witness statements they believed made the State’s case against Jones futile.

In 2016, he was appointed to the government’s standing committee on energy, but resigned three months after fervent calls by the OWTU and the UNC for his removal. He remained out of the public eye until yesterday.

“He lived the conventional retiree life after his time at Petrotrin,” said a relative. “He spent his time at home watching the news on TV, because he loved watching foreign news, and playing with his three grandchildren.” Jones was awarded the Chaconia Medal (Gold) and a Samaan Tree Award from the UWI Alumni Association (Trinidad and Tobago Chapter) in 2004.

He was also awarded an honourary doctorate in 2007 by the University of Trinidad and Tobago.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda Jones, his five children and three grandchildren.

Smith’s past school mates from Hillview College, as well as his school mates from University of Pennsylvania, attended the funeral to pay tribute.

Smith, a Mechanical Engineering major at the University of Pennsylvania and young artist, lost his battle with cancer last week while in Trinidad. A member of the Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago, Smith moved to Pennsylvania in 2015 to attend the university where he was part of the Caribbean students community.

According to a report from the Daily Pennsylvanian, Smith was diagnosed with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer, during the July-August vacation of last year while preparing for his first solo art exhibition entitled Kyrie. The article said Smith left the university on a medical leave of absence for ten months.

He was the only child of his parents Hayden and Anna Smith who are also artists. In the article, Smith was described as a “thoughtful and passionate visual artist” and his mother described him as someone who loved adventure.

“Transitioning from Trinidad to studying in Pennsylvania was just another adventure for him.

That’s how he treated life…everything as a new adventure,” she said.

She said Smith showed other students how to “take a break and enjoy the moment” while being students.

His friend Chase Rapine said he remembered when he spent over three hours with him in a snowstorm and he was “impressed” with Smith’s pictures. It was Smith’s first time seeing snow.

“His love of art was ingrained in him,” Rapine said. “He was able to see the beauty in things that so many of us take for granted each day.” Speaking with Newsday on Thursday, acting president of the Art Society, Robert Ramkissoon, said the funeral was abundant with an “outpouring of love.” He added although Smith was one of the organisation’s younger members, he was “very active” and helpful. “We are an NGO so we are highly dependent on sponsors and things like that. But Jonathan came forward and helped with graphic arts, creating invitations and stuff.” Ramkissoon described Smith and his parents as “very helpful.” “Jonathan gave of his time and his services to help in any way,” Ramkissoon said.

Smith’s funeral took place on Thursday at Belgroves Funeral Home in Tacarigua. The eulogy was read by a family friend and those who couldn’t make it, sent messages which were read to the gathered friends and family.

The family thanked the University of Pennsylvania for their support.

Smith’s father said he received “quite a few messages” from people he “never met before, but whose heart Jonathan has touched.”

It was unfortunately a repeat performance for the men’s TT sprinters. Last year, at the 2016 Rio Olympics, no TT athlete advanced to the semi-finals of the men’s 100m sprint. On that ocassion Bledman, Rondell Sorillo and Richard Thompson did not advance past the heats.

In heat two yesterday, Emmanuel Callender could not deliver the same performance that saw him win the national title in 10.10 seconds at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in June. Yesterday, Callender stumbled out of the blocks and never recovered. He finished fifth in 10.25 and missed qualification to the semi-finals. Winning the heat was Japanese Abdul Hakim Sani Brown in 10.05, Jamaican Yohan Blake was second in 10.13 and Zhenye Xie of China was third in 10.13. Also booking a semi-final spot was Emre Zafer Barnes of Turkey in 10.22. The top three in each of the six heats advanced to the semi-finals along with the next six fastest times.

Bledman, running in heat five, was fourth in 10.26. Winning the heat was American Justin Gatlin in 10.05, ahead of Andrew Fisher of Bahrain in 10.19 and Kukyoung Kim of Korea in 10.24.

Sprint legend Usain Bolt, running in his last meet before he retires, won heat six in 10.07. The semi-finals and final of the men’s 100m will take place today.

Six TT athletes will face the starter today. In the men’s 400m heats Lalonde Gordon, Machel Cedenio and Renny Quow will compete. In the women’s 100m heats Michelle-Lee Ahye, Khalifa St Fort and Kelly Ann Baptiste will participate.

In a statement, Robinson-Regis said the job creation report indicated that, as of June 30, the largest number of jobs was created in the Education, National Security and Energy Ministries, respectively.

The ministry said continuing work on ECCE, Primary and Secondary schools as well as the expansion of the School of Dentistry at the Eric Williams Medical Science Complex accounted for the increase at the Education Ministry.

Similarly, construction of video conferencing facilities for the prisons, establishment of Life Guard facilities at the nation’s beaches, construction of the Penal and Mayaro Fire Stations, along with various construction and refurbishment works for the TT Police Service accounted for the increase under the National Security Ministry.

Data provided by the ministry also showed that the restoration of Stollmeyer’s Castle, the Red House and President’s House saw the employment of 60, 82 and 30 people, respectively.

A total of 108 people were employed by the Works and Transport Ministry for road construction and rehabilitation.

The construction of the Mayaro Fire Station led to the employment of 140 people.

In a separate statement, the ministry said information from the latest Central Statistical Office (CSO) Labour Force Bulletin said more people in TT were self-employed.

Robinson-Regis said this was a very positive indicator for the economy, as more and more persons were beginning to embrace their entrepreneurial spirit and launch their own small and medium businesses.

The figures, released recently by the CSO, also point to a marginal decrease in the unemployment rate from 4.4 to four per cent for the period under review.

The data reflected a decrease of 3,000 or 10.5 per cent in the number of unemployed people in Trinidad and Tobago between second quarter and third quarter of 2016.

Unemployed males decreased by 600 or 3.9 per cent while unemployed females decreased by 2,400 or 18.3 per cent, during this period.

Addressing comments in the media regarding its operations and labour policies following an advertisement in which it was seeking foreign workers who speak English , Swissport, in a release issued by its attorney at law Vivek Lakhan-Joseph said, it prided itself on “its longstanding reputation as a competent and efficient provider in the service of the aeronautical industry of Trinidad and Tobago.” As a “responsible employer,” Swissport said, it also placed “great value on ensuring that respect permeates its organisation and operations,” and “remains hopeful that this matter will be resolved promptly and having due regard to the respective rights of the parties.” Lakhan-Joseph said that given “the far reaching and damning content being circulated, Swissport is constrained at this stage to provide an urgent and interim response.” The response was in relation “to the specific statements which have been recently broadcast and/or published in the media regarding certain contractual, employment and/or other issues in relation to the company.” His client, he said, “disputes any illegality on its end but still remains desirous of arriving at an amicable resolution.” Swissport, he said, “maintains that it strictly abides by both the legal processes of the country as well as to well-established principles of good industrial relations practice.

This seems to be paramount now more than ever especially having regard to the nature of the action being threatened.” Swissport’s response follows recent remarks made by Public Service Association President Watson Duke that the company was infringing on the rights of its workers.

Duke claimed that employees at Piarco and ANR Robinson international airports were being forced to work long hours with no scheduled lunch or bathroom breaks.

Duke also questioned an advertisement the company placed in a daily newspaper in which Swissport was seeking foreign nationals who speak English to work in TT as baggage handlers, gas and diesel mechanics, supervisors, cargo agents and aviation security agents.

This was the message shared with graduates of the 2017 Republic Bank Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme by Level 1 valedictorian Malaika Ferreira as she joined Level 2 valedictorian Romario Peters on stage.

Peters and Ferreira were two of the 125 graduates who, on Thursday at The UWI’s Daaga Auditorium, received their certificates of achievement for completing the programme.

The three-week programme, now in its 22nd year, is an annual effort made possible by the bank’s Power to Make a Difference Social Responsibility Programme.

Chief coordinator Michelle Amoroso took the opportunity to highlight the benefits of the programme which, she noted, has resulted in past participants becoming accomplished composers, arrangers and performers.

David Robinson, general manager of wealth management at Republic Bank Limited, applauded participants for their dedication. He also commended the parents for giving their children the support and urged them to keep supporting their chil dren’s dreams.

Robinson urged participants not waste their efforts as the certificates can boost their qualifications to enter multiple programs at the UWI. He also spoke of the importance the programme holds in preserving and promoting local culture.

Echoing Robinson’s sentiments, motivational speaker Don La Foucade encouraged graduates to not take opportunities lightly and stressed the importance of having responsibility.

Showing off their versatility on the pan, graduates treated audience members to music ranging from Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” to Fifth Harmony’s “Work from Home” during multiple entertainment segments.

This year’s top Level 1 and Level 2 performers were Nicia Inniss from El Dorado West Secondary School and Fayola Wilkinson from St Joseph Convent, respectively.

Thursday’s graduation ceremony marked the end of the Trinidad leg of the programme which also ran concurrently with the Tobago leg. The Tobago leg, supervised by Anthony Moore, had 56 participants bringing the total number of participants in this year’s programme to 181.

The vibrant instrumental four-piece band from San Fernando, consists of former Naparima College, San Fernando, students Joshua Regrello (steelpan), Darren Ramsook (bass guitar), Lyndel Bertie (electric guitar) and former Presentation College, San Fernando, student Daniel Ferguson (drum kit). _Regrello, Ramsook and Bertie are students at the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Ferguson, who took one year off from school, will be leaving the band soon to head to the University of California, Los Angeles. Ramsook, Bertie and Ferguson are all national scholarship winners. Regrello is the son of San Fernando Mayor and Skiffle Bunch founder, Junia Regrello. The aspiring attorney-at-law is a tenor player and co-captain of Skiffle Bunch.

The 4Triplets combine their unique style with all genres of music and have just completed their Trinidad tour, entertaining crowds in their hometown of San Fernando at C3 Centre; Chaguanas at Price Plaza; Port of Spain at Fiesta Plaza and Point Fortin at Victor Chin Kit Park._ Regrello spoke to Newsday about the band and how, despite a hectic university life, The 4Triplets had managed to hold on and pursue a dream they have had since coming together three years ago. He said The band’s motto was “Team work makes the dream work,” and that what they did as a band of young instrumentalists was what provided them with that much-needed balance in their lives.

“What this band is and what we do, comes as a stress reliever and as leisure for us,” Regrello said. “So it is good to do it and to balance school work because university life can be very stressful.” The band, he said, began in Naparima College when the principal, Dr Michael Dowlath, was asked to send a group to perform at an event hosted by President Anthony Carmona.

“I play the pan and I remember the principal calling me to his office and telling me he wanted a musical piece, and I should make it special because it is for the president,” Regrello recalled. “I once heard a band play David Rudder’s High Mass and I knew I wanted to play that for the president but I felt I didn’t want to do it alone.” This prompted him to call on two of his schoolmates, a drummer and a guitarist, and they performed their hearts out._ “That was the first time we played together, we were the Triplets,” he said. However, as fate would have it, the drummer went abroad to study and they recruited Ferguson.

The 4Triplets has become very popular on the school circuit followed around by screaming teenagers. Just the image they wanted.

“You watch television and you hear of a boy band,” Regrello said. “A boy band doesn’t happen every year. It is something that happens irregularly.

“There is one in every generation and we want to make sure that we survive.” He said boy bands created a certain “hype and crowd.” “When people talk of the 4Triplets today in our teenage years, we want that when we become adults we will still be performing as the 4Triplets and still have the same fans and more. We have a passion for the music.” They rehearse together as much as they can.

During school time, practice sessions are less frequent but once school is out they are always in the band room._ The band is inspired by the “excellent musicianship” of Red Hot Chilli Peppers and local soca stars Machel Montano and Kees Dieffenthaller._ The band is always busy and has performed at numerous events throughout Trinidad, among them The Palliative Society’s Poor Man’s Dinner at the Trinidad Hilton; the launch of Angostura’s 1787 rum; the opening of Starbucks, SouthPark; at the Diplomatic Center for the Prime Minister’s Annual Christmas cocktail and numerous graduation balls.

The 4Triplets will host a concert on August 11_at City Hall Auditorium, San Fernando, from 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm followed by an after party until 11 pm. Also performing, will be reigning National Youth Extempo Monarch Kevan Calliste; reigning South Calypso Monarch Prince Calliste; Marina Mohan, DNA Productions; Jen-ai Mohammed and Sam Khan.

Follow them on social media: Facebook, Instagram, You- Tube, Twitter and Snapchat @ TripletsTT.