Moses was speaking at a reception held to celebrate the French national day known as Bastille Day on July 14 and hosted by France Ambassador to TT Héidi Picquart.

On the perpetration of a number of terrorist attacks carried out on French soil in recent times, Moses said the this country’s government has joined with the international community in condemning them. The attacks, he said, violates the fundamental rights and freedoms enjoyed in a democratic society.

France’s resilience in combating these incidents, he said, has shown that the inherent “joie de vivre” (joy of living) embodied in the French spirit cannot be dimmed.

Noting the exemplary bilateral relations that exist between TT and France since they established diplomatic relations in 1962, he said the two countries have collaborated in a range of sectors including health, water management, aviation, education, construction, culture and crime and security.

It was his hope, he said, that TT and France continue to mutually benefit from the sharing of their rich cultures, and to move towards deeper collaboration in the future.

In his address, Picquart spoke about the universal ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity associated with the French Revolution of 1789.

The challenges of climate change and transnational crime, he said, were critical issues affecting TT, France and the world at large.

Noting the close cultural ties between TT and France, he referred to local cultural icon Calypso Rose, “who experienced great success in France where she was awarded a Victoire de la Musique in February this year.”

She said despite challenges, government is committed to reducing environmental degradation through harmful chemicals. “At a time when the economy is challenging, environmental issues are also very much at the forefront,” Robinson- Regis said.

“Locally, since 1999, we have been doing a series of activities to ensure that we reduce the emission of HFC’s in the atmosphere.

Years ago we were told there is a hole in the ozone layer and today we are being told the hole has more or less closed.

It means that the action governments and manufacturers took in ensuring that appliances that once contained HFC’s was reduced, has had a significant effect on the environment worldwide.” Robinson-Regis said the implementation of policy has gone a long way in limiting the emission of pollutants and was optimistic the board will enhance the ministry’s capabilities not only in terms of policy-making but in the implementation of environmental rehabilitation projects.

Is Gopeesingh for real with his comments on 2014 and 2015 being “the best academic years” in comparison to 2017? What Gopeesingh is failing to mention is that these “best years” came at a time when there seemed to be focus on SE A but school indiscipline was soaring. He needs to give a more realistic view when quoting statistics that only serve to mislead the public.

A comparison cannot be made between 2014 and 2017 as there has just been a change in the way the exam is written. In any initiative, if there is a change, room must be left for teething. The exam now has been reverted to a place where students can have more time for preparation and still attain holistic development which, as a parent, I believe is most important.

The former minister went as far as to highlight that 15 percent of students scored below the 30 percent mark but did he say what will happen with these students? They will be given assistance to aid them in not only being better prepared to rewrite the SE A but the minister has also identified possible areas for attention for these students.

The question should now be asked of the former minister: were proper teaching measures put into place during his tenure and, if so, why were these students unable to attain at least 30 percent? These scores are not a reflection of the exam but a sad reality of the foundation the students would have received.

This Garcia continues to highlight as one of the key areas of concern — literacy and numeracy.

Gopeesingh needs to stop playing politics with our children’s education and let the people who now hold the reigns have an opportunity to do their job.

LANA SINGH Preysal

The Classic will take the form. of a T20 match. The match is. being played as a farewell to the. Trinidad and Tobago Lawyers. who will form part of the West. Indies Lawyers Cricket team for. the Sixth Lawyers’ World Cup in. Sri Lanka from August 10-21.

The other lawyers on the West. Indies team will come from Antigua,. Barbados, and Guyana. The. Trinidad and Tobago lawyers fly. out on August 7.

The teams for the North/South. Classic:. SOUTH – Shashi Seecharan. (captain), Prakash Maharaj. (vice-captain), Lennox Sankersingh,. Shaun Teekasingh, Martin. Jadoonanan, Bryan Basdeo,. Shirvan Ramdhanie, Krishna. Jaglal, Narendra Latchman, Chris. Ramlal, Brian Baig, Chris Singh,. Marc Koylass, Rhon Mitchell,. Rodney Jaglal, Ainsley Bachan.

NORTH – Justice Joseph Tam. (co-captain), Justice Vasheist. Kokaram (co-captain), Neil Mohammed,. Tejprakash Persaud,. Stefan Ramkissoon, Brent Halpike,. Naveen Maraj, Francis Joseph,. Caryl Welch, Nigel Patrick,. Christopher Tam, Ganesh Mahabir,. Steve Hosein, Ian Lennard.

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This triggered a transformation among mourners from one of tears and sorrow to anger and confusion as arguments broke out and exclamations of, “what is this?” and, “what really going on here?”, could be heard. In the end, as Fr Pierre left the church, Holder’s casket was hurriedly placed back into the hearse and whisked away to the Funeral home.

The service for Holder, who lost her battle to lupus last Saturday, was scheduled to begin at 9.30 am.

Shortly after it began and while prayers were being said, it came to an abrupt end.

Asked later as the reason for the cancellation, Holder’s brother Carlyle told Newsday, “Somebody made plans without the family.

My other sister and I were not made aware that the funeral was taking place today. I was supposed to get in at 2.25 this afternoon but I had to buy a new ticket and leave my home in New York in order to be here this morning.” He said that what matters now, is that his sister gets an “appropriate” funeral and receives “appropriate respect.” Holder told Newsday that other relatives including another sister were due to arrive in Trinidad late yesterday.

“Look at this programme.

How can you have a funeral and not mention any family member’s name in the programme,” Holder asked.

Family friend Criminologist Renee Cummings told Newsday, “Carlet had love for many people.

What happened today is just an expression of love from all the people who knew her and she was larger than life and fabulous.

This kind of thing only happens to fabulous people.” Cummings added that she was told by a female relative of Holder that flights couldn’t be arranged on time, so many family members couldn’t make the service.

She said this was the reason why the funeral service was halted and postponed to a later date.

Maricel ‘Empress’, who said she was Holder’s adopted sister along with another very close friend of the deceased, who asked not to be identified, expressed sorrow at the feud between relatives and friends which led to the service being cancelled and denying Holder the send-off, “she deserves.” Referring to a close relative of Holder, Maricel claimed, “He stopped the funeral for no reason.” Holder who worked in both radio and television succumbed to her ailment last Saturday, the same day another media worker and soca artiste Devon Matthews suffered a massive heart attack and died shortly after performing at the Tribe band launch.

Newsday was told Holder’s funeral will be held tomorrow at Allen’s Funeral Home in Arima.

Efforts were being made for the service to remain at St Theresa RC, but the Church was booked fully for tomorrow.

UTT competes in the revamped Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTS L) and currently hold fourth position in League One.

At UTT , players can pursue a wide range of academic programmes while playing football in one of the highest domestic leagues.

Players are afforded some of the benefits of professional clubs such as free accommodation, equipment, football boots, uniforms, physiotherapy, stipends, meal allowances, transport, regular training and gym membership and guidance.

Screening will be conducted by UTT ’s football coach and former national captain, Clayton Morris, along with coaches from the TT FA (Trinidad and Tobago Football Association).

All interested players are asked to be punctual and walk with their football boots and a white jersey.

Only players who have written CXC or CAPE exams will be allowed to tryout.

Screening time and locations: Today – 9am until noon at O’Meara Campus, Arima.

Tuesday – 9am until noon at Canaan Bon Accord Recreation Ground, Tobago.

Yesterday, Maharaj obtained a response from the TTDF which stated that based on the findings of a Board of Inquiry, he did not authorise or had any knowledge of Al Rawi and his children’s visit to Camp Cumuto or how the minors came into possession of high-powered weapons belonging to the TTDF on the army base.

After being fingered as the one who authorised civilians namely the AG’s children, to enter sections of the base usually barred from civilians and allowing for the children to handle machine- guns, Maharaj stoutly denied this and in a bid to clear his name, wrote to the TTDF under the Freedom of Information Act asking for a copy of the Board of Inquiry report.

Maharaj received a response from Lt Col Sheldon Ramnanan yesterday, which stated, “The record of proceedings of the Board of Inquiry did not name you, Major General Kenrick Maharaj, nor did it state that you had any knowledge of the subject range practice and or that you granted approval for same to be conducted.” “The Defence Force sincerely apologises for any inconvenience and or embarrassment caused to you by the aforementioned.” On April 25, then Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier General Rodney Smart, by letter, stated, “It was established that the former Chief of Defence Staff Major General Kenrick Maharaj, acting on his own volition, authorised the range practice.” Photographs of Al-Rawi’s children holding high-powered guns at Camp Cumuto were shown by Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal during debate in the House of Representatives in October.

The TTDF subsequently set up a Board of Inquiry to investigate.

Contacted yesterday, Maharaj said, “the responses did not meet my expectations and I have chosen to reserve comment until I decide my next move.” Efforts to reach Ag Chief of Defence Staff Hayden Pritchard for a comment yesterday proved futile. Newsday was told he is overseas.

After assuring that France is very active on the global warming front, with 194 countries having adopted and signed the Paris Agreement to date, Picquart took a jab at the US President for his recent withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. He said: “Not because the newly-elected President of a very large country has decided to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, that one must give up. On the contrary, we must re-double our efforts to ensure that our planet remains habitable for our children and grandchildren.

‘Make our planet great again!’ as President Emmanuel Macron has been proclaiming since June 1.” Picquart said President Macron has since decided to invite world leaders to Paris on December 12, to review the progress of the Paris Agreement at the conclusion of the COP21 (A United Nations Climate Change Conference).

Among the other challenges of which the ambassador spoke is that of transnational crime, recalling one year ago, when criminal terrorism caused the deaths of 86 people in Nice.

He said it is absolutely necessary for free people to come together to eradicate these plagues. Picquart then noted the close cultural ties between France and TT , and once again sang praises to Calypso Rose (McCartha Linda Sandy Lewis) who has experienced great success in France where she was awarded a Victoire de la Musique earlier this year.

An excited Picquart stated that France, is a great sporting nation, that may well be hosting the Olympic Games, in 2024 once ratified by the International Olympic Committee during its next session which takes place in Lima in September.

Then raising a toast to TT he said: “I renew to you my warm wishes for our two countries to be able to build together projects which bring hope and progress. Long live the Republic, Long live France.

Long live Franco- Trinidadian friendship.” Dennis Moses, Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs in bringing congratulatory greetings to the Government and People of the French Republic on their Bastille Day celebration said here in TT , our countries’ intertwined histories have left traces of French influence in aspects of our culture and architecture as well as in our agricultural sector.

He added that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962, there have been collaboration in many sectors including health, water management, aviation, construction and security.

Moses said too, there has also been significant engagement in education, with the Alliance Française being a pillar for French language and culture in TT .

In more recent years, Moses spoke of TT ’s participation in a Carnival Trade Mission in Paris and other European cities, as well as local films being screened at the Cannes Film Festival.

He then expressed the hope that both countries continue to mutually benefit from the sharing of our rich cultures and move toward deeper collaboration, following the Schengen visa waiver agreement signed in 2015.

After commending France for its leading role taken on the global stage in dealing with environmental issues, Moses raised a toast to prosperity, well-being and bon accord between the people of Trinidad and Tobago and the French Republic.

Their impressive fast bowling stock featured Jayden Seales, Ronaldo Forester and Giovanni Letrin. They were complimented by off-spinner Avinash Mahabirsingh; left-arm orthodox Nicholas ‘Sancho’ Ali and leg-spinner Sameer Ali.

About the spin trio Joseph said, :Those guys were exceptional and a key factor in us retaining the title. Avinash is a solid middle- order batsman and provides the team with a tidy yet attacking right-arm off-spin bowling.

“‘Sancho’ is our left-arm orthodox bowler who on his day would be most difficult to negotiate and Sameer who is a match winner on any track was my secret weapon with his leg-spin and googlies. Even when our batsmen did not put runs on the board our trio were always there to pull us through.” The St Benedict’s College student added, “It has been an honour to lead my country and more so to retain the Regional Under-17 title which we won last year. I must admit there was a bit of pressure on me initially but with the support of my teammates the job became easier and easier as we progressed at the tournament.” The 16-year-old, who was captaining a national youth team for the first time, paid a significant amount of tribute to his father for ensuring he was prepared to lead the team successfully against the best regional cricketers in his age group. “From watching cricketing locally and internationally I have come to understand that captaincy is no easy task. You won’t believe it but apart from understanding the normal things such as field placing, rotation of bowlers, understanding the strength and weaknesses of players there is so much more that is required,” said Joseph.

He continued, “My dad did some sessions with me in conflict resolution, human resource management and understanding that the team compromises boys of different ethnic, religious, educational and social standing in society. It was not something that I really took into consideration all along. However, during the tournament I had cause to refer to almost everything my dad discussed with me.” (ttcb.co.tt)

Many are still living in shacks without easy access to drinking water, electricity, medical and welfare services, education, proper roads to their homes and other necessary amenities.

It really does not matter how much money there is in the Treasury, politicians have turned a blind eye to the needs of the underclass.

This is reflected by the rate in which poverty is becoming widespread throughout the country.

This has not happened overnight. It is simply that our politicians, despite our past wealth, has allowed poverty to grow and are really only interested in supporting the lifestyles of the rich and well-off.

So it is therefore reasonable to assume that when the Prime Minister mentions funds for our lifestyle he is only referring to the upper and middle classes. The poor people are not considered as having any form of worthwhile lifestyle to support with Treasury funds.

The rise in poverty in many districts is reflected by the “hot spot” crime problem.

With the rising cost of living and galloping unemployment there is now no other way for the poor to make two ends meet.

GA MARQUES via email