“There is an attempt to spin this fake oil issue away from the fact that it happened in 2016 to 2017, that is what the report says and the Minister of Energy is taking very long to get a copy of that report,” Ramnarine said.

“During the four years and two months that I was minister of energy, on no occasion was any information or evidence presented to me that this sort of thing was going on in Petrotrin,” he said.

Ramnarine was addressing the UNC’s Monday Night Forum meeting at the Union Presbyterian Primary School, Claxton Bay on Monday evening. He reminded the audience that he had taken action against the so-called diesel racket when evidence of fraud had been uncovered.

And with Finance Minister Colm Imbert expected to present the 2018 budget on October 2, Ramnarine warned the large contingent of party supporters that the budget would be “rough” given the declining economy.

“New vehicle sales down 20 per cent, cement sales down 20 per cent in 2016, 6 per cent in 2017, containerised cargo at PLIPDECO down 24.9 per cent,” he said, adding, “The economy recorded negative 2.3 per cent growth, the worst ever growth in 30 years in 2016, the International Monetary Fund said it is not 2.3, it is really (negative) 5.1 per cent.” “Construction is at a halt, unemploymentthe CSO gave us some figures on unemployment, I don’t believe them, many of you all have children who are unemployed, we have a stagnant economy and a few days ago, the Minister of Planning said there would be more pressure to come in the 2018 budget,” he said.

“The budget to be read on October 2 is going to be rough and I advise everybody to brace for impact.”

A young attorney reported to me that he attended the church service and wanted to go to listen to the Chief Justice’s speech. He said he was aware of the call for a boycott but as this was his first year as an attorney he wanted to take part in every aspect of the ceremonial opening of the courts .

Imagine his surprise when he turned up for the speech and saw with his own eyes that the Convocation Hall was about 90 percent empty but was told by an usher that he couldn’t get in because “seats allocated for attorneys had already been filled.” Now you’ve only got to look at it to see that this is absolute nonsense and very wrong. Frankly, I am astonished to hear that in a matter such as this that practising attorneys rank behind lay people .

One would have thought that the ceremonial opening of the courts is more for us than for anybody else .

In these circumstances I request and require a definitive statement from the Law Association on this .

Does the Law Association agree that practising attorneys should rank behind “invitees and other dignitaries” in matters such as this? In other words, we the members of the Law Association are not as important to the courts of this country as foreigners and other so-called “dignitaries?” And our association accepts this? If the Council of the Law Association believes that this is acceptable, kindly tell the membership and please explain why .

I know that members would be most interested .

For the record, I personally think that this exclusion of attorneys was unacceptable because we are officers of the court and should therefore rank before anybody else in all ceremonies relating to the court .

It is probably better that I leave unexpressed my opinion as to the real reason why there was this exclusion of attorneys other than to note that this opening of the new Law Term was not without controversy .

ROBIN MONTANO attorney

Studies show that there are influencing factors associated with food choices among children and adolescents, which include hunger, appetite, taste, money, food prices, education, preparation, media messaging/ marketing, cultural practices, parental attitudes, nutrition knowledge and living conditions, just to list a few.

In focusing on children and teens, poor nutrition affects their growth and development, cognitive functions, contributes to disease, academic performance, productivity, and one’s health and nutritional status.

Dietary intakes during these early years of the lifecycle remain critical for supporting growth and development; for example, in childhood, adequate nutrition is required for developing bones, teeth, muscles, and blood. Similarly, during the period of adolescence, there is rapid growth and development that affect physical and psychosocial aspects of health, and increase nutrient needs.

Nutrition education Having knowledge of nutrition during childhood and adolescence can be beneficial; therefore, nutrition education is an essential key in promoting health and wellness in populations.

Healthcare professionals can work together collaboratively.

Nutrition education should be provided by trained food and nutrition professionals (registered dietitians and nutritionists) to children, adolescents, parents/guardians, educators, and to persons in various community settings, such as schools, community and/or health centres, and churches, which can make a big difference.

This of course can include teaching children and adolescents about nutrient content of foods, explaining why making healthy foods choices are better, for example, choosing foods that are less salty, choosing water and limiting sugary beverages as well as helping children and parents/ guardians to understand the life-long implications associated with poor eating habits in childhood and adolescence leading to adulthood.

Childhood obesity Studies show that obesity in children and teens, can possibly lead to obesity in adulthood.

Energy imbalance, simply meaning, consuming more food than the body needs for growth, functioning, and physical activity; the extra calories consumed can lead to weight gain. Other factors contributing to childhood obesity include genetics, metabolism, lack of physical activity, environmental factors, and social and individual psychology.

Childhood obesity remains a major concern in the Caribbean; it contributes to the onset of chronic non-communicable diseases and other challenges. Obesity can have long-term impact on one’s physical, social and emotional health.

In TT , from a study conducted by the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute, 2009 to 2010, it reported that among primary schoolchildren and secondary school students, 23 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively were overweight and obese, and 14 per cent underweight (Ministry of Health, 2011).

From a global perspective, the World Health Organization documented that large numbers of children who are overweight and obese reside in developing countries, and the rate increase noted to be more than 30 per cent higher, than in developed countries. A continuation of these current trends, show that overweight and obese infants and young children will increase to approximately 70 million by the year 2025. They also emphasised that without intervention obese infants and young children, may more than likely continue to be obese during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

Overall, you should note that nutrition education will more than likely contribute in reducing or lowering one’s potential risk for chronic diseases childhood obesity and aid in promoting healthy lifestyles.

From this brief overview, nutrition education programmes are designed to help students and their families make changes in dietary practices; with the aim of adopting healthy eating behaviours and improvement in physical activity habits. Through effective nutrition education children learn about healthy eating through action, experience, and participation.

Also, nutrition education needs to be linked with life outside of the classroom.

Claudette Mitchell, PhD, RD is an Assistant Professor, University of the Southern Caribbean, School of Science, Technology

She also called for improved dialogue between business and labour, saying this was the time “for all hands to be on deck.” Thomas-Felix, later, welcomed the decision of the Labour Movement to rejoin the National Tripartite Council of Trinidad and Tobago (NTAC).

She said, “These relationships should be aimed at developing strategies that can impact on the survival and profitability of businesses and the promotion of sustainable, equitable economic growth in Trinidad and Tobago.” Speaking on economic inequality in TT, she said that as the country deals with the fall in energy prices and other challenges, “The gap between the haves and the havenots is widening.” Thomas-Felix talked about the possible link between poverty, inequality and crime, saying that crime and poverty have always been closely linked in this country, adding, “Despite our gains made in development, there is a shrinking middle class and an increasing number of poor citizens, including those who can be defined as the ‘working poor’–those who are employed but are still living below the poverty line.” She said crime created instability and fostered a semi-permanent culture of fear among citizens.

“Critically, this instability and fear also permeate specific sectors, particularly the business sector as they depress the entrepreneurial spirit, incur tremendous costs in terms of security provisions, limit customer activity and purchasing power and work to generally prevent businesses from thriving, particularly small businesses.” She said the country must “collectively and urgently address the root causes of this crisis.”

Michael Murray is on trial for kidnapping Straker. The matter is being heard before Justice Maria Wilson and a jury of nine in the San Fernando High Court. Yesterday, Straker testified how she was taken against her will by a man and later recognised the driver of the getaway as being the accused, Michael Murray.

The incident occurred on June, 21 2007 minutes after Straker left her Coora Road, Siparia home. She said that at about 8.30 pm, she was walking on the left side of the road when a white car pulled up alongside her, a man alighted from the vehicle, slapped her and dragged her inside the car which then sped off. “When he dragged me into the car, he pushed my head down. It was while inside the car, the driver turned around and I noticed his face,” Straker said she identified the driver as her neighbour, Michael Murray. The State was represented by attorneys Trevor Jones and Sara De Silva. Attorney Ainsley Lucky is representing the accused.

Saying the victim, businesswoman Haniffa ‘Miss Lucky’ Bedassie was like a mother to him, McLean begged Bedassie’s son Torrance to accept his apology after McLean’s brother Leon Jordan was seen fleeing Bedassie’s shop when her body was discovered. Jordan was subsequently cornered and killed in a shoot-out with police.

Tears streaming down his face, Mc Lean embraced Bedassie, the younger son of Haniffa, 55, who was a mother of two, at the murder scene in St Thomas Village, Chaguanas.

McLean’s brother Leon, 29, was shot dead at the nearby Connector Road. McLean is the eldest of five boys. “I came to apologise for what my brother did. Ms Lucky was like a mother to us. She was my mother too. We are brothers,” Mclean told Bedassie. “Leon was a police officer so he supposed to know better. My mother did not bring us up so,” McLean cried. The weeping man journeyed all the way from his home in Carenage on learning that Bedassie was found dead.

Speaking later with Newsday, Mc- Lean said his mother is in England and as the eldest sibling he felt it was his duty to visit the Bedassie family and apologise for his brother’s action. He said his mother used to rent from Bedassie when they were growing up and he and his four siblings grew up with Torrance and his older brother Terrance.

“We were very close. We lived like family. My mother and Ms Lucky were very close as well. These boys (points at Torrance and Terrence) mother come like my own mother.

If he (Jordan) could kill Ms Lucky, then he could kill his own mother too,” McLean sobbed. He said his brother’s actions had brought shame to the family and their mother is taking it very hard.

A close friend of the Bedassie family, Barbara Duncan Harris and Bedassie’s son Torrance were the ones who discovered her body shortly after 11 am, in a bedroom of her home at the back of her businessplace, Lucky’s Mini Mart. The woman’s hands were tied behind her back and she was gagged. There were clear marks of violence to her face and neck. Police believe she may have been beaten to death, but are awaiting the results of an autopsy to be done today at the Forensic Science Centre.

Police said that at the time of the discovery, Jordan was still inside the mini mart and fled when he heard Harris’ screams. Jordan jumped over a fence into the yard of the nearby Redemption Worship Centre.

Police who were on patrol, were alerted and gave chase after Jordan who was killed in a shoot-out with the police. “This is the worst thing I have ever experienced in my life,” Torrance said as he was hugged by Harris. As undertakers removed his mother’s body, Torrance shouted out, “Ma, ma, ma” before fainting.

As news of the murder of their beloved shopkeeper spread, residents of St Thomas Village lined the roadway, many in tears, as they recounted what a kind and friendly person she was.

Bedassie’s younger brother Hosein Ali said he did not know how to tell his 94-year-old mother, who lives with him, that her daughter was murdered. Sgt John, WPC Charles and Cpl Bobb are investigating.

This game will get going from 5 pm and will be contested at the Guayaguayare Recreation Ground.

Guaya advanced by virtue of an 8-0 drubbing of Youth Stars in the second round last Wednesday while WASA needed kicks from the penalty spot to defeat Central 500 Spartans 5-3, after a 1-1 scoreline at the end of fulltime.

At 6 pm, the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT ), who eliminated Bethel United 2-1 in the second round, will host Police at the UTT O’Meara Campus Ground in Arima.

Police also needed penalties to overcome Queen’s Park 3-2, after the scoreboard read 1-1 at the end of regulation time.

Also at 6 pm, Defence Force will oppose Cunupia FC at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. Defence Force advanced to this stage with a 2-0 win over Perseverance Ball Runners while Cunupia FC trounced Siparia Spurs 4-1.

The last quarter-final match will take place tomorrow with FC Santa Rosa battling Prisons FC at the Arima Velodrome, from 6 pm.

In the previous round, Santa Rosa pipped Club Sando Moruga 1-0 and Prisons whipped 1976 Phoenix FC 3-1.

Good job, Ministry of Works .

Some people say it’s too much money to be spent in this recession but I think it will help the economy by beautifying the area and making it better for tourists .

So glad you took this project over from the Ministry of Tourism .

Maybe things will really get done. Maracas Beach is the best place to bathe in my opinion and when friends and family come from abroad, I always take them there for bake and shark .

LISA M GASPARD via email

So at the risk of being considered heartless, I am not amused that so much time, effort and resources are being expended to bring home the “foreign” nationals from hurricane-ravaged countries. I also speak for many who share this opinion but wish to remain silent.

Let me be clear. I have no problem with helping any citizen who is ordinarily resident in TT but who might have been away on vacation or on a shortterm work assignment and just happened to get caught in the storm.

My problem is with those who choose to live/work abroad and, at the first sign of trouble, beg to be brought “home.” Not all, but many of them (I know some) are quick to badtalk TT , wondering at the “stupidity” of those who choose to love TT no matter what.

The Government and others would do well to use their energies and resources to help those who live here and who are really “ketching their tail” to eke out a living.

Heaven knows, there are many patriotic citizens who need help.

Why waste resources on less patriotic ones?

A CHARLES Mt Hope

According to reports the NLCB Lotto operator left her business place near Lopinot Junction around 2 pm with a bag containing $32,000 which represented sales from last week. The woman had intended to deposit the cash at a nearby bank when she was accosted by the suspect, who grabbed the bag and ran away. The frantic woman started shouting “thief!” “thief” which resulted in alert villagers responding with haste to the woman’s cry for help. A group of young villagers gave chase and detained the man who was slowed by the weight of the bag.

When cornered, the man began pleading to be freed saying he was sorry for his actions but the angry villagers said they took pride in keeping their community crime free and wanted to send a message to others that such actions would not be tolerated.

The man was given a sound beating before officers of the Arouca Police Station led by Sgt Almond were contacted.

The bag of cash was returned to the relieved operator who then had some choice words for the suspect.

The woman thanked the villagers for their quick response and said that she was heartened that people still looked out for each other. The suspect was taken to the Arouca police station and was expected to be placed on identification parades for other robberies.

Newsday understands that the Lotto operator promised to give a small reward to the villagers who responded to her distress call yesterday.