His mother Irma Mitchell told Newsday yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James, that her son’s death came as a shock and she is praying the authorities could find out why he was killed.

“If he was involved in something he would have told us,” she said.

Mitchell was a father of three and a truck driver with Nestle. His mother told Newsday the last time he was seen was early Tuesday morning when he left home for work.

Police reports indicated residents of Roosevelt Avenue in Carlsen Field called police after hearing gunshots. Police found Mitchell’s body with several gunshot wounds to his upper body. Seven spent shells were recovered at the scene. A motive has not yet been established for the killing.

The murder toll for the year stands at 267

The mandir’s executive pleaded in a claim filed in the High Court, that they have been using the land adjoining the temple to house their jhandi with flags, religious offerings and providing parking for devotees and have been doing so for several years. The temple is an affiliate of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha and the disputed land comprises 408 square metres.

Artma Maharaj, Shiva Mohan Mahabir and Reuben Pariag, in their capacity as executive members of the mandir, accuse Raghoonanan of unlawfully entering the property while a religious function was in progress on November 6. They further alleged that wedding functions were often interrupted and, on another occasion, guests were forced to move their vehicles while a religious function was in progress.

They are contending that at no time Raghoonanan ever asserted ownership over the land although he has paper title to it and that the mandir has been in uninterrupted occupation of the plot for more than 16 years. The case came up before Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh yesterday who gave directions for filing of witness statements by both sides, by October 2. The matter was then fixed for November 6 for a pre trial review.

It is understood that a translator for the accused men is expected to leave the country soon and the court would have to find a replacement. None of the four speak English.

The issue of sourcing a translator for the case was raised at the beginning of court proceedings last month when prosecutors were told of the difficulty in sourcing a translator.

The case was stalled until a translator arrived from St Lucia.

This translator is scheduled to return home soon which would leave the Arima cases in abeyance until a replacement is found.

Magistrate Charles remanded the men into custody and ordered to return before her today for facts and sentencing.

Two of the Bulgarians, Toncho Tonchev and Dimitri Georgiev were arrested last month at a bank in Price Plaza, Piarco after bank customers reported seeing people tampering with one of the bank’s ATM machines.

The other two were arrested at a guest house in Maraval in relation to a credit and ATM debit card skimming ring.

An orientation session for the first cohort in the programme was held at the office of the Trinidad and Tobago IFC, Port-of-Spain, on Friday June 30, with the second cohort oriented on Wednesday July 12.

The programme comprises ACCA’s Global Business Services (GBS) certification, which is taught online, and Professional Soft Skills training provided via face-to-face learning by UWI-Roytec.

The Trinidad and Tobago IFC has offered a full bursary to 50 participants with current interest or employment in the local financial services sector. The bursary covers both ACCA’s and UWI-Roytec’s fees for delivering the respective training.

The global outsourcing industry is worth US$1 trillion, while here in the Caribbean it generates as much as US$2 billion. A key part of attracting investment in F&A BPO involves advancing the skills of the nation’s talent pool by preparing the workforce for future opportunities that will generate high-value employment.

“As you know, the Trinidad and Tobago IFC is mandated to develop the financial services sector and thereby add to the thrust to diversifying our nation’s economy,” said Joan Ferreira, Vice President of Corporate Services at the Trinidad and Tobago IFC Management Company Limited. “As a major facet of our efforts is the development of the local finance and accounting talent pool, we are proud to launch this bursary programme and we are grateful that you have heeded the call.”

On completion of the three-month programme, participants will receive three certificates that include the GBS certification from the ACCA, Soft Skills certification from UWI-Roytec and an overall certificate for completion of the F&A BPO training, from the Trinidad and Tobago IFC.

“There is a storm coming,” Roget predicted. “There is a fourth storm and that fourth storm is on the fourth of August.” He addressed reporters in San Fernando before distributing flyers to mobilise the public for the impending “storm”, set to touch down on Brian Lara Promenade in Port of Spain.

Roget criticised Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley for meeting with Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Tuesday.

Roget said that Rowley applied and earned his position (of power) by saying Persad-Bissessar was unable to do the job but is now turning to the same Persad-Bissessar for ideas.

“The former Prime Minister Patrick Manning would never in his wildest dreams have done something like this,” Roget charged.

Roget said the purpose of the massive demonstration would not be to “bring down any government” but to demand the government do the job for which it applied.

“The government went through the length and breadth of this country applying for a job which is t o protect worker’s job. Instead, they are sending workers home to keep their (government) job and to keep the elites in place. To me that has to be wrong and it has to be condemned and it is not to be supported.” Roget was flanked by Christopher Streete, the Deputy General Secretary of the National Trade Union Centre and leaders and members of other unions, including the OWTU, Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union, Contractors and General Workers Trade Union, All Trinidad General Workers’ Trade Union and others.

Roget’s walkabout came 24 hours before Energy and Energy Industries Minister Franklin Khan was carded to meet with the OWTU to discuss matters related to Petrotrin based on a government-commissioned report into ways to improve Petrotrin’s efficiency and production capacity.

In a ministry release on Tuesday, Minister Khan said, “We intend to work with all those who want to be part of the solution.

We look forward to productive discussions with the OWTU and the other stakeholders towards this end.

As a government, we plan to deal frontally with the challenges that face Petrotrin working with all stakeholders, Petrotrin will take decisive action to control costs, generate working capital for investment and make the company profitable once again. I look forward to meaningful and open discussion with President General Ancel Roget and the team from the OWTU.”

Home owner Rooplal Singh told Newsday that at about 12 pm on Tuesday, heavy rainfall and strong winds began as the country felt the effect of feeder bands from Tropical Storm Don. Singh added that water flowed past trees and into the house. The back of the house bore the brunt of the landslides.

According to Singh, the family was in the gallery when the landslides occurred. Singh, his wife Mala and others bolted when they felt the earth shake and saw the walls move.

The family, which also includes three children, two in-laws and three grandchildren are staying at neighbours’ houses while they await assistance to repair the house. Singh who has lived in the house for over 50 years, fears it could collapse.

His son-in-law Michael Lovell told Newsday that the family contacted the Santa Cruz Police, the Santa Cruz Fire Station, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), Santa Cruz Councillor Lyndon Lara and St Ann’s East Member of Parliament Nyan Gadsby-Dolly.

“I sent pictures to the councillor who said he would send the pictures to the head of the Regional Corporation and they would send the relevant authorities. A field officer from the corporation visited and said that we might have to be relocated because they literally have to break down one of the rooms to get to the landslide,” Lovell said.

“We need as much help as we can get. I even spoke to a grocery owner down the road to see if we could get some assistance.” Family members said they are in need of help as Singh is unemployed due to a nerve problem that rendered him disabled and his wife Mala is the sole breadwinner.

Singh’s daughter Oma said, “We really need assistance because almost all of our things are destroyed.

We are afraid to go in the house. We can’t even cook in the kitchen because there is so much dirt…so that means no food.” Calls by Newsday to the Deputy CEO of ODPM Neville Wint went unanswered yesterday. To provide assistance to the family, our readers can call 759-9553 or 477-7002.

Lawrence was speaking at a media briefing yesterday morning at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima.

The national men’s team, consisting mostly local-based players are currently in training ahead of a friendly international, away to Ecuador, on July 26.

Daniel, who is currently a free agent has not earned a national call-up since November 2013, when he declined an offer from then men’s coach Stephen Hart to join the squad for a friendly international away to Jamaica.

Hudson, on the other hand, was left out of the TT team for the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship in Jamaica after a fall-out with coach Brian Williams, during the 2016 Caribbean Cup in Curacao.

Lawrence, the ex-national defender, pointed out, “Whatever has happened to Keon and whatever has happened to Isaiah has not happened with me.

“Everybody knows my policy that we need to respect each other, we need to maintain our discipline throughout. And as long as they can conform to what I am asking and what I think is the right thing, then we wouldn’t have a problem.” Referring to the enigmatic Daniel, Lawrence noted, “(Daniel’s) agent contacted me. We know that he was home on vacation so I invited him to be part of the training sessions so I can assess him and see how he is.” He added, “Every player that has a Trinidad and Tobago passport is available for selection in my view. Keon has been in Poland for the last three years. He’s been playing in a number of different positions. If Keon shows me this week that he’s capable and he’s ready, he’s going to be, like every other player, fighting for a place to go on the plane to go to Ecuador.” About the Hudson selection, Lawrence said, “Since (the Under-20 Championships), they’ve not been involved in (a) national set-up. The idea now is to try and integrate the players that are below the age of 23 closer to the senior team.

“My idea is to bring them in so they have an idea,” he continued. “So when the time comes, and it’s time to be involved with the senior team, they’ll have a better concept of what we want to do.” Another shock callup was FC Santa Rosa striker Kerron Clarke, the lone non-Pro League player among the local- based bunch.

“I’ve been going to the Super League,” said Lawrence.

“One thing I know about the boy is that he knows how to finish.

He’s a natural goalscorer.

I’ve got questions in my head in terms of physicality because it’s (a different level) in the Super League. But the only way I can answer these questions is (with) the Ecuador friendly.

“It’s a position on the pitch that we need to improve on….the goalscoring aspect,” added the TT coach. “The opportunity has come. We need to give him a try and this is the best place to do it.

And I hope that the boy does well.” Lawrence noted, “The top leagues are always the place that the best players play in. You do find the rare ones that play at a level that might be able to cope. So it’s an open door for all players.” About the make-up of the training squad, Lawrence said, “The main focus is the group that we have, mainly the Pro League players.

“We were lucky to acquire the services of (Indian-based duo) Willis Plaza (and) Carlyle Mitchell, (and Mexico- based) Jomal Williams who will join the group.

“Those are the only foreign-based players that we have,” he added.

Concerning the Ecuador match, Lawrence said, “It’s going to be a very difficult game. Ecuador is a top team in the South American (region).

But it’s going to be a great test for the boys.

They need these sort of exposure.” Trinidad and Tobago are the only team in the 2018 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Zone Final Round Qualifiers who are not participating at the current CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States.

“It would have been a great benefit for us if we were in the Gold Cup,” Lawrence admitted.

“I think it would have been added value to our preparations.

But the benefit that I’ve took out of it is that at least the players are actively playing in the Pro League. We’ve managed to acquire this friendly against Ecuador and we’re trying to see how we can be more prepared for the Honduras game.”

They dealt each other several blows but Samnath walked a short distance in the yard and collapsed. He was taken to San Fernando General Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Police detained the younger man. A female relative yesterday described Samnath as a quiet man. He never married and did not have children.

His accomplishment follows the gold medal he won at the 2016 Rio Paralympics with a world record of 57.32m.

On his second attempt yesterday Stewart threw the spear 57.61m to break the world record and finish on top. On his first attempt he threw the spear 54.68m, 56.85m on his fourth attempt and 56.64 on his sixth and final attempt. Stewart fouled his third and fifth attempts. Grabbing silver was Helgi Sveinsson of Iceland with a top throw of 56.74m, while Canadian Alister McQueen earned bronze with an effort of 55.72m.

Stewart’s father Wayne was excited that his son won another gold medal. “I am really glad, I am really, really glad,” Wayne said.

Asked what has led to Akeem’s consistency, Wayne said Akeem is a focused athlete who prepares well for tournaments. “He understands that this (tournament) just finish and another one coming, and it takes time to prepare and to be ready. Barring injuries and the minor shortcomings, you have to know when to rest, when to pull back and step it up again. Hard work, dedication and focus.” Akeem finished fifth in the men’s discus F44 final with a top throw of 56.53m on Sunday. His father said he was not disappointed as Akeem has been experiencing elbow and toe problems, with the latter being pivotal in having a good performance in the discus event.

“No he was not disappointed (after the discus). He had a problem with his toe and with the discus he has to spin around. He said that was the problem.” Stewart’s gold medal is TT’s second medal at the Championships after Nyoshia Cain snatched bronze in the women’s 100m T44 final on Monday.

National Association of Athletics Administrations president Ephraim Serrette praised Stewart and Cain for their efforts. Serrette said, “Both athletes continue to perform well on the international stage both at the Para Championships as well as the Paralympics.

It is good to see that track and field is continuing to dominate and bring that kind of glory for Trinidad and Tobago.” Jabari Knights represented TT in the men’s 200m T54 event yesterday. Knights missed a spot in the final after finishing ninth (last) in heat two of round one.

Cain will be next TT representative to compete when she lines up in the women’s 200m T43/44 event on Saturday.

However, it was not a surprise as the Meteorological Office at Piarco had issued an advisory stating heavy showers and subsequent flooding and landslides were expected.

Meteorologist II Paula Wellington said the rainfall was attributed to intense heat experienced earlier in the morning and light winds which caused convected clouds to build on the western part of Trinidad.

“What we saw in Trinidad has nothing to do with TS Don.

He is located to the north east of Tobago and is moving west and as it traverses west, the islands would start getting cloudier and we can have heavy showers and possible thunder showers because of the fringes of Don,” Wellington said.

“We are not under any tropical storm watch or warning at this time, but we are still going to feel the effects of the fringes of the system.

The area is moist and unstable because of the presence of the storm, the light winds and the intense temperatures we had in the morning. With hot air…when there is a breeze it does not rise and builds into taller clouds.

“However, when the wind is light the ground gets hot with the intense heating and the clouds build and can build very tall. When that happens we can get thunder showers or thunder clouds forming. You get your heavy showers, lightning, thunder and gusty winds. With the tall clouds there is a lot of moisture in there which would result in heavy rains which would cause street and flash flooding,” Wellington explained.

She said because the more industrial areas were located to the western part of the island there would be greater heating in that area and that was where the thunderclouds would build.

By early yesterday evening, TS Don made his presence felt as he approached from the west with the outer fringes bringing cloudy systems, accompanying the already dark clouds and heavy rains. With the system being so close it spurred thunder shower activities and flooding in some areas including Maraval, Diego Martin and in most of Central and Southern Trinidad.