The reception highlighted the work being done by both agencies in the fight against the Zika virus in the Caribbean region.

Participants from across the Caribbean attended the workshop, which concluded on May 23.

The British High Commission said, “A key part to addressing the spread of Zika is clear messaging to the public on its precautions against transmission, debunking myths and how to reduce the breeding ground for the specific mosquito that carries the virus.” “The diverse range of cleavages in the Caribbean audiences; economic, cultural, religious, geographical, politically, et cetera, makes getting these key messages across challenging.

Therefore, the Public Health Marketing and Behavioural Change Workshop is a key component in ensuring this is achieved,” the British High Commission stated.

Addressing workshop participants during the May 22 reception at his Maraval residence, Stew said, “In Britain we’re clear that the only way we can operate effectively, to face down challenges like Zika in our globalised world, is to work together.” “That’s why, for the past year, we have supported Public Health England and CARPHA working in partnership through this project to tackle Zika in this region.

Spanning 26 countries it’s the largest project funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the Caribbean.”

Speaking at a news conference outside the constituency office of Lackram Bodoe, the MP for Fyzabad, yesterday, Ramadharsingh said the PNM councillors did not properly file the motion of no-confidence against him. The Corporation, which is controlled by the Opposition UNC, is almost equally split between both parties with the UNC having seven council members- (five councillors and two aldermen) and the ruling PNM which has six council members (four councillors and two aldermen).

During Wednesday’s motion of no confidence, the corporation’s vice chairman, Leo Doodnath and the PNM’s Gerald Debisette, the councillor for La Brea were absent.

The motion which was brought against the chairman by the PNM alderman Christopher Max Encinas was defeated with the help of Ramadharsingh’s two votes in his capacity of Chairman of the Regional Corporation.

Ramadharsingh said he is now putting everything behind him and moving on to serve the burgesses of Siparia and environs. “It is time for healing of Siparia,” he said.

Speaking before the start of the day’s business, bank director Timothy Hamel- Smith said Sabga laid down the DNA that underpinned the success and growth of the institution and its subsidiaries.

Reminiscing about the bank’s small start, Hamel-Smith said Sabga had a certain vision for the bank. “Without that vision, we would not have been here today, not giving thanks for all the great work that is being done by our management.” “He understood that you had to go forward to grow. Or go backward. And yes, he pushed people to achieve higher standards in order to reach the point we are today,” said Hamel-Smith.

Hamel Smith also praised what he referred to the deceased businessman’s, “Innate genius.” “One of the things about Sabga was that he had a certain instinct for business and that is not something you learn in a book.

He would not want us to rest on our laurels, or remain where we are, but to go for better and bigger opportunities in order to gain the ultimate vision that he would have had for this bank.” Sabga’s son, A. Norman Sabga was elected to replace him as chairman of the bank’s board in a meeting prior to that of the shareholders’.

The bank and its subsidiaries, which include Tatil, Tatil Life, Bryden’s Insurance and Consolidate Finance Co Ltd, the latter two based in Barbados, had a good year which saw overall increases in profit before tax.

In a presentation, director Chip Sa Gomes revealed that the banking group’s profit before tax increased 12 per cent from $297 million to $322 million. Profit attributable to shareholders increased two per cent, while dividends increased by 14 per cent over last year.

The group controls a balance sheet of $7.4 billion with a ten per cent increase in asset base, which Sa Gomes said, was reflective of the purchase of Consolidate Financial Co Ltd.

Speaking with Newsday via phone yesterday, founder and organiser, Sheldon Monderoy said in addition to the bill received by the protective services, there was an additional expense which brought the total up to $500,000 to be paid in a 24-hour period. “We are going to do it again…The fact that I just lost $2 million in an attempt to do something good for this country and this country needs a festival like this,” he said. The festival was supposed to fund a national sporting database.

Monderoy said the festival could have gone for bigger names in the industry but instead chose to, “go for the artistes who don’t have visibility in this country.” It was admittedly difficult to get sponsorship for the event, he said, saying, “we had gone to everyone you could think of…

and we did not get a red cent from everyone to support this.

In a release, the organisers said refunds would be given from May 31 by going to the outlets where tickets were purchased.

Action was in Round Two Match Day Two of the Flow Youth Pro League on Sunday.

Prowell got his name on the scoresheet in the 18th and 27th minutes, coupled with one apiece from Keyon Boney, in the 22nd, and John Paul Rochford, in the 36th.

St Ann’s Rangers also registered a win on Sunday, as they pipped Club Sando 1-0 at the St Augustine Secondary School Ground.

Kesean St Rose found the back of the net, in the 60th.

Leaders San Juan Jabloteh were held to a 2-2 draw by W Connection at the Union Recreation Ground in Claxton Bay.

Kyle Thomas put Jabloteh in front after 22 minutes but Mark Ramdeen tilted the balance in Connection’s favour with items in the 49th and 53rd. However, there was a final twist to the tale as Tyrese Bailey got the leveller for Jabloteh in the 67th.

There was another 2-2 result, between Police and Defence Force, at the St James Barracks.

Jabari Boyce (34th) and Zion McLeod (51st) were the goal-getters for Police, while Ojorie Kanneth (first) and Shaquem Bleasdell (70th) struck for Defence Force.

Other Results – Under-13 Division – At Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin: NORTH EAST STARS (3) – own goals 5th, 45th; Terron Miller 55th vs POINT FORTIN CIVIC (0).

At St James Barracks: POLICE (2) – Nathaniel Carim 17th, 61st vs DEFENCE FORCE (2) – Darion Mafan 18th, 38th.

At St Augustine Secondary School Ground: CLUB SANDO (2) – Jeremih Ottway 9th, 19th vs CLUB SANDO (0).

At Union Recreation Ground, Claxton Bay: SAN JUAN JABLOTEH (1) – Nathaniel James 65th vs W CONNECTION (0).

Under-15 Division – At Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin: NORTH EAST STARS (1) – Chad Alonzo 5th vs POINT FORTIN CIVIC (0).

At St James Barracks: POLICE (1) – Mathias Hinkson 72nd vs DEFENCE FORCE (1) – Jasiel Edwards 33rd.

At St Augustine Secondary School Ground: ST ANN’S RANGERS (4) – Darius Douglas 2nd; Keron Manswell 2nd, 26th, 57th vs CLUB SANDO (3) – Kalel Agard 28th; Kerdeem Christopher 42nd; Matthew Lee Cummings 53rd.

At Union Recreation Ground, Claxton Bay: W CONNECTION (1) – Nicholas Dyett 18th vs SAN JUAN JABLOTEH (0).

Her complaint was made under Standing Order 32(2).

She alleged the AG’s statement had diverted the House from its business, was irrelevant and was an abuse of the privilege of freedom of speech in Parliament.

Persad-Bissessar also contended that the AG’s actions were “reckless” and were a “wilful and deliberate misleading of the House”, alleging he had said things he knew or ought to know to be untrue.

Earlier, she said two top court administrators had refuted ministerial claims that a court appeal was fixed for hearing on the said Monday at 9 am. She alleged the AG’s failure to apologise for his recklessness is an offence against the dignity of the Parliament and one which has brought this Honourable House into odium and ridicule.

“Madam Speaker, in light of the foregoing, I submit that the Honourable Attorney General has committed a contempt of this Honourable House and with your leave, I hereby request that this matter be referred to the Committee of Privileges for its consideration and report.”

In the Boys Under-15 contest, Belmont Boys edged Fatima by a 23-22 margin.

Donte Hazard delivered a game-high 14 points for Belmont Boys, while Nkosi Corbin contributed seven.

Fatima, who trailed 11-9 at the half, relied on Jahmai Smith’s seven points while Jordan Mukerji had six and Ethan Smith five.

However, Fatima did not go home empty-handed, as they relied on a 30-21 run in the second half to defeat International School of Port of Spain 41-38.

The festival runs from June 3 to 10 at the St James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road, St James, under the patronage of Port-of-Spain Mayor Joel Martinez.

As usual a person or organisation is honoured for their contribution to the community. This year, Woo Ling’s Supermarket, a family-owned business of three generations spanning over 60 years, has been chosen to be honoured.

On the playlist are some ten events, seven of which are free during the seven days of activity.

WeBeat starts with an added feature: The Road Show on June 3, produced by Crosby’s brother Victor Crosby. This event is patterned to bring back memories of the days when Crosby (Earl) used to host record launches in front of the store. DJs, steelbands, calypsonians, performers etc are listed to appear. One of the two events that had been shelved for some years but now back on the calendar is the Pan Explosion on June 4 with several steelband. The other is Jazz Beat on June 7 featuring top local jazz acts. Youth Fest will showcase the Errol Ince Youth Makers, a group of young and talented musicians from UTT with guest performers on June 8. A revamped “WeKaiso” will see soca meeting calypso in a showdown affair being produced by Carl Beaver Henderson.A formal J’Ouvert will take place pre-dawn on June 10, pending sponsorship. Several popular J’Ouvert bands have already expressed interest but organisers are awaiting more sponsorship to make a final decision.

The grand finale on June 10 will see the Steelband and Traditional Mas street parade which usually attracts thousands of locals and some visitors who throng the “strip” to take in some of their favourite steelbands. Also adding the carnivalesque atmosphere will be the NCBA-sponsored traditional mas characters. The St James Community Improvement Committee won the bpTT Leader Award in 2002 for its innovation of WeBeat St James Live. The award was designed “to encourage development in the fields of education and social services.” The committee’s goal is to make WeBeat one of the Caribbean’s pre-eminent festivals outside of Carnival. Other events include We Connect on June 8 –a motivational discussion for standard five students from invited primary schools on topics such as anti-bullying and mentoring. The children will also be entertained by theirs peers, members of the St James Police Youth Club. There’s a Film Night in collaboration with the Trinidad Tobago Film Festival, and a health day in association with the Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago.

Martinez said the launch of the Rio Sport was significant as it would contribute to stimulating the economy.

He also praised the directors for allowing Paralympic Akeem Stewart to pursue his dreams of performing in the Paralympics where he returned as a gold medallist from the Rio Paralympic Games.

Stewart is the holder of three world records in the javelin, discus, and shot put. He would participate later this year in the World Para Athletic Championships in London. “This is possible because of the love, respect and support from the directors and chief executive officer of Southern Sales. This act truly represents the golden rule, ‘treat others the way you want to be treated’.

Include lands used for rental accommodation, units subject to licence to occupy, rent to own apartments and land used as village plazas. While the HDC is “prima facie liable to pay property tax, Mitchell added, “The renters in the HDC are not home owners and are not liable to pay property tax.” Responding to a question in the House of Representatives, Imbert said the recruitment and selection of these officers has been completed. “Given the high volume of property owners visiting the existing valuation offices, arrangements were made for additional facilities and administrative personnel to assist with the collection of valuation return forms,” Imbert indicated.

The minister said property owners were given the option of using a number of drop boxes rather than waiting in line to submit their forms.

In addition, Imbert said the ministry is currently in the process of outfitting an office in Barataria which was leased for the Port-of-Spain office of the Valuation Division. “This arrangement will also facilitate the necessary accommodation required for the increased number of personnel within the Valuation Division,”he said.

Oropouce East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal asked if the Valuation Division was continuing to collect forms from property owners “in defiance” of a May 19 ruling by Justice Frank Seepersad.

Imbert replied, “The matter is sub-judice.” The State’s appeal of that ruling will be heard by the Court of Appeal on June 6. On Tuesday, Imbert said he was advised by legal counsel that, “no injunction or other order has been granted restraining property owners from submitting valuation return forms on a voluntary basis.” Earlier in the sitting, Mitchell said Section 16 of the Property Tax Act allows the finance minister to wholly or partially exempt certain classes of land from taxation.

These include land belonging to and in occupation of the State and its servants, a statutory authority or a state enterprise controlled by the State for public purposes. “Only homeowners, the owners of property are liable to pay property tax,” he explained.