The tour will run from June 23 to July 6, with the lone Twenty20 International scheduled for July 9, the Indian Cricket Board confirmed on yesterday.

West Indies are currently ranked ninth in the International Cricket Council’s one-day rankings and are in danger of missing out on automatic qualification for the World Cup.

Hosts England and the other top seven sides in the rankings will book the automatic berths at the showpiece with the remaining teams having to enter a qualifier to determine the two last slots. West Indies have done themselves no favours this year, whitewashed 3-0 by England last March and beaten 2-1 by Pakistan last month.

The Caribbean side will open the tour against India with two ODIs at Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair on June 23 and 25 before heading to the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua for the third and fourth matches on June 30 and July 2. Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica will play host to the final ODI on July 6 and the only T20I three days later.

India, ranked number three in the world, are currently preparing for the Champions Trophy in England which runs from June 1-18.

West Indies will be missing from the tournament for the first time since its inception after they were ranked outside the top eight in the world at the cut-off date for qualification

Different news media would put up a story and people would comment on the news item, which is a good thing. But where it gets disturbing is when citizens become nasty and disrespectful in their comments. Their political fanaticism comes out and it’s a back and fort at each other’s throat. People are not interested in putting forth solutions but rather spewing political venom at their political opponents.

This kind of behaviour would do us no good. Could you imagine what the individuals who are behaving in that manner are teaching their children at home? Are our homes being used to promote racial and political venom? I plead with the citizens to love the country first and work towards building TT .

ANDRE ROBERTS via email

The TTMA is also recommending that Government consider creation of a sub-classification within the industrial property tier, for the manufacturing sector separate and apart from larger enterprises such as that which exists in the energy industry, and exempting plant and machinery from the property tax framework.

The TTMA partnered with Ernst and Young to host a seminar yesterday on the implementation of the tax. Over 100 TTMA members attended. They expressed concerns and asked questions about ambiguities and the manner of implementation of the tax. The objective of the seminar was to help TTMA members understand the implementation of the tax as it applies to the category of manufacturers in the industrial property tier of the schedule.

Gregory Hannays, director of tax services, Ernst and Young was the facilitator. Objecting to the implementation of the tax at this time, members felt the current economic scenario was challenging.

This was compounded with increased payments to the business levy, Green Fund and the increased price of diesel fuel, within the last 18 months.

Indeed, a Pandora’s box has now been opened up into the patently unsatisfactory nature in which the citizenry has been allowed to exist for much too long.

Let me say that the matter involving former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar is not within the purview of lawyers only, as appears thus far, but concerns the whole citizenry.

Why should the goodly woman (and indeed any magistrate or judge for that matter) be constrained to have, at any point in time, within his or her dossier a residue of unfinished cases numbering as many as 50? Also, why should any legal practitioner, however adept (more especially a defence attorney), be allowed to have within his or her brief a number of matters such as could be handled satisfactorily, without the need for undue adjournments on account of a preoccupation elsewhere — a situation which, judging from utterances reported, would convey the impression that these attorneys do not consider their actions to be a contributory factor to the mess in which the administration of justice finds itself ? In any event, we are a society in which a culture of lethargy seems to thrive.

The “crime” committed by the chief justice and the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) is said to be their failure to take due cognizance of the fact that the former chief magistrate would have had such a large dossier of unfinished cases prior to her being appointed and, subsequently, taking the oath of office as a judge of the High Court.

What seems to have been left to conjecture, thus far, is an authoritative account as to whether business left unfinished by one judicial officer can legally be dealt with by another, given particular circumstances. What if a presiding officer dies in office? Perhaps a look at other jurisdictions will assist in this determination.

Needless to say, the situation dealt with herein impinges on the Prison Service and the Remand Yard, in particular. It also has serious implications for the career path of individuals who may have been appointed to the Magistracy.

These are but a few of the issues which impinge on the tardiness in which our courts, at all levels, find themselves. And I venture to proffer that removal of the chief justice and the JLSC from office will on no account bring about the deep-seated changes required in the systems and procedures and which are the root causes of the problems and the negative features and restrictive practices in the administration of justice, thereby resulting in the snail’s pace and even obstructionist manner in which matters before our courts at all levels tend to be dealt with.

In the circumstances, the President should appoint a commission of enquiry to review urgently and report expeditiously on the administration of justice in TT .

ERROL OC CUPID Tacarigua

On May 4, Elias met with representatives of the two Homes – Rainbow Rescue and the Couva Children’s Home and Crisis Nursery – at TSTT’s Edward Street office in Port-of-Spain, where he handed over two cheques of $24,750 each, which represent quarterly payment, after taxes. This is the second consecutive year Elias has donated his fees to Homes, which he says are deserving of the support for their continued efforts to transform the lives of some of the nation’s most vulnerable youth.

Elias has chosen four Children’s Homes to receive donations annually, one per quarter, “for as long as I am Chairman here at TSTT.” The other two Homes – Cyril Ross Nursery and St Dominic’s Home – will receive donations later this year.

Elias told the Home’s representatives, “I am really happy to present these cheques to you today and I am grateful for the work that you are doing. This for me is national service. It is my civic duty and it’s something I pledge to continue doing during my tenure. You can count on it and you can count on me.” Norma Ottley, Director at the Couva Children’s Home, expressed gratitude to Elias for his commitment to the development of the Home, which she noted depends greatly on private sector assistance, since government subventions are “not nearly enough” to operate the Home effectively.

“This financial support will go a long way towards general administration things, insurance, vehicle maintenance and the general upkeep of the Home.

We are overjoyed and thankful to Mr. Elias for his kindness towards us.

You don’t see people doing these things and he doesn’t want anything in return.” Ottley was also in high praise of the Chairman for keeping another promise he made last year – upgrading the internet service in Lynton Gardens, Phase Two, Arima. She said she, as well as other residents, now enjoy bmobile’s 4G High Speed Wireless Service.

“When we met last year I told you about the service in the area and you said you would look into it. Today, I am so happy to let you know that the service has improved tremendously,” she said.

Sharing similar sentiments about Elias’ generosity was Jennifer Greene of Rainbow Rescue, who stated, “I can’t put into words how grateful I am for this donation.

I have the task of nurturing 14 teenaged boys and as hard as it is, things like this make me realise that what we are doing doesn’t go unnoticed. To be one of four Homes chosen to receive this kind of support reminds me that what we are doing is worthwhile…that we are truly making a difference.” Greene said TSTT is a company which “doesn’t just talk” corporate social responsibility but emphasises it by its actions. She said the service provider has assisted the Home in the past through initiatives such as the bmobile Foundation’s Book Buddies Project, where TSTT’s staff equip over 200 young people from Children’s Homes across the country with everything they need at the Home. “I think every company should be like TSTT,” she said.

Police said that shortly before 8 am yesterday, a resident of Bachan Trace observed a man of African descent, slumped in the backseat of a Nissan B14 car parked along the roadside. Blood was seeping from the bullet wound to the forehead.

The resident contacted police and officers from the Princes Town Police Station, St Mary’s Police Post and Homicide Investigations Bureau (Region III) visited the scene. Persons with information are asked to contact the nearest police station or Homicide Bureau at 652- 0495. Investigations are continuing.

A recent study by the British Medical Journal found that those who stuck to closer to the Japanese dietary guidelines – a diet high in grains and vegetables, with moderate amounts of animal products and soy but minimal dairy and fruit – had a reduced risk of dying early and from heart disease or stroke. As their diet is traditionally high in soy and fish this may also play a significant role in this reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The Japanese also have the lowest rates of obesity amongst men and women as well as long life expectancy.

Okinawa, in southernmost Japan, has the highest number of centenarians in the world as well as the lowest risk of age-related diseases (for example diabetes, cancer, arthritis and Alzheimer’s). This has partly been attributed to their traditional Japanese diet, which is low in calories and saturated fat yet high in nutrients, especially phytonutrients such as antioxidants and flavonoids, found in different coloured vegetables.

This also includes phytoestrogens, or plantbased oestrogens, that may help protect against hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast cancer.

What is the traditional diet? The Japanese diet isn’t that dissimilar to a traditional Chinese diet, with rice, cooked and pickled vegetables, fish and meat being staple choices. However, because Japan is actually a group of islands (all 6,582 of them), its residents consume a lot more fish compared to other Asian countries.

They also eat raw fish in sushi and sahimi, plus a lot of pickled, fermented and smoked foods.

Soy beans, usually in the form of tofu or fresh edamame, are another key part of the Japanese diet, along with other beans such as aduki.

Increasingly, fermented foods are being shown to support a healthy digestive system. Fermented soy bean products such as miso and natto are staples of the Japanese diet. Natto is traditionally consumed at breakfast and has a probiotic action that has been shown to help reduce IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and may help blood clotting.

The Japanese also consume a wide variety of vegetables, both land and sea vegetables such as seaweed, which is packed full of health-boosting minerals, and may help to reduce blood pressure.

Fruit is often consumed with breakfast or as a dessert, especially Fuji apples, tangerines and persimmons.

BROWN spaghetti keeps you fuller for longer –team it with healthy greens flavoured with garlic, chilli and lemon.

Wholewheat pasta with broccoli and almonds 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 red chilli, deseeded and sliced (add extra chilli if you like) 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 250g wholewheat spaghetti 300g thin-stemmed broccoli, cut into pieces zest 1 lemon 25g flaked toasted almond Parmesan shavings (or vegetarian alternative), to serve Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan. Add the chilli and garlic, and cook on a low heat until golden.

Remove from the heat.

Add the pasta to the water and cook following pack instructions.

In the final 4 mins of cooking, add the broccoli. Once cooked, drain and tip into the garlic pan. Add the lemon zest and almonds, and toss together well. Serve in bowls, topped with Parmesan shavings.

Charles claimed that Finance Minister Colm Imbert had nothing of substance to report in the review and that recent ratings by Standard and Poors and Moody’s show “this government has no plan.” He said the Government refused “to answer direct policy-related questions because they simply cannot admit their inability to take this country forward.”

Plant foods, be it legumes, grains and grain products, ground provision, starchy fruits, nuts and seeds and all types of fruits and veggies, are nutritious.

They contain complex carbohydrates, besides protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. They also add dietary fibre to the diet, along with the phytonutrients (phytochemicals) and antioxidants.

Studies show that the plantbased diet is cost-effective and may aid those with weight management, together with exercise, as well as managing blood pressure, blood glucose (blood sugar) and cholesterol levels. Moreover, antioxidants and non-nutritive substances such as dietary fibre and phytochemicals found in plant foods are valuable in preventing disease and promoting health.

Dietary fibre which is also referred to as roughage adds bulk to the diet, making you feel full longer and as a result can decrease frequent snacking and you may be less likely to overeat during the day. From this brief discussion, you may wish to conclude that the benefits gained cannot be overlooked. Having knowledge of nutrition in utilising the Caribbean Food Groups, the basic information about the nutrient content of plant foods, along with including the local produce from your kitchen garden (farm-to-table approach) can assist families in meeting daily nutritional requirements, and in lowering their potential risk for diseases. Though, others might argue that there are many factors contributing to disease and rightly so; but, by making small changes in dietary habits and lifestyle, you can probably more than likely improve your health.

Overall, you are encouraged to increase your dietary intakes of plant foods by consuming adequate servings of fruits and vegetables. When making up your plate, one half should consist of plant foods (veggies and fruits), and the other half should be divided into two with a quarter consisting of either boiled ground provision pieces or grains and grain products (such as seasoned brown rice, or pasta) and the next quarter, a protein dish such as stew peas and beans or piece of lean meat, poultry or fish.

Role of nutrients Generally, plant foods are rich in minerals and vitamins. In review minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, selenium, and phosphorus can be found in plant sources, along with vitamins C, A, E, B group, and folate. Research indicate that consuming a diet rich in nutrients together with reducing sodium can aid in reducing blood pressure levels.

Examples of the basic roles of the aforementioned nutrients: Potassium helps manage blood pressure levels, activate muscles and nerves, regulates acid-base balance in body fluids; Calcium and magnesium – component of bones and teeth, aids in formation; helps with the management of blood pressure; essential for muscle and nerve activity; Manganese is needed for the formation of body fat and bone; Selenium acts as an antioxidant, works together with vitamin E to protect the cells of the body; Phosphorus forms bones and teeth, maintains acid-base balance of fluids; Copper helps the body to use iron and oxygen, a component of enzymes, participates in growth, immunity and brain development; Iron transports oxygen in red blood cells and is needed for certain reactions involving energy formation.

Vitamins C, A, and E all act as antioxidants; specifically vitamin C aids in absorption, wound healing, protection of the immune system; vitamin A is needed for good vision, formation and maintenance of skin and bones; vitamin B group helps the body to get energy from food, works together with the macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fats), proper functioning of the nervous system, and is needed for growth and tissue repair; Folate is needed for normal formation of red blood cells, prevents neural tube defects and low birth weight in pregnancy.

Phytochemicals These naturally occurring compounds in plants are responsible for the colour, flavour, and odour.

You should note that more than 2,000 plant pigments are considered phytochemicals; examples include, but should not be limited to flavonoids, carotenoids, and anthocyanins.

Good sources of these phytochemicals, such as carotenoids are dark yellow, deep orange, and deep green veggies and fruits; Flavonoids – fruits, vegetables, onions, kale, beans; Lycopene – tomatoes, red grapefruit, guava, dried apricots; Diallyl sulfide – garlic, onion, scallion, chives, leeks; Indoles – cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, broccoli; Lignans – flaxseed, wheat bran, barley, oatmeal, buck wheat; etc.

Note: Be sure to drink water, the recommendation six-eight glasses per day; dietary fibre absorbs water, it helps to promote good bowel function and alleviates constipation.

Nutrition Message: when planning the weekly menu, always aim for balanced meals; make wise food choices incorporating plant foods.

In doing a quick overview, some people who may be including these foods in their meal plans are encouraged to continue; while for others who omit or consume few servings of plant foods should include them more frequently. Here are a few of the nutrients mentioned above and the best sources: Potassium – bananas, oranges, plantains, potatoes, avocado, milk and milk products, meats; Calcium – dark green leafy vegetables, milk, cheese, yogurt, calcium fortified (orange juice, soy milk), almonds; Magnesium – dried beans, potatoes, dark green leafy vegetables, tofu, peanuts, ready-eat-cereals Iron – dark green leafy vegetables, dried fruits, meat and meat products; Vitamin B group – whole grains, milk and milk products, liver, meat, fish; Folate – fortified grain products, bananas, oranges, grapefruit, dark green leafy vegetables, milk, cheese, yogurt; Vitamin C – citrus fruits, guava, pommecythere, Red West Indian cherry, apples, grapes, etc.

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

The group, through residents Patricia Bryan and Marlene Guy, both of Champs Elysees Road in Maraval, challenged the decision of former planning minister Bhoe Tewarie to grant planning permission to the schools, which are run by EDFAM.

In an oral ruling yesterday, Justice Mira Dean-Armorer held that the then minister balanced considerations of both the schools’ administrators and the residents.

She also held that no promises were made to residents, pointing to evidence that they were consulted before conditional approval was granted. The judge said revoking the permission at this stage would be, “beating a dead horse.” The dispute began in August 2014, when EDFAM announced plans to move the schools from St Clair. Residents of lower Maraval complained about the impact this move would have on the already dire traffic situation in the area during peak hours.

Bryan and Guy are members of the Lower Maraval Residents Association which also claimed the schools lacked necessary approvals from the Diego Martin Regional Corporation, the Town and Country Planning Division and the Ministry of Education.

The corporation took EDFAM to court over the proposed moved, but lost its case as the schools received permission from Tewarie, while the lawsuit was still pending.

In that case, High Court judge Devindra Rampersad ruled that the corporation acted irrationally and unreasonably in rejecting EDFAM’s application for building permission. He said the approval of the school’s traffic plan was not a requirement for the corporation to grant approval under Section 170 (1) of the Municipal Corporation Act. The schools eventually opened in September 2015.

In their lawsuit, the residents contended that Tewarie’s decision in February 2015 was unfair and should be reversed. Bryan and Guy were represented by Vivek Lakhan-Joseph, Kiel Tacklalsingh and Rajiv Rickhi. Director of EDFAM, Kirk De Souza said it was an “unfortunate situation” and one the schools’ administrators did not set out to cause. “It is all about the children,” he said.