“Magic Nights is going to be intriguing with a bigger cast and grand illusions that were once performed by world-renowned magicians, such as David Copperfield and Jonathan Pendragon.

The show will keep spectators at the edge of their seats and they can also look out for a brand new illusion designed by me and the team, as well as a never before seen acts,” said Kess, who has come full circle, having performed as the opening act for international illusionist, Darcy Oake, at last year’s instalment of Decibel.

“What you will witness this year is nothing short of what you have seen on TV or at a Las Vegas stage, right here in your own country; Trinidad and Tobago.

Not only is it important to support local talent but it will also remind upcoming artistes that we can be as entertaining as any international act.” Speaking about its sponsorship and continued commitment to the three-day entertainment festival, Camille Campbell – vice president, Marketing, TSTT , stated, “We believe it is extremely important to encourage our youth to explore the many different sides of the creative industry and where better to do that than at Decibel, where the country’s top creative minds and budding artists unite on common ground.

DEF continues to be a huge success and we are always happy to lend our support to initiatives which shine the spotlight on youth, culture and education.” Magic Nights, which is carded for May 5 – 7 at Queen’s Hall at the RBL Decibel Entertainment Festival, will be opened by Trinidad- born, US based comedian, Jean Paul. Known for his unique style of wit and humour, Paul has been hailed by award winning film director and producer, Igal Hecht, as “one of the smartest and funniest comedians I’ve ever had the pleasure to see and hear.” He has appeared in several television shows and films, including Home Again and A Universal Language.

“We have not had official confirmed correspondence from the Government of Turkey in this matter,” Al-Rawi said.

“The Office of the AG has been involved as the authority to act under the Anti-Terrorism Act.” He explained this requires his ministry “to be aware of deportation matters.” Al-Rawi said significant resources have been placed at the airport and officials, “will be conducting the interview and the interrogation which is standard on anyone being returned as a deportee.” Saying the Police Service, Immigration Department and Customs Division are among the agencies involved in this exercise, Al-Rawi said, “We will take the information and intelligence through the regular processes and then make determinations after that.” He said it was premature to make any conclusions at this stage.

“Resource and intelligence at the airport will be married with the background work which has been conducted over several months. So further reports will come to the respective authorities on that.” Of the 12 people, Al-Rawi said two of them were, “children, babes in arms.” Unlike the situation where TT nationals where detained in Venezuela recently, Al-Rawi said, “There has been no outreach from any citizen here to any of the respective authorities, saying look we need assistance to bring our people home.” He declined to say whether the individuals would be released at the end of their interviews or detained further. Al-Rawi said there were many hypotheticals and, “It really does depend on the interview and what comes about as a result.” Al-Rawi also said this country is not bearing the cost of the deportation and international partners, “Are very, very pleased with TT’s action on terrorism.” He first mentioned this issue in Parliament on August 1 last year.

A report in the Daily Sabah last July said police detained people, reputed to be TT nationals, in southern Turkey on July 27 while they were trying to travel to Syria to join Daesh, which is another term used to describe the Islamic State terrorist group (ISIS).

During the sitting, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal claimed these people were being deported on charges of terrorism and this would have negative implications for this country’s international image.

The returnees made the journey home on a British Airways flight via London and St Lucia accompanied by Turkish law enforcement officers.

According to Deputy Police Commissioner Wayne Dick yesterday, local police did not have full information on the deportees but were given just hours advance notice of their impending arrival.

Dick spoke at a media briefing at the Police Administration Building yesterday morning. He told reporters it became necessary to provide the limited information they had as news of the detention of the 12 had been circulating in the media for some time.

The man told police that he had seen the video on the television programme Beyond the Tape and decided to make himself available to the police.

He admitted that he was the person in the video, which went viral on social media, but expressed remorse for his actions.

Yesterday Inspector Beard of the North Eastern Division sought directions from the Office of the DPP on the matter and was advised to carry out further enquiries.

Up until late yesterday the man remained in custody and Newsday understands that an identification parade is expected to be conducted.

The alleged victim Michael Maharaj, 62, of El Socorro, was interviewed by police on Thursday and said he did not report the assault because he was afraid. He however agreed to give a statement.

Maharaj said that he had planned to leave the matter in the hands of God and wanted no revenge.

The owner of the Unipet gas station in El Socorro where the incident occurred has since beefed up security.

It is alleged that at about 11 pm on Tuesday, Maharaj was on duty when he asked the passenger seated in the back seat of a car to desist from smoking a cigarette.

The passenger is alleged to have become enraged and proceeded to cuff and kick Maharaj.

Co-workers and onlookers attempted to diffuse the situation but the attacker continued beating Maharaj.

After seeing the video, head of the Northern Division Senior Superintendent Sagramsingh instructed officers to locate Maharaj and investigate the matter.

Speaking yesterday after a swearing-in ceremony at the Office of the President in St Ann’s, Gomes said the PSC negotiated with a local firm and was awaiting Cabinet funding. She said Cabinet allocated $1 million last year, but this was not enough for an efficient selection process.

“I would like the public to be aware, to understand the legislation.

“We are bound by the legislation. It is not just selecting anybody…

we have to go through a particular process, which we are doing, and we have reached to the point where we need Cabinet support on this, and then we can go ahead,” she said.

Asked if there were staffing issues at the PSC, Gomes said it was being restricted right now.

“We have quite a number of interviews, pay packages for several positions are not good enough, so people will not accept offers — so we need those things resolved, because our job is not simply the selection, we also do monitoring and evaluation of the CoP and his deputies, and in order to do that thoroughly, we need to have the support of staff that is competent — and more staff, if we really have to do the kind of investigative work that we need to do to have a safer Trinidad and Tobago and a more accountable TTPS,” she said.

He said property tax is the law and so umbrage to those advocating a non-payment stance as this is akin to breaking the law.

He added that some who have advocated not paying, are happily paying property tax on properties overseas.

Asked why not revert to the old rates of Land and Building Tax, Rowley said that law had been repealed. He hit the Opposition for complaining that the property tax is oppressive when they originally proposed a land tax, at much higher rates. Rowley made the point he has been paying some form of property/land tax since he was age 17.

Asked to quantify how much tax he would pay, Rowley said he is committed to paying the property tax and estimates the tax on his Glencoe, West Trinidad home to be “several hundred” dollars.

He said the sum is notable but, “not oppressive”.

Rowley hit the “mischief and misinformation” being propagated against the tax.

“When you enter Parliament, you take an oath to uphold the law. Property tax is the law! Until it is changed, all the shenanigans of amnesty and hiding and lying are against the law. It is a reasonable law and we will demonstrate that and proceed to collect the tax,” he said.

“I have a good feeling about this, that the average citizen when they see the truth and realise they are being misled by misinformation, they would realise they are making a contribution to national development by paying their property tax,” Rowley sa

Persad-Bissessar begged for forgiveness before a small but attentive crowd of constituents gathered in her constituency office in Penal for a consultation on the Property Tax Act. After former Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran deconstructed and criticised what he considered to be flaws in the Act, and Amendments to the Valuation of Land Act which were suspended under the former government, the floor was opened for questions.

Persad-Bissessar later said, “I do not want to go into a long defensive mode. Maybe that is why we are in opposition and they are in government.

The point is, we brought two bills to parliament during my time to repeal the Act and (Former Energy Minister) Kevin (Ramnarine) who was in the Parliament will remember…” Persad-Bissessar faltered and changed directions.

“You see, I do not want to blame people today, and say ‘who did and who did not do and why and who and where’. That is why we are in Opposition and if you have to blame me, I take the blame and forgive me as the leader of the Cabinet that it (the repeal) did not happen.” For his part, Rambarran said if government increases the efficiency of the Board of Inland Revenue and the Value Added Tax office, it could raise far more revenue from existing taxes than it ever will by re-introducing the property tax.

Delivering the feature address at the consultation, Rambarran after deconstructing the tax which was suspended under the former government, asked, “Why go with a property tax when the country’s tax administration is flawed?”

Number one ranked Alistair Espinoza brushed aside Rondell Campbell 21-4, 21-9; second seed Will Lee breezed past Travis Sinanan 21-6, 21-5; and Roger Moore, who was ranked third, had a battling 21-19, 13-21, 21-17 victory over Nathaniel Khillawan. Fourth seed Jade Allman came from a set down to oust Germany’s Milind Ogale 9-21, 21-13, 21-16 while fifth seed Joshua Smith overcame his namesake Jewhel Smith 21-8, 15- 21, 21-14.

Also in winners’ row were number six ranked Renaldo Sinanan over Sheraz Nabbie (17-21, 21-13, 21-14); seventh seed Naim Mohammed over Alviero Alvada (21- 13, 21-7); number eight ranked Jason Ramjass over Leon Cassie (21-17, 21-17).

There were also first round matches in the women’s singles, with Jada Renales, ranked third in the division, trouncing Solange Bailey 21-8, 21-5.

Arielle Gomez was a 2-0 winner over Cindy Ramroop (21-12, 21-16) while Chequeda Deboulet spanked Eban Sandy 21-5, 21-4.

Latoya Walrond and Ralitsa Wong rallied from one game down to progress to the next round.

Walrond defeated Sandhya Cassie 17-21, 22-20, 21-11 and Wong eliminated Demi Ramdial 15-21, 21-11, 21-14.

Cuban-born Solange Guzman, Avril Marcelle and Leanna Castanada, who are ranked first, second and fourth respectively, received byes into the quarter-final phase. Action in the National Badminton Championships will continue today.

Other Scores – Men’s Singles First Round – Rondell Campbell bt Brandon Graham 10-21, 21-15, 21-14; Sheraz Nabbie bt Josiah Hitlal 21-7, 21-8; Nathaniel Khillawan bt Joel Cornwall 21-1, 21-10; Joshua Smith bt Alister Urquhart 21-17, 21-10; Jewhel Smith bt Nathaniel Joseph 21-12, 21-9; Alviero Alvada bt Kellon Singh by walkover; Naim Mohammed bt Vance Juteram 21-10, 21-9; Milind Ogale bt Sarajudeen Mohammed 19-21, 21-7, 21-13; Leon Cassie bt Jeremy Lewis 21-17, 22-20; Jason Ramjass bt Mackenzie Legen 21-12, 21-14; Travis Sinanan bt Amir Mahabir 21-12, 21-6.

Masters Doubles – Ronald Clarke and Derwin Renales bt Kario Bernard and McKenzie Joseph 21-5, 21-8; Andre Lewis and Derek Singh bt Kario Bernard and McKenzie Joseph 21-7, 21-7; Christopher Joachim and Arnand Maharaj bt Peter Harris and PJ Williams 21-11, 21-6; Andre Lewis and Derek Singh bt Christopher Joachim and Arnand Maharaj 21-16, 21-11; Ronald Clarke and Derwin Renales bt Shaffie Nabbie and Wilson Reyes 21-15, 21- 11; Shaffie Nabbie and Wilson Reyes bt Peter Harris and PJ Williams 21-5, 21-8.

In announcing the results, Group Chairman, Ronald F. deC.Harford, said the halfyear results were mainly driven by a reduction in loan impairment expense and taxes in the group’s subsidiary in Ghana. He added that an improvement in the performance of the group’s operations here also contributed to the results. He said, “The Group remains focused on improving asset quality and operational efficiency.

Notwithstanding the challenging global economic environment, we expect to achieve a creditable performance for 2017.” Based on the results, the company’s board of directors has declared a halfyear dividend of $1.25 (2016:$1.25) per share payable on June 01.

He made 104 as South-East crushed Tobago by 180 runs at Shaw Park and will now meet defending champions East Zone in the final today at the National Cricket Centre Ground in Balmain, Couva from 9.30 am.

Cooper’s innings was the foundation of his team’s massive score of 318 for eight wickets in a match reduced to 48 overs. He received solid support from Justin Gangoo who made a well-played 56, while Avinash Mahabirsingh contributed 48 and Antonio Bebe made 32.

Joshua James was the pick of the home team’s bowlers grabbing three wickets for 41 runs in eight overs while Keston Rodney took two and Daveon Shongie and David James grabbed one apiece.

Facing a mammoth target, Tobago made a credible effort with Shongie making a patient 40 and David James compiling 23, but they were dismissed for just 138 in 39.4 overs to end their 2017 campaign with their best performance in reaching the last four.

Doing the job with the ball for South-East was Mahabirsingh who claimed five wickets for 36 runs in nine overs and four balls, while Rajiv Singh (two for 21) and Michael Dindial (two for 26) also proved a handful for the Tobago batsmen.

Coach of the South- East team Faoud Bassarath said he was very pleased with the performance of his team and was very confident that his players can give East Zone a big fight in the final and claim their first Shell Inter Zone silverware of the season.

Bassarath was high in praise of Cooper who is he said had the talent and drive to play for the national senior team soon and will grab the attention of the West Indies selectors should he continue to develop and live up to expectation.

He said there were other players on the team including Gangoo, Jace Assoon and Bebe in the batting line up while Tariq Abdool, Dindial and Sherron Lewis are effective with the ball and can tilt the scales in South East’s favour against the favourites.

Expected to meet the players before the first ball are Azim Bassarath, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, and Shell Trinidad Limited representative Kelli Marie Patel.

The formal launch kicks off tomorrow at 11 am at the Diego Martin North Secondary School, with a parade of teams (male and female), with Minister of Sport, Darryl Smith, delivering the feature address. Managing Director of RBC Royal Bank Trinidad and Tobago, Darryl White, will head the bank’s team.

Two exhibition matches will be played, the first a female encounter between Covigne Corpus Christi and Cocorite Stars, then a representative West Penn team will tackle the TT Under-17 male squad.

The league, which has enjoyed RBC support since its inception in 2015, will cater for both male and female players in two divisions, Under-15 and Under-18, for the first time. The theme for this year’s competition is “Play Football; Make Peace”.

“At RBC, we take pride in making communities in which we operate, develop and thrive. We are extremely happy to partner with West Penn to unearth and nurture the sporting talents of the youths of these communities and we embrace the opportunity to help them develop all-round life skills which will enable them to grow as productive citizens,” White explained.

As West Penn Chairman, Selwyn Luces, pointed out, the partnership with RBC was vital for the organisation, as an NGO, to develop the youth in the communities of the north-western peninsula and steer them away from a life of crime.

“We see sport and culture as positive avenues to channel the energies of the young people toward positive and rewarding activities and we are delighted that RBC has been in full support of this vision as a pioneer with us,” said Luces.

Shurland Hartley, Vice President/ Sport Director, West Penn, said two major objectives of the league are to create a forum for players to develop and exhibit their technical skills leading to scholarship and professional opportunities; and to select and train a high performance team from the league to participate in competitions at the highest level in Trinidad and Tobago.

“There are immense opportunities for our football talent to look forward to in the major leagues around the world. A whole new world has opened up for TT footballers and we intend to steer our youths from West Penn in that direction,” said Hartley.

The formal launch of the league today will also include a community fair which will feature a display of health products, a demonstration of physical skills, sports massage by the Tunapuna-based Institute of Health, the sale of healthy food and beverages, and fun activities for children, including bouncy castle.

West Penn Sports and Culture intends to introduce competitive basketball, netball and athletics, to its list of sporting activities in the near future