Granting the order this week was Justice Frank Seepersad, who was asked to declare Trinidadian national Abdel Nur; a former member of parliament in Guyana, Abdul Kadir; and US naturalised Guyanese national Russell De Freitas terrorists. The judge has also ordered that all the assets of the three men should be frozen.

A copy of the judge’s order has to be published by the AG within seven days, in both the Gazette and two daily newspapers. The order is to be reviewed every six months and had previously been granted by the High Court. A similar order had been previously sought for TT national Kareem Ibrahim, who was sentenced to life as a co-conspirator in the JFK airport terrorist attack. However, Ibrahim, died in a US prison on January 20, 2016.

Seepersad’s order is also be transmitted by international courier to the US Department of Justice, so that the three can receive it at the penitentiaries where they are incarcerated. The director of the Financial Intelligence Unit in TT will also be served with a copy of the order.

Section 22(b) of Anti-Terrorism Act allows the AG’s office to apply to have terrorists’ assets frozen, provided there is sufficient evidence that they were involved in terrorism, either locally or internationally.

The application was heard ex parte.

Central to the application was evidence used to secure the conviction that was provided to the AG’s office by the United States Department of Justice.

According to the trial evidence, the conspirators tried to enlist support for the plot from prominent international terrorist groups and leaders. Ultimately, the evidence said, the plotters followed Ibrahim’s direction.

The free, bilingual, app forms part of Destination Trinidad and Tobago’s digital marketing strategy.

Available in the Google Play Store for Android and the Apple Store, GoTrinbago is 100 percent offline and allows users to develop a personal itinerary, search for, and find a room, a tour, or a taxi at their fingertips.

Other notable features include: 1) The ability for users to review local places of interest; 2) Rate their experiences and read other user reviews; 3) Recommend ‘new’ places to those who share similar interests; and 4) Capture and posts photographs.

In the coming months, GoTrinbago will allow users to “tap into the area of online sales; with the ability to book tours and accommodation from the touch of a button on your phone,” the ministry said.

The app is part of the ministry’s LIME 365 campaign which promotes “the myriad authentic events and festivals that dot the landscape of TT” while placing this country’s “overflowing events calendar within a message that is easily digestible to both local and international audiences.” The ministry noted that “a survey of consumer travel trends conducted by Travelport, 66 percent of leisure travellers and 59 percent of business travellers used digital means to research travel in 2015.” Smartphones, too, are transforming travel industry trends; with 60 percent of travel searches starting on a mobile device. Travellers increasingly rely on mobile phones when they arrive in a new destination.

“According to Think with Google, the market research arm of search engine giant, Google Inc, smartphone searches for hotels increased by 30 percent in 2015.

Furthermore, 85 percent of leisure travellers decide on activities only after arrival at a destination,” the ministry stated.

“I cannot emphasise how important it is that we educate ourselves and our children about our history- from our perspective.” Schnoor’s said so while paying tribute to the late Cuban President, Fidel Castro, during a function hosted in Castro’s honour at the ACS Secretariat, Sweet Briar Road, St Clair this past Thursday.

Diplomats and heads of mission from some of the 33 ACS member states attended the event “to remember the revolutionary Cuban leader who passed away last November, at the age of 90, after leading his country for 49 years,” the ACS said.

Schnoor said “our world is changing – we have lost leaders and new leaders have emerged whose thinking and policies directly impact our region and challenge our principles.” She added that the people of the Greater Caribbean must creatively make use of all means available, including story-telling, song, dance, literature, and the classroom to ensure that a bright Caribbean future could be built on the legacy of towering historical figures like Castro.

“The story of liberation struggles like the Haitian Revolution that have brought our Caribbean civilisation to this point in history, must be passed on to future generations if we are to truly build on the heritage that passionate and brave men and women have bequeathed us.” Soomer noted that under Castro’s leadership, Cuba’s strides in cultural, scientific and medical innovation were always part of building Caribbean civilisation.

For the entire 2016 in Tobago, there were six murders, seven in 2015, eight in 2014 and four in 2013. For this year so far the murder rate is at an unprecedented level, just as the January murder rate for TT (55 murders) and the rate for January 19 (seven murders on one day).

It seems as though Tobago is following closely the path that Trinidad is taking. This may turn out to be a murderous year in Tobago if things continue as they are going.

Tobago is in the infancy stage of the murder race so all efforts must be employed to reduce it as soon as possible. It is early so we can take a quick criminological look at the factors that are contributing to this type of crimes in the once peaceful island and institute the necessary interventions.

Tobago should not wait until it gets out of hand to tackle this problem.

It can benefit from many of the effective crime-fighting mechanisms available to nip this problem in the bud.

It should not be allowed to go down the road that Trinidad is going. But if not treated seriously, we can expect a ramping up of murders as well as associated violent crimes.

Tobago has an interesting dimension that must be considered, that is, the impact of these heinous crimes on its international tourism. Local tourism may not be affected too much – Trinidadians will continue to support the sister isle – unless it gets like some of the murder towns in Trinidad.

There are experts who can play their part if given the opportunity.

The THA and the central government must engage such people and not let Tobago become a mini-Trinidad. If so, it would have shown that we have not learnt a thing over the past few decades.

This auspicious and important occasion was graced by the presence of Dr Dale Hasranah, hospital manager Nadira Maharaj, matron Lynette Francis, Marlene Matthews, nursing supervisor (oncology), Dr Emmanuel, oncology specialist, and several nurses and medical personnel.

The programme began with ENA Linda Chuniesingh doing the opening prayer and the national anthem. After welcoming remarks from Marlene Matthews, Hasranah shared vital and welcome plans for the improvement of the Oncology Department.

Registered nurses Leba Mohamed and Savitri Gopaul delivered a very informative and valuable overview about cancer and the absolute necessity for a support group. After this we were treated to an infectious a cappella calypso on the same topic by Andrew Bowman, himself a cancer patient.

Guest speakers Ria Jones Joseph and Keisha Butcher, ably supported by her mother Patricia Butcher, shared their agonising experiences on discovering they had cancer, the emotional and psychological trauma that accompanied their finding out, and how they were able to deal with it.

Another guest speaker, Michelle Okieffe, a member of EARS, a cancer support group, elucidated us on how beneficial and encouraging it can be for a patient and his/her loved ones when there is emotional, psychological and other support readily available. Matron Francis also endorsed all that was shared, enlightening us with her experiences.

During open forum several survivors and patients had an opportunity to express their gratitude to the closely-knit team of doctors, nurses and other personnel of the Oncology Department.

This unit is indeed like family. None can compare with these beautiful people.

Some very wonderful people from the pharmacy, like Angie Lochan, Lisa Ali-Khan and Masika Bentley, work assiduously behind the scenes to prepare the medication for the chemotherapy.

Our sincere thanks also go out to the pharmacy staff, and the lab as well.

Just before the function closed, presentations were made to the guest speakers and a few others.

I, a cancer survivor, donated copies of one of my books, Mammie’s Folklore Stories, to be sold, the proceeds of which could serve as “seed money” for this magnanimous and commendable venture, Ad Multos Anos.

Eva David-Swain Sangre Grande

These two streets are both twoway with parking on both sides, unlike the one-way streets, with the exception of Carlos, which is wider than most.

This is not working, especially with the increase in traffic in Woodbrook. De Verteuil and Murray are almost impassable at midday and on afternoons between three and four o’clock.

Added to this, many of our well-to-do citizens who choose the bigger four-wheel drive vehicles over a regular sedan only add to the problem. This is a simple “no-brainer” that can easily be corrected.

Oh, by the way, a reminder to the Minister of Works. Carnival is almost here and to date the potholes on Ariapita Avenue have not been repaired.

W Dopson Woodbrook, PoS

The truth of the matter is that the Prime Minister’s advice is quite timely and sobering.

We have to switch our focus from the ancient art of crime detection to now focus on more strategic and meaningful approaches to crime. Rowley has demonstrated his metal once again by now leading the discussion of crime prevention as opposed to crime detection.

It is no secret that our crime detection rate is below ten percent and therefore maintaining focus on catching criminals may not yield the substantive results our society is looking to achieve at this time.

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani was able to reduce crime and criminal activity by strengthening the city’s crime prevention initiatives.

Giuliani put police officers on the streets within a two-minute response time of each other, engaged in various community outreach activities, and got people involved in policing.

Rowley’s advice to the women of this country to choose their men more wisely will not, if adhered to, stop such senseless murders as the recent Jamilia Derevenax or Asami Nagakiya but will surely help reduce such acts.

Crime requires a multifaceted approach and the Prime Minister has switched the focus by highlighting another approach to reducing crime and making citizens feel safer.

A politician tells people what they want to hear so people expected to hear that the Government and Police Service will do everything in their power to catch the criminals.

While that is nice to say, the job of a leader is to say what people need to hear. We need to make wiser decisions to prevent or avoid such occurrences.

To move forward we have to change the conversation, which is what the Prime Minister is doing with these events. We cannot keep the same rhetoric and expect different results.

The drive to launch a crime prevention campaign is an initiative that all sectors should support if we are truly interested in working towards making our communities safe.

History will surely record Rowley’s strong leadership and commitment to doing what it takes in the best interest of TT .

Ronald Huggins St Joseph

Williams said no amount of police presence could have an impact on such crimes and the county now more than ever needs divine intervention in the fight against crime.

At the time, Williams was addressing police at the TTPS South Western Division Interfaith Service at the La Divina Pastora Roman Catholic Church in Siparia yesterday.

“There is nothing the police can do about these crimes. We are seeing a series of killings for which no amout of police presence on the streets can have an impact, but God is in control as always and we are asking God to continue to be in control,” Williams said.

The latest killing of a violent nature recorded was the murder of a woman whose throat was slit by a man whom she knew at MovieTowne, Port-of-Spain on Sunday.

The Ag Police Commissioner said with an increase in violent crime, there is now a perception in the public that the nation is in a crime crisis, which he said bears no truth.

“We are faced with a problem of violent crimes, but serious crimes are down and the public is not seeing that,” he stressed.

Giving example, Williams said the type of crimes that occur of a violent nature today are “a brother stabbing another brother for $30 or a daughter stabbing a father in their home”, which he said the police cannot prevent or control.

“We are asking God to continue to be in control and to pay a special kind of attention to what is happening in Trinidad and Tobago as we police officers who are faced with the responsibility can continue to focus on fulfilling our roles,” he said.

He said the time had come to merge religion with policing within the communities as violent crimes have traumatised the nation.

He said these crimes do not occur in the public domain, which poses a challenge for the TTPS.

“The levels of crime is not from a practical purpose at the stage people are perceiving it, but we are saying there is a need for the citizens of this land to start to act responsibly because we are seeing a lot of irresponsible behaviour,” he said. Also addressing the audience, Dr Oval Steale advised young police to take care of their physical health.

He said that too often police neglect their health and suffer from long term health problems.

Recently, Scotiabank .Foundation disbursed funds to Brimblers, Golden Hands Steel Orchestra, La Creole Pan Groove, Melodians Steel Orchestra, Merry Tones Steel Orchestra, Platinum Steel Orchestra, Potential Symphony Steel Orchestra, Star Sapphire Steel Orchestra, St.

James Tripolians Steel Orchestra, Trinidad Nostalgic and West Stars Steel Orchestra.

Golden Hands Steel Orchestra, whose membership consists of young players, all under the age of 25, is one such band. “The Golden Hands journey, in 2017, has been made all the more exciting by the input of Scotiabank.

This connection is based on our mutual desire to hone the innate potential of the young musicians of our beloved T&T. We certainly appreciate Scotiabank’s valuable contribution to our participation in the greatest Steelpan Show on earth- PANORAMA” stated Franka Hills – Headley, Band Founder.

Peter Ghany – a Director, on the Scotiabank Foundation emphasised the commitment to not only the culture of Trinidad and Tobago, but also the youth.

“In supporting the rich culture of our twin island state and the progression of our beloved national instrument, we are also helping our young people to become better off, instilling in them a passion for the steelpan providing them with positive opportunities.

It is about the passing on from generation to generation the unique knowledge and skill of pan playing, tuning and arranging

Now in its fourth year, it was all business along the course for the 96 players including world renowned former West Indian batsman Brian Charles Lara. After a competitive day’s play, the legendary cricketer along with his three-man team of Richard Smith, Joseph Rahael and Clint Alfred clinched a narrow victory with a winning score of 59 points.

Following 18 holes of play, they stood at a golden 13 under par which was just enough to hold off several other teams that were trailing by just one shot on 12 under par. This win for Lara however, saw him capture an impressive triple crown of titles in the event’s four-year history, having also topped the field in 2014 and 2016.

“It was a wonderful day put together by bmobile for their top customers,” said the world record holder. “This is a tournament I look forward to every year because of its professional and efficient approach to every aspect of the day. The bmobile team knows the importance of their customers and they ensured we all had a great day.” Holding on to runner-up spot on the day was TSTT CEO Dr.

Ronald Walcott’s team (inclusive of David Brizan, Dominique Chatoor and Ravi Deonarine) which tallied 60 points. The quartet of Dushyant Sookram, Robert Alleyne, Errol Jones and Junior Charles placed third overall.

This year’s edition of the Charity tournament saw a total of $10,000 raised for the selected charity – PAVI (Persons Associated with Visual Impairment).

All invited guests and players, who are all experts in their line of business, chimed in with their welcomed contributions for the ‘Closest to the fifth hole’ challenge and a raffle courtesy Angostura.

Capturing the crown of ‘Nearest to the Pin’ on the fifth hole was Tommy Peebles, who fell 11 feet and three inches short; while Errol Jones took top honours in the same division on hole 15, with the ball landing just one foot and 11 inches shy. The title for ‘Most Fores’ (3) went to the team of Robin Lewis, Anthony Smart, Rikhi Rampersad and Marshall Ogle; ‘Most Bunkers’ (8) went to the unit of Camille Chatoor, Elizabeth Lawrence, Gisele Marflete and Paige Hurd while the squad of Allan Murphy, Stephen George, Radesh Bassant and Corey Sheppard were fondly awarded for the ‘Most Balls Lost’ (11).

Rakesh Goswami, TSTT’s Executive Vice President, Strategic Alliance, Enterprise and Tobago Operations, commented on the successful staging of this year’s event. “We at TSTT are happy to once again play host to Trinidad and Tobago’s premier golf invitational tournament,” he said. “I was especially pleased to see a record number of participants this time around and we expect our tournament to continuously grow over the coming years. I thank you all for your welcomed contributions to PAVI since this event was centred around giving back to the Foundation. I also would like to congratulate all stakeholders who got involved in this initiative for a good cause.

Your beneficence is destined to go a long way towards helping these persons affected with disability.”