Nine-year-old Brandon Roopnarine and his six-year-old brother, Darrion's fondest wish is to spend Christmas together. The brothers met one week ago in person and talk to each other on the phone when they can. The Sunday Guardian visited the brothers and their families yesterday on the eve of Christmas Eve to see how they were doing.

The boys narrowly escaped death themselves as they were a few paces in front their parents Khemchan Roopnarine, 38 and 36-year-old Patricia, who were struck and killed by a car on Penal Rock Road, two houses away from their home on November 5. No one has been arrested to date. One week after the tragedy, family members were unable to honour the siblings' wish to stay together and they were separated.

Brandon moved from his father's home at Penal Rock Road to live with his biological mother, Asha Samlal, at her Fyzabad home along his two stepsisters, aged three and seven.

Darrion now lives at his parents' house in the care of his uncle, Mohinder Roopnarine, Khemchan's cousin, at Dow Village, South Oropouche.

Darrion was sitting down quietly with a shy smile on his face at his uncle's home when we arrived. He put on his helmet and bicycle that Arrive Alive donated to him last Sunday and rode around the living room for cameraman Rishi Ragoonath.

Darrion can be described as quiet. Darrion said "I talk with Brandon on the phone but I want to be with my brother for Christmas. I just want to be with him anywhere as long as we together.

"I'm doing good in school, I'm in Second Year. I like drawing. Uncle and auntie carry me to the malls and movies at C3 and SouthPark to see Ferdinand. Auntie's food is a lil different from mom's but good.

"I want a laptop for Christmas and I like KFC."

Roopnarine said he was doing okay in his school, Delhi Road Hindu School. He was doing good for now, did not give any trouble and was happy.

He said they were taking him later that day to spend some time with his cousins in Penal.

Roopnarine said Darrion did not have any flashbacks of the incident, and he was happy staying with him and his aunt.

Roopnarine said for Christmas Darrion will spend the morning with them and later they will go by his cousins in Penal to exchange and open gifts. When he drops off presents for his brother, Roopnarine said, they can spend the day together.

He said he was going to buy a drum set for Darrion and enrol him in drum class to learn to play as he expressed interest in drumming.

When Roopnarine brought Darrion over to meet his brother at his mother's place in Fyzabad, it was a touching moment to see the siblings just standing together, gazing lovingly at one another in a silent bond of brotherhood.

Brandon was waiting to give Darrion a 'tow' on his bicycle that was also donated by Arrive Alive.

Asha Samlal, Brandon's biological mother, was about to take him and his two stepsisters to visit their grandparents in Santa Flora.

Brandon, a Standard 3 pupil at Fyzabad Presbyterian School said he likes any food his mother makes for him and he does not know what gifts he is getting for Christmas.

He said he will like to be together with his brother and their families at Christmas at whatever family house they chose to meet.

Samlal said Brandon misses his father a lot and sometimes the memories of him occur when it was time to sleep.

She said he loves going to school and his favourite subjects were mathematics, art and creative writing.

Samlal said things were working out and both boys were settling in to their new homes.

Brandon and Darrion's Christmas wish to be together started on the eve of Christmas Eve. They are looking forward to spending time together on Christmas day.

The brothers continue to receive counselling.

Two men and a woman have been killed in Chaguanas. The killings have taken the toll for 2017 to 485 for the year up to late yesterday. In the same incident, another woman was hospitalized in critical condition after being shot, while a 15-month-old baby was grazed by a bullet. According to police, around 5 am yesterday, gunmen entered a small board house at Bridel Road, Jerningham Junction, Cunupia and rained bullets on the occupants. Dead are Roberta James, 27, Keston James, 28 and Wellington Thomas, 31.

The couple and Wellington were asleep along with the infants and Roberta's three-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. James also has a five-year-old son from another relationship, but he was not at the house when the attack took place. Senior Superintendent Kenny Mc Intire, who was on the scene, said police could not find any motive for the killing since the deceased were involved in the scrap iron business and appeared to be law abiding citizens.

He said "For any person to die under these circumstance is tragic, I understand they were law abiding citizens, we are putting our best teams on this and have started inquiries immediately."

Mc Intire said when police got to the scene around 5.40 am, a female occupant of the house told the police she was shot along with three other people in the house. Mc Intire said the woman was rushed to the hospital along with the infant. James' daughter was taken to the home of a nearby relative. Relatives of the deceased were left baffled about the motive for the killings and described both men as hard working.

Vandana Mohit, councillor for Cunupia in the Chaguanas Borough Corporation, was at the scene. Mohit said “This is unfortunate that three people were murdered, this is a very peaceful village, but the murder rate has been rising in the Chaguanas area in the past few months. We are seeing crime getting out of control in T&T and people are no longer feeling safe.” Mohit said police have been doing numerous patrols in the area, but described Chaguanas and the Cunupia area in general as the new crime hot spot. "This area is now becoming a crime hot spot,” she added.

Maria works 12 hours a day at a casino for less than minimum wage to be able make ends meet for herself and her two children.

"I work for small money so I have to put in overtime to be able to live," Maria told the Sunday Guardian.

She works hard.

However, Maria is not supposed to work here as she is an asylum seeker in this country.

An asylum seeker is the status given to someone still awaiting the process of being recognised as a refugee.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a refugee is "a person who has fled their country of origin and is unable or unwilling to return because of a well-founded fear of being persecuted because of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion".

Maria believes she fits that definition.

In the region, T&T is the third most popular country for asylum seekers.

As of May, there were 336 applications for asylum in this country.

In 2016 there were 163 asylum applications with Venezuelans accounting for the second largest number of asylum seekers here.

Late last year, Maria fled her family's home at Cumana in the Sucre State, Venezuela, because of the ongoing crisis in that country.

At the time, Maria made the decision to flee her home, residents of the area had begun looting supermarkets to get food to be able to eat.

Venezuela's financial crisis had hit her home-town hard, Maria said.

She entered T&T illegally through Cedros

Maria said she could not see her family suffering, so she boarded a ferry from Venezuela to T&T.

She entered the country legally through the Cedros port with the hope of trying to make a better life with some family she already had living here.

Maria left her two children and her husband in Venezuela.

When she reached this country, she began the process of trying to become a refugee.

Maria went to the Living Water Community (LWC) in Port-of-Spain, where she was registered and referred to both the UNHCR office here and the Immigration Division.

The Immigration Division took her passport and legalised her status in T&T as an asylum seeker until her Refugee Status Determination (RSD) is completed.

The RSD is the process by which a person seeking international protection is considered a refugee.

The RSDs take time and for Maria, it is still ongoing.

"I know some people who have been waiting for three and four years, but I wait," Maria says.

Three months after Maria came here, her husband and her two children joined her here.

However, things took a toll on their relationship and eventually Maria and her husband separated and he returned to Venezuela.

'My children need an education'

She and the two children—aged 13 and six—remain in T&T.

For Maria, life in this country has been easier than for other Venezuelan asylum seekers because she has family who are locals living here and she speaks English fairly.

However, she also faces some of the difficulties others Venezuelans here have.

Apart from not being able to work legally and being exploited and sometimes sexually harassed as a result of that, her children are also unable to go to school because of their status.

To Maria, her children being unable to access education here is the worst part of it all.

"With asylum you are not supposed to work. I don't have a work permit and the children can't go to school because they are not local children but they need an education," Maria said.

The LWC, however, has basic classes a few days a week to help the children.

Maria takes advantage of this opportunity every chance she can.

Maria said it was hurtful to see that when Dominica was hit by a hurricane earlier this year this country realised the importance of opening its doors to pupils from there to help them with their education but, on the other hand, have not given the same offer to her children who are suffering.

This will be the second Christmas that Maria and her children will be celebrating in this country.

"I sometimes miss home but here is still better than there," Maria said.

This season of thanksgiving is the perfect time for all of us to acknowledge and thank the men and women who put their lives on the line on a daily basis to keep us safe from the country's criminal element, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has said.

Rowley made the statement in this year's message to the nation for Christmas Day.

"Much like previous years, the issues associated with addressing crime and national security have remained in the forefront. The complexity of these issues is such that no one action would totally reverse the scourge but this Government is steadfast in its resolve to bring about the stability and security that the people of this nation deserve," Rowley stated.

So far this year 485 murders have been recorded.

"Every resource and avenue that is available to us will be explored and utilized in the pursuit of these national objectives. In this season of thanksgiving, it is an opportune time for each and every one of us acknowledge and thank those men and women who on a daily basis put their lives on the line to keep us safe from the harm that could most certainly overcome us from the criminal element which reside in our country. We must also thank the families who support and sustain as we keep them always in our prayers," he said.

Rowley said while he understands that many people in the country are facing challenges of one kind or another, he is confident that strategies implemented by the Government will cause "improvement in the fundamental areas of our economy as well as other areas of national life".

"Although we have indeed experienced many difficulties as a nation, there are many reasons for us to be optimistic about our future," he said.

Rowley also thanked citizens for coming to the aid of regional neighbours that were ravaged by hurricanes this year.

Senior Counsel Reginald Armour, the former president of the Law Association, is one of three nominees that attorneys representing A&V Oil and Gas Limited has named as possible mediators if a proposed conference to resolve their "dispute through amicable negotiations" with Petrotrin fails.

The other nominees are John Dowse of Resolution Chambers and Helen Alves, the sole proprietor of Alves Clarke & Company and of Resolution of Disputes Limited.

On Friday Petrotrin announced that it was terminating A&V's contract arising out of discrepancies in its reported oil production and actual receipts by its Internal Audit Department earlier this year.

Last month, Petrotrin reported that its Audit Department's findings had been confirmed by an independent, Board-commissioned, forensic audit conducted by Canadian consultancy firm Kroll Consulting Canada Company.

Another report from global oil and gas consultants Gafffney Cline had also advised that the reservoir from which the oil had been produced was incapable of yielding the reported volumes.

However, a letter from A&V's attorneys Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and Company to Petrotrin's Vice President Stephen Awah dated Friday said the company was not accepting Petortrin's decision.

A&V is now requesting that "the parties attempt to resolve their disputes in good faith".

Among the disputes are Petrotrin's retention of $76.6 million as at November 30 belonging to A&V because of the alleged overstated oil figures.

A&V is also disputing that it owes Petrotrin $8.6 million for the same period.

"A&V contractually require Petrotrin to convene an urgent conference of the parties and their respective legal counsel on a without prejudice basis to resolve the dispute through amicable negotiations in accordance with the negotiations phase of the dispute resolution provision," the letter stated.

A&V has proposed the conference be convened on January 2 next year at 1 pm at Petrotrin's conference room.

In the event that the negotiations do not resolve all of the disputed issues, A&V proposed Armour, Dowse and Alves as mediators.

The company also called on Petrotrin to name their nominees of mediator as a matter of urgency.

A&V's legal letter was also copied to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, Energy Minister Franklin Khan and Petrotrin President Fitzroy Harewood.

Tabaquite MP Surujrattan Rambachan says Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi must adopt a quality of neutrality and must not meddle in police investigations.

Rambachan's comments were a direct response to a public statement from Al-Rawi that the emailgate matter was far from over.

Rambachan said as one of those accused, and given the recent statement by the Police Commissioner, he felt that political manipulations were possible and that justice could be tampered with.

Last week, acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams said that the police had completed investigations on emailgate and “nothing of substance was found”.

Rambachan said the PNM Government has been demonstrating a “get them at all costs” attitude when it came to the UNC.

"I wish to remind the AG that he is AG for all the people and not the PNM. In forgetting that as AG he must adopt a quality of neutrality that is beyond reproach, he will be betraying the trust accorded to both him and his office. If he betrays this trust the public will not be accorded the protection they are entitled to under the law," said Rambachan.

He said Al-Rawi's comments appeared to be directed at influencing the DPP.

"This sordid affair must be brought to an immediate end but I will not be surprised given the AG’s comments, that the matter can see a course that is not in keeping with justice. The AG must be careful that he is unconsciously or even consciously using his position to delay justice on this matter because he thinks that the matter should not be determined during the course of the current Government’s tenure."

The Gaming Industry in T&T should be restructured and regularized as it can be a major contributor to the economy.

This is the view of business magnate Derek Chin, the person who started the online lottery in T&T and lobbied the Government to follow suit. Wendell Mottley, the then Minister of Finance, signed the contract with Gtech in July 1994.

Upset with the proposed ten per cent tax on winnings from National Lottery Control Board games, which is to take effect in January 2018, Chin said it will further hurt “the sales of the legit operators”.

He called for the shut down and possible arrest of illegal operators. “They are only taking away bets from the National Lotteries Control Board…unless they arrest and shut down and put them in jail, then the problem will still exist.

“Many illegals are being protected by unscrupulous behind-the-scenes people, most likely with police involvement. We all know who the illegal operators are and where they can be found but yet no arrests are made. It’s so obvious…the same thing is applying with the private members clubs and casinos. The industry is unregulated.”

NLCB’s board has also strongly objected to the proposed ten per cent tax on winnings as they are bound to lose an estimated $163 million on its net returns. The board recommended several initiatives that are expected to rake in a possible tax-free surplus of over $373 million. One of the initiatives is to introduce Play Whe on Sundays.

He said the focus should be on what kind of industry is needed and its value in developing the economy.

“It can be a major contributor to tourism and other sectors. Gaming, once regularised and balanced, can be a major economic contributor to T&T’s economy, like it is in so many countries around the world.

“The gaming industry is the second largest industry outside the weapons and arms business. Countries with proper and smart policies gain significant contributions from a marriage between the tourist business and a healthy gaming industry.

“Casinos should be linked to hotel and hospitality development. Lottery should be focused on national development and not all over the place, with nothing material to show by trying to support everything and having little effect on serious development that is meaningful.”

Chin questioned: “After 23 years, what significant developments or evidence of any sustainable successful venture can be shown for all the money earned and contributed? What is the legacy of the lottery?

“We should have had great programmes in place, funded by the lottery, with maybe a cultural museum or a world famous Queen’s Park Savannah maintained and developed in pristine condition or some physical identifiable projects of great value. Instead, all we have is the giving away of money to many non development or relatively unimportant causes. Nothing relevant to show or any measurement of success.”

Chin reiterated that a properly operated and regulated industry can be a significant contributor to the Consolidated Fund and the tourism industry.

Christmas Eve is the last big push by business owners and vendors alike to attract last-minute shoppers in a Christmas season marked by slow sales and walking a tightrope to keep their doors open as late as possible while watching out for robberies.

Business owners complain that the last two days before Christmas cannot compensate for the dismal sales at the height of the Christmas season even with bargains band slashed prices. A High Street, San Fernando store owner said years ago his store was packed with shoppers, but yesterday there was free passage in his business place.

This year, however, there was the addition of a vendor on High Street selling the not so run-of-the-mill merchandise; wild meat.

The vendor was selling live crabs, manicou, quenk, a monkey and pups from local hunting dogs from his panel van.

When he saw a joint foot patrol of army and police personnel and a police wrecker approaching, he packed his living produce into his van and drove off.

Usually they are chased off High Street, San Fernando but vendors got free reign to peddle their goods without police harassment yesterday— Christmas Eve.

Faced with poor sales over the Christmas period, San Fernando mayor Junia Regrello agreed to grant permission to the vendors by blocking off vehicular access from Penintence Street to Mon Chagrin Street between 9 am to 5 pm. The vendors set up tents on either side of High Street and sold a wide array of toys, haberdashery and electronics.

Catering for last minute shoppers, the prices were “low to go.”

Speaking to the T&T Guardian while touring the streets, Regrello said,” I am very impressed and encouraged by this exercise. This initiative is kind of unique for San Fernando because there are several stakeholders involved here- you have the actual businesspersons who are paying taxes to the city and contributing to the economy of the city so we have to cater for them.

You also have to look at the last minute shoppers, people who got salaries late and more importantly, the situation or plight of those who are not employed and who have been vending for years,” he added

Regrello said the decision to move the vendors from the pavements to the streets meant they were not going to impede the flow of pedestrians or the entrances to the various stores.

“People can go into the stores freely. The street is blocked from Penitence Street to Mon Chagrin Street. It’s a trial and the possibility exists that we could probably go a little further up,” Regrello added.

He said the tents which the city provided to the vendors was “aesthetically pleasing.”

“What would have happened is that when there is bad weather or rain, they would go rushing out with tarpaulins and that don’t look professional,” Regrello said. He commended Senior Supt Zamsheed Mohammed and Ag Supt Gafoorfopr providing excellent security for shoppers.

“There is almost a station at the end of the street, one in the middle and manned by police officers and members of the Task Force, Air Guard and police and branch of the Gasparillo Police Station,” Regrello said.

He noted that store owners got a 48- hour advance notice so that they could put their orders in place, adding that the blockade wa s not enforced until 9am.

Regrello said jobs were scarce and this was a move to help people who were trying to earn an honest living.

Several of the vendors interviewed said they were thankful for the chance to sell during the peak Christmas period. However, they said pedestrian mall should have been initiated earlier. See Page A17

School teacher Lemoy Petit-Hunte has attained her Doctorate in Education with high commendation from the University of the West Indies, St Augustine.

Dr Petit-Hunte previously graduated with a Master in Education in Reading with Distinction and a Bachelor of Education degree with First Class Honours.

Petit-Hunte said she is passionate about education. Her research interests include reciprocal teaching, formative experiment methodology, instructional coaching, teacher professional development, and inclusive education.

Christmas time all around the world is known as a period for miracles, where people make wishes and say special prayers for specific things. In most cases, the “magic” of Christmas would allow for those prayers and wishes to come true.

Today, Christmas Day 2017, Dr Mark Ragoonanan and his wife Shelly Ramsamooj, of Lange Park, Chaguanas, both have their precious little angel, Isabella Faith, as their own living testimony of such a Christmas miracle.

Isabella, who is now nine months old, would not have been here today if it wasn’t for God’s miracle working power, which was boosted by the fervent prayers of her parents for her survival and a full bill of health.

As a foetus in her mother’s womb at 22 weeks, Isabella was diagnosed with Dolichocephaly – a condition where the head is longer than would be expected relative to its width and also the head’s circumference measuring two weeks behind.

In the second anomaly scan, on December 16, 2016, at 22+3 weeks’ gestation, the foetal skull contour was noted to be irregular.

“T&T is in the middle of a Zika epidemic and the findings are in keeping with a Zika-affected foetus,” the report stated.

This broke the newly-wedded couple’s hearts into pieces.

Ragoonanan said he remembered hearing the saddest screams ever from his wife that day.

“Shelly locked herself in the bathroom and screamed…it was the most painful screams ever. I felt like I was dying. I felt like all my dreams were squashed,” he told the T&T Guardian.

Ragoonanan, a man of tremendous faith in God, was on the brink of losing that faith at that point. But he called upon his spiritual leader, Pastor Winston Cuffie of Miracle Ministries International, to join with him and his wife in prayers for a much needed miracle.

“I remembered scratching off the word ‘Dolichocephaly’ from on the card and just pouring anointed oil over it and praying to God,” Ragoonanan said.

For a second opinion, the young couple did another anomaly scan later that said day at another doctor’s office in Port-of-Spain. The results threw them into further into depression and hopelessness.

“It gave me a jolt in my heart. The foetus’ head was measuring 20 weeks, not 22 weeks…it confirmed abnormalcy,” Ragoonanan said.

In denial, but still hoping for a miracle, the couple left for Miami on December 11, 2016, to shop for baby clothes.

“We were feeling sick inside while buying our baby stuff, our hearts heavy, knowing that our baby’s chances were slim, but we kept praying.”

Upon their return, on December 15, 2016, Ragoonanan got his worst birthday gift ever after another scan on their unborn child.

“The scan showed that the head was now lagging three weeks behind and now diagnosed with Microcephaly…but we kept praying and kept the faith despite our now hopeless state.”

Three days after, the couple returned to the US to get further medical advice at the Miller School of Medicine in Miami. The report was no different.

“We were given several detrimental options, no different to what we were told and given in T&T,” Ragoonanan said.

Upon their return home, the couple’s faith for a miracle began materialising in Ramsamooj’s womb.

“In Miami, I felt as though I was going through the pits of hell…but when we came back home and I woke up the morning, deep within me, I told my husband that my baby is well,” Ramsamooj said.

The couple, now radically moving by faith in God, went to Dr David Nehall, an obstetrician and gynaecologist foetal medicine specialist.

It was there, during the scan, …a miracle!

“Shelly had a high fever and we again prayed with our pastor before we went to Dr Nehall…when she woke up that morning and said our baby is well, we ran to Dr Nehall for further checks…he never saw us before. We had gotten our miracle!” Ragoonanan said.

“The baby’s head measured up as normal…everything was normalised…the overlapping of skull bones showed normal and the smooth brain contour showed up normal.”

According to Neehall’s report, dated December 23, 2016, “there are no obvious anomalies seen today, within the limits of a scan done at this gestational age. The estimated foetal weight today is on the 11th centile, the head circumference on the 14th, the abdominal circumference on the 6th, and the femoral length on the 27th centile. The placenta is posterior and high and the liquor volume is in the normal range.”

Ragoonanan said, “The baby was sucking her finger in the ultra sound…all was well…today, my wife and I have our little miracle baby, alive and healthy, with us celebrating her first Christmas.”

He added, “Despite every ultra-sound and the doctors giving us no hope with this being an “impossible” situation, our faith in Jesus Christ took us through and we knew that he would never forsake us. All glory to God…My first best Merry Christmas ever.”

If at first you don't succeed, try again and if the second time does not work, leave your sledge hammer and chisel and abandon your Christmas thievery.

This may not be the mantra of our local criminals, but it was what happened yesterday morning when for the second time in less than a month criminals attempted to steal money from First Citizens bank in Arima by burrowing through concrete and steel. They were unsuccessful.

In November, criminals made an attempt at easy cash but abandoned their pursuit. Police reports stated that the bank was notified of another unsuccessful attempt. Police said the discovery was made around 8 am and the bank's wall was not penetrated.

On November 27, employees of the branch realised that someone had unsuccessfully attempted to break into the bank and contacted the police. The bank remained closed for the day. Police said they have been making great breakthroughs in these type of burglaries where crooks target financial institutions particularly on long weekends.

Last week, there was another attempted break-in at FCB Arouca but again nothing was stolen. Three months ago, burglars stole $3.5 million from Montrose Chaguanas branch of FCB. In July Scotiabank’s Chaguanas branch was robbed of an undisclosed sum after burglars did the same thing, entered the institution through a hole they made and tampered with an ATM. Scotiabank’s St James branch was also broken into one month prior but the thieves could not get to the vault and left empty handed.

Also in July, Eastern Credit Union was robbed of $400,000 when thieves cut a hole and broke into a vault. In all the cases, the thieves entered either through the roof or an adjoining wall.

All the incidents took place on a weekend.

Following the airport robbery, the T&T Guardian contacted FCB asking if the the bank was being targeted specifically by the criminals. In an emailed response, Dexter Charles, Manager Corporate Communications said it is not factually correct to state that FCB was being targeted, when the broader incidences of financial crimes that are not reported are considered.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Radcliffe Boxhill, under whose supervision many of the aforementioned cases were solved, said police have been noticing that the culprits target financial institutions on weekends and have alerted officers to be on the lookout at all financial institutions on the weekend.

He added that security guards are advised to take all alarms seriously and for police and security officers to check all sides of financial institutions when making their checks.

Businesses that deal in precious metals are also given special consideration on weekends. Boxhill said the thieves may have been on their first night of work and may have been planning to return throughout the Christmas holidays to complete their mission.

Gunshots marred pre-Christmas festivities in Claxton Bay on Saturday night as gunmen opened fire on a couple, shooting them multiple times about the body and leaving them for dead.

Up to late yesterday, Akeem Rajack, 25, a scrap iron dealer and his girlfriend Laurel Gibbs, 35, of Gibbs Trace, Claxton Bay remained warded in a critical condition at the San Fernando General Hospital.

Rajack suffered three shots to the limbs and chest but the bullets missed his organs. Gibbs suffered gunshots to the abdomen and was said to be resting at the Intensive Care Unit.

Investigators believe the assailant came into Gibbs’ home sometimes around 7.20 pm and shot her. Rajack fled upon hearing the shots but he was chased and shot repeatedly.

Neighbours who heard the shots contacted the police who found Rajack bleeding at the side of the road. Both were taken to the hospital. Police said they have no motive for the crime. Anyone with infromation on the shooting can contact Crime Stoppers at 800-TIPS.

COP’S CAR STOLEN

A Police Constable who went to shop for Christmas lost his vehicle after it was stolen from the C3 car park yesterday.

Despite a heavy security presence at the car park of one of South Trinidad’s newest malls, the thieves were able to make off with the white B14 Sunny belonging to PC Nishan Samlalsingh attached to the Southern Division Task Force.

Samlalsingh told police he went to JTA Supermarket around 6 pm and returned an hour later to find his car gone. An All Points Bulletin was despatched for all officers to be on the lookout for the vehicle but it was not found. Investigations are continuing.

T&T is not legislatively poised to end gang warfare says High Court judge Frank Seepersad as he called for the “ identification, monitoring and punishment of gang activity” in the new year.

Delivering his sermon at the Marabella Presbyterian Church yesterday, Seepersad said there must be unity in the approach to counteract gangs.

His comments came just two weeks after the Anti-Gang Bill 2017 was defeated in Parliament as it failed to get the three-fifths majority because as 21 government members voted for, while 12 Opposition MP’s voted against with one abstention.

Saying a decade ago the then Justice Anthony Carmona warned against the emergence of gangs operating under the guise of social programs, Seepersad noted that ending the scourge of gang activity will not be simple or immediate.

Calling for legislative changes, Seepersad said, “We are currently not legislatively equipped to deal with the clear and present danger which gang activity presents and the common law is woefully inadequate to abate this type of conduct.”

“ With respect to the anti-gang legislative issue, the Court of Appeal considered the provisions of the anti-gang legislation in the case of Kevin Stewart and noted that it imposed stringent operational requirements for the law to be properly enforced,” Seepersad said.

He added, “ The court pointed out that proof of gang activity was no slam dunk issue. There can be no rational reason to be fearful of any legislation which seeks to eviscerate gang activity and our courts would always jealously guard, defend and protect the rights of citizens.”

Seepersad noted that a multifaceted approach was needed including legislative and civic changes.

“As to legislative action, the requisite training and resources must be made available to effectively identify, monitor and punish gang activity,” he explained. Seepersad said from a civic standpoint, citizens must develop a sense of civic pride and responsibility.

“Our society is under attack and the criminals are relentless. We have failed to foster and develop a sense of citizenship and a national identity...But in order to focus on our success as a country and as a people we must first lift our eyes from the potential divisions that surround us,” Seepersad added.

Calling for citizens to be united, Seeoersad said it is only then that T&T could tackle its socio-economic challenges.

“In such a small land we have so many grounds for divisiveness: African vs Indian, red vs yellow, rich vs poor, Christian vs Hindu, West vs, North vs Central, Trinidad vsTobago. Our diversity should be our most prized asset not our most pressing liability,” he said.

Saying family members must build and work together instead of pulling each other down. We, must be resolute with regard to our insistence for and the commitment towards national unity.

As T&T celebrates Christmas today, the nation’s youths are being urged not to forget their studies during this period of thanksgiving and sharing.

Extending holiday greetings yesterday, Education Minister Anthony Garcia implored students, “To maximise their downtime.”

He said, “Keep active, play, enjoy friends and family and in whatever way possible but also try to be of service.”

Garcia explained even as he stressed, “Children can never start too early learning the importance of benevolence and it is hoped that during this time and all through the year, parents take the time to teach students the importance of giving and helping those who may be less fortunate in any small way.”

Giving thanks for having made it through another calendar year, Garcia also acknowledged the hard work and efforts by the stakeholders in education including the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) and the National Parent Teacher Association (NPTA).

He said, “Each of you, from parents, teachers, principals, caterers, bus drivers, interest groups, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education Dr Lovell Francis, technocrats and the like, have all in no small way contributed to the educational development of our nation’s youth and for that we say thank you.”

Looking to the year ahead, the minister prayed, “May the new year bring with it renewed purpose and positive change where it is needed.”

He affirmed “The Ministry of Education will continue to do its part to deliver an education that is of good quality, accessible and equitable for all.”

“As you all enjoy the break from school, the Ministry continues to prepare your schools, examinations, curriculum and all the behind the scenes work that make for a successful school year in 2018.”

A poultry farm in Felicity, Chaguanas will have pending actions against it and may even face closure by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA).

This was yesterday disclosed by EMA’s corporate communications officer Mario Singh following the commencement of an investigation into complaints by residents of Greenidge Road Extension.

The residents complained of an awful stench emanating from a nearby duck farm.

In a release issued yesterday, Singh said a team of EMA’s investigators visited the farm yesterday and found it to be in breach of the Environmental Requirement to apply for and obtain a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) prior to commencing operations.

“The authority is also aware that other relevant arms of the State are actively investigating this matter to determine if the public health and other aspects of the farm’s operations are in compliance with statutory requirements,” Singh said.

“Once these investigations are completed, action will be taken against this farm, including, if necessary, the shutting down of the operations,” Singh added.

Korea Village resident Hemant Maharaj grew up in a broken home and never knew the fun and joy of having a toy for Christmas, now years later, Maharaj is able to bring joy to scores of children in the area in Carapichaima.

Maharaj, who now heads the Korea Village Outreach programme , is a well known community activist.

From a tender age of five, Maharaj, who grew up in Carlsen Field, started working to get money to buy food to eat and to help himself. From the many stories of how horrible his past was, he grew up with a mind of wanting change and a heart to help families in need.

“I never scorn and look down at people because I was once that way. After starting my family of my own - four daughters and one son, things were tough, sometimes my wife and I would go without food to make ends meet just to make sure my children were fed,” Maharaj said.

Maharaj formerly headed the then S.H.A.R.E programme (giving out hampers to those in need), then proceeded to tutor under the Ministry of Community Development. He was also a former president of the Korea Village Council. He is responsible for the now formulated community policing initiative to eradicate crime within the community.

Due to all his community service he was nominated and won the Prime Minister’s award for community service.

With the dedicated and continued support of the Couva North MP, Ramona Ramdial, Maharaj yesterday successfully pulled off his annual Christmas treat.

“Christmas time is all about giving and it is giving that you shall receive,” Maharaj said.

“Today (yesterday) we gave out snack bags to over 300 children and had Santa arrive on a fire truck…the children were very happy and I feel a sense of accomplishment when I see those smiles,” he added.

“Christmas is not just about generosity or charity; not only about giving alms and sharing gifts but has at its core the enlightening power of mercy and forgiveness.”

This is the message being conveyed by President Anthony Carmona today as the country celebrates Christmas.

In a joint message with his wife Reema Carmona, the President declared, “As a Nation, we need to heal, because we need healing.”

In their national message, Carmona thanked citizens for their resilience as he said, “Christmas is a season of love, reverence, compassion and kindness.”

“This country has my heart and soul and everything that impacts this Republic, impacts me as a citizen and as your President. My hope today, as always, is to bond with each of you, in hope, love, optimism and possible solutions to our national frailties.”

His wife added, “Trinbagonian Christmas is a grandiose celebration, an incandescent festival of merriment and an amalgamation of peoples, communities and a Nation.”

“As the Christmas season is widely observed by all in our multi- religious, multi- cultural, ‘Callaloo’ Nation and Caribbean Region, we must remember that the reason for the season lies first, in celebrating life and God’s love for us all, and then, living the best, most productive life, we can live for ourselves, for our families, for this Nation, for this very Planet.”

Carmona said Christmas was a time to reflect, to willingly expose our softer side, our compassion, our mercy and our capacity to forgive, a time to give without expectation.

He added, “There are gifts that mean much more, that cost little or nothing at all, giving to others, the gift of time, communication and bonding- yes- personalized time around our banquet of circumstances, giving added hope to those not sure of themselves those who are despondent those who are simply not happy.”

Carmona continued, “There is at times a pervading sadness in the air and individually and collectively, we must and can do something about this. Lend an ear, a helping hand, positive words of encouragement, be a genuine friend this Christmas. These gifts that will not wear and will stand the test of time. We must lift up rather than bring down or tear down.”

His sentiments were echoed by Mrs. Carmona as she urged parents, “Do not forsake your children, for they deserve your quality time and attention.”

“It is through your caring love that children will move forward in their adult lives with a greater sense of personal dignity, self-worth and self-esteem. If we wish to heal the world, then our homes must be sanctuaries.”

She went on, “Daddy, you must know your child. Speak to your children, embrace them, tell them you love them and you care and their true worth will shine and prosper.”

“Be the great mentor that you can be for your child’s sake and for the family at this Christmas time and beyond.”

“Mommy, your boy child loves you and therefore you are the entrusted cradle of our humanity. Supported by a father’s love, you all must tell your boy child that there is untold magic, benefit and godliness in doing right to each other, simply by doing good and being good. Tell them, both of you, that our women folk must be treated with respect and let your boy child know that compassion, mercy and forgiveness, are not weaknesses, but strengths.”

The President acknowledged that while we live in a world fraught with materialism - sometimes dictated by dollars and cents - it was all right to sometimes feel helpless if we do not have.

He urged persons, “As we enjoy our unique and culinary Christmas cuisine, spare a thought and possibly a plate for those among us who may not have a meal on this very day.”

Stephanie Mohammed, a Barrackpore mother of three, spent most of her life struggling to get out of poverty but now that she has finally found happiness, ill health is threatening to take everything away. She said her only wish for 2018 is to see her children, em, seven, Aleema, four and Alieyah, two, grow up.

Mohammed, 27, of Cunjal Road, Barrackpore, has been diagnosed with atrial fibilation, an erratic beating of the heart, which if left untreated could result in death. She has already undergone an electrophysiology study (EPS) to assess the abnormal heart rhythm at the Advanced Cardio Vascular Institute at West Shore Medical and requires another surgical procedure which surgery costs more than $200,000.

Mohammed is hoping the Ministry of Health will;cover the cost of that operation before her condition gets worse.

Sitting next to a Christmas tree devoid of decorations at her home yesterday, Mohammed said her family is struggling to pay their bills, buy food and cover her medical bills.

Were it not for help from her brother, Rias, Mohammed said she would not have been able to get the costly medications she has been prescribed.

“One set of the tablets cost $140 per box and that lasts two weeks. I also have other tablets that I must take but I don’t think the medication is working any more because the erratic heartbeat is getting worse,” she said.

Most people develop atrial fibrillation in their 70s due to wear and tear on the heart, Doctors are baffled that Mohammed developed the heart ailment at such a young age.

“They saying maybe I got the flu and didn’t get proper treatment. I don’t know,” she said. “All I want is to have a normal life so I can take care of the children.”

According to Mohammed, on some days the pain is so intense all she can do is to crawl to her bed and lie down, doubled up in agony.

She said: “I just grind the pain. I don’t want the children to see.”

In the days before Christmas, the chest pains were so excruciating that Mohammed’s husband, Shazim, who works at a nearby supermarket earning minimum wage, had to stay home from work to care for her.

Her mother-in-law, Neera Mohammed. who works at a chicken farm and assists the family with groceries.

“My husband works hard and sacrifices to make sure we have everything and I am thankful for my in-laws who really help me, but all I really want next year is to have better health.

“I want that surgery so that I can regain my strength and start caring for my children once more,” Mohammed said.

She said every morning when she wakes up, she prays for life: “I am scared that one day I would get a stroke or a heart attack and die. My husband gets frustrated and very worried if I am sick. I don’t know what will happen to them if anything bad ever happened to me.”

On Christmas Day, Mohammed managed to prepare a simple meal of rice, dhal and stewed chicken for her family.

She said: “Just doing a simple task like that means the world to me. I look forward to the new year with hope that someone would read my story and help me for the sake of the children.”

Anyone willing to help the family can contact Mohammed at 360-4373.

Parliament is a “national embarrassment” and politicians are responsible for “endless civilian casualties”, Presbyterian minister Rev Daniel Teelucksingh, a former independent senator, said in his Chirstmas Day sermon at the Susamachar Presbyterian Church in San Fernando yesterday.

He described T&T was a conflict society and said it was up to citizens to take back control.\

“Ours is a conflict society and herein lies the primary source of the great darkness in which we walk. But we cannot continue like this,” he said.

“The war in our country can come to an end f we want it to. We are the creators of our own darkness and we are the major players in the creation of a society of light.”

Teelucksingh said citizens must give peace a chance to heal the society and the wars on the streets must be stopped.

“There is war in gang conflict, bank robberies or invasion of homes. All and sundry can be victims. War created by the narcotic business involving dealers, drug barons, clients and users, pushers, marijuana cultivators, cocaine peddlers and unchecked trade with foreign-based narcotic producers and consumers, have created enough chaos,” he said.

Gender wars must also be stopped and women must be protected, he added: “Sexual harassment is on the front burner these days. Abuse of girls and women. heinous sex crimes against children and adults constitute a serious war which doesn’t seem to end.”

Teelucksingh also expressed concern that there is also a hate war among citizens/

“It is ever present. It is vile and vicious. The war between the have and the have nots, the anger and frustration from the lower end of the social ladder rumbles as a restless volcano, and sometimes explodes in violent expression,” he said.

“Domestic violence range from regular unreported minor offences, or from wounding to homicides. Man, woman and child can be victims, battered or killed wherever the home has become a war zone.

He added: “There is also a well known war at the Waterfront Centre, Level G7. Tower D. Yes, the Chamber of Private Wars , causing endless civilian casualties. Those wars have made Parliamentary performance a national embarrassment. “

Nopting T&T is a nation torn apart by itself, Teelucksinghh said: “Over 486 murders and the unsolved crimes of yesteryear are merely part of the war that consumes so much of our potential to be a great nation.”