​Message from Senator The Honourable Clarence Rambharat:  I am happy to say that the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has agreed to give priority to my request for the Scarlet Ibis to be declared an Environmentally Sensitive Species (ESS) under the Environmentally Sensitive Species Rules and for the Caroni Bird Sanctuary to be declared an Environmentally Sensitive Area in accordance with Environmentally Sensitive Area Rules. The mandatory 30-day period for public consultation will be announced shortly. In line with what I said needs to be done, once declared an ESS, the fine for poaching the Scarlet Ibis would be $100,000 - that is one hundred times the existing fine - with the possibility of up to 2 years imprisonment. (Photo credit: Looptt.com)

Message from the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
​Congratulations to the Men's 4x400m Team on their GOLD medal run at the IAAF World Championships in London. The relay team of Jarrin Solomon, Jereem Richards, Machel Cedenio & Lalonde Gordon finished in a time of 2:58.12.

Tobago-born Adjunct Lecturer, Criminologist, Researcher and Barrister, Dr Wendell C. Wallace won the 2017 Frederic Milton Thrasher Award for his research in gang activity.
The award was named in honour of Frederic Milton Thrasher-author of the book The Gang: 1,313 Gangs in Chicago. The award acknowledges scholarly works, on public safety issues, done by individuals, groups and organisations.
The National Gang Crime Research Center (NGCRC), the institution responsible for creating the award, does extensive research on gangs, gang members, and gang problems in cooperation with federal, state and local government agencies. It also disseminates up-to-date valid and reliable information about gangs and gang problems through its official publication- Journal of Gang Research.
The NGCRC also provides training and consulting services about gangs to federal, state and local government agencies.
In acknowledging the award, Dr Wallace, who hails from the village of Castara and attended Bishop’s High School, Tobago, said he felt “humbled”. “I feel honoured that my work is being recognised in the international arena.”
“I also feel humbled to know that someone from this part of the world can receive such an award,” Wallace also said.
Wallace, a lecturer in Criminology at the University of the West Indies (UWI), began doing gang research since 2006 and publishing his findings in 2009.
He has a B.A from the University of the West Indies(UWI), Postgraduate Diploma in Law LLB -University of London, Northumbria University, M.Sc. (Distinction) and a PhD from the University of the West Indies.
Here is a sample of Wallace’s work in gang research:
• 2014 - The Social Impact of the Hearts and Minds programme as a component of Hot Spot policing on communities in Laventille, Trinidad and Tobago. Journal of the Department of Behavioural Sciences, Vol. 3, (1), February 2014, pp. 44-64.
• 2013 - Better to be Alone Than in Bad Company. A Handbook About Gangs for Caribbean Parents and Children. Arawak Publications. Kingston: Jamaica.
• 2012 - “Findings from a concurrent study on the level of community involvement in the policing process in Trinidad and Tobago.” The Police Journal, Volume 85 (1), 2012. pp. 61-83.
• 2011 - “Introduction of a Community Involvement Component in Policing in Trinidad and Tobago: Reality or Rhetoric?” International Police Executive Symposium, Geneva Centre for the Control of Armed Forces and Coginta – For Police Reforms and Community Safety. Working Paper No. 37, August 2011. pp. 1-45.
• 2010 - “Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice: Continuing Myths or Promised Realities in Trinidad and Tobago”. Caribbean Journal of Criminology and Public Safety, 15 (1&2). pp. 359-398.
• 2009 - “The Impact of Tourism on Crime in a Small Island Developing Tourist Island Destination: The Case of Tobago”. Caribbean Journal of Criminology and Public Safety, 14, (1&2). pp. 186-213.
Source:  Tobago News

In 2006 when businessman Bertram Dookeran found out that a plot was being hatched to kidnap his 22-year-old son, he took the tough decision and sent him to the United States for safe keeping.
Eleven years later, Runcie Kiran Dookeran, the nephew of former Congress of the People leader Winston Dookeran, is now flying the T&T flag having recently been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps commendation medal from the Department of the Navy for his leadership qualities, commitment to duty, dedication and loyalty to the United States government.
Contacted by the T&T Guardian, the elder Dookeran, a father of three, spoke in glowing terms of his 33-year-old son, who has not only made him proud but also his country.
Earlier this month, the award was presented to Kiran by the Navy’s Lt Commander Lopez in San Antonio for upholding the highest traditions of the US naval service.
While basking in the glory of his last son’s accomplishments, Bertram wished his son’s mother, Leela Dookeran, could have celebrated with him. Leela died in 2008.
Bertram, 71, recalled that after enrolling Kiran at the University of The West Indies’ St Augustine campus to pursue linguistics, he had to pull him out of school because he could not remain focused.
“He kept ducking classes and would go to the river with his friends and cook and lime. I told him he was wasting time and brought him into my stock piling business in Mt Hope to manage my accounting books,” Dookeran recalled.
But after a few months on the job, Dookeran said he got wind that there was a plot to kidnap Kiran, which terrified his family.
“I didn’t want to take any chances with Kiran’s life so I decided to send him away,” Dookeran said, as he broke down in tears last Wednesday, stating that it was one of the toughest decisions he had to make in his life.
He said at that time there had been an upsurge of kidnappings for ransoms in the country and he had to protect Kiran from harm or death.
Dookeran said when Kiran migrated his heart shattered to pieces and his family life changed.
“Life was not the same. But eleven years later I can smile and feel proud knowing that all was not lost. Out of evil cometh good,” Dookeran said.
He said when Kiran settled in the US he began pursuing pharmaceuticals and to his surprise, his son began excelling.
Academic prowess
Kiran’s academic prowess did not go unnoticed. The Navy saw his potential and encouraged him to join. Kiran was enrolled as a petty officer and was assigned to the Osbourne Branch Dental Clinic, where he topped his class. By 2009, Kiran was posted to Iraq as a dental assistant, where he earned his first US Navy and Marine Corps commendation medal for going beyond the call of duty.
“Then the Navy sent him to work as a dental instructor at the San Antonio Hospital and this is where he was recognised for his accomplishments,” Dookeran said.
During an interview on Skype, Kiran, who recently graduated with an associate degree in Applied Science at the Thomas Edison State University, said his motivation to succeed came from his dad, who taught him the values of hard work, honesty and integrity.
“Some people take the easy street to get things quickly. I have never seen that in my dad. I have always known him to be honest, a hard worker and someone with integrity.”
Kiran said he lives by these three qualities as he tries to walk in his father’s shoes.
“I wasted time at UWI. It was only when I came to the US I realised how important education was and how far it can take me,” said Kiran, a former St Mary’s College student.
But had it not been for self-motivation and time management, Kiran said he still would not made it this far.
“When I got this award I was overwhelmed with joy because even though I am not in Trinidad, I have been trying to be a positive representative for my country,” Kiran said.
“Sometimes you hear negative things about Trinidadians being deported from the US for drugs or guns and it always paints a bad picture for external citizens. I just want to promote that not all Trinidadians are bad.
“We do make accomplishments because of the school we attend, the community we grow up in and the teachings from our family.”
He observed that T&T was losing its community spirit.
Asked if he had any regrets about the path he took, Kiran said no.
“I don’t live my life with regrets. I believe everything happens in due timing. But I am saddened that I could not live my life in Trinidad and Tobago to contribute to society.”
He opted not to talk about his tour and experiences in Iraq.
“I came back safely compared to a lot of other guys. A lot of guys come back with post-traumatic stress disorder. I consider myself very blessed because I prepared myself before going there being in the medical field. I would like to leave those situations there.”
Kiran, whose allegiance lies with US government, said he hopes to serve the full 20 years in the navy.
Source:  Trinidad Guardian

Trinidadian born Art and Museum Educator Daniela Fifi has been appointed Vice President of Programs and Education at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum effective Monday July 10.
In her new role, Ms Fifi will be responsible for creating and implementing annual and long range plans for the BCM and will shape the vision and strategy for exhibitions, education and outreach, public programs and museum collections to create high quality, innovative and meaningful early childhood programs.
Her appointment is the latest in a long list of achievements which have been earning Ms Fifi a sterling reputation in the field of art education during the past few years.
Prior to her arrival in the United States, Ms. Fifi worked at the National Museum and Art Gallery of Trinidad and Tobago for three years and has subsequently been awarded numerous professional and academic honors including the President’s Scholar Award from the Pratt Institute, the Museum Education Research Fellowship at the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Columbia University Teacher’s College International Student Merit Award.
In 2015, while pursuing her Doctorate in Art Education at Teacher’s College, Columbia University, she beat out a competitive field of art and museum educators to earn the prestigious Samuel H. Kress Interpretive Fellowship Award, which she pursued at the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery at Columbia.
In 2016 she added two more important credits to her growing resume.
She was awarded a grant by Teacher’s College, Columbia University to organize a conference on the Social Responsibility of Museums and Cultural Institutions. Among the key note speakers at the successful event was Alissandra Cummings, Director of the Barbados Museum & Historical Society and former Chairperson of the Executive Board of UNESCO.
Shortly afterwards, Ms. Fifi was nominated by the British Arts Council to be one of three Caribbean representatives to attend the prestigious Museums What For Conference in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, at which she attended meetings and offered a Caribbean perspective on implementing best practices and partnerships among key institutions in the museums sector around the world.
Founded in 1899 by The Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is the world’s first museum designed expressly for children.
Listed by Forbes Magazine as one of the 12 best children’s museums in the United States, it is New York City’s first and only LEED-certified green museum and demonstrates innovative uses of alternative energy sources and renewable building materials.
It remains one of only a handful of children’s museums with a permanent collection, which today includes nearly 30,000 cultural and natural science objects that are utilized in programs, exhibitions, and media.
Source: Repeating Islands

Government has purchased the controversial Buccoo Estate in Tobago, popularly known as No Man’s Land, for $174, 806,775 million.
The 398.42 acre property, which is listed as one of the CL Financial’s (CLF) assets, was sold earlier this year. Each acre was valued at US$65,000, bringing the total value of the secluded property to US$25,897,300.
In 2016, Clico carried on its balance sheet the value of the land at roughly $187 million. The transfer agreement was completed on March 2017.
However, at a press conference last week, Carlton Reis, who represents CL Financial shareholders under the group United Shareholders Ltd, had estimated the land at $500 million.
Clico Policyholders Group chairman Peter Permell, in a July 16 Sunday Guardian article, said a Project Rebirth report prepared by PricewaterhouseCoppers estimated the fair market value of the property at approximately $867 million.
The land will be offered to Sandals chairman Gordon “Butch” Stewart for the construction of two hotel resorts comprising 750 rooms.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley confirmed Government purchased the property at market value. He said an issue was raised recently about Government’s taking possession of the CLF assets, noting it was argued that what was on the books was not the real value and Government should have sought a valuation.
“But it was said that the lands we took in Tobago in lieu of the debt and set off against the debt might have been improperly done and the value might not have been established properly. Let me today put that to rest,” he said.
“The Government, quite properly, through the relevant authority in all of this, the board set off the monies owed for the value of those land. And the value was established by reputable independent valuators in Trinidad and Tobago. And that is the value at which the Government’s debt was reduced by virtue of the value of this land.”
The PM warned all those who have been saying the Government took possession of the land and paid “half X for it... nothing is further from the truth. The law requires that any disposal of assets under the Central Bank, as it is now holding assets for Clico…any disposal requires fair market value. And that is exactly what we got in that.
He said the valuation was based on an analysis of 100 per cent of the common stock of Occidental Investments Ltd and Oceanic Properties Ltd, owned by Clico.
Rowley said a lot of misinformation was being put out in the public domain by people who were unaware “but who are fuelling conspiracies and ascribing misconduct to the Government” was misleading.
“Those lands would have been acquired by the Government at full market value established by reputable valuators.”
Rowley left a copy of the valuation for the media’s perusal, but did not field questions about the land.
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Deputy Port of Spain Mayor Hillan Morean has announced that the street will be renamed in honour of Janelle Penny Commissiong, this country's first Miss Universe.
Commissiong won the pageant on July 16, 1977, becoming not only this country's first winner but the first black woman to have won the title.
Sunday will mark 40 years since the historic achievement.
In a statement, Morean heaped praises on Commissiong and said the city of Port of Spain remains proud of her many achievements.
"The city council of the Port of Spain Corporation along with the burgesses of the city remain very proud of Penny, our very own Queen. We commend her for her many accomplishments, national contributions, her legacy and the work she continues to do with excellence."
In a show of pride and appreciation, he said the Port of Spain City Council has decided to rename Queen Street to Janelle Commissiong Street.
The decision was taken after discussions with stakeholders including the Downtown Owners and Merchant's Association (DOMA).
Morean said more discussions are ongoing to ensure that there is proper consultation.
Queen Street is also set to get a major facelift with general rehabilitation works being planned. Morean said sidewalks, drainage and road infrastructure in and around Queen Street are marked for restructuring, to enhance the aesthetics of the area.
"It is with great anticipation that the Port of Spain Corporation looks forward to the upgrade of the general infrastructure of the central business district area," he added. 
The rehabilitation project is being overseen by Councillor Stephen Harper, chairman of the planning committee.
"It is a great pleasure to solidify this historic moment which revolutionized the way the world looked at beauty," Harper said.
Morean added that the city council intends to recognize national icons who continue to make T&T proud.
"Once again allow me to say congratulations to our Queen, Mrs Janelle Penny Commissiong and to Trinidad Tobago on this very historic and signature moment in the life of the history of our city and nation."

If you are a fan of sci-fi or get a thrill from the latest tech-toys and apps available on the market, then you can relate to Kervon Ryan.
The former pupil at Queen's Royal College, got the opportunity of a lifetime to go to the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC)in San Jose, California, USA, recently.
This event is held annually by Apple to showcase its new software and technologies for software developers.
It also provides great networking prospects for developers to attend sessions and meet with Apple experts.
This is a most sought after event for the best and brightest in technology from around the world, so much so that it is compared to like winning the lottery.
Source:  Trinidad Express July 2017