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Trinidad and Tobago will be strengthening economic and technical ties with Panama, with plans for this country to supply propane, butane, diesel, gasoline and bitumen, as well as industry knowledge to Panama as that country's demand for energy grows.

"Panama...is looking to Trinidad and Tobago for expertise and supplies of energy. As such we will make our service companies in both the private and public sectors available," said Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday.

She was speaking at a media briefing at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's after she and Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine met with a Panamanian delegation headed by Panama's Energy Minister Juan Manuel Urriola Tam.

Other items on the agenda included the supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Panama, and the acquisition of a bunkering licence for Petrotrin in the Panama Canal free zone, which will give access to bunkering ships and the local Panamanian market.

Tax concessions for the National Petroleum Marketing Company (NP) for the establishment of a blending plant in Panama, which will give Trinidad and Tobago the advantage of getting into the lubricant and additives market, were also discussed.

(Trinidad Guardian) – The Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has lifted the curfew on land and sea with immediate effect, but the state of emergency remains in effect.

After her meeting with the National Security Council, the PM declared that the state of emergency a success citing statistics which spoke to major reductions in criminal activity over the period, increased confidence in the protective services and greater participation by the community in the fight against crime.

According to the PM, the state of emergency has “saved our nation” and brought about a greater sense of safety. Declaring the battle “has been won”, the PM said that the state of emergency substantially reduced criminal activity, disturbed the drug cycle, strengthened intelligence gathering capabilities of the protective services and improved joint army/police forces.

The PM however reiterated that the state of emergency remained and that government reserved the right to impose a limited curfew if so advised by the National Security Council. She indicated that the government would be improving its monitoring and surveillance capability and capacity as well as it would be embarking on several social projects including an employment generating initiative to generate over 20,000 jobs in low-income communities.

The PM urged the citizens to be respectful of the law and thanked the many arms of the protective services; the Police, Defence Force and the Customs and Excise departments for their commitment to protecting the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. She praised the members of the medical profession, judiciary, emergency services as well as the business community for their patience and creativity during the period.

Band leader Edmundo Ros, the man credited with popularising Latin American music in the UK, has died at the age of 100.

His death was confirmed by showbusiness charity the Grand Order of Water Rats.

Secretary John Adrian said: "He died last night peacefully at his home in Spain, two months short of his 101st birthday".

Ros received an OBE for services to entertainment in the New Year Honours of 2000.

PRIME MINISTER Kamla Persad-Bissessar last night declared a limited State of Emergency in "hot spots" across the country which took effect from midnight.

Persad-Bissessar did not say where the State of Emergency's regulations would apply or when they would cease, saying she would give more details today. However sources indicated that it should apply in several areas across the country.

She said there was a need to implement strict conditions because of the crime spree over the weekend where 11 persons were killed in just over 48 hours. The Prime Minister said: "The current crime spree dictates that more must be done and stronger action has to be employed now. The situation cannot continue like this without a response commensurate with the wanton acts of violence and lawlessness; it must be a response as well that will halt the current spike in gang activity and crime in general in the shortest possible time".

Preliminary reports are that Olympic bronze medallist George Bovell III was injured in a vehicular accident Friday morning in Mayaro.

According to the Honourable Anil Roberts, Minister of Sport and Bovell's coach, the elite swimmer was heading to Mayaro after a practice session to recreate by going fishing when the accident occurred. Passersby are said to have assisted Bovell at the scene and rushed him to the nearest health facility.

Bovell is reported to have been unconscious but is now warded with moderate head injuries, including lacerations, at the Sangre Grande District Hospital.

Minister Roberts will visit the athlete at hospital this morning at around 945am. Further details about Bovell's condition will be released later today.

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Please be advised that George Bovell, injured in a vehicular crash Friday morning is presently being moved to the St. Clair Medical Centre for further treatment.

Minister of Sport, Anil Roberts is on his way to St. Clair to visit with Bovell at this time. A further statement will be forthcoming as more details are available.

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19th Aug, 2011 - The latest news on the injured George Bovell III is that he is alert and lucid, resting at the St. Clair Medical Centre.

Bovell and his family await the results of an analysis of a CAT scan conducted earlier today. All indications are that the swimmer's brain function has not been affected by the impact he suffered in the vehicle this morning in Mayaro.

Sport Minister Anil Roberts is presently on his way back to St. Clair to check on the athlete, who he coached to numerous medals for Trinidad & Tobago, including bronze at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

It's expected that Bovell should be discharged from the hospital on Saturday.

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21st Aug, 2011 - Injured Olympic medallist George Bovell moments ago was discharged from the St. Clair Medical Centre. Sports Minister and Bovell's swim coach Anil Roberts confirms that Bovell is experiencing a bad headache, but said that with sufficient rest, the athlete is expected to recover fully in about 8 days, after which Bovell is should be able to resume training for the upcoming Pan American Games in October.

Amy Winehouse was found dead in her apartment in London today ... TMZ has confirmed.

A press release from the Metropolitan Police, which doesn't specifically name Winehouse, says:

"Police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05hrs today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased.

On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained."

Last month, Winehouse canceled her European tour after a performance in Serbia where she seemed completely out of it.

Story developing ...

Qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will get under way on Wednesday with Trinidad hosting a preliminary match between Montserrat and Belize.

With 31 spots up for grabs at the tournament, the first of 832 qualifiers will be played in the Caribbean because of Montserrat's ill-equipped stadium.

Montserrat are ranked 202nd, 30 places below their opponents, and coached by 46-year-old Londoner Kenny Dyer.

"It's not easy trying to get players but there's national pride," Dyer said.

The two teams are competing in a first-leg match in Couva, hoping eventually to progress from the North, Central American and Caribbean (Concacaf) region.

“Never let go of your dreams... Don’t give up for you can achieve great things.” That’s the advice from newly-crowned Miss T&T Universe, Gabrielle Walcott, to women hoping to follow in her footsteps. Walcott beat out seven competitors at O2K Park, Chaguaramas, on Saturday evening, to cop the coveted title. She now goes on to represent T&T at the highly-anticipated Miss Universe Pageant, in São Paulo, Brazil, on September 12. No stranger to international competition, Walcott, who was second runner-up at the 2008 Miss World Pageant in South Africa, said while she was happy about her performance, she is still “shocked” that she had walked away with the crown. “I’m still in disbelief...I honestly feel that I’m going to wake up any minute,” she said. “It really hasn’t sunk in as yet. “From the minute I saw Wendy (former Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliams), it’s been my dream to win this competition...She crowned me last night (Saturday), so it’s come full circle and it’s so amazing.”

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD. 1 MAY, 2011 – At a historic public Presentation Show at O2 Park, Chaguaramas, the Top 8 Delegates for Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe were selected by a panel of esteemed and respected judges. The final eight delegates are as follows:

Miss Arima – Jessica Didier,
Miss Carnbee – La Tisha Hospedales,
Miss Diego Martin – Kristy St Rose,
Miss Glencoe – Greer Iton,
Miss Petit Valley – Gabrielle Walcott,
Miss Pleasantville – Cherrese K. Abreau,
Miss Roxborough – Shinequa M. Francis,
Miss Siparia – Renee Bhagwandeen.

Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner said yesterday he was in the dark as to how new Caribbean airline REDjet got the go-ahead to operate in Trinidad and Tobago.

REDjet's business development director Robbie Burns said yesterday the required approvals were obtained.

"REDjet has the required regulatory approval from Air Transport Licensing Authority in Barbados under the Air Services agreement between Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados to conduct our current commercial activities. We remain excited about our inaugural flight on May 8," Burns told the Express via phone yesterday.

Asked about REDjet's operations, Warner said he was clueless as to where the airline obtained its approvals.

With 410 plays, Machel Montano claimed the 2011 Road March title (in addition to the Soca Monarch crown) for Trinidad & Tobago Carnival with "Advantage". Benjai came second with 107 plays ("Trini"), followed by 61 plays for Iwer George ("Come to Meh") rounding off the 3rd spot.