PORT OF SPAIN, CMC -The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) says it has become aware of a video circulating on social media showing two men exiting a marked police vehicle near a bar and later brandishing objects resembling firearms, then walking across the roadway heading in a southerly direction into Siparia, south of Port of Spain. The TTPS said that the video was also aired on a television programme on Monday this week and has “understandably caused great public concern”. It added that it “takes this incident very seriously” and that “an immediate and comprehensive investigation”  has been launched into the matter. The police said that preliminary inquiries have revealed that on June 27, this year, officers attached to the Siparia Criminal Investigation Department (CID), acting on information, responded to reports of two armed men along a street in Siparia. They said the officers quickly proceeded to the area and apprehended two suspects, ages 18 and 24 years. “Officers searched the men, objects were found on their person, they were cautioned and conveyed to the Criminal Investigation Department, Siparia to continue enquiries. Investigations revealed that the suspects were dropped off earlier by a marked police vehicle, attached to the Criminal Records Office in Siparia. When questioned, the suspects confirmed that they got a lift to Siparia from a police officer the TTPS said in a statement. It said immediately upon confirmation of this development, a further investigation was conducted involving the officer who transported the two suspects. “Other persons were also interviewed and the officer provided a detailed report of the incident. Investigations have revealed that the officer was not involved in any collusion or criminal activity, and his actions were indeed in good faith, assisting what appeared to be stranded individuals.” The police said that following the incident, Avinash Vinton Allahar, 24, was charged with possession of a firearm on June 28, he appeared at the Siparia Magistrates’ Court and was fined TT$8,000 (One TT dollar=US$0.16  cents), with three months allowed for payment. In default, he faces 18 months of hard labour. However, the 18-year-old, who was found in possession of an imitation firearm, was released following a review of the case by senior officers. The TTPS said it “takes all matters that may erode the public’s trust and confidence in our organization very seriously and we remain committed to transparency and accountability. “The TTPS assures the public that we will continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and will take swift action against any form of misconduct or abuse of authority,” adding “we encourage anyone with any further information related to this incident to come forward and cooperate with the investigation”. Meanwhile, the police say they have seized a K-47 rifle,  a quantity of ammunition and several items of clothing with police insignia during an anti-crime exercise conducted in the North Eastern Divisio. Officers from the Morvant Criminal Investigations proceeded to Morvant, along the east west corridor, based on information received of illegal items being stored in a vehicle. “Upon arrival, the officers observed a Gold Honda Accord motorcar parked in a yard. Checks to the vehicle revealed, two police operational jackets, one operational pant, one black boot, three black hats, one police issued bulletproof vest, strobe lights, a pair of registration plates, a rifle and three magazines containing 90 rounds of 7.62 ammunition in the trunk”. No one has been arrested in relation to the discovery.

NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – Prime Minister Phillip Davis has announced the closure of schools on some islands in the Bahamas as he urged nationals to be prepared for tropical storm conditions as Hurricane Milton continues to strengthen as it approaches the western coast of Florida in the United States. In a nationwide broadcast, Prime Minister Davis said that the Met Office has upgraded the status for islands in the Northern Bahamas from a ‘Tropical Storm Watch’ to a ‘Tropical Storm Warning’ as the Category 5 hurricane is expected to hit Florida later on Wednesday. “This means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the next 36 hours on the islands of Abaco, Bimini and Grand Bahama, and the surrounding cays. While the threat is not as significant as that of the hurricane threat posed to our neighbours in Florida, we still need to take it seriously,” Prime Minister Davis said. He said because of the heavy flooding which is expected to result from this, after consultation with the Minister of Education, he is announcing that all schools on those islands will be closed until Friday, for in-person teaching. “We do not want our young people having to navigate large areas of flooding while getting to and from school,” he added. Davis said tropical storms are nothing new for the Bahamas given that “year after year we are told how we must prepare, and ready ourselves and our homes to keep us all safe. “But we know how quickly things can change. This storm in particular, has intensified extremely rapidly. And so, within the next 24 hours, it is important that you do all that you can to stay safe,” he said, adding that the Disaster Risk Management Authority has issued detailed guidance on how best to prepare. “Please don’t wait. If you haven’t already done so, start preparing immediately,” Prime Minister Davis said, adding that the Met Office advises that, as Hurricane Milton passes over Florida, tropical storm winds will be experienced on Abaco, Bimini and Grand Bahama, and the surrounding cays. “These islands have already experienced excessive rainfall since Sunday from another storm system. And so the ground is already saturated with water. Heavy rainfall has also been experienced on other islands in recent days, namely on Andros, The Berry Islands, New Providence and Eleuthera. And now the rainfall from Hurricane Milton is expected to intensify, especially on Wednesday.” Prime Minister Davis said that as a result there is likely to be extensive flooding and that the  Met Office is also advising that from noon on Wednesday, heavy rainfall is also expected on the other islands, namely Andros, The Berry Islands, New Providence and Eleuthera. He said that the Broadcast Alert System has already been activated on all mobile phones in the country and is urging everyone to “please pay attention to the alerts and follow the advice given”. Davis said that for the past several months, he has held monthly meetings with the Disaster Risk Management Team and compared to what was in the past, the team has greatly enhanced the degree of national preparedness. “They are co-ordinating efforts across all sectors, to ensure that the agency is ready to respond swiftly and effectively. I expect that those of you especially in Abaco and Grand Bahama may well find this time to be the cause of some anxiety.” Prime Minister Davis said given the projected path of Hurricane Milton, and the fact that it is not projected to make landfall in The Bahamas, there is no need for panic or alarm. “Even so, much has been learned and improved upon from past experiences. One of the lessons is that it is better to take extra precautions, rather than be taken by surprise by unforseen events. In other words: it’s better to be safe than sorry.” Prime Minister Davis said that the government is coordinating “our efforts with our consular offices and local Bahamian associations in Florida, to provide assistance wherever possible. “As Bahamians, we are no strangers to the challenges posed by tropical storms and hurricanes. We have faced them before, and we have emerged stronger each time. Let us remain vigilant, prepared, and ready to act,” he said in the broadcast.

Here is today’s weather forecast according to the Barbados Meteorological Services. Weather Forecasts Today From 6:00 a.m. Synopsis: A ridge pattern is the dominant feature. General Forecast: Mix of sunshine and clouds with a few brief isolated light showers. Haze Outlook: A layer of slight dust haze will be visible across the island. Tonight From 6:00 p.m. Synopsis: A ridge pattern will be the dominant feature. General Forecast: Partly cloudy with a few brief scattered light showers. Haze Outlook: A layer of slight dust haze will be visible across the island. Wind Forecasts Today From 6:00 a.m. Moderate east-southeasterly to easterly breeze from 30 to 35 km/h (19 to 22 mph). Tonight From 6:00 p.m. Moderate easterly breeze from 30 to 35 km/h (19 to 22 mph). Marine Forecasts Today From 6:00 a.m. Moderate in open water with swells ranging from 1.5 to 2.0 meters (5 to 7 ft.) and increasing. Tonight From 6:00 p.m. Moderate in open water with northeasterly swells ranging from 1.5 to 2.0 meters (5 to 7 ft.). Small craft operators and sea bathers along western coastlines should exercise caution. Tides, Sunrise & Sunset High Tide (First) 8:00 a.m. High tide (Second) 7:16 p.m. Low Tide (First) 1:37 a.m. Low tide (Second) 12:10 p.m. Sunrise 5:48 a.m. Sunset 5:43 p.m.