The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) is advising citizens to stay prepared for the upcoming 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which begins on 1st June, 2024 and runs until 30th November, 2024.
Below is the list of twenty-one (21) tropical cyclone names that will be used for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season (in alphabetical order):
The Met Office notes that there are six (6) lists of names for tropical cyclones that develop in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the North Atlantic. The six (6) lists are used in rotation and recycled every six (6) years, (i.e. the 2024 list will be used again in 2030). The list of names covers only twenty-one (21) letters of the alphabet as it is difficult to find six (6) suitable names (one for each of the 6 rotating lists), starting with Q, U, X, Y and Z. Since 1953, Atlantic tropical cyclones have been named from lists originated by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida. They are now maintained and updated by an international committee of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). For more information on tropical cyclone naming, visit: https://wmo.int/content/tropical-cyclone-naming. Please be guided accordingly.
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Commissioner of Police, Erla Harewood-Christopher, is commending the invaluable contribution of Police intelligence units in the successful dismantling of a prominent international drug trafficking network, resulting in the apprehension of an international criminal.
On 5th April, 2024, the Spanish National Police, in collaboration with international agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the National Crime Agency (NCA), and law enforcement from the Netherlands, France, Ireland, Trinidad and Tobago, along with other regional and international law enforcement agencies, successfully dismantled a prominent international drug trafficking network. This criminal organization, operating primarily in the Spanish Levante area, was intercepted while transporting a ton of cocaine via sailboat from Suriname to Valencia. In a Media Release on Friday (26th April, 2024), the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said the operation resulted in the seizure of 1,165 Kilograms of cocaine hidden aboard a sailboat, with another ton of the narcotic substance intercepted. A total of thirty-one (31) individuals associated with the organization were arrested, while assets totaling ten (10) million Euros were seized, including three (3) boats valued at 4.2 million Euros, forty-four (44) vehicles, forty (40) branded watches, sixty (60) works of art, fifty-four (54) mobile phones, and a virtual cryptocurrency wallet. Additionally, forty-four (44) properties were seized and seventy-four (74) bank accounts were blocked. This operation, initiated in mid-2022, involved co-operation among many regional and international arms of law enforcement. The arrest of the international criminal was a significant breakthrough in the fight against transnational organized crime. The TTPS played a pivotal role in this operation by providing crucial intelligence on the crew and the said sailboat involved in the drug trafficking operation. The vessel implicated in the drug trafficking operation, arrived in Trinidad and Tobago in April 2023, with four (4) crew members from Suriname. A TTPS intelligence unit diligently monitored the crew and the vessel while docked at Chaguaramas, contributing significantly to the success of the operation. Their meticulous work filled critical gaps in the intelligence framework and facilitated the development of key relationships with foreign partners, based on the information provided. CoP Christopher praised the dedication and professionalism of the Officers involved, stating, “The outstanding work done by the Officers in the apprehension of this notorious international criminal, demonstrates Trinidad and Tobago's unwavering commitment to global security. When we help dismantle the international criminal networks who ply their trade in our jurisdiction, we help ourselves, as we weaken the regional and local drug trafficking networks and reduce the impact of transnational organized crime. The TTPS stands ready and able to play its role in supporting complex international criminal investigations.”
Peter Smith has left Tobago and is currently receiving further medical treatment in Miami. According to reports, the 64-year-old British national, who was brutally attacked by a ferocious bull shark on Friday morning (26th April, 2024), was airlifted to Miami via medical evacuation on Monday evening (29th April, 2024).
The harrowing shark attack, which made headlines around the world, including on BBC and Fox News, occurred while Smith was bathing about ten (10) metres from shore at Courland Bay last Friday. He sustained severe injuries which included a laceration on the stomach, damage to his left hand and thigh as well as tissue damage.
The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) said the incident involved a bull shark, estimated to be between eight (8) to ten (10) feet (2.4m to 3m) long and two (2) feet (60cm) wide. Following the attack, ten (10) beaches on the island were restricted for bathing and all marine activities until further notice. Smith was a guest at the Starfish Hotel in Tobago at the time and was expected to leave for the United Kingdom on the day of the incident. More on this as it becomes available. [Source: CNC3]
Three (3) Police Officers are dead following a shooting incident at a home in Charlotte, North Carolina, this afternoon (Monday 29th April, 2024). A total of eight (8) Law Enforcement Officers were shot during the incident, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief, Johnny Jennings. The Officers were said to be attempting to serve a warrant at a home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Among the three (3) dead Officers are a Deputy U.S. Marshal and two (2) local Task Force Officers, authorities say.
According to reports, the shooting unfolded in the 5000 block of Galway Drive as members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force were serving a warrant for possession of firearm by a convicted felon, Police Chief Jennings said at a Press Conference this evening.
The Officers were subsequently met with gunfire from a “high-powered rifle” and returned fire, fatally shooting a suspect in the front yard of the house. Jennings said the U.S. Marshals had been serving the warrant to that suspect. “As Officers approached, they received additional gunfire from inside the residence,” the Police Chief said. Three (3) members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force were killed, Jennings said. In a statement to CNN, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed one of the dead was a Deputy U.S. Marshal. Four (4) Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officers were also shot, including one who is in critical condition, “fighting for his life” in the Hospital, the Police Chief said. The other Officers are in stable condition. The Chief did not identify the Officers as authorities are working to notify their families.
Investigations are continuing.
More on this as it becomes available. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. [Source: CNN]
Pictured Above: A bull shark in the ocean. Photo Credit: Britannica.
A British national who was seriously injured in a shark attack in Tobago on Friday morning (26th April, 2024) is “aware of what is happening” and “able to communicate,” according to his wife. The victim, identified as 64-year-old Peter Smith of Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, was vacationing on the island with his wife, Joanne Smith, and friends, when he was brutally attacked by a ferocious bull shark in Courland Bay. His wife said two (2) of their friends stayed in the water to “battle the shark.”
Smith is currently in intensive care at the Scarborough General Hospital, where he is in a stable condition.
“Peter has suffered damage to his left arm and leg, puncture wounds to the abdomen and injuries to his right hand, the full extent of which are still being evaluated,” said Mrs. Smith. Hospital medics are now deciding on “the future course of treatment,” she added.
The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) said the incident involved a bull shark, estimated to be between eight (8) to ten (10) feet (2.4m to 3m) long and two (2) feet (60cm) wide. THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said on Saturday (27th April, 2024) that Smith had some fingers re-attached following the shark attack, with “significant wounds” to one of his legs that would require “extensive work.” A $10,000 reward which was previously offered to any “registered fishermen” who could capture the bull shark and move it away from the beaches, was retracted, the Chief Secretary announced on Saturday.
Smith’s wife said on Sunday (28th April, 2024), “As of 9:00 AM local time today, Peter is aware of what is happening and is able to communicate a little, although he is still under strong medication.” She thanked “all those that assisted at the scene, and especially the two (2) friends that remained in the water to battle the shark.”
Mrs. Smith also thanked “the wonderfully kind people of Tobago for all their help and support.” Water Sports Manager at the nearby Starfish Hotel, Orion Jakerov, who witnessed the horrific attack, said other persons in the water at the time were “physically trying to fight off the shark.” Speaking to TTT Live Online, Jakerov said, “I don't think they saw it. They were about waist height in the water so they weren't out of their depth. I think their backs were turned and they were just kind of lounging around. Nobody saw the shark coming.”
Authorities have since closed ten (10) beaches and all coastal areas between the town of Plymouth on the island's Northern coast and Store Bay on its Western tip, a stretch of around seven (7) miles (11.3 Km), in the wake of the attack. Drones were being used to carry out surveillance of the area, and anyone operating a boat was urged to exercise caution.
According to the BBC, bull sharks are known to be aggressive and are most often found in shallow waters along tropical coastlines, making them — along with great white and tiger sharks — among the species most likely to come into contact with, and attack, humans. More on this as it becomes available. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. [Source: BBC] For the second time in less than two (2) weeks, Federal Agents from the Embassy of the United States representing the United States Marshal Service (USMS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), working closely with units from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, Port-of-Spain Division (TTPS), facilitated an arrest for an extradition warrant.
In a Media Release today (Thursday 25th April, 2024), the U.S. Embassy said on 17th April, 2024, Vincent Roberts, a U.S. Permanent Resident fugitive wanted in the state of New York for attempted murder, was arrested in the Laventille area of Trinidad. Also playing key roles and critical to the operation’s success were the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the Kings County, New York, District Attorney’s Office. Roberts will be held in custody as the extradition process is finalized for his eventual return to the United States to stand trial for his alleged crimes. “U.S. Federal Agents worked closely with TTPS in co-ordination and planning, during an exhaustive manhunt spanning multiple months, to locate and arrest the subject,” the U.S. Embassy added. U.S. Ambassador Candace Bond said, “For the second time in two (2) weeks, the extensive co-operation and close working relationship between United States and Trinidad and Tobago law enforcement agencies highlights the strength and effectiveness of our bilateral partnership. Nations working together to bring criminals to justice is a critical mission around the world, and others can now look to our joint efforts between the United States of America and Trinidad and Tobago as an example to emulate. We are very proud of our shared success and are eager to continue our efforts to provide safety and security to the people of our two (2) great countries.” [Source: U.S. Embassy Trinidad & Tobago] A fugitive wanted by United States authorities for serious offenses, was captured yesterday (Wednesday 17th April, 2024) during a joint intelligence-led operation. According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the suspect was arrested pursuant to outstanding warrants for the offences of attempted murder in the second degree, attempted assault in the first degree and possession of a weapon in the second degree, committed within the jurisdiction of the United States of America.
The TTPS initiated the pursuit of the suspect following intelligence received from an international source in March 2024. The intelligence suggested that the suspect was in Trinidad, after he fled the United States to evade law enforcement investigations. The suspect, who allegedly returned to Trinidad in December 2022, had reportedly taken measures to conceal his whereabouts, including relocating to an undisclosed address within the Laventille area. While undertaking diligent surveillance efforts, the TTPS said Officers observed the wanted man walking along Despers Crescent on Wednesday (17th April, 2024). Subsequently, an intelligence unit of the TTPS along with Officers of the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB), swiftly co-ordinated an operation leading to his apprehension. The Officers executed the extradition warrant and the suspect was taken into custody and conveyed to the Woodbrook Police Station, where he remains detained, pending further legal proceedings. The TTPS said it “remains committed to collaborating with international law enforcement agencies to ensure that fugitives are brought to justice, regardless of their location.” Pennywise Cosmetics has been prohibited by a Judge from selling the ZO Skin Health brand of medical-grade skincare products in its ten (10) retail stores across the country. Pennywise is one of the largest retail chains in the Caribbean, which specializes in health and beauty products. ZO Skin Health is manufactured in the United States.
The order was made on Friday (12th April, 2024) by Justice Joan Charles, who granted an injunction to the Maraval-based dermatology clinic, Skin Health Institute (SHI), led by Dr. Rachel Eckel, who has used the ZO Skin Health brand at her clinic for the past seven (7) years. In an application for the injunction, Dr. Eckel and SHI maintained that the ZO product line was medical-grade and was intended to be physician-controlled only, so the products could only be sold through physician-dispensed channels. The injunction application contended that in August 2023, the claimants — SHI, Dr. Eckel and Barbados-based Dermedica Medical Limited, the exclusive distributor of the ZO product line in the Caribbean — discovered that Pennywise began selling twenty (20) items from the ZO product line. “Pennywise is neither a ZO subsidiary, sales agent partner nor a ZO distribution partner…” It also contended that Pennywise purported to have permission to sell the products when it was not authorized to do so. The three (3) claimants have alleged Pennywise engaged in unfair competition, “passing off” the product, misrepresenting its association with the products and engaging in “deception” by its advertising of the ZO products while telling its customers they could get a prescription from Dr. Eckel or get advice from her and SHI. Dr. Eckel and SHI further contended that Pennywise’s actions, in linking itself to them, were “an overt act intended to make a connection…and thereby cause damage to the claimants’ sales and reputation.” Pennywise’s Attorneys, however, argued that the company had breached no law and had always engaged in honest business practices. They also pointed out that ZO products were available, without a prescription, from international retail sources such as Walmart, Amazon and eBay. Pennywise’s defence said the company had no interest in being associated with SHI or Dr. Eckel as it had its own independent, well-established reputation while also accusing both of attempting to “obtain a monopoly” over the local sale of ZO products. This, the local retail chain said, was contrary to the spirit and tenor of the Protection Against Unfair Competition Act. Their Attorneys also pointed out that the ZO product labels show that physician supervision is not mandatory for persons using the ZO products, while accusing the claimants of setting out to “create fear and hysteria. Additionally, the importation of the products was not flagged by any Government agency as being illegal and/or unlawful.” In her ruling, Justice Charles said it was not in dispute that the ZO line of products was introduced by SHI and Eckel in 2016. She said from the evidence presented, it showed that Pennywise’s employees were relying on the reputation and goodwill of SHI to sell the products and there were “false statements” as being the exclusive distributor. “The advertisements, signage and statements combined to create a false impression to the public and were likely to deceive customers into believing that Pennywise had collaborated with the claimants in providing the products for sale and that it was the sole distributor of said products. I, therefore, hold that there is evidence of an intention to deceive the public which could likely lead to the public being deceived.” She further stated, “The issue regarding the authenticity of the products on sale by the defendant is one for trial, but at this stage, it is clear that they did not have exclusive rights to sell the products neither were they sourced from the manufacturer as the claimants’ products were.” According to the Judge, SHI and Dr. Eckel stood “to lose more” on sales if Pennywise was allowed to continue to sell the ZO product line until trial. Pennywise was therefore prohibited from passing off ZO Skin Health products until the trial, could not sell the line at its stores, and had to remove all the products from the line from its shelves, as well as all advertising material and social media posts. Pennywise had previously agreed to remove the line from its shelves in October 2023, until the Judge gave her decision on the injunction application. The ZO line of products was invented by Dr. Zein Obagi, a Pathologist and Dermatologist with forty (40) years of clinical experience. SHI, Dr. Eckel and Dermedica Medical Limited were represented by Attorneys Terrence Bharath, SC, Shiv Sharma and Daniella Bharath, while Pennywise was represented by Larry Lalla, SC, Vivek Lakhan-Joseph and Taruna Mangroo. More on this as it becomes available. [Source: Newsday] Pictured Above: Israeli air defenses intercept some Iranian strikes over Jerusalem early Sunday, local time. Photo Credit: CNN. Iran launched an unprecedented large-scale drone and missile attack against Israel last night (Saturday 13th April, 2024), in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria, raising the prospect of a full-blown regional conflict. According to reports, more than 300 projectiles, including around 170 drones and over 120 ballistic missiles, were fired toward Israel in an immense aerial attack overnight. However, according to the Israeli military, “99%” of them were intercepted by its aerial defense systems and its “partners.” The reprisals marked the first time the Islamic Republic has launched a direct assault on Israel from its soil, marking a dangerous new inflection point in the fast-widening Middle East conflict. Iran has since issued a stern warning that it will respond with “stronger and more resolute” actions if Israel retaliates over this weekend’s strikes, according to Tehran’s Ambassador to the United Nations. In a phone call with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday night, United States President Joe Biden made clear the U.S. would not participate in any offensive operations against Iran, re-affirming “America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel,” CNN was told by a Senior White House Official. Biden told Netanyahu he should consider the events of Saturday night a “win” as Iran’s attacks had been largely unsuccessful, and instead demonstrated Israel’s “remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks.” The U.S. assessed that almost all of the drones and missiles, including more than 100 ballistic missiles launched by Iran, had been knocked out of the sky. No cruise missile made impact and nothing of “value” was hit, according to the Administration Official. There have also been no reports of injuries suffered directly through Iranian strikes, according to Israel’s Emergency Service, though it said a 7-year-old girl had been severely injured by shrapnel from Israel’s interceptor missile.
More on this as it becomes available. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. [Source: CNN] O.J. Simpson, one of the most infamous figures in America and former NFL running back, passed away last night (Wednesday 10th April, 2024) after a battle with cancer. He was seventy-six (76). According to a statement released by his family, “On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer.” He died surrounded by his children and grandchildren, they said. “During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace,” the Simpson family added. Simpson became one of the most infamous figures in America after he was charged with murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman in 1994. He was later cleared of their murders. Simpson, a former football running back who played eleven (11) seasons with the Buffalo Bills, reinvented himself as an actor before Brown and Goldman's murders. Although cleared of the murders, his reputation was ruined forever and the latter part of his career was marked by a series of seedy ventures.
After being acquitted, Simpson went on to be found civilly liable for the murders and was later forced to pay out US $33.5 million in damages to the Brown and Goldman families. He faced further legal troubles when he was sentenced to nine (9) to thirty-three (33) years behind bars for armed robbery in Nevada in 2008. It was previously reported that Simpson was battling prostate cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy. More on this as it becomes available. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. [Source: DailyMail] |
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