PNM chairman Franklin Khan appeared before senior magistrate Lianne Lee Kim yesterday charged with six counts of misbehaviour in public office, the Trinidad Guardian reported. He was granted $250,000 bail to cover the six bribery charges. Unlike previous occasions, when arrested politicians entered the court via the prisoners’ entrance, Khan managed to avoid media personnel eagerly awaiting his arrival there. Khan, who resigned as Works and Transport Minister earlier this year, was instead ushered into the Duke Street entrance used by some of the court’s magistrates. This annoyed some court police officers who said they viewed Khan as any ordinary man who had been charged.

No turkeys, chicken or poultry by-products will be imported this Christmas as Government moves to avoid the killer bird flu virus, the Express reported. Another report said that the prices of turkeys and ducks are set to go up. Duck prices are poised to increase from $12 to $15 a pound while live and processed turkey will likely go up.

Nine of the 12 men arrested and charged with illegal quarrying have pleaded guilty to the charges and were fined $200 each. The other three who pleaded not guilty and were granted their own bail are to reappear in court on December 1.

THE MAIN suspect in the series of bombings in downtown Port of Spain and St James was last night detained under anti-terrorism legislation, effectively blocking legal attempts to have him freed after five days in police custody, the Express reported.

High Court judge Mark Mohammed granted a detention order under section 23 of the Anti-Terrorism Act allowing the police to keep Lenville Small in custody for a further 48 hours, until tomorrow, without charge.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of People's National Movement (PNM) party chairman and former Works and Transport Minister Franklin Khan on corruption charges to wit misbehaviour in public office, the Express reported.

FORMER coup leader Imam Yasin Abu Bakr was yesterday slapped with a terrorism charge that could put him behind bars for 25 years if convicted, the Express reported. Using the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act for the first time since it became law on September 13, Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson directed that the leader of the Jamaat al Muslimeen be charged with committing a terrorist act.

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Bahrain's attempt to have their 2-1 aggregate World Cup playoff defeat by Trinidad & Tobago annulled has been rejected by FIFA.

A late Bahrain 'goal' in their 1-0 second leg home loss was disallowed by Colombian referee Oscar Julian Ruiz Acosta for dangerous play as Trinidad made the finals for the first time.

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CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO CLIP OF THE GOAL
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Nov. 18, 12 pm UPDATE: KELVIN JACK's Club Boss Alan Kernaghan was said to be fuming over the goalkeeper's absence. Kelvin Jack was set to go from World Cup hero to Dens Park zero today after it emerged he had failed to return from international duty with Trinidad on time (writes Tom Duthie).

5 pm UPDATE: Prime Minister Patrick Manning promised that the government of Trinidad and Tobago will do everything possible to ensure that Soca Warriors Coach Leo Beenhakker stays on as coach of the Soca Warriors. He also said that the government will honour the players following discussions with Captain Dwight Yorke. He said he was pleased to share a "platform" with FIFA Vice President Austin "Jack" Warner, who is also the Deputy Political Leader of Opposition Party the United National Congress.

3 pm UPDATE: Bahrain plans to appeal to FIFA to have their World Cup playoff defeat by Trinidad & Tobago annulled because a late goal was disallowed by Colombian referee Oscar Julian Ruiz Acosta for dangerous play.

Nov. 17, 2005 12 pm UPDATE: At least four players will not be returning to T&T for victory celebrations. Captain Dwight Yorke, Russel Latapy, Marvin Andrews and Chris Birchall are all returning to their Clubs.

7 pm UPDATE: Thursday, November 17, 2005 has been declared a public holiday according to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Patrick Manning says that he hopes the holiday is used by the population to participate in welcome celebrations of the victorious Soca Warriors, due to arrive at Piarco around midday on Thursday.

Trinidad and Tobago has qualified for the FIFA World Cup to take place in Germany in 2006. Off of a corner kick by Dwight Yorke, Dennis Lawrence headered the ball into the back of the Bahrain net in the 49th minute. He is already being dubbed "Lawrence of Arabia." The game turned nasty towards the end as a desperate Bahrain team jostled even the referee. At one point, the ball was even kicked from the hands of T&T goalee Kelvin Jack by one player who, apparently ignorant of the rules of the game, thought he could proceed to score a goal. Feting has begun throughout Trinidad and Tobago. People are reportedly revelling in the streets of downtown Port of Spain while vehicle drivers are blowing their horns as the dream of Trinidad and Tobago in the World Cup finals became a reality.

6 pm UPDATE: Meanwhile drivers were stuck in traffic for hours on their way out of Port of Spain as one lane of the South-bound highway was flooded and the other lane was being used as a two-way road.

LATEST POST ONTOP

Brilliant save by Kelvin Jack.

Bahrain players are jostling the referee. The ball was kicked out of Kelvin Jack's hand by number 9. Referee issued a red card to a Bahrain player number 17 Hussain Ali.

Fans throwing ice and Bahrain players getting desperate. Fight was brewing but was successfully quelled.

Carlos Edwards came off for another substitute with just about seven minutes left.

Kenwyne Jones comes off for Russel Latapy to come on.

Russel Latapy is being prepared to come on for Trinidad and Tobago.

Alaa Hubail was just awarded a yellow card.

Dwight Yorke just received a yellow card for a late tackle. Shortly after Cyd Gray, also of Trinidad received a yellow card.

Off of a corner kick from Dwight Yorke, Dennis Lawrence just headered the ball into the back of the Bahrain net! 1-0 in Trinidad and Tobago's favour! Goal scored in the 48th minute.

LIVE COVERAGE OF MATCH IN PROGRESS IN BAHRAIN (Most recent post ontop)

If the score stays at 0-0, Bahrain goes to Germany and T&T goes home. A 1-1 draw will send the game into extra time or penalty kicks. A 2-2 draw will take T&T to Germany. Of course an outright win for T&T will too.

Mohamed Hubail has just received a yellow card apparently for an inappropriate comment to Colombian referee Luis Acosta.

Marvin Andrews just saved a goal as goalee Kelvin Jack came out of his box and missed.

Chris Birchall has been taken off following an injury sustained during an attack. Video replay clearly shows that he was fouled. The referee appears to be ignoring fouls committed against T&T's Soca Warriors.

After Saturday's 1-1 draw with Bahrain, the Soca Warriors are now forced to throw caution to the wind in Manama in the hope of breaching a mean Bahrain defence. Bahrain find themselves in pole position thanks to their away goal in Port of Spain, and can sit back and aim to hit the Caribbean islanders on the counterattack. A scoreless draw would see the tiny Gulf kingdom through to their first FIFA World Cup finals, though they first have to reckon with T&T's attacking trio of Dwight Yorke, Stern John, Russell Latapy and now Chris Birchall. The match will be televised on NCC channel 4 at midday on November 16, 2005.