Monday November 23, 2015
A GIFT FOR THE PRESIDENT...
President David Granger receives a hammock as a gift from the women of the Moraikobai Craft Group
STILL NO SIGN OF KAIETEUR FALLS JUMPER’S BODY -PAGE 2
SOME SUGAR WORKERS STRIKE
AGAIN -PAGE 3
Still no sign of Kaieteur falls jumper’s body Two days after 21-year old Roshinee Pagwah took a deadly plunge over Kaieteur Falls in an apparent suicide, the special forces of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) have come up empty handed in their efforts to locate the body. On Saturday last, the Reliance Abandon, East Canje resident, left her home at about 5:00am, informing her aunt, with whom she resides, that she was accompanying a friend to clear a barrel in Georgetown. However, she was booked as one of the nine visitors who, through Roraima Airways, were visiting Kaieteur National Park.
At about 11:00am the 21 year old who was described by the other visitors as being very quiet during the trip, raced to the ledge of the falls and took a deadly leap over the 741 ft. falls. Several reports indicate that Pagwah was suffering emotionally, having expressed on one of her social media profile that she “feels depressed” despite “having it all.” The former Guyana Power and Light Employee (GPL) also expressed grief at the death of someone which occurred some five years she. She indicated through the post on Facebook, on October 27, 2015 that she had erred in some
way, which she regretted. The incident was linked to a suicide five years ago, where it was alleged that her then boyfriend, took his life due to complications in their relationship. The 21-year old was described as an outgoing person by relatives and friends, who said that she had no domestic issues at home which could have triggered her devastating move. Up until yesterday, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum had told GNN that investigations are still ongoing, and all of the persons who were present at the site have been questions. He said that it
Roshinee Pagwah was relayed to him that efforts could not have prevented the deadly jump as it happened be-
fore anyone could react. The Kaieteur National Park, according to the Ministry
of Tourism, has been closed until investigations are completed.
IAC calls for independent review Says PPP statement ‘most unfortunate’ of GECOM tablishment of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC). It says the ERC is “is integral to meaningful interventions for the mitigation of such sensitive issues and to prevent any related escalation.” The IAC noted the efforts of the 10th Parliament to implement
a democratic process for the election of the members to the ERC. It pointed out that the members having been approved by the National Assembly, were not provided the opportunity to be sworn in as Commissioners. “The IAC therefore calls for those mem-
Dr. Steve Surujbally
The Indian Action (formerly Arrival) Committee (IAC) is calling for an independent review of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is the light of recent accusation by the People’s Progressive Party of alleged ethnic-based employment by the entity. In a statement this afternoon, the IAC says that the independent review “would aid in the allaying of fear with respect to the Party’s concern and could vindicate GECOM”s position. With regards to the latter, it would reinforce that Guyanese, regardless of their eth-
nicity, could deliver their duties professionally and without favour or ill will.” The organization chided the PPP deeming its statement regarding the alleged ‘ethnic-based employment’ as ‘most unfortunate’. “The IAC is firm in its belief that ethnicity must not be a factor to bring into any form of disrepute the execution of assigned duties by Guyanese. The IAC believes that in a multiethnic society like Guyana, for an organization to derive a sense of confidence based upon the employment of a particular and preferred ethnic group,
is counterproductive to the efforts of unification and the country’s national motto”, the organization’s statement noted. The IAC noted that while the Party has a right to be concerned over issues, including those relating to GECOM, “it urges cognizance of the sensitivities of ethnic-related aspersions and the precipitating challenges it pose to national cohesion.” According to the statement, the IAC is of the view that the Party’s concern should not be dismissed and stated that the issue underscores the urgent need for the es-
Clement Rohee
bers of the ERC who should have been sworn in prior to the May 11 general elections, be so empowered immediately thereby resuscitating this constitutional Commission, whose role cannot be overstated, especially with the current issue at hand.”
Still no word on reconvening -PPP/C motion to expire of Parliament next week
One week before the Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) motion to
annul the salary increase given to Ministers, Members of Parliament and
other government officials expires the government has still not named
a date for the next sitting of the National Assembly. This was confirmed by government’s Chief Whip, Amna Ally who told GNN today, (Monday November 23) that a date is still to be identified. She however could not say how soon. The PPP/C is contending that once 40 days elapses the motion will expire and it will not be debated in the House. The bill was tabled on October 22 and forty days will elapse on December 1. At a press conference last week, PPP/C’s Chief Whip, Gail Teixei-
ra said she was seeking advice from the Clerk of the National Assembly. The party is seeking to clarify whether the motion will lapse on December 2 and if it does if it can be re-tabled. Government suspended the November 12 sitting of the House to an indefinite date saying that during that period, several key government functionaries, Members of Parliament and the Clerk of the Assembly would have been travelling to attend important conferences and training courses. However, those
officers have since returned, yet there is still no sitting of the House. The PPP/C has said it was a willful move by the government to avoid the debates on the salary increases and to delay the sitting of the House so that the motion can expire. The party then moved to seek permission for an extraordinary sitting of the House in the month of November so as to proceed with the debates, however, this was disallowed by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Barton Scotland.
Gov’t should better inform public on decision to scrap Grades 2 & 4 assessment - Manickchand
Shadow Education Minister; Priya Manickchand is urging the Government to engage the public on the decision to no longer use a percentage of the marks attained from the Grades two and four assessment to determine a student’s marks at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) On the 28th of October 2015, the Chief Education Officer Olato Sam sent out a circular declaring that the grades two and four assessments would no longer be weighted nor form part of the marks for grade six assessment as before with immediate effect. Manickchand noted that “while there were mumblings, prior to the circular being sent
out, about the possibility of this happening, up to today’s date nobody from the Ministry, not the CEO himself, nor any of the two highly paid Ministers, not the several new advisers nor the newly acquired Public relations consultants, has bothered with honouring their duty to tell the nation of this major change to our education system”. The former Education Minister questioned whether “those current grades five and six students who already wrote both assessments, would still have their grades considered at the next two grade six assessments?” GNN contacted the Ministry of Education Public Relations Department and spoke
-Parents will be informed – Ruel Johnson
to Ruel Johnson who said “if it is that you have not written the Grade Six Assessment as yet, then your scores will not be included…The exams will be used as diagnostic tool but it will not count against the final score.” Relating to informing parents he stated that “the implication is, from the circular that was sent out, the information will be passed on to the parents.” Manickchand in her letter, further requested that “the measures that will be put in place to ensure the grades that will emerge from the new un-weighted assessments will actually be used diagnostically to guide the interventions going forward for each child, thus giving mean-
ing to the reason for assessments in the first place” to be made public. Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnarine had stated that the results of the Grades
2 and 4 assessments will be the basis for strategic interventions aimed at overcoming identified weaknesses of pupils which is what it was initially intended for.
Grade counts of the Grade counts
Sugar workers are refusing the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) Annual Production Incentive (API) offer of ‘one day’s pay for every 85,000 tonnes of cane’. Following a meeting on Friday between GuySuCo and the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU), representatives were notified of the offer which was not accepted by the workers. GAWU President; Komal
Chand confirmed that workers at all Estates except Albion are on strike. He added that while Wales and Uitvlugt Estates have closed off their crops, the others are on Strike. While workers at Enmore and La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara estates commenced strike on Saturday last, workers at the remaining estates joined the Industrial action on Sunday.
GAWU President stated that the Union is awaiting word from its workers representatives to say when they will be returning to work as it was not a strike called by the Union. Efforts to contact GuySuCo were futile. Only recently, the Government sent out a statement urging sugar workers and unions to cooperate with the GuySuCo to help in rescuing the in-
dustry and keep it on the path to continuous growth. In a statement the government noted that the industry was inherited from the previous administration with a debt of B$82 and is in need of B$5 for capital investment. It had expressed agitation at a prior strike action taken by workers represented by the GAWU, noting that such action could cripple operations and close down the sugar industry.
Previously, the Two exam acfor five per cent results while the Four exam acfor 10 per cent.
Sugar workers refuse API offer -Some workers strike again
Gov’t Collaborating with Netherlands to address drainage
Minister of Public Infrastructure; David Patterson today met with met with a three-member team from the Government of the Netherlands’ Dutch Risk Reduction
Team (DRR-Team) to give an overview of Guyana’s drainage system. The team which is visiting following a request which was made by the Minister will be
“conducting a number of land visits as well as a flyover to get a better understanding of Guyana’s drainage system. According to a statement from the Ministry, the team will also be visiting some local agencies, including the Guyana Hydrometrical Department. Leader of the DRR-Team; Rob Steijn emphasised the importance of proper water management to a nation’s development. The visiting Team also consists of civil engineer, Fokke Westebring and social scientist,
Elections point person for the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Amna Ally has confirmed that the party will be contesting the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) together with the Alliance for Change (AFC). Questioned by the Guyana News Network on the issue, Ally stated “That is my understanding. We’re a coalition, so we are going to face the Local Government Elections as a coalition.” The two parties have shifted into
high gear with regard to preparations for the long awaited Local Government poll scheduled for March 2016. They have already commenced awareness campaigns to educate the membership on the local Government structure and process. A few months ago the Alliance for Change had said that it was examining whether it will be a good move to contest the elections alone or to go as a coalition with the APNU. Following that statement, a number of political commentators
had come out in condemnation of the two parties merging to contest the LGE. It was said that both the AFC and APNU could be defeated if they contest jointly. Meanwhile, the Opposition People Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has long indicated it readiness for the Elections. The Party said it is in the process of identifying potential candidates for the elections. On Friday November 20, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan announced that the LGE will be
Minister David Patterson meets with Netherlands’ Dutch Risk Reduction Team
Judith Klostermann. At the conclusion of the visit, the team is expected to produce recommendations which will in turn be used as part of a subsequent proposal from the Guyana Government for funding from an international agency, Klostermaan said during today’s meeting. The team today saw a presentation on Guyana’s drainage system where the causes of flooding were highlighted including “an increase in impervious areas; infilling of drains; reduction of mainte-
nance; use of drains for refuse disposal; establishment of illegal housing on drainage reserves; relative rise in sea levels; and inadequacy of secondary and roadside drainage systems…and that flooding has increasingly worsened over the years, with the second highest amount of rainfall in decades being recorded in July 2015.” Minister Patterson said “while work would have been done in the past to address Guyana’s drainage issues, a more “comprehensive” approach
was urgently needed.” Minister Patterson had sought assistance in a number of areas, including urban drainage; hydraulic and coastal engineering; water resource management and planning; and disaster and risk management. The meeting was held in the boardroom at the Ministry of Agriculture and Minister Noel Holder, was also present along with nearly two dozen local officials, including engineers from across the administrative regions.
APNU+AFC will contest LGE jointly
Minister Amna Ally
held on March 18, 2016 after some 21 years. The elections will be held in nine towns and 62 Neigh-
bourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs). LGE was last held in 1994, even though the constitu-
tion clearly stipulated that that they should be held every three years.
MAN CHARGED FOR MURDER OF FESTIVAL CITY RESIDENT A mason today appeared before the courts having been charged with the murder of Festival City resident, Christopher Wharton, who was shot and killed earlier in the month. The mason, twenty-four year-old Rickford James, was not allowed to plead when
he appeared before Magistrate, Fabayo Azore. James’ lawyer claimed that he was beaten by the police and had to seek medical attention for injuries sustained. However, according to the prosecution, a medical certificate to the contrary was produced after
James was examined. He was remanded to prison and will appear again on December 8. Wharton was shot after two men approached him as he sat on his steps. He subsequently died at the hospital. His son was also shot.
Palms to be upgraded before year end
Minister of Social protection, Volda Lawrence during her visit to the Palms Minister of Social protection, Volda Lawrence has promised residents of the Palms geriatric institution that the aging wooden structure and plumbing deficiencies will be addressed before the end of 2015. This followed an impromptu visit by the
Minister, earlier today, after she had received reports from several persons housed at the state-owned institution, about the conditions of the wards, particularly on Monday mornings. According to the Minister, inmates are unhappy with the
performance of the staff working the night shift, “who do not complete their responsibilities.” This, according to her, has created difficulties for their colleagues who take over the Monday morning shift. In light of this, the Minister revealed
that she will pursue a follow-up meeting with the administrator of the institution to investigate the conditions. She also promised to address the plumbing issues currently affecting the performance of the institution, while adding
that the possibility of a facelift for the building could be forthcoming, before the end of 2015. “This is priority. What has to be done is not huge but technical. If there is no funding remaining in the 2015 budgetary estimates I will be seeking
emergency funding, to get this done before the end of this year,” Minister Lawrence promised. Just last month, Guyana celebrated month of the elderly where several activities were held across the country to celebrate these citizens.
Viraat Sabhaa commences Pandits’ training courses
Swami Kaivalyanand poses with executives and friends of the Viraat Sabhaa and students of the Valmiki Vidyalaya school following his arrival at CJIA
The Viraat Sabhaa, a recently formed Hindu or-
ganization, will from this evening commence class-
es for the training of local Pandits (Hindu Priests).
According to the Sabhaa’s President, Pandit Rabindranauth Persaud, the classes offered are intended to boost the capacity of the Pandits. In turn, they are expected to impart the knowledge to the Hindu community at large which is also targeted to derive the benefits of enlightenment. He said that the related classes will focus on different aspects of the Religion’s Sancaars (stages of initiation), Hindu ceremonies and
philosophy with emphasis on the Bhagwat Gita and the Ramayana. The classes which will commence these evening, will be held that the Guyana Pandits’ Council at Camp and Quamina Streets. Persaud noted that all Pandits who are already “in the field” can benefit from this program which is being offered free of cost. Also he explained that those with the sacred intention of
improving their knowledge on the various aspects of Hinduism can be facilitated for additional programs. Lectures will be facilitated by his Holiness, Swami Kaivalyanand from India. Representatives from all Hindu organisations are encouraged to make maximum use of this opportunity without having to compromise their institutional affiliation.
Banks can help to reduce high incidence of cash transactions President David Granger said his government is prepared to partner with all financial institutions to implement appropriate policy measures, to promote greater financial inclusion. The President was the time outlining his government’s vision for the local banking sector while addressing the official opening of Demerara Bank’s new $800M head office and corporate banking branch at Camp Street on Saturday.
According to the Government Information Agency (GINA) the Preident alluded to the collapse of Globe Trust Investment Company and CLICO noting those instances signaled the need for continued vigilance in the way local banking systems are regulated and managed. “We accept the view that increasing the reach of our commercial banks is best achieved under a banking system that is built on four pillars, stability, secu-
- Granger
rity, integrity and flexibility.” The President said his government is prepared to partner with all financial institutions to implement appropriate policy measures, to promote greater financial inclusion. “Our Government proposes to discuss with bankers the implementation of a Deposit Insurance Scheme to ensure that individuals who hold deposits at failed financial institutions would be compensated up
President Granger and Finance Minister Winston Jordan participating in the symbolic ribbon cutting ceremony in the presence of the Bank’s Chairman, Dr. Yesu Persaud, CEO, Pravinchandra Dave and Board member, Mr. Hemraj Kissoon
to an agreed amount, within a specified timeline,” the President said. On the issue of integrity, President Granger pointed out that there is the need for commercial banks to zealously guard against illicit funds finding their way into the financial system. “Money-laundering is associated with distortionary effects on an economy. Illicit funds can undermine the integrity of the country’s financial system, thereby exposing the country to sanctions,” he asserted. He pointed out the need for banks and other regulatory bodies to be vig-
ilant in order to prevent the contamination of Guyana’s financial system with ‘dirty’ money. The President said it is for banks and depositors to be safe from crime and fraud. “Cash transactions are still too prevalent. Persons are still moving around with large amounts of cash, thus exposing themselves to robbery.” He added that banking institutions can help to reduce the high incidence of cash transactions in the economy by developing appropriate instruments for the benefit of Minister of Finance Winston Jordan in his
address commended the bank for its efforts in adopting a modern approach to energy conservation through the employ of energy efficient devices. The Minister also underscored the need for financial inclusion, which he said must include all sections of society and more importantly hinterland areas. “The large dependence of the poor on non-traditional sources of access to credit cannot be overcome without improved access of the poor to financial intermediation,” the Minister pointed out.
Rohee urges quick release of Walter Rodney COI report
Clement Rohee
In anticipation that the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government will delay the release of the report of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Clement Rohee warned against same. During his weekly media confer-
ence, on Monday at Freedom House, Rohee acknowledged that a few days remain for the release of the report into Rodney’s assassination. The commission was given until November 30 to complete and submit its report. He noted that the PPP is looking forward to the release of the report. “Any undue delay in re-
leasing the report to the public will be viewed with deep suspicion and will only add to the already pent up resentment on the part of thousands in Guyana and abroad, who had condemned and opposed the de facto Granger administration’s premature shutting down of the COI,” Rohee told the media. The Walter Rod-
ney COI was established in February 2014 under the stewardship of former President Donald Ramotar to inquire the circumstances surrounding the death in an explosion of the late Dr. Walter Rodney, a Historian, scholar and leader of the Working Peoples Alliance (WPA) that occurred on 13th June 1980 in Georgetown. However, after the coalition government came into office in May of this year, it took a decision to discontinue the hearings into the COI saying that enough money was expended on the commission and that it had enough time to carry out its work. It said some GYD$325M as spent on the COI, which constitutes financial wastage. The Commissioners were given two weeks to wrap up its work. This move did not go down well with the Op-
position PPP/C and many other civil society groups, including the Justice for Walter Rodney Committee, which comprises party members, supporters and friends and admirers of Rodney. They had called on the Government to extend the COI so that key witnesses, such as the former Crime Chief Cecil ‘Skip’ Roberts and WPA co-leader Dr. Rupert Roopnarine could appear before the commission. The APNU+AFC while in opposition heavily criticized the Commission and its move to discontinue its hearings did not come as a surprise to many. They expressed the view that the establishment of the COI was a move by the PPP/C government to score political points. Meanwhile, the then PPP/C government had argued that it wanted to bring closure to the matter.
Former President Donald Ramotar in a letter to the editor in July of this year rejected the notion that the setting up of the Commission was inspired by political motive. He said it was purely by his desire to shed light on one of the darkest and most controversial event in Guyana’s post independent history and political landscape and to assist the family and relatives of Dr. Walter Rodney to bring closure on what clearly was one of the most traumatic incidents in their lives. Chairman of the Commission Sir Richard Cheltenham has said the move of the Granger Administration to abruptly end the COI will not speak well for fairness of the final report. During the hearings, evidence reportedly was pointing to the Burnham-PNC, as responsible for Rodney’s death.
$29M to upgrade Prime Minister’s residence Cabinet has approved in excess of GYD$29M for major renovation works to be done at the official Residence of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. This was revealed by State Minister, Joseph Harmon, at a press conference on Friday November 20 at the Min-
istry of the Presidency. He said the contact was approved to the value of $29,328,078 and was awarded to contractor, Ivor Allen. Nagamootoo had bemoaned the state of the prestigious heritage building located on Main Street, Georgetown that was gifted to the Govern-
ment of Guyana by the British High Commission in the 1970s. After the coalition won the elections in May, Nagamootoo refused to occupy the building claiming that it was unfit. He said he would only occupy the residence once it is upgraded. Nagamootoo said he was taken aback when he was confronted with dead rats in the building, and a series of
other problems with the building. “I probably wouldn’t put my dogs there, I think they would die,” Nagamootoo said. However, Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who lived in the building for some 22 years conceded that there were leaks in the rainy weather and ‘granny sugar’ in some areas – problems which were to be expected with such an old house. He said those
problems were attended to by contractors from time to time, but were never fully resolved. According to Hinds, he and his wife improvised. He said his inclination was to make do with what was there until such a time when the money would have been allocated for the full rehabilitation of the building. Hinds said when he left the PM residence
on May 17, there were no rats in the building. “Pest control companies were under contract for the elimination of rats, roaches, ants and so on,” He further noted. Prime Minister Nagamootoo had also lamented the state of the PM’s office and has opted to operate out of the Ministry of the Presidency.
UN team on border controversy for third visit
UN team meets President David Granger, State Minister Joseph Harmon and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge
The United Nations (UN) team dealing with the resolution of the Guyana/Venezuela that came to Guyana last
week is expected back here on a third visit to complete its mission. According to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, the team met with President David Granger, Minister Carl Greenidge and other officials on Friday Novem-
After a mere six months in office the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government is satisfied with its performance thus far. Questioned by the media on the coalition’s performance since it took office in May of this year, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said he believes the government has been doing well based on the challenges it is facing. “I think we’re doing very well based on the circumstances we’re facing,” he said. He lamented the fact that the government is spending large sums of monies on infrastructure
in the first six months in its administration. This he says is part of its “clean up” exercise, taking over from the previous administration. According to the Minister, “A lot of what we’re doing is basically ground work, we are preparing the nation.” He pointed to the cleanup exercise that is taking place across the country, this he said is work that the coalition did not cater for, nevertheless, it is doing its best. “But we believe that if you want to move a nation forward that you must have ground cleansing,” Harmon stressed. He noted that a lot of person, both locally
and internationally have been congratulating the government on the work it has been doing. Based on what we have found, what we have done, and where we are now, we’re doing a very good job,” Harmon posited. Meanwhile, with regard to the coalition’s 100 day plan, while several have been implemented, many in various implementation stages, a lot more remain outstanding. The APNU+AFC during the campaign period leading up to the May 2015 polls used the 100 day plan as a strategy to muster votes for the coalition. A number of programmes and policies that would lead to the overall growth of the economy and to create a better life for all were promised in the plan. On August 24 of this year marked 100 days since the government took office, however, more than half of its plans were yet to be fulfilled. Among some of the promises that were fulfilled include, the lowering of the Berbice Bridge toll. Notably, while the government announced a reduction
ber 20 and held talks. The visit was agreed to when both Heads of State met with UN secretary General on New York in late September. The team’s presence here was in keeping with the efforts of the UN secretary general, Ban Ki Moon to find a solution on the controversy that has been brought about by Venezuela’s contention that the Arbitral award of 1899 that established a boundary between Guyana and Ven-
ezuela is “null and void.” The arbitral award made it clear that Essequibo belongs to Guyana. The team which is headed by Chef de Cabinet, of the United Nations Secretary General; Ms. Susanna Malcorra, and includes Ms. Yvette Blanco, Mr. David Hutchinson and Mr. Guillermo Kendall departed on Saturday, November 21. The delegation was in Guyana in October on a similar mission and subsequently
departed for Venezuela to hold talks with the authorities there on the border controversy. Guyana and Venezuela have committed to peaceful settlement and the UN has dedicated to supporting a final resolution on the matter. Meanwhile, the Commonwealth is set to consider and ratify a declaration in support of Guyana’s stance at its upcoming Heads of Government Meeting in Malta, from November 27 to 29.
GOV’T SATISFIED WITH ITS PERFORMANCE -Harmon
Minister Joseph Harmon
it has not yet come into effect since there was a toss-up with the Bridge Company. However, the company has submitted a proposal that is presently under review. The salary increases for public servants, implementation of phased VAT reduction on some items, increase in old age pension, reduction of the President’s pension and other benefits, return of TV Stations to Lindeners, tax exemption on equipment for small scale miners, cane workers and farmers conference; rice farmers, millers conference; investigative commission
on corruption, code of conduct for Ministers, Parliamentarians and other government officials; National Toshaos conference, adoption of a long term sustainable economic plan and the implementation of the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act have been fulfilled. The hosting of Local Government Elections (LGE) as was promised to be held by December 6, was not fulfilled, however, last week the government announced that March 18, 2016 is the date for the elections. Still outstanding
are the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission, establishing passport and birth certificate licensing offices in Essequibo and Linden; task force for crime, security and road safety; national conference on women, national youth conference and the liberalization of the telecoms and ICT sectors. While the government has given itself a grade ‘A’ in terms of fulfilling its 21 point plan, the Opposition has given it a grade ‘F’ for failing to deliver on all its promises.
Man shot in face in Kitty The police are currently investigating the circumstances that led to a fortyyear-old man, Devon Sears, being shot to his face last evening. According
to the police, Sears, of Hadfield Street Georgetown, was shot to his jaw while driving along David Street, Kitty at about 18:50 hrs yesterday. The motive
and the person who shot him are unknown at this time. Sears has been admitted to hospital for medical treatment.
Truck driver chopped and robbed A Bakewell driver, Andre Sukhwa, almost lost a finger after being chopped by bandits last Saturday at Palmyra. East Canje, Berbice. According to information, Sukhwa claimed that as he was about to enter his car, two men who were believed to be
armed with a gun and cutlass, approached him and demanded his valuables. It is believed that Sukhwa’s refusal may have led to the men chopping him. He was chopped to his left hand with one of his fingers almost severed as he tried to bar the attack.
The incident which reportedly occurred in the company’s compound led to Sukhwa being robbed of about $80, 000.00 in cash. The bandits reportedly gained entrance after a gate was left ajar. Investigations are ongoing.
More housing schemes to be
opened Minister Keith Scott
The Ministry of Communities is working to open new Housing Schemes to provide more lots for the population. This is according to Minister within the Ministry of Communities; Keith Scott who noted that “There isn’t much land space on the East
Coast but West Coast and West Bank and so on, as well as East Bank, we do have some lands”. He added that the government is also working to decrease the cost for infrastructure in the new schemes which will inevitably bring down the cost for lots.
“We have people…engineer who is looking at different types of designs for drains as well as other things, as soon as that comes totally under control, then we’ll be able to reassess the cost factor… We are trying to address infrastructure and by using that
Clearing of drainage canals and other main irrigation channels in the city can be credited for the non-flooding of the city with the recent heavy downpour which has tested the clean-up exercise. Community Coordinator attached to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Neilson McKenzie told GINA that major works are ongoing to widen the drains and canals, and expand their capacity to hold and drain water off the land. “The drains can now hold water rather than silt, and as a result the drainage system is being primed and geared to take off the volume of water that is on the land gen-
erally,” Mc Kenzie stated. Works have recently been completed at the Lamaha and Cane View Canals while ongoing clearing and desilting is being done at the Liliendaal, which will be followed by the Princes Street Canal. Mc Kenzie called on citizens to play their part in this process as all the efforts of the administration and other stakeholders will be futile, if maintenance is not done. He explained that part of his role and responsibility is to educate the citizens of the various communities on their role, and how this can contribute to the restoration process of the capital city.
“We have also been involved in sensitising each community and the residents of those communities that we go to on a day to day basis as to the why we are doing, what we are doing, and what could be done to prevent recurrence of those acts,” said McKenzie. He reported that these works were not done without challenges as there were several which are currently being addressed. “One of the major challenges is the occupation of the reserves, the reserves are occupied in various ways, with derelict vehicles, vending and people living on the reserves,” he stated.
as a means of bringing down the cost for lands as well as houses” he said. He explained that those Schemes that have already been developed will not see reduced lands as much monies would’ve already been spent on the infrastructure development. “The cost of lands are affected by the development of the schemes e.g. roads; that’s
the most costly aspect of it, so much millions of dollars per meters and also the electricity. GPL doesn’t give you the electricity, we put in the poles...so at the end of it, it is not just the lot” the Minister said. He added that while the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is working to bring down the 25,000 backlog of
applications which was found when the coalition Government took office. The Coalition Government had promised “to deliver to the ordinary Guyanese man a better house at a cheaper price and the land at a lower price” before its assumption to office.
GEORGETOWN DRAINING BETTER
RIOT OVER MISTER UGLY
PAGEANT DECISION
Pageant judges have crowned a new winner of for Zimbabwe’s 4th annual Mister Ugly contest, upsetting supporters of the crowd favorite and prompting rioting at the event. Judges chose Milton Sere Saturday, citing his numerous missing front teeth and a wide range of gro-
tesque facial expressions, over William Masvinu, who has held the title since 2012. Masvinu and his supporters mobbed the judges upon hearing their decision, claiming that Sere was “too handsome” to win and his ugliness wasn’t natural since it was based on missing teeth.
Judges said Sere, 42, made a “tremendous effort to enhance his ugliness by pulling facial stunts,” while Masvinu did not try hard enough. This year’s competition attracted a record number of entries since it began in 2011. (MSN)
ADELE ON TRACK TO BREAK
‘UNBREAKABLE’ SALES RECORD
Adele’s 25 appears set to break a record that had long been considered unbreakable: the one-week sales record for an album, which
*NSYNC established in March 2000 when their sophomore album, No Strings Attached, sold 2,416,000 copies in the U.S. in its first week.
How high can 25 go in its first week? The album shipped 3.6 million physical copies to retailers. There is, of course, no limit on the number
It is final, though not yet official. Hrithik Roshan will once again be directed by father Rakesh Roshan. But this time it is not another film in the Krrish series, but something else altogether. According to sources in the know Rakesh Roshan and his son are coming together for the fifth time to do an intense love story. Says the source,
“Rakeshji has not done a full-fledged love story since Kaho Na... Pyar Hai in which he launched his son. After that they got busy with the Krrish series. But now Rakeshji feels the need to reclaim his romantic roots with Hrithik.” Though neither father Rakesh nor son Hrithik Roshan is willing to admit it yet, the love story is some-
thing that the father and son owe to themselves to one another, and to the audience. Explains the source, “Rakeshji produced an intense love story Kites for his son. But Anurag Basu made a hash of it. Now Rakeshji wants to direct a passionate love story. The script has been finalized and the project goes on the floors early next year.”
of digital copies it can sell. 25 sold more than 900K copies through the iTunes store on its first day of release. Music insiders suggest that 25 will sell at least 2.5 million copies in in its first week. 25 will instantly become the best-selling album of 2015, pulling ahead of Taylor Swift’s 1989, which has sold 1,742,000 copies so far this year (on top of the 3,661,000 that it sold in the last nine weeks of 2014). This will be the third time that Adele has had the best-selling album of the year. Her sophomore album, 21, was the top seller
of both 2011 and 2012. Adele will become the first artist to have the top-selling album of the year three times since Nielsen Music (formerly known as Nielsen SoundScan) began tracking music sales in 1991. Swift, Eminem, and Justin Timberlake have each had the best-selling album of the year twice. (Timberlake’s tally combines his solo and *NSYNC careers.) 25 will, of course, also set a new record for the greatest first-week sales for an album by a female artist. In fact, it may well sell more copies than
Hrithik has a major fan base among women. But he has done very few pure
love stories. His Dad’s come to mind imKaho Na...Pyar Hai mediately. (Bollyand Ashutosh Gowar- woodhungama.com) iker’s Jodha Akbhar
the current record-holder and runner-up combined. They are Britney Spears’s Oops!… I Did It Again, which sold 1,319,000 copies in its first week in May 2000, and Swift’s 1989, which sold 1,287,000 in its first week last November. If 25 and 1989 wind up as the #1 and #2 albums of the year, which is virtually certain, this will mark the second time that Adele and Swift have finished in that order on Nielsen’s year-end sales reports. In 2012, 21 and Red were #1 and #2, respectively. (Adapted from Yahoo)
RAKESH ROSHAN TO DIRECT SON HRITHIK AGAIN...
SIDE SLEEPING MAY CLEAN
UP ‘MESS’ IN BRAINS Sleeping on your side— rather than your back or stomach—may be the best way to rid your brain of waste. It may even help reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurological diseases. A lateral sleeping position is the best position to most efficiently remove waste from the brain. It’s also the most common way to sleep for humans and many other animals. The buildup of brain waste chemicals may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological conditions, researchers say. Researchers have
used dynamic contrast MRI for several years to examine the glymphatic pathway in rodent models. The method helps identify and define the glymphatic pathway, where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) filters through the brain and exchanges with interstitial fluid (ISF) to clear waste— similar to the way the body’s lymphatic system clears waste from organs. It’s during sleep that the glymphatic pathway is most efficient. Brain waste includes amyloid β (amyloid) and tau proteins, chemicals that negatively affect brain processes if they build up. (MSN)
BRAIN TUMOR SHRINKING FOR 1-YEAROLD KISSED BY POPE FRANCIS During Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia in September, one of the children brought to the popemobile was Gianna
Masciantonio, a 1-yearold with a rare brain tumor. Last week, her parents said that the tumor has shrunk significantly.
According to Philly.com, Joe Masciantonio said his daughter’s tumor was “basically gone” after many rounds of surgery and chemotherapy. One family friend dubbed the girl’s encounter with the pontiff “the Miracle on Market Street.” Gianna’s brain tumor was thought to be inoperable, and doctors had given her only
Liberia has placed 153 people under surveillance as it seeks to control a new Ebola outbreak in the capital more than two months after the country was declared free of the virus, health officials said. Three Ebola cases emerged in Liberia on Friday. The first of the new patients was a 15-year-old boy called Nathan Gbotoe from Paynesville, a suburb east of the capital Monrovia. Two other family mem-
bers have since been confirmed as positive and they are all hospitalized. “We have three confirmed cases and have listed 153 contacts, and we have labeled them as high, medium and low in terms of the risk,” Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Francis Kateh told Reuters late on Saturday. The West African country has suffered the highest death toll in the worst known Ebola outbreak in history, losing more than 4,800 peo-
ple. It has twice been declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization, once in May and again on Sept. 3, only for new cases to emerge. It is not known how Gbotoe was infected and Kateh did not offer any explanation, saying that investigations were ongoing. Cross-border transmission seems unlikely since neighboring Guinea has zero cases while Sierra Leone was declared Ebola-free this month after
months to live. According to PhillyVoice. com, the tumor formed after her blood cells attacked her brain stem weeks after she was born. The aforementioned friend was FBI agent Donny Asper, who tipped off the family of Pope Francis’ planned stopping point on Sept. 26. Gianna’s mother, Kristen, had dreamed of her daugh-
ter meeting the pope. “She was just dead-set,” Joe told Philly.com. “I’m the dad who didn’t want to see the pope.” Joe was worried about his daughter’s immune system, which was already weakened by radiation and going out on a hectic day, but her doctor encouraged them to go. The Philadelphia Police Department waved the popemobile over and
the Pope saw the family, Joe told the Daily News. Looking at brain scans from August and November, the later MRI shows almost no evidence of Gianna’s tumor. “I don’t even know how to describe that feeling,” Joe said. “The miracle is all the people who prayed. The pope is just the messenger that God heard.” (Fox Health)
42 days without a case. In the Duport Road neighborhood of Paynesville, health officials went from house to house on Saturday delivering food and water to neighbors of the infected family, deemed at risk of catching the disease. Unlike in previous months, there were no barriers or soldiers to enforce quarantines. The previous resurgence of Ebola in Liberia is thought to have been via sexual transmis-
sion since the virus can exist in the semen of male survivors for at least nine months after infection, much longer than its incubation period in blood. It is also theoretically possible for an infected animal to trigger a
fresh chain of transmission. The index case in the West African outbreak that has killed around 11,300 people was a child believed to have been infected by a bat. (Fox Health)
LIBERIA MONITORS OVER 150 EBOLA CONTACTS AS VIRUS RE-EMERGES
MAN JAILED FOR 13 YEARS FOR HATE SPEECH ON FACEBOOK
A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has jailed a Shiite Muslim for 13 years after he posted what it deemed sectarian hate speech on Facebook, officials said Monday,
with rights activists condemning the ruling as “extremely concerning”. Saqlain Haidar, 32, who ran a small hotel in Chiniot district south of Islamabad, was
also fined 250,000 rupees ($2,300) for “posting hateful material against companions of the Prophet of Islam on Facebook”, an official of the Counter Terrorism
Department told AFP, requesting anonymity. “The convict was arrested on October 27 after locals complained about him and he was charged for spreading sectarian hatred under various clauses of the anti-terrorism act,” he told AFP. Pakistan, a mainly Sunni Muslim nation, had previously tolerated many sectarian organisations. But it has taken action this year as part of a “National Action Plan” to counter terrorism after a Taliban attack killed more than 150 people -- mostly children -- at an army-run school in Peshawar.
A temple in northern India has asked female foreign tourists to use a sari to “cover themselves and look decent” before entering the complex. The Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi city has opened a new counter to provide saris for women who come in “outfits that end before the knee”. The temple authorities said the new measures had been taken to maintain decency in the temple complex. But they denied that the temple was imposing a formal dress code on women. “We get complaints that some foreign tourists come to the temple in indecent clothes. We have arranged saris for women and also dhotis [tra-
ditional wrap-around clothing] for men to ensure that they can cover themselves decently,” the temple’s chief executive officer PN Dwivedi told BBC H Mr Dwivedi add-
ed that tourists “can simply wrap a sari or a dhoti on top of their clothes” before entering the temple. “They [tourists] will not be charged for this ser-
vice. If Indians come in indecent clothes, they too will be helped,” he said. He told Times of India that no tourist will be denied entry in the temple. “No foreign
In May an imam in the Kasur district of Punjab was jailed for five years for inciting hate against a rival minority Shiite sect. In October a former leader of a banned sectarian party was imprisoned for six months for hate speech. Bytes for All, a human rights group, said it had not been able to verify the details of Haidar’s case, but added: “We are extremely concerned that an anti-terrorism court has been used to hear a case apparently related to online speech rather than to any violent activities.” The Pakistan Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n
Authority has blocked hundreds of jihadist and sectarian websites and social media accounts in the past but they often pop up anew under different names. Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive issue in Pakistan, a Muslim nation of some 200 million people where even unproven allegations can stir violence. On Friday an angry mob in Punjab province torched a factory after one of its employees was accused of committing blasphemy, with the army deployed over the weekend to quell unrest in the area. (Jamaican Observer)
woman is going to be stopped from offering prayer inside the sanctorum, and we are not enforcing any dress code. This is just a way of motivating foreign women,
who come to the temple in short Western attire to avoid such dresses,” he said. Some foreign tourists told BBC Hindi that they don’t mind the new measures. (Yahoo)
INDIA TEMPLE MAKES SARI MANDATORY FOR FOREIGN WOMEN
SENIOR COP BUSTED IN
STING OPERATION A police inspector in charge of crime, with more than 20 years’ service, remained locked up in a cell at the Belmont Police Station yesterday during a sting operation, in which he and a police constable were nabbed, which was carried out by officers of the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). According to reports, the senior officer, who is
assigned to the Central Division, was under surveillance for about three days prior to his arrest. Police sources revealed to Newsday that the senior officer, who was only assigned to the Central Division one month ago as the Inspector in charge of crime, was seen driving a Mercedes Benz in company with a police constable shortly after midday on Saturday. The Benz belongs to a used-car deal-
er from the Chaguanas area who is under investigation for a series of offences. It is being alleged that a man, described by police as a known drug dealer, also from central
An unidentified man was shot dead after he allegedly attacked police officers who foiled a robbery at the home of an Enterprise businessman and his wife shortly after 2 am yesterday. According to reports, the man, who is said to be in his early 20s, and some other men were about to carry out a home invasion when they were spotted by officers of the Northern Division Task Force and the Arouca CID who acted on intelligence that the men were about to commit a robbery in the Enter-
prise, Chaguanas area. They confronted the men, who allegedly engaged in a shootout with the officers. During the gunfight, the man was shot. He was rushed to the Chaguanas Health Facility where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A 9mm handgun with 17 rounds of ammunition was recovered at the scene Up until late yesterday, the man’s identity remained unknown. However his prints were taken and will be used by fingerprint officers to identify him and to ascertain if
he had a criminal record. Central Division police are calling on persons who can identify the man to come forward and assist them. Senior Superintendent David Abraham commended the officers for their diligence which resulted in the death of one of the alleged robbers and the possible wounding of his accomplices. “Their response played a big part in saving the lives of the couple who live in that house,” Abraham said. “They must be commended for all
Trinidad, had made arrangements to pay the senior officer and the constable a $25,000 bribe to forego prosecution. The two officers and the drug dealer
were placed under surveillance between last Thursday and Saturday. At about 2.35 pm on Saturday, the two officers were seen at the Chase Village Flyover allegedly accepting an envelope containing $15,000. PSB officers who were close by in unmarked vehicles, nabbed the three men. The money was seized and, according to reports, the two officers began pleading with their colleagues
to give them a chance. The police inspector reportedly began crying and asked for a chance because he was worried that his career had now come to an end. Despite his pleas, the inspector was arrested. The alleged drug dealer was also taken into custody but is expected to be used as a witness against the two officers. (Adapted from the Trinidad Newsday)
of this. The public too must be commended for their continued trust in the police by providing
us with information.” Abraham called on other members of the public to partner with the
police to fight crime. (Trinidad Newsday)
Bandit shot dead by police
Change of government
for Argentina
Conservative opposition candidate Mauricio Macri has won Argentina’s presidential election, ending 12 years of leftist rule. Macri
promised that a “marvellous” new era was starting for the country after he won the run-off vote on Sunday. “This is a his-
toric day, a change of era which is going to be marvellous,” Macri told cheering supporters after ruling party candidate Daniel Scioli
conceded defeat. Argentina’s election body said Macri had 53 percent of votes and Scioli had 47 percent with returns in from three-quarters of polling stations. Macri’s win ends a political era dominated by Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and her late-husband Nestor Kirchner. Neither candidate achieved the 45 percent of votes needed to avoid a run-off in the first round of the election held in October. Scioli picked up 35 percent of the vote, with Macri a per-
centage point behind with 34 percent. Macri had promised a break from Kirchner’s leftist economic policy, promising a more business-friendly environment in the country, while Scioli prioritised policies aimed at helping Argentina’s poorest. Kirchner has ruled the country since taking over from Nestor in 2007, and has reached the end of her two-term limit. Despite early fiscal success, Argentina’s economy has started to flounder, and Macri will inherit a litany
of financial problems. The country is facing inflation and is involved in a legal battle against two American hedge funds that reject its plans to restructure the $100bn in debt it defaulted on in 2001. The firms, which Kirchner condemns as “vulture funds”, successfully sued for full payment in US federal court. Kirchner’s refusal to pay them pushed Argentina into a new default last year. (Adapted from Al Jazeera)
Russian air strikes ‘killed over 400 Syrian civilians’ Russian air strikes in Syria have killed over 400 civilians since September this year, monitoring groups say The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the death toll from September 30 - when the strikes were launched - until November 20 stood at 403 civilians, a figure that includes 97 children. Meanwhile, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), another monitoring group, said
at least 526 were killed, including 137 children, since Russia launched its first air strikes. Russia’s air force flew 141 sorties and hit 472 targets in Syria over the weekend, the RIA news agency quoted the country’s defence ministry as saying on Monday. Russian jets hit targets in Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Raqqa, Homs, and Deir Az Zor provinces, the ministry said. On Sunday, Syrian
government air strikes killed at least seven people, including three children, in Douma just outside of the capital Damascus, SOHR said. It said at least seven civilians were killed on Saturday in government air strikes in Aleppo. Since last October, at least 42,234 air strikes that targeted farms, villages, towns and cities have been documented, according to SOHR. It said over 22,370 so-called barrel
bombs were dropped across the country in that period resulting in a total of 6,889 civilians deaths, including 1,436 children. Another 35,000 civilians have been injured. At least 100,000 people fled from Aleppo due to Russian air strikes, SNHR said, while another 1,000 fled a camp for the displaced in Atma, in Idlib city’s suburbs. Russia says the goa l of its military operation in Syria is in response to a
request by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and on the basis of a decision granted by its parliament. The Syrian conflict has killed at least 250,000 people, according to the UN, and more
than half of Syria’s prewar population of 22.4 million has been internally displaced or have fled abroad. (Adapted from Al Jazeera)
Lack of government oversight and military cronyism are to blame for poor conditions in Myanmar’s jade-mining industry, highlighted by the disaster which killed at least 113 people on Saturday, envi-
ronmental activists say. Emergency services continued to search for survivors in the northern Kachin state on Monday and activists told Al Jazeera that the “rush for profit” in the lucrative jade mining industry led
businesses and the government to overlook the already “very weak” regulations in the country. “This could have been prevented if they were following the proper environmental management rules,” Paul Sein Twa, of the Burma Environmental Working Group, told Al Jazeera. He warned of more accidents if the government did not enforce policies that have only been recently passed. According to reports,
most of the victims and the missing were smallscale miners who try to make a living from the piles of waste left behind by big mining companies. Most of the victims were men, but at least two women were also reportedly killed. Environmental problems related to jade mining pre-dated the passage of government laws in 2012 regulating the industry, according to Day Wei Thant Sin, founder of the Myanmar
Green Network. “There have been so many protests against these projects,” she said. “The rules are very weak and the authorities don’t take action at all. That’s why all this is happening.” Landslides are a common hazard in the area. Three incidents have already taken place in the Kachin state this year but Saturday’s was the worst the country has witnessed in recent times. People living off the industry’s waste pick
their way across perilous mounds under the cover of darkness, driven by the hope that they might find a chunk of jade worth thousands of dollars. According to a Global Witness report, the jade trade in Myanmar was valued at $31bn in 2014, equivalent to “nearly half the GDP” of the country. (Adapted from Aljazeera)
Anti-Muslim hate crimes rose 300 percent in Britain in the week following the coordinated attacks in Paris, according to figures published on Monday. A “vast and overwhelming majority” of the 115 attacks were against Muslim women and girls aged between 14 and 45 who were wearing traditional Islamic dress, according to the findings reported in The Independent newspaper. The perpetrators were mainly white males
aged between 15 and 35, according to the report, which noted that the true numbers of attacks were likely much larger than those reported. The figures come from a report to a government working group on anti-Muslim hate compiled by Tell Mama, a helpline that records incidents of physical and verbal attacks on mosques and Muslims. A large number of the attacks occurred in public places such as buses and trains. “Many
of the victims have suggested that no one came to their assistance or even consoled them, meaning that they felt victimised, embarrassed, alone and angry about what had taken place against them. “Sixteen of the victims even mentioned that they would be fearful of going out in the future and that the experiences had affected their confidence.” The rise in attacks is in line with a similar increase that happened after the murder in south
London of British soldier Lee Rigby by Muslim extremists in 2013, according to the report. Is l a m o p h o b i c and anti-Semitic incidents had already risen sharply before the attacks in Paris, by 70.7 percent and 93.4 percent respectively in the year to July 2015 compared to the previous 12-month period, according to police figures. In all, 816 Islamophobic incidents were recorded in Greater London be-
tween July 2014 and July 2015, compared to 478 in the previous period. The same period saw 499 anti-Semitic incidents, a rise from 258 the previous year. Britain has 2.7
million Muslim residents and a Jewish population of 263,000, according to the 2011 census. (Adapted from Yahoo)
Poor oversight blamed for 113 death in collapsed mine
Anti-Muslim hate crime soars in Britain after Paris attacks
I was close to dying in hospital - Blatter
Sepp Blatter
Suspended FIFA President Sepp Blatter said he had been close to death as he lay in hospital due
to a stress-related illness earlier this month. In his first public comments since emerging
from treatment, Blatter told Swiss broadcaster RTS that he was “really between the angels
who sing and the devil who stokes the fire”. “It was the angels who sang,” said
Blatter without going into details of his condition. He was admitted to hospital in early November, weeks after FIFA’s ethics committee launched an investigation into his conduct and that of his former protege, European football boss Michel Platini. The FIFA body suspended both men, then called on Saturday for sanctions against them, deepening the storm building up around the sport which is also facing criminal enquiries in Switzerland and the United States. Blatter, who left hospital on November 12, again defended his record in the interview but said he wished he had stepped down at the height of his career, after last year’s World Cup in Brazil. “I regret that I
didn’t say to myself ‘Blatter, you have reached the peak, you have done some good things, you can’t do more than this, you should stop’.” Blatter, meanwhile, said Platini, who refused to back him in the FIFA elections earlier this year, was “an honest man”. “If he comes back, then he will be elected. ... And if he comes back, then I will come back as well. There was nothing under the table ... even in the FIFA rules, it’s allowed to make a written or an oral contract.” Blatter, who has been at the head of FIFA since 1998, faces criminal investigation in Switzerland over a 2 million Swiss franc ($1.96m) payment from FIFA to Platini. Both men have denied wrongdoing. (Al Jazeera)
Sri Lanka frontrunner to host
Ind-Pak series Sri Lanka is fast emerging as the likeliest venue to host a shortened bilateral series between Pakistan and India. Sri Lanka Cricket has been sounded out by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and appear very keen to host the series. Things have moved fast since BCCI president Shashank Manohar and PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan met at the ICC headquarters in Dubai on Sunday afternoon to break the deadlock over where the series should be held. The BCCI has made no comment as yet on the meeting, and Manohar left Dubai this morn-
ing to return to India. Shaharyar left too, and was meant to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Lahore on Monday, to brief him on the discussions in Dubai. But the meeting could not take place as Sharif was busy. “I could not meet him as he was very occupied with various things, so I will communicate to him in writing all that transpired at the meeting,” Khan said. He also pointed out that he would not be travelling back to Dubai on November 25, as originally planned, to meet ECB president Giles Clarke, who is act-
ing as a mediator between PCB and BCCI. Shaharyar and Najam Sethi, PCB’s head of executive committee, had come out of the Dubai meeting sounding optimistic, but they did not divulge any details. Those were supposed to be provided by Clarke at a media briefing today in Dubai but it is understood that will not happen. The ICC also confirmed there was no media conference scheduled. The biggest hurdle to the series was the venue: the BCCI had made it clear that it would not play Pakistan anywhere else
but in India. Rejecting that offer, the PCB responded by saying the memorandum of understanding signed by both countries in 2014 clearly stated India would travel to the UAE. Then, last Friday, Shaharyar added that the final decision
would be taken by the Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. According to an official privy to the details of the meeting, a final decision on the series would be made by November 27. He added that dates and stadiums haven’t been
chalked out yet but indicated the matches would be played towards the latter part of December to avoid washouts. (Adapted from Espncricinfo)
Monday November 23, 2015
Beverley Ignacio of Rupununi (left) along with Reckey Williams of North West pose after winning the 10k event.
National Schools Championship….
WILLIAMS UPSETS MCKENZIE TO WIN
MALE TITLE The National Schools Championships got off to brilliant start on Monday morning with the 10k road race and as is usually the case, athletes from the hinterland regions dominated by crossing the finish line at the Children’s monument in the National park well ahead of their competitors. The race got
off to a blistering start with male favourite Matthew McKenzie taking the early lead to carry the pace. McKenzie a regular feature in 10k’s in Guyana with credible finishes fell all the way to third with Reckey Williams of North West (District 1) running away easily with the event to score the upset win in a time
of 35: 56.4s well ahead of all his competition. Delroy Leitch of Corentyne (District 6) finished second in a time of 36:38.1s while Mckenzie of North Georgetown (District 11) who was said to be having some knee problems finished in third in a time of 36:43.0s. Finishing fourth with a time of
36:50.4s was Trolston Embrack of New Amsterdam (District 15) while Donte Forde of South Georgetown (District 13) rounded out the top five with a time of 38:47.0s. Meanwhile on the distaff side, Beverley Ignacio of Rupununi (District 9) copped her second straight female title having won the event
in both 2013 and 2014. Ignacio clocked 43:26.4s to win the event well ahead of Delicia Harper out of West Coast Berbice (District 5) with a time of 45:34.0s. Niocy Anthony of Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani (District 10) was third in a time of 47:36.0s while Janella Peters of Essequibo Coast/Pomeroon
(District 2) finished in fourth with a time of 49:02.1s. Mariah McKenzie of North Georgetown (District 11) rounded out the top five females with a time of 50:03.0s. The event will continue tomorrow with the start of the track and field championships from 9:30h with the grand opening of the event.