3rd September 2013

tuesday, september 3, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com

Thieves raid Bourda Market stall

– cart off $1M in cash and goods

BY UMADEVI BUX

Burglars broke into a Bourda Market stall early Monday morning carting off a quantity of goods and cash amounting around one million dollar.

According to the stallholder, Nardeo Persuad, he has been operating at Stall 214 for over three years and never had such an incident. Persaud also spoke about his frustration while reporting the matter to the City Constabulary.

“I got a call around 05:30h and was told that my stall was robbed,” said Persaud. He continued, “When I get there, the officers from the City Constabulary did not give the necessary cooperation. They even refuse to cooperate with the police investigator from Albertown Police Station… we pay the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) every month and yet they aren’t doing their jobs.”

Noting that his losses probably totalled some $1 million, he stated: “They stole over six boxes of cheese, milk powder, sausages… other valuable items and some amount of cash in U.S. and Guyanese dollars. I have been selling here for over three and a half years and never had this happened to me.”

Persaud stated that

the thieves had to break at least six security locks from the outside as well as inside before gaining entry into the shops. Persaud noted that his business is managed by family members. “Sometimes, I would be here, my mother or sister and even grandmother and for this to happen is very disturbing. I will do whatever it takes to catch the thieves,” said Persaud. He also mentioned that the City Constabulary has one suspect in custody; someone who is known for loitering in the area.

Commonplace

Guyana Times was also told by numerous other vendors that this has become commonplace in the market. “Every week, there is more than three to four robberies here. We pay from $12,000 to $16,000 to the City Council every month and the constables don’t even do their

jobs… we don’t get security or anything… only the other day, another stall was broken into from the roof… they pulled out the zinc and entered,” explained Lorena Jaipaul, another vendor who spoke with Guyana Times

She added: “The constable only come and take statements and nothing is being done… the town hall will call you today, tomorrow… today, tomorrow and nothing happens… so eventually you get fed up and tired of it.”

Yet another vendor Emile West, who has been selling at the location for a number of years, highlighted that robberies are not the only plight faced by the vendors. “When the rain falls, we get flood and lose business… plus they even robbing us, coming and thief and breaking into our shops, every week is some breaking and entering… the City Constables don’t do any-

thing.”

He said that many mornings he would be at the market as early as 03:00h to start his business day. “I would come here early… early to open my stall and I don’t see any constable patrolling the area… only junkies and the constable don’t even be here to do the security work… like they are paid fuh do.”

The vendors are calling on the relevant authorities to look into their plight. They noted that they have made numerous complaints to the City Council to no avail.

Caribbean fisherfolk mobilising for stronger representation

More than 35 fisherfolk leaders and resource persons from 17 Caricom countries met in August in Trinidad and agreed on a four-year plan of action which, among other things, will see fisherfolk in the Caribbean mobilising for stronger representation in the region and internationally.

“There are many factors that are threatening the livelihoods of fisherfolk in the Caribbean and so it’s very important that they start taking a stronger role in governance,” said Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) Executive Director Nicole Leotaud.

CANARI is a technical nonprofit organisation aimed at facilitating participatory natural resource management in the Caribbean.

Implementation plan

According to a release, fisherfolk agreed on an implementation plan for a four-year project funded by the European Union (EU) EuropeAid programme aimed at improving the contribution of the small scale fisheries sector to food security in the Caribbean through building the capacity of regional and national fisherfolk networks to participate in fisheries governance and management.

CANARI and its project implementing partners, the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES) of the University of the West Indies, Panos Caribbean, the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO) and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CFRM) organised the four-day workshop held in Trinidad.

“This week we have learnt extensively about areas that we can take action to impact policy and to link fishing to food security and nutrition. This is very important because globally these are very big issues –one policy we intend to impact is the small scale fisheries guidelines,” said CNFO Coordinator Mitchell Lay.

He added: “These guidelines

will impact all of us – I urge you, get to know the guidelines better and encourage your governments to send representatives to ensure that our voices are heard.”

According to Lay, more fisherfolk need to be engaged in the global negotiations now taking place on the International Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries, being coordinated by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (UN FAO). He said that at the recent negotiating meetings held in Rome this year; only one Caribbean country was represented of all the 17 Caricom countries represented at the fisherfolk workshop.

Participation in the ongoing negotiation of the international guidelines was one of the issues discussed at the workshop. Fisherfolk also analysed the draft agreement establishing the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy and the Caricom Nutrition and Food Security Policy. The EU project will support efforts of fisherfolk to engage in national, regional and international policy debates to ensure that policies developed address the needs of small scale fisherfolk and ensure that they can continue to play a significant role in food security and nutrition in the Caribbean islands.

Project activities

During the workshop, fisherfolk also agreed on project activities to build the capacity of local, national and regional fisherfolk organisations through a combination of national training workshops, small grants, and ongoing coaching and support by a team of trained incountry mentors. The over one million euro project is targeting fisherfolk organisations in the Caricom countries of Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Belize, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos.

Stall 214 at Bourda Market that was robbed early Monday morning

Nardeo Persaud

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Counrywide: Heavy rain showers are expected during the day with clear skies in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius.

Wind: East south-easterly to easterly at 2.68 metres per second.

High Tide: 03:02h and 15:25h reaching maximum heights 2.43 metres and 2.45 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:59h and 21:16h reaching minimum heights of 0.75 metre and 0.73 metre respectively.

ACTO hails Guyana’s policy on Amerindian rights

The Guyana government’s efforts at promoting the rights of the indigenous population have gained the recognition of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO), an international body aimed at the promotion of sustainable development of the Amazon Basin.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) report, ACTO Executive Director, Ambassador Mauricio Dorfler, who addressed the ACTO fifth meeting of high authorities on indigenous affairs on Monday, made reference to the granting of indigenous lands, the promotion of higher education, health, access, culture, among others.

“These are the experiences that can serve as a model not only for the indigenous people but also for the national development and identity,” Ambassador Dorfler said at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC).

Policy initiatives by successive People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) governments have been credited to the improvements that have been evident among the Amerindian communities in the remote areas of Guyana.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai told the gathering about Guyana being among the few countries to craft legislation on indigenous rights long before the United Nations (UN) Declaration of Indigenous Peoples Rights was submitted for member coun-

fifth high-level meeting at the Guyana International Conference Centre

tries’ approval.

The protection of indigenous people’s rights and welfare has been given primacy with the legal framework captured in the Amerindian Act of 2006, which Minister Sukhai recommended as a model for other countries to examine.

Reference was also made to major development projects targeting the country’s indigenous people based on the consent agreement and priorities of the respective villages. Among them is the granting of land titles to about 90 per cent of the eligible communities, the creation of an Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) to sustain livelihood and economic viability of vil-

lages, installation of 12,000 solar panel units to Amerindian households, the investment in modern schools and hospitals in the remote areas, and establishment of computer hubs in 150 villages to support the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Project.

“This initiative (OLPF) is intended to prepare indigenous people’s advancement towards a better life in this current period of advanced technological and information base,” Minister Sukhai said. Access to education has improved significantly with the construction of schools equipped with dormitory, and the school feeding and uniform programmes. Additionally, the Hinterland Scholarship Programme and technical vocational training have provided Amerindian students with the avenue to for educational empowerment.

A week-long National Toshaos Council (NTC) meeting each year provides an opportunity for village leaders to voice concerns to the president, government ministers and other officials. September is designated Amerindian Heritage month each year to showcase all aspects of the culture and development of the nation’s first people. This too, was hailed by Ambassador Dorfler.

The ACTO High-Level meeting coincides with the month-long activities that include an exhibition; homage to Stephen Campbell, the first Amerindian parliamentarian; visits to a designated heritage village; a pageant; and sports.

Magistrate orders counselling for reputed husband and wife

Areputed husband and wife on Monday were brought before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after they were charged for assulting each other.

It was alleged that on August 23 at Shopping Plaza, South Ruimveldt Gardens, Alston Edwards unlawfully and maliciously assaulted Anna Maria Sookram. He pleaded not guilty to the charge read against him. It was further alleged that on August 23 at Shopping Plaza, South Ruimveldt Gardens, Ann Maria Sookram unlawfully and maliciously assaulted Edwards. She too pleaded not guilty to

the charge when it was read against her.

According to the facts, both parties share a child and on the day in question, Sookram was taking the child to Edwards’ residence. They had a conversation in which he made certain advances. After she refused to comply with his demands, he dealt her two slaps across her face. She retaliated and returned a punch to his chest.

The prosecution made no objections to bail and both parties were placed on their own recognisance and were also bonded to keep the peace pending the outcome of the matter. They were also ordered to seek counselling.

After Magistrate

Sewnarine-Beharry gave her ruling, Sookram was still puzzled as to what went on in the courtroom and asked the magistrate to explain what she had just said. Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry slowly went over what she said, only to have Sookram say that she did not want to go to counselling. Magistrate SewnarineBeharry told her that counselling is mandatory. The matter is set to return to Court One on September 30 for reports.

ACTO Executive Director Ambassador Mauricio Dorfler speaking at the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation’s

Editor: Nigel Williams

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

CJIA squatters

The issue involving squatters preventing the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project from going ahead has once again been highlighted in the press. As recent as last week, government officials travelled to Timehri to meet with squatters to ensure that the process of relocating them is a smooth one.

Over the past few months, government has been at pains to get these persons to understand the need to expand the airport and to get them to comply with the law. As bad as it is, perhaps this could serve as a lesson for the authorities that they must not take lightly the issue of squatting.

In many communities across Guyana, both private individuals and businesses are engaged in this illegal activity without the authorities taking firm action. What we see now is that persons occupy government reserves and prevent crucial maintenance works from going on, for example cleaning of trenches and canals, they erect structures on pavements, they build their homes without following the necessary building codes, and the list goes on. In summary, some persons are allowed to operate by their own rules.

With some of the CJIA squatters now refusing to move, the nation is being made to wait until, or we should say if, the squatters decide to move before works could begin to have a modern airport in place. Some residents are even putting up a strong resistance as to why they should not move.

So here are the facts: the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) had some time ago confirmed that the Timehri North occupants are squatting on lands belonging to CJIA Corporation. The airport land was demarcated in 1990 by the GLSC. When the area was surveyed and demarcated, there were empty government buildings and about three squatters. Now that figure has reached over 300 houses and 30 shops in the area.

The expansion project is a massive undertaking and surely means well for Guyana, and squatters there should be made to understand that it is in national interest for them to cooperate with the authorities. No one can offer any reasonable argument that this particular project is not good for the country. In fact, this is evidence that modernisation and transformation is unfolding in Guyana.

Once completed, it is expected that international airlines using all types of aircraft will be able to land here, which will expand transport linkages for the country. It will also generate job opportunities, not only by direct activities generated by the airport, but by increasing economic activities at the restaurant outlets and shops at the facility.

We should mention that Public Works Minister Robeson Benn again offered government’s support in helping squatters apply for house lots. The most viable options immediately available are either to relocate residents to Yarrowkabra or other housing schemes. It is not that the government has decided to just chase the squatters off the land, they have been given alternatives, meaning transported land to establish a permanent basis.

If the airport is not expanded and improved to meet the demands of the airlines, the business community, the travelling public and the entire country will suffer economically and more importantly, persons living in the Soesdyke/Timehri area will lose financially.

What is clear in this case, is that the authorities were too lenient with the squatters from the beginning. If they had enforced the necessary regulations with respect to squatting, then the problem would not have escalated and in fact, become uncontrollable.

The authorities must learn from these experiences and do what is necessary to ensure that incidents such as this, do not repeat themselves in other areas of the country. Squatting is illegal and must be treated as such. However, while the government must continue to engage the residents and provide all the necessary assistance in relocating, they must also be firm when it is found that the laws have been broken.

Guyana govt cannot stop deportations

Dear Editor,

I write in reference to the Foreign Ministry’s response relating to the deportation of Mark Isaacs (Stabroek News, August 29) to explain the process of “removal from the U.S.”.

Contrary to what deportee Isaacs believes, there is virtually nothing any country can do to prevent a deportation except in the rarest of cases where a prospective deportee was denied due process or a fair trial.

The Guyana government could have appealed, begged, pleaded for Isaacs and may indeed had done so and I am certain the government would have preferred to have one less deportee in the country. But it was unlikely that deportation would have been avoided.

I studied U.S. immigration rules and keenly follow changes to the law on deportation removal. Once a

non-citizen commits a serious crime (felony, as in the case of Isaacs), he or she is automatically placed under removal proceedings after serving “time”.

There are limited exceptions to this rule granted by a judge under humanitarian conditions, or by the president or some high official. Recently, the Barack Obama administration announced it would consider granting a reprieve from deportation to some convicted “minors” who have virtually no connection to their home country.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency that oversees immigration policies, also announced it would review its policy on deportation of certain individuals who were convicted of less serious crimes.

There is/was virtually nothing that the Guyana government could have

done to prevent Isaacs deportation. However, Isaacs could have taken measures to delay or even prevent deportation by using his service in the armed forces. Naturalised citizens are rarely deported, unless they obtained citizenship under fraudulent means, even if they commit the most heinous crimes.

Any immigrant who serves honourably in the U.S. armed forces is entitled to expedited citizenship and many Guyanese are known to acquire citizenship under this rule. Isaac could have applied for citizenship under this rule and delayed or prevented deportation while his application was pending.

Those who served honourably in the armed forces are almost never rejected of citizenship even while in holding. Also, Isaacs could have appealed directly to the president or other officials, the army chief-of-staff,

or the chairman of the joint chiefs-of-staff, pointing out his honourable service in the army while defending America, and plead for his assistance.

Isaacs most likely would have been granted a reprieve from deportation while his citizenship application proceeded – the army is kind to its servicemen. That would have been a better course of action rather than depend on the action of the Guyana government, which has no sway in preventing his or any other deportation.

On the record, the Obama administration has deported more people than perhaps all previous presidents combined. Deportation rules are strictly enforced and as such the principal reason why so many Guyanese have been deported even for petty crimes.

Yours truly,

Vishnu Bisram

The importance of parental involvement

Dear Editor,

All the fuss about why some students did badly at the last Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations has now descended into an opportunity for political gain. So many from the opposition parties are looking for opportunities to blame everyone, except themselves.

Everything in the country now seems to descend into a political blame game. One letter writer recently stated that the People’s

Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), particularly the Guyana Police Force, was to be blamed for an accident, where a bus toppled and took two lives.

The Education Ministry has responded to say that parental involvement has a strong impact on student achievement. The good and the bad students come from all classes and races of people. Some parents are not educated, but their input revolves around ensuring that their children

stay with their books. It is a simple case of how much work was put in by the students. If there is no one there to ensure this kind of input, they will do badly.

All the critics should go and see who did badly and what are their backgrounds in terms of their family structure. We have too many absent fathers in many homes and this creates the imbalance, where many children are in the care of single mothers and other relatives.

Outside of the academ-

ics, this has many social and psychological setbacks too. A father’s involvement in schools is associated with the higher likelihood of a student getting mostly better grades. May we be honest? We need to take responsibility for our children. Even in the event of separation, children must be taken care of. They end up losing out on what is rightfully theirs.

Sincerely, Jamal Sunich

Bright smiles on the first day of school. These eager little faces were marked present on their first day of school at the South Road Nursery in the city (Carl Croker photo)

Scrutinise work done by all contractors

Dear Editor, The government now seems very serious about the bad culture of some contractors. A dismissed contractor, who had failed to deliver, is about to be seriously scrutinised. The Public Works Ministry is currently conducting an assessment to ascertain whether or not it has to pay the contractor additional money or if the contractor has to pay the ministry.

When a contractor is in deliberate error, like this one, and more so, when things had to be taken over, there should be hardly any consideration for reimbursing money to him.

That is why things are usually spelled out to all the contractors. I admit that there can be some unforeseen difficulties, but these should not be the routine and they should not be insurmountable. I get this feeling all the time that these contractors think that they can always come up with some plausible explanation to get off the hook.

The company’s negligence resulted in more damage to the area. And it is something we cannot condone. I recall the extensive damage that was done in Lusignan, when some roads were being laid. Up to now the place has not been tended to.

There is a street in

Rewarding children for their success

Annandale, leading from the Main Road to the Railway Embankment, and the state of it is most terrible. During a recent rainy season, a heavy duty machine cleaned the drains but dumped the stuff right on to the narrow road.

What happened there after was so terrible. It quickly rolled back to the drains in many spots. The vehicle itself so damaged the road that it is deeply sunk for the most part. Somebody needs to check out this situation and called up someone for accountability.

Just as the ministry is currently trying to remedy the situation in Leguan, similar kind of action is needed in all the places where bad work has been done. I detest the disrespectful attitude of some contractors. They must deliver – if not, they get the requisite punishment.

Respectfully submitted, Raymond Butler

Dear Editor, The Guyana Oil Company Limited (Guyoil) and the NEW GPC INC recently got involved in a very worthy exercise – they both made presentations of bursary awards to some children of their respective employees. This is one of the best ways for profitable companies to invest in their workers – do something for their children who are suc-

cessful at various levels of their education.

Students must take their studies seriously and make good use of the opportunity and assistance given to pursue their secondary education. They must also stay focused, while working toward achieving their academic goals.

As for the parents, they should ensure that their children attend school reg-

ularly, do their schoolwork and examine it as regularly as possible. They should set aside time for being with them, and to keep in touch with the schoolteachers.

Few are the geniuses of this world. If we had a plethora of them, then it would be easy all the time on parents and teachers. However, since most people, including students, are just the average and common lot, we

need to all pitch in. If employers are going the extra-mile to help deserving workers and students, then it stands to reason that both parties, parents and teachers, must play their respective parts. Education is not about to be realised without that special effort.

Yours truly, Fabian Gonsalves

The Sophia community needs help

Dear Editor,

Another case of domestic violence and another Sophia crime. I am a loyal resident of Sophia, but the community seems to need some urgent intervention. It appears to be rapidly becoming a crime-infested area and some work is urgently needed there.

In recent times, too many terrible things have been happening. The most recent is that a man is now on the

run after he reportedly assaulted his reputed wife and allegedly set afire their house.

This eruption of anger can be in any deadly form, and it stems many times from uncontrollable situations. Anger colours people’s decisions, and research suggests that without an awareness of this fact, terrible things can happen.

That is why many organisations worldwide are now

investing in anger-management programmes for their vulnerable employees. Anger manifestation is not limited to just the other person. It can spill over to the innocent and unsuspecting.

Anger actually short-circuits reasoning powers and renders the angry person incapable of thinking right. Denial or suppression of anger can lead to low self-esteem, and many men seek a compensatory act by resort-

ing to violence. However, giving into anger is most inappropriate in a civilised society. I call for this kind of help to be given to people with an anger problem. We can start right in the Sophia community.

Yours faithfully, Resident of Sophia Name withheld by request

No place for speeding on the roads

Dear Editor, Too many times, parked vehicles create traffic hazards. And I am seeing more and more these days how conductors are calling passengers to cross the road, so that they can get their patronage. The whole thing looks very dangerous. These conductors commit the

worst of sin just to scoop up a person. Are these conductors police officers? They go about stopping traffic all the time and no one is doing anything.

Badly parked vehicles must be addressed. I see that many containers are being left for days on our road ways.

Now to speed driving –is it not the same as dangerous driving? I have always contended that a mixture of youth, speed and access to hi-tech vehicles is tantamount to mayahem.

Speeding is a big problem here in Guyana and must be stopped. Our roads are not straight, smooth and long – they are too winding. Also, many areas are yet to be with street lamps. Do we need more reasons to slow down? If we cannot drive slower, then we should not drive at all. Lives are just too precious.

Yours sincerely, Janice Yearwood

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Page Foundation

It isn’t easy being a parent...

Be a great parent

Parenting can be wonderful and rewarding, but it can also be difficult and unpleasant. Most parents experience moments (or months or years) of feeling overwhelmed. There’s a lot of information out there about what we “should” do to raise “good” children.

In reality, there are no guaranteed methods for en suring we and our children will be happy, healthy, and successful in life.

There is, how ever, plenty of research show ing that par ents can make a significant, pos itive difference through a num ber of simple ap proaches.

Since the 1950s, Search Institute re searchers studied the effects of various influences in young people’s lives. They’ve found that the 40 Developmental Assets clearly relate to good things – like doing well in school, serving others, engaging in the community, and forming healthy habits.

gies that help. Focusing on these nine research-based strategies provides guidance and direction in the uncertain world of parenting. And that’s something parents can feel good about.

Strategy one: Create a warm, caring, supportive family

for walks, talk in the car, or meet somewhere for coffee.

* Don’t strive to live up to a stereotype or an ideal of parenting; just do what works for you.

Strategy two: Maintain open, honest communication

It’s important for grownups to help young people experience these things, but parents can’t do it alone. However, there are nine specific parenting strate-

the same way. Some shower their children with lots of hugs, high-fives, and kind notes; others are more stoic or reserved. Tap into your own way of showing your children you care.

* Spend time together in ways that fit your lifestyle.

* Try to make time for regular meals together, go

Communicate in ways that work well for you. Texting sometimes gets a bad rap, but so did the telephone years ago. Lots of children today text –many of them, with their parents. If it works for your family, go for it. The medium you use matters less than how much you

* Do you understand what your kids are trying to tell you? Are you paying attention to body language or other cues that might indicate there’s more to a story?

* When you share things, are you grounding yourself in love, respect, and clarity? Do you ever say one thing and mean another? Do you treat them the

way you want to be treated?

Connect your children to other, caring, responsible adults

Are you able to name at least three non-parent adults who are positive role models for your child?

That strict but kind violin teacher who pushes 20 minutes of practice a day may be helping your daughter build confidence. Or maybe the neighbour who hires your son to walk her dogs helps him see himself as a responsible and reliable person. Adults outside our families can be hidden treasures when it comes to helping us parent. Research shows that all family members can benefit from children having these kinds of supportive relationships. You can help nurture them by introducing your children to people you like and respect, and supporting positive relationships that develop naturally.

Get involved in your child’s school and other activities

Most schools and youthserving programmes go out of their way to reach parents through conferences, volunteer opportunities, and special events. If you’re too busy to attend, at

the very least, connect with your children’s teachers via e-mail or phone. Then start taking advantage of opportunities to actually get into and spend time at the places your children go.

* If the idea of going to school makes you uncomfortable, chaperone a field trip out of the building.

* If you aren’t finding good ways to get involved, start talking to or emailing your child’s teachers, principals, programme leaders, other directors. Let them know what would work for you and why the current opportunities don’t work.

Empower your children to contribute Children may not realise it, but having responsibilities is good for them. All people need to know they are valued and valuable; it’s human nature. Parents can show children that they are valued at home by giving them increasing levels of responsibility. We can then take it a step further by helping them get engaged in service in the community, whether this involvement is in the neighbourhood, school, or somewhere else. (Parentfurther.com)

TO BE CONTINUED

How to help your child deal with a parent being away

BY ARRIVANNA BROOKS

It can be hard for young children to deal with the fact that their father or mother will be travelling abroad for a few months. Many children get used to having a certain daily routine so any disruption in that routine can cause huge problems. Here are some tips on how to help your child deal with the fact that their parent is traveling abroad:

The first tip is to always make sure that your child can contact their parent who is abroad. You can set up a daily calling time, just make sure that you account for the time change impact. You can buy international calling cards to ensure that you are not being charged large fees for the calls by your cellular phone provider.

The second tip is to do art projects with your child. Children love to do art projects with their parents. You can say that they are making presents for their mommy or daddy for when they come home. This is also a great way to give your child some extra one on one attention while their parent is traveling abroad.

The third tip is to make a countdown calendar with your child. Children have a hard time understanding how long a day really is. This can make it difficult to understand when you say that their mommy or daddy will be back home in a certain number of days. Each day you can remove one of the pages to show your child how many days are left until their parent returns. This allows the child to get a visual understanding of what is actually going on.

The fourth tip is to plan fun play dates for your child. It is important to help your child keep their mind off of missing their parent. The days will go by much faster if they have friends around and can play, laugh, and enjoy themselves.

The fifth tip is to show your child pictures of their parent that is away. This will allow your child to see images of their parent and they can also feel like their parent is still with them even though he or she is away from home.

It can be hard to deal with a child who misses a parent; you are asked constantly when mommy or daddy is coming home. You just have to remain strong and help your child deal with the emotions that he or she is going through. (Yahoo! Voices)

Opposition pilloried for spreading misinformation on hydro project

The Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has accused the opposition of misleading the public about the Amaila Falls project.

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, speaking at a PPP/C press conference on Monday, said the joint opposition continues to engage in disseminating false information about the project as they attempt to justify their non-support.

Referring to comments made by Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan that his party was unaware of the interest rate for the project, Dr Singh said the AFC member’s comment is absurd.

Well known fact

The AFC leader in a media report said the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) would normally make loans available to Guyana and other countries at concessional rates in the vicinity of one or two per cent. The loan to the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project was set at a whopping 9.5 per cent.

Ramjattan was reported as saying too that the revelation that the IDB was asking for 9.5 per cent has illustrated the “deceptive nature of government”, given that all along, stakeholders were of the impression that the loan was at a concessionary rate of 1.5 per cent.

However, Dr Singh debunked that statement saying that the information was provided to both the AFC and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) a year ago, clearly indicating the interest cost, or cost of fi -

nancing.

He noted that both parties had an opportunity then, to ask questions, but they did not. The finance minister further stated that it is a widely known fact that concessional financing is only available to countries that meet certain criteria.

The minister reiterated that the Amaila Falls project is a private sector initiative, with the government involved in no borrowing as private developers, or special purpose companies are the borrowing entities. The lending, he reiterated is private sector lending at private sector rates. “So to threat this now as some fact that has been now discovered and to manufacture a controversy surrounding this matter, is nothing short of an attempt to mislead the people of Guyana.”

The finance minister said too that he strongly believes that “the opposition by their parliamentary action delayed the progress of the project”.

APNU’s action

He added that it was an established fact that private developer said from the inception that unless there is parliamentary consensus, they will not be prepared to spend any more money on the due diligence process. However, members of the APNU, he noted are now claiming that they were not aware of that information, which was critical to the project’s continuation.

“I have confidence that the people of Guyana are judicious in their judgement on matters of nation -

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh

al importance. Anybody who has been following the media reports will be well aware of the facts and will know that what the opposition is trying to do is literally to find a fig leaf, behind which to hide and conceal the consequences of their parliamentary action.”

Dr Singh noted that the daily forays in the media by members of the opposition, is an attempt to mislead and misrepresent the facts as they relate to the project, to the people of Guyana and “to hide particularly because of the damage that they would have inflicted to the progress that we were making toward this project”.

“Let me say without fear of contradiction that any suggestion by the opposition that they were not afforded adequate opportunity to interrogate and scrutinise this project is a factual misrepresentation.” He said recent articles have been examples of the facts being subtly distorted to create a misleading impression.

Man gets bail for simple larceny

Aman was brought before Chief Magistrate Priya-SewnarineBeharry on Monday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of simple larceny.

It was alleged that on August 13 at Longden Street, Georgetown, Devon Jackson stole 32 men’s trunk pants and 38 short pants, valuing a total of $211,500; property of Shawn Marks. He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read against him.

According to the facts

read by Prosecutor Bharat Mangru, on the day in question, the VC, who is a vendor on the pavement, secured his belongings, when the defendant picked them up and ran away. An alarm was raised and the defendant was apprehended.

Jackson, who was unrepresented, told the court that he had just come out of a bus from Berbice when a man jumped on him and “fire two jucks” at him. He stated that he has no knowledge of the crime since he had just come from Berbice.

Although the prosecution objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and the penalty attached to such an offence along with the likelihood that the defendant would not return to court if granted his pretrial liberty, Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry granted bail in the sum of $100,000. Jackson told the magistrate that he can only afford $80,000.

The bail was reduced and the matter was transferred to Court One for September 20.

Mason brought to court for assault

On Monday, a man was brought before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry after he was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm.

It was alleged that on August 22 at West Ruimveldt, Devon Charles unlawfully assaulted Gordon Demoney so as to

cause him actual bodily harm. He pleaded not guilty to the charge read against him.

Charles was represented by Attorney Paul FungA-Fat who told the court that his client is 19-yearsold and is a mason with a fixed address at 462 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown. He also stated that the defen-

PPP/C slams Granger’s “hypocrisy” on youth unemployment

The ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has rubbished comments made by Opposition Leader David Granger that Guyana has a high youth unemployment rate.

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee said Granger is being hypocritical about the issue, especially since the party voted against crucial pieces of legislation for the realisation of the Amaila Falls project.

“It is common understanding that cheap and reliable energy is a cornerstone for the economic development of any nation. It fuels the expansion of the manufacturing sector, attracts both foreign and local investment, and as a result, creates numerous job opportunities in various fields and sectors for the skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labour force... this is the vision which was behind our efforts to realise the project,” he stated.

The PPP/C general secretary further added that if APNU is so passionate about the issue, then it should move to participate in national development and the creation of jobs for the Guyanese populace. He recalled that it was that same party that was “loud in their praise” of so many young skilled Guyanese who were employed in the construction of the Amaila Falls access road, during a visit by both opposition parties to the site. A few days later, they voted against the project, placing those same young people in jeopardy.

PPP/C

“So in reality, Granger is sitting on a time bomb, as he is running out of excuses and every time he utters a word, the magnitude of his misinformation to his constituency is being revealed. Make no mistake about it, the APNU knows that their action and the action of its leadership were of their best interest and not that of the nation,” Rohee said. The PPP/C, he explained will continue to monitor “Granger’s efforts to defuse the resentment and anger of his anti-nationalistic actions”.

Non-assent to bills

Moving his attention to another issue, Rohee dismissed concerns raised by the opposition about President Donald Ramotar’s non-assent to a few bills passed in the National Assembly. According to Rohee, President Ramotar’s non-assent to the bills was in no way political in nature as his reasons were listed in a letter to the

Speaker of the House and are grounded by the Constitution. The PPP/C, he said, supports the president in standing up against the threats made by the APNU which were purely designed to bully him to pass “unconstitutional bills”. He reiterated that every bill that passes through the National Assembly does not result in an automatic assent by the president. “The party is convinced that rather than grandstand and create all manner of political illusion to distract from their failings... the APNU needs sto stand up and play a meaningful role in the development of our nation,” Rohee added. The Constitution resides in the president, a latitudinal power of discretion, as to whether he will assent or not to bills passed in the National Assembly. After careful consideration, the president, Rohee added, decided not to assent to a few bills and has complied with the procedure that the Constitution outlines when he decides to withhold his assent. With regards to Granger’s reference that the law is very clear on the issue and they hold the government at fault, Rohee said if the APNU feels that its position is “drowned by law, why didn’t they approached the High Court after making threats to do just that since May this year?”

According to the PPP/C, the opposition is engaged in a propaganda war to justify its actions, given the harsh judgment it is receiving from the people.

dant has been locked up for five days and made an application for reasonable bail.

There were no objections to bail put forward by the prosecution. The defendant was placed on his own recognisance and a bond pending the outcome of the trial. The matter was transferred to Courts Eight and Nine for report and fixtures.

General Secretary Clement Rohee

tuesday, september 3, 2013| guyanatimesgy.com

Duo remanded for daylight robbery

Two young men were on Monday brought before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of larceny from the person.

It was alleged that on August 30 at Camp and Quamina streets, Lexroy Rigby and Teon Smith robbed Mark Mollyveavex of his BlackBerry cellphone valued $150,000 and $50,000 cash; a total value of $200,000. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read against them.

According to the facts read by Prosecutor Bharat Mangru, on the day in question, the VC was walking along Camp Street during the day when he was approached by the two defen-

dants who grabbed him by his shirt, relieved him of his cellphone and one of the defendants put their hands in his pocket and took his money. They then made their escape down Quamina Street. The VC followed them to Stabroek Market where he saw two of his friends and related the story to them. The defendants were apprehended and taken to the police outpost.

Both defendants were unrepresented. Rigby gave his address as 112 Mile, Mahdia, North West District and Smith gave his as 69 Bent Street, Georgetown. Both young men are 20 years old.

Magistrate SewnarineBeharry denied bail and the duo was remanded to prison. The matter is set to return to court on September 13.

Feud lands siblings in court

Abrother and a sister appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday facing cross charges.

It was alleged that on August 28 at Croal Street, Otis Smith made use of threatening behaviour to Christine McCalman where a breach of the peace was occasioned. It was also alleged that on the same day, he made use of abusive language to McCalman. He pleaded not guilty to both offences when they were read against him. It was further alleged that on August 28, Christine McCalman made use of threatening language to Smith. She too pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Both parties were unrepresented and told the court they are vendors.

McCalman went on to say that her brother is very disrespectful and always has something to say, even when the situation doesn’t concern him.

According to the facts, on the day in question, McCalman was coming from the market when she saw her little brother standing with her other brother, Smith. She asked her brother “for a raise” resulting in Smith becoming annoyed. He then verbally abused her and threatened to stab her with a knife. McCalman in turn told him that he was behaving stupid and said that she will punch him in the mouth.

Both parties were placed on their own recognisance and a bond pending the outcome of the matter. The matter was transferred to Court Six for September 16.

Eyew tness

Inflating...

...credentials

The chutzpah of the poseurs in Guyana knows no bounds. There’s this bookkeeper Suspenders Ram, who used to have a column in the Stabber News. Until he was thrown out on his ear for making unsubstantiated and libelous statements about his betters. For the longest while he insisted he was an “accountant”. But accountants are members of a professional organisation that holds them to standards.

With all the shenanigans Suspenders pulled on clients, there’s no way in hell he could’ve been a member of that organisation. The man was just a shyster of the highest order. Now suddenly he acquired a new title – “financial analyst”. Overnight! At least, according to the MuckrakerKN, where he’s getting a squeeze because of their common opposition loyalties. Birds of a feather flocking together and all that.

A financial analyst has to have specialised training...and loads of hands-on experience. Starting as a junior with a master’s in business administration (MBA) at least under his belt, he gradually learns to apply all the variables that go into evaluating risks and other challenges and opportunities on investments. And here we have this wanker, who has the temerity to go to bed on Friday as a bookeeper and wake up on Saturday a “financial analyst”.

Maybe he was so addled when he went to law school in his dotage, he thought he was in a business school for an MBA. Just take one of his pronouncements on the Amaila Falls Hydro Electricity Project (AFHEP). Any one. They all betray the confusion of one foundering beyond his depth. Like the accusation that the government will add US$750 million to the national debt because it’s guaranteeing the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) payment to the Amaila Falls Hydro Inc (AFHI).

Even his new sidekick Anand Goolsarran hemmed and hawed for a thousand words on “public debt and loan guarantee” before conceding that even in the worst case scenario that “suggests a broader view of Guyana’s public debt”, the commitment might be considered as a “contingent liability”. Not an actual debt. And if Suspenders knew the first thing about being a financial analyst, he’d know – as Goolsarran pointed by cogging from some textbook – it all depends on the possibility of GPL defaulting.

Does Suspenders see GPL defaulting on its total payments of US$100 million annually for seven years in a row? Does he think the whole of Guyana won’t have to pay for electricity – like Linden? We wish these perennial, doddering wannabe “financial experts” would at least get their story straight.

...self-fulfilling prophesies

David Granger and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) gang are ranting, raving and prophesying great calamities from youths not having jobs. He wants the government to “do something”. Well the government could do two things. For one, it could get back into the “creation” of jobs like the People’s National Congress (PNC) founderleader Forbes Burnham did by expanding the public payroll to over 100,000 jobs. The disciplined forces – Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana National Service (GNS), Guyana People’s Militia (GPM) and Guyana Police Force (GPF) – alone had 27,000 people.

But we know where that took Guyana, don’t we? Economic collapse and bankruptcy, that’s what! These fellows never learn. Maybe they should look over in Jamaica where the government’s had to cut their public payroll like load shedding. Desmond Hoyte had to do the same in 1989 with the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The other way is what the government’s doing right now: creating the conditions for the private sector to create jobs. But the opposition of APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have created so much mayhem in the country for the last decade that private companies have to be crazy to invest here. So what we have is a problem the opposition creates – but wants the government to solve. Saboteurs!!

...ignorance

Imagine Khemraj Ramjattan could confess he never knew the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) was making its loan to AFHI as a private company!!! Hello....! Wasn’t the “Inc” a tip off? Doesn’t the wanker know what’s a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)? Maybe his Chairman Nigel Hughes, who’s also company secretary of AFHI can educate him.

Police deepens probe into Diamond businesswoman's murder

– to review CCTV footage

BY: BHISHAM MOHAMED

As part of the investigation into the murder of businesswoman Sirmattie Ramnaress who was discovered dead in her home at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Saturday morning; investigators intend to review the footage recorded from the CCTV camera along the East Bank, Georgetown and East Coast corridors.

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud told Guyana Times on Monday morning that the police, as part of their investigations will review the footage with the hope of finding a clue to solve the murder.

Footage

The police are optimistic that the footage from the CCTV cameras will at least provide them with a view of the driver and occupants who were in the getaway car that was later found abandoned at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. Persaud could not confirm the actual time the car was found, but suggested that it might have been before the area was cordoned off to facilitate the Venezuelan president’s visit here on Saturday.

In addition, the crime chief also confirmed that the police are working on several leads that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators. He said that after the discovery, crime scene experts had dusted the house and the woman’s body for fingerprints and they were successful in retrieving a few.

The police also uplifted

DNA samples to be tested as they intensify their investigations.

Responding to an article in one of the daily newspapers which reported that a sister of the dead woman knew the killers; the crime chief stated that he was not briefed on this development, but believes it is a speculation.

“If she had information that someone wanted to harm her sister, then she should have contacted the police at once, thus preventing a hideous crime,” Persaud said.

A post-mortem examination on Ramnaress’ body is expected to be performed on Wednesday at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary.

While it is speculated that the woman died as a result of shock and hemor-

rhage due to multiple stab wounds, relatives are curious to know if she was killed before the wounds were inflicted.

Allegation

The reputed husband of the deceased woman was extensively grilled. Sergeant Colin Bailey admitted that he heard of his implication in the murder, but explained that he will never commit such an act, noting that he and Ramnaress have been together for the past 21 years.

He also stated that after the woman ended the relationship with her first husband, they have been friends and their relationship blossomed.

The lifeless body of Ramnaress, 48, also called “Sabo” of Lot 2430 21

The decomposed body of a man was on Monday morning found in a canal at Long Pond, Sisters Village West Bank Demerara about 12:00h.

Upon the discovery, the body was transported by boat about a mile from where it is suspected to have drowned. The man was discovered by a supervisor of a

Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) sugar estate, who immediately summoned the police.

It is believed that the man may have died over the weekend as the supervisor explained that when his workers left the estate on Friday, no one was seen in area. Up to press time, the identity of the man was unknown, but his body was taken to the Ezekiel’s Funeral Home where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The supervisor explained that about 11:00h, he and his workers were heading into the sugar estate when they were confronted with a heavy stench. At that point, they did not see the body and thought it was some animal,

Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara was found about 10:00h lying face down in her office located close to her garage.

Her throat was slit, head bashed-in and hip was disjointed; sections of her multimillion-dollar property were also destroyed by fire.

The entire bottom-flat of the house was completely drenched with kerosene and her house was ransacked, which suggests that the woman was robbed before she was killed.

The perpetrators also set alight a bond aback the house, which was completely destroyed. After the robbery, the killers escaped in one of the woman’s motor cars, it was subsequently found abandoned on the Liliendaal Public Road, East Coast Demerara.

Recordings

Further information received revealed that the recordings from the surveillance cameras, both internally and externally were missing.

This indicates that the perpetrators were well briefed as to the locations of the recording areas. Investigators are working on the theory that the robbery might have been an inside job since there were no signs of forced entry into the premises.

In addition, the woman’s property is protected by several feet of grilled fence and an alarm system, which, according to neighbours, did not go off during the night of the gruesome murder.

De old Rams love de weekends together

De old Rams love de weekends together. Every weekend de two old Rams does deh pun a roll. This is not de opposition role that dem does play. That is another role by itself. When people deh pun a roll dem is like when dem deh pun a high. Dem does feel good. Dem does tink that dem can do a lotta tings. Dem does want to talk plenty too. And dem does tink dem on top of de world all by demselves.

That is de kinda roll de two old Rams does deh pun. Dem does even roll one another. Dem does deh pun such a high that some times de Sus Penders does fall off. And Ram Bow does shoot wid he arrow. Dat is when dem does feel good and want to do a lotta tings. Dem does be on top of de whole world, including one another. Dat is when dem does end up talkin plenty.

And that is when de mud paper does get more news. Every ting dem seh does mek de news. Never mind Hanand seh that de old Rams is rejects from de Stabber, who can’t mek it in de news in de Stabber anymore. Any and every ting does go in the mud paper.

De other day, even when a dog chase a mud reporter was big news. But then again Suru and Duru does only deal wid mud. One got de mud in he head and de other got de mud in he hands fuh mud slingin.

Last weekend, when de old Rams was on another roll, Ram Bow jump up and seh de Amaila Falls hydro project is a gigantic rip off. Well judgin from de way Ram Bow talkin, de only ting that gigantic is how much he talkin!

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! And de only ting that rip is he mouth. So look out fuh de old Rams next weekend again.

but as they continued their journey, they saw the man’s body floating in the canal.

The body, the supervisor noted was already swollen, and as such, he did not go too close to see if there was any sign of violence, but was subsequently told by police ranks that there was none.

Nevertheless, he added that he contacted his boss who provided a boat to transport the body to a point where it was received by members of the funeral home.

While details are still sketchy, the man is of African descent and is suspected to be in his early forties. He was clad in a pairs of jeans and jersey. At the scene, curious onlookers turned up to get a view of the body; some

claimed it was the first time a body was fished out of the canal.

One woman stated that strange people would traverse the area frequently. Based on the description received, they were not sure of the man’s identity. The police are continuing their investigations.

Port Kaituma

Meanwhile, the body of Steve George, 37, who is suspected to have been murdered, was found along the Four Miles, Port Kaituma Road, North West District (NWD) on Monday morning about 03:30h. He was reportedly discovered by a policeman who was travelling to another village.

When contacted, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud disclosed that from reports, the man’s body bore several marks of violence including a broken chin, a few missing teeth and laceration to the neck.

Guyana Times understands that there was a launch of Amerindian Month activities at the Port Kaituma Community Centre ground earlier in the night and the possibility exists that George might have attended the function.

The man’s body was taken to the Port Kaituma Hospital for identification and a postmortem examination. No arrest has been made. Police are continuing their investigations.

Dead businesswoman: Sirmattie Ramnaress

PPP/C salutes Amerindians for Heritage Month activities

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has joined with the rest of the Guyanese community in saluting the Amerindian community on the occasion of Amerindian Heritage Month 2013.

In a statement, the party said in keeping with this year’s theme “Honouring our culture, advancing our future”, it is proud of the significant contributions made by Amerindians to the development of Guyana.

“The records will show that successive PPP/C administrations since 1992 have worked tirelessly to aggressively address the historical injustices to the Amerindian people, including the creation for the first time of a Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the establishment of an Amerindian Development Fund,” the PPP/C said.

It added that Amerindians are now better off than they have ever been in any point of their history.

The party said efforts continue to build on the progress thus far, as was highlighted in this year’s national budget where some US$6 million will be allocated to the Amerindian

Development Fund; a $160 million hinterland water supply project benefitting over 15,000 citizens in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10; the allocation of $200 million for the commencement of a Hinterland Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training Programme; the expenditure of $500 million as part of the overall information communication technology drive to create computer banks and supportive power supply in every Amerindian community; the expansion of the Women of Worth (WoW) empowerment project to hinterland areas, such as Region

One , where over 100 single mothers will benefit; the multimillion dollar construction of a half megawatt hydropower project to provide electricity to the Amerindian community of Kato, Region Eight and not forgetting the continued investments in health, education and the fact that over 161 hinterland communities, or 10,000 households have thus far benefited from the provision of solar power panel sets.

In addition, the party said demarcation of lands in Amerindian villages, long neglected, continues apace with funds being set aside in

this year’s budget for this exercise. “Life in Amerindian communities has vastly improved including better education, health, recreational and communications facilities. A new Amerindian Act has been passed by the PPP/C government.”

According to the PPP/C, Amerindian children are sent in increasing numbers to overseas scholarship programmes in fields such as medicine, engineering, agriculture and other disciplines.

“Amerindians are now taking their rightful place in critical decision-making positions in several sectors. In the PPP/C, Brian Allicock of Region Nine and our current Amerindian Affairs Minister Ms Pauline Sukhai was elected by delegates at the party’s recent congress to the Central Committee (CC) and CC members in turn elected Ms Sukhai to the party’s Executive Committee.

“Our party joins in this month-long celebration as we believe that Amerindians have much to celebrate when they assess their gains thus far, and the fact that their future is more secured today,” the party statement added.

First lady extends Amerindian Heritage Month greetings

First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar has extended heartfelt greetings to the indigenous peoples of Guyana as they celebrate Amerindian Heritage Month, a time set aside each year to honour the contributions of the Amerindian community.

In a message, the first lady said: “It is for all of us in our multicultural nation to continue to appreciate the remarkable customs, traditions, values, religious beliefs, art, craft, food, music and dances of the diverse groupings that constitute our indigenous peoples,” the first lady said.

She said Amerindians are a constituent element of the national cultural tapestry “and we are indeed fortunate to be enriched by the heritage of our Amerindian communities. Our indigenous peoples hold a special place in our nation’s heritage. I urge continued respect for our indigenous peoples and for all Guyana to cel-

ebrate their achievements while respecting their traditional way of life. May we always value our indigenous peoples whose ancestors first made our country their home and who continue to make sterling contributions to Guyana’s development,” the message concluded.

First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar

Persons examine a booth at the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month on Sunday at the Sophia Exhibition Complex

Boy in orphanage secures 12 grade ones

BY UMADEVI BUX

When the mother of 17-year-old Alex Vimal Kahdhai decided to place him and his siblings in an orphanage because she could no longer take care of them, he had little hopes of becoming someone with a bright future.

But he challenged his circumstances amid children like himself at the Prabhu Sharan Orphanage located at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara and defied all the odds to secure 15 subjects at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

A student of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) School, the aspiring civil engineer said hard work and sleepless nights paid off as he secured 12 grade ones, including three distinctions and three grade two passes at the recent examinations.

Happy and overwhelmed, Alex told Guyana Times that he could not believe that he did so well, recalling that preparations for the examination was challenging.

However, he was positive that “anything can be possible as long as you believe you can succeed and it really doesn’t matter where you come from and how hard your life is… It was lots of work. I had to study until about 03:00h or 04:00h in the morning and without the help of my teachers, and without the orphanage, I don’t know how I would have done it.”

Parents separated

He noted that after his parents separated, he grew up for a while in a single parent home. But then soon his mother could no longer take care of him and his siblings and took them to the

orphanage in 2008, where subsequently, he was enrolled into the SVN at the Grade Eight level.

“I feel as if my life here in the orphanage is better than what I had at home… I didn’t have any difficulty in support of where my school is concern… I was given every support… I have been living in the orphanage for about six years now,” said Alex. He continued: “It was very hard at first, but without the support of the orphanage and teachers… it would not have been possible.”

Be focused Alex emphasised that just as how he has achieved a foundation for better education despite the circumstances of his life, so too can others in his situation. “I encourage anyone… no matter who you are, or where you’re from, anything can be possible and you can be successful as long as you work hard… be focus and know your goals and believe in yourself.”

Alex also participated in extracurricular activities such as cricket, playing the drums and going to the Corneila Ida Mandir. Presently, he is a first year student at the University of Guyana, reading for a diploma in civil engineering, his studies were sponsored through the orphanage and donors, both locally and overseas.

He had also received a part scholarship from the SVN during the period of attendance.

Meanwhile, Avinand Rampersuad, a volunteer teacher attached to the orphanage told Guyana Times that other teachers from the SVN would come by and help Alex and the other students. He noted that since its establishment in 2005,

Nirvana Humanitarian Society wraps up charity events

Tthe orphanage has provided safe housing for children from troubled homes, allowing them an opportunity to become rounded adults in society.

“We have volunteers coming to help the students through collaboration with other non-government organisations, like the Nirvana Humanitarian Group, the Bhai Centre and private citizens and youths around the neighbourhood, among others,” said Rampersaud. He noted that most of the funding for the orphanage comes from private citizens.

Success stories

The orphanage cares for children ranging from ages two to 17 years old, and in the past, has had other success stories.

Former orphans Priya Mahase, who attained eight subjects at CSEC is a trained medex; Rajendra Singh, who secured four subjects is now a customs clerk; and Sandra Bissoon, who obtained 13 subjects is now an employee at a prominent bank as a teller.

The orphanage’s administrator Indira Deodat stated that the institution also works closely with the Human Services Ministry to provide counseling for the children and other support programmes. According to Deodat, the goal is to assist orphans and underprivileged children to achieve their optimum potential through education and training.

“We pattern the educational programme along the lines of the ancient Gurukul system that provides total development of both the head and the heart through academic and technical education… and allow the kids to grow to their full potential,” said Deodat.

he Nirvana Humanitarian Society over the weekend wrapped up their charity shows across Guyana with a final show at the University of Guyana, Tain Campus, and a US$2000 donation to the Camal’s Home for the Homeless in Albion, Berbice.

The non-profit organisation established since 1997 has been actively involved in the promotion and sustenance of humanitarian and cultural activities. The organisation, over the years, has been highly commended for its community work, especially in assisting less fortunate students on West Coast Demerara. Recently, the organisation hosted several cultural programmes at the Zeelugt Shiva Mandir, the Astro Cinema and the Sarswattie Vidya Niketam School on West Coast Demerara. The funds raised

from these events will be going towards charitable programmes.

On Sunday, in addition to the donation made to the Camal’s Home, the group also made a donation of $100,000 to the D’ Edward Village Temple construction project in collaboration with the Sarswattie Vidya Niketam School, which gave $50,000 to make up the $100,000.

Meanwhile, the cultural show at the Tain campus was done in aid of the Shri Krishna Mandir construction project at Gay Park, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

The group also hosted its fourth annual reading competition last Tuesday at the Meeten-Meer- Zorg Nirvana Centre, where cash prizes and trophies were given to students from various nursery and primary schools on West Coast Demerara.

Other recent activities of the group include the sharing of hampers and providing lunch to communities on the West Coast of Demerara.

The group also held a one-week children's camp at the Zeelugt Mandir where 75 students from various communities were involved in educational programmes. Also, on Saturday, its members wowed an audience at the play “Dancing Bells of Rekha” held at the Indian Monument Gardens.

The superb masterpiece took the audience back in time to the golden era of motherland India and then travel to the land of sugar cultivation, the then British Guiana, with a story of love and struggles during the colonial period.

The play was directed by Nirvana Humanitarian Society Public Relations Officer Ramesh Deochand.

Human Services Ministry will help abused woman

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry said it will provide a safe home for Seema Raman, the Berbice woman desirous of exiting an abusive relationship. Raman is currently hospitalised after being allegedly abused by her husband. The ministry was made aware of the woman’s plight by the police, who were summoned by hospital staff. Social workers have since visited her in the

hospital, where she is recovering from several wounds.

Human Services and Social Security Minister Jennifer Webster said once the hospital discharges the woman, the ministry will assume responsibility for her care until she is able and empowered to be reintegrated into her family. The minister noted that the ministry remains committed to helping women in difficult situations.

Webster also reminded that eliminating violence, domestic or otherwise, is everybody’s business and called on persons who are aware of others being abused to speak out and report the abuse. Minister Webster also restated her earlier call for women to exit abusive relationships early, adding that the ministry is committed to supporting women who choose to leave abusive relationships.

Alex Kahdhai (at left, first in second row) along with the other children of the Prabhu Sharan Orphanage

Nirvana Humanitarian Society Treasurer Ninoda Narine handing over the cheque of US$2000 to Camal’s Home Administrator Carmen Kission in the presence of members of the society and the home

The cast of “Dancing Bells of Rekha” and members of the Nirvana Humanitarian Society on stage after the charity event on Saturday at the Indian Monument Gardens

Tardy first day irks Manickchand – Kwakwani dormitory without food due to protest

Lack of food at one dormitory, insufficient class space and messy schoolyards were among the issues that dominated the first day of the new school term on Monday.

While the transition was smooth at some schools, many along East Coast Demerara, Georgetown and in Region 10 had untold problems. Owing to protest in the Kwakwani area, the Region 10 Education Department was unable to send food to the Kwakwani Dormitory, the Education Ministry said in a statement.

Reports reaching the ministry indicate that the only food items present at the dorm are rice and sugar. A truck carrying food items to the dorm on Sunday was greeted by the protesters and turned away. “The protesters refused to let the truck through although the education officers on the truck begged them to let the truck through,” the statement added.

“The Ministry of Education condemns this behaviour and takes this opportunity to remind all involved that the prosecution of one’s rights should never interfere with the enjoyment of another’s rights. Children have a right to an education. This right must never be interfered with. The ministry has instructed that a flight be chartered to take in the food so as to ensure the children at the dormitory will have food to eat.”

Locked out

Meanwhile, in Georgetown, over a hundred Grade Six students of the St Agnes Primary School were locked out of their respective classes during the morning period due to insufficient space at the institution.

When Guyana Times visited the school at Church Street, Georgetown, frustrated parents and guardians voiced their anger and worry, noting that this issue is not new. As such, they called for a permanent system to be put in place to address this matter since they would not want to have it resurfaced again.

One parent, Edith

Norton, said no one informed her as to why the students were locked out of their classrooms.

“They are not saying anything really to us, all they are saying is we are going to look into it… we have been getting this over and over… repeatedly and we are tired.”

Norton also complained that the school needs to be rehabilitated since during the rainy season, the yard is flooded and the sewage overflows.

Chief Education Officer

stemmed from a space issue.”

“It's not what you wear”

At Stella Maris Primary, Education Minister Priya Manickchand expressed unhappiness that the school had failed to register a child who was at the school with her grandmother because of some fees not being paid in a timely manner.

The minister instructed that the child be placed in the classroom and spoke to the child separately. She

Olato Sam acknowledged that space is an issue since St Agnes Primary and St Rose’s High share the same building. However, he disclosed that this problem was sorted out, after which students were permitted back into their respective classes.

“There were some problems in relation to how the space allocation should be worked out, we’ve resolved those issues… we are still in the process of ensuring that all our pupils are adequately included in the entire compound, so both schools can be happy with those arrangement.”

Sam said a meeting between himself and the board of St Rose’s was scheduled sometime during the day and stated that he will also meet with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and teachers of St Agnes.

“I have spoken with the two heads and we been able to agree which areas will belong to where; we are putting permanent systems in place to resolve all the related issues which would have

told the child “what you wear doesn’t matter. It’s what’s in your brain and your heart. Always remember that.”

Additionally, the Beterverwagting Practical Instruction Centre was unprepared for their children, both in terms of the outside as well as inside the building.

Horrified

The school will be closed until Thursday when the repairs and renovation works are expected to be completed.

These repairs are being undertaken by central ministry.

The Moblissa Primary School was also not ready because construction works were not finished, but school began with children being housed at a nearby benab. The school would be ready to house the students today.

The Education Ministry stated that late Thursday afternoon, it learnt that despite the fact all schools on the East Coast are historically weeded by the neigh-

bourhood democratic councils (NDCs), three refused to weed the 26 schools under their jurisdiction.

The ministry said it is deeply concerned and grossly disappointed that the leadership of these NDCs waited until the last minute to make their decision, to break away from tradition and not to weed the schools’ compounds.

“The ministry is horri-

fied that these NDCs could so callously and insensitively have treated the welfare of the children residing and/or going to school in their neighbourhood,” the minister said. It noted that the three NDCs are chaired and controlled by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

The ministry said it hopes that it would not see a repetition of some of the problems

that arose this year, and urged students to remain focused on the year ahead, and to give of their best.

“The ministry also takes this opportunity to thank teachers and parents for their efforts. The ministry reminds all parents who are involved in their children’s school life are more likely to see their children doing better as students,” said the minister.

Chief Education Officer Olato Sam talks with teachers of St Agnes Primary School

Students of St Agnes Primary School going to their respective classes

A parent protests children being locked out of the St Agnes Primary School

U.S. swimmer Diana Nyad, 64, makes historic CubaFlorida crossing

ndurance swimmer

EDiana Nyad has become the first person to swim from Cuba to the U.S. without a shark cage. After about 53 hours’ nonstop swimming, the 64-yearold American reached Key West, Florida, escorted by boats and her team of 35 people.

Nyad, who left a Havana yacht club early on Saturday, had vowed this would be her last attempt to cross the 110-mile (177km) wide Florida Straits. Her four other tries – one in 1978, two in 2011 and one in 2012 – failed.

Nyad walked out of the water on to the beach just before 14:00 local time

(18:00 GMT) on Monday. A couple of hundred well-wishers were waiting to greet her on the beach, cheering and

Caribbean environment experts to meet in St Lucia

Climate change experts from across the Caribbean begin a three-day meeting today to discuss ways of reducing the impact of climate change on the region’s agriculture and tourism sectors.

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Secretariat will host its third climate change seminar that will also focus on “strategies and innovations in tourism and agriculture”.

The organisers said a mini festival portraying and dramatising issues and actions regarding the impact of climate change on the region will follow addresses at today’s opening ceremony, which is expected to attract over 100 guests from across the region.

Officials say the theme for this year’s seminar,

“Climate Change, Tourism and Agriculture –Strategies and innovations for adaptation”, is especially significant in light of negative impacts already being felt by these sectors.

“Predictions indicate that OECS Member States are likely to experience even more adverse economic impacts on their most important industries, which depend heavily on the attractiveness of natural environments and good weather and climate,” says Suzanna Scott, head of the OECS Climate Change project.

A major output, expected from the seminar, is a portfolio of new ideas for strategies and innovations in agriculture and tourism that will enable these sectors to better manage climate-related risk and build resilience. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

blowing horns.

The breathless athlete told waiting TV crews: “I have three messages: one is

we should never ever give up; two is you are never too old to chase your dreams; and three is it looks like a solitary sport but it takes a team.”

As well as a bodysuit, gloves and booties, Nyad wore a special silicone mask to protect her face from the jellyfish stings that plagued her last attempt.

She acknowledged beforehand that the kit would slow her down, but believed it would ultimately prove effective. Nyad’s support team had equipment that generated a faint electrical field around her, which was designed to keep sharks at bay. (Excerpt from BBC News)

TT: Opposition plans to vote against new proportional representation legislation

The main opposition

People’s National Movement (PNM) said it would vote against legislation to introduce proportional representation in Trinidad and Tobago, and has accused the coalition People’s Partnership government of “naked political expediency”.

PNM and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, speaking on television here Monday, said opposition legislators would not support “this sleight of hand” strategy by the Kamla PersadBissessar led government.

Rowley said the opposition would vote against the Local Government Reform bill that comes up for debate on Friday and accused the government of seeking to undermine local government bodies even before its

members are elected by the population.

Last week, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar announcing the October 21 date for the local government elections said her administration intends to introduce the concept of proportional representation that has been advocated as a fairer and stronger system for several years.

“The idea was that parties should have a slate of senators that is known beforehand to the public at a general election. Seats in the Senate would be allocated in accordance with the number of votes cast for a party…. It will represent a historic foray into the virgin territory of proportionate representation which many feel, is an idea whose time has come.”

(Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

NSA “spied on Brazil and Mexico” – Brazilian TV report

Brazil says it will demand an explanation from the U.S. after allegations that the National Security Agency (NSA) spied on Brazilian government communications. The allegations were made by Rio-based journalist Glenn Greenwald in a programme on TV Globo on Sunday. Greenwald obtained secret files from U.S. whistle-blower Edward Snowden.

Communications from the Mexican president were also accessed by the NSA, Greenwald said. The U.S. ambassador to Brazil, Thomas Shannon, was briefly summoned to the Brazilian foreign minis-

try, “to explain” the claims made by the American journalist.

He did not speak to reporters when he left, and

there have been no comments from the foreign ministry either. Greenwald, a columnist for the British Guardian newspaper, told

TV Globo’s news programme Fantastico that secret documents leaked by Edward Snowden showed how U.S. agents had spied on communications between aides of Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff.

Brazil’s Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo said that “if these facts prove to be true, it would be unacceptable and could be called an attack on our country’s sovereignty”.

According to the report, the NSA also used a programme to access all internet content that Rousseff visited online. Her office said the president was meeting top ministers to discuss the case. (Excerpt from BBC News)

OAS anti-corruption mechanism to conduct on-site visit to The Dominican Republic

Amission from the OAS Mechanism for Follow-Up on the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (MESICIC) will conduct, from October 8 to 10, an onsite visit to The Dominican Republic, with the consent of the host country, as part of the review process that the mechanism is carrying out, inter pares, in accordance with the methodology for conducting on-site visits, adopted by its member states.

The mission will be made up of representatives from Honduras and Uruguay as well as from the Department of Legal Cooperation of the Secretariat for Legal Affairs of the OAS, in its capacity as the Technical Secretariat

of the MESICIC. Meetings are to take place with representatives from oversight bodies responsible for preventing, detecting and punishing corruption, the purpose of which is to review the manner in which the Inter-American Convention against Corruption is being implemented in the Dominican Republic and to provide first hand, objective and complete information for consideration of its national report, which will be adopted by the Committee of Experts of the MESICIC in a meeting in March 2014.

In addition, the mission plans to meet with civil society organisations in the country to address the topics that are currently being reviewed in the fourth round of the mechanism. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

State department to enhance security between PortMiami and Caribbean

The United States’ Department of State has signed a partnership agreement with PortMiami aimed at helping to enhance port security in the Caribbean.

As enforcement pressures increase against drug traffickers in Mexico and Central America, William R Brownfield, assistant secretary of state for international narcotics and law enforcement affairs, said it is logical that criminals will try to resurrect old drug routes through the Caribbean.

He, therefore, urged regional governments to begin preparation to combat the threat. Brownfield said his goal is to build partnerships and relationships now, so that as “the inevitable laws of market economics” come into play in 2014 to 2016 with traffickers seeking the paths of least resistance, “we’re not caught with our pants down.”

He told the Miami Herald that the Caribbean drug trafficking routes of the 1970s and 1980s are “gray-haired in some respects”, but “they are still around, and will begin to look more attractive” to traffickers as law enforcement puts more of a squeeze on Central American routes. Under the arrangement, Brownfield said PortMiami, a hub for Latin and Caribbean travel and trade will provide training and mentoring on anti-crime and port security matters to its counterparts in the Caribbean. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Beetham Gardens residents fire shots at police, soldiers

eetham Gardens res-

Bidents fired gunshots at police and army officers in broad daylight and promised intensified action by nightfall, in a confrontation off the Beetham Highway, Port of Spain this afternoon. The residents’ protest started when police shot and killed 23-yearold Christopher Greaves on Sunday. At around 13:30h, protesting residents left their post on the Priority Bus Route and headed to the Beetham Highway. The confrontation off the highway started when police and soldiers arrived in vans and trucks, accompanied by a tractor to remove debris.

A group of residents surged forward in a circle around Deputy Police Commissioner Mervyn Richardson, while hurling insults at police officers. Police and soldiers formed a line, using shields and bullet-proof vests to protect themselves, while residents shouted angrily. Several reporters and photographers stood in-between. “Murder! Murderers!” one angry woman shouted. “Allyuh better don’t pray for darkness to come,” one teenager warned. Residents started throwing rocks and boulders at a truck that was moving toward them, driven by an armed soldier. (Excerpt from Trinidad Gardian

Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad

Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff and Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto

Syrian government behind ‘massive chemical attack’

France says the suspected chemical attack near Damascus last month “could not have been ordered and carried out by anyone but the Syrian government”.

A report presented to parliament by Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said the assault on August 21 involved the “massive use of chemical agents”.

It concluded that at least 281 deaths could be attributed to the attack.

France and the U.S. are pushing for punitive mili-

tary action, which the UK parliament rejected last week.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has again denied being behind the attack.

In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro, he said it would have been “illogical”. He also warned that foreign military action could ignite a wider regional conflict.

“Everyone will lose control of the situation when the powder keg explodes. Chaos and extremism will spread”, he said. Assad also warned

France that there would be “repercussions” from any involvement in Syria.

The alleged chemical attack took place in the Ghouta, an agricultural belt around the capital on August 21. The U.S. put the death toll at 1429, including 426 children.

The U.S. administration has already presented its case that the Assad regime was behind the attack. On Monday Ayrault presented France’s own intelligence dossier to parliamentary leaders. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Sri Lanka heading in “authoritarian direction”, says UN human rights chief

Although the fighting is over, the suffering is not, the United Nations human rights chief said wrapping up a weeklong visit to Sri Lanka where she warned that the country is sowing the seeds of future discord by limiting personal freedoms and human rights.

“I am deeply concerned that Sri Lanka, despite the opportunity provided by the end of the war to construct a new vibrant, all-embracing state, is showing signs of heading in an increasingly authoritarian direction,”

Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights told journalists.

“It is important everyone realises that, although the fighting is over, the suffering is not,” she noted, adding that while the government has made importance reconstruction achievements – with the help of donor countries, UN agencies and nongovernmental organisations – reconstruction alone would not bring reconciliation, dignity, or lasting peace.

“A more holistic approach is needed to provide

truth, justice and reparations for people’s suffering during the war,” Pillay said, warning against the curtailment or denial of personal freedoms and human rights, persistent impunity and failure of rule of law.

The high commissioner noted that checks and balances on the government have been weakened with recent legislation allowing the president the appoint members of commissioners, and the independence of the judiciary questioned. (Excerpt from UN News Centre)

Syria’s Assad says French strikes would lead to repercussions

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad scorned allegations that his forces were behind the chemical attack in Damascus last month and warned that any French military action against his government would lead to “negative repercussions”.

President Francois Hollande, along with U.S. President Barack Obama, has said Assad should be punished for the August 21 attack in which Washington says more than 1400 people, many of them children, were killed. The Syrian govern-

ment says it was carried out by rebels – who it often refers to as “terrorists”.

Assad said it would have made no sense to use chemical weapons in an area where his troops were also fighting. “Those who make accusations must show evidence. We have challenged the United States and France to come up with a single piece of proof. Obama and Hollande have been incapable of doing so,” he said in an interview with French daily Le Figaro.

“Anybody who contributes to the financial and mil-

itary reinforcement of terrorists is the enemy of the Syrian people. If the policies of the French state are hostile to the Syrian people, the state will be their enemy,” he said. “There will be repercussions, negative ones obviously, on French interests.”

France has backed the Syrian rebels since the start of the two-and-a-half year old conflict. It is worried that spiraling violence could spill into Lebanon, where about 20,000 French nationals live and many French companies operate. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Around the World

Baby in pushchair shot dead in Brooklyn, New York

Antiq Hennis, one, was shot in the face as gunfire rang out in the Brownsville area of Brooklyn at 19:20 on Sunday evening (23:20 GMT).

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the target had been the boy’s father.

The boy’s parents went with him to hospital where he was declared dead from a gunshot wound to the left side of his face.

Witness Gina Gamboa, 23, told the New York Post:

“I heard three to four shots.

“I saw a man with a stroller screaming: ‘My baby got shot! My baby got shot!’ He was going crazy.”

The gunfire left four bullet casings on the corner and bullet holes in the pushchair, Commissioner Kelly told reporters on Monday. “We have some leads, and those leads are being aggressively followed,” he said.

New York City Mayor

Michael Bloomberg said the killing was “a tragedy for his family, for this community, for the entire city”. City Councilman Charles Barron told the New York Daily News: “The child didn’t even get a chance to start his life, and now it’s over.”

It is not the first time this year that a baby in a pushchair has been shot dead in the U.S.

On Friday, an 18-yearold man in the state of Georgia was convicted of murdering 13-month-old Antonio Santiago after the child’s mother refused to hand over her purse.

BBC News)

Pakistan files new murder charges against Musharraf

Pakistan police on Monday registered murder charges against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in connection with the death of a radical cleric during the siege of a mosque in 2007.

It is the latest in a series of charges dating back to Musharraf’s 1999-2008 rule, which the retired general has faced since returning from self-imposed exile in March. Radical cleric Abdul Rashid Ghazi was one of more than 100 people killed after Pakistani troops stormed the Red Mosque in Islamabad on July 10, 2007. Ghazi’s brother, Abdul Aziz, escaped in a burqa.

The operation opened the floodgates to a Talibanled insurgency that has killed thousands of people in Pakistan. “The High Court ordered Islamabad police to register murder charges against Musharraf on a petition filed by the son of Rashid Ghazi,” said Tariq Asad, a lawyer who represented Ghazi in court.

Police confirmed that the charges had been registered.

“We have booked Musharraf under section 302/119 of the law, which deals with murder charges,” Qasim Niazi, a senior police official, told AFP. (Excerpt from France24)

“The court ordered police to register the case earlier as well but their instructions were not followed. Today, the court made Islamabad police officials write the case inside the courtroom and comply with the orders right there,” he said.

U.S. base in Afghanistan attacked by Taliban

Taliban fighters wearing special forces’ uniforms have attacked a car park for NATO vehicles at a U.S. military base in an Afghan province bordering Pakistan.

More than 30 vehicles stationed at the base before heading to Pakistan were torched or damaged as a result of early Monday’s attack, which was followed by a gun battle between the fighters and security forces, at the Torkham border crossing in Nangarhar.

NATO-led ISAF forces

said they had killed three attackers while none of its personnel were killed. Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, spokesman for Nangarhar’s governor, said several suicide bombers staged the attack.

Al Jazeera’s Jennifer Glasse, reporting from Kabul, said NATO helicopters had engaged with Taliban fighters on the ground. The Taliban, which claimed responsibility for the attack, said six soldiers were killed and 10 military vehicles destroyed.

In an emailed statement

to media offices, Zabiullah Mujahid, the Afghan Taliban spokesman, said the group was behind the attack, and claimed that its fighters had destroyed several tanks in the process. Al Jazeera could not independently confirm the claim.

The Afghan police shut part of a highway that forms an important route for NATO supply lorries travelling between Jalalabad, Nangarhar’s capital, and Torkham, a district adjoining Pakistan. (Excerpt

Syrian opposition forces say they are not convinced the U.S. will launch an attack against President Assad

New York police are hunting for a gunman who shot dead a baby in a pushchair

Pakistan on Monday filed new murder charges against former President Pervez Musharraf in connection with the 2007 death of a radical cleric, the latest charges Musharraf has faced since his March return from self-imposed exile

Jamaica urged to deepen trade relations with Brazil

Brazil and Jamaica must move beyond exchanges in just music and culture, and deepen their trade relations, says the Brazilian ambassador to Jamaica.

“We need to know each other better. Brazil needs to know Jamaica beyond reggae and Usain Bolt. These are certainly great brands, but we need to make these brands connect,” Antonio Francisco da Costa e Silva Neto stated in his keynote address at a luncheon hosted by JN Small

Business Loans Limited (JNSBL) at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston.

“Jamaica needs to talk not only about looking ‘south’ but they have to ‘do the walk south’,” the ambassador added at the luncheon aimed at strengthening the dialogue to increase business between the two countries. He commended the Donovan McFarlaneled Jamaica-Brazil Chamber of Commerce delegation to Jamaica, adding that the time had come for Jamaica to es-

tablish a sister organisation in Kingston to deepen the discussions about doing business with Brazil.

“We should have a sister organisation to develop closer ties, which does not only involve trade; but investment and joint venture investments; partnerships, to not only tap into the Brazilian and Jamaican markets, but to also to tap into markets that Brazil may have access to, such as other South American markets,” he declared. (Jamaica Observer)

Microsoft, Google plan to sue over surveillance disclosure

The U.S. Department of Justice’s talks with Microsoft and Google have hit a wall as the government pushes back at the tech companies’ demand for the ability to disclose the now-secret data requests they receive. Both companies may sue in order to “speak more freely”. Microsoft’s general counsel, Brad Smith, on Friday described as a failure the outcome of the companies’ recent negotiations with the

government over the disclosure of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) court orders the companies receive.

“While we appreciate the good faith and earnest efforts by the capable government lawyers with whom we negotiated, we are disappointed that these negotiations ended in failure,” he said. The Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, on Thursday pledged to disclose aggregate numbers of FISA orders is-

sued to tech and telecom companies, but the intelligence community has not agreed to allow particular companies to make such disclosures. “FISA and national security letters are an important part of our effort to keep the nation and its citizens safe, and disclosing more detailed information about how they are used and to whom they are directed can obviously help our enemies avoid detection,” Clapper said in a statement. (NBC News)

Vodafone sells Verizon stake for US$130B

Vodafone has sold its 45 per cent stake in Verizon Wireless to U.S. telecoms group Verizon Communications in one of the biggest deals in corporate history.

The US$130 billion (£84 billion) deal was announced by Vodafone after the close of trading on the London Stock Exchange.

The company will return £54 billion to its sharehold-

ers, of which £22 billion will go to shareholders in the UK. Vodafone will also invest money in its business, with funds earmarked for high speed mobile phone networks.

It said that by 2017 its main five European markets would have almost complete 4G coverage. Vodafone group chairman Gerard Kleisterlee said: “The transaction will position Vodafone strongly to pursue our leadership strate-

gy in mobile and unified communication services for consumers and enterprises, both in our developed markets and across our emerging markets businesses.”

The company is also launching a £6 billion investment plan called Project Spring, which will accelerate the introduction of 4G networks and increase investment in laying fibre optic cables, among other things. (BBC News)

Mine unions, bosses in war of words before South Africa gold strike

South African union leaders warned on Monday, a day before a strike in the gold sector, that mine owners’ handling of pay talks could provoke violence, and bosses said wage hikes would force mine closures and cost thousands of jobs.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which represents about two-thirds of more than 120,000 unionised gold miners in Africa’s biggest economy, is set to strike from Tuesday.

With stoppages in the auto

Asia

industry and the construction sector already sapping the struggling economy, shutting gold mines could cripple an industry that has produced a third of the world’s bullion but is now in rapid decline.

Labor and management are poles apart on the issue of wages, with the NUM seeking 60 per cent pay hikes for entrylevel miners and its more hardline rival, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), pushing for 150 per cent raises.

Companies say they can-

not afford this in the face of soaring costs and depressed prices. The president of South Africa’s Chamber of Mines warned unions against stoking workers’ hopes. Mark Cutifani, who is also chief executive of mining giant Anglo American said, “Promoting expectations above the capacity of the industry to pay is a dangerous road that may have tragic consequences for employees who do not understand how close we are to economic devastation in certain sectors.” (Reuters)

India could save US$8.5B by buying extra Iranian oil

India could save US$8.5 billion in foreign exchange spending on crude oil imports in 2013/14 if it relied more on supplies from Iran, which is able to accept payment in rupees, India’s Oil Minister M Veerappa Moily said.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spelling out a strategy to curb foreign exchange outflow against a backdrop of a weak currency, Moily said India was likely to import about 13

million tonnes of oil from Iran in 2013/14. It has already imported two million tonnes so far in the fiscal year that began in April.

“An additional import of 11 million tonnes during 2013/14 would result in reduction in forex outflow by US$8.47 billion (considering the international price of crude oil at US$105 per barrel),” the letter, seen by Reuters, said.

The minister said total savings from a number of

measures in the energy sector could be in the region of US$20 billion. Moily’s proposal chimes with the government’s eagerness to boost imports from Tehran to help prop up the rupee, which saw its biggest monthly fall in at least 18 years in August. U.S. and EU sanctions placed on Iran over its nuclear programme have reduced its oil exports more than half from pre-sanction levels of about 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd). (Yahoo! News)

Dubai World “close to selling stake” in Miami hotel

Dubai World is close to selling its 50 per cent stake in Miami Beach’s landmark Fontainebleau hotel to South Florida developer Turnberry Ltd, three sources aware of the matter said.

The sale will mark an acceleration of asset sales by Dubai World, which needs the proceeds to repay debt. The state entity, which restructured US$25 billion of debt in 2011, has already made one major asset disposal this year - the sale of UK logistics ware-

house developer Gazeley in June. The Fontainebleau hotel in Miami Beach in Florida became famous in the 1960s as a playground for stars such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lewis.

The sale to Turnberry is expected to be signed in a few weeks, one source aware of the talks said. The sources asked to remain anonymous as the matter is not public. They did not disclose a value for the transaction. A Dubai World spokesman declined to comment on the sale when contacted by Reuters.

Dubai World had paid US$375 million in 2008 for a 50 per cent stake in Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The resort, which borrowed more than US$620 million to fund a restoration programme before it reopened in November 2008, had to restructure the loan in 2010. Dubai World offered US$100 million of new equity to lenders as part of a debt restructuring plan. (Arabianbusiness)

Five common legal issues faced by businesses

As an owner of a small business, the danger of crippling litigation should also be at the top of your priorities. Legal headaches, especially in America can take you by surprise and severely hurt your business’ bottom line. Here are some of the most common legal issues facing small businesses in America.

Disgruntled employees

As a businessowner, this will be one of the most common legal headaches. In America, employees have far more rights than other countries, in the form of unions and

reasons for “wrongful termination”. If you terminate a nonperforming employee, make sure he or she signs documents carefully drafted by an attorney upon termination to make the terms of dismissal crystal clear. Letting an employee go without any final termination forms leaves the door wide open for legal actions.

Discrimination/

harassment cases

The legal ramifications of alleged discrimination – sexual, ethnic, age or otherwise, can cause your company serious problems. Make sure your human resources and legal de-

partments are well equipped to handle these issues should they arise. During the hiring process, make sure you are prepared with all the applicants’ resumes should allegations of discrimination arise, to prove that you hire the most qualified individuals, regardless of gender, ethnicity or age. Hold regular meetings to oversee co-worker relations and insure that discrimination on a smaller scale is not occurring between office cliques, or influencing the decisions of middle and lower managers. (Business Dictionary)

Pact signed to kick start Houses of Justice Project

The Home Affairs Ministry on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with six organisations, paving the way for the commencement of its Houses of Justice Project.

The initiative is another project by the ministry to create safe neighbourhoods, with the establishment of houses of justice in 10 communities in Regions Two and Three. These communities are Charity, Dartmouth, Suddie, Aurora and Kabakaburi in

Region Two and Patentia, Canal Number One, Klien Pouderoyen, Zeelugt and Parika, Region Three.

Speaking at the signing in the ministry’s boardroom, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee explained that the project is the first of its kind in Guyana and is an initiative to address community-based issues.

He said the initiative is aimed at easing the burden citizens face when seeking services. “Houses of justice will introduce a novel approach to individual con-

cerns, conflict resolution and limiting the everyday frustrations people face, that is, the royal run around in accessing public services.”

The minister added that the project will aid in bringing together under the same roof, several official institutions in charge of providing social services and public safety. He noted that the ministry hopes the initiative will be useful and timely for persons at the grassroots level as it is another step to address problems at the community level. “Every

step that we could take to address localise problems, we should take them and the house of justice is such a tool and such a step.”

He was cognisant that there will be difficulties in implementing the initiative, but said, “We will have to try and work out those problems that may arise from time to time.” Rohee was also optimistic that the project will aid in the reduction of domestic violence and murders.

Meanwhile, junior Finance Minister Juan

Edghill, who was also present at the signing, urged citizens to make use of the project.

“It provides the opportunity for the ordinary person to meet people in a safe environment that they are comfortable with, to make the necessary inquiries and to allow officials to make the necessary intervention to ensure that their issues are addressed in a timely manner.”

He noted that one of the things which the government is committed to do-

ing is resolving people’s issues at the community level. Organisations onboard the project include the Guyana Police Force, the General Register Office, the National Insurance Scheme, the Guyana Power and Light Inc, the Human Services Ministry and community policing volunteers. The houses of justice involves multi-agency centres which will be established within communities geared at addressing pressing social and safety needs of citizens.

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED

Ateenage boy was on Monday afternoon killed by a stray bullet in front of his Vive La Force, West Bank Demerara home and residents have lashed out at members of the Guyana Police Force, claiming they have so far failed to deal with ongoing reports of indiscriminate shooting in the area by some believed to be practising to shoot their own firearms.

disclosed that a few bullets entered his house after penetrating the wooden walls.

He said he made several reports at the Wales Police Station and the ranks promised to launch an investigation. He said the shooting had stopped after the police report, but it resumed on Monday.

Boy, 14, killed by stray bullet Mechanic hospitalised after falling off GuySuCo tractor

Ryan Persaud, 14, of Lot 11, Vive La Force, was killed by a single bullet to the right side of the back suspected to have come from a high-powered rifle which was discharged from the other side of the Demerara River. A man has been detained and is being questioned by police.

The teenager, moments prior to the shooting, had left his home with a slingshot going towards a friend who was standing on the access road. After receiving the blow, he reportedly walked towards the friend and asked him to check his back, claiming that he was experiencing a burning effect. Upon checking, the friend saw a tiny hole and blood was gushing out.

Within a few seconds, Persaud collapsed on a nearby bridge with blood oozing from his mouth and nostrils.

Angry

He was picked up and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he succumbed within minutes while receiving medical attention. At the teenager’s home, his father Vishnu Persaud was extremely angry, recalling two weeks ago, his house came under fire, presumably from the same set of shooters. He

As soon as the shooting started, Persaud contacted the police once again and was promised that they would visit the scene to get a firsthand experience. He said about 15:45h, the shooting intensified. Ryan, he noted, left the house and went towards the dam, but within a few minutes, his cousin ran towards the house screaming at the top of his voice that he was shot.

The angry father explained that he ran “cold” and went in the direction of his son whom he saw lying on the bridge. “I pick he up and other cousins help me and we take he to the best hospital… when we reach, they carry he to do x-ray, but about 10 minutes after, they tell we that Ryan dead,” the man cried.

Could have been avoided

The police, he said, visited his son at the hospital and examined his body, confirming that he was shot in the right side of the back. “This coulda avoid; plenty people report about the shooting already but police nah do anything.”

He disclosed that bullets were discharged from in the vicinity of Friendship, East Bank Demerara from a blue trawler that is surrounded by green zinc. Feroz Hussein, the teenager’s friend told Guyana Times that he was catching fish and shrimp in a trench at Wales when he saw Ryan approaching him, but sud-

denly cried out that “something knock he in he back”. “He ask me fuh check and then he fall down... he start bleed from he mouth and nose and then I see a small hole in he right side back.” The teen’s father arrived shortly after, and along with others, took him to the hospital.

A neighbour, James Munroe, also vented his frustration on the way the police have handled the situation. Munroe also said he made several reports after spent shells landed on his roof and in the drain in front of this yard, but the police paid him no heed.

He explained that the young man’s death could have been avoided if the police had taken their reports seriously. He noted that after his sons told him and showed him the spent shells, he reported the matter to the Wales Police Station and was told that they will conduct an investigation. This occurrence, Munroe noted, has been going on for almost a year and the police have not visited the area once to conduct an investigation.

About two weeks ago, he noted that his youngest son told him that a bullet struck the roof of a shed and another went into the water. He said he thought it was “comedy” but after a few minutes, he heard the sounds of gunshots and realised that his son was not joking.

However, on Monday, Munroe arrived home about 13:30h and was taking some rest when about 14:00h; he heard the sounds of gunshots. He telephoned a police rank informing him of the situation and they yet again promised to visit the area.

Gunshots

He said as the gunshots got worse, he again telephoned the rank, but he said he was told in a hostile manner that they are on their way to investigate what was happening.

Munroe left home and was on his way to collect sawdust and took the opportunity to stop at the said police station to yet again informed ranks that the shooting was continuous, but they did not pay any attention, thus he left.

After collecting the sawdust and on his way home, he received a call from his neighbour who informed him that Ryan was shot and was taken to the hospital. “I then picked up meh phone and called the police and tell he… is this you’ll de want happen, de bai get shoot and he dead… and I ask them if they happy now.”

He said a group of residents plan to meet acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brummel to discuss the issue. Persaud would have been entering third form at the Patentia Secondary School this school year. He is survived by his parents and three brothers.

Aman is nursing lacerations to the head at the New Amsterdam Hospital after he reportedly fell off a moving tractor owned by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) at the Rose Hall Public Road on Saturday evening.

The injured man, Dilchand Ramkulwar, 53, a mechanic at the Albion Estate, and of Lot 65 Sand Reef Albion, Corentyne, was reportedly sitting near to the driver when he fell off the vehicle.

The tractor, bearing registration number TDD 800, was at the time being driven by Deonarine Jwoen. According to information recieved, the tractor with trailer was proceeding along the Rose Hall Public Road when the driver alleged he was talking with Ramkulwar, who was sitting in the rear seat when suddenly he heard an impact. As a result, he turned around and did not see Ramkulwar and stop to look for him. Due to the fall, Ramkulwar suffered injuries about his body and was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to Port Mourant Hospital, where he was seen and examined by a doctor. He was subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was admitted a patient. The driver of the tractor was taken into police custody.

Homes Affairs Minister Clement Rohee hands over a copy of the memorandum of understanding to Community Policing Groups (CPGs) representative Dennis Pompey

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill look on as Home Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary Angela Johnson signs the Memorandum of Understanding for the Houses of Justice Project

Dead teenager: Ryan Persaud

SUDOKU

Size up your financial and professional situations. Consider ways to improve what you have to offer and maintain your hard-won achievements. Be consistent and avoid impulsive moves.

By Bernice Bede Osol

(June 21July 22) (Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Enjoy time spent with someone special. Take part in events that can change your financial situation and lead to long-term contacts. It’s a good time to make a big pitch.

Practical improvements on the home front will open up more time and lead to a more relaxed you. You’ll be drawn to something unusual that could bring big changes.

Put your energy to good use today instead of wasting time being angry. Focus on positive changes that will enable you to accomplish more while easing stress. Don’t give in to unreasonable demands.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

(July 23Aug. 22) (Feb. 20-March 20)

Listen carefully to what’s being said in a business involvement. What you offer will exceed what you get in return. A partnership situation might not be ideal – consider working independently.

(March 21-April 19)

Take on a challenge that will boost your ego and result in general improvement. If you share your feelings, you’ll charm someone with whom you want to spend more time.

(April 20-May 20)

Consider what everyone else is doing before you make a final decision regarding a career matter. Being cautious will save you from getting into an argument or getting hurt. Try to think outside the box.

(May 21June 20)

You’re in a good cycle for travel. Whether you visit places nearby or you venture further from home, you will meet interesting people and discover something to incorporate into your everyday routine.

Deal with personal responsibilities before they make your life difficult. Ask for help if you need it, but don’t ignore what has to be done. It may be difficult, but it will be worth it.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

A new activity or hobby will result in a relationship that could be seminal. Be confident and share your thoughts, and the world will be your oyster.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Check out your options regarding living arrangements and the places and opportunities that entice you. Be innovative and change what isn’t working for you.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Bravado and control will help you bring about the changes that you want to make, but you should expect to face some scrutiny from an outside source. Be honest and stand firm.

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The crisis at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant “has not ended”, the country’s nuclear watchdog has warned, saying the situation there is “unstable”.

Watchdog chief Shunichi Tanaka also accused the plant’s operator of careless management during the crisis. He added that it may not be possible to avoid dumping some contaminated water into the ocean.

The comments come a day before the Japanese government is due to unveil plans to rescue the clean-up operation. Tanaka’s comments come after Fukushima’s operator, the Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), said radiation levels near one tank were 18 times higher than previously thought.

However, Tanaka said that reports that this level of radiation could be lethal to workers after four hours

of exposure were exaggerated. “Supposing the figure of 1800 millisieverts per hour is correct, it is beta radiation. It will not penetrate as long as there is a five to 10 millimetre-thick plastic shield or you wear leather shoes,” he said.

“Dumping” option raised

The damage to the plant from the 2011 tsunami has necessitated the constant pumping of water to cool the reactors. The process creates an extra 400 tonnes of contaminated water every day.

It was revealed last month that some of that water was leaking from storage tanks at the site. On Monday, Tepco said a patrol of workers had found a new area of high radiation near the tanks, Reuters reports.

Tanaka told reporters that the only long-term so-

lution to the problem of contaminated water was to filter it and that it might “not be possible to avoid dumping it in to the sea”.

That will be extremely unpopular with local fishermen and possibly with Japan’s neighbours, the BBC’s Rupert WingfieldHayes reports from Tokyo.

The plant was crippled by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami and the plant has since been hit by a series of water leaks and power failures. The tsunami knocked out cooling systems to the reactors, three of which melted down.

The latest leak is believed to be the fourth major leak from storage tanks at Fukushima since 2011 and the worst so far in terms of volume. Experts have said the scale of water leakage may be worse than officials have admitted. (BBC News)

TB has human, not animal, origins – says study

The disease causes more than one million deaths every year.

Previous research has indicated that human TB originated about 10,000 years ago in Africa during the Neolithic Demographic Transition (NDT), when the human population was expanding and agriculture was becoming prominent.

Researchers combined geographic and genetic data from 259 strains of TB to reconstruct its evolutionary history and compare it to the origins of humans in Africa.

Professor Sebastian Gagneux, from the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, said: “We found that the most basal – the earliest – lineages of TB and humans originated in the same place, in Africa, 60,000 years earlier than what people previously thought.

“What we have done is provide a strong hypothesis to reinforce the idea that TB originally started in humans, and migrated to animals during NDT.”

The question the scientists are now trying to answer is how TB managed to survive 60,000 years among small groups of people. A striking feature of TB, which is not common in other diseases, is that people can be infected with it for years before showing any symptoms. The disease is able to reactivate itself after a certain time period.

This latency is what the researchers suggest kept TB alive during early years.

Professor Gagneux said: “If there are only a few people to infect, it makes no sense to kill them, as you would risk killing itself too. It’s an evolutionary deadend.”

Once the human population started expanding during the NDT, TB became more active and was able to spread farther. So, as the number of hosts increased during and after the NDT, so did TB’s drive for increased virulence.

“The next step in this re-

search would be to use genetic information to understand this activation and deactivation mechanism of TB,” said Dr Inaka Comas, lead author of the research. TB remains a global threat, causing 1.4 million deaths in 2011, according to the World Health Organisation. If scientists can understand how TB and humans co-developed, it may help find a way to reduce its prominence.

Dr Ruth McNerney, a lecturer in pathogen biology and diagnostics at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said the study could lead to further developments in understanding the movements of TB.

“There are now thousands of TB genomes being sequenced in big databases so that in the next five years we’ll know more about TB than we ever have, which is exciting.

“This is the first step in that area of research.” (BBC News)

hEALth

EDucAtiON

DENtiStRy FLOwERS

Contaminated water may have to be filtered and dumped in the ocean, officials say

Zimbabwe players agree to play first Test

Arsenal set to sign Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil for £42.4m

Zimbabwe’s players have decided against boycotting the Test series against Pakistan, easing some of the uncertainty over whether the matches would take place.

The players had been protesting against late payments, and had set Zimbabwe Cricket a Monday deadline to transfer the money to their accounts.

The players haven’t received their dues yet but Brendan Taylor, the captain, told ESPNcricinfo they were willing to “take the word of ZC that they will pay before the second Test.”

The only Zimbabwe player who has refused to play the first Test, which starts today, is Sean Williams, who

decided he wouldn’t take part unless he was paid. Wilfred Mukondiwa, the MD of Zimbabwe Cricket, said the board was working with its bankers to ensure players received their payments at the earliest.

Other than Williams, the only Zimbabwe player to miss Monday’s training session was Taylor, who was away on paternity leave. He was expecting the birth of his son on Monday, and Taylor had not yet decided whether he would play the first Test.

Zimbabwe’s players had aborted their training session ahead of last Friday’s ODI against Pakistan, and there had been doubts over whether that game would

go ahead. The players and their newly-formed union decided against boycotting the ODI but the Test series was in danger till today’s decision.

The latest pay dispute first reared its head two weeks ago, before the start of the Pakistan tour, when the players formed a union and refused to train until their demands were met.

This is not the first time salaries have caused problems in Zimbabwe cricket this year. The players threatened a boycott before their April series against Bangladesh in protest over what they considered an unsatisfactory daily allowance for non-centrally contracted players. (Cricinfo)

Lalit Modi likely to get life ban from BCCI

The BCCI is set to ban former IPL chairman Lalit Modi for life in a Special General Meeting in Chennai on September 25.

The SGM will act upon the report filed by a special disciplinary committee constituted to look into various charges related to financial irregularity against Modi.

The committee, comprising BCCI vice-president Arun Jaitley, former IPL chairman Chirayu Amin and BCCI’s finance committee chairman Jyotiraditya Scindia, had filed a 500page report in July after investigating charges against Modi, who was suspended minutes after the conclusion of the IPL 2010 final.

Despite the board being divided over president N Srinivasan’s role in handling the spot-fixing scandal that rocked IPL 2013, the SGM is set to unanimously ban Modi from BCCI. “The committee has suggested a

life ban and almost everyone is set to back the recommendation,” a BCCI official told ESPNcricinfo. “Despite the existing differences, the meeting should get over quite quickly.”

SGMs, which strictly discuss a pre-fixed agenda, require a two-third mandate for a decision to be ratified. This effectively means that

21 votes would be enough to get Modi banned in a house of 31 votes, including 27 full members, National Cricket Club in Kolkata, Cricket Club of India in Mumbai, All-India Universities and the president’s vote.

Following the revelations of irregularities in the bidding process and ownership patterns of certain franchisees, the BCCI had laid down several charges against Modi and appointed a committee of Jaitley, Amin and then BCCI president Shashank Manohar.

Following Modi’s charges that Manohar harboured a personal bias against him, an SGM in July 2010 had inducted Scindia into the committee in place of Manohar and also ratified the charges against Modi.

If Modi is handed a life ban at the SGM, his only route back to cricket administration in India will be through the courts. (Cricinfo)

Arsenal are close to completing the £42.4m signing of Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil, which would break their club record by £27.4 million.

The 24-year-old has agreed personal terms but must have a medical before Arsenal can confirm his signing.

Ozil is on international duty and the medical will take place in Germany.

The Gunners are also in talks with Chelsea to sign striker Demba Ba, 28, on loan and have signed Palermo goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano, 27.

Arsenal have failed in high-profile attempts to sign Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain, a former teammate of Ozil at Real Madrid, this summer.

But they are close to capturing Ozil after Gareth Bale’s world-record £85.3 million switch from Tottenham to Real triggered further deals on the final day of the transfer window.

Should the move be confirmed, it would easily surpass their club-record signing, the £15 million they paid Zenit St Petersburg for Andrey Arshavin in 2009.

Germany international Ozil joined Real from Werder Bremen three years ago for a fee believed to be about £12.4 million and has

played 155 times for the club.

Ahead of the transfer deadline at 23:00 BST on Monday, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made only two signings - striker Yaya Sanogo, 20, and midfielder Mathieu Flamini, 29, arriving on free transfers.

But the signing of Ozil, who helped Real win La Liga in 2011-12 and was named in UEFA’s team of the tournament at Euro 2012, would deliver a signal of intent to the Gunners’ Premier League rivals.

Ba, meanwhile, has played just 15 times for Chelsea in the Premier League since joining from Newcastle for £7m in January.

His only appearance under Jose Mourinho this season was in the 2-1 home victory over Aston Villa on 21 August, when the Senegal international was substituted.

Viviano has been brought in as a back-up option to first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

An Italy international, he stood in for the injured Gianluigi Buffon during the Azzurri’s initial qualifiers for Euro 2012.

After impressing at Brescia and then Bologna, he joined Inter Milan but has struggled to recover his best form since sustaining a knee injury and spent last season on loan at hometown club Fiorentina. (BBC Sport)

Kaka leaves Real Madrid for AC Milan

Brazilian Kaka has left Real Madrid and rejoined former club AC Milan.

The 31-year-old forward cost Real £56 million when he joined them from the Italians in June 2009, but it is believed he has gone back to Milan on a free transfer.

The 2007 World Player of the Year has signed a twoyear deal.

His exit comes in the wake of Gareth Bale’s arrival at Real, a move which pushed Kaka further down the pecking order and meant he wanted to leave before the transfer window closed.

Talks between the player, Real president Florentino Perez and AC Milan vicepresident Adriano Galliani lasted until the early hours of Monday morning.

A Milan statement said: “Last night after 20:00 CET, thanks to the traditionally good relationship between the two clubs, Real Madrid and Milan reached and formalised an agreement for the transfer of Ricardo Kaka into Rossonero colours.

Kaka

“And overnight, a little before 03:00 CET in the morning, an agreement was reached with the world-class Brazilian.”

After leaving Sao Paolo as a teenager in 2003, Kaka won the Champions League and a Scudetto during his six years in Milan, and landed the prestigious Ballon

d’Or award in 2007. During his time with Real he lifted the Primera Division trophy, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercup.

Kaka has scored 29 goals in 87 appearances for Brazil and played at three World Cups. (BBC Sport)

Zimbabwe players have decided not to boycott the Test series against Pakistan due to begin in Harare today

Mesut Ozil

Lalit Modi

tuesday, september 3, 2013

“

We see a healthy future,” says WICB president

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - The success of the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) T20 has renewed a fresh surge of optimism towards improving the health of West Indies cricket, financially and otherwise.

It has brought back the crowds to cricket in the Caribbean, TV revenues have shown an increase — giving rise to hopes of a turnaround. No wonder then that Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron, the young president of the West Indies Cricket Board at 42 years old, is buoyant.

Cameron and his vicepresident Emmanuel Nathan, who swept to power in the WICB elections in March, can lay claim to some brownie points — but he admits that it’s only a job well begun.

The Jamaican, who has been involved with the West Indies board for more than a decade (he had been vicepresident to his predecessor Dr Julian Hunte for over five years), surely knows his job entails more than just staging a successful Twenty20 league.

Expectations

The pressure of expectations on the CameronNathan team is enormous, what with former fast bowling great Colin Croft even likening them to the combination of Bill Clinton and Al Gore when they rose to the helm of US administration in 1993 in a column.

In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Cameron dwells on a range of subjects — the success of the LCPL T20, its bearing on the country’s cricketing scenario and the rise of emerging talents.

Gulf News: How does the West Indies board plan to build on the success of the inaugural CPL T20?

Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron: Firstly, we are most pleased with the success of the CPL. It builds on the Caribbean Twenty20

(2010-2013) in energising cricket throughout the region and getting the fans very excited about supporting regional teams.

The WICB is currently discussing and examining ways and opportunities of leveraging the success of the CPL to the wider benefit of West Indies cricket, particularly with regard to regional tournaments and match attendance.

There is much to analyse and study and understand how we, as WICB, can benefit from the successful staging of the inaugural edition of the CPL.

GN: Can you give an idea as to how the WICB will benefit from it in financial terms?

The WICB stands to benefit directly from the CPL in two clearly defined areas. First, the WICB receives an annual licensing fee from the CPL for the rights to host the tournament. This fee will certainly contribute in a significant way towards the overall annual financial position of the WICB.

Second, the WICB owns a stake of the CPL and once it becomes profitable, the WICB will receive a percentage of the profit share.

There are also other areas where there will be significant indirect benefit. One of the most important areas in this regard is the CPL funding of 60 retainer contracts for regional players every year — which will allow a large group of players at

the regional level to be able to give more professional attention to their cricketing careers.

There will also be a number of development programmes that will be rolled out.

Employment opportunities

GN: The league saw a very healthy employment opportunity for several past West Indies greats in the form of coaching or consultants’ role. What’s your take on this?

WC: The WICB unequivocally supports and commends any and every opportunity that allows our legendary former players to nurture new talent and to give back to the sport.

This is something the WICB has recognised for several years now and we have endeavoured to engage a number of former players throughout West Indies cricket at various levels and in various capacities.

For example, Clive Lloyd is a member of the WICB’s marketing and business development committee and is a former WICB director and West Indies manager. Joel Garner is a director currently who previously served as West Indies team manager. Richie Richardson is the current West Indies team manager while Desmond Haynes and Jimmy Adams both served as batting consultants to the West Indies teams. Courtney Walsh is

the West Indies Under-19 team manager as Carl Hooper is the batting coach at our West Indies Sagicor High Performance Centre in Barbados.

Ottis Gibson is the West Indies team head coach. Sherwin Campbell is the West Indies women’s head coach. Andy Roberts, Rohan Kanhai, Sir Viv Richards, Roger Harper and the late Malcolm Marshall are all former West Indies head coaches.

Sir Rev Wes Hall, Sir Clyde Walcott and numerous others have been team managers as well so there are very few, if any, legends of the game who have not been involved in West Indies cricket at one level or the other in some capacity after their retirement.

I am particularly proud that one of my first acts as president of the WICB was to launch, in partnership with the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA), a retired players foundation to get our former greats to become more involved in WICB development programmes.

Sustainability

GN: With the newer T20 leagues like the one in Sri Lanka folding up, the Bangladesh one and even IPL under some pressure, how does the CPL T20 plan to sustain itself on a longterm basis and run in a transparent fashion?

WC: Let me tackle the issue of transparency first.

West aims to sharpen Sagicor WIHPC players’ “long format” skills

Cave Hill, BARBADOS –Graeme West said he will be looking to build on the strong work ethic the current squad have shown during the second term of the current Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre for this year.

West said the players had returned to the base of the Sagicor WIHPC at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies on Monday following a two-week break and he was looking to spend the next few weeks solidifying the players’ game awareness for the longer format.

“Essentially, we have from now until December to work with the players and my intention is to really develop their skills to play the longer version of the

game really well during the first half of this term,” he said.

“We are hoping to travel and play a few four-day matches within the Caribbean and in Barbados to give the players the opportunity to put their training experiences into practice.”

West added: “The players have all benefitted from playing in the three-day club matches in Barbados and hopefully we will see during the term a continuation of what we have been doing in training.

“To be successful in all forms of the game, the players need to have all the basics covered and we have spent a lot of time looking at each of them and their basic skills.”

West said he was impressed

with the way the players worked during the first term and their eagerness to learn.

“The first term was very good and the key thing that impressed me was the work ethic,” he said.

“There was a great desire from the players to do their work, to do extra work and to seek out all of the areas in which they could improve. It was quite refreshing to have a group of players so hungry to develop.”

The Sagicor WIHPC was established three years ago to ensure that emerging players in the Caribbean meet the physical, mental and social demands placed on them playing the game professionally and internationally. (WICB)

When we structured the CPL, we were very deliberate in creating a tournament committee that is tasked with ensuring that the rules and regulations are upheld.

The Most Hon PJ Patterson, a former prime minister of Jamaica and an internationally respected figure chairs that committee, and I have every confidence that they will continue to monitor the proceedings and to ensure that the CPL functions with integrity and transparency.

I have also have listened to the comments and reviews of the players, commentators and administrators and they have been almost 100 per cent positive and encouraging. That in itself is a ringing endorsement of the CPL. With regard to the business plan and the operational aspects of the CPL it would be more appropriate to allow the CPL officials to address this directly.

GN: Are there are any plans to try and convince the Indian board to release some players for the CPL next season?

WC: This is another question which I would prefer the CPL officials to respond to except to say that the CPL is the official T20 tournament of the West Indies Cricket and as of 2014 the winner of the CPL will represent the region in the Champions League and also that the CPL will receive the necessary support

of the WICB in all endeavours which aim to enhance and grow the league within the rules and regulations of international and regional cricket.

Emerging talents

GN: How hopeful are you about the emerging talents thrown up by the league like Nicholas Pooran or Sheldon Cotterell?

WC: We are pleased that the talents and skills of some of the younger players are gaining regional and international attention but to those of us who have been involved in West Indies cricket through the years this is no surprise.

This is simply the result of the developmental process which we have been giving serious attention to in recent years.

Nicholas Pooran, for example, may have come to the attention to the fans watching on television during the CPL but he has been part of the WICB Under-15 and Under-17 development programmes and the same is true for Sheldon Cotterell.

Cotterell is a bit of a late developer but has been playing in our Caribbean Twenty20 tournament for two years. In fact, he is a graduate of our West Indies Sagicor High Performance Centre. There are many others who have come through the system — Jason Holder, Kieron Powell, Devon Thomas.

There are also others who are just on the cusp of following in the footsteps of others such as Carlos Brathwaite, Miguel Cummins, Nkrumah Bonner, Kraigg Brathwaite, Veerasammy Permaul and others. And then there is a long list of very exciting youth cricketers who are set to follow them as well.

Many of them will be on show during the ICC Under-19 World Cup next year. Overall, we see a strong and healthy future for West Indies cricket in the coming years. (First published in Gulf News)

Sangakkara, SLC end dispute

Kumar Sangakkara will not be officially reprimanded by Sri Lanka Cricket after his public spat with the board. According to a statement from SLC, the parties had met and resolved their differences amicably.

Sangakkara and SLC had sparred via the media and over email in the past week, after SLC asked Sangakkara to play for the Kandurata Maroons team in the Champions League T20, instead of his IPL franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Sangakkara’s eventual decision to represent Kandurata at the tournament will cost him US$140,000, and the manner in which the issue was played out publicly created bad blood between him and the Sri Lankan board.

“Sri Lanka Cricket wish-

es to announce that on an initiative of its president Mr. Jayantha Dharmadasa, Kumar Sangakkara met with the executive committee of SLC and had an open discussion today (Monday). All the differences and misunderstandings were resolved very cordially,” the statement said.

After choosing to play for Kandurata, Sangakkara had alleged that the board deliberately misrepresented his situation, and put his loyalty to the country in doubt among the public. The board, represented through Dharmadasa, denied these claims.

Sangakkara will begin training with the Kandurata side in the coming weeks. Their first match in the Champions League qualifiers is against Sunrisers Hyderabad on September 17. (Cricinfo)

Veerasammy Permaul Nicholas Pooran

Hon PJ Patterson

Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron

Shewdas’ victory proves Guyana on par with rest of the world – Anthony

By Avenash Ramzan

Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony believes Gumendra Shewdas’ triumph at the World Junior and Sub-Junior Powerlifting Championships in Killeen, Texas, is a clear indication that local athletes are on par with their counterparts from other parts of the globe.

He made the remark on Monday in the presence of Shewdas and his family and members of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) when the Sport Ministry hosted a luncheon at the New Thriving restaurant to recognise the monumental achievement of the Berbice lifter at last week’s championships.

The 18-year-old Shewdas, who has earned the alias ‘Golden Boy’, returned home with a gold medal in the 53kg Class, in the process, becoming Guyana’s youngest world champion in any sport discipline.

Developmental programmes

Anthony said of his achievement:

“We have seen that our athletes are on par with anything they have out there and that we can excel…and we must not let this kind of victory go to our heads; we have to continue practicing, we have to think about our developmental programmes and our training programmes so that we can churn out more champions.”

Shewdas, of Line Path, Skeldon, recorded 475.5kgs en route to winning the gold medal. His closest rival was U.S.A’s Dalton La Coe, who finished a distant second with a total of 425kg in the bench press, squat and deadlift.

The minister noted that

Shewdas’ accomplishment has raised the bar, as all Guyanese would now have high expectations of all lifters who depart these shores for international and regional competitions.

Shewdas’ success, the minister noted, is enough evidence to prove Guyana’s status as a Caribbean powerhouse in powerlifting.

Anthony added that other countries will be keeping an eye on Guyana’s lifters, thus it is imperative the GAPF work to ensure local athletes maintain a high standard.

With this in mind, the minister assured the GAPF of its full sup-

port, adding that included in this year’s budget is funding for the procurement of additional standardised equipment for powerlifting. The GAPF is slated to host a number of international competitions in 2015 and the equipment will be a massive boost.

Support

Recognising Shewdas’ gigantic effort, president of the GAPF Peter Green said the title could not have been achieved without the support of the ministry.

He said Anthony and Permanent Secretary in the Sport

DCB trial matches set for Thursday and Friday

The Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) has organized three senior trial matches as part of preparations for the upcoming El Dorado 50-over InterCounty competition.

The matches are scheduled for Thursday and Friday at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, starting at 09:30h. The matches are being held to select the Demerara team to contest the tournament that is scheduled from September 21-29.

Ministry, Alfred King, came to the aid of the GAPF when a budget in excess of $900,000 to send Shewdas and manager/coach Denroy Livan to the championships seemed beyond the local body.

“This is a proud moment for me and all members of the federation. From humble beginnings in 2008 we have produced champions like ‘Big’ John Edwards, Winston Stoby, Randolph Morgan and now young Gumendra Shewdas. We saw the potential in Gumendra three years ago and we always know he would be a winner some day, but what we didn’t know is that he would be a big winner,” Green related.

Stay clean and natural

Permanent Secretary in the Sport Ministry, Alfred King, while acknowledging the efforts of Shewdas, noted that it is imperative lifters and other sports personalities to do the right things to ensure success.

He argued that with such tremendous success by the country’s powerlifters, it is natural to attract the attention of the anti-doping bodies, and they must be cognisant of the dangers of such transgression.

Winston Stoby, who became Guyana’s first world champion in the 74kg M2 Class in 2012, echoed similar sentiments while offerering words of advice to lifters.

“Stay natural; don’t try anything that you think would give you a boost. We have been tested at each championship and we have passed each one of them. The penalty for being caught is not just the athlete [being punished], but the country as well. So I don’t

think anyone of us would want to go down that road just for personal glory and then put that country in that kind of problem. So I would want to advise all lifters to be clean,” Stoby, who also copped his title in Killen, Texas, advised.

Not surprised

Reflecting on his performance, Shewdas, who is also runner-up Junior Sportsman-of-the-Year 2012, said he had spent a lot of time training at the Total Fitness gym in Corentyne, under the guidance of Egbert Jackson, and was confident of taking the top podium spot.

Shewdas’ best squat of 180kg and bench press of 90kg were below La Coe’s 182.5kg (squat), 105kg (bench press) heading into the deadlifts, but a huge lift of 205kg on his second attempt thrust the Guyanese into the lead.

With Shewdas holding the psychological advantage, La Coe could only muster a lift of 137.5kg and failed twice at 192.5kg. Russia’s Alexei Kulakov was third with a total of 412.5kg.

Despite trailing going into the deadlifts, Shewdas said he was convinced he would emerge with the gold medal, as he had strong self-belief.

Shewdas’ father Bhognarine Shewdas expressed his elation at his son’s performance, noting that it means a lot to his family. He noted that Gumendra has been in intense training all year, and his display in Texas is just reward for the hardwork he had put in.

The ‘Golden Boy’ and officials of the GAPF also met with president Donald Ramotar at the Office of the President on Monday morning.

Federer beaten by Tommy Robredo

Roger Federer’s hopes of winning a sixth US Open title ended with a shock fourth-round defeat by Spain’s Tommy Robredo in New York on Monday.

The 32-year-old Swiss, who lost in the second round of Wimbledon two months ago, went down 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 6-4 on the Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Robredo, 31, had been taken to four punishing sets by Britain’s Dan Evans in the previous round, and a 0-10 head-to-head record against Federer did not exactly instil confidence.

However, the Spaniard twice led by a break in the opening set and, after failing to serve it out, raised the prospect of an upset by dominating the tie-break.

Team one reads: Steven Jacobs (Captain), Robin Bacchus, Andrew Light Jr, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Kemol Sevory, Deonarine Seogobin, Zaheer Mohamed, Amir Khan, Leon Scott, Carl Rambarose, Kelon Carmicheal, Andre Stoll and Stephon Brown.

Team two reads: Leon Johnson (Captain), Shemroy Barrington, Tajenarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh

The three teams will be led by Steven Jacobs, Leon Johnson and Christopher Barnwell. On Thursday team one will play team two with the winner meeting team three on Friday.

Sarwan, Joseph Perry, Rajendra Chandrika, Alvinda Sheepersaud, Vishal Singh, Shaquil Williams, Collis Butts, Charwade McPherson, Jashau Wayde, Paul Wintz and Jetendra Sookdeo.

Team three reads: Christopher Barnwell (Captain), Trevon Griffith, Ryan Ramdass, Brain Sattuar, Derwin Christian, Dexton Soloman, Balwenda Shivpersaud, Raj Nannan, Steven Sankar, Elton Baker, Shivram Persaud, Carlos Larose, Seon Daniels and Yetesh Denpaul.

All players are expected to be at the venue at 09:00h.

Federer converted just two of 16 break points and made 43 unforced errors20 on his favoured forehand side - as he lost in two hours and 24 minutes.

It means a much-anticipated first meeting between Federer and Rafael Nadal at Flushing Meadows will not happen as Robredo progresses to the quarter-finals.

Federer said: “I’ve definitely got to go back to work and come back stronger, get rid of this loss now as quick as I can, forget about it, because that’s not how I want to play from here on.

“I want to play better. I know I can. I showed it the last few weeks, that there is that level, so today was pretty frustrating.”

A rain delay of more than four hours meant the last-16 match was moved to the second show court, and a huge queue formed outside the stadium when news broke that the 17-time Grand Slam champion would be heading there for the first time since 2006.

Federer has struggled with his form and a back problem for much of the year but his early performances in New York had suggested he might be ready to challenge once again.

A woeful Federer service game that included three forehand errors gave up the break at 4-3 in the second set, and two more break points went begging as Robredo served it out, thanks in part to one spectacular forehand winner.

The comeback simply would not come in the third set as Federer failed to convert six more break points, and was once again broken to love at 3-3.

Robredo had won just three sets in their 10 previous matches but held his nerve to serve out the match, and condemn Federer to his earliest US Open exit in 10 years. (BBC Sport)

He’s the man! Coach of the Total Fitness Gym of Corentyne Egbert Jackson with his star performer Gumendra Shewdas

Christopher Barnwell Leon Johnson Steven Jacobs

Tommy Robredo

tuesday, september 3, 2013

Alpha United school Slingerz FC to win ‘Goal for Gold’ football tourney

By Treiston Joseph

Alpha United ham-

mered Slingerz FC in a high-scoring final to win the inaugural ‘Goal for Gold’ football tournament, sponsored by ANSA McAl on Sunday evening at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground.

In the match where six goals were scored, Alpha United showed why they are one of the most feared clubs

in the country, beating their opponents 4-2.

The game started with both sides trying to gain a rhythm and flow for their offense. Equally, both sides squandered goal-scoring opportunities.

However, Alpha United drew first blood in the 29th minute when Dwight Peters received a pass on the right flank and maneuvered his way into the 18-yard box before, letting loose a shot pass

North Essequibo win ECB 50 overs tournament

North Essequibo defeated East Bank Essequibo by one wicket to win the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) 50over title on Sunday at the Number One ground, Affiance, Essequibo Coast.

After being invited to bat first in the 30-over match due to rain, East Bank Essequibo were bowled out for 155 in 29.5 overs

Rajiv Balgobin was the main contributor with bat, hitting 41, inclusive of four fours and a six. He received support from Travis Drakes, 24 (2x4, 1x6), and Sheldon Alexander, 16. Bowling for North Essequibo, Mark Tyrell was the best bowler on show,

capturing 3 for 25. In reply, Suresh Persaud led the way with 56 (4x4, 3x6), as North Essequibo reached 158 for 9 in 29 overs. Vishnauth Lall made 48 (5x4, 2x6) while Hemant Beharry chipped in with 23.

Hemachan Persaud was the leading wicket taker for the losing team, claiming four wickets.

The competition was used to select the Essequibo team for the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) 50 overs tournament.

The other teams that took part in the competition were Bartica, Leguan, Wakenaam, South Essequibo, Central Essequibo and Pomeroon.

the Sligerz keeper.

Minutes later, Kithson Bain (34’) converted to make the score 2-0. Slingerz FC, however, did not let the two goals dampen their spirits as they replied 10 minutes later with a header from Colin Nelson, ending the first half with some momentum.

The start of the second half did not bring a change of fortune for the hosts.

Andrew Murray Jr received a gift from the Slingerz de-

fence that left him one-onone with the keeper who was easily beaten to put Alpha United up 3-1 in the 49th minute.

He doubled in the 61st minute from 40 yards out with blistering power.

With the score at 4-1, and the game all but over, Slingerz FC striker Devon Millington aggressively attacked the defence of Alpha United before letting loose a furious shot on target in the

63rd minute to make the final score 4-2.

Meanwhile, in the women’s final between Georgetown and Bartica, the city girls destroyed their visitors 4-0, doing most of their damage in the first half.

Sasha James wasted little time in opening the account for Georgetown in the second minute of the game. Georgetown soon made the score 2-0 with a goal from Neshanna Costello in the

14th minute of the game. James then doubled her goal count in the 22nd minute as the Georgetown girls found their comfort zone to end the first half 3-0. In the second half, Andrea Lashley put the nail in the coffin of the Barticians with a goal in the 54th minute.

Presentation of the prize monies and trophies will be done today.

17 named for Windies Women’s camp

St John’s, ANTIGUA – The West Indies Cricket Board on Monday announced a 17-member West Indies Women’s squad to prepare for a series of One-day and Twenty20 Internationals next month against England and New Zealand.

Commenting on the squad, Chairman of the West Indies Selection Committee

Clyde Butts said the squad comprises many of the players that have done well for the West Indies Women over the past year.

“Many of the players have shown that they are capable at international level and they performed during the Regional Women’s tournaments last month in Grenada,” he said.

“We now expect them to push on and start to score more runs and show greater competence, but I think the squad is sound and will give play well during the upcom-

ing series.”

Right-handed batter Chinelle Henry is the only uncapped player in the squad and left-handed all-rounder Stacy Ann King has been recalled after missing recent engagements.

“Chinelle is a capable player and strikes the ball very nicely,” said Butts. “We expect some good things from her in the future. She has been around the Jamaica team for a long time, but she is still very young.

“Stacy Ann showed during

the Regional Women’s tournaments that she is still capable of playing at the international level and her bowling has also improved. She is also one of our best fielders, so we still feel that she has a lot to offer to the team and we can’t write her off.”

The Windies Women’s training camp takes place from September 22 to 30 in Jamaica and the final squad of 13 for the series against the New Zealanders will be chosen when it is completed.

Butts said he expected that the matches against New Zealand and England

will be tough, but would be critical to the development of the team.

“Our team needs this sort of rivalry,” he said. “We have always wanted to play against England, New Zealand and Australia more often and it will be good for them to play against such tough and skilled opponents.

“To have two of the three top women’s teams playing in the Caribbean will do a lot for women’s cricket and I expect our team to be ready and able to be competitive against them.” (WICB)

Schedule of matches

ZEALAND WOMEN TO WEST INDIES (All matches start at 09:00h local time)

6 - 1st One-day International – Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

8 - 2nd One-day International – Sabina Park

10 - 3rd One-day International

14 - West Indies Women vs New Zealand Women – Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

16 - England Women vs New Zealand Women – Kensington Oval

(Daytime matches start at 09:00h local time; day/night matches start at 14:00h local time)

29 - 1st One-day International – Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Clyde Butts

Mark Tyrell Suresh Persaud

Andrew Murray Jr’s first goal of the game nestles comfortably as Alpha United went up 3-1 in the final Slingerz notch their first goal of the game in first half to make the lead 2-1

Shewdas’ victory proves Guyana on par with rest of the world – Anthony

Alpha United school Slingerz FC to win ‘Goal for Gold’ football tourney

Campbell-Brown doping case begins

Kingston, JAMAICAOne of Jamaica’s most decorated athletes, Veronica Campbell-Brown, was expected to face a disciplinary panel on Monday after she returned a positive drug test in May. Campbell Brown was expected to show up in person for the hearing in front of the three-member panel assembled by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).

The JAAA Disciplinary Panel is chaired by former Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe, Major General John Simmonds, a former chief of staff of the Jamaica Defence Force and Dr Aggrey Irons, president of the Medical

Association of Jamaica.

The JAAA had been given the mandate to oversee the disciplinary hearing into the Campbell-Brown case by the international regulators, the IAAF.

An IAAF representative had overseen the doping control at the Jamaica International Invitational meet in May where Campbell-Brown returned the adverse analytical finding of her ‘A’ sample.

Media reports here say the closed-door hearing was scheduled to be held at the Jamaica Conference Centre.

Campbell-Brown has denied knowingly taking banned substances through a release issued by her agent, Claude Bryan.

Veronica Campbell-Brown

President Peter Green (left) and members of the GAPF and Sport Minister Dr Anthony (fourth left), Permanent Secretary Alfred King (seventh right) share a moment with Gumendra Shewdas and his family (centre) during Monday’s luncheon at the New Thriving Restaurant (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)