saturday, JaNuary 10, 2015 | guyaNatimesgy.com
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
January 10, 2015 – 07:15h-08:45h
January 11, 2015 – 07:50h-09:20h
Parika departure – 06:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h Supenaam departure – 06:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h
By Vahnu Manikchand
The ferry to be acquired with the $1.6 billion (US$8 million) loan recently approved by the Indian Government will service the Georgetown-NorthWest District (NWD) route, Transport Minister Robeson Benn has said.
Benn, on Friday, explained that the Guyana Government had written to India requesting funding for the ferry. He noted that there were prior discussions between the two Governments on the matter.
President Donald Ramotar is currently in India where he is attending the 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Gandhinagar, Gujrat, India. On Wednesday, a meeting was held on the sidelines between India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and President Ramotar during which it was revealed that the Indian Government would grant a line of credit to purchase an ocean ferry.
routes in Region One (Barima-Waini) while MV Lady Northcote plies the Georgetown to Port Kaituma route.
“India has also agreed to concessional credit to supply a passenger ferry to help Guyana overcome transportation problems in the northern region,” a release published on the Press Information Bureau website stated.
Questioned about whether the ferry will be built in Guyana or sourced from India since that is the country providing the finances, Minister Benn told the Guyana Times that he could not say at this time, since he was not aware of what arrangements were made in India and would have to await the return of President Ramotar to get details of the agreement.
New, improved services
Nevertheless, the Minister disclosed that on the arrival of the new ferry, residents of the North-West region can expect new and improved services.
According to the Minister, there are currently two ferries that operate the NorthWest route. MV Kimbia runs the Georgetown to Mabaruma and Komaka
He further stated that after the new vessel was in place, Government would remove the two existing ferries, one of which will be put out of service while the other would be sent to Region Six ( East Berbice-Corentyne) to service the Berbice River route. The Minister stated that MV Kimbia would most likely be the vessel transferred to the Berbice River, since it was initially built to operate there; however, this was not confirmed since plans were still being made.
Over the years, there have been calls for the re-introduction of the ferry service in the Berbice River. Currently, farmers and residents from villages along the Berbice River use small boats to travel and get produce out.
The MV Kimbia is a passenger and cargo vessel that has the capacity to transport 200 passengers. It is said to be one of the oldest vessels in the maritime public transport system and has served the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) for more than 70 years.
Back in 2009, it had undergone repairs in the Vieira drydock facility lo-
cated at Houston, Greater Georgetown. It was reported that some $35 million in Capital Expenditure was budgeted for repairs on the vessel, but a $53 million contract was signed. While repair works were being done additional problems were discovered and another $30 million had to be expended.
Then in 2013, MV Kimbia found itself back in a dockyard, this time at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC), where it was for several months undergoing painstaking repairs. During the repair process, maintenance workers once again discovered a series of mechanical problems.
A $118 million contract was signed for the vessel to be docked at the GNIC facility.
Meanwhile in 2012, Minister Benn had told the National Assembly that MV Lady Northcote would have been put out of service due to obsolescence of its parts because of the vessel’s age.
Lady Northcote is said to be about 77 years old, making it the oldest vessel of the T&HD fleet.
In March 2012, the ferry was docked for about two weeks after it caught fire while on its way to Georgetown from the North West. The fire was said to have been caused by an oil leak in its engine room. The Captain and crew members
took swift action, following the necessary regulations to extinguish the flames. While none of the 49 passengers on board were injured, a vehicle that was parked near the engine room sustained damage. Following this incident, engineers worked round-the close to repair the vessel and within 20 days it was back in operation.
A few years ago, the Governments of Guyana and China entered into an agreement to provide Guyana with two roll-on/roll-off ferries valued some US$14.4 million. The two vessels, The Sabanto and The Kanawan, arrived in January 2012, and were handed over to Government. The ferries contain modern facilities such as a VIP Lounge and have the capacity to seat some 800 passengers and ferry 20 lorries or 44 cars. They are currently operating in the Essequibo River.
In his Budget 2014 presentation, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, disclosed that during 2013 Government expended $682.6 million on the docking of several ferry vessels, the acquisition of spares, and the rehabilitation of stellings across country. He further stated that in 2014, some $773.9 million was budgeted for dredging equipment, ferry vessels, spares and the rehabilitation of more stellings. (vahnuma@guyanatimesgy. com)
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
The landmark agreements secured by President Donald Ramotar from his Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his first official visit as President to India cannot be overemphasised within the context of the domestic political climate in which they were achieved.
Defying criticisms from the Opposition and their sympathisers in civil society for his move to suspend Parliament, President Ramotar has delivered three mega projects through the determination of his Administration and no doubt the confidence being reposed in the local economy.
The US$50M (GYD$10.3B) loan for the construction of a road bypass linking the East Coast and East Bank Demerara, a commitment from the Indian Government to build a world class Information Technology Centre of Excellence, and a grant of US$8M for the acquisition of a ferry to bolster river transportation are significant projects that will go a far way in improving the lives of citizens.
There is no denying that the road which will link the East Coast from Ogle to Diamond on the East Bank is needed. For years this project has been touted and it is coming to fruition at the time when traffic congestion in Guyana has become a huge burden for Guyanese.
Already according to Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, studies and designs have been completed and shortly tenders will be advertised for the construction of the road. This road will open new areas for development and investment and create a second route to reduce the congestion for the East Bank Demerara traffic.
It will also constitute the first phase in the development of an alternative route to the CJIA thereby linking the country’s two international airports and opening up a new development corridor for the East Bank Demerara.
Additionally, true to his word, Prime Minister Modi following up on a promise he made at the BRICS Summit in Brazil last year, announced that the Indian Government will build one of its IT Centres of Excellence here.
The tremendous benefits of job creation for young people as well as an alternative institution for learning are incalculable. What this centre will also do is expose Guyanese to India’s expertise in Information Technology and also open up new avenues for business linkages, as Prime Minister Modi has already committed to expand cooperation in South America in areas like tele-medicine, tele-education and e-Governance.
An Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) study on the impact of Indian Centres of Excellence has shown that they have had impact on longterm public support for developing research capacities in high technology and emerging areas of science and technology.
Besides, the schemes have achieved international recognition of staff and internationally competitive research. Additionally, it was pointed out in the study that Centres of Excellence have improved the quality of training and helped build skill, developed leadership in some specialist areas of science and technology, and in various sectors resulted in significant improvements in two-way partnerships and collaborations.
The final project President Ramotar was able to secure funding for is a new ferry. While it is unclear which route this new ferry will be deployed, there is no denying that with the expansion of economic activities in the hinterland - through mining and forestry - there is a greater demand for reliable river transportation.
The old ferries that currently service the North West District - a major gold mining hub - and other riverine communities have over the years suffered routine setback due to mechanical failures. Any attempt to deploy the new ferry into that zone will again be welcomed by the thousands who rely on this cheaper form of transportation to access the hinterland.
Herein it is hoped that in the wake of the President’s successes in India, this goodwill will rekindle that spirit of nationhood the President himself spoke about in his New Year’s address, and that all Guyanese will work together for the perfecting of our nation and a brighter future for Guyana.
Dear Editor, The Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG) unreservedly condemns the cowardly terrorist attack on the Paris magazine, Charie Hebdo’s, in Paris in which 12 innocent people lost their precious lives.
Islam and Muslims reject innocent killings of all faiths and nationality. Only courts of law are authorized to sentence people. This act by a few is definitely not the act of Muslims who purport to
belong to a religion that promotes peace and the sanctity of life.
In this, the month of the birth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (OWBP) Rabbi Ul Awwal, we are appalled that those who claim to be Muslims ignored his way of life and his care, love and support which he demonstrated for his fellow man.
Had those involved in this act of atrocity reflected on the examples of the Holy Prophet’s life, they would have noted his acts of toler-
ance and forgiveness when he was stoned and bleeding by the people of Taif, Arabia, he choose to pray for those that attacked him.
This is the legacy he left us – tolerance, patience and forgiveness towards our fellow man, even those that condemn, criticize and attack us.
Allah states in the Holy Quran in verse (5:32): “Whoever takes a single life (one soul), it would be as if he killed the whole of humanity; and (likewise) if any
one saved one life, it would be as if he saved the life of all people.”
The CIOG calls on all Muslims worldwide to join in unison in condemning this heinous and barbaric act that was inflicted on our fellow human beings and the people of France.
The CIOG offers our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and the Government and people of France.
CIOG
Dear Editor, The People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) condemns the terrorist attack on the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo which left twelve people dead including the editor and other staff members.
This attack comes on the heels of similar such terrorist attacks in the United States and elsewhere by extremist elements.
Regrettably, the war
against terror unleashed by the George Bush Administration following the 2001 destruction of the World Trade Centre has done little, if anything, to halt the spread of terrorism, as could be seen from the several acts of terrorism in the United States, Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and several other countries in which dozens of lives were lost including women and children.
The PPP/C calls for greater tolerance and respect for cultural differences and condemns any attempt to use force and terror to silence those who share values and religious beliefs that are different from one another.
The PPP/C takes this opportunity to extend its deep condolences to the bereaved relatives and friends of those who perished in the Paris terrorist attacks and other similar attacks.
The Party also calls on the international community to do everything within their power to bring an end to terrorism and terrorist attacks and to find workable solutions to end tensions and conflicts which are the root cause of many of the attacks that are taking place globally.
PPP/C Freedom House
Bulkan has nothing to contribute to Guyana
Dear Editor,
Please let me clarify some ridiculous mischievous statements of one Janet Bulkan, one who claims to be a true patriot of Guyana, but who never objected to Suriname including the New River Triangle in their territory, even
though she was a lead reviewer of their World Bank Forest Carbon project.
I am amazed how the self-proclaimed know-it-all Janet Bulkan does not understand that GFC has provided all of the relevant documents within its purview, not only to PNC MP
Harmon, but to the wide public who has interest to review same.
I am sure the GFC also made it crystal clear that any information on other agreements such as FDIs would have to be got from the relevant agency, not the Ministry or GFC.
It is appalling that this spurious doctor still is asking the Minister for this FDI related agreements. Or is it part of her once hidden but now clear agenda? One which has an objective of discrediting the GFC and the Government?
Dear Editor, Please grant me a place in your daily letters. The people of Guyana must ask the Opposition people when they come, many of them leave Guyana and go away when this country was suffering.
People had to line up for food stuff. Christmas time one can’t even get
butter, oil or gas. The supermarkets were empty. The Georgetown Public Hospital was in a mess –no water, no food for the sick.
Today, the country is good so all of them want power. That is why the people must vote for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).
Ms Bulkan, it was made clear at a GFC press conference that all forestry companies, including Baishanlin, were operating within the law and had all necessary permit and licences.
GFC at the press conference also stated that the annual harvest was 35 per cent of the total allowable cut.
Documentation was provided to back this up and was publicly available.
All relevant stakeholders including MP Harmon was provided with copies of all the relevant documents and he made these available at the National Library for public review.
GHas Bulkan been so transparent? Why attack the Chinese and Indian companies when her relatives have made US millions by land lording prime forest land to the same Chinese, and not working these lands themselves?
What about the forest lands issued directly to her family members to provide raw material for Precision Woodworking and valueadded operations in Guyana.
Precision has now feigned bankruptcy after siphoning US millions to the UK and US and her family members are now exporting logs and lumber, enriching their com-
The Opposition criticises everybody – the doctors, nurses, the Police, Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Guyana Water Inc (GWI) in Berbice.
They even criticize the President’s daughter because she is working. Bring back Jagdeo!
Premjit Singh
panies, but not providing raw materials for Guyanese.
Janet should do a column on this and let the public know that the real plundering is being done by her relatives.
It is clear that Janet has nothing to contribute to Guyana. She was a failure at UG and an even greater liability at Iwokrama. It is sad to see the pitiful level that she has descended to.
She has told so much fiction that she apparently now believes her manufactured nonsense.
Erica Smith
uyana Times apologises for a mistake made in one of its articles headlined, “On advice of DPP, Police Officer now charged for manslaughter” published in its Friday, January 9, 2015 edition.
The article stated that Sherwin Stuart of Timehri, East Bank Demerara, who has been charged with manslaughter allegedly committed on Neil Anthony Narine, was a Police Officer. However, it was brought
to our attention that Stuart is in fact a Prison Officer and not a Policeman.
Guyana Times once again apologises for this mistake and any grievances that it may have caused.
Definitely, the Aishalton incident was a set-up by the political Opposition
Dear Editor,
I read two articles in the Guyana Times on January 7 under the headlines, “Aishalton Village Council wants controversial teacher out of community” and “Aishalton incident might have been a set-up Rohee”.
The Aishalton Village Council (AVC) is the governing body of the Aishalton Village in the deep south of the Rupununi in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
It is a body e established to administer a village through its functions enshrined in the Amerindian Act 2006 [Section 13 (1) (2) & (3)].
In this regard, the AVC has the mandate to expel from the village the controversial secondary school teacher who embarrassed village residents at a meeting in the presence of President Donald Ramotar.
It is my hope therefore that the AVC quickly informs the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) to have the controversial teacher transferred to another region, preferably Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) to continue his teaching career.
Definitely, the Aishalton incident was a set-up by the political Opposition which is known by the Aishalton
residents, hence their anger and call for the controversial teacher to be expelled from the village.
They are absolutely correct and in order, since the teacher was actually drunk when he sought to disrupt the President’s meeting with the Aishalton residents. The PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee said, “Under the PPP/C Government, Amerindian development has advanced by leaps and bounds”.
I am in absolute agreement with this statement by Mr Rohee. But not only me, but the over 180 Amerindian communities in Guyana have recognized that the PPP/C Government is committed towards their social and economic development and will massively ensure that the PPP/C is returned to Government at the upcoming elections by an overwhelming majority.
This is simply to ensure that the development of their communities is continued for the Amerindians’ economic empowerment in Guyana.
It is my assessment therefore that the PPP/C is an Amerindian party since it has the interest of Guyana’s indigenous peoples genuinely at heart. And its track record in Government can cer-
tainly prove this. Anyone can examine this track record.
But what was the track record of the illegal PNC regime when it was in Government prior to 1992? The answer is discrimination, neglect and abandonment.
The political Opposition (PNC/APNU and AFC) in Guyana does not respect Guyana’s first people, the Amerindians. Their interest in Amerindians is only for their votes, thus making Guyana’s Amerindians mere digits in their voting machine.
But the Amerindian communities will simply reject the political Opposition at the upcoming general election the solid basis that their social and economic development was severely affected as a result of budgetary cuts, particularly the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) from 2012 to 2014.
The Amerindian communities have therefore asked, if the parliamentary Opposition has done this to them, what will become of Amerindians should the Opposition be in Government? They never will.
Peter Persaud
Three drivers were granted bail after pleading not guilty to separate charges of causing death by dangerous driving when they appeared on Friday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
Roger Bess, 44; Travis David, 28; and Howard De Santos, 22, were accused of causing the death of George Barker, Lynette Joseph and Shawn Borne respectively.
It is alleged that Bess drove motor vehicle PNN 7977 in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of the 61-yearold Barker, on January 1, at Cemetery Road, East La Penitence, Georgetown.
Bess was also charged with several other offenc-
es: driving without valid licence, driving without having third-party insurance, failure to render assistance to the victim, and driving with expired fitness. The accused pleaded not guilty to driving without valid licence and driving without third-party insurance, and not guilty to the other two charges.
Police Prosecutor Bharrat Mangru related the facts of the matter. He stat-
ed that about 07:00h on the day in question, Bess was heading south at a fast pace over the humps at Cemetery Road, but he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into two stalls. There were three persons in front of the stalls, including the now-deceased victim. The vehicle then
Couple robbed
ended in a nearby trench.
Bess was represented by Attorney-at-Law Khemraj Ramjattan, who told the court that his client entered a not-guilty plea to the not rendering assistance charge, since he was unable to do so as his car landed in the trench. He added that his client’s tyre burst as he drove over one of the humps causing him to lose control of the vehicle. Bess then told the court that his licence expired on December 10, 2014.
The Chief Magistrate granted Bess $100,000 bail for the causing death charge, $25,000 bail for driving without valid licence, and $50,000 bail for the other two charges. He was fined $40,000 with an alternative of two weeks’ imprisonment for driving without thirdparty insurance. Bess is expected to report to the officer in charge of the traffic division at La Penitence as a condition of his bail and will return to court on February 6.
Little Diamond accident
David, of Agricola, Greater Georgetown, was granted bail in the sum of $150,000, and ordered to report to the Police every Friday at 09:00h.
It is alleged that on January 6 at Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara, he
drove motor vehicle BSS 9471 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Joseph.
The defendant was represented by Attorney-atLaw Paul Fung-A-Fat, who said his client had never had any prior matters. The matter was adjourned until February 6.
Lastly, De Santos, of 119 Cummings Street, Buxton, East Coast Demerara, was placed on $150,000 bail.
It is alleged that on August 12, 2013 at Agricola, while being behind the wheel of motor vehicle BRR 9055, he drove in a dangerous manner, which resulted in the death of Borne, 31. This matter is also adjourned until February 6.
on the
Today, the world celebrates the fourth most used language in the world, Hindi, and Guyana is no different.
Bank of Baroda (Guyana) Inc, a subsidiary of the Bank of Baroda – India’s International Bank, on Friday hosted a ceremony at its Regent Street office to acknowledge the importance of Hindi to the people of Guyana, India and all across the world.
Bank of Baroda Managing Director, Amit Kumar said Hindi has given birth to approximately 22 languages, which are all used in India.
He explained that in the past, conflicts arose due to the usage of these languages because they were used by people of various creeds and culture. However, the conflicts were resolved, result-
– two persons in Police custody
Two suspects are in Police custody assisting with the investiga-
tion into a robbery-rape that happened Sunday morning at Devonshire Village on the
Essequibo Coast. Seventy-five-year-old
Ashborne Mazarene said he
and his wife retired to bed around 23:00h on Saturday and he was awakened by a
loud noise around 02:00h; upon checking, he saw two persons who threw a substance in his face. Mazarene said the liquid began to burn and he could not see. The thieves then beat him mercilessly and he lost consciousness.
The house was ransacked and the robbers, who gained entry by breaking a window, took Mazarene’s pension money and ID card, along with household articles.
His common-law wife, a mother of four, was then dragged out of her home and raped on a concrete floor.
The man said he did not see his wife back until Sunday morning, as she sought refuge at a friend’s house after her ordeal. The pensioner, who suffered cuts and bruises to his face and body, said his partner told him everything that the thieves did to her.
The woman was taken to the hospital for a medical and the matter was reported to the Anna Regina Police Station. The Police are continuing their investigations, while the couple are sleeping elsewhere as they are both fearful for their life.
ing in the languages being used and appreciated by all in India.
Dubbed India’s national language, Kumar said it is used in countries all over the world, namely; Pakistan, Mauritius, Suriname and Trinidad.
Bank of Baroda Supervisor of Advances Patrina Sahib-Roshan said Hindi’s high popularity is due to its rich history that draws connections from various regions of the world. She alluded to the language’s strong connectivity to Europe, having originated from the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo- European language family. Sahib-Roshan recalled that on India’s independence, the language was standardized as the mother tongue for the country with specific grammar and orthography. She said it is a language that approximately 258 million people speak. However, according to the St Ignatius School of Cleveland in the United States of America, Hindi is spoken by more than 350 million people.
President of the Guyana Hindi Prachar Sabha, Beni Singh recalled that initial celebrations in Guyana were done independent of the Government of India. During those celebrations, he said only a few supported.
According to Singh, it has been his lifelong goal to promote the Hindi language to all parts of Guyana but for those who have influence “much is being said but nothing is happening.”
He praised the words of young Devika Samaroo, who was taught at the Guyana Hindi Prachar Sabha and was able to speak to the Indian delegates fluently in Hindi.
Singh was honoured with a book, ‘Mosaic of Faith –Places of Worship in India,’ for his work in the field of Hindi. According to India’s External Affairs Ministry, World Hindi Day is a relatively new celebration that started on January 10, 2006 in the state of Nagpur, India. The world’s first conference on Hindi was established on that day and its success resulted in it being acknowledged as World Hindi Day.
By Bhisham mohamed
The mother of the 18-year-old boy who was reportedly gangraped by several men, including his best friend, at a house in Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara on Old Year’s Night is hoping for her son to recover so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice.
The teenager, an employee of a supermarket on the WBD, remains in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital. After several days of running to and from the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) to receive treatment, he was finally admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital after the intervention of a senior staff at the medical facility.
His present condition as related by his mother has worsened over the past few day. Currently, he cannot eat, talk, or walk and continues to lose a lot of blood, relatives said.
The teenager was reportedly gang-raped by persons whom he trusted and worked with. One of the men whose house the teenager was last seen in was taken into Police custody, while ranks await the young man’s recovery to take a statement.
When the Guyana Times visited the home of the teenager, his mother, who had just returned home from the hospital, related that her son was only communicating by head movements. The frustrated mother said that her son was going “hysterical”, noting that it was difficult to look at him in that condition.
Night of the incident
She recalled her son leaving home on the night of the incident to attend a party, but after time elapsed and he did not return home, she got worried. In the act of picking up her phone to call the young man, it rang and a friend of her son was on the other end. He informed her that her son would be spending the night at his place.
The woman added some time later, her phone rang again and this time, it was her daughter who asked her to come to her home immediately. “She tell me, come see what dem do to mi brother”. Upon receiving the call, she panicked but eventually went to her daughter’s place where she saw her son trembling and bleeding. “When I reach like he went hysterical and saying people coming to shoot me… and they say dem coming to kill he family, but he nah go allow dah.”
The next day, she took him home and he started to cry out for abdominal pain, so she took him to use the washroom and it was then she realised the extent of the injuries her son sustained.
She took him to the Police Station at Wales and one of the officers accompanied
them to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was examined and it was confirmed that he was raped by not one but several persons. He was given tablets and other medication and sent away.
“After he start vomit slime and blood... then stuff start come out he mouth so I tek he back to the hospital but they refer he to town and was then after I behave lil bad, they admit he.”
To date, she said her son’s friend has not told them what occurred on the night except that they were at a party after which, they went to his house. The suspect’s relatives reportedly offered the victim’s family compensation and vented their anger that they had involved the Police in the issue claiming that it was “a little matter that can be worked out”.
Fragile
A sister of the injured teen told the Guyana Times that on the night in question, she was home when she heard a banging on the door and as she enquired, she realised that it was her brother. As she opened the door, she saw him in a fragile state and attempted to enquire what occurred. “On the night he tell me to tape whatever he wanted to say, but I de too confused and start cry … he tell me that he friends (names called) drugged he and do he things… I ask what things he said they do things to him in he rear… then they carry he some way and was going to shoot he when he manage to escape.”
In tears, the sister said that if she had known that there would have come a day when he could not relate to the Police what occurred, she would have recorded him as he spoke. She said that most of the people he called were friends but at least one was a stranger.
His stepfather, who was still in disbelief, told the Guyana Times that he was a pleasant child and worked for whatever he wanted. He said that he would usually speak about the suspect as a good friend and he was utterly surprised that he would have planned such a brutal attack on his son who is battling for his life.
He rubbished any speculation that his son might have been gay. He said that the teen was quiet and friendly to all he met. “Dem also say that he bin lil mad but Ravo grow up with me and I know he was a real good person… How can a mad man get a job at a supermarket?”
The family is now fearful that if the 72-hour detention period expires for the suspect before the injured teenager can speak, the case will be thrown out and there might not be any justice. The teenager has three brothers and five sisters, and lives with his mother and stepfather.
Months after placing a ban on Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) People's National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) representative Vanessa Kissoon, the party leader David Granger could not give an update on the fiasco.
Guyana Times on Friday sought to ascertain the state of affairs of the party’s Linden operations, given Kissoon’s sidelining, but Granger would only say “no updates”. Kissoon has been at the centre of a bitter
dispute between herself and the General Secretary of the PNCR Oscar Clarke. The incident which occurred mid last year surrounded an issue with the key for the Linden Office.
The two were involved in a heated argument at the party’s headquarters where Kissoon was said to have been verbally abused by the General Secretary. Kissoon allegedly lashed back at Clarke, who thought he was disrespected and lodged a formal complaint with the Leadership of the PNCR. A decision was then taken to have Kissoon suspended.
The suspension was lifted a few days before the PNCR congress in July last, for her to participate. However, it was subsequently reinstated. According to reports, Region 10 representatives had sought a meeting with the PNCR leadership to discuss the issue and come up with a possible solution, but this was not before Granger had written a letter to Kissoon. She has reportedly not responded to that letter, neither has there been any meeting to that effect.
The MP had also previous-
ly refused to attend a disciplinary committee which was specially set up to address the issue. According to her and some Region 10 supporters, the suspension was a breach of the party’s Constitution.
Currently Kissoon remains tight-lipped on the issue allegedly after several warnings from Granger and other executives. Reports suggest that Kissoon may have been gagged from speaking to the media and is still unable to participate in any official party busi-
ness. Kissoon, who was appointed a Member of Parliament back in 2006 on the People’s National Congress/Reform One Guyana (PNC/R1G) platform, was also early last year, without notice placed on the back bench of the PNCR parliamentary seat. Although, not sure of what it might have been, Kissoon had claimed that there was a motive to her being moved. Granger had said the change was necessary and was within the policy line of the party.
Guyana Times understands that the PNCR Linden Office has had another squabble over keys and entry.
While he could not give details as to what transpired, he told reporters on Friday that “the office belongs to the PNC. There might have been some intrusion. As far as we are concerned Oscar Clarke is the Chief Executive Officer of the PNCR and any intruder will be dealt with according to the law. I am not aware of the details of what took place. But it’s our property and if anyone coming into our property is an intruder”, Granger said.
Awoman was arrested by Police on Thursday evening in connection with the murder of Noel Clementson, 47, of Bartica, who was stabbed to death on Tuesday evening at Arimu Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).
The woman who is believed to have been an accomplice to murder is at the Bartica Police Station assist-
ing with investigations, while the Police are searching for the main suspect, an employee of Clementson.
Clementson’s body was transported to Georgetown where a Post-Mortem Examination proved that he died as a result of haemorrhage due to multiple stab wounds.
The father of eight, also known as ‘‘Professor Clem”, was stabbed about his body by an employee who was attempting to steal gold from his mining camp at Arimu Backdam.
It was reported that Clementson and a female
companion were in their mining camp when he heard a commotion close to the mining pit. This prompted him to check and on doing so, he saw the suspect trying to retrieve something from a pipe.
At this point, Clementson reportedly realised that the suspect might have hidden gold in the pipe following a ‘washdown’ earlier in the day and confronted him.
That led to an argument and then a scuffle. The Guyana Times was told that during the scuffle, the suspect pulled out a knife and dealt Clementson several stabs to his body.
The woman in the camp heard his screams and went to his aid, but she too was stabbed to her nose and hands as she attempted to prevent the suspect from further stabbing Clementson. She immediately raised an alarm and the other workers ran to the injured man’s rescue. By this time, the suspect had fled the scene.
The Guyana Times understands that as a result of the distance from the camp to Bartica’s medical facility, Clementson might have bled to death on his way out of the backdam.
Leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) David Granger said his party, while in election mode has not yet settled on its Presidential and Prime Ministerial candidates.
Responding to media queries on the coalition’s preparation for the upcoming elections, Granger said that the matter of the Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidacy has not yet come up for discussion. The party is however in full campaign mode. According to him the APNU is working towards getting the “message across to the electorate.” “We have been doing outreaches; we have been conducting our campaign organisation within the partnership and the PNC”, Granger told reporters just after the official press conference.
He also shrugged off comments made by the General Secretary of the PPP/C Clement Rohee that the party was experiencing internal
problems. Rohee at a news conference on Monday had said that the APNU has its own “internal ramblings” within his party securing a presidential candidate for the PNC/APNU. “They still have to settle on the secret talks between themselves and the AFC”. He had said that that is also linked to the question of t he Presidential candidate whether there will be consensus candidate or whether current leader David Granger will remain
the candidate.
The APNU seems to have joined both the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) which has not yet decided on either post. PPP/C’s Clement Rohee had indicated that the party’s executive committee was still in talks over the positions. The AFC remains undecided.
Meanwhile, Granger says the prospects for talks between the AFC and APNU are good. Specific details on the way forward for the proposed coalition will be unveiled after the party meets for its shadow cabinet. He could not reveal the details of the AFC‘s tabled non-disclosure agreement, which was presented for review and signature by the APNU.
General Secretary of APNU Joseph Harmon and GS of the AFC David Patterson had held discussions last week and had decided that a Memorandum of Understanding from the AFC would be presented to
the APNU. AFC had also called for “secret talks” on the way forward for the proposed coalition.
At his last press briefing at the beginning of the year, Granger had confirmed that talks between the coalition and the AFC on a possible coalition were yet to commence. He had said that the AFC was yet to state clearly what exactly its proposal for a pro-democracy alliance entailed. He noted that while APNU remained open to dialogue between the two parties and civil society, it would like to know what exactly would be on the agenda when the parties did meet for dialogue. Granger was adamant that as it stood what was being proposed by the AFC was something that would have already been part of APNU’s charter. This charter was published since 2011 when the APNU coalition was formed with five political parties. Among the other invitees to talks were members of civil society and trade unions.
An employee of the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court appeared on an embezzlement charge before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, on Friday morning.
Tiffany Ward, 21, of Lot 5 Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, was granted bail in the sum of $200,000, after pleading not guilty to the offence.
The charge read that between March 15 and June 28, 2014 at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court, Ward embezzled $1,365,700 taking it in
the name of her employer. Her attorney, Dexter Todd, in his bail application, noted that Ward was on $20,000 station bail for the offence and was making herself available to the station whenever she was called upon. As it related to the charge, the defence counsel said all of the money was repaid. Todd then added that his client had no prior problems with the law and was not a flight risk. There were no objections to bail from the prosecution. The case was transferred to the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court for January 16.
President Ramotar’s certainly bringing home the “loot” from India...What with over US$60 million in soft loans to fund much needed infrastructural works, Guyana’s certainly getting a much-needed shot in the arm. At a time when the Opposition’s moved to the courts to bring development to a grinding halt. What else would happen if the Courts reverse themselves and go along with the Opposition’s ridiculous claim that it’s OK for THEM to craft the Government’s budget!!
Anyhow, this Eyewitness is mighty pleased that Prezzie isn’t returning with nothing more than a firm handshake and a smile. Some of these meets have a habit of tapering off into banalities and platitudes. The first IT Centre by India in the Western Hemisphere is certainly not a “banality”cause we know where India stands in the world where IT is concerned. Second to none, that’s where!!
This Pravasi Divas (PD) annual meet can also serve to tie us closer together right here in Guyana - all of us. And not just with the developmental projects we’ll be receiving. It would surprise many to learn that at the PD, there were delegates from at least 50 countries - including more than a dozen in Africa. South Africa was there - there are more than one million persons of Indian descent living there.
And they have an even stronger link with PD, since the date for the meet is always around Jan 9 - the date that fella who spent his 20 most formative years in South Africa, returned to India: Mohandas Gandhi!! In addition to meeting our Prezzie on the sidelines, India’s Modi also had intensive meetings with Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, South Africa.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who was the dynamo behind the PD meet, is set to visit South Africa in the first quarter of this year to pursue further opportunities for economic ties with their BRICS partner - particularly in infrastructure and mining. Modi also discussed the need for UN Security Council reforms in which South Africa and India can play larger roles.
This Eyewitness believes that the greatest benefits these meetings can have is to expose Guyanese who’ve been locked in a deadly internecine warfare for the last five decades to the fact that the world’s passing them by - by cooperating. And unless we get our act together and do the same, we’ll never be able to catch up.
And so we inevitably return to the Opposition and their dystopian, no-win vision (nightmare?) of politics. Can persons who want to lead this nation actually vote against the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) Bill???
Just to show the President “who’s man”?? Wankers!!
The retired couple who returned from NY - who purchased two Lexuses that go for at least US$180,000 over there - and then “lent” them to Mook Lall, showed up to face charges of defrauding the Government.
First of all, they declared they bought the vehicles for only US$48,000... And it wasn’t even a “crashed” vehicle like our honest and upstanding (but poorly paid) GRA boss had to import for that kind of money.
The other charge, of course, is they conspired with the Mook to perpetuate the highway robbery. Sometimes you wonder why we have to go through all this rigmarole in courts.
Does anyone in the world think the Mook isn’t behind the scam?? Pleeease!!!
Now let’s be honest. What’s the first thing you thought when you saw all those pics of India’s Modi and our Pressie Ramotar?? That they’re so similar, no?? But when you think of it, that’s not too far-fetched.
They’re both of humble background - without all those fancy letters that some like to attach to their names - to make themselves “somebody”.
Modi and Ramotar are doers not talkers. Go simplicity!!!
Aminer in the Amatuk Fall area, reportedly told members of the search team that the Britten Norman Islander belonging to Air Services Limited (ASL), crashed into a nearby mountain in the area of interest.
Ibini Mountain Range, which is within the 10-mile radius of the last transmitted signal via “Spot Tracker”, has been identified as the area of interest.
Upon receiving the report, the search team ventured into to the dense jungle and is heading towards that area where the aircraft was reportedly seen circling before it went down. The man claimed that from where he was located, he saw the aircraft circling and then disappeared. He also claimed that he saw the aircraft’s tail from where he was standing.
Guyana Times understands that the miner accompanied the search team to the area.
However, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Zulficar Mohamed when contacted reiterated that
they are taking every report seriously as they continue the search for the missing aircraft.
He said due to the inclement weather on Thursday, the search party was unable to venture out into the thick jungle. On Friday, he noted that the team went in the direction of the mountain where the plane was reportedly spotted.
A senior rank of the GCAA told Guyana Times that they have been receiving reports from all directions but those have proven futile thus far. He recalled one woman making a report that the aircraft had to have crashed in close proximity to her home since she felt the ‘earth shook’ due to the impact.
Norman Islander that was flying between Mahdia and Karisparu, Region Eight. Based on records, the aircraft took off from Mahdia about 11:42h on a routine local cargo flight and the last known position was marked by “Spot Tracker” at 11:44h.
At 16:20h, Timehri Air Traffic Control Tower made contact with the aircraft operator to establish whether the aircraft had landed before implementing a search and rescue operation. After no information was received, Air Traffic Control commenced an ‘Alert Phase’ and the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport was activated.
Although a father and his son have been charged for the gruesome murder of three people in Tuschen, Region Three (Essequibo Island-West Demerara), residents are still at a loss as to what may caused the perpetrators to resort to such cruelty.
On the night of December 18, 2014, Joshua Franklin hacked three persons to death: his former reputed wife’s lover, Floyd Drakes; her nine-year-old daughter, Ashley Boodhoo; and her mother, Bibi Zalina Khan, 55. Franklin’s reputed wife, Geeta Boodhoo managed to escape, despite being severely chopped.
Franklin and his 21-yearold son Jimmy Franklin were subsequently remanded for the heinous crime. Franklin’s son was identified by the Police as an accomplice.
Close to a month later, residents remain baffled. Some say they cannot fathom what may have led such a quiet and easygoing man to commit such a heinous act while others are contending that the couple (Franklin and Boodhoo) shared a violent relationship.
According to a resident who operates a shop in the area, Boodhoo might have
pushed the cane cutter to commit the act. She contended that while the man was hard at work, the woman “flirted out the money”.
The woman said she was concerned for the well-being of Boodhoo’s six young children when Franklin was given a restraining order and instructed to leave the home.
“Sometimes for days she kept the children away from school and she would send them to different shops to buy cigarettes for the man when he comes over to visit,” the woman said.
Another resident added that Franklin, who rarely consumed alcohol, may have committed the act because of the alleged infidelity of his spouse. “No one expected that, but people used to tell him about the man. He used to hear but he never used to believe,” the resident said. The man emphasised that Franklin was a quiet individual.
Others said the alleged murderer was “controlling.”
One resident said there were times when he forbad Boodhoo from talking to persons he disliked. There was talk of constant arguments in the home by other residents.
Reference was made to the bitter argument that re-
“While these reports might be seen as extreme, we have continued to peruse them”, he added. He added that as of now, the team has set mid next week to call off the search if nothing tangible is seen or reported.
On Sunday, December 28, 2014, the Timehri Control Tower lost communication with the Britten
Moments after the aircraft was reported missing, two ASL Cessna 208 Caravans flying within
the area were vectored to commence a search operation and were later joined by three Belle helicopters. After the first few days with no success, the RCC contacted Surinamese aviation experts, as well as those from the United States Mission Coordination Centre. As the search intensified, Suriname provided an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) to zero in on or enhance any signal from the wreckage site. The RCC had plotted a grid with the most probable flight path of the aircraft and where it was most likely to have flown and determined the overall area of interest for possible crash sites. This grid is being flown systematically to ensure coverage of the entire area. To date, systematic flyovers have been carried out, but, all have proven futile.
sulted in Franklin being arrested, taken to court and jailed for three months before being placed on a restraining order.
Some residents dismissed the allegation that Boodhoo was unfaithful, contending that she and Drakes shared a relationship after Franklin was given the restraining order.
Nevertheless, on the night of the gruesome murder, Franklin broke several louver window panes in his quest to gain access to Boodhoo’s house. The occupants were chopped indiscriminately.
Ashley was in the bedroom with her five siblings (two of the children are the
suspect’s) when she heard the commotion and went to the aid of her mother, but not before instructing her brothers and sisters to hide under a bed. As she ventured to the living room area, she was chopped several times by Franklin. In a bid to escape, she ran towards the kitchen area where she collapsed and later died.
Khan reportedly died in
the living room while Drakes was found next to a toilet in the yard. Boodhoo managed to escape and hid at a neighbour’s home.
After committing the
gruesome act, Franklin went into hiding. He was subsequently arrested on Boxing Day by Police ranks in Tuschen’s backlands.
Franklin and his son
were later charged with four counts of murder. They are currently on remand, awaiting a second court hearing set for March 11.
By Vahnu Manikchand
Amid an increase in rape cases here-some being committed by repeat offenders police are yet to implement a law mandating them to supervise convicted rapists and paedophiles.
A few years ago, the National Assembly passed the Prevention of Crimes (Amendment) Bill, which gave police the authority to supervise any person convicted on indictment of a crime along with the punishment handed down by the Court. Among these convicts were paedophiles who the law said would be subjected to a life of supervision after serving a sentence for any of the following offences: molestation, rape, sexual exploitation, pornography, prostitution, incest or kidnapping.
However there has been little or no indication whether this law has been or is being enforced. Guyana Times contacted various agencies to confirm this but was told mostly by senior officials that they are not aware whether convicted paedophiles after serving jail time are under any police supervision. A few verified that the courts would issue orders for accused or defendants to report to the police station periodically during a trial or preliminary inquiry (PI) if it is proven that those persons are a flight risks. The memorandum for the Bill stated that a spate of heinous offences was being committed by persons who were previously convicted. It explained that prior to the Amendment, it was not compulsory for persons to be subject to police supervision
and was only implemented where the court has directed such supervision. The Bill caters for police supervision, of periods ranging from one year to life, based on the type of offence and number of convictions of an individual.
“With a view to curbing crimes in a more effective manner, it is considered necessary to subject every person convicted on indictment of a crime to compulsory police supervision immediately
after serving the sentence… In case of paedophile offences mentioned in Part 11 of the Schedule, the police supervision shall be for life,” the explanatory memorandum for the Bill outlined.
The Bill was passed on July 26, 2008. However during the debates, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee argued that this new requirement will add to the country’s efforts in dealing with increasing sex offences against children. He explained that the special provisions for persons who committed crimes against
children to undergo lifetime supervision, was necessary since it was observed that such crimes were becoming prevalent in the country at the time.
Rohee further pointed out that new legislation seeks to address the fears of victims who would often receive threats from convicts but are helpless in protecting themselves. The minister pointed out that government found it necessary to make such supervisions mandatory since the courts seemed to have been reluctant to order police supervision.
Then Human Services Minister, Priya Manickchand, too had highlighted that the new law was aimed at preventing and reducing the amount of re-offenders. She further stressed that the amendment will encourage collaborative efforts between the probation services, the prisons and the police in determining the persons who are mostly likely to re-commit an offence and also to determine who will be subjected to police supervision. On the other hand, there is an alarming and frightening trend occurring in the justice system where dozens of alleged paedophiles are being set free on or before their trials at the High Court. This is mostly as a result of the victims refusing to pursue with the matters for various reasons or other circumstances beyond the control of the prosecutors.
Back in September, this newspaper had reported that close to 40 alleged paedophiles had escaped prosecution during the June Criminal Assizes in the three counties. Some 23 of the over 40 cases that were slated for prosecu-
tion engaged the courts’ attention and another 20 were nolle prosequi (not prosecuted) by the Director of Public Prosecutions as a result of the Virtual Complaints (VCs) or victims not wanting to proceed with the matter.
Guyana Times was told that in a number of these cases, the accused paid off the victims. Of the 23 cases that actually went to court, only in three matters the accused were sentenced – one from each county. Eight cases ended with the accused being set free for various reasons. According to a report issued by the DPP Chambers, there were a total of 43 cases for sexual offences disposed of. These cases varied from rape, buggery, carnal knowledge of a child under 15, sexual activity with a family member and incest, among others. At the High Court in Demerara, 36 sexual offences cases were dealt with, of which 19 were before a judge and jury while 17 cases were nolle prosequi by the chambers. One accused had pleaded guilty to raping a child under the age of 15 and was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment.
Meanwhile, in the Essequibo District, there were only three sexual offence cases in the May Assizes; however, a trial was only held in one for the offence of buggery, which resulted in the accused being found guilty and sentenced to nine years. Then in Berbice, four sexual offences cases were listed; however, two were nolle prosequi for the same reason by the chambers. There was a 25-year conviction for a carnal knowledge of a girl under 15 after the accused was found guilty by the jury.
The seventh round of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry will convene on January 26 at the Supreme Court library building, Georgetown, the Secretariat’s Chairman Hugh Denbow reported.
Speaking to the Guyana Times on Thursday, Denbow said that the Secretariat was in the process of finalising the
list of participants for the fiveday sitting, which will come to an end on January 30.
Commissioners will take a break before resuming on February 9. Barbados Queen’s Counsel, Sir Richard Cheltenham heads the threemember Commission, which is seeking to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr Walter Anthony
Rodney. The other members are Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline Samuels Brown and Trinidad-based Guyanese Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam.
On the list to take the stand and complete cross-examination is Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul, who was still giving evidence at the end of the last session in early
November last year.
Before the end of Session Six, there was talk that Donald Rodney, the brother of the slain historian, would be opening this session. However, the Secretariat’s Chairman could not confirm this, since according to him, neither Rodney nor his lawyer, Keith Scotland, could say definitely if he would be present. Donald is the only known witness to the June 13, 1980 bomb blast which claimed the life of his brother, as he was in the driver’s seat of the car when the incident occurred some distance away from the Georgetown Prison.
Every time yuh read de news bout G-Pee-Hell, is another sub-station dem gettin some where. Or another generator some where. Or another tour some where fuh Din Dhaal de See-Hee-Haw. When is not East Coast is Berbice. When is not Wakanaam is Leguan.
Din Dhall got de Prime Minister on tour. Din Dhaal got de Finance Minister on tour. Din Dhaal got he staff on tour.
Din Dhaal deh on tour more than a Guvament Minister. Two more tours and Din Dhaal gon cover more miles right in Guyana than whah de Prezzi do all de way to India.
Every photo show Din Dhal showin some ting to some body at some sub station or some generator some where. No body in dem photo ain’t know nutten bout power or current or electricity or whah ever term Din Dhaal use. Din Dhaal like to talk bout voltage and cycle and conversion. But Din Dhaal does use some more fancy terms because he wanna cumfuffle de people. All de people know is that Din Dhaal talkin bout power, but he ain’t sendin power.
So after all dem sub station, it just look as though every ting fuh G-Pee-Hell is still at de sub level. Every ting below par than whah it supposed to be. When dem turn on Wakenaam, Leguan turn off. And when dem turn on East Coast, Berbice turn off.
So when yuh add up all de hours fuh whah dem villages get power, it mek 24. That is whah G-Pee-Hell mean by 24hour supply.
De other day G-Pee-Hell was runnin out outta power and Din Dhaal was runnin outta poles. And when Din Dhaal run outta pole, he does feel power less. He even ask Har-K to use he pole at G-Tea & Tea.
Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! De other day when de mini-bus knock de pole on de East Bank, no body was sure if was Har-K pole or Din Dhaal pole get mash up. But some body seh is both a dem pole mash up.
ATrans Guyana aircraft crash landed on Friday at an airstrip at Matthews Ridge, Region One (Barima-Waini) resulting in damage to the plane’s left wing.
Twelve adults and two infants were on board the Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft bearing registration number 8R-GAB when it narrowly escaped major damage at approximately 08:28h.The passengers and crew were unharmed.
Public Relations Consultant for Trans Guyana, Kit Nascimento disclosed that the undercarriage may have also been damaged due to the heavy impact at touchdown.
The hard landing was as a result of poor visibility due to bad weather conditions. Nascimento explained that the bad weather prevented officials from visiting the area to conduct an investi-
gation.
On that note, he told this newspaper that as soon as the weather turned favourable, a team would be dispatched to the area to begin the probe.
Nascimento explained that in the aviation sector, aircraft often operated in difficult conditions and they had to accept that poor conditions exist in the hinterland.
However, he pointed out that their pilots were highly trained and qualified to operate under such conditions. The aircraft had been chartered by Sky West Charter Company for a passenger flight.
The near miss comes as authorities scour the terrain near Mahdia for an Air Services Limited plane that went missing with two crew members almost two weeks ago.
Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral Kamalesh Sharma on Friday congratulated the incoming President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena, on his success in the 8 January presidential election and his assumption of office.
The Secretary-General also commended the work and contribution of the Commonwealth Observer Group, headed by Former President Bharrat Jagdeo for the election and, in a telephone conversation, thanked him for his leadership of the Group. In a statement Sharma said he looked forward to receiving the Group’s findings and recommendations. The Secretary-General said, “I extend my warm congratulations to President Sirisena and wish him success in the tasks that lie ahead as he takes office. I look forward to working with him and his Government, both in his capacity as President of Sri Lanka and as Commonwealth Chair-in-Office. I also look forward to welcoming him to next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta in November 2015”.He continued, “I also applaud President Rajapaksa,
who swiftly honoured the democratic verdict of the people”.
Credible and peaceful
Meanwhile, Jagdeo had earlier urged Sri Lankans to do their part to ensure that a peaceful and credible elections process took place. In a statement Jagdeo said it is his honour and privilege to have been asked to lead the Group, and to be in the country for these elections. “Our nine-member Observer Group has been drawn from across the Commonwealth, and includes former politicians and members of parliament, former members of election commissions and representatives of civil society and the media.”
The Group he said is supported by a staff team of five, led by Ms Katalaina Sapolu, Director of the Rule of Law Division at the Commonwealth Secretariat. According to Jagdeo Sri Lanka has among the oldest democratic traditions in the Commonwealth, noting that the Commonwealth recently observed the 2010 Presidential election and the 2013 Northern Provincial Council elections.
“Our task is to consider all the
factors impinging on the credibility of the electoral process as a whole, and to assess whether the election is conducted according to
the standards for democratic elections to which Sri Lanka has committed itself, with reference to national election-related legislation
as well as Commonwealth and other international commitments,” the Former Guyanese leader said. “We will consider, among other things, whether conditions exist for credible elections, including a fair election environment; whether public media has been impartial; the transparency of the entire process; whether voters are free to express their will; and whether the counting and results process is transparent.”
Official results showed Maithripala Sirisena, a former ally of the incumbent, had won 51.3% of the vote. Mr Rajapaksa, in office since 2005, said on Twitter he looked forward to a peaceful transition of power. His supporters credit him with ending the civil war and boosting the economy, but critics say he had become increasingly authoritarian and corrupt.
Mr Sirisena had already received promises of support from Tamil and Muslim leaders before the election. But the result shows he also picked up a significant portion of the majority Sinhalese vote, most of whom solidly supported Mr Rajapaksa in previous elections. Mr Sirisena was sworn in hours
after the result was announced, and promised future election campaigns would be “much more mature”. “Even though [state media] carried out character assassination and vilified me, I can say I had the maturity to bear it all as a result of my long political experience,” he told crowds of supporters in Colombo. The two biggest minorities - Tamils and Muslims - voted for Mr Sirisena in large numbers, and probably swung the vote his way. Their vote was more anti-Rajapaksa than pro-Sirisena. Mr Sirisena was picked by the unwieldy opposition coalition for his Sinhalese appeal, and he has done little to reach out to the minorities on the campaign trail. It will be difficult for him to ignore their grievances now, including constitutional changes for a settlement of the ethnic grievances that fuelled the long war. Questions also surround Bodu Bala Sena - the hardline Buddhist monks’ organisation that has peddled hatred and violence against Muslims and some Christians for the past two years. Will it simply disappear with the demise of a government that - at the very least - tolerated it?
Chaos and confusion reigned supreme in the mining town of Linden on Thursday, when members of the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) battled over the usage of the party’s Linden office in Region 10.
According to reports reaching Guyana Times, angry PNC/R supporters broke into the office by removing several padlocks from a steel door on the building. The attack on the office was another attempt to prevent the party’s regional coordinator Sandra Adams from utilising the building. Since Adams took office last year, a group of PNC/R supporters led by the Regional Chairman
Sharma Solomon has been protesting against her appointment.
According to reports, the padlocks were placed on the door by Adams based on instructions given by PNC/R Leader David Granger and General Secretary Oscar Clarke.
However, the disgruntled members subsequently broke into the office. According to them, they are being prevented from conducting legitimate party business.
Since Adams’ appointment by Granger to the region, support for his leadership has been dwindling, as many in the region are unwilling to cooperate with the coordinator.
Granger said he is yet to receive a report on the incident, but soon after he was heard on record saying that “those responsible would be dealt with”.
Meanwhile, the party’s General Secretary is quoted in another section of the media as saying that the police have been called in and an investigation is underway.
He explained that PNC/R Executive Member Vanessa Kissoon has possession of the old office keys and has not handed them over, even after being instructed to do so last year.
Since Granger’s rise to the leadership post of the PNC/R, persons have registered their concern over his
militarisation of the party, cronyism and lack of transparency in the appointment of several personnel to critical posts.
In October 2014, some PNC/R supporters in Linden protested against Granger during his attempt to conduct a public consultation at the Mackenzie High School. Though being dubbed a “public meeting,” only a selective few were allowed to meet with Granger while the majority was locked out.
This move by the Opposition Leader had clearly caused the party members to become disgruntled as they stood outside the gates with placards and hurled remarks at him.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) said Police prosecutors should not be blamed for 2014’s low conviction rates.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, the low conviction rates are linked to a number of problems, ranging from lack of evidence to availability of witnesses.
Though the force’s relationship with the public has improved, he said Police are still experiencing difficulties with witnesses. It was explained that many witnesses decline from testifying either during the early or latter stages a case.
The reports indicated that there were no convictions from a total of 22 sexual offence cases which were recorded between 2012 and 2013. The situation was reportedly the same for nonsexual offence cases.
With these numbers showing no real change over the years and the fact that crime in Guyana is reaching new heights, the low conviction rates are becoming a worry for those in the judicial community.
But though Hicken is contending that police prosecutors ought not to be blame, defense lawyers told Guyana Times that the poor performance that is usually given by prosecutors cannot go unnoticed.
They said Government should invest heavily in training programmes for the prosecutors, in an effort to improve the rate of conviction.
Senior Superintendent Paul Williams who is also the Force’s Training Officer said the training of the police prosecutors does not differ from the training of defense lawyers.
According to him, police prosecutors are adequately trained under the Police Prosecutors Training Programme. This programme entails six months of elementary training and one year of study at the University of Guyana (UG).
He explained that the officers are exposed to evidence procedures, criminal law, court procedures, ethics of the bar and advocacy –basically the same training as defense lawyers. After ob-
taining one’s Law degree at UG, the officers are declared prosecutors.
According to Williams the conviction rate depends on how well a prosecutor “knows his case.” He explained that the prosecutor needs “to know the ingredients to prove” a robbery or a larceny charge.
It was explained that criminals usually escape convictions because of limited investigation, the lack of the cooperation from witnesses and the slow judicial process.
The Senior Superintendent further pointed out that the testimonies of witnesses usually prove useless when they change their minds from testifying in court. He said this is usually the result when a case is continuously pushed back due to lack of magistrates or judges.
Regional Airline LIAT on Friday announced that it is reducing the fuel surcharge on tickets.
Chief Executive Officer David Evans said effective January 15, 2015 the fuel surcharge will be reduced by 50 per cent for all new bookings. LIAT first introduced a fuel surcharge in 2003, in the wake of increasing fuel prices. In 2009 when the prices went down, the company took a decision to remove the fuel surcharge. However, in 2011, LIAT re-introduced the fuel surcharge in response to months of spiraling jet fuel prices. That year alone, LIAT spent
US$22 million on fuel, or 18 per cent of total costs. The price of both jet fuel (the fuel used by airlines), and crude oil have been falling recently. Mr. Evans said, being fully aware of the impact rising fuel prices have had on customers, it is only fitting that they benefit from the decreased prices.
ATT$7.4 billion shortfall is what Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar Thursday night identified as a result of falling oil prices.
The PM reaffirmed that the support grants, senior citizens’ pension, new minimum wage and baby grants will be untouched. But she provided no precise cost-cutting details or any sacrifices that the population might be called upon to make. What the Prime Minister did announce was the Government’s 2015 budget would now be pegged on a revised oil price of US$45 a barrel, a 44 per cent reduction from the original benchmark of US$80 a barrel.
The gas price on which the budget is premised was also revised, from US$2.75 per mmbtu to $2.25 per mmbtu, she stated. This points to a major realignment in Government revenue and therefore adjustments in spending. However, delivering her address to the nation on the economic situation, in light of the new budgetary and fiscal situation, PersadBissessar identified savings in Government expenditure from one source—TT$1.4 billion from a lower fuel subsidy outlay.
“What (areas) are we adjusting? In moving forward there’ll be areas where we must moderate or redirect our spending in order to manage the present situation, always making sure that we keep people and country first—Reviews of our PSIP and current expenditure are ongoing, with the aim of identifying savings of approximately TT$4.5 billion,” the Prime Minister stated.
“Amongst the areas identified for redirectional spending and indeed in helping us to make up the shortfall of the $7.5 billion...these are the areas that we would consider— infrastructural projects for which funding has not yet been confirmed; lower expenditure on non-critical goods and services; and cuts in allocation in selective ministries by about 15 per cent.
“Any additional shortfall will be met from revenues generated as a result of our continued public of-
fering programme,” she added, referring to the IPO to be held for the public sale of shares in Phoenix Park, Gas. “This would be the first-ever listing of an energy stock on the local stock market, thereby giving the citizens a direct stake in our very important energy sector.” The Prime Minister said the international credit rating agencies, Standard and Poors and Moody, have all projected that oil will rebound to between US$62.7 and US$70 a barrel in the near to medium term.
However, she said, Government decided to use the “more conservative assumptions” (of US$45 a barrel) for oil and gas. “What this means is that the shortfall we may experience in Trinidad and
Tobago would be in the region of TT$7.4 billion,” she said. The price of oil has moved from a high of US$107 per barrel in June 2014 to US$48.65 at the close of business yesterday, representing a 55 per cent decline, Persad-Bissessar pointed out. But in noting that the country had to adjust its spending, she committed her Government to continue expenditure on “the things that matter most to you (the population)”.
Persad-Bissessar singled out the energy corridor—San Fernando to Mayaro highway, describing it as a “key investment”. She also cited her Government’s committment to the “provision of protection to the vulnerable and disadvantaged; to ensuring the pace of business activity continues; to preserving jobs and personal incomes; to intensifying its efforts in making our nation safer; to maintaining successful in-
vestments in education; to making improvements in the quality of health care so urgently required; and to keeping our committment to critical infrastructure projects, including schools, hospitals and the housing programme”. The Prime Minister gave the assurance that her Government will navigate safety through these turbulent times. She trumpeted the achievements of her Government, stating that the economic fundamentals were stronger today than ever and that her Government’s economic policies had halted the decline that it inherited.
Persad-Bissessar recalled that when she was a member of the government in the 1990s the oil price fell to as low as US$9 a barrel, yet the economy was kept strong and investor confidence high and stability was maintained. “I make this reference to reinforce the reference that Trinidad and Tobago has been here before and was able to overcome the challenges faced. The population can feel confident that once again the nation is fortunate to have a Government in place that has demonstrated responsible fiscal policies, that has balanced investment in social programmes and people-centred development whilst simultaneously turning the fragile economy we inherited in 2010 into the stable and strong one that it is today,” she said.
“The same prudence with which we managed the economy since 2010, to bring us to a position of resilence and stability, will be used in shifting our priorities and maintaining stability,” the Prime Minister stated. “History will record this period as one of our finest when we stood strong, made the right choices, exercised the right amount of restraint, held the right course and indeed saw the right results,” PersadBissessar said. The address was made live from the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s. Before delivering it, the Prime Minister met with senior executives of the energy companies in the state sector and the Ministry of Energy and held another meeting of a sub-committee of the Cabinet.
New office bearers were elected recently when the Guyana Rastafarian Council held its Annual General Meeting and elections at the F.E Pollard Primary School.
Those recently elected are; President Ras Simeon; Vice-President Sister Tekla; General Secretary Ras Ian; Assistant Secretary Sister Natalie
Gonsalves; Treasurer Ras Richard Taylor; and Committee Members Binghi Addis Asher and Ras King David. The challenges facing the new executive committee will be to consolidate the strength and scattered interests of the Rastafari community and direct “our efforts toward; making a more significant contribution to national develop-
ment; being more visible and vocal in helping to resolve the many social, economic and political issues that affect Guyanese; and setting an example of the kind of spiritual and moral leadership that would see Guyana rise from its present state of abject moral and cultural decadence,” the body said in a release.
The Council said this year it will commence a
national outreach programme to ground, sensitise and mobilise members and all interested persons on issues of common interest and the way forward for the Rastafari community. They will also continue networking and workshop programmes with various organisations to educate and train the leadership and members of the Rastafari Council and community on
issues such as family planning, gender violence with an emphasis on men and boys, voter education etc.; and spearheading the coordination of a Regional Rastafari Conference on Reparations under the auspices of Caricom’s Regional Reparations Commission and Guyana’s National Reparations Committee.
“Finally, we would like to inform the people
that this year begins the International Decade for Peoples of African Descent and the Rastafari community is eagerly awaiting an indication that the UNDP and the Government of Guyana are mindful of this, in light of their many promises made in 2011 at the launch of the International Year for Peoples of African Descent.”
The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health will be hosting several outreach programmes in observance of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
The programmes are geared at encouraging women to get screened for cervical cancer, which many women have shied away from over the years. In a release the GPHC said over the years the two intuitions have held a number of similar programmes which entailed employees performing Visual Inspection Using Acetic Acid (VIA) testing on location where such outreaches were held. Medic of the VIA Clinic at
GPHC Lorlene Ramsundar disclosed that this year organisations with more females will be targeted. She disclosed that such places include Transport and Harbours Department, Lifeline Ministries, Restoration Ministries and several others. She stressed that VIA testing is a very simple procedure which is pain free and free of cost. “We apply vinegar to the mouth of the cervix, after one minute the person would have the result which will determine if they have to get treated or if we need to run more tests or if they do not require treatment.”
The medic emphasised that early detection is vital and encouraged persons between the ages of
25- 49 who are sexually active in particular to get screened as soon as possible especially if they have never been tested. Ramsundar underscored that getting screened can save persons lives and noted that from 2009 to present the VIA Clinic has detected numerous cervical cancer cases most of which were successfully treated. She said the feedback from women who were screened and treated thus far has been very positive and added that persons have lauded both GPHC and the Ministry of Health for providing such services to them which they may not have been able to afford otherwise. She said too, “we have been encouraging women who
come to tell others to come and get checked and the response has been overwhelming.”
The medic highlighted that more and more women are recognising the importance of getting themselves tested but stated that more education programmes on television and radio would be useful for women who may not know the importance of getting a VIA test done.
Cervical cancer ranks as the main type of cancer diagnosed and reported in Guyanese females hence key emphasis has been placed on combating the disease. It is largely preventable due to cervical screening and the HPV vaccination.
The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has lobbied for more support for gold and diamond miners, noting that with the drop in international price for gold “the builders of the economy are at a severe disadvantage”.
The operations of gold and diamond miners, according to the APNU, have been boosting Guyana’s economy for as long as one can remember. In fact, according to leader David Granger, “APNU supports putting the gold and diamond sector on the same footing as rice and sugar”.
The Party says it is deeply concerned about the impact of the challenges currently confronting the gold and diamond industry, nothing that while the Head of State may be right about the growth in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), miners continue to feel the squeeze.
“The pie might be getting larger in terms of the GDP but the medium and small scale miners feel that they are being treated unfairly and are calling for some specific concessions”, Granger said on Friday Granger said the industry has been the country’s foreign currency earner for seven years with recordbreaking production in 2013, noting that a sharp drop in gold last year suddenly saw a fall in production, declaration and earnings and a rise in operating costs causing the closure of several operations and the loss of hundreds of jobs.
According to him, the national economy could be significantly enhanced and livelihood of miners enriched by a more com -
prehensive and collaborative approach to the industry. “APNU therefore commits to a fresh policy towards the industry that will place it on a level that is comparable with other sectors that have attracted governmental support”.
Granger said the party has growing concerns over the security, health and safety of miners and iterated its policy to improve the maintenance of roadways and bridges, and because of the growing incidence of crime in the hinterland districts, promised that it will be seeking to remove the Guyana Police Force’s “F” Division headquarters from Georgetown to Bartica.
He promised too to address indigenous land rights. The Party has proposed a plan of action for the Industry which will involve the Amerindian, Health, Home Affairs, Natural resources and Human and Social Security ministries. The plan will seek to lend more support to the gold and miners industry, ensuring its viability.
Meanwhile, similar sentiments were expressed by Shadow Local Government Minister Ronald Bulkan, who said that it is well known that the gold sector is the major contributor to the economy.
“In 2013, revenues from gold accounted for 47 percent of total export. The industry is undergoing very difficult times.
On one hand world market price for gold has declined from a high in 2012 from US $1800 an ounce to $1200 a low at the end of 2014. As a result the 2014 declaration went down by 23 percent.
According to him there have been numerous complaints from local mining associations ranging neglect of the industry by government, an uneven playing field, of concession being disproportionately awarded to foreign players and industries, the poor condition of the roadways and airstrips and the inaccessibility of critical health services.
There are complaints too that the GGMC offers little or no help to miners. Bulkan said if there are more meaningful consultations many of the problems experienced now could be alleviated.
According to him, the APNU will be taking all necessary measures to ensure miners are adequately assisted.
One of Cuba’s most prominent dissident groups said on Friday that 36 Opposition activists, including a popular hip-hop artist, have been freed in the last two days as part of a deal to improve relations between Cuba and the United States.
were jailed.”
Cuba’s commitment to free 53 prisoners was a key part of the historic deal announced on December 17 under which the Cuban and US Governments agreed to renew diplomatic relations after more than 50 years of hostilities.
that will be increased in … the future”.
Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the facility comes at a time when “the Caribbean and indeed the world is challenged with all sorts of economic and fiscal issues.”
“Our freed prisoners are committed to continue fighting for the democratic Cuba which we all want,” UNPACU’s Leader Jose Daniel Ferrer said in a statement.
“The UNPACU activists have left prison with more energy, force and motivation than they had when they
The dissident Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) said 29 of its members were among those released, and most had been warned by the communist Government that they would be sent back to prison if they continued their Opposition activities.
Almost all of those freed so far appear on an informal list of political prisoners drawn up several months ago by dissidents, but it is not known if they were all on the list of 53 that the United States negotiated with Cuba.
Details about who will be freed have been withheld by both Governments, providing ammunition for US opponents of the detente, who have complained that President Barack Obama has not pushed Cuba hard enough on human rights and that the Government in Havana was not living up to its side of the bargain.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Three elderly tourists were killed in Costa Rica when a boat carrying more than 100 people capsized in rough seas.
The victims are a British man and a Canadian and an American woman, said the Costa Rican authorities
The catamaran was taking tourists to the Tortuga Island, on the country’s Pacific Coast, when it was hit by strong winds and powerful waves.
Survivors said they were given lifejackets shortly before the boat sank.
“We were floating in the ocean. Many people were crying, screaming, asking for help,” an unidentified woman told local television.
The Pura Vida Princess was carrying 99 tourists and 10 crew when it sank some 15 kilometres (nine miles) offshore.
The accident happened around 09:00h local time (15:00 GMT).
“The captain started to turn the wheel to the left. There were pretty heavy seas and we started to take water on, apparently on the right side,” said Todd Olson, a tourist from the American state of Kansas.
“Within a minute it was flipped. Very fast, shocking,” he added.
Vice President Ana Helena Chacon said 106 people had been rescued. She praised the work of
the lifeguards, Security Ministry and the Red Cross.
Earlier reports said two tourists were missing, but Chacon said all the passengers and crew, with the exception of the three casualties, had been accounted for.
“It’s a sad day for our country, that receives so many tourists,” she said.
The British Foreign Office said in a statement: “We are aware of an incident on a boat off the coast of Costa Rica involving British nationals. We are in close contact with local authorities and are providing consular assistance.”
(Excerpt from BBC News)
The Trinidad and Tobago Government
Wednesday night announced a revision of its 2015 national budget as a result of the significant decline in oil prices on the global market, but insisted that the twin-island republic can withstand the lower oil prices.
Oil prices dropped from a high of over US$100 a barrel a few months ago to less than US$50 on Wednesday and the coalition People’s Partnership Government had based the 2015 fiscal package on an oil price of US$80 a barrel.
Prime Minister Kamla
Persad-Bissessar, in a nationwide radio and television broadcast, said that her Administration which came to power in 2010 had been able to successfully manage the local economy and as a result “we have the experience and capacity to weather these challenges, and because we have been here before, that we have positioned the economy on a strong footing”.
She said she is confident that the “adjustments in our priorities will continue to create greater harmony between social progress and economic advancement
and we will successfully manage the challenges and emerge stronger, together.
“I am of the firm view that this is no time for sudden changes in the direction of economic development policies. Such an approach will negatively impact your comfort, investor confidence, business expansion and employment.
“I am also of the firm view that using a period of challenges to promote fear and panic will be irresponsible, and will have the impact of creating problems where in fact no such problems exist. (Excerpt from CMC)
Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries want to use a the three-billion-US-dollar concessionary facility announced by China last year for debt restructuring and refinancing among other initiatives, Caricom Chairman Perry Christie has said. Christie, who is also the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, was addressing the inaugural Ministerial meeting of the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean
States Forum (ChinaCELAC) that ended on Friday.
On his first-ever visit to the Caribbean last July, Chinese President Xi Jingping said that the financing facility would be made available to the eight Caricom countries that have diplomatic relations with Beijing.
China’s Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Hung Caio Ming said then, “I believe that this type of concessional loan is something
As he addressed the meeting, Prime Minister Christie said while welcoming the commitment, “we will be raising at the conference the proposal to use this funding for budget support, as well as debt restructuring and refinancing”.
Prime Minister Christie said that in addition, given that energy, water, sanitation, coastal protection, and protection of critical coastal infrastructure are central to the capacity of Caricom countries, all efforts must be considered to mitigate the effects of climate change.
“The reality is that a fivefoot rise in sea level would eliminate 80 per cent of The Bahamas. Climate change is real for The Bahamas; it is a threat to our very existence. (Excerpt from CMC)
Antigua focuses on fiscal imbalance, reducing unemployment and stemming crime
Curbing a fiscal imbalance, reducing unemployment and stemming violent crime are atop the legislative agenda of the Gaston Browne Administration.
The plans were laid out by Governor General Sir Rodney Williams as he delivered the annual Throne speech commemorating the start of a new legislative session on Thursday.
In his second address to a joint session of Parliament since taking office, Williams explained there were three highpriority challenges that dominate the country and that the Government sees itself as a medical doc -
tor qualified to diagnose, treat and put the country on the track to recovery.
The Governor General told the nation the recurring fiscal imbalance, brought about by spending that exceeds the country’s revenue, is unsustainable.
“Spending more than is earned cannot continue ad infinitum,” Sir Rodney said. “That challenge occupies the thinking and policy-choices of my Government. Overcoming the fiscal imbalance requires growth in the economy, not increases in taxes,” he added.
“It is my Government’s intention to grow the
Antigua and Barbuda economy in 2015 at a rate much higher than the 1.7 per cent forecast by the International Monetary Fund. The forecast by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) of 4.5 per cent growth is closer to my Government’s goal. My Government assures the Antigua and Barbuda workers and families that there will be no new taxes,” he said. In the area of unemployment, the Government hopes to tackle the problem by expanding Private Sector employment through the increase of foreign direct investments. (Excerpt from CMC)
Nine people have been arrested on Reasonable Suspicion of Breaches of the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act 2013 after a team of officers conducted an intelligence-led operation in Rose Heights, St James on Thursday, January 8.
According to the Major Organised Crime & Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), the operation targeted three premises in the
community, where the occupants were reportedly involved in lottery scam, among other illicit activities.
During a search of the premises, a number of electronic devices were seized, including three laptop computers, a Magic Jack and several cellular phones.
An LG Compaq Disc, books containing identity information and US$560 were also seized.
The lawmen report that preliminary examination of
the laptop computers and the LG Compaq Disc, revealed the presence of several Microsoft Excel files, among other documents, containing thousands of names, addresses, telephone numbers and the dates of birth of people apparently living overseas. The electronic devices seized were secured and the relevant agencies to include the MOCA Cyber Forensic Unit will be engaged to facilitate further analysis. (Jamaica Observer)
Maithripala Sirisena has been sworn in as Sri Lanka's new president following a bitter election that saw the surprise ousting of leader Mahinda Rajapakse after a decade in power.
Sirisena and his new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe both took the oath of office in Colombo's Independence Square on Friday hours after Rajapakse conceded defeat, in what is being touted as one of the most peaceful in the island's history.
The election was dominated by charges of corruption and growing authoritarianism against Rajapakse, who rewrote the constitution after his re-election in 2010 to remove the two-term limit on the presidency and give himself more powers over public servants and judges.
Sirisena said on Friday after taking the oath of office that Sri Lanka, which fell out with the West over allegations of wartime rights abuses, will mend its ties with the international community.
"We will have a foreign policy that will mend our ties with the international community and all international organisations in order that we derive maximum benefit for our people," he said.
Ahead of the swearingin ceremony, Rajapakse conceded defeat in an election he had been widely predicted to win before Sirisena, a member of his own party, defected to run against him.
"The president met with former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe this morning," Rajapaksa's press secretary, Vijayananda Herath, told AFP hnews agency.
The president concedes defeat and will ensure a smooth transition of power bowing to the wishes of the people."
Constitutional reforms
"It seems as if they have voted for political change in this country that has seen a leader lead this country for more than ten years," our correspondent said.
Sirisena, who deserted the president and changed sides to become the opposition's candidate in November, has vowed to root out corruption and bring constitutional reforms to weaken the power of the presidency.
Rajapaksa won handsomely in the last election in 2010, surfing a wave of popularity that sprang from the defeat in the previous year of ethnic Tamil separatists who had waged a crippling war against the state for decades.
But critics say he became
increasingly authoritarian since becoming president, with several members of his family holding key positions of power.
Despite his waning popularity, Rajapaksa called the latest election early, confident that the fractured opposition would fail to find a credible challenger.
He did not anticipate the emergence of Sirisena, who dined with the president one night and turned on him the next day.
Minority Tamils are believed to have voted heavily against Rajapaksa after he ignored their demands to heal the wounds of the fighting and years of ethnic divisions.
The main Tamil party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), backed Sirisena's candidacy and said it was grateful to its supporters for electing their choice for the top job.
Rajapakse was strongly resented among Tamils in Sri Lanka after ordering a brutal military suppression of a separatist insurgency in which thousands of civilians are said to have died.
Muslims, the second-largest ethnic minority, also appear to have voted against the former president, who was accused of turning a blind eye to attacks on Muslims and other minorities by far-right Buddhist groups.
And for the country's Sinhalese, which make up about three-quarters of the population, Sirisena's entry into the race gave them another credible option amid Rajapaksa's growing authoritarianism and move towards dynasty politics.
Election officials said the turnout from an electorate of about 15 million was provisionally 65 to 80 percent. (Al Jazeera)
Radical Muslim cler-
ic Abu Hamza al-Mas-
ri has been sentenced to life in prison by a court in New York for supporting terrorism.
He was convicted in May of multiple charges, including
hostage-taking and plotting to set up a terrorism training camp in the US. His trial followed a lengthy extradition process from the UK. During the sentencing, his lawyers asked the judge to take into account his missing
French Police have stormed two hostage sites in the Paris area, killing three hostage takers.
Two brothers suspected of the Charlie Hebdo magazine shootings were killed in an assault at a warehouse where they had held a hostage north of Paris.
In the second incident, anti-terror forces stormed a supermarket in eastern Paris where several hostages were being held by another gunman.
Four hostages at the supermarket were killed.
It is not clear whether they were killed before or after the Police assault began.
Another four hostages were seriously injured, but 15 were freed alive, the BBC’s Christian Fraser in Paris reports.
The hostage taker at the kosher supermarket is believed to have had links to the two Charlie Hebdo suspects.
After the Police operation started, several hostages could be seen leaving the Hypercacher supermarket.
Two Police Officers were injured in the rescue operation, AP reported.
In the first incident, a hostage at the warehouse in Dammartin-en-Goele, 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of
Paris was also freed, while a Police Officer at the scene was injured, AFP news agency said.
French President Francois Hollande has described the events as “a tragedy for the nation”.
In a national address, he thanked the security forces for their “courage, bravery [and] efficiency”, but added that France still faced threats.
“We have to be vigilant. I also ask you to be united – it’s our best weapon,” he said.
“We must be implacable towards racism,” he added, saying that the supermarket attack was an “appalling antiSemitic act”.
“Those who committed these acts, these fanatics, have nothing to do with the Muslim faith.”
The Police assaults came after three tense days in France.
Twelve people were shot dead and 11 were injured in Wednesday’s attack on the office of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine.
The unprecedented attack shocked France and there has been an outpouring of sympathy and solidarity worldwide.
The two suspects of the Charlie Hebdo shootings, brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi, then went on the
run for two days, before being surrounded at Dammartin as night fell on Friday. The hostage taker in eastern Paris targeted a Jewish supermarket, Hypercacher, near Porte de Vincennes. He has been named in media reports as Amedy Coulibaly, 32. It is not clear whether he had an accomplice. He knew at least one of the suspected Charlie Hebdo attackers, a source told AFP news agency. He had threatened to kill his captives if Police attempted to capture the brothers, reports citing police said.
Earlier on Friday, a man claiming to be Amedy Coulibaly told French TV station BFMTV that he was a member of the Islamic State militant group, and that he had “coordinated” his attack with the Kouachi brothers. Coulibaly was also suspected of being behind the shooting of a Policewoman in the southern suburb of Montrouge on Thursday.
On Friday, French police issued an appeal for witnesses to that shooting. They said they were looking for Amedy Coulibaly, as well as a woman called Hayat Boumeddiene, 26.
Boumeddiene’s whereabouts are not clear. (BBC News)
Four Ukrainian soldiers and two civilians have been killed in an upsurge in mortar and rocket attacks launched just days ahead of planned international talks on the crisis.
Local authorities in the rebel stronghold of Donetsk said two civilians were killed and seven injured in clashes on Friday around the industrial city’s disputed airport.
hands and eye.
They also argued a plan to imprison Abu Hamza in Colorado’s Supermax federal prison would violate assurances the US made to judges in London to secure his 2012 extradition.
Prosecutors argued on Friday that the US Government had never made such a promise to the UK and life in prison was the only appropriate sentence.
Judge Katherine Forrest called Abu Hamza’s actions “barbaric” and “misguided” and said she was sentencing him to life because she could not think of a time when it would be safe to release him.
She added she would leave where he would spend his imprisonment up to federal prison officials. (Excerpt from BBC News)
The air hub – once the busiest and most mod-
ern in the largely Russianspeaking east of Ukraine –has been held by a skeleton force of Government soldiers since late May.
Almost daily attacks on the airport by pro-Russian fighters have resulted in heavy civilian casualties caused by intense rocket fire from both sides going astray.
The Ukrainian military said four of its soldiers had also been wounded in the past day of violence around
the separatist province. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has promised to hold rare direct talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at a January 15 meeting in the Kazakh capital Astana, that would also include the leaders of Germany and France. The Kremlin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s office have said that a specific date for talks was still being discussed. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Indonesian search and rescue teams hunting for the wreck of an AirAsia passenger jet detected pings they believed were from the plane’s black box flight recorders on Friday, 12 days after it went missing with 162 people on board.
Indonesia AirAsia Flight QZ8501 vanished from radar screens on December 28, less than half way into a two-hour flight from Indonesia’s second-biggest city of Surabaya to Singapore. There were no survivors.
Forty-eight bodies, including at least two still strapped to their seats, have been found in waters off Borneo, but strong winds and high waves have hampered efforts to reach larger pieces of suspected wreckage detected by sonar on the sea floor.
The Airbus A320-200 carries the cockpit voice and flight data recorders, key to the investigation into why the airliner crashed, near the tail of the plane.
However, officials said it looked increasingly likely that
they had become separated during the disaster.
“We detected signals about one kilometre away from the location of the tail,” search and rescue agency coordinator Supriyadi told reporters in Pangkalan Bun, the southern Borneo town closest to the crash site.
“Reports from the field confirm that pings are from the black box, because once the search team were out of a 500 m range, they could no longer hear it,” he added. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Dan-i Smith – Student
“It can be very distractive to the buses and the cars that driving; It can be causing accidents and all of that. As a passenger, I don’t feel safe at all, because all the while I’ll be thinking that an accident could happen.”
Keron Tappin – Security Officer
“I think that the Government should implement the public bus system by importing the big buses back in the country. It would help the public a great lot, because these minibus operators really taking advantage on the poor people with the music and the speeding and everything else. If the minibus play loud music, they will be speeding and also when passengers need to get to their destination, they would even fly past and say that they didn’t hear when they say stop and that is bad, because, as a public servant, if you say you want X destination, then the conductor or driver should hear you and give you that stop. So, they really taking advantage.”
Alec Small
“Public transportation without music does kill me out. The ride does be long and boring. I am concerned about speeding, but I don’t think music has anything to do with that. I like the music and it makes the ride more enjoyable.”
Fazil Islamoon – Farmer
“Music don’t affect me: nothing don’t affect me. I travel often and I don’t concern about speeding and music. They could play it or not play it, I don’t care: it don’t affect me.”
Marlon McGregor –Trainee Teacher
“Honestly, it don’t really affect me that much, because, you know, I like music generally. But I think the type of music that they play: some does be very demeaning, some does put women down, so I think if music is going to be played, some caution must be taken or some measures must be taken in terms of what is being played. That’s just my opinion.”
Shawn Moore – UG Student
“First of all, some of the music can be much better. I know that everybody will have their own preference, but you can’t play music with a lot of rude remarks or bad slogans in public transportation, because it sets a bad image of the country to foreigners and it also impacts greatly on the minds of young children. And also if the music is way too loud, if you can’t hear the conductor over the music, then nothing is making sense.”
Alvin Williams
“Music don’t really affect me. I enjoy it. It does contribute to speeding, because especially certain type of music gives the drivers momentum and he starts to driver faster, putting passengers at risk and other drivers, but I know all of that, but I enjoy the music.”
Kevin Nauth
“The music in public transportation is nice. I like it, but sometimes, because not all the time I like it. When they turn it up too loud, I get a headache and sometimes I don’t like the music they play. But people like the music, because it’s nice to listen to while you driving.”
Elaine Williams
“When I pass at a main road, I would hear the music blaring from the minibuses, and that you really can’t concentrate. This would affect them and contribute to accidents, because they will be concentrating on the music and not on the roadways.”
Danobari Lall – Snocone Vendor
“ It’s very serious, because when you tell the conductor where to stop, they don’t stop. And when you complain, they will put you out the bus. Look how long this problem happening and I don’t know why the Ministry ain’t doing anything. I mean, it’s okay if they want play their music lil’ low – it’s okay, but when they blaring it and you can’t hear where the people want come off, then they taking advantage.”
Tiffane Richardson
“I don’t mind it, it’s nice to listen to, but some of the drivers take advantage of their freedom and they play these songs, I wonder if they don’t consider the passengers. A bunch of vulgar lyrics and the buses get children and it’s just disrespectful basically.”
Rondell Barkley
“My views are certain drivers that take alcohol while driving will send all passengers at risk and with music, it adds more risk. You see with the music that they playing, will give them the hype that will lead to speeding and speeding increases the chances of accidents. Music gives them the excitement to speed and sometimes they forget that they will have old people in the bus that will be affected.”
Consumers are being urged to be wary of whom they purchase water for drinking purposes from in light of a report that some sellers are offering water for sale that is of questionable quality.
The report made to the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department indicates that some persons are offering for sale and distribution water that was not properly processed.
Consumers are advised when purchasing
treated water from various sources to ensure it is properly labelled and sealed and to report any company that fails to comply with the Department’s minimal requirements as it relates to the sale of treated water to the general public.
It is mandatory that manufacturers and distributors have a valid licence, which is an indicator of compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and bottles used must be proper -
ly cleaned, sanitised, labelled and sealed prior to sale and/or distribution.
Additionally, manufacturers and distributors must employ trained personnel to work at their facilities.
Consumers are urged to demand to see a valid licence issued by the Food and Drug Department when they are purchasing bottled water.
The Department notes that all premises involved in the processing, distribution and sale of drinking water, particularly in
five- gallon bottles must be in possession of a valid licence.
Water processing factories that were licensed in 2014 include GuyAmerica Purified Water, First Choice Purified Water, Pure Aqua Purified Water, Family Choice Purified Water, Demerara Distillers Limited, Banks DIH Limited, Water Point, Irish Spring Purified Water, Kaieteur Springs, Smart Water and Best Water.
Padayatra is known universally as the Walking Festival. In Guyana, this custom dates back to 1989, when persons walked from Crabwood Creek to Parika.
In keeping with this tradition, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is hosting a five day walk through Georgetown. The festival commenced on Wednesday and will come to an end on Sunday.
Today, participants are walking from Woolford Avenue to Sheriff Street. On Sunday, the curtains will come down as they walk from Sheriff Street through Bel Air to the University of Guyana (UG) Road. The holy walk begins each day at 14:30h and ends with an evening programme at 18:00h.
Joining patrons in this holy walk through
Participants of the Walking Festival singing and chanting in front of the Indian Monument Gardens
Georgetown is the renowned Walking Monk, Bhaktimarga Swami, who is famous for his “CanWalk” (Canada Walk) marathons. He was highly rec-
ognised after he walked across the entire length of Canada from the west
to east coast in 1996. His journey was detailed in the National Film Board of Canada’s documentary “The Longest Road.” The Monk repeated the feat again in 2003 (from east to west) and again in 2007 (from west to east).
Last year, Swami completed his fourth trek across Canada. In addition to Canada, he walked across countries including Ireland, Israel, Fiji Islands, Mauritius, Trinidad and Guyana as he promotes his “car-free, care-free lifestyle”.
Padayatra essentially means walking from one village to another, reminding people that they are eternal souls and have a direct loving relation with God by using drama, presentations, lectures, dances and Bhajans.
These activities are all part of the Hare Krishna
Movement which aims to preach the message of peace, unity, national wellbeing and God consciousness. As persons walk through communities they distribute hampers and interact with residents, spreading the love of God.
“Padayatra, through the congregational chanting of names of God, invites everyone to discover their true self…The natural environment is disturbed by floods, drought, hurricanes, wars, pestilence, famine, and food shortages. And the society is so disturbed that people sometimes become extremely frustrated that they go on killing sprees,” the International Society for Krishna Consciousness said in a release. According to the organisation, Padayatra is meant to persuade persons to tilt the balance towards living a more God centered life.
The economic reforms under way in China are a historic opportunity for the region to make a qualitative and quantitative leap forward in its economic and trade relations with the Asian power, thereby tackling its infrastructure, innovation and human resources challenges; raising its productivity and competitiveness; and diversifying exports – according to a new report from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).
The document First Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC): Exploring
opportunities for cooperation on trade and investment was presented today by the Executive Secretary, Alicia Bárcena, as ECLAC’s contribution to the First CELAC-China Forum being held from 8 to 9 January in Beijing, China.
CELAC is the most appropriate body to help the region face new challenges on the horizon. According to the publication, while national initiatives are necessary, they are clearly insufficient when it comes to becoming a relevant economic and trading partner for China. Between 2000 and 2013, China went from being a minor partner of
A40-year-old upholsterer of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara was granted bail after being arraigned on a fraudulent conversion charge.
Sherwin Prince, of Lot 136 Parfaite Harmonie, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Friday morning.
His charge stated that between March 1, 2014 and March 31, 2014, being solely entrusted by Troy Harris with $150,000 to purchase some building materials
and return said materials to Harris, he fraudulently converted the money to his own use and benefit. The defendant entered a plea of not guilty. His lawyer, Clyde Forde, told the court that his client was a married man with seven children, and had a stable job as an upholsterer. He added that Prince was not a flight risk and had no prior brushes with the law.
The prosecution had no objections to bail.
The Magistrate placed Prince on $75,000 bail, and adjourned the matter until February 5.
Latin America and the Caribbean to a key player. The mutual trade in goods increased 22 fold from just over 12.0 billion dollars to almost 275.0 billion dollars. By way of comparison, the region’s trade with the world only tripled during that time.
Since 2012, China’s economic growth rate has slowed. Its reforms are taking it towards a development model based more on household consumption, rather than exports and domestic investment. The document stated that overcapacity in some industries, rising labour costs and the quest for safe and profitable opportunities to invest sur -
plus savings should lead to greater capital outflows from China, in keeping with the guidelines expressed by the country’s authorities.
In order to solve the ongoing expanding trade deficit with China, Latin America and the Caribbean could attract this new foreign direct investment (FDI) towards sectors other than extractive industries (which accounted for almost 90% of estimated Chinese FDI between 2010 and 2013). Examples of new sectors would include services, infrastructure, energy, transport and logistics.
Latin America and the Caribbean offers interest -
ing opportunities for such capital, including a growing consumer market, proximity and preferential access to the United States and an abundance of natural resources. The agriculture and agri-food sectors, for instance, have huge potential. The region could play a strategic role in China’s food security (as the country has 7% of the planet’s farmable land and 6% of water resources to feed 22% of the world population). The challenge for governments lies in defining a consensual portfolio of projects where Chinese investment would be most useful.
The region’s FDI towards China is at an early
stage and could enter new market niches that are opening up with Chinese social developments in areas such as agro-industry and services relating to tourism, entertainment, architecture, town planning, environmental management and services for older adults. According to the report, the main challenge facing Latin American and Caribbean countries is to create stronger links between the ties with China (and Asia in general) and domestic policies regarding innovation, competitiveness, science and technology, infrastructure, trade facilitation and business internationalisation.
Twenty-two-yearold Julius Joyce, of Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown and
Ziggy Webster, of Nonpareil, East Coast Demerara, were sentenced by Magistrate Judy Latchman to 56 months’ imprisonment and fined $382,500 for trafficking in narcotics.
The charge stated that on November 14 at Lot 154 Middle Road, they had in their possession 257 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. The court heard that the defendants were caught parcelling off the drug in a house when the Police made a surprise raid.
Joyce, who was the only defendant present in court throughout the trial, de-
fended himself. During his first appearance, the mason said he was at home sleeping when he was roused by a phone call from a friend telling him to come and visit him at the said address. He noted that after he went, about half an hour later, the Police came. The defendant claimed that he did not know anyone who lived in the house and “was never parcelling anything”.
Before handing down sentencing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Magistrate Latchman explained that she took into consideration the nature and prevalence of the offence and the weight of the illicit drug and the price it would have fetched.
ARIES (March 21April 19)
TAURUS (April 20May 20)
(May 21June 20)
CANCER
Hard work coupled with your ability to be a team player will bring cash your way. The ability to clearly express your ideas and plans will be valuable.
Increase the scope of your job search both online and off. A higher-paying position will be worth added responsibilities and time. Don’t be afraid to learn as you go.
Don’t feel guilty about the things you want to pursue. If your heart tells you that the path you want to take is the right one, proceed down it. Love and romance are looking good.
LEO (July 23Aug. 22)
VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)
Your kindness and compassion will make a difference to someone in need. Assisting people in crisis will end up being a stepping-stone to a new career.
You won’t be able to please everyone. Put your needs first, and forget about getting others’ approval. You will accomplish more if you stop worrying about what others think.
Tensions at home will mount if you laze around or become bored. Get out and enjoy a change of scenery. An old friend will be worth reconnecting with. Enjoy catching up.
LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)
Communications and travel are highlighted. Be honest with your partner about your feelings and motivations. A short trip will provide inspiration for a new hobby or project.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)
Get your plan up and running, even if you still have changes to make and problems to solve. You will learn via the mistakes you make and the challenges you face.
CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)
An unexpected dilemma will cause concern. You will have to deal with this matter immediately to avoid setbacks. Put your regular schedule on hold for the time being.
(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)
Your ability to manipulate situations will broaden your range of options and bring beneficial results. Make a commitment that is geared toward improving your financial status to gain peace of mind.
AQUARIUS
PISCES
(Feb. 20March 20)
Get busy and start something new. You have plenty to contribute, and if you look for people who share your dedication and resourcefulness, a promising opportunity will unfold.
Your unpredictable mood will make it difficult for you to decide something. If you are observant and open-minded, you will be able to come up with a workable plan.
West Indies’ attack had proved better suited to the surface, with their battery of medium-pace allrounders concentrating on bowling cutters and slower balls, asking the batsmen to force the pace. Rossouw and David Miller fashioned South Africa’s highest stand, 48 runs for the fourth wicket, but it only featured three fours and the latter fell trying to hit Sheldon Cottrell over the off side. That dismissal went some way to atoning for Cottrell’s drop of Rossouw in the previous over, as did an impressive final over that conceded just seven.
On his first inter -
national appearance in three years, Morne van Wyk swatted one pull for six and cracked another couple of fours square of the wicket but boundaries were otherwise hard to come by during the Powerplay. Reeza Hendricks managed to divert a bottom edge over Denesh Ramdin but fell next ball, as Cottrell got his inswinging yorker on target.
Jason Holder bowled an immaculate line first up, removing van Wyk with a ball that was too full to cut, and he had figures of 3-0-7-1 when Faf du Plessis collared him in the eighth over to get South Africa motoring.
Darren Campbell says he would not encourage his three children to follow him into athletics as doping claims have made him lose faith in the sport.
A recent German television documentary claimed the sport’s governing body - the IAAF - failed to follow up 150 suspicious blood samples.
“I wouldn’t encourage my kids to do athletics,” the former sprinter said. “Every time there’s an allegation of systematic doping, it is very difficult to keep believing in the sport.”
The World Anti-Doping Agency has launched an investigation into allegations broadcast by German tele-
Du Plessis, the senior batsman in a lineup missing the rested AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, as well as Quinton de Kock through injury, briefly rampaged around Newlands, hitting five fours and two sixes in the space of ten deliveries. He should have been dismissed on 28, when Holder’s lame attempted catch only resulted in six at long-off, but the bowler, Andre Russell, had his revenge with a filthy full toss two balls later, du Plessis spooning to the edge of the ring off a leading edge. The calm had been disturbed but the real violence was still to come. (Cricinfo)
South Africa innings (20 overs maximum)
RR Hendricks lbw b Cottrell 12
MN van Wyk† c Gayle b Holder 17 F du Plessis* c Sammy b Russell 38
RR Rossouw not out 51
DA Miller c Bravo b Cottrell 24
F Behardien not out 18
Extras (lb-2, w-3) 5
Total (4 wickets; 20 overs) 165
Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Hendricks, 4.2 ov), 2-33 (van Wyk, 5.1 ov), 3-79 (du Plessis, 9.5 ov), 4-127 (Miller, 16.2 ov)
Bowling: SS Cottrell 4-0-332 (2-w), JO Holder 4-0-20-1, AD Russell 4-0-43-1 (1-w), AR
Nurse 3-0-24-0, DJ Bravo 3-026-0, DJG Sammy 2-0-17-0 West Indies innings (target: 166 runs from 20 overs)
DR Smith lbw b Imran Tahir 20
CH Gayle c †van Wyk b Imran Tahir 77
MN Samuels c Rossouw b Imran Tahir 41 DJ Bravo c Hendricks b Parnell 8
KA Pollard not out 8
AD Russell c Abbott b Parnell 6 D Ramdin† c Abbott b Wiese 2 DJG Sammy* not out 0
Extras (b-4, lb-1, w-1) 6
Total (6 wickets; 19.2 overs) 168 Fall of wickets: 1-78 (Smith, 6.1 ov), 2-114 (Gayle, 10.5 ov), 3-147 (Bravo, 15.1 ov), 4-154 (Samuels, 16.4 ov), 5-161 (Russell, 17.6 ov), 6-164 (Ramdin, 19.1 ov) Bowling: KJ Abbott 4-0-30-0, K Rabada 4-0-38-0, D Wiese 2.2-0-20-1, WD Parnell 4-039-2, Imran Tahir 4-0-28-3 (1-w), F Behardien 1-0-8-0
Trinidad and Tobago wicketkeeper batsman Nicholas Pooran’s injuries sustained in a vehicular accident on Tuesday are not career threatening.
This is according to his Pooran’s father Lawrence, who said his son’s surgery on Wednesday was a success and the talented 19-year-old batsman was resting comfortably in hospital where he is being monitored.
Pooran underwent knee surgery to repair some of the tendon and cartilage damage he suffered in an accident in St Mary’s, near his home in Couva on Tuesday.
He was returning home from training with the national team currently preparing for next week’s Nagico Super50 regional one-day series to be staged in Trinidad and Tobago.
“The surgery was good,” Lawrence told the Express. “He is resting comfortably just waiting on time to recover. The doctors will continue to monitor and make their observations.
Asked if the injuries would threaten the young cricketer’s career, Lawrence said no. “It is just a matter of giving him enough time to heal.”
The hard-hitting batsman is now out of the Regional Super50 tournament with Steven Katwaroo,
who is also a former West Indies Under-19 wicketkeeper, taking his place in the T&T side.
It was a bitter sweet feeling for Katwaroo, who said it was a sad way to get called into a team.
“Being a part of the training set, I am ready for it. I must say, Pooran being injured is a bit sad but the guys know it is a big tournament ahead and I am sure we can recuperate and fight hard for our country,” Katwaroo added.
T&T Red Force manager Manohar Ramsaran also noted that Pooran’s accident would have had an impact on the team.
“The players were a bit shaken up but I think they will recover because the tragedy is not as bad as we first thought,” he said. (Trinidad Express)
among Russian athletes.
The Russian Athletics Federation has denied the claims, dismissing them as “lies” and threatening legal action.
It follows a spate of positive tests in Jamaica and Kenya in recent years.
World and Olympic medal winner Campbell said that the documentary had brought to the surface rumours he had heard during his own career.
“At that highest level, do we believe that the athletes are doing what they are doing clean?” he asked.
“It takes me back to the rumours that I heard when I was 17 or 18, that certain athletes were protected.”
Double Olympic 1500m champion Seb Coe, who is running for the presidency of the IAAF next year, said that it is paramount that athletics restores the faith of both fans and fair competitors.
“It is a war we can’t lose and it is a war we aren’t losing,” he said.
“The latest Wada list shows track and field is in the lead of testing. Some sports are doing a 10th of what we do.
“The one thing I am convinced about is that we need to have internationally an independent system that removes the pressure and the cost from individual federations.” (BBC Sport)
For three and a half days it was like this Test was under the influence of sedatives; now it seems it has taken a bunch of caffeine pills. On the fourth afternoon at the SCG, Australia rollicked along at better than a run a ball in their second innings, hoping to beat India and the weather. Steven Smith broke another record, Chris Rogers scored another fifty, Joe Burns thumped a 33-ball half-century and at stumps Australia’s lead was 348.
Already it meant that India would need to complete the highest successful pursuit in a Sydney Test - Australia set the record by hunting down 288 against South Africa nine years ago. But Virat Kohli is a scarier chaser than Inspector Javert, and Australia will not rest easy on the fifth day until they have his wicket. Even then, India’s lower order showed on day four they are capable of batting time.
An overnight declaration from Smith was all but inevitable, especially with rain expected on the fifth day and the pitch starting to offer plenty of turn. Australia’s limited-overs style approach after they dismissed India for 475 had such a dec-
for the Australians. Burns and Haddin had licence to clear the boundary, and their 86run partnership in the dying light came at nearly 10 an over. Haddin finished unbeaten on 31 from 30 balls when play was curtailed.
Burns batted like he was playing for the Brisbane Heat, not Australia’s Test team. He smashed Ashwin with the spin and hit three sixes off him, racing to a 33-ball half-century.
He had moved on to 66 from 39 deliveries when he sent a catch to Umesh Yadav in the deep, but not before he and Haddin had destroyed Yadav’s figureshis three overs leaked 45 runs.
In among all the run scoring, there were some signs that spin was starting to play a major role. Ashwin collected four wickets and extracted plenty of turn. He opened the bowling and in his first over had Warner caught at slip, and had Shaun Marsh caught the same way for 1. He also tossed one up to bowl Shane Watson, who on 16 went for a cut but underedged on to his stumps.
Although his economy rate was 5.52, it was a productive day for Ashwin overall, after he scored a half-century to ensure India’s lower order frus-
decision, when Bhuvneshwar was given out caught at slip off Nathan Lyon for 30. He jammed down on a fullish ball outside off and the umpire Richard Kettleborough asked for help from TV official Simon Fry to determine if it was a bump ball.
The replays appeared inconclusive, although the likelihood seemed that the ball had touched the ground after hitting Bhuvneshwar’s bat. The umpires did not see it that way, and Bhuvneshwar was sent on his way. Ashwin then fell for 50 when he edged behind off Mitchell Starc, who straightened one with the old ball.
Starc finished with three wickets and the innings ended when Ryan Harris took the third new ball and Yadav, on 4, skied a catch that swirled and was taken, with some difficulty, by Haddin. It left Mohammed Shami unbeaten on 16, having struck two fours and a six.
Earlier, Kohli had added only seven to his overnight score; on 147 he flicked Harris uppishly off his pads and was sharply taken low to the ground at short midwicket by Rogers, who had spent most of the third day off the field with back spasms. Wriddhiman
laration in mind. As the shadows grew longer and the SCG somehow avoided the heavy downpours that fell elsewhere in Sydney, Australia went for their shots.
Smith tried a bit of everything during his 71 from 70 balls, smashing R Ashwin over cover for six against some substantial spin, and reverse sweeping a boundary off him to bring up his half-century. He was lbw to Mohammed Shami, but not before he had surpassed Don Bradman’s 194748 record as the highest scorer in an Australia-India Test series. Smith finished with 769 at 128.16.
He had put on 80 for the third wicket with Rogers, who enjoyed another chance to throw caution to the wind. Rogers struck seven fours on his way to a sixth consecutive Test score of fifty-plus; that is the Australian record and one Rogers now shares with Jack Ryder, Doug Walters, Greg Chappell, Allan Border, Mark Taylor, Michael Hussey, Phil Jaques and David Warner.
Rogers was out for 56 when he slogged Bhuvneshwar Kumar down the throat of Suresh Raina at deep midwicket, but more runs were to come
trated the Australians before and after lunch. India moved along to 475 and a deficit of 97 runs, thanks largely to a 65run stand between Ashwin and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the eighth wicket.
That partnership ended with a controversial umpiring
Saha was out for 35 top-edging a Josh Hazlewood bouncer, and Australia might have hoped to run through the lower order quickly.
But India’s fight was a sign that things might not go all Australia’s way on the final day. (Cricinfo)
Australia 1st innings 572-7 declared India 1st innings
Vijay c Haddin b Starc 0
Rahul c and b Starc 110
Ro Sharma b Lyon 53
Kohli c Rogers b Harris 147
Rahane lbw b Watson 13
Raina c Haddin b Watson 0 Saha c Smith b Hazlewood 35
Ashwin c Haddin b Starc 50
B Kumar c Watson b Lyon 30
Shami not out 16
U Yadav c Haddin b Harris 4
Extras (5-nb, 1-w, 4-b, 7-lb) 17
Total (all out; 162 overs) 475
Bowling: Starc 32-7106-3, Harris 31-7-96-2, Hazlewood 29-8-64-1, Lyon
46-11-123-2, Watson 204-58-2, Smith 4-0-17-0
Fall of wickets: 0 (Vijay), 97 (Ro Sharma), 238
“Get him out please,” Faf du Plessis was thinking to himself as he gave the ball to 19-year old Kagiso Rabada to take on Chris Gayle. And the youngster tried.
With the third delivery he bowled, Rabada was searching for the bouncer but put a little too much behind it and ended up sending the ball flying over Gayle, over wicketkeeper Morne van Wyk and over the rope for four. Rabada tried to correct with his next ball but went too full. Gayle connected. Six. Then he opted for a good length. Gayle connected again. Six again. And again, and again, and again.
From Rabada’s first two overs, Gayle took 26 runs and began to break the back of the West Indies chase. Instead of Rabada following Gayle with the ball, the opposite was happening. The attempted yorker became a low full toss, when Gayle moved to the leg side and Rabada tried to cramp him, he only ended up allowing Gayle the room needed to flay over long-off and when Rabada straightened his line, Gayle played down leg.
It was, as du Plessis’ implied, Rabada’s night to be taught a lesson. “Chris is very versatile in the areas he scores. He hasn’t just got one shot. He hits different boundaries off different balls and it’s difficult to stop him,” du Plessis said. “He offers you very little. The world most dangerous T20 player for a reason. He usually picks on one guy on the night and that’s it. In the IPL, he usually goes after a medium paced bowler or a spinner so I was surprised he took on a quick.”
So was Rabada targeted because he was the quickest of the South African bowlers, the least experienced or the one Gayle knew best? Du Plessis tried to find out
after the match. “I thought you would look after your Lions’ mate,” du Plessis said to Gayle afterwards. There was an ever-ready response: “He tried to hit my head off so my eyes weren’t open,” Gayle retorted.
Gayle stuck to his guns afterwards too. “He picked on me first. He tried to knock my head off,” he said. But there were other reasons too. “He is inexperienced but has got a lot of pace so I wanted to put him on the back foot. This is a learning process for him. He is very young but he is a strong individual and he will be a quality fast bowler for South Africa in the future.”
The near future is where du Plessis’ is directing his more immediate concerns and they centre on how to get Gayle out. “He is hesitant at the beginning of his innings so you can get him there,” du Plessis said. And then, South Africa may be able to walk right through
West Indies, according du Plessis. “Chris won the match on his own for them. If we did that I would be disappointed in our batting unit,” du Plessis said.
But Gayle did not think there was any reason to be worried about the four wickets that fell for 17 runs at the end of the West Indies’ chase. “We were just giving the fans something to cheer about. I wasn’t worried at all. I knew we would get there in the end.”
They did and now Gayle wants to see then finish the job in Johannesburg. “Sometimes when we win a game like this then we are more lackadaisical and lose the next one. It will be nice to have a clean sheet by going up two-nil,” he said. It will be even nicer to do it the Wanderers, where the ball will travel a lot faster. “I hope it doesn’t fly at my head there as well,” Gayle joked. Rabada would have been listening. (Cricinfo)
T(Rahul), 292 (Rahane), 292 (Raina), 352 (Kohli), 383 (Saha), 448 (B Kumar), 456 (Ashwin), 475 (U Yadav)
Australia 2nd Innings
Rogers c Raina b B Kumar 56
Warner c Vijay b Ashwin 4 Watson b Ashwin 16
Smith lbw b Shami 71
S Marsh c Vijay b Ashwin 1
Burns c U Yadav b Ashwin 66
Haddin not out 31
Harris not out 0
Extras (2-nb, 2-b, 2-lb) 6
Total (for 6 wickets; 40 overs) 251
Bowling: B Kumar 8-046-1, Ashwin 19-2-105-4, Shami 6-0-33-1, U Yadav 3-0-45-0, Raina 4-0-18-0
Fall of wickets: 6 (Warner), 46 (Watson), 126 (Rogers), 139 (S Marsh), 165 (Smith), 251 (Burns)
op seed Roger Federer beat Australian wildcard James Duckworth 6-0 6-1 in 39 minutes to reach the Brisbane International semi-finals.
The 33-year-old’s victory came just 24 hours after he struggled to see off world number 153 John Millman.
Federer, last year’s runner-up, will face fourth seed Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who beat Martin Klizan 6-3 6-4.
“I’m happy I had a match like this after yesterday,” said Switzerland’s 17-time Grand Slam winner.
“I felt tired. This morning, I had muscle pain and all that stuff. So I’m very happy I got it done quickly today.”
Japan’s Kei Nishikori meets Milos Raonic in the
Roger Federer
other semi-final as players warm up for the Australian Open, which starts on 19 January.
Nishikori, the 2014 US Open runner-up, beat Bernard Tomic 6-0 6-4, while Raonic’s booming serve helped secure a 7-6 3-6 7-6 victory over Australian Sam Groth.
Dimitrov, a beaten Wimbledon semi-finalist alongside Raonic, set up the Federer encounter with a comfortable 6-3 6-4 success over Slovakian Martin Klizan.
Federer will be seeking his fifth Australian Open triumph in the 2015 tournament. (BBC Sports)
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Afive wicket haul first up from medium pacer Paul Wintz to follow by a solid half-century from Trevon Griffith ensured the Guyana Jaguars completed a 2-nil sweep against the Vishaul Singh’s XI in last evenings’ 50-over practice match played at the Guyana National Stadium.
The game was the final practice game for the Jaguars ahead of the NAGICO Super50 Tournament.
Wintz captured 5-45 from eight overs, while the left-handed Griffith weighed in with 60 from 99 balls, inclusive with three fours and one six, as the Jaguars reached the opposition’s 163 all out with ease.
Griffith and Rajendra Chandrika (42), added 70 for the first wicket, and was the backbone for the successful chase before Chandrika was dismissed, leg before wicket to Ronsford Beaton.
All-rounder Raymon Reifer (00) yet again failed when he was comprehensively bowled by left-arm
spinner Gudakesh Motie.
Skipper Christopher Barnwell made 28, while Royston Crandon (11 not out) and Johnathan Foo (5 not out) saw the Jaguars home in 40 overs.
Earlier, all-rounder Ricardo Adams struck six fours and one six in his topscore of 48 for Singh’s X1, while spinner Gudakesh Motie-Kanahi chipped in with an unbeaten 25 and Vishaul Singh scored a patient 20.
Steven Jacobs (2-34), Veerasammy Permaul (220) and Devendra Bishoo (1-18) lent support to Wintz.
The Jaguars depart for Trinidad and Tobago on January 13.
The Jaguars have been placed in Group ‘A’ alongside defending champions Barbados Pride, Windward Islands Volcanoes and CCC.
The Jaguars will play the Windward Islands Volcanoes on January 15, Barbados Pride on January 17 and CCC on January 19 in their three preliminary round games. All three games are day/night matches, which will commence at 13:30h at the Queen’s Park Oval.
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helsea’s Cesc Fabregas believes his former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi will not leave the Spanish club.
The Blues have been linked with a move for the 27-year-old after claims he has fallen out with coach Luis Enrique.
But Fabregas, who is close friends with the Argentina skipper, is unhappy with media speculation that he is trying to convince Messi to join the Blues.
“Messi is happy at Barca and they are happy with him,” said the 27-year-old Spain midfielder.
He added: “I’m upset they say that I could be mediating for Messi to come to Chelsea. How can I be talking about contracts? I’m only a foot-
baller.”
Barcelona record goalscorer Messi has spent his entire career at the Nou Camp, winning a host of team and individual honours since making his debut in 2004.
It has been suggested he might leave the Catalan club following reports of a training-ground row with Enrique, who took over last summer.
However, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insists Messi will remain at Barca until at least the end of his contract in 2018.
“Messi will do what makes him happiest,” added Fabregas, speaking to Spanish radio programme Al Primer Toque on Onda Cero.
“Personally, as his friend, colleague and footballer, if
you gave me the chance to play with him again, I would welcome it.
“I don’t know Luis Enrique. I do know Leo and I doubt very much that what is being said is happening, because he’s a very relaxed guy and I’ve never seen any of that in the three years we spent together.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea assistant manager Steve Holland believes no club in the world could afford to sign Messi.
“This club conforms to Financial Fair Play and when you look at the numbers I’d have thought it’s an impossible deal for any club to work within Financial Fair Play,” said Holland in a news conference on Friday. (BBC
By Rajiv Bisnauth
Guyanese
batsman
Narsingh Deonarine on Friday expressed his frustration with regards his protracted visa saga.
Deonarine, with 18 Tests to his name, is facing a visa issue which has delayed the 31-year-old from joining the West Indies squad in South Africa.
“I don’t know what is really going on. There has been no response from anyone, no one is calling me,” Deonarine told Guyana Times Sport on Friday.
Deonarine had submitted his relevant documents to the British High Commission Office of Immigration here on December 22 last to be processed.
However, he was told then that his passport should have been back here in 15 working days.
This publication understands that more stringent procedures for screening persons for a United Kingdom in-transit visa to travel to England were put in place since the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
“Persons from Guyana… have a different process to go through to get their UK in-transit visa to travel to England, there is a new process and each application has to go through a more stringent process of screening,” a West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) spokesman said. Asked the reason why
Deonarine’s application was taking longer to be processed, the WICB official said he was not in a position to give any details.
Deonarine was selected as a replacement for countryman Assad Fudadin, who suffered a fracture of the right little finger during warm-up on the opening day of the first Test.
He has been in good form recently in the WICB’s Professional Cricket League four-day tournament, scoring over 300 runs from the first four matches, including back-to-back hundreds.
The West Indies play South Africa five ODIs on January 16, 18, 21, 25 and 28.
Fresh off a successful 2014, national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed is sparing no effort in ensuring the new year continues on the same upward curve by commencing the cycling season as early as January 24.
Speaking to this publication on Friday, the longserving sport administrator and former national cyclist indicated his desire to match or even surpass the achievements of the past year, when he was able to pull off a whopping 42 events.
These included 19 11race programmes on the inner circuit of the National Park and 23 along the country’s roadways, touching the Corentyne in Berbice, the Demerara thoroughfare, Linden in Region 10 and the
Essequibo Coast.
To kick things off in 2015, Mohamed has organised the annual Ricks and Sari Agro Industries 11-race programme, which will take place at the National Park.
“I can assure you it will
be another hectic year for cycling so I’m encouraging the cyclists to be fully prepared. The season will pedal off on January 24, and it will pick up momentum in the weeks to follow,” Mohamed said. Mohamed has been in the forefront in promoting cycling in Guyana, with his unmatched programme of activities being a strong indicator of his contribution to the sport.
His impact on the sport has also not gone unnoticed as he has won the National Sport Commission’s Coachof-the-Year award on numerous occasions, while a few years ago, he was recognised by the International Olympic Committee for his sterling contribution to sport as an administrator.
(Avenash Ramzan)
Speculations about who will be Guyana’s next Technical Director of football will be put to rest today when the Normalisation Committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) introduces the individual to fill the crucial post.
The announcement will be made at a specially convened press conference at Football House in Dadanawa Street, Section ‘K’, Campbellville.
The Technical Director position became vacant
with the exit of overseasbased Guyanese Mark Rodrigues, who was part of the Christopher Matthiasled administration, which was disbanded by FIFA late last year, thus making way for the setting up of the Normalisation Committee to run the affairs of local football in the interim.
Rodrigues had taken over from Trinidad and Tobago’s Jamaal Shabazz, who had served under Colin Klass and Franklin Wilson, during their ten-
ures at the helm.
Shabazz is considered Guyana’s most successful Technical Director, having led the country to the historic third round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Meanwhile, during 2015, Guyana will participate in the CONCACAF Olympic Under-23 Qualifiers and the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, and as such, filling the Technical Director’s post is one of paramount impor-
tance since that official will be responsible for the composition of teams and the identifying and gathering of players suitable to represent the country.
While no names have been made public, it is understood that all the applicants are highly qualified, and according to Chairman of the Normalisation Committee, Clinton Urling, FIFA has been clear that the GFF must employ the services of a resident Technical Director.
Canje Knights recorded a come-from-behind win against New Amsterdam Warriors to book their place in the final of the Banks DIH Classic Basketball tournament when the two teams met in their semi-final match on Wednesday at the Vrymans Erven Court in New Amsterdam.
The Knights, after trailing 56-59, secured a slim one point win when the final whistle came with the score in their favour at 6059.
Despite a game-high 29 points by Randy Ceasar, the Warriors failed to hold on to the lead which they had for most of the game when it mattered most. They held a 16-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and extended it to 35-21 when the halftime whistle came.
The Knights gained some ground in the third quarter mainly through
Keon Emanuel and Steve Roopnarine, but stilled trailed 47-40 going into the final session. Emanuel (16) points and Roopnarine (15) joined forces in the latter part of the game with Roopnarine scoring from the 3-point line twice and Emanuel making two successful steals to push them into Sunday’s final.
Smithfield Rockers had on Monday defeated Fyrish Black Sharks 45-26 to secure a place in the final.
Neil Wills and Michael Bowen are expected to lead the charge for the Rockers, while the Knights will be counting on the leading scorer of the tournament, Steve Roopnarine, to get their hands on the Banks DIH Classic Basketball trophy.
The game will be played at the Vrymans Erven Court in New Amsterdam. Jump ball time is 16:00 hours. (Andrew Carmichael)
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has announced that ESPN Caribbean has acquired exclusive media rights to bring “live” coverage of the region’s premier One-day tournament, the NAGICO Super50, to the Caribbean audience until 2018.
The agreement commences with this year’s edition, held once again in Trinidad & Tobago from January 15 to 25.
All nine matches from the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad will air “live” on the ESPN Caribbean and ESPN 2 Caribbean television networks, as well as on ESPN Play (www. espnplay.com) -- ESPN’s multi-screen live and ondemand broadband service.
Matches will also be available to cricket fans live and on-demand in the United States via ESPN3, ESPN’s live multi-screen sports network accessi-
ble on computers, smartphones, tablets, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Highlights will also air the following day on ESPN networks, Caribbean Media Corporation partner stations and www.windiescricket.com.
Director of Programming, ESPN International, Scott
ormer New Zealand
Ffast bowler Shane Bond will quit as the national team’s bowling coach at the end of the 2015 World Cup. Lindsay Crocker, NZC’s head of cricket, said Bond had not wanted the extension offered to him.
McGlone said: “We are pleased to extend our relationship with the WICB who are a highly valued partner in the Caribbean.
The NAGICO Super50 is an important part of our cricket offering, allowing us to bring Caribbean fans the very best local events along with top international cricket including the ICC Cricket World Cup coming up in February and March.”
WICB Commercial Manager Nelecia Yeates said: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with ESPN for another four years which means we will continue to give our players and West Indies cricket further exposure. ESPN continues to show its commitment to growth of cricket in the Caribbean and together we hope to build on the sport’s place in the consciousness of our fans everywhere, as the WICB works hard to restore the rich legacy of West Indies cricket.”
League.
Defending champions, Barbados Pride, head Group A along with Guyana Jaguars, Windward Islands Volcanoes and Combined Campuses and Colleges.
Group B consists of last year’s beaten finalist and host nation, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, as well as Leeward Islands Hurricanes, the Jamaica Franchise and the West Indies Under-19s, who are preparing for the 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cup.
Matches will be also
each group will advance to the semi-finals, held on January 22 and 23, with the Grand Final scheduled for January 25; all at the Oval.
This tournament serves as a prelude to the West Indies’ campaign in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which will also be broadcast exclusively by ESPN Caribbean in February 2014.
The NS50 is the WICB’s premier limited-overs event featuring their six franchise teams from the Professional Cricket
played at the National Cricket Centre in Trinidad, as well as Shaw Park in Tobago.
The top two teams from
Follow all of the NAGICO Super50 at #WindiesRegional and #ESPNS50 as the WICB and ESPN Caribbean continues to work together to connect the region’s cricket fans with the sport they love.
“Make no bones about this - we’re very disappointed to be losing Shane,” Crocker said. “He’s given great value to the Black Caps programme and we were hopeful of having the benefit of his input over the next few seasons. However, we respect his decision and his reasons for making that decision, and wish him well in his endeavours post-World Cup.” Bond took up the role of New Zealand bowling coach in October 2012, two years after ending a promising career that was blighted by a spate of injuries.
He will be taking up a role as coach of the Mumbai Indians franchise during IPL 2015, joining a support staff that includes Ricky Ponting, Jonty Rhodes and Robin Singh. Bond had played one season of the IPL - in 2010 with Kolkata Knight Riders. (Cricinfo)
Clive Lloyd complained recently that T20 cricket had “messed up” West Indies, but whatever the ills of the shortest format it certainly stirs something in the Caribbean soul. Easily cowed during the Tests, West Indies deployed arguably a stronger line-up for the first T20 and, despite an unconvincing finish, proved too good for an experimental South Africa. Newlands briefly became the badlands for bowlers as Chris Gayle demonstrated his enthusiasm for Lloyd’s bugbear with a rambunctious innings of 77 from 31 balls.
After the familiar slow start, with Gayle scoring 1 off his first five deliveries, he bounded to the fastest fifty by a West Indian, from 17 balls. The only surprise was that the record was previously held by Kieron Pollard rather than Gayle. He peppered the stands with eight languid sixes, mostly dispatched down the ground, before attempting something cuter against Imran Tahir and gloving a reverse sweep to the keeper.
South Africa, missing several of their first-choice
XI, had happily worn the underdogs tag beforehand and Gayle’s innings ensured that it suited them. Rilee Rossouw’s second T20 fifty had helped push South Africa to what looked like a challenging score on a slightly slow surface but Gayle, who missed the 2-0 Test defeat while nursing a back problem, roused himself to dismiss such theories. Once he had gone, West Indies looked a far more manageable prospect but they could not be knocked off course despite losing 4 for 17 at the end.
When Gayle is in the mood, especially in this form of the game, there is little that the opposition can do. He is both unstoppable force and immovable object. Kyle Abbott implored for an lbw decision from the third delivery Gayle faced - it was just missing off stump - and the reason for his desperation soon became apparent. The following over, he concluded that he had seen enough of Kagiso Rabada and clubbed him for consecutive sixes to the leg side. He made it three in three off Abbott before again tucking into the unfortunate Rabada, a wide-
eyed 19-year-old on only his third international appearance.
There is something of the gazelle to the lithe figure of Rabada and he was brutally hunted down by West Indies’ biggest cat. A sequence of four-six-four flowed from Gayle’s bat, then a thick top edge fell beyond the scrambling attempt of Rossouw running back from cover. Next it was Wayne Parnell’s turn to be mauled, four consecutive boundaries taking Gayle to his half-century and putting West Indies on 78 for 0 after the Powerplay, almost halfway to their target.
Dwayne Smith fell lbw to Tahir in the next over, although he appeared to get some glove on the ball, and Gayle then throttled back a touch, content he had stated his case. Three times he reached out to swipe Tahir over the ropes before the big game reached his end game. Tahir was the pick of the South Africa bowlers and his exuberant celebrations seemed to inspire a late fightback. But by the time South Africa’s seamers were able to exert any control, the match was already lost.
Andy Murray and Heather Watson won their final matches, but Great Britain were knocked out of the Hopman Cup.
The pair beat Casey Dellacqua and Marinko Matosevic 7-5 6-1 to seal a 3-0 win over home side Australia.
Murray, 27, earlier beat Matosevic 6-3 6-2, while Watson, 22, overcame Dellacqua 6-3 6-4 in Perth.
Group leaders Poland (Jerzy Janowicz, Agnieszka Radwanska) qualified to meet the United States (John Isner, Serena Williams) in today’s final.
The format guarantees all the players at least three singles matches as they prepare for the Australian Open,
which begins in Melbourne on January 19.
After straight sets wins over Janowicz, France’s Benoit Paire and now Matosevic, Scot Murray was pleased with his week.
“I think I have played well. The scorelines have been quite convincing against good players and tricky players who are big hitters of the ball,” he said.
“Paire is quite an unpredictable guy to play against and then Janowicz and Matosevic are big and strong guys, but I felt like I neutralised a lot of their power well and moved forward, and stepped up the court well when I had the chance. It was a good few matches.”