Thousands rallied in Kingston, Jamaica, on Sunday in a massive showing of support for preserving the nation’s sodomy law, which prohibits same-sex intercourse, and standing against what religious leaders have deemed as the “homosexual agenda.”
The rally was organised by Jamaica CAUSE (Churches Action Uniting Society for Emancipation), a coalition of religious groups, and took place at one of the city’s busiest intersections, Half-Way-Tree. See full story on Page Two
Thousands of Jamaicans on Sunday participated in a church-led rally in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, which, among other things, registered opposition to any possible repeal of the buggery law. (Inset) A supporter shouts out some of the sentiments expressed on the placards
Sampling at ASMA’s booth
Vanessa Pitt
Thousands of Jamaicans rally against “homosexual agenda” - LGBT
rights advocate says trend “frightening”
KINGSTON, JAMAICA:
Thousands rallied in Kingston, Jamaica, on Sunday in a massive showing of support for preserving the nation’s sodomy law, which prohibits samesex intercourse, and standing against what religious leaders have deemed as the “homosexual agenda.”
The rally was organised by Jamaica CAUSE (Churches Action Uniting Society for Emancipation), a coalition of religious groups, and took place at one of the city’s busiest intersections, Half-Way-Tree.
According to reports in the Jamaica Observer newspaper, an estimated 25,000 Jamaicans turned out in their black, green
and gold to support the mass rally, which called on Jamaicans to stand up for strong and healthy families, righteousness and justice as well as to resist the “homosexual agenda” and the repealing of the buggery act.
"I think this initiative is very good because it is important that we have a voice, because a lot of different things have been happening in Jamaica and we have to stand up," said Camille Morrison, while adding that it not just goes against God's will but against humanity, and in terms of homosexuality, biologically "di ting don't mek sense and as such it should not be imposed upon people as if it is something right."
United front
After a short praise
and worship session, the chairman of the rally, Alvin Bailey spoke to uniting every Jamaican, church, temple, and other institutions.
"Our emancipation means standing up for strong families, our emancipation means standing against the homosexuality agenda, emancipation for us means standing up against the repealing of the buggery law," Bailey told the crowd, much to shouts of agreement.
Organisers said that there would be a series of talks and prayers to make people aware of what is happening.
"Jamaica's children belong to Jesus," rang out the cry of advocate BettyAnn Blaine, who invited the crowd to shout as she
took the stage. She also encouraged the audience to spend more time with their children.
Blaine said that there has been a 72 percent increase in buggery among children and as such "there is no way we changing the buggery law".
She told the crowd that "we not teking that kind of sex education to our children," and urged parents to ensure that their child know that their body was the temple of God and that sex should stay until they have a career and get married.
"The battle is about your child. Let us declare again that Jamaican children belong to Jesus. We are going to fight, dem nuh see
me fight yet, we are going to fight for our children, they will not get our children," Blaine said before exiting the stage.
CAUSE volunteers invited people to sign a petition against the repealing of the buggery law which will be sent to the prime minster.
Meanwhile, Jamaican LGBT
rights lawyer Maurice Tomlinson said the rally in support of Jamaica’s buggery law was a “very frightening” moment.
Tomlinson, a legal advisor of marginalised groups at AIDSFree World, referred to Sunday’s event by saying: “They really poured a lot of money into this, which to me is of great concern”.
Regional official in Guyana charged for indecent exposure
BERBICE, GUYANA: Regional Coops Officer of Region Six in Guyana Narine Chattergoon, was on Monday placed on Gy$75,000 bail when he appeared in a New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on a charge of ex-
posing his genitals.
The court was told that the 49-year-old committed the act at his office in the compound of the Regional Democratic Council on March 13. Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Godfrey Platter, told the court that Chattergoon inten-
tionally exposed himself to a woman in March, but the report was not made until June 18.
He said Chattergoon of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, was initially placed on Gy$50,000 station bail after being invited to the station after the re-
port was made. It is alleged that Chattergoon was in East Canje on the day in question when he approached the woman who was under a house and enquired of the directions to a school. The two started a conversation which led to Chattergoon making it known that he was the Regional Co-ops Officer.
The woman then related that she needed a job and was trying to get into the Community Policing Group. Chattergoon told the woman that he could assist and invited her to his office. The woman said she could not have made it to his office on that day because of financial constraints. It is alleged that Chattergoon gave her Gy$300 and told
her to use the money to travel.
When the woman eventually arrived at the Regional Democratic Council compound, she asked for Narine, but was told that there was no one with that name there. According to the court, around the same
time, the accused rode in on a motorcycle and invited the woman to his office. It is there it is alleged that Chattergoon placed his hands around her neck and tried to kiss her on the lips. She mentioned that her daughter was in her company.
Chattergoon later allegedly told the woman to look down where he showed her his exposed penis, and tried to coerce the woman into performing oral sex. The woman did not report the incident until after meeting with an aunt who allegedly reported a similar story, when she was invited to the office of the Regional Democratic Council with the promise of getting a job. Chattergoon will have to return to court on July 18. (Guyana Times)
St. Kitts makes Caribbean history in repayment to IMF
WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Tuesday said that St. Kitts and Nevis had repaid, ahead of schedule, US$17.1 million in obligations to the Washington-based financial institution.
The IMF said the payment made on June 24, is about one fourth of the US$73.1 million that St. Kitts and Nevis borrowed from the IMF under its Stand-By Arrangement.
“This is the first time that a payment of this magnitude has been repaid early to the
the imF said
made the payment on June 24
Fund by a Caribbean nation,” the IMF said. It added that the twin-island federation borrowed less than the total amount approved under the three-year arrangement, equivalent to US$84 million, as the authorities began to treat the arrangement as precautionary in March 2014, during the combined seventh and eighth review. (Caribbean News)
Jamaican lGbt rights lawyer maurice tomlinson
narine chattergoon
st. Kitts
To contact: Caribbean Times International
Unit 12, 680 Rexdale Blvd., Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario M9WOB5
While there have been concerns expressed about the decline in reading, we should also be concerned about the impact that e-book readers and tablets (which are heavily used as e-book readers) are having on the traditional book printed on paper. There is the possibility, after all, that reports of the negative downturn in reading might partly be due to less “paper” books being purchased.
While the Caribbean might not have reached the e-reader penetration of, say, the U.S., it might be useful to look at their statistics that are invariably precursors of our future. In the U.S., e-readers (tablets and dedicated e-readers) have jumped from eight percent of Americans in 2010 to 50 percent by January.
This year, 28 percent of Americans reported reading an e-book. But booming sales of e-readers do not necessarily translate to a decline in sales of traditional books. Most Americans who read e-books also read paper books: only four percent of readers stuck exclusively to e-books.
For example, even though Amazon.com’s January 2011 news about e-books outselling paperbacks shocked the traditional book publishing world, this came on top of reports of continued growth in paperback sales–at least for that online retailer. The situation, however, is a bit different for some traditional bookstores. Borders, a national chain of bookstores, declared bankruptcy in February 2011, reporting that it will refocus on e-book and e-reader sales in order to save the company. Barnes and Noble’s Nook is now one of the top e-readers.
There is definitely an age bias in the use of e-readers, with older readers overwhelmingly preferring paper books. In the beginning, they complained that reading from backlit screens might place a strain on the eye, but with recent innovations, these were addressed. Ditto for other objections, which might have been played out when leather manuscripts were replaced by paper books after the Gutenberg Press of 1450.
Right up there is the cost of e-readers. But this factor diminishes when it is considered that the electronic devices can contain thousands of books–most of them for free–that are always available for use, their popularity can be appreciated. The e-books are invariably cheaper than paper books and there are no shipping charges involved.
There were accusations that the e-readers did not cater for the different readers that are out in the real world–for instance “deep readers” versus “active readers”. The former are individuals who get immersed into the text while the latter underline or make notes in the margins, etc. Studies showed that people read slower on e-readers and screens, which would facilitate “deep reading”. Recently, however, the makers of the electronic readers have incorporated highlighting and note making, which combines the benefits of the two styles.
In addition to being obsessive writers of marginalia, readers are also skimmers, skippers (some even skip to the back), or the more staid front-to-back completists. The newer e-readers facilitate all these styles with their greater functionality but have not been able to crack one paper book feature–that is, in tandem with the workings of our minds.
This is the creation of “cognitive maps” of what we’re reading, which include visual memories of whether certain passages were top of a left-hand page, for example, and kinaesthetic information based on heft and bulk, which tells us how much we have left to read. But this might be more than counteracted by e-books keeping our reading habits private and obviating the need for brown paper covers.
In the end, the battle between paper books and e-books, might be resolved actuarially: the older folks will gradually be supplanted by the e-reading youths. We hope it leads to more reading.
Caribbean stakeholders explore opportunities for greater regional trade
GEORGETOWN, CAYMAN ISLANDS: The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) recently hosted a business forum in the Cayman Islands for private sector firms as well as other key stakeholders from CARIFORUM, the French Caribbean Outermost regions (FCORs) and EU Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) in the Caribbean, with the aim of facilitating greater trade between the territories.
Despite being part of the wider Caribbean region and the existence of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), trade and economic cooperation between the FCORs and OCTs in the Caribbean and CARIFORUM, territories remain under-developed. The exception to this is Trinidad and Tobago, which exports large quantities of energy and energy-related products to FCORs and OCTs.
Studies commissioned by Caribbean Export, as well as by others, indicate that there are significant opportunities for trade between CARIFORUM and the FCORs and OCTs, as the latter import an average of 90 percent of their goods and services. There are opportunities therefore for CARIFORUM countries to strengthen trade with these territories in particular for raw materials, primary agricultural products, agroprocessing, tourism, as well as financial and professional services.
Trade relations
Building trade relations requires engagement by the firms and companies that do
business. The CARIFORUMFCOR/OCT Business Forum facilitated 40-plus companies from CARIFORUM in business meetings with counterparts from the FCORs (Guadeloupe and Martinique) and the OCTs (Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, etc.).
This provided concrete opportunities for participating firms to promote their products and services to new markets and to negotiate trade deals.
The forum also provided an opportunity for regional businesses to discuss mechanisms and solutions for in-market support for CARIFORUM firms trading or attempting to trade with the Guadeloupe and Martinique. One of the highlights of the forum was a presentation from Health City Cayman Islands. This facility is a new state of the art facility that offers excellent opportunities for health tourism in the Cayman Islands.
"A cohesive network is key to establishing regional trade. Trade within the Caribbean is only possible through the establishment of strong linkages and our facilitation of business meetings between CARIFORUM, FCOR and OCT firms at CEC is a step closer towards building the kinds of relationships required to grow regional trade. CEC represents Caribbean commerce at its highest quality and functionality and should be commended for pioneering a successful economic zone in the region," commented Pamela Coke-Hamilton, executive director of Caribbean Export. Economic zone
Participants of the Business Forum also visited Cayman
Enterprise City (CEC), which is a special economic zone that was established in 2012 and is designed to attract international companies operating in the technology and knowledgebased industries.
A recipient of Caribbean Export’s Special Award at the Regional Investor of the Year Awards 2013, CEC enables entrepreneurs and established businesses to set up physical operations in the Cayman Islands with offices and staff on the ground, and to take advantage of Cayman’s tax-neutral status along with a raft of special zone concessions granted by the Cayman Islands government. To date, over 150 firms are operating from the CEC, generating foreign direct investment, with an estimated CI$15 million (US$18 million) impact on the local economy.
In the meantime, regional Heads of Government currently meeting in Antigua are expected to hear a commission on the economy report on the work on a number of initiatives including; formulating a fiscal sustainability programme, reviewing the region’s business operating environment with a view towards improving its doing business indicators, and the design of regional programmes to assist in alleviating some of the constraints to growth in the member states.
The leaders would also examine a five-year strategic plan, for the period 2015-2019, which is the product of wide public consultation across the Caribbean Community, and which seeks to reposition the Community to better secure its future in a rapidly changing environment.
Two smiling students make their way to school in Guyana’s Rupununi district. Bicycles and motorcycles are very popular modes of transport in these remote communities (Education Ministry photo)
Caricom leaders urge more support for integration movement
- as Heads of Government meet in Antigua
ST JOHN’S, ANTIGUA: The 35th Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government Summit opened in Antigua and Barbuda Tuesday night with a firm reassurance by the regional political leaders that the entity is both relevant and needed.
It was the Outgoing Caricom chairman, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who led the charge for the body, which he chaired for the past six months.
Dr Gonsalves told the opening session at Sandals Grande Antigua
Tuesday night that Caricom has borne fruit, “but there is still more work to be done.”
He highlighted the Improvement in the Regional Security System, coordination of foreign policy, and progress in the areas of health and the environment as key developments for the 15 member grouping.
“For those who say we have nothing to appreciate that’s quite a long list,” he added, accusing some nationals of “amnesia” where Caricom progress is made.
“Despite the challenges and difficulties, these limitations should
prompt us to move faster,” Dr Gonsalves said while noting that “political leadership is vital.
“There is not magic wand,” he told a large crowd of dignitaries attending the summit’s opening.
Caricom has been criticised for losing both momentum and significance, a claim that Caricom Secretary General Irwin La Rocque denied.
“I have heard a clear message that people want integration,” he said.
The Caricom chairmanship was passed on to the newly-elected Antigua and Barbuda’s
Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, who added to the defense of the community’s work.
“My government and I are fully committed to regional integration as a
vital tool for national and development,” Browne said even as he acknowledged the nay-sayers.
He said his commitment for Caricom is seen in an early decision to
waive
Over 46, 0000 U.S. immigrant visas issued to Guyanese since 2004
By Jomo Paul
GEORGEOTOWN, GUYANA:
Figures released by the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown have revealed that since 2004, it has issued 46,540 immigration visas to Guyanese. According to figures seen by this newspaper, the Embassy has been issuing an average of 4500 immigrant visas per year since 2004, with 4572 issued last year–in excess of 500 more than the previous year’s.
Noting that both applications and issuance of this type of visas has been constant, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, D Brent Hardt explained that there is a “congressionally mandated” limit on the number of persons that can be granted U.S. Immigrant Visas. Meanwhile, regard-
ing non-immigrant visas (visitor visas) Ambassador Hardt said the number of Guyanese nationals applying for this type of visas has almost tripled over the last three years.
Hardt stated that he has noticed during his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, a steady increase in the number of persons ap-
plying for visas to visit the U.S., whether for business or personal reasons. He explained that in 2011 at the commencement of his posting to Guyana, there were approximately 13,000 recorded applications for non-immigrant visas. However, in 2012, that figure increased by over 7000, reaching 20,000 by the end of 2012. However, the increases did not stop at that point, as he further related that in 2013, the 2011 number had almost tripled, reaching 35,000. The Ambassador, however, explained that this number does not reflect the number of persons who would have successfully applied, since only about 60 percent of those who would have applied for visas were granted non-immigrant
TT report marked improvement in SEA results
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:
Students in Trinidad and Tobago who wrote the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) this year have shown a “tremendous marked improvement” in their results.
This was announced Tuesday by Education Minister, Dr Tim Gopeesingh at the Bridging Borders Through Art 4th Annual prize-giving ceremony at the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain.
The results, which were scheduled for official release Wednesday, indicate that more than 78 percent of students obtained more than 50 percent in the exam.
Gopeesingh said two out of three students got more than 60 percent.
Approximately ten percent of students earned more than 90 percent in the SEA exams, and students getting less than 30 percent moved down from 13 percent in 2008 to less
than four percent.
“We’ve had tremendous marked improvement in the SEA examination results…I feel very comforted having been the person responsible as the Minister of Education, working in the processes and in the trenches, with the principals, teachers, parents and students to receive this very comforting result,” Gopeesingh said.
The Bridging Borders Through Art competition is held annually by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to aid public diplomacy interests, and to raise awareness of global issues.
This year’s theme was “Climate Change and Sustainable Development”. (TT Newsday)
status.
These numbers, however, do not necessarily reflect a negative impact in Guyana’s development, since those persons would have just applied for visitor visas, which means that they are not travelling to the United States to reside but rather to conduct business, vacate or
a host of other similar reasons.
Ambassador Hardt said U.S. officials are still attempting to determine what caused the significant rise in the number of applications being processed. However, he noted that contributory factors may include but are not limited to more
competitive air fares owing to a number of airlines operating the Georgetown/New York route and also increased business opportunities. He said too that the increase is a sure sign of enhanced bilateral ties between the U.S. and Guyana which will positively impact both countries.
work permit fees for Caricom nationals.
Browne, who is also
OECS chairman, is taking up the new challenge after just three weeks in office.
(Antigua Observer)
antigua and barbuda’s Prime minister Gaston browne addresses the opening of the summit on tuesday evening (A&B gov’t photo)
U.s ambassador to Guyana, D brent Hardt
tt’s Education minister Dr tim Gopeesingh (TT Newsday file photo)
Canadian envoy urges Guyanese to be more tolerant of gays, lesbians
By Vahnu Manikchand
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Criminal Law Offences Act which criminalises same sex relations in Guyana speaks to the issue of malemale relations only and does not address relationships between consenting adult females, Presidential Adviser on Governance, Gail Teixeira has said.
As a result, she said, lesbianism is not illegal, but she urged a Parliamentary Select Committee reviewing the recommendations out of the 2010 Universal Periodic Review on samesex relations to speed up its work. Teixeira made the observation while addressing a forum in observance of World Pride Month which concluded on Monday.
Teixeira, noted that the first Gay Pride March held in Toronto, Canada over 30 years ago caused great consternation and even led to violence. However, that era has passed in a changing world; one that is slowly learning to accept LGBT persons.
“The government [of Guyana] will continue to use the model it developed over the last 20 years to bring controversial issues, including that of gay rights to the National Assembly with the hope of winning consensus and forward
movement wherever possible,” she stated.
Teixeira pointed out that there is no fast-track way in convincing people to see these changes and support these rights for LGBT persons.
At the event, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles, also made a passionate call for Guyanese to be more tolerant of the change revolving around lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) persons. Addressing the gathering, Dr Giles noted that the observance of Pride Month is a platform for change and for LGBT persons to be accepted.
She noted that promoting the human rights of LGBT persons plays an integral role in Canada’s
foreign policy and priority. “Canada stands up for human rights and takes principled positions on important issues to promote freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law around the world. Canada seeks to protect and promote human rights for minorities such as LGBT persons. Canada believes that human rights apply to all people–regardless of nationality, race, gender or sexual orientation,” she pointed out.
The Canadian High Commissioner noted that the criminalisation of same-sex relationships between consenting adults portrays discriminatory practices, as she commended the Guyana government for taking a stand against such practices by establishing a Special Select Committee to review the recommendations made at the 2010 Universal Periodic Review process, which includes the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
Dr Giles urged other countries not to use sexual orientation as the basis for criminal penalties or other ill treatment of LGBT persons. She highlighted the importance of everyone working together to promote the safety, legal protection and safeguarding the freedom of expression of LGBT persons in Guyana. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)
Closure of Trinidad’s Immigration offices affecting travel market
PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:
As the closure of the Immigration department in Trinidad continues to drag on, scores of passengers who have been unable to get their new machine readable passports have reportedly been forced to either cancel their flights, or pay change fees and other penalties because of their inability to travel on their scheduled date.
The Immigration Department, at Knox Street, San Fernando was closed without pri-
or warning since last Thursday. Unconfirmed reports suggested that staff had walked off their jobs on the advice of their union president, Watson Duke, due to faulty electrical wiring in the building. The office remained closed Wednesday with signs plastered to the chain link fence advising customers that the offices were closed until further notice. Last week, a TTEC employee suffered severe burns at the immigration offices in Portof-Spain, when he went to turn off a switch. He remains hospitalised.
Guyana’s Hospitality Institute to enhance competitiveness
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: The country’s first Hospitality Institute for which US$4 million was made available in the
2014 national budget is currently in its design phase, which is scheduled to be completed within the next month.
The school with a one-of-a-kind curriculum will offer certificate, diploma, associate degree and degree courses in hospitality and is part of the government’s thrust to build capacity within Guyana’s tourism sector, which is still in a fledging stage.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director Indranauth Haralsingh described this initiative as a major foundation step, as the country continues to strive to expand the industry.
“It is a serious investment in training and capacity building on the part of the government. A variety of courses will be offered; it will have a state-of-the-art kitchen with some hotel rooms…
Persons wishing to travel during the upcoming school vacation are said to be at their wits end as to what they should do as many of them said they had been notified via e-mail to collect their passports, only to be met with padlocked gates.
Meanwhile, Five Star Travel Service manager, Shirley Ramnarine, described the situation as untenable, saying their jobs as travel agents may become “redundant” if government allowed the issue to remain unresolved.
“I had six persons come in to cancel their flights, because they could not get their passports, and these are all people who had confirmed flights, and who had paid deposits on their flights,” Ramnarine said. “I have other people who want to pay off for their tickets, but because they can’t get their passports, they have no choice but to cancel their flights.”
Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, in a press statement, described the situation as “causing unnecessary hardship to citizens.” “It is totally unacceptable that citizens are being held to ransom while government fails to take appropriate measures to ensure the PSA has no reason to continue with its actions,” he said. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)
among businesses
currently the University of Guyana offers a degree programme in tourism. This would be the first Institute that will offer hospitality training, there is a vast difference between tourism and hospitality,” Haralsingh said.
He added that the Institute will help to further boost and promote the kind of hospitality that Guyana is
already known for, and will also be open to accommodate foreign students. Additionally, the Hospitality Institute will help local businesses become more competitive and be better prepared to offer world-class service and by extension a world-class Guyanese experience.
As the sector continues to grow, this Institute will ensure the
creation of more job opportunities.
Over the past 10 years, there has been an exponential increase in visitor arrivals in the country. In 2013, Guyana was named one of the three countries in the Caribbean to record double-digit growth with a 13.3 percent increase in arrivals. There was an average of 2630 tourists per month.
As of May this year, a 9.6 percent increase was recorded over figures of the previous year and a 28.8 percent increase in April. Meanwhile, for the month of June, arrivals were recorded at 14,601, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
Tourism is one of the sectors in which Guyana has a strong comparative advantage, given its vast and diverse endowment of nature, geographical locations, and large Diaspora. (Guyana Times)
Director of Guyana tourism authority indranauth Haralsingh (Guyana Times file photo)
canadian High commissioner to Guyana, Dr nicole Giles
Persons wishing to travel during the upcoming school vacation are said to be at their wits end over the situation (TT Guardian photo)
Study finds 30 percent Caribbean children obese and overweight
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS:
A study done in four Caribbean countries has found that 30 percent of children aged 11 to 13 were overweight or obese, a senior official of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has said.
Dr Audrey Morris, the advisor on Food and Nutrition at PAHO, told a workshop to review and refine a draft policy document on Nutritious and Healthy Foods in Barbadian schools, that the number of overweight and obese children in the region has more than doubled over the last decade due primarily to unhealthy diets and inadequate exercise.
Dr Morris said the consequences of overweight and obesity in children were serious, including breathing difficulties, hypertension, early signs of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and psychological effects.
She noted the easy
barbados' senior medical Officer of Health
Dr Kenneth George (Barbados Today file photo)
access to fatty and salty foods in school canteens and revealed that up to 80 percent of the children in the Caribbean study admitted to drinking a carbonated soda every day.
The countries in the study were not disclosed.
The PAHO official said in addition to drinking carbonated soda daily, children were allowed to easily opt out of physical education classes at school, especially when preparing for examinations.
In addition, the children spent many hours
watching television and playing computer games at home.
She noted that what is needed in the Caribbean is a multi-faceted, multisectoral approach to reinforce the message of healthier eating and active living.
Senior Medical Officer of Health in Barbados Dr Kenneth George said that while the island was not included in the PAHO study, statistics show that the situation was very similar.
According to him, the most recent survey conducted in 2012 and involving 1,600 secondary school students in Barbados, revealed that 31.9 percent of students aged 13 to 15 were overweight, and 14.4 percent obese.
“These are frightening statistics because there is a higher propensity for the obese child to become an obese adult, with all the associated chronic diseases,” the health officer indicated. (Excerpted from Caribbean News)
Guyana’s forensic laboratory to be commissioned next week
GEORGETOWN,
GUYANA: After much delay, the commissioning of Guyana’s first Forensic Laboratory is set for next week, according to Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.
When contacted Tuesday for an update on the opening of the state-of-the-art facility, he said the lab will be commissioned in the “second week of July”. This comes some three years after the contract was initially signed for the construction of the lab, which experienced several delays in its completion.
The commissioning of the multi-million dollar laboratory was scheduled to be completed 12 months after the contract was signed in April 2011; however, it was pushed back and delayed on several occasions. A new deadline was set in April 2013, but that additional one-year extension was not sufficient.
The new date for completion could not be achieved since the con-
tractor, Courtney Benn Contracting Services, had experienced some unforeseeable setbacks. Following this, there were several additional deadlines missed, including four for this year alone. One was in February and another in April. The latter date was announced by the Home Affairs Minister during his presentation of the 2014 Budget Debate. The minister had stated that due to several technical delays, the lab was not completed by late last year as was expected.
The equipment and furnishing for the building, which is located in the University of Guyana’s compound at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, has already been procured and installed. In December 2012, a US$1.6 million contract was signed between the Home Affairs Ministry and Western Scientific Company for the supply of scientific equipment for the state-of-the-art Forensic Laboratory.
Pilots’ sick-out halts CAL flights across the Caribbean
PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:
Hundreds of passengers were stranded across the region on Tuesday afternoon after a number of Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) pilots staged a sick-out. All flights departing Portof-Spain, Trinidad, were severely affected.
Guyanese passengers travelling to and from Georgetown were up to late Tuesday afternoon stranded at the Piarco International Airport in Port-ofSpain. In TT, passengers booked to travel to Tobago, Miami and New York were stranded at both the Piarco and ANR Robinson International Airports. Passengers were also left stuck in Barbados.
Meanwhile, a director has also been identified and several positions have been filled. Rohee had stated that a few months back that at least 31 applications were received for the 21 positions available and an interview panel was set up to select the best candidates.
“The interview panel was set up because the competition is high, because we have received 31 applications and only have 21 positions available…,” the minister had said. The lab is a project under the Citizen Security Programme (CSP), initiated by the government and the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB). This programme has three aspects: institutional modernisation of the Home Affairs Ministry, the Community Action Component (CAC), and modernisation of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), which includes strengthening its forensic capability. (Guyana Times)
This setback would have affected both international and domestic flights. Despite the interruption however, all CAL flights operating
out of Guyana reportedly left the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) as scheduled on Tuesday.
In a release issued on Tuesday evening, Chief Executive Officer of CAL, Michael DiLollo related, “We are naturally concerned firstly for the health and welfare of our pilot body since this is an unprecedented occurrence. This unfortunate situation has disrupted our scheduled services at the beginning of our critical summer season, during which we count most on our operational crews to demonstrate reliability and service for our loyal customers.”
DiLollo also expressed concern about the potential negative impact of the disruptions to its passengers, stating that many families choose this time to travel and have committed hard-earned savings to enjoying this time together.
He said to disappoint them would surely be a serious breach of the airline’s unspoken contract with them, a betrayal far deeper than even their legal commitment to provide the promised service. While the management and the pilots’ recognised majority union–the Trinidad and Tobago Pilot’s Association (TTALPA)–have been in communication, Caribbean Airlines is disappointed with the action of the pilots.
However, the CEO noted that Caribbean Airlines will continue to urge further open and frank discussion in good faith with TTALPA, while exploring all options available. The release added that Caribbean Airlines apologises to its loyal passengers for any and all inconvenience caused by these delays and assured that all will be done to minimise the delays.
stranded passengers and their family members and friends mill around in the international terminal at the Piarco International airport in trinidad on tuesday (TT Guardian/Abraham Diaz photo)
the Forensic Laboratory located at turkeyen
Multi-million dollar female ward opened at St.Ann’s hospital in Jamaica
KINGSTON,
JAMAICA: A new female medical ward, built at a cost of over Ja$136 million, was officially opened at the St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital in Jamaica last Friday.
In declaring the facility open, Health Minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson, said the ward is a demonstration of the government’s commitment to strengthening the secondary care infrastructure, as part of an overall drive to develop the public health sector.
He noted that the 47 rooms had increased the hospital’s bed capacity by 20 percent. It also includes improved accommodations for patients, and will result in a reduction in crowding at the accident and emergency department.
The Health Minister pointed out that since 2012; the government has invested nearly Ja$1.5 billion in the country’s secondary health care infrastructure.
“Nearly Ja$600 million of that amount is being spent in the North East region. Importantly, about Ja$352 million was spent or is being spent on the St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital to repaint buildings, improve storage facilities, construct security fenc-
ing, purchase equipment, install air conditioning units in the accident and emergency (department), and to procure a new ambulance,” he outlined.
Other works include: improvement to the operating theatre; upgrading of the sewage system; and improvements to the x-ray units.
Minister Ferguson noted that the hospital is strategically located for use by persons across the North Eastern section of the island, which makes the new female medical ward critical.
He informed that admissions at the facility had moved from 21,250 in 2008 to 26, 092 in 2010. Bed occupancy increased from 75 percent in 2008 to 86 percent in 2010, while in 2012 the hospital’s daily census showed a range of 225 to 285 occupancy level, with
a demand of at least 300 beds.
“It is not by accident that we are making this investment at the St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital. The facility is an important institution in the North East region, providing a range of services to a population of some 365,000 persons. This is the regional referral hospital for St. Ann, St. Mary, and Portland and in some cases from sections of St. Catherine and Trelawny,” he stated.
The Health Minister said the hospital is also expected to play a major role in the government’s promotion of health tourism, as it is in close proximity to the island’s major tourism belts.
The project was funded by the National Health Fund (NHF). (JIS)
Anti-Money L Aundering LegisLAtion… Guyana to undergo targeted review by FATF
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:
While Guyana was not mentioned in the report of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) at the end of its most recent plenary in Paris, France, President Donald Ramotar said that Guyana is “not out of the woods”.
The country will not have to undergo a targeted review by FATF, the findings of which will be announced when FATF meets again in October later the year.
Last month, Guyana was further Blacklisted by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), the regional watchdog body which also referred Guyana to its parent body, FATF. That referral has since been accepted.
Speaking at a press conference last Saturday at State House, President Ramotar said that the strengthening of the country’s financial system is at the core of economic development, and as such, passage of the Anti-money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill should not have been a matter of political contention.
“I have said that Bill is an anti-corruption Bill, it an anti-narcotic drug Bill and if you do
not want to support that, then objectively you are on the side of criminals and money launderers, all of that is what you are actually defending…we are not out of the woods, I don’t know what form the review will take,” the President said.
Nevertheless, the government is moving ahead to put in place the other systems (nonlegislative aspects) that came out of the CFATF’s recommendations. This includes the operationalisation of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). SOCU is a nonparliamentary recommendation that is part of the second round of reviews.
It is intended to be Guyana’s response to its treaty obligation to investigate suspicious financial transactions that are related to money laundering.
At present, the re-
US$1.8 million for TT crime fight
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:
The United States has signed an agreement to provide Trinidad and Tobago with US$1.8 million for security assistance programmes to help combat illicit trafficking and violent crime.
The agreement was signed by U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Margaret B Diop and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Winston Dookeran during a ceremony last Friday at offices of Foreign Affairs Ministry, International Waterfront Centre, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain.
At the ceremony, Diop explained that the agreement increases cooperative opportunities between the two countries. She said the agreement allows for continued development of programmes aimed at increasing citizen security by strengthening law enforcement capacities to counter illicit traffickers and deter violent crime.
The goal of these programmes is to improve security, promote social justice, and counter the efforts of local and international criminal organ-
isations.
Dookeran, in his remarks, expressed government’s sincere gratitude to the U.S. for
its ongoing support to TT and for continually strengthening Trinidad and Tobago’s law enforcement and protective
services. He noted that such support will better prepare the country to address critical threats of interest to each nation and the international community.
Diop pointed out that the TT government is a strong partner of the U.S. on security matters, including the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).
According to the U.S. Embassy in addition to direct, bilateral assistance on narcotics and law enforcement matters, the U.S. committed more than US$263 million in funding to the CBSI in its first four years to support regional programmes that benefit Trinidad and Tobago and its Caribbean neighbours in many areas, including law enforcement information sharing, counterterrorism, and maritime cooperation.
The U.S. also invests heavily in HIV/AIDS prevention, military education and training, advancing economic development and trade, and promoting social inclusion for marginalised groups, the Embassy added. (TT Newsday)
cruiting process in accordance with the Terms of Reference (ToRs) and the short-listing of applicants has to be concluded.
Countermeasures for Guyana’s AML deficiencies could entail, among others, the requirement of enhanced due diligence measures; introducing enhanced reporting mechanisms or systematic reporting of financial transactions; refusing the establishment of subsidiaries or branches or representative offices in the country concerned, or otherwise taking into account the fact that the relevant financial institution is from a country that does not have adequate AML/ CFT systems and limiting the business relationships or financial transactions with the identified country or persons in that country. (Guyana Times)
Jamaica, TT establish joint commission to improve bilateral relations
KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago have agreed to the urgent formation of a joint commission “or a similar entity” to advance the issue of enhanced functional cooperation between the two countries.
A joint communiqué following the second round of bilateral talks between the two Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries also re-affirmed “the importance of the consultations as a mechanism for strengthening political dialogue, reviewing bilateral cooperation and exchanging views on a range of pertinent issues”.
The first round of bilateral consultations on free movement in the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) was held in Jamaica December last year following the controversy that erupted when Port-of-Spain deported a number of Jamaican nationals. The move resulted in calls for a boycott of Trinidad and Tobago products in Jamaica. (Caribbean News)
Jamaica’s Health minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson (Jamaica Gleaner file photo)
Guyana’s President Donald ramotar
U.s chargé d'affaires margaret b Diop and tt’s minister of Foreign affairs winston Dookeran exchange documents after a signing ceremony on security cooperation at the Foreign affairs ministry, Port-of-spain last Friday (TT Newsday)
Jamaican cop arrested in Toronto on murder charges
KINGSTON, JAMAICA: A former police constable was taken into custody in Toronto, Canada last Friday after it is said that Jamaican officials sought his arrest for several murders committed in the island.
According to CTV News Toronto, Jamaican authorities contacted Toronto police on Monday, June 23 seeking the arrest of 28-yearold Witney Hutchinson.
The accused, they say, is wanted for a murder that was committed before he left for Canada in 2011, but is also being investigated for his involvement in the deaths of 40 other civilians allegedly by a “police death squad”.
Hutchinson is believed to be one of eight
or nine police officers in the so called "death squad".
The reports did not say which Jamaican officials sought Hutchinson’s arrest, but the Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) in the Jamaica Constabulary Force informed that Hutchinson is a former police officer who left the island on
vacation and did not return.
CCU also stated that they were unaware of Hutchinson’s involvement in 40 murders.
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has declined to comment on the issue. (Jamaica Observer)
Ramadhar retains leadership of COP in Trinidad
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:
Congress of the People (COP) leader Prakash Ramadhar, whose leadership style was constantly attacked by his political rivals on the campaign trail, emerged victorious in the party’s internal elections Monday.
Declaring he is now the “unambiguous” leader of the COP, Ramadhar edged out his main opponent, the party’s chairman Carolyn SeepersadBachan by 444 votes.
“We are no longer unsure about who is the leader of the COP.” he said. “A very small but loud group has been saying get your act together. Well, tonight, I got my act together,” Ramadhar said in his victory speech at Gaston Courts, Chaguanas.
Of the 2, 673 COP members who cast their ballots in the leadership elections, Ramadhar got 1,472 votes. SeepersadBachan got 1,028 votes, while deputy political leader Dr Lincoln Douglas got 162. Rufus
Foster, who pulled out of the race at the last minute and announced he was backing SeepersadBachan, got four votes.
Just after 6 pm, results coming in from polling stations showed that Ramadhar was in the lead. At 6.25 pm, he made his way into Gaston Courts, where the results were being announced, followed by
a group of cheering supporters. Five minutes later, he gave his victory speech to a small crowd of COP members. Despite the rain, it was an evening bright with hope for the country, he said. Ramadhar wasted little time in declaring that the party’s next priority is preparing for the 2015 general election.
(TT Guardian)
Air Canada to fly weekly from Toronto to Curacao
WILLEMSTAD, CURACAO: Stanley Palm, Curacao’s Minister of Economic Development, said last Thursday that, on November 7, Air Canada will start weekly direct flights to and from Toronto. As of January 2015, the Canadian airline will also start direct flights to and from
Montreal.
Director of the Curacao Tourist Board, Hugo Clarinda, noted that the Canada route has already grown by 30 percent and thus the country is the fourth largest market for Curacao, after the Netherlands, the U.S. and Venezuela.
Clarinda also hoped
Guyana’s population declines slightlylatest census reports
Bar graph showing the fluctuating population trends from 1980 to present
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:
Guyana’s population has dipped by 3339, the Guyana Bureau of Statistics revealed on Monday as it unveiled the preliminary findings of the 2012 Population and Housing Census. The findings unveiled by the Deputy Census Officer Vanessa Profitt, indicate that Guyana had a population of 747,884 persons on Census Day September 15, 2012 compared to 751,223 persons when the previous census was taken in 2002. This represents an annual negative growth rate of -0.04 percent. However, Guyana would have to wait until the second quarter of 2015 for the final report when disclosures will be made on the ethnic makeup of the country and data on the employment and unemployment rates within the country.
Coastal region
In her presentation at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Profitt disclosed that the coastal regions accounted for 89.1 percent of the population while the hinterland regions such as Regions 1, 7, 8 and nine accounted for 10.9 percent of the population.
that, with the extra flights, the island can halt the decline in visitor numbers, especially after the local airline Dutch Antilles Express (DAE) went bankrupt.
Palm is also in talks with other airlines and hoped to be able to say more about these negotiations within two weeks. (Caribbean News)
Though Region Four constitutes just one percent of the land mass, it accounts for 41.9 percent of the population, the Deputy Census Officer said, noting that Demerara-Mahaica is followed by Regions Six and Three, which account for 14.6 percent and 14.4 percent of the population respectively.
More females
Additionally, the 2012 Census Report confirmed that there are a higher percentage of females than males in the country. On September 15, 2012, there were 372,547 males when compared to 375,337 females, thus giving an estimated sex ratio of 99 males per every 100 females in the 2012 Census. “The evidence is now giving precedence to what our men folks have been saying all these years, that the females are outnumbering the males.”
However, in the hinterland regions, the sex ratio for males exceeded 100 while it was low in the Coastal Regions, particularly in Region 4 with an estimate of 96 males to every 100 females.
“This might be as a result of the economic activities within the hinterland regions which are more male dominated, so you will have more males within the hinterland,” the Deputy Census Officer explained.
But not only did the
population reduced at the time of the census; according to the preliminary report, the national average household size decreased from about 4.1 persons per household in 2002 to 3.6 persons per household in 2012.
“The highest average household size was recorded for the four Hinterland regions (Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9) combined, which yielded as estimated 4.7 persons per household, down by an absolute 0.7 person when compared to the 2002 census results.”
However, the National Building Stocks increased by 16.9 percent, Profitt said. It was explained that the number of buildings in the country moved from 187,696 in 2002 to 219,509 in 2012.
“Government policy of making land available for home construction as well as increase in the development of both government and private housing schemes was seen as the main reason for the growth.”
The Deputy Census Officer also disclosed that the number of dwellings was reported as 221,741 in the 2012 census, up by 16,624 dwelling units when compared to 2002 figure of 205,117 dwelling units. Approximately 214,999 of the total buildings were occupied while the remaining 6,742 dwelling units were vacant and unoccupied.
The 2012 Census marked the 17th National Census of Guyana and Guyana’s seventh PostWar National Census of Population and Housing. (Guyana Times)
Guyana's Deputy Census Officer Vanessa Profitt
Jamaican officials sought the man’s arrest for several murders committed in the island
Prakash Ramadhar, who was Monday re-elected political leader of the COP, voting at the Curepe Presbyterian School (TT Guardian photo)
Jamaica’s Top Cop retires at
age 51
- Bunting assures he was not forced out
KINGSTON, JAMAICA:
National
Security Minister Peter Bunting has sought to make it clear that Jamaica’s outgoing Police Commissioner Owen Ellington was not forced out.
Bunting's assertion came minutes after Ellington's surprise announcement late Monday that at the age of 51, he was bringing an end to his 34-year career in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), setting off speculation about the reasons for his decision.
"He was not pushed out. We had a very good working relationship… He came to this point on his own," Bunting said in an interview on the RJR news programme 'Beyond the Headlines' Monday evening.
"I was satisfied with his performance," the minister added, even while admitting that he did not try to dissuade Ellington because he felt that the commissioner's decision was carefully thought out.
In his announcement, made through a statement released by Bunting's ministry, Ellington indicated that his decision to retire "is based on the need to separate himself from the leadership and management of the Force" [JCF] before the start of the Tivoli Gardens commission of enquiry and "other areas during the limited state of emergency in 2010".
The country's 47th police commissioner also pointed out that his departure will allow the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) to probe allegations of police-involved killings, or the existence of so-called death squads, in the Clarendon Division "without any perception of influence of interference on his part".
Hinds to act
The security ministry also announced that effective Tuesday, Deputy Commissioner Glenmore Hinds, who heads the operations portfolio, will act as Commissioner of Police.
However, Opposition Spokesman on National Security Derrick Smith is among those who find these reasons "difficult to accept".
"Because I had a meeting with the commissioner two Mondays ago, and during that meeting the commissioner was extraordinarily enthused about the future of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the plans he had to be
implemented," Smith revealed.
But Bunting insisted that he did not ask Ellington to step down as a result of the interim report by the Office of the Public Defender into the conduct of members of the security forces during the joint operations in 2010 to nab then fugitive Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
Some 75 civilians and one Jamaica Defence Force soldier were killed when, according to the security forces, armed thugs loyal to Coke engaged them in a fierce firefight in the west Kingston community.
Despite the speculation about the reasons for his early retirement, Ellington was widely lauded for what many described as the transformative leadership he brought to the JCF.
A graduate of Glengoffe High School, in St Catherine, Ellington enlisted in the JCF on August 1, 1980 and rose through the ranks to become commissioner on April 5, 2010. (Jamaica Gleaner)
Barbados gov’t going after criminal assets
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS:
Barbados’ Attorney General
Adriel Brathwaite has promised that there will be no let up in the fight against criminals and persons who seek to benefit from criminal activity.
“We will ensure that those who benefit from crime in this country that they know that we are very serious about going after their assets,” Brathwaite said at a three-day workshop that ended last Friday. The workshop was a joint collaboration of the Barbados government and the Organisation of American States.
Brathwaite told the island’s law enforcement officials that the Caribbean is not out of reach of international criminal networks and the threat of terrorism.
Guyanese law enforcement officers in ‘middle managers’ training
GEORGETOWN,
GUYANA: The 2014 Guyana Police Force, Junior Officers’ Course is under way, with 26 law enforcement officers receiving training which seeks to address the critical needs of middle managers in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and its sister organisations.
The course aims to equip the middle manager with leadership skills to link the senior command and the lower rank and file of the GPF, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Prison Service, the Guyana Fire Service and the City Constabulary.
The two-module course, which commenced one-month ago, and is well into module one, was inaugurated last Friday by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud at the Police Officers’ Training Centre. Both officials stressed the pivotal role of ensuring continuous training to achieve effective law enforcement in
Guyana.
Rohee pointed out that his ministry, not being unmindful of the need for training in the Force, has over the years provided full support to successive Police Commissioners in their training programmers’ policy which he pledged to continue.
The minister also noted that such joint exercises would also allow members of the services to appreciate the way each agency functions. They would also provide opportunities for the sharing of experiences, he said.
Similar sentiments were echoed by the Police Commissioner, who noted that the presence of participants from the other organisations, could help to contribute not only to the success of the course, but also to its lasting impact in addressing organised crime and other law-enforcement issues.
The Junior Officers’ Course Number 25 is one of the core courses of the GPF. It is among several other core courses that
are responsible for capacity-building for the members of the GPF. The course is of 12 weeks duration. Module One is for five weeks and addresses management and leadership principles.
Force Training Officer Senior Superintendent Paul Williams, explained that this module is being conducted under the auspices of the University of Guyana, and would have dealt with topics including strategic management, leadership and motivation, communication and new media and stress and anger management.
Module Two is of seven weeks duration and focuses on police procedures, operations and coordinating functions of the Joint Services, he said.
Topics to be covered under this module are structured under the premise of core functions and principles, challenges and issues that have emerged from reports, speeches, the media and other international best practices. (Guyana Times)
Man found not guilty for illegally obtaining CXC papers in Trinidad
PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:
Mikquel Torres, 26, was Monday freed by a San Fernando magistrate in Trinidad on charges of unlawfully procuring the May/June 2008 CXC Mathematics and English examination papers.
mikquel torres was charged on may 22, 2008, and placed on tt$1 million bail
“The Caribbean is no longer isolated from the rest of the world. Who would have thought that we would have some individuals from Bulgaria being charged here recently in a scam to do with our ATM machines,” he said in reference to an incident earlier this year. He warned that the international criminals are formidable opponents.
“They have their resources, they have the best brains possible, and they sit down and they plan just like you on how they can get around our laws, how they get through our system. So, we therefore have to work harder, because we have less.” (Caribbean News)
Torres of Gulf View, was charged by Inspector Gilbert Kennedy, who did not testify in a trial before Magistrate Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds after he (Torres) pleaded not guilty. Torres was charged on May 22, 2008, and placed on TT$1 million bail.
He was among several persons charged with procuring examination papers relating to the 2008 CXC exam. Torres was charged with having
in his possession a copy of the CXC May/June 2008 Mathematics Paper II and CXC May/June 2008 English A Paper II. Torres pleaded not guilty and State attorneys from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), prosecuted the case in which evidence was led from six witnesses. However, Insp Kennedy who laid the charge, did not testify.
Officials from the Ministry of Education, a
Justice of the Peace and two police witnesses, gave evidence. Attorney Michael Rooplal who represented Torres, made a no-case submission. Monday, Magistrate Ramsumair-Hinds overruled the no-case submission but found Torres not guilty. The magistrate said that in her view, the prosecution failed to overcome the burden of proving the charges against Torres, beyond a reasonable doubt. (TT Newsday)
Jamaica’s outgoing commissioner of Police owen ellington
barbados’ attorney General adriel brathwaite (Barbados Today file photo)
the course aims to equip the middle manager with leadership skills to link the senior command and the lower rank
GEORGETOWN,
GUYANA: Corporate
Guyana continues to show its support in promoting all things Guyanese through the Guyana Festival with the NEW GPC INC, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) and several other businesses coming forward in support of the event.
The inaugural festival will be staged at the Guyana National Stadium from August 8-10.
At a simple ceremony at the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry last Friday, the NEW GPC INC donated Gy$1.5 million towards the three-day celebration.
NEW GPC INC Marketing Manager Trevor Bassoo said the company is pleased to support the event.
“We are happy to be onboard with the Guyana Festival,”
Bassoo declared. Jiffi Lubes representative Irfaan Kalamadeen expressed similar sentiments, noting that the event holds great potential in showcasing Guyana, and what it has to offer to the world. Jiffi Lubes also presented a cheque for Gy$300,000 to the Guyana Festival Committee.
Official oil
Meanwhile, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali announced that the Golden Book Cooking Oil, produced by Pomeroon Oil Mills will be used for the Guyana Festival Cook Out, which will be staged on August 10 as part of the threeday activities. Ali made this announcement at a symbolic cheque presentation ceremony, where
Alfro Alphonso, from the Pomeroon Oil Mills presented Gy$1.5 million towards the staging of the festival.
“We are very happy and we feel privileged to be a part of this festival that showcases everything Guyanese. Golden Brook is truly Guyanese and this is an excellent opportunity to showcase that. We expect this to be a tremen-
dous success,” Alphonso explained.
Meanwhile, Looknauth Persaud, the head of the Festival Cookout Committee and the owner of Kings Jewellery, explained that all Guyanese are welcome to participate in the Festival Cookout, as this will provide the chance to showcase their skills.
“This is the opportunity for Guyanese to come out and showcase their skills. There is excitement about the event and we want this to kick-start new businesses,” he said.
Persons and groups interested in participating in this exciting and novel event can access the registration forms from the website www. guyanafestival.gy or visit the Facebook page: Guyana Festival.
GT&T onboard Additionally, last Friday, GT&T handed over a cheque for Gy$3 million as they reaf-
KINGSTON, JAMAICA:
The Jamaican population was less satisfied with their personal life than the average, according to Global Entrepreneur Monitor (GEM) report, for which University of Technology
conducted the local research.
Jamaicans are the least satisfied about life within the Latin and
Caribbean region, according to the Global Entrepreneur Monitor (GEM) report.
The report indicated that the island's fairly strong entrepreneurial spirit remains shrouded in a lack of employment and a peddling-to-survive mentality. This results in dissatisfied entrepeneurs.
"Based on the findings, the Jamaican population was less satisfied with their personal life than the average. Jamaica registered the lowest score in the Latin and Caribbean Region," stated the GEM report chapter on Jamaica conducted by local-based University of Technology.
The report defined well being as the man-
ner in which people experience their lives and includes both emotional and cognitive judgments. The regional average was 0.29 but the island's population scored negative 0.53.
The report also examined the well being scores for the early stage entrepreneurs and the established business owners (EB).
"Both reflected the lowest scores in the Latin and Caribbean Region," it added explaining that the scores for Jamaican entrepreneurs were negative 42 for early stage and negative 44 for EB. All other regional countries scored positive numerics led by Panama and Peru.
"In Jamaica, there
firmed their support for the development of arts and culture, in a national way.
“GT&T is one of our most strategic partners in terms of activities for tourism. Their sponsorship of Gy$3 million is not only a financial commitment, but also a reminder that they are embedded at home and remain a strong supporter of everything local,” Minister Ali indicated.
He stated that he is pleased to have received cheques from the various companies, as they are helping to build the local economy.
The money, he said will go a very long way and he hopes that more businesses will come on stream for the Guyana Festival. The three-day festival will feature exciting events that will celebrate sport legends, culture, art, entertainment, food, music and much more. (Guyana Times)
NEW GPC INC, several others sign on to Guyana Festival Jamaicans least satisfied in Caribbean - report
are high levels of necessity based entrepreneurs many see entrepreneurship as a means of survival and a way to combat poverty," it stated.
The island's low well being scores reflected the low regional results in the Happiness Report 2013, a separate report, published by the United Nations. In the 2013 World Happiness report Trinidad and Tobago was considered the happiest country in the Caribbean with a rank of 30, and Suriname also ranked higher (40) than Jamaica (75).
The GEM report released last Thursday indicated that Jamaican entrepreneurs hustle without a growth strategy. (Jamaica Observer)
new GPc inc marketing manager trevor bassoo (second from right) hands over the cheque to Guyana's acting tourism minister irfaanali
Dynamic Airways to service Guyana out of Newark Int’l Airport
By Bhisham mohamed
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: U.S.based carrier Dynamic Airways will continue its operations out of Georgetown, Guyana despite recent challenges it encountered at the John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport during its inaugural flight over the weekend.
The 767-200 Boeing aircraft of the airline will be operating out of the Newark International Airport, New Jersey after facing major challenges at JFK, according to managing Director of Roraima Airways, Captain Gerry Gouveia.
Gouveia made the announcement on Sunday evening while speaking with media operatives at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). He, however, explained that upon arrival at the Newark Airport, passengers will be shuttled to JFK. While cognisant that this will pose an inconvenience for some passengers, Gouveia is asking them to be patient and is hoping that the issues will be sorted out shortly.
As the official handling agent for Dynamic Airways, Gouveia said at no point in time were passengers stranded as was reported in certain sections of the media. He went on to say that after they realised that a situation had developed, they immediately activated their contingency plan, which he admitted was a little tiresome but worked well.
He said the Dynamic Airways team worked diligently and overtime to ensure that passengers were not stranded and the airline was able to fly its passengers to their destination despite a few hours’ delay.
Technical problems
Gouveia stressed that the carrier is here to stay, noting that he will personally ensure it happens, and called
on the travelling public for their support and patience. Explaining what exactly transpired, he said there was a mixup of passengers’ luggage last Friday evening which resulted in the initial delay of the flight to the CJIA. The handling agent at JFK was consequently fired, Gouveia maintained.
Fly Jamaica, Gouveia related, agreed to let Dynamic use the handling agent but about 10 minutes before arriving at JFK, they received an email stating that the agreement had several flaws which had legal implications. The flight landed, but was immediately taken over by the United States custom authorities. This, he said, meant that they will have to contract another handling agent be-
TT seeks direct air linkage with Brazil
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:
Plans for a direct air-bridge to Brazil remain on the agenda, according to TT’s Minister of Transport Stephen Cadiz.
Speaking at the launch of a new initiative to encourage private sector investment in a commercial centre at the Piarco International Airport Monday, Cadiz also proposed the use of the airport as a re-fuelling centre for private jets and called for a regular bus service into and out of the airport for the benefit of travellers and airport staff alike.
“We’re trying to get back our connectivity with Brazil,” Cadiz stated at the launch of the Piarco AeroPark. “Connectivity, for a twin-island state, is absolutely essential for the economy to grow.”
He noted two recent additions at the airport: namely Jet Blue and West Jet.
The Transport Minister said the proposed AeroPark would utilise the airport’s 1,700 acres of prime real estate (the first phase of which will involve 168 acres). The development will include dining and a hotel.
“This is a major new venture,” Cadiz
told the stakeholders, including business men such as Derek Chin, gathered at the Hyatt Regency, Dock Road, for the launch of the venture.
“What is the Piarco AeroPark? We have prime real estate out at the airport which we have to monetise in many ways. There is business to be had. We have to turn Piarco into an efficient, safe, well-managed facility.” He said safety would remain a priority.
In 2011, Cadiz was part of a delegation of government officials and representatives from the private sector who accompanied Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to attend the World Economic Forum in Brazil. Persad-Bissessar and her delegation flew directly to Brazil on a chartered Caribbean Airlines (CAL) plane since there are no direct air links between TT and Brazil.
The idea of the Piarco Aero Park was first articulated under the former PNM government in 2006 by then Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Diego Martin North/ East. (TT Newsday)
uations and promised to keep in contact with passengers.
The passengers were contacted last Saturday afternoon and informed that the aircraft will leave U.S. soil but from another airport facility.
Passengers were asked
fore the aircraft can operate out of JFK.
Grilled
Several high-ranking officials and media operatives were on board Dynamic Airways’ inaugural flight. The aircraft left CJIA five hours behind schedule and arrived in New York after 11:00h last Saturday. Upon arrival at Terminal One of the JFK, the Guyanese passengers were rigorously grilled and searched by Custom officials.
News spread about the grounding of the flight and speculation was rife about the reason for such action.
After some time, the more than 100 passengers were informed via local handling agents of the situation. The agents indicated that they were trying to rectify the sit-
to make their way to the JFK international Airport on Sunday morning. There, they were checked and placed on a shuttle bus to Atlantic City International Airport for departure. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)
Dynamic airways at atlantic International airport on sunday afternoon
(Left to right) tt’s airport authority chairman Jason Julien shakes hands with tt’s transport minister stephen cadiz while the authority's acting general manager Hayden Newton looks on, at the Hyatt regency Hotel (TT Newsday photo)
Caretaker of Berbice Orphanage in Guyana on sex assault charges
BERBICE, GUYANA: The caretaker of the Berbice Orphanage in Guyana was on Monday placed on Gy$200,000 bail when he appeared before Magistrate Sherdell Issacs-Marcus in a New Amsterdam Court on a charge of sexual activity with a child by abusing a position of trust.
Mohamed Deen is accused of committing the act between January 1 and May 24, 2014 at the orphanage. Police Prosecutor Sergeant Godfrey Platter told the court that Deen was in a position of trust in re-
lation to the Virtual Complainant (VC) namely by being a caregiver at the orphanage. He said Deen knew or reasonably could have been expected to know of the position of trust he held in relation to the VC.
The 37-year-old Deen told the court that he has been employed with the orphanage for the past seven years. Attorney-at-law Marceline Bacchus, in a petition for bail, told the court that Deen was never accused of criminal activity before and now lives several miles away from the accused. He asked for reasonable
bail to be granted.
Platter did not object to bail, but asked that serious conditions be imposed. He said the accused is still resid-
ing at the orphanage where other juveniles are housed. Magistrate Issacs-Marcus in granting bail ordered that the accused must not come within 20 feet of the VC or his place of residence. Deen is also ordered to report to Central Police Station every second Friday.
The Prosecution’s case is that between January 1 and May 24, 2014 at the Berbice orphanage Deen allegedly sexually molested the juvenile.
He will have to return to court on July 14 for statements by the police. (Guyana Times)
Man shot 20 times while asleep in Trinidad
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: A
Malick man in Trinidad was shot 20 times as he slept on a bed in his home last Saturday morning.
Police said Hardeo David was among five persons murdered on the weekend. One of the five is a soldier who was ambushed and shot dead in Laventille.
Police sources said that David, 39, was shot
dead last Saturday morning while he was sleeping at his 6th Avenue, Valley Drive, Malick home.
David was shot approximately 20 times at about 1.50 am.
The Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) labourer, lived with his mother at Valley Drive. He and his mother, who was not identified, were asleep in their home when masked men kicked down the door and
began shooting at the labourer in his bedroom.
David was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mount Hope at 2 am. David was the father of two children, a 19-yearold son and a 16-year-old daughter.
TT’s murder toll is now at 214. Apart from David, other per-
sons murdered over the weekend included soldier Lance Corporal Kayode Thomas who was shot dead in his car in Laventille, security guard Joash Ali who was stabbed to death at his Mayaro apartment home, Keith Flemming who was shot dead in Ste Madeleine and police found the bullet riddled body of an unidentified man at South Quay. (TT Newsday)
Barbados to cut 100 more
public sector jobs
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: As the Barbadian government struggles to cut costs through a financial structural adjustment programme, an Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) has revealed that another 100plus workers may be added to a list of public workers being sent home.
"On the 16th of April, the Chief Executive Officer of the (state-owned) Port Authority wrote to (Barbados Workers Union General Secretary) Sir Roy Trotman, giving him notice that the Port Authority plans to lay off 100-odd out of the 392 workers; 25 percent of the Port workers are propositioned to lose their jobs," MP Edmund Hinckson revealed.
The Barbados Labour Party politician's statement comes against a backdrop of the Finance Minister Chris Sinckler, announcing in December that government will lay off some 3,000 public workers, beginning January as part of a programme aimed at reducing current costs.
There are no official figures on the total number of workers the administration has sent
it is believed that in excess of 2,000 workers in barbados have been laid off to date
home to date, but the figure is believed to be in excess of 2,000. Following a consultation visit, the International Monetary Fund--on whose advice it is suspected government is cutting staff--announced in February that 1,800 were so far severed. Since then a number of state entities have announced job cuts, many of which are being disputed by labour unions.
Hinckson said, "Under the Employment Rights Act, notice was given to the main union of the workers of the port. And they were to enter negotiations on how best this [retrenchment] could be done."
Last September, Barbados began a 19-month fiscal adjustment programme to reduce operating costs, and one plank of that strategy has been a reduction in government payroll.
(Caribbean News)
mohamed Deen
DEA Office being set up in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:
Outgoing U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt last Thursday announced that the Barack Obama Administration has authorised its Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to establish an office in Guyana.
Hardt made the announcement during a joint press conference with President Donald Ramotar at the Office of the President.
“I have advised
President Ramotar that the DEA has approved and the United States Congress has authorised the establishment of a DEA Office in Guyana. The President welcomed this news and affirmed his government’s willingness to work closely with our Embassy and the DEA to facilitate their presence in Guyana and their close operational coordination with Guyanese law enforcement authorities. I am pleased to announce that a DEA Country Office [is] at the Embassy in
Jamaica to undertake multi-million
dollar ‘Clean Coasts Project’
KINGSTON, JAMAICA:
Tourism and Entertainment Minister Wykeham McNeill says the ministry will be strengthening its partnership with the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) through a Ja$34-million environmental awareness initiative called the 'Clean Coasts Project'.
The one-year project, funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), is intended to encourage Jamaicans to engage in sustained cleanup activities throughout the year instead of on just one day. At present, the ministry and its agencies partner with JET to promote and execute annual International Coastal Clean-up Day activities throughout the island.
Minister McNeill was addressing students, teachers and environmental stakeholders at JET's 2014 Awards Ceremony for the Jamaica Environmental Action Awards and the Schools' Environment Programme (SEP), held last Wednesday at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston.
"The programme has evolved out of the need to encourage sustained behaviour change among Jamaicans and our visitors alike to issues relating to marine litter," Minister McNeill said, as he outlined components of the project--a land-based and underwater.
The land-based com-
Georgetown,” Hardt said.
Hardt noted that although the authorisation was given only last week, the agency had already begun shipping its equipment to Guyana and has identified the specialised personnel to operate in Guyana while training is being planned for the local enforcement officers. While he could not give a definite timeline in which the Office will be established, he assured that the process will be expedited.
“There is no definite time span to the estab-
lishment of the office, but the equipment have begun to come into the country, plans are on stream to further train and build the capacity of the Police Force here to work with the DEA office. There will be a gradual movement, but for the fact that the U.S. Congress has given its permission means that the process will move along quickly,” Hardt said.
Questioned as to why a DEA Office was necessary in Guyana, given that there was one in neighbouring Trinidad and
Tobago, the Ambassador related that “the frequency of being (in Guyana), to be on the ground will prove more effective. More investigations can be done and more arrests can be made”.
The Ambassador also said that a greater sharing of information can take place which can lead to strong cases being built so that prosecutions can take place. He emphasised the need for the passage of the AML/CFT Bill, noting that it is crucial if the agency’s mandate is to
be fulfilled. President Ramotar told the media that he was pleased at this development. He noted that as President, he had the best interest of the country at heart and the establishment of a DEA Office in Guyana will definitely ensure this. It is expected that the U.S. government will be bearing all costs attached to the establishment of the local office at the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)
TT’s Life Sport programme helping to transform lives
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:
TT’s Life Sport programme has spent TT$325,000 for 25 of its participants to enrol in the Christian Victory Academy in New York for one year, to pursue a programme designed to turn their lives around. The recipients whose ages range from 16 to 25, according to Life Sport programme director Cornelius Price, would benefit from character building, sporting disciplines, spiritual values and academic work in the programme they began a few weeks ago.
handpicked the recipients.
The progress of each recipient, Price said, would determine the programme they were offered. Once they have graduated, Price said, the young men could move on to a foreign university or return home to further their studies if they so wish.
“There are a lot of opportunities they can tap into. It’s all about transforming lives...making them positive and productive individuals.”
award of scholarships was just one of the programme’s success stories. Roberts stated that many of the scholarship recipients did not have ID cards, passports, driver’s permits and birth certificates, which were provided.
ponent will target 10-15 schools in resort areas as well as adult education. The project is also expected to form synergies with the JET's Schools' Environment Programme (SEP), which already uses the curricula in schools to spread the message of environmental stewardship. It will also work in tandem with Tourism Action Clubs, which are in schools islandwide, and other applicable groups.
Tourism stakeholders will be included in the selection of the schools, which are to be recruited over the summer and sensitised to ensure their readiness to participate, beginning in September 2014.
The underwater component will comprise the co-ordination of 32 dives across select resorts to clean up underwater environments, and will engage stakeholders such as fisherfolks in communities to ensure their involvement in the project.
Heavy emphasis will be placed on mitigation as the effect of garbage that is washed from gullies and drains during the rainy season will be reduced by routine cleaning. Cleaning will also be done at the start of the winter tourist season.
The project will be supported by a public education campaign and community consultations to obtain buy-in and participation. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)
Price said the scholarship package for the 25 young men was tagged at TT$650,000. He said the Ministry of Sport got approval to pay TT$325,000, while the academy funded the other 50 percent. Meals, travelling and accommodation are provided to the recipients by the academy. A local religious leader who has ties with the academy and Belmont’s Life Sport programme
He said many of the Life Sport participants are now living positive lives and hold down respectable jobs in the protective services.
Price said while some of the boys who were accepted into the Christian academy had O’ Level Maths and English, others were not so fortunate.
Last Friday, Sport Minister Anil Roberts spoke about the scholarships in his contribution to the Life Sport motion in the House of Representatives. He said the
“Some come from single parent homes, others have challenges, while a few were taken off the streets. Some of them did not even have birth certificates to get into the academy which we had to assist in getting for them. Most of these boys are willing to learn and when they find opportunities they grasp it.”
There are 2,097 participants in the Life Sport programme, Roberts revealed.
Of this figure, he said, 25 are enrolled in TT’s drilling academy.
“From guns to oil,” Roberts added. He said 140 had gained jobs in the public and private sectors, while 20 have opened their own businesses. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)
Jamaica’s tourism minister Dr Wykeham mcNeill (third left) talks to students of mount st Joseph Preparatory, manchester, about their exhibit of ‘Jamaican Endangered species’ made from recyclable material, as cEo of the Jamaica Environment trust (JEt), Diana mccaulay (third right) looks on (Jamaica Observer photo)
Canadian oil company to make US$1 billion off remaining TT reserves
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:
Canada’s Calgary, Alberta-headquartered
Niko Resources Ltd
Saturday estimated it will make US$1 billion from its natural gas reserves in TT.
In a statement released with the company’s results for the year ended March 31, (2014), Niko said: “The company’s estimated reserves as at March 31, 2014 included 197 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of proved natural gas reserves and 235 Bcf of proved plus probable natural gas reserves related to its interest in Block 5c in TT that was sold subsequent to March 31, 2014.”
After adjusting for the sale of the company’s interest in Block 5(c) in TT,
which closed in the current quarter (from April to June, 2014) “the estimated aggregate after-tax net present value of future net revenue attributable to the company’s estimated proved plus probable reserves (discounted at 10 percent and estimated using forecast prices and costs) as at March 31, (2014) is approximately US$1 billion,” the statement said.
New business strategy
Niko sold its 25 percent interest in Block 5c to a subsidiary of the British Gas Group of the UK. The BG Group already had the remaining 75 percent interest in the block off the east coast of Trinidad. In its message to shareholders, Niko’s board of directors said that
in the second quarter of fiscal 2014, the company adopted a new business strategy that incorporates three principles, the first of which is to “focus on value generation in the D6 Block” in
India.
The second principle is to “reduce the company’s exposure to future drilling commitments in its exploration portfolio while, if possible, maintaining optionality
to benefit from the exploration potential in the portfolio, “and the third principle is to “continue to restructure the company to create the necessary financial strength and flexibility to realise the inherent value of the company’s assets.”
In the third quarter of fiscal 2014, Niko closed on its US$340 million debt facility while simultaneously raising approximately US$30 million (net) in equity.
“Through this financing, the company rebalanced its debt obligations, extended the majority of its debt maturities out to calendar 2017, finalised a settlement agreement for its long-term drilling contracts, and added US$174 million in cash
to the company’s balance sheet, thus providing funding and time for execution of the company’s new strategic focus,” the statement said.
Niko also said it implemented over the past year, the “suspension of exploration activities outside of India.
“Exploration efforts ceased in Indonesia, Trinidad, Madagascar, and Brazil, with drilling and technical staffing reduced significantly. Activities in these countries are now focussed on farm-outs and/ or sales of working interests along with extensions of drilling obligations or modifications of terms,” the company stated. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)
Tutorial High students in Guyana get cash award from Toronto Alumni
GEORGETOWN,
GUYANA: Eleven students of Tutorial High School (THS) in Guyana were given monetary bursaries to assist in their pursuit of tertiary level education.
In keeping with the ethos of the vibrant THS Alumni Association, members of the Toronto Chapter donated the funds to help offset the expenses of the students who wrote CXC and CSEC Examinations in 2013 and 2014, a release from the school said.
Some of the students
are already students of the University of Guyana pursuing Bachelor’s degree programmes in Banking, Marketing, Economics and Medicine, while others have commenced certificate and degree programmes at private tertiary institutions including the Aeronautical Engineering institute at the Ogle Aerodrome.
At a simple ceremony held earlier this month in the school’s library, members of the Board of Governors presented bursaries to: Davie Beepat, Namanie Singh, Toshana
Maloney, Patrick Stewart, Kenisa Sim and Ryan Shim who all graduated in 2013.
Five students who are currently writing up to 11 subjects at CXC also received bursary awards. They were Damion Petty, Mahendra Paul, Sonia Grannum, Akesha Murray and Treasure Muchennagumbo.
Gregory Blyden, Chairman of the School’s Board, used the occasion to officially sign a three-year contract with Cassandra Bovell, the first recipient of the Castello Commemorative
Scholarship Fund which was revived in 2013 to coincide with the 74th anniversary of the school’s founding.
The then 17 year old had just gained admission to the University of Guyana to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. She has the distinction of being the first Tutorial CXC candidate to achieve a ‘double award distinction’ in Agriculture Science, and she scored Grades One and Two in English Language, Human and Social Biology, Mathematics, Social Studies, Information
Technology, English Literature and Integrated Science.
In his remarks, Blyden, a THS alumnus, spoke of the continuous contributions of books, teaching and learning materials and cash made to the school by past students in their individual capacities and through the Alumni Chapters in Guyana; London, England; Toronto, Canada; and New York.
The recipient of the 2014 Castello Commemorative Scholarship Award will be announced in September
during the school’s celebrations of its 75th anniversary.
In the meantime, the Guyana chapter is preparing to host hundreds of THS alumni located all over the world for the Twelfth Triennial Reunion scheduled for July 27-August 3.
A variety of activities have been planned for the one-week reunion including tours to Guyana’s hinterland regions and participation in the annual Emancipation celebrations. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)
niko is one of the largest acreage holders in tt
Jamaica gets US$20 million IDB loan to fight crime
WASHINGTON, DC, USA: The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$20 million loan for Jamaica to strengthen community actions that seek to reduce crime and violence, especially among at-risk youths.
In spite of advances in prevention efforts, Jamaica continues to suffer from high crime and violence, the Washington-based financial institution stated.
Over 4000 reports of domestic violence per year in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: With almost daily reports of a woman being maimed at the hands of her spouse in Guyana, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee last Friday told the Guyana Police Force (GPF) that they need to do more to curb this alarming scourge.
The programme, called Citizen Security and Justice Program III, focuses mainly on individual and community risk factors in urban, marginalised areas, addressing problems such as the use and tolerance of violence as a way to exert control and resolve disputes, the lack of economic opportunities, especially for youth, and the lack of channels for alternative dispute resolution.
"The idea is to promote a culture change that facilitates a more peaceful co-existence and community gover-
The IDB noted that the homicide rate remains among the highest in the hemisphere and one in three Jamaicans has lost a family member or friend to crime.
nance, through interventions that provide knowledge and opportunities," the IDB stated last Wednesday.
Another component aims to improve access to community-based justice services, complementary to the formal court system, and to strengthen the capacity of Jamaica's Ministry of Justice to manage and monitor these services.
The programme which will include rigorous monitoring and evaluations, contains specific targets to lower murder rates in target communities and improve security perceptions.
(Caribbean News)
Multi-billion dollar Tamana
Intech Park opens in Trinidad
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:
Fifteen years after the sod was turned for the development of the Tamana InTech Park in Trinidad, the economic zone is now opened for business after an initial investment of TT$2.2 billion in infrastructural development.
Trade, Industry and Investment Minister Vasant Bharath formally opened the park last Wednesday by unveiling a plaque and cutting the ribbon to the “Flagship Office Complex,” the main building on the site at present. The eco-friendly high-tech building was erected at a cost of TT$100 million.
Responding to questions from the media after the opening ceremony, Bharath admitted that negotiations for the lease of the Flagship Office Complex was well advanced and the signing is due to take place later this week.
He responded positively when asked if the investor was an Indian company that will be engaged in medical care and health tourism.
He would not divulge more details. Nevertheless, he stated that Cabinet has already approved the deal, and the business should
be opened to the public by September. The building covers 140,00 sq feet.
Delivering the feature address, Bharath noted that in addition to the lease of the main building, Columbus Communications has agreed to the facilitation of a US$135 million Tier Three Data Centre investment.
This will position Trinidad and Tobago, he said as the regional hub for high quality disaster data recovery and as a production centre for local and regional planners.
Certain parts of the park, he said will be set aside for information communications technology in a bid to provide services and goods for the Western Hemisphere.
Already, he added that the ministry has received a number of enquiries from global providers, and
engaged in discussions with some who want to relocate.
The first priority of the park, Bharath explained is to attract high value tenants that will create high value jobs.
The type of businesses being sought, he said will hopefully be able to repay the TT$2.2 billion investment which included over TT$240 million in liabilities.
The liabilities were monies owing to contractors, which the People’s Partnership government, he indicated inherited in 2010 and which have since been paid off.
Giving a background to the park which is located on 1,100 acres of land, Bharath related that the sod was turned in 1999 by then Prime Minister Basdeo Panday. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)
The minister said he is dissatisfied with the posture being adopted by some officers to reports of domestic violence, and reminded officers of the investments made in remodeling Police Stations to make victims more comfortable in reporting their complaints. Rights groups in Guyana have been outraged at the number of domestic violence cases over the years, and despite tough legislative reforms, the attacks on women continue.
Speaking at the opening of a Junior Officers’ training Course at Police Headquarters last Friday, Rohee revealed that there has been an average of 4825 reports of domestic violence annually over the past five years.
He said his ministry is not fully satisfied, stating that more could not be done at Police Stations to treat reports of domestic violence.
Rohee told the police that analysis also shows that for 2011, in only three out of every
10 reports made were the offenders charged; for 2012, the data indicated that five out of every 10 reports saw offenders charged; and in 2013, six out of every 10 reports saw the prosecution of offenders.
“What we have observed from these statistics is that increases in the charge rates correspond to declining numbers of offences reported. While recognising that they might be many other variables at play, we have inferred from this analysis that when the police are firm in their response to domestic violence, it helps in reducing the proliferation of this offence by sending clear signals that domestic abuse will not be condoned.”
Noting that while it is understood that the handling of reports of domestic violence can on occasions, be difficult, Minister Rohee said he
believes that sufficient training has been provided to members of the Force to respond to reports of domestic violence.
Investments
Further, he reminded the officers that 18 Police Stations were remodelled by the Home Affairs Ministry under the Citizen Security Programme. The total cost of this investment was Gy$296.6 million. A key feature of the remodelling of Police Stations was the construction of special rooms for victims of domestic violence to make their reports in a comfortable, confidential and user-friendly environment.
Touching on the training course, Rohee said that training at all levels of the Force is pivotal to the long- and short-term sustainability of the GPF. (Guyana Times)
Guyana’s Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee
A Jamaica Observer file photo of police at a crime scene
Phase one of the Tamana InTech Park in Wallerfield, Arima in Trinidad was officially opened last week (Andre Alexander/TT Guardian photo)
Medical missions saving Jamaica several millions
KINGSTON, JAMAICA: In the last two years, medical missions to Jamaica have slashed just under Ja$170 million from the island's medical bills. In fact, this amount accounts for only medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, it does not include the medical professionals was visited and the skills they brought with them.
At a press briefing in early June to welcome a medical mission that has been visiting Jamaica twice yearly for the past 14 years, Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson said that although Jamaica had been holding its own, medical missions are a "great contributor" to the health sector.
"In a real sense, in 2012 we had 172 medical missions. Against that background Jamaica saved somewhere in the region of US$637,000, just for pharmaceuticals and medical supplies...that is 60-odd million Jamaican dollars," Dr
Ferguson said. "In 2013, we had again 197 medical missions, and those missions saved Jamaica US$990,000, again almost Ja$100 million," he stated.
At the beginning of June, the public health sector received a gift of medical supplies valued at more than Ja$60 million from American gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, almost equalling the amount the country saved in 2012.
Dr Ferguson stressed that with his ministry operating 24 hospitals and more than 300 health centres amid limited fiscal space and with an International Monetary Fund arrangement, medical missions are "good for Jamaica".
The Health Minister ad-
mitted that there are gaps that are being closed by these missions and that the country is "eternally grateful".
Last year, an advisory body think-tank was established to deal with the diaspora and medical missions, allowing for a more structured approach to treating with missions.
Questions have been raised about the standard of care meted out by medical missions, but, before missions can visit the island, certain standards must be met.
Minister Ferguson insisted that standards must be maintained in order to be consistent in the things accepted, and that these things are actually meeting the island's demand. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)
New legislation proposes greater protection for TT’s prison officers
PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:
TT’s Justice Ministry aims to “reduce or virtually eliminate claims by inmates for compensation for physical injury inflicted by prison officers (through) use of force training” contained in proposed prison rules which would replace those in force since 1838.
This was the assurance given to new prison officers by Justice Minister, Emmanuel George, at the Passing Out and Induction Ceremony for Batch 488 of the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service, held at Parade Square, Golden Grove Prison, Arouca last Friday.
As such, the Bill includes a proposed increase from TT$1,000 or six months imprisonment to TT$15,000 and two years imprisonment, in the penalty on summary conviction for two actions:
Assaulting, obstructing or resisting the Commissioner of Prisons or any prison officer in execution of his/ her duty, or any person aiding or assisting the Commissioner in the execution of his/her duty;
Aiding or inciting any other person to assault, obstruct or resist the Commissioner or prison
officer in the execution of his/her duty or any person aiding or assisting the Commissioner in the execution of his/her duty.
Commissioner of Prisons, Conrad Barrow, advised the 21 women and 184 men that they had been employed by the Prison Service “to be a professional and to use professional standards of decency, honesty, loyalty, impartiality and integrity, regardless of your own personal opinions and the many distractions which exist in an environment such as ours.”
He also noted that a humane prison officer looks to treat inmates with the recognition that they are not necessarily that different from his or her self.
“You should try to treat all prisoners with the same level of professionalism. Even if he has to be disciplined, it must be done in a professional manner,” Barrow stated.
Thirteen graduands of Batch 488 are surely on said professional path already, having excelled in various exams for which they received awards at last Friday’s ceremony. (TT Newsday)
The safety of those who maintain law and order in the nation’s
He was referring to the Miscellaneous Provisions (Prisons) Bill 2014, passed in the Lower House on June 16 and which will now go before the Senate, and to an ongoing investigation ordered by the police into alleged discrepancies in prison litigation matters brought by inmates against prison officers.
prisons was also addressed by George, who told the 205 graduands, “It is only too evident that prison officers are to be protected from interference in any form as they discharge their important duties.”
Late HIV testing worry Barbadian officials
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: In Barbados, over the past 11 years, HIV has transitioned from an acute and almost certain cause of death, to a chronic manageable disease. This is indeed encouraging and should encourage Barbadians to do their part by getting tested.
However, Dr. Elizabeth Ferdinand, Chief Medical Officer, has lamented the fact that too many persons put off testing and do not know their HIV/AIDS status.
“What is a cause for concern for us in the Ministry of Health, is the alarming fact that many persons with HIV are being diagnosed at a late stage of the disease, when they have already developed AIDS. Therefore, it is vital that we reach out and make every effort to test persons in the community,” she commented last Friday, recognised in
Barbados and across the Caribbean as Regional Testing Day 2014 for HIV and AIDS.
To reduce the number of people who are becoming infected with HIV, the national programme must continue to place emphasis on HIV prevention, which is the bedrock on which the country’s National Policy rests, the CMO asserted, adding that prevention, coupled with testing, can only lead to the control and reduction in the spread of this disease.
Meanwhile, numerous testing centres were
opened up across the island last Friday, with Scotiabank leading the way by opening up its branches for testing to also take place. Nearly 160 testing centres were also confirmed so far in countries across the Caribbean for Regional Testing Day 2014, which took place under the auspices of the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS, with support from Scotiabank in collaboration with the Pan Caribbean Partnership on HIV/AIDS (PANCAP). (Barbados Advocate)
one of the medical missions which work for free in Jamaica to assist those in need (Jamaica Observer photo)
Prison officers show off their skills at the Passing out and induction ceremony for batch 488 of the trinidad and tobago Prison service, held at Parade square, Golden Grove Prison, arouca last Friday (TT Newsday photo)
many persons with HiV in barbados are being diagnosed at a late stage of the disease
Brothers charged in Jamaica for allegedly murdering man’s male lover
KINGSTON, JAMAICA:
Two brothers in Jamaica who reportedly conspired with another man to rob and murder his male lover were further remanded when they appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court, recently.
Voldon and Roshawn Ricketts are charged along with 20-yearold Tivon Wallace with murder and conspiracy to murder in the stabbing death of 42-yearold businessman Orell Henry of Pleasant Valley in St Andrew last December.
Wallace was reportedly involved in a relationship with the businessman at the time of his death.
It is alleged that on December 14, 2014, at about 8:05 pm, Wallace used Henry's phone to call Henry's brother, who was also living at
Over 16,000 Jamaican children involved in child labour - minister reports
KINGSTON, JAMAICA: An estimated 16,240 Jamaican children are involved in child labour.
That announcement by Labour Minister Derrick Kellier came Monday during a tripartite workshop at his downtown Kingston offices.
Kellier says the government recognises that poverty is the root cause of child labour and, as a result, has put a number of initiatives in place to help break the cycle of poverty and promote economic improvements in various ways.
He says these initiatives are also aimed at providing income security for families and thereby reduce the need for children to work to supplement earnings; and encouraged the enrollment of children in schools.
Kellier singled out the PATH programme as an example, revealing that up to February this year there were approximately 370,000 registered beneficiaries.
He says the PATH programme has also resulted in increased attendance in primary and secondary schools.
(Jamaica Gleaner)
Canadian honeymooners arrested in Antigua for cocaine possession
ST JOHN’S, ANTIGUA: On Sunday, June 22, 2014, the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy in Antigua and Barbuda seized six kilos of cocaine from a honeymooning Canadian couple who were scheduled to depart Antigua to Toronto, Canada.
the premises and told him, "Mr Orell say yuh must not come home early cause we a go out."
Henry's brother reportedly got suspicious and after several attempts to reach his brother or get back in touch with Wallace, he went to the house and found him lying in a pool of blood.
Items belonging to Henry, including a Chevrolet Avalanche vehicle and a licensed firearm, were reported missing from the house. However, the truck was later found abandoned in Stony Hill, St Andrew.
Henry, hours before his death, was reportedly last seen in the company of Wallace, who was a frequent visitor at the home.
It is further alleged that Wallace and another man were seen speeding away from the premises in the Chevrolet Avalanche shortly before Henry's body was found.
Following the murder, Wallace is said to have fled to Big Bridge in Westmoreland where he was arrested. The brothers were later implicated after the police analysed phone evidence, which
reportedly revealed that Voldon was the driver of the Chevrolet on the day Henry was murdered.
Attorney Glen Cruickshank, who is representing the Ricketts brothers, has denied the allegations against his clients.
Last Wednesday when the matter was mentioned, the court was told that the postmortem was still outstanding, after which the men were remanded until July 18.
Wallace is being represented by Attorney Denise Walker.
(Jamaica Observer)
Jamaican woman sentenced in Bahamas for human trafficking
NASSAU,
BAHAMAS: A 24-year-old woman was last Wednesday sentenced in The Bahamas to 15 years in prison for forcing two Jamaican women into the sex trade.
According to media reports, Chevaneese Sasha Gay Hall, who is also a Jamaican, is the first person in The Bahamas’ history to be convicted of human trafficking.
Hall remained stoic as Senior Justice Jon Isaacs sentenced her to 15 years on four counts of trafficking in persons and seven years' imprisonment on two counts of unlawfully withholding the victims' passports, the reports said.
Prosecutors said Hall recruited two women to work for her prostitution ring in January 2013.
The women, who were recruited separately, testified that they met Hall in Jamaica and she convinced them that she could get them jobs overseas.
One said she was promised a job as a bartender; the other said she was promised a job as a masseuse.
However, Hall seized
their passports once they arrived in The Bahamas and told them they would have to prostitute themselves.
The women alleged that Hall dressed them up in provocative clothing and took pictures of them for prospective clients.
According to the reports, the women said they were closely managed and only left the apartment in Grand Bahama for jobs. However, the sex ring unravelled when one of the women escaped and alerted police. Hall exercised her constitutional right to remain silent and called no witnesses in her defence. (Jamaica Observer)
Copon has since been charged with possession; possession with intent to transfer; being in concern with the supply of cocaine, attempting to export cocaine and drug
Janice Copon and her husband, both of Toronto, Canada, were detained by officers who were conducting random screening of passengers when they encountered the pair, according to reports.
trafficking. Copon’s husband is expected to be charged with similar offences at the conclusion of the investigative process.
The couple had been on island for just over one week. (Caribbean News)
the men were remanded until July 18
Chevaneese Sasha Gay Hall is the first person in The Bahamas’ history to be convicted of human trafficking (Guardian photo)
The Jamaican government recognises that poverty is the root cause of child labour, says Labour Minister Derrick Kellier (Jamaica Gleaner file photo)
The couple had been on island for just over one week
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: With a packed lecture hall, including Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Leader of the Opposition David Granger Toronto-based, international recording female Qaseeda singers, Guyanese-born, Nazima Hossain and her mother, Sakina Hossain, last Sunday wowed the audience as the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) of Guyana held a special
thanksgiving programme marking the completion of Phases One and Two of the facilities.
Nazima and her mom, Sakina, along with another sibling–Shameeza, formed the group that originated from the island of Leguan. They started singing at the Amsterdam Masjid, Leguan as part of a play. The play–“Glimpses of Islam through the Ages” depicted through the eyes of the Prophets of Allah, from Prophet Adam (AS) to Prophet Muhammad (SAS).
This play was performed throughout Guyana at many masjids and also at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown. It grew in popularity over the years and with the migration of Nazima and family in 1993, to Toronto, Canada, it folded. However, they continued to sing their beautiful qaseedas, mostly in English.
They caught the eyes and ears of Pakistani-born music producer, Nadeem Ali and through Avenger Productions of Toronto, produced their first album in 1995/96, fittingly named-“Glimpses of Islam”. The catchy tunes on this album soon became very popular in the Caribbean and North America, and in Guyana, the song “Whether you go to Churches, whether you go to mandirs” soon became a household song for Guyanese. All the lyrics for these songs, and for the other albums are produced by Zaman Mirza and Rafeek Mirza (formerly of Endeavour, Leguan), now residing in Canada and USA respectively.
The singers credit the patriarch of the family, Sheikh Nazir Hossain; the Razack family; the Mirza family; the late Imam Fazal (Amsterdam Masjid, Leguan) and family; Buddy Boy (Shafdar); the late Ramatally; Farouk Amin and family; Alim Shaw;
Hajji Rahaman (K Rahaman and Sons); Khaleel Rahaman and family (Ruby, East Bank Essequibo); present Imam of Amsterdam Masjid, Shaikh Shahiroon Mohammed; Teacher “Zed” and John Khan and family; as well as their Producer Nadeem Ali and Avengers Productions of Canada, for their tremendous success as singers.
The duo appearance at the famed ACIC, Guyana’s leading Islamic centre and hub for the international cooperation between the Muslims of Guyana and the rest of the world, was a first for them in Guyana, since their migration. (Guyana Times)
KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Manifesto
Jamaica (MJ) is one of 10 youth-focused organisations selected to participate in the Tin Forest Theatre Festival-part of the cultural programme of the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, being organised by the National Theatre of Scotland--from July 2428.
Their inclusion will make Jamaica the only country from the Caribbean or the African diaspora represented in the festival.
Through the British Council, MJ became aware of the opportunity in December 2013. After recruiting Shaun Drysdale and Randy McLaren as co-directors of a devised theatre piece, they applied and learned a few weeks later that they had been selected. Actors were chosen, in January 2014, on the basis of outstanding backgrounds in youth leadership, and talent and interest in drama. The cast and crew quickly dubbed themselves 'Team Tin Forest, Jamaica'.
It has been an emotional ride since the group first set out to raise funds for the trek, with only their talent in hand. As they began writing and rehearsing, they had no idea whether they would actually get the support needed, but their leap of faith was not in vain.
Numerous individual donors have stepped up to the plate to make it possible. In addition, RISE Life Management Services provided re-
hearsal space, British Airways granted a discount on the fares, and the Tourism Enhancement Fund provided sponsorship for the tickets.
Jamaican culture
But this isn't just about the Arts, according to Anika Kiddoe, the project's communications coordinator. "Manifesto Jamaica applied for the opportunity because our focus is education in general, and we recognise that travel is one of the most powerful elements of a rounded education. The Tin Forest offers a unique opportunity for these youth to experience other cultures, and witness the often-heard-of global appetite for Jamaican culture first-hand."
Cast member and Trench Town resident, Renard Anderson, said, "I am more excited about WHY I'm leaving, than the fact that I am leaving. I'm excited to be representing Jamaica."
According to Shaneil Orr, a cast member from Snowhill district, Portland, the actors all feel a renewed sense of hope in their future and a heightened sense of responsibility to use what they learn from the entire experience to facilitate the development of other young people in their respective communities.
Along with groups from Bangladesh, England, India, Malta, New Zealand, and Scotland, Team Tin Forest, Jamaica was asked to interpret the theme of the festival, 'From Nowhere to Somewhere'. (Jamaica Gleaner)
From left: renee Jones, sheldon Kelly, randy mclaren, Jodean tapper, renard anderson, PaulaGaye Donaldson and shaneil orr jumping for joy in reaction to the news that they will be going to Glasgow, scotland (Jamaica Gleaner photo)
canada-based international recording Qaseeda singer nazima Hoosain
NEW YORK,
U.S.: There has been a constant stream of visitors to the TT Pavilion at the 60th Summer Fancy Food Show at the Jacob Javits Centre in New York. They are sampling a range of local treats, including aloo pie with condiments, sugar cake, Carib, Mackeson, Shandy, tamarind and pepper sauces with pholourie, as well as roti and a dipping sauce and other food items.
These are being displayed by the 13 TT companies participating—Carib Brewery, KC Confectionery Ltd, National Canners Ltd, Associated Brands Industries Ltd, Vemco Ltd, Smaks Luxury Group Ltd, RHS Marketing Ltd, Chatak Food Products Ltd, The Roti Factory, Asma’s Roti, Flavour Me Rite, Jus Rite Creations and Tobago’s Gourmet Granola.
TT’s Trade Minister Vasant Bharath, who is part of the TT delegation, said he was pleased to see “the stunning presentation of our country’s manufacturers on the world stage.”
Also in attendance are Joel Jack, Secretary for Finance and Enterprise Development
in the Tobago House of Assembly, Robert Tang Yuk, chairman of exporTT Limited and Dr Rohanie Maharaj, chairman (ag), Food and Beverage Industry Development Committee.
Tang Yuk said the show “represents a critical mass of potential for our local manufacturers.”
The Summer Fancy Food Show is North America’s largest specialty food and beverage event. It brings in more than 40,000 attendees from more than 80 countries with more than 260,000 innovative specialty food products on display.
Sunday, Bharath, Neil Parsan,
Ambassador to Washington, and Rudrawatee Nan Ramgoolam, TT’s Consul General to New York, distributed samples and shared details on the local products displayed. Bharath also met with a potential investor from Palm Ventures LLC.
The TT Pavilion features overhead pictorial displays of bright, vivid scenes of the country’s treasures, including its food, national buildings, beaches, festivals, musical instruments, and culture. There are displays of professionally packaged products; with branded countertops. Exhibitors were able to create business linkages. (TT Guardian)
'Jamaican Mafia’ film has official world premiere
KINGSTON, JAMAICA:
Since the release of a 53-second teaser in March of this year, many have been waiting with bated breath for the release of the official trailer for the original movie, ‘Jamaican Mafia’. Well, the wait is over, and the trailer is now available for viewing via YouTube.
Unlike the release of the teaser, which was also uploaded to YouTube, organisers decided to debut the trailer via social media and made the announcement on their official Facebook page.
When questioned on this decision, co-producer Orville Matherson said it was a no-brainer.
Users were encouraged to log on to the movie's official Facebook page, where they were given a link to view the video on YouTube.
Since its release, the three-minute-long trailer has amassed more than 8,000 views. Mattherson told Jamaican media since that last Wednesday, he
Co-producer of the film 'Jamaican Mafia', orville matherson (right), shares a moment on set with actress/artiste D'angel and lead actor mykal Fax (Jamaica Gleaner photo)
has had positive feedback on the film. Based on these reactions, the co-producer expects the film to do extremely well both locally and internationally.
"I'm confident that this movie will win numerous awards and it will go all the way to the top," he said.
Anxious viewers may not have long to wait before they see the film in its entirety, as the official release date is fast approaching. In the coming months, pro-
KINGSTON,
JAMAICA: The very talented but unassuming character that is often found on local and international squash courts, can now add model to his résumé. He is now the campaign star for leading Canadian couturier Empire suits.
Pulse's Bruce Burrowes would say that he is definitely more comfortable as a sportsman than as a model. But, international model scouts and agents would suggest otherwise. In fact, Burrowes can have the best of both worlds. Based on the evidence, he is well on the way to being both.
A year and a half ago, he took the leap and decided to give modelling a shot. On the advice of one of Pulse's most successful models, Kimberley Mais, he met with the team. Pulse's fashion director, Romae Gordon, took Burrowes to New York where he signed with Red Models.
"Bruce has a great combination of athletic ruggedness mixed with the 'handsome boy next
door' look which can get both strong editorials for magazine as well
history and is now looking to dive full-time into modelling.
Hitting strides
Now signed to Icon Models, Burrowes is hitting his stride, having booked a number of assignments for Canadian clients with the Torontobased agency. His most recent gig is for Outdoor Canada, where he again suited up in vests and jackets ahead of the fall season.
Burrowes also had the good fortune of being the frontman for Racers Water, a post-Olympics Jamaican water campaign. He is perhaps one of a handful of international Jamaican models who have booked a major local advertising campaign.
as garner the interest of casting directors for major campaigns," said Gordon.
Having been enrolled in college at the time, Burrowes returned to Canada to complete his university studies. He has since earned a degree in international
the
mother Melinda represented Jamaica in tennis--will also represent Jamaica in another format when he suits up for the squash squad at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, later this year. (Jamaica Gleaner)
ducers will be turning the wheels on the promotional bus a bit faster, as the highly anticipated movie is set for an August debut. Additionally, several tour dates have been set as the film is expected to be shown in cities across the United States. The tour kicks off on August 8 and will run until September 2, making stops in New York, Boston, Miami, Washington, and Atlanta. (Jamaica Gleaner)
At 6 feet 1 inch tall,
rising star--whose
Jamaica’s bruce burrowes is the campaign star for leading canadian couturier Empire suits (Jamaica Gleaner photos)
bruce burrowes is now signed to Icon models
one of tt's booth at the event
KINGSTON, JAMAICA:
Organisers of the Montreal International Reggae Festival have announced three more Jamaican acts for its annual show to be held in that FrenchCanadian city, on August 15-17.
Sean Paul, I-Octane and Demarco are to join loverâs rock singers Maxi Priest and Sanchez, and reggae queen Marcia Griffiths for the three-day event.
When the first set of acts was named late last month, organisers noted the line-up will reflect a blend of emerging and established acts in order to cater to the varied taste of patrons.
Demarco, according to them, embodies a new era of avant-garde artistes combining songwriting, music production, recording, and live performance.
The 41-year-old Grammy win-
sean Paul
ner, Sean Paul will headline the roster of acts for Saturday night's staging, while dreadlocked singer I-Octane will be making his debut.
The 10-year-old Montreal International Reggae Festival is becoming one of the major stops on the international reggae festival calendar and stands toe-to-toe with some of its more established counterparts in North America and Europe. (Jamaica Observer)
Barbados launches Crop Over 2014 with grand display
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS :A potpourri of culture was on show on the streets of Bridgetown last Saturday evening as the National Cultural Foundation in association with Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited hosted the Crop Over City fest and Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes.
Hundreds of Barbadians attended activities held between Jubilee Gardens and Heroes Square in front of the Parliament Building. There were gospel concerts, gaming areas, a skate park and a fashion show.
The highlight of the evening was the parade through the streets of Bridgetown by a number of groups including members of the Sons of God Apostolic Church [Spiritual Baptist], the 151-year-old Barbados Landship Association, Dancing Africa, various stilt walkers, tuk bands, and other characters.
Minister of Culture,
Stephen Lashley noted that Crop Over symbolized the islands cultural heritage, and presented enough creative space to celebrate its many facets.
Speaking during the official launch of the festival, he noted that the decision to stage the opening ceremony at the end of June in the heart of Historic Bridgetown was not coincidental.
“Being here is therefore not accidental, but rather one of the initiatives the Ministry, through the National Cultural Foundation will be pursuing to develop Bridgetown into a cultural hub. To this end, we are currently planning what would be known as the Bridgetown Arts Festival.
“This will be hosted early in the New Year and will feature cultural expression at its best along the streets of the city and within the cultural venues located within the UNESCO property. (Barbados Today)
U.S. honours Trinidadian model
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:
TT’s Soowan Bramble is the first Trinidadian model that was selected to participate in the annual Caribbean Style & Culture fashion showcase, staged by Karib Nation Inc as part of Caribbean Heritage Month in the United States.
Bramble was accompanied by fel low 2014 awardees designer Shaun Griffith-Perez and Guyanese mod el Nikata Baker. Earlier this year, Karib Nation Inc singled out Bramble for its Award of Excellence in Runway & Print Modelling.
Caribbean Style & Culture is be ing acclaimed as “one of the largest and most dis tinguished series of events to celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month,” a commemora tion which is endorsed by President Barack Obama.
soowan bramble is one of the most popular and versatile models in the caribbean (TT Guardian photo)
It is the fifth year that the event was held and it featured several activities, including its signature fashion showcase and awards ceremony, the introduction of ‘Couture In The Park’ and, for the second year, selected guests were also invited to the White House after visiting the Congressional Black Caucus Leadership.
The visit to the White House followed a private invitation-only VIP reception hosted by The Bahamas at its consulate in Washington, DC.
“This is the first time that the organisers have selected models for this prestigious award; so I am the first model from Trinidad to be honoured,” said Bramble, one of the country’s most sought-after models in recent years. (TT Guardian)
i-octane and Demarco (Jamaica Observer photos)
Cecile Nobrega was a teacher who spearheaded a 15-year campaign for England’s first public monument to black women.
Nobrega, who died at age 94, was the driving force behind the first statue of a black woman to go on permanent display in England.
Cecile Elise Doreen Burgan was born in Guyana (then a British colony) on 1 June 1919 to Canon William Burgan and his wife Imelda; in 1949 the Canon would become the first black man to preach at Westminster Abbey.
At Bishops High School, in Guyana, Nobrega showed herself a gifted child — she had composed classical music and written poetry from an early age, and later produced a choral work called Twilight which
was performed by national choirs in Guyana and Cuba.
In Guyana, she started two schools — a kindergarten and a vocational school for teenage girls. She also wrote plays, one of which, Stabroek Fantasy (also known as Carib Gold), was particularly successful.
In 1969, however, she found herself professionally at odds with the Guyana government and emigrated to Britain, where she retrained as a specialist teacher, working in Hertfordshire and Brent. She was active in the National Union of Teachers and in the Adult Literacy Programme, and campaigned for children with severe learning difficulties.
Her work with the International Alliance of Women (IAW) and the Commonwealth Countries
League gave her the opportunity to travel, and it was at IAW conferences in New York, Kenya, Greece, Japan and India that she began to shape the idea for her sculpture, The Bronze Woman.
The Bronze Woman — a 10ft-tall monument to motherhood, showing a black woman holding aloft her baby — was unveiled in October 2008 in Stockwell Memorial Gardens, south London. The original artist was to have been Ian Walters, creator of the statue of Nelson Mandela in London’s Parliament Square, but he died after completing only the clay maquette. The project was taken on and completed by Aleix Barbat, then still a student at the Heatherley School of Fine Art in Chelsea.
Nobrega — a Guyanaborn teacher, poet and
playwright — had campaigned for “The Bronze Woman Project” since 1994. Although she did not describe herself as a feminist, she felt that women — particularly women from the underdeveloped world and those descended from the victims of the transatlantic slave trade — received insufficient recognition for their contribution to the family and to society in general.
She launched the project as a charitable organisation and set about raising the money needed, subsequently enlisting the help of an organisation called Olmec, originally set up as a charitable subsidiary of a south London housing association.
The unveiling of the statue, on 8 October 2008, came shortly after the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the Slave
Port-of-Spain celebrates its 100th Anniversary
PORT-OF-SPAIN,
TRINIDAD: The City of Port-of-Spain celebrated its 100th Anniversary as a City last Thursday, now known as “City Day”.
The Capital City of Trinidad and Tobago has gone through many historical periods of development over the past 100 years.
Keron Valentine, Deputy Mayor of Port-of-Spain delved into a bit of history of the capital city.
He stated: “As it relates to governance, Port-of-Spain has experienced changes from being under colonial rule to the granting of municipal rights to govern its own affairs. However, the City has been a part of the changing of the system of governance with the introduction of party politics in 1956 and also with the nation gaining Independence on August 31, 1962.”
He added: “This also caused the relationship between the Capital City and central government to change somewhat as Port-of- Spain was now the seat of government as compared to other municipalities.”
He noted that Port-of-Spain has been fortunate to produce the first female councillor in the person of the late Audrey Jeffers, as the first woman to serve in the Legislative Council. Also, the Capital City has produced the first female Deputy Mayor, the late Dorothy Bentham with the second being the late Eulalie James.
The City has also contributed to former Mayor J HamiltonHolder being elevated to the position of Vice- President of the Senate. Valentine continued by stating that the City Police department has been in existence long before the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, for well over 150 years.
Major transformation
He noted, “Port-of-Spain as we know it today did not always exist in its present form. There has been major infrastructural development in and around the City centre, with the not too recent construction of huge buildings filling the Port-of-Spain skyline. However, within the City we have seen the development and benefit of public/private partnerships as major testimonies of success stories.”
He indicated the Brian Lara Promenade is one such initiative, then added that there use to be a “shanty town” in the city centre in that area that was known as bankers row with a huge vending population. The banks on that stretch then engaged the City to deal with the out of hand vending situation and the two parties entered into an arrangement to develop that area of Independence Square into what we all know today as the Brian Lara Promenade.
“Today the City also owns and maintains 26 parks/ squares/playgrounds and green spaces and most of them are cared for by corporate Trinidad. The model project of public/private success story is that of the
Trade, and the 60th anniversary of the arrival at Tilbury of the first Caribbean immigrants in the steamship Empire Windrush.
A resident of Lambeth, south London, for her last 22 years, Nobrega slowed down towards the end of her life, giving up driving, her computer, and play-
Her
of 52 years, Romeo Nobrega, an accountant, died in 1994, and she is survived by their two sons and one daughter.
Cecile Nobrega died on 19 November 2013.
Ebony hails Caribbean poets
upgrade and restoration of the King George V Park with the latest addition of the Digicel children’s play-park and adult exercise zone. The park has also installed lighting facilities all around and is in the process of developing two FIFA sized international football fields, cricket turfs and other sporting attractions together with a multi-purpose pavilion,” said Valentine.
He ended by saying, "In this the 100th Anniversary of the Capital City, the Mayor (Raymond Tim Kee) and members of council are asking all of the burgesses and constituents of Port-of-Spain to join us in celebrating the theme “Stronger than Pride" as you take pride in your City. Help the Port-ofSpain Corporation as they undertake the serious task of dealing with the issues of out of hand illegal vending, crime, flooding, indiscriminate dumping of garbage on street corners and in our rivers and water courses, homelessness, parking woes, etc. We are indeed 100 years stronger but not perfect. The pledge for a greater City is for all of us to adhere to.” (TT Newsday)
KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Noted AfricanAmerican glossy Ebony has named six Caribbean writers to watch this summer.
Published in its June edition, the magazine listed four Jamaicans--Poet Laureate professor Mervyn Morris, Beverley East, Ann Margaret Lim and Roland Watson-Grant, along with Andrea Stuart from Barbados and the United States Virgin Islands' Tiphanie Yanique, as scribes readers should take the time to discover.
Ebony found these writers at this year's Calabash Literary Festival, held in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth in May.
The magazine noted that in the presence of celebrated authors including Salman Rushdie, regional writers held their own.
"Equally thrilling though, was the presence of literary voices from the Caribbean; writers that weave together tales of their homeland with precision and colorful narratives."
Ebony described Morris as "a master of evoking personal memories with wit and sentimentality. He is also not afraid to shift from English to patois, exhibiting the complex history of the country."
East was praised for her work, 'Bat Mitzvah Girl,' which chronicles her life in London, where she was raised by her parents and four Jewish women who were neighbours.
Of Lim, the magazine declared: "Lim's name is sure to be one that gains more attention in the coming years." And noted that Watson Grant's writing demonstrates how "how prose could both sting and elate all at once."
The detail of Stuart's writing, and a listing of Yanique's works capped the Calabash exposé in Ebony. (Jamaica Observer)
ing the piano; but she remained active in her local pensioners’ group and in tai chi classes.
husband
The late Cecile Nobrega
the city of Port-of-spain (TT Newsday photo)
roland Watson Grant & ann margaret Lim(Jamaica Observer photos)
Guyana’s oldest cultural institution celebrates 57 years
GEORGETOWN,
GUYANA: The Theatre Guild of Guyana has been and continues to be the nurturing ground for amateur and professional dramatic talent and productions. It has, over the years, inculcated the values of the creative industries of the spoken word, music, dance, fashion, art, culture, lighting, sound and related disciplines to thousands. Although there was a period of dormancy for nearly a decade, the ancient saying that “if you take care of the roots, the tree will survive”, holds true as far as the Theatre Guild is concerned. The Theatre Guild has had a major restoration that has resulted in a concomitant revitalisation of the dramatic art form and even a fledgling cinematographic industry.
The Theatre Guild’s role is therefore one of forging, fashioning and refining the skills of young, old, amateur or professional dramatists, dramaturges, playwrights, choreographers, film-makers, directors, producers, set designers, and the whole gamut of those who take care of the roots of culture.
Spatially located in the small, prestigious, and elegant ward of Kingston in Georgetown, the Guild is a stone’s throw from prominent hotels and embassies and across the way from premier secondary institutions. It serves a catchment area that pulls in most of the capital city within a ten-minute drive radius and is an acoustically, modern theatre space with state-
Nof-the-art lighting, proscenium arch, movable modular stage and over 300 seats.
The Guild has a pleasant gallery type foyer and on-site and offstreet secure parking.
The Theatre Guild of Guyana was established in 1957, and its playhouse was created in the early 60s.
Through its training and productions over the last 53 years, the Guild has created several figures in culture who were important to Guyana or the world beyond.
For instance, Eguene Williams, who was a member of the Guild in the 1970s, is now Director of the Jamaica School of Drama, which is considered the premiere drama school of the region. His sister Pat Liverpool has remained faithful to the theatre and was an important part of its rebuilding fund. She still serves as Guild treasurer.
Henry Mutoo, also
a member of the Guild around the same time, was a founder and is now CEO of the Cayman Islands Foundation for the Arts. Malcom Defreitas, Alieen Hintzen and Enrico Woolford have all remained with the Theatre and have served on its first board since the reopening in 2008.
Daphne Rogers , who served as costume mistress and administrator of the Guyana National Cultural Centre for over 20 years, Margaret Lawrence, CEO of Merundoi, Desiree Edgehill, CEO of Actors in Direct Support, Henry Rodney, Godfrey Naughton, Director of the Ministry of Culture’s National Drama Festival, Desiree Whyles, Director of Allied Arts, Mariatha Causeway, Theatre Manager, Simeon Dowding, Board Member and CEO of GreenHeart Children’s Theatre, Ron Robinson of the Theatre
Company, Russell Lancaster, first chair of the new Guild, Aileen Hintzen, as well as Dr Paloma Mohamed, current Chair of the Guild, all began their careers in the arts at the Guild.
These are just a few of the scores of important artists spread around the world whose first place of expression was the Guild.
Since the massive rebuilding effort, which culminated in the rebuilding of the Theatre and its reopening in 2008, the Guild has offered training workshops for various aspects of the theatre. Workshops are conducted every Wednesday between seven and nine in the evening.
The Theatre Guild is a non–profit organisation that funds its training, performance and outreach activities through the service of volunteers, members and also through rents, receipts from performances, sales of services, and membership dues.
Funding from about 10 corporate sponsors has been consistent and
has greatly supported the work of the Guild since it reopened in 2008. Since it reopened its door in 2008, the theatre has produced over 15 major productions, many by Guyanese writers. It has also produced over 11 new playwrights and over 100 dramatists.
The national and international importance of the Theatre Guild cannot be overstated as evidenced; however, there is an important personal dimension to the work of the Guild that often goes unrecorded. For many young people, it is their only source of positive expression, interaction, training and output.
The Theatre Guild supplies 90% of the trainers in the Ministry of Culture’s two-yearold National School of Performance and about 75% of its current students. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
EW YORK, USA: A Caribbean ice cream maker in New York is introducing the U.S. to the unique fruit flavours of Jamaican ice cream.
Marlon Davis has secured a US$12,000 business loan he's using to increase his storage space by more than 50 percent and to buy ten new freezers for supermarkets and restaurants all across New York State.
Davis was born and raised in Jamaica. Upon moving to the United States, one of the items he craved most was ice cream, specifically the fruity flavors he was accustomed to eating and enjoying in Jamaica like Grape Nut, Jamaican Stout, Soursop, Passionfruit and Guava.
"I bought my own ice cream
maker and everybody at the office thought I was crazy," said Davis. "They just didn't
understand the cravings and how much the flavours from home meant to me and how
they helped bring a piece of the Caribbean and my home to me."
Nesberrys started out as a passion to satisfy Davis's own cravings, and turned into a new business that satisfies his cravings as well as those of other Jamaicans in the United States.
Starting the business was easy and fun. The difficult part came in finding the money to grow the business. That's where Lendio came into the picture.
Lendio is a free online service that helps businesses find the right type of loan within minutes. Lendio works with small business owners across the country to help them find the financing necessary to grow their businesses and succeed.
"I needed to buy additional freezers for restaurants as well as additional storage space to accommodate the growth," said Davis. "Once I got on Lendio's website it was so quick and easy. It was pain free and bam, bam, bam I was connected with a number of banks to start the process of securing a loan."
"We take great pride in helping small business owners like Marlon get the financing they need to grow their business," said Brock Blake, CEO of Lendio. "We realise that 75 percent of all new jobs created in the United States are the result of small businesses and are proud to be doing our part to help fuel the American Dream and stimulate the economy." (Caribbean News)
marlon Davis is investing in new freezers for supermarkets and restaurants all across new York state to sell his ice cream
Dr cheddi Jagan and GUYsUco were integral to the founding of the Guild and they were frequent members of the audience. GUYsUco provided many of the initial members and funding
theatre Guild today
Bollywood not predictable, says Annu Kapoor
National Award winning actor Annu Kapoor admits that of late sex comedies have done well in Bollywood, but he insists there is no “formula for success”.
“Remember one thing, anything related to sex always titillates people and sometimes it works. However, there is no formula for any film to be a success. Nothing is predictable in Bollywood. Just because Inder Kumar’s ‘Grand Masti’ worked, that doesn’t mean each and every film will work,” Annu, who will be seen in “Shaukeen”, a remake of Basu Chatterjee’s 1982 film that revolved
around three lecherous old men, told old IANS.
The actor, who won National Award for his performance in “Vicky Donor”, has almost completed “Shaukeen” shooting. Director Abhishek Sharma is wielding the megaphone for the remake and he has roped in seasoned actors like Anupam Kher, and Paresh Rawal along with Bollywood star Akshay Kumar and actress Lisa Haydon.
“Being part of ‘Shaukeen’ remake was like a get together. We had a great time shooting for the film,” the 58-year-old said.
From “Mr India” to “Vicky Donor”, Annu has
always proved his talent and says when an actor’s work is appreciated with an award, it encourages him or her.
“Awards always encourages any artist… it’s the recognition for your craft by the government or by the people, so there is no question of doubting it,” he said. (Indian Express)
When Katrina Kaif called former flame Salman Khan for help
They may be former lovers, but Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif have absolutely no bad blood between them, In fact the duo are still very good friends and
it’s plain the actress doesn’t think twice when it comes to reaching out her ex-beau.
The ‘Dhoom’ girl was recently shooting at Film City when she en-
countered a bit of a problem. The Cine Costume and Make-Up Artists Association arrived on the sets and protested her working with makeup artist Daniel Bauer who apparently is not registered with the association, as he is not of Indian origin.
Katrina Kaif, who was determined to continue working with Daniel Bauer, immediately called up Salman Khan to ask him for his advice on the issue.
Reportedly, the protests ceased immediately after a phone call from Salman Khan. (Indian Express)
‘This is the best birthday gift I could’ve given my mother’ - Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan, who was conferred the Knight of the Legion of Honour — France's highest honour on Tuesday, said that the event coincided with his mother's birthday and if she were alive, she would be proud.
"She would have been extremely happy that her son has got the most prestigious honour in the world. This is the best birthday gift for her. I accept this award not as an individual but on behalf of hundreds of filmmakers," said the Bollywood superstar, who was seen without glasses after his eye surgery to correct myopia. "Now I can see far and wide," he said displaying his trademark wit.
The distinction was conferred on the actor in recognition of his outstanding contribution to cultural diversity across the world.
SRK, in fact, is the second actor from the Hindi film industry, after megastar Amitabh Bachchan, to be bestowed this honour.
Instituted in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Legion of Honour is the highest award given by the French Republic for
Preity Zinta’s complaint against me is false, says Ness Wadia as he presents witnesses’ list to police
Industrialist Ness Wadia wrote to the Marine Drive police station on Wednesday, naming nine individuals who are said to have witnessed the alleged incidents of molestation and verbal abuse involving actor Preity Zinta at the Wankhede stadium on
May 30. A senior police officer said that a single page letter signed by Wadia and addressed to the investigating officer at Marine Drive police station was delivered by a Wadia Group representative on Wednesday afternoon.
It states, “We are hereby providing a list of persons who were present at the Kings Eleven vs Chennai Super kings match at Wankhede stadium on 30th May, 2014. We believe these persons who were present would be able to provide independent and truthful facts about the events that took place at the stadium on that evening, with regard to the false complaint filed by Preity Zinta against me.”
The officer said that the police would communicate to the individuals named and ask them to record statements.
Ravindra Shisve, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone I, confirmed that the letter had been received. “We will examine its relevance in our investigation,” he said. (Indian Express)
‘My songs express natural feelings within me’ - Ankit Tiwari
Singer Ankit Tiwari, whose “Sun raha tu” in “Aashiqui 2″ turned out to be a chartbuster, has hit the right note with “Galliyan” in “Ek Villain”. He says that he tries to keep his music “pure”.
Asked why is there so much angst in his singing and composition, he responded: “I wouldn’t say it’s angst. I’d say it’s just the natural feelings within me,” he said.
“Luckily, I’ve the ability to express my music exactly the way I create it because I sing my own compositions. I suppose that is why ‘Sun raha hai
tu’ and now ‘Galliyan’ have come out sounding so heartfelt.”
The acoustic version of “Galliyan” is sung by the film’s leading lady Shraddha Kapoor. Ankit says getting her to do a version of this haunting melody was a masterstroke.
“It was Mahesh
Bhatt Saab’s idea to get Shraddha to sing ‘Galliyan’. I was all for it. I hadn’t met her until the music release function of ‘Aashiqui 2′. Recalling the recording of “Galliyan”, Ankit said: “We called Shraddha with the intent of trying out her voice. If it hadn’t worked we would have re-recorded her voice. But when she sang ‘Galliyan’, I immediately knew she owned it. There was a purity in her voice. That’s the quality in my music that I cherish. Good or bad, doesn’t matter. (Indian Express)
‘I don’t get to meet my wife much now’ - Anupam Kher
Veteran actor Anupam Kher, whose wife Kirron Kher won the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat on a BJP ticket this year, says that she is so dedicated to people of the city that she doesn’t get time to even meet him.
outstanding service to France, regardless of the nationality of the recipient. "The French people hail Shah Rukh Khan's talent and generosity," said Laurent Fabius, the French minister of foreign affairs and international development. (TIO)
Kirron had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2009 and was fielded from the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat in 2014 general elections.
“I used to meet her sometimes before; now I don’t get to meet her… which is good and not very good also. I don’t get to see her because she is now in Chandigarh and Delhi and even when she is in Mumbai, she is sort-
ing out Chandigarh peoples’ lives. She is an actor and an actor’s wife, she gets calls for Salman Khan’s number also,” Anupam said.
The actor, who supported his wife during the poll campaign too, says she feels she needs to do “concrete work”.
Asked if he would also join politics, he said: “I’ve never said no but for next 10 years I don’t think I’ll be interested. But you never know.” (Indian Express)
I have become fearless with age: Cameron Diaz
Actress Cameron Diaz says she is not stressed after reaching her forties. Diaz, 41, said she was enjoying her new carefree attitude, reported Contactmusic.
“I like being 41. I love it. So much just falls away. Fear, mostly. It’s the best age. That’s when a woman knows how to work things, or she doesn’t care about that anymore. You just stop being afraid,” she said.
“You don’t worry about what men think. You just don’t worry that time register is anything awful”, she added.
The star has currently been dating guitarist Benji Madden. (Indian Express)
Kendra Wilkinson spotted without wedding ring
Kendra Wilkinson has been spotted without her wedding ring following her husband's alleged affair.
The former Playboy model has sparked rumours she's going through marital problems with her spouse Hank Baskett after she stepped out in Los Angeles on Tuesday (01.07.14) without the band on her finger.
Kendra's missing ring follows earlier reports that she flushed it down the toilet after discovering that Hank had allegedly cheated on her with a transsexual model.
A source told Us Weekly magazine: ''She thought it was ridiculous [but when Hank didn't try to clear his name] she became suspicious and started snooping.''
The 29-year-old beauty - who has four-year-old son Hank Jr. and sixweek-old daughter Alijah with her spouse - reportedly ''flipped out'' after she found an unexplained charge on his bank statement.
The couple's marital woes came last week after Ava Sabrina London claimed that Hank had promised to ''take care'' of her and visited her just two weeks after Alijah was born to give
her cash in exchange for keeping their encounter secret.
Ava - who passed a voluntary lie detector test before coming forward to tell her story of a sexual experience with Hank - also confirmed he agreed to pay her $2,000 to deny she ever met with him and he further offered her $5,000 to not talk publicly about their encounter. (TOI)
Hollywood star Pierce Brosnan may add his weight to the "Expendables" franchise. He says he's been offered a role in a sequel and he is up for it.
If the deal gets sealed, Brosnan will be the first
James Bond actor to sign on for the series, which will see him working with British actor Jason Statham, reports independent.co.uk. Brosnan made the revelation to Shortlist magazine, saying that talks about his role have already taken
Courtney Love warns Madonna: Stay away from London
Courtney Love has put out a word of caution for her rival Madonna, asking her to maintain her distance from London, once she moves there permanently.
The rocker, who hurled a compact mirror at the Queen of Pop at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards, revealed she wanted to ditch Los Angeles for the English countryside. And she warned her bitter foe Madonna, who recently relocated to New York, not to come near the capital.
"Madonna had better stay the hell away from London when I move here to live! There's no room for us both, the Daily Express quoted her as saying.
"Buckinghamshire is where I want to go. I'm fed up with L.A. It's full of crazy people. People criticise Britain but it is still a cleaner, safer place to live than Hollywood, she added. (TOI)
Injured Harrison Ford back on feet
Actor Harrison Ford, who broke his leg while shooting "Star Wars: Episode VII" around three weeks back, is now back on his feet following a surgery.
The 71-year-old movie star recently underwent surgery. Just days after he was photo-
graphed in a wheelchair, he is showing signs of making a quick recovery. Over the past weekend, the "Blade Runner" star was seen walking here with his left limb bent at the knee and strapped into a supportive crutch. His lower leg and foot were wrapped in a white cast. (TOI)
Megan Fox finds Ellen DeGeneres sexy
Actress Megan Fox says talk show host Ellen DeGeneres is attractive because of her sense of humour and attitude to Hollywood.
"I think Ellen is sexy. Maybe it's the way she gives off the impression that she's anti - 'the business' even though she's engaging in it. And humour is always sexy," femalefirst.co.uk quoted her as saying.
The 28-year-old, married to Brian Austin Green, also believes men find "strong and powerful" women attractive.
"Women don't have to be desperate and try so hard. Allow yourself to be strong and powerful and men will be crawling on their hands and knees," she said.
place with his "Survivor" producer Avi Lerner.
"Oh, the offer has come in for the next 'Expendables'. I just worked over in Bulgaria with Avi Lerner who makes them. He said, 'Would you like to be in The Expendables? I'd love to have you', and I said, 'Why not?' So we'll see," he added. The actor is so far clueless about which instalment of the franchise will he be part of.
"I have no idea which one it would be," he added. "I just said yes. It could be ('Expendables 7')!" Brosnan is currently starring opposite Aaron Paul in comedy "A Long Way Down".
Meanwhile, "The Expendables 3" is ready to hit the screens in August.
Shia LaBeouf not in
rehab, says representative
Shia LaBeouf’s representative has revealed that the troubled actor is seeking treatment for alcoholism in the wake of his arrest last week.
There were reports that the 28-yearold ‘Fury’ actor was getting help at a celebrity-frequented treatment facility in Hollywood. “Contrary to previous erroneous reports, Shia LaBeouf has not checked into a rehabilitation facility but he is voluntarily receiving treatment for alcohol addiction,” the rep said in a statement.
“He understands that these recent actions are a symptom of a larger health problem and he has taken the first of many necessary steps towards recovery,” he added.
The ‘Transformers’ star was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct, criminal trespass and harassment last Thursday at the Broadway show ‘Cabaret’.
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: The first phase of the ‘Rums of Barbados’ expansion programme is now complete.
Officials Monday installed the ‘Rums of Barbados’ seal on three rum shops as they traveled to Pug’s Bar in Charnocks, Christ Church; Island Pot in Government Hill, St Michael; and Paul’s Place, Halls Village #2, St James.
“It’s a way of helping to stimulate economic development and increase sales and that can only happen if we make it known and remind Barbadians of what a wonderful product we have,” said Minister of Industry, International Business, and Commerce, Donville Inniss.
The bus tour featured tasting of rum produced by Mount Gay Distilleries, West Indies Rum Distillery and St Nicholas Abbey.
“This is the final segment of this phase and we’ve been able to accomplish everything that we’d set out to do. There’s only one other thing that we need to do and it may very well involve going to hotel bars and hotel restaurants and so,” explained Humphrey Broome, business development officer at the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation. (Barbados Today)
Trinidad art show benefits Haiti orphanage
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: In 2010, scores of motherless children remained homeless after the disastrous earthquake in Haiti on January 12 of the same year.
Trinidadian Dr Paula Henry, with her MBA 2008/2009 group, founded the HaiT&T Foundation, a non-profit organisation, to rebuild the La Madeleine Orphanage, which was well over 100 years old, for the Cluny Sisters in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
When La Madeleine is completed, it will house, educate, and provide care, nutritional support, as well as moral and spiritual values to 600 of Haiti’s most vulnerable children.
The HaiT&T Foundation continues to raise funds for its mammoth project through an art exhibition, which is being mounted at The Gallery of Fine Art located at the corner of Warren and Rosalino Streets, Woodbrook in Trinidad from July 2 until Saturday July 12.
Photographs of the collection of original, hand painted works of art created by Haitians have already been placed on the group’s website www.haittfoundation.org and visitors to the site are encouraged to purchase as many pieces of art as possible. The remaining art will be displayed at the exhibition where a premium of 25 percent will be added to the prices of the art on display. (TT Newsday)
GEORGETOWN,
GUYANA: In anticipation of the large influx of tourists and overseasbased Guyanese for the Guyana Festival slated for August 8-10, Air Services Limited will be offering special aerial tours for that period.
This announcement was made by ASL General Manager Annette ArjoonMartins, who said the company was inspired to offer the tours after it facilitated several trips into the interior and other exotic parts of Guyana for documentaries and similar work.
Speaking from ASL headquarters at the Ogle International Airport, Arjoon-Martins said this idea was being pursued in order to “maximise opportuni-
ties” and options for patrons at the festival to be held at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.
In addition to the city tours originating from the Providence National Stadium, the company is also set to increase its weekly trips to Kaieteur Falls and for the first time, the company will offer one-day trips to the majestic Shell Beach in Region One. The commercial air company will also be offering four weekly trips to Kaieteur Falls, the largest single-drop waterfall in the world.
“We are positive about the potential for growth in tourism in Guyana, we have so much to offer that is unique, and even though we’re adding these services because of the festival, our plan is to keep them going year round,” said the General
Manager.
She explained that the tours around the city will be done via helicopter and will start seven days before Guyana Festival.
“Niche tourism activities have been happening with the helicopters over the past year and we thought we’d want to offer that to Guyanese,” ArjoonMartins said.
Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, who was present at the launch, lauded the company for continuously pushing the frontiers of tourism in Guyana, and hence playing a fundamental role in the development of Guyana’s tourism product.
“They have constantly invested in the resources and equipment needed that would bring new opportunities to the tourism product…which strives off the adventure
aspect,” said Minister Ali.
He related too that the management of ASL have decided to be a part of the festival in a most “dynamic and versatile” manner, noting that there was some issue–with enough flights not being available to take tourists to the Kaieteur National Park.
He has contended that the Guyana Festival has taken on a “life of its own” and has already been generating much excitement. “The excitement of Guyanese rekindling with our country is enormous,” said Ali.
The city tours will cost Gy$8000 and the tours to the Kaieteur Falls will be Gy$29,000. The prices for tours to shell beach are customisable and depend on the number of persons taking the trip. (Guyana Times)
Tobago records its one millionth visitor
TOBAGO: Tobago has reached a tourism milestone with a record one million visitors to the island in 2013, the first time in the history of the sister isle.
Secretary of Tourism and Transportation Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine reported that there were 1,001,752 visitors last year which surpassed that of many other Caribbean islands, such as St. Lucia, which had 952,390 in the same year.
Last October she reported that domestic arrivals in 2012 amounted to 962,883, up from 923,061 in 2011, or an increase of approximately 40,000 visitors. Between 2012 and 2013 there was a similar increase in visitors of about 40,000.
Davidson-Celestine had disclosed the figures in her budget contribution at the Assembly Legislature last Thursday night, the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) stated in a release Monday.
During her contribution she pointed out that the domestic market continues to be a key influencing factor in the fortunes of Tobagonians. She noted that the increase in numbers came despite the reduction in services by some major airlines to Tobago.
“We are pressing on despite
the delicate state of the industry in all our source markets,” she said. She added, “Tobago is performing admirably”. DavidsonCelestine also reported a 100 percent increase in cruise ship calls and visitors for the 2014/15 cruise season.
“Providing all goes well with the port we anticipate 42,000 passengers up from 18,000 in the last season,” she said.
She said that the island was on a steady course of growth, adding for the first seven months of the financial year, October
2013 to April 2014, there was a nine percent growth in international arrivals when compared for the same period a year ago. In the last five months there has been consecutive growth averaging in excess of 20 percent, with December 2013 leading by an impressive increase of 45 percent in international arrivals.
Davidson-Celestine also disclosed that occupancy levels were also on the increase with stakeholders enjoying up to 74 percent and reporting the best winter since 2006. (TT Newsday)
asL General manager annette arjoon-martins
The fleet of helicopters that will be used for the tours
(l-r) Humphrey Broome, business development officer at the BIDC shakes the hand of Barbados’ Industry Minister Donville Inniss after installing the official ‘Rums of Barbados’ seal at Island Pot (Barbados Today photo)
Dr Paula Henry
The increase in numbers to the island came despite the reduction in services by some major airlines to Tobago (TT Guardian file photo)
TOKYO, JAPAN:
Not even morning showers on the second day of the One Love Jamaica Festival in Tokyo could detract from the event's success. Thousands turned out to celebrate Jamaican culture at the June 21-22 renewal of the annual showcase.
The vibe was indeed mellow, as patrons thronged booths selling Jamaican goods and stalls with Jamaican cuisine, as well as food from Africa and Brazil.
This year's celebrations, organised as usual in collaboration with the Embassy of Jamaica in Tokyo, took on added significance. It is one of the events marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Jamaica and Japan.
The list of artistes was headed by the L'Acadco dance com-
pany, which made its maiden visit to Japan as cultural ambassadors specifically for this event.
The line-up also in-
ances were top Japanese reggae acts Rankin Taxi and Pushim.
L'Acadco, on both days, put on a stirring exhibition spanning
cluded multiple Festival Song Contest winner Eric Donaldson, roots singer Kiddus-I, as well as Japan-based Jamaican singers Monique Dehaney and Mackaruffin. Also putting in special appear-
the range of Jamaican dance. This included traditional folk forms like the dinky mini and revival, to the latest dancehall moves, all executed with verve and flair.
In one of the pieces,
men. Donaldson ran though his catalogue of Festival songs, among them ‘Sweet Jamaica’ and ‘Cherry Oh Baby’. He had members of the Jamaican community, in particular, rocking and singing along.
Jamaican dancers Raddy Red and Damian 'Gana Gana' Young showed off their moves.
the dancers depicted the excitement and euphoria that greeted Jamaica's Independence in 1962.
Another reflected life in Jamaica's inner-city areas with everything from the ubiquitous domino games, to cat fights over
Dehaney, Black Blood and Mackaruffin also lit up the stage with out-
standing sets, while former Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus vocalist, Kiddus I, served a sizable helping of roots-reggae, backed by a group of Japanese Rasta drummers.
The One Love Jamaica Festival underscored yet again the enduring popularity of Jamaica and things Jamaican, in the Land of the Rising Sun. (Jamaica Observer)
Star of the Week
Aiming to keep the rock genre alive in Guyana is the mission of the Project X band. The rock band was formed in September 2013, after three of its members - Vanderson Alencar, Andre Rahaman and Nicholas Chung - met at a friend's BBQ to discuss forming a side project that was different from their present bands - Et Tu Brutus, StruckRoot and Feed The Flames. The line-up was completed when Andre asked Neil Ramdial to consider filling the vocal duties a few days later, which he agreed to after their first rehearsal one week later. The band members are: Neil Ramdial, vocals; Vanderson Alencar, guitar; Andre Rahaman, bass; and Nicholas Chung, drums. Project X focuses mostly on heavy metal, classic rock and alternative rock genres. Its repertoire includes songs by international rock bands: Nirvana, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, System Of A Down, Creed, Seether, Rage Against The Machine, Guns N' Roses, Hinder, Papa Roach, Black Sabbath, Ramstein, Manowar, and many other popular rock and metal acts. The band’s first performance was at ‘D Alternative Party 2’ at Butcher's Bar in October of last year, since then Project X has played several monthly gigs at Niall's Bar, Diamond New Scheme. The response to the band’s performances has been massive. At their last show, the venue was filled to capacity. To show their appreciation, the band has held several ‘free’ shows in the past and will continue to do so whenever Project X hosts future gigs at Niall's Bar. The band has also taken their music out of Guyana to share with others. This they did when they put on an electrifying performance in Suriname at heavy metal band Morrigan’s 10th anniversary show in Paramaribo, November 2013. The evergrowing local rock scene has provided Project X an opportunity to fill a void that existed with the lack of regular gigs by local bands. Its goal is to fulfil the “hunger that local rock fans crave for though monthly high intensity live shows and recordings”. The band’s future plans are writing and recording original material by the end of 2014; performing in Brazil, Trinidad and other neighbouring countries.
a section of the audience at the one love Jamaica festival in tokyo, Japan (Jamaica Observer photos)
Jamaican dance troupe l’acadco entertain those who came out for the one love festival in Japan
Guyanese Chris Guyadeen wins Tiburn golf tourney in
chris Guyadeen is seeking qualification for the USA National golf tournament in
FLORIDA, UNITED STATES:
Overseas-based Guyanese golfer Chris Guyadeen recently overcame a strong field to win the 2-day Tiburon Amateur Championship at Naples in Florida.
Guyadeen continued his winning streak on the Golf Channel Amateur Tour with a first round shot of +1 and a second round score of +7 to finish with a best score of 8 over par. The field of golfers on the Amateur Tour number more than 200 from across the United
USA
States, Canada, Denmark, Scotland, Ireland Mexico, Puerto Rico and of course Guyana.
“The competition was very intense; extremely competitive similar to what is played on the PGA tour. Every one that plays in the competition is there for one purpose and that is to win, so the pressure is very high. The nerves and brains are under serious strain,” Guyadeen said.
The Guyanese golfer and businessman, who resides, works and plays golf in the USA, has been playing on the Golf Channel AM Tour for the past four years and has won several times
“The experience playing golf in America is one of a very honest and competitive nature. Coming from Guyana is always an underdog situation which in itself is an additional pressure, but as long as you are sound in your mind and have a great game you can be successful, as long as you stay focus and don’t get upset if you make a mistake,” he stated. (Guyana Times)
Guyana’s Nicolette Fernandes remains at 19 in unchanged top 20
GEORGETOWN,
GUYANA: The Caribbean’s premier squash player Nicolette Fernandes has remained at a career-best number 19 in the July 1 rankings issued by the Women International Squash Players Association (WISPA).
The Top 20 has remained unchanged from the June 1 rankings, with Malaysia’s Nicol David maintaining her position as world number one.
The constant rise up the ranking is a remarkable turnaround for Fernandes, who only at the start of 2009 was rated a lowly 249 after a recurring knee injury had keep her out of competition for a protracted period of time.
Since returning from injury, Guyana’s most decorated squash player has been on the rise and has significantly moved up the ranking with each passing competition.
Such was her outstanding performance that at the end of 2009, Fernandes, who is based in England and is under the expert guidance of award-winning coach Carl Ince, had taken her ranking below 100, ending the year at 88.
Ever since then, it has been a steady climb up the ladder for
TT water polo teams medal at Florida
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:
Trinidad and Tobago’s water polo teams had an inspiration al showing at the Sunshine State Games in Coral Springs, Florida, on Saturday, as the three representing squads all se cured podium fin ishes in their re spective divisions.
The red, white and black was flown at the U.S. tourney by TT’s boys Under-16, Under-18 and Men’s Open teams. However, it was the Under-18 outfit that showed sheer class on the night winning gold after a flawless run against all opponents.
medal by going down to Colombian team, Club Belen, 7-3 in the final. Their only loss en route to the final came at the hands of Club Belen in the previous rounds, the TT Under-16s falling 6-5.
all three of tt’s representing squads secured podium finishes in their respective divisions in Florida on sunday
Coach Too a Foo explained that this team would most likely be TT’s representative at the Pan Am Youth Tournament next year. He also noted that these tournaments are crucial for preparations for upcoming major competitions.
the multiple Sportswoman-ofthe-Year, consistently racking up points and making her way up the WISPA leaderboard.
Meanwhile, David is within touching distance of her 100th month at the top of the Women’s World Squash Rankings after establishing her 96th month in a row and her 99th of all-time.
The 30-year-old from Penang, who first reached number one in January 2006, maintains a healthy lead of more than 1,000 points ahead of England’s Laura Massaro, the reigning World Champion, who is celebrating
her 16th successive month as the world number two.
Egypt’s Raneem El Welily is in third place, while New Zealander Joelle King is at number four.
The highest ranking to change in the new list is number 40- the new incumbent being Egypt’s Habiba Mohamed Ahmed Alymohmed, the 15-year-old from Alexandria, who in November became the youngest ever WSA World Tour title winner (at 14 years, five months) and last month won her third successive Tour final at the inaugural Paderborn Open in Germany. (Guyana Times)
PUMA signs young Jamaican sprinter
KINGSTON, JAMAICA:
Nineteen-year-old Jamaican quarter-miler, Javon Francis, says he is excited having recently signed a deal with global sports goods brand PUMA.
"It's an exciting time," said Francis. "I am grateful that PUMA recognises my talent and have offered me such support, especially because of the commitment PUMA has for track and field in Jamaica. This partnership is a big moment for me and I'm proud that they see such potential in me."
Up against Riptides in the championship match, TT led for most of the game and blasted the deciding goal past the Riptides keeper with just three seconds to play. This sent the score to 13- 12 in favour of the national squad. The team built quite a momentum winning each of its 10 games played this year in all tournaments.
Coach Alan Too a Foo, while proud of his charges, urged them to keep focused on the main goal which is World Championship qualification through the achievement of a top-four finish at the coming Pan American Games.
Meanwhile the Under-16 unit also showed worth and notched a silver
Additionally, The Open Men lost their semi-final clash against eventual champs Tolima of Colombia, 8-5, to set up a bronze medal game with hosts South Florida. This game was pure adrenaline and eventually ended 6-6 in regulation time forcing penalties.
TT however, came out on top, grabbing bronze with a score line of 4-3 on penalties. Coach Andrew Francis was philosophical in reference to his young team and noted the outfit always took one game at a time, learning from their experiences. This squad will also represent the nation at the CAC games later this year and this preparation was deemed crucial on their journey. (TT Newsday)
Francis, who shot to worldwide prominence after anchoring Jamaica to a silver medal in the 4x400m at the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow--a performance that won him a People's Choice award at the National Sportsman and Sportswoman Awards earlier this year--joins the likes of sprinting superstar Usain Bolt and Hansle Parchment in the German brand's portfolio.
Christian Voigt, senior global head of sports marketing, PUMA, noted that the company has been taking keen interest in Francis and has watched his development in the local high school programme.
Voigt added that
PUMA is looking forward to working with the youngster and helping him to realise his full potential.
If PUMA is looking for the next Usain Bolt, they could not have looked at a better place, with Francis already bettering Bolt, breaking his 11-year Class
PUMA is a long-time supporter of Jamaican track and field and has contributed to the development of several top local stars. (Jamaica Gleaner)
Nicolette Fernandes
One 400m record of 45.35, winning the event at this year's Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships in 45 seconds flat.
Javon Francis holds a PUma sneaker after being endorsed by the brand (Jamaica Gleaner photo)
october 2014 in arizona
TT’s Amber Thompson shines in Canada
PORT-OF-SPAIN,
TRINIDAD: At the tender age of just 15, Amber Thompson enjoyed the equestrian opportunity of a lifetime when she spent one month in training and competition in Canada at the Millar Brooke Farm, home to Canada’s most accomplished family in the sport—Amy, Ian and Jonathan Millar.
Under the guidance of Amy, Thompson spent two weeks competing at the Caledon Equestrian Park, where the Pan American Games are scheduled to be held next year.
In April, while in Wellington, Florida, for the Group IV Show Jumping Challenge, Thompson was introduced to Amy by Emily Kinch, Barbados’ latest equestrian to qualify for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games. Impressed with Thompson’s potential, she was then invited to train at Millar
Brooke Farm, which presented an exciting opportunity for the young rider. She hopes to con-
Ranatunga lauds top West Indian cricketers
By RavendRa Madholall
TORONTO, CANADA:
Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga had heaps of praises for West Indians Sir Gary Sobers, Vivian Richards and Brian Lara on Sunday, as he officially launched the Sorkam Summer Camp for the Arjuna Ranatunga Cricket Academy at Ellesmere in Toronto.
The camp starts on July 5, and Ranatunga is expected to be back in Canada early September to continue with the courses. He would also assist the coaches, who have been appointed to work along with the kids.
The left-handed batsman, who led his country to their first International Cricket Council 50-over World Cup title in 1996, noted that Sobers was exceptionally great as a genuine cricketing all-rounder.
He also rated Richards for his flamboyance and his aggressive approach to the game while he reserved special mention to Lara, whose accomplishments are still amazing. The two other distinguished players on Ranatunga’s list are: India’s Sachin Tendulkar and New Zealand’s Martin Crowe.
“When you look at these guys batted, there was something special about them and I was lucky to play among these great cricketers. I learnt a lot from Sobers and what he thought me about the game at a young age is still memorable,” Ranatunga related.
Sobers represented West Indies in 93 tests while Richards was capped
on 121 occasions and Lara featured in 131 games. Their performances for the Caribbean team during their illustrious careers were absolutely outstanding and unmatched, mentioned the former Sri Lankan player, now turned politician.
“Their achievements in this game alone can tell you about their superb talent and making those impressions and resounding impact throughout their career is testimony to their unwavering commitment to the game,” Ranatunga indicated.
Meanwhile, he pointed out that Canada’s cricket needs help and his plan to bring this academy can be very instrumental fundamentally. He believes in the skills and techniques which should be instilled to young cricketers quickly.
“Once you apply the basics of the game, I think it will be very helpful and having an academy to learn the skills and techniques in all aspects of the game will be a tremendous way to get things started,” Ranatunga said.
tinue training at Millar Brooke Farm as her medium term goal is to qualify for the CAC Games
and represent TT in 2018. Thompson’s first two weeks were spent in Perth, Ontario, training with Millar and getting used to her leased horse, a thoroughbred named Vertigo. During this time, she also rode many other horses every day under Millar’s watchful eye. Then for the following two weeks, Thompson moved four hours west to the Caledon Equestrian Park to compete in classes that had no less than 30 competitors in each class, with a mixture of both junior and adult riders. In the first show, she rode in a junior/adult class with heights up to one metre.
In this competition, the junior and adult prizes were divided and here she earned two first place positions, a second and a fifth finish and emerged as the second placed Reserve Junior Champion in the first show.
In the second show, the heights of the jumps were raised to 1.10m also with a mix
of both junior but mainly adult riders.
She earned a second place and two third places, but for this show, the prizes were not divided and she proudly emerged as the overall champion in first place for this competition.
Coach Millar was suitably impressed with her standard of riding and reminded her at the end of the two weeks of competition that every round she rode was clear, meaning she never knocked down any of her jumps and was edged out only by time.
Quite an accomplishment for one so young, over two weeks of steady and heavy competition. Back at home now, Thompson is working toward her next local competition, training hard at the Saddle Valley Stables, in Santa Cruz for the FEI Show Jumping Challenge, under the wing of her TT coach, Patrice Stollmeyer. (TT Guardian)
Williams among key performers in Jamaica’s field events
KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Defending national triple jump champion, Kimberly Williams, put in one of several decent performances by athletes competing in field events at the four-day Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships, which came to an end on Sunday night at the National Stadium in Jamaica.
The former Vere Technical athlete, a finalist at last year's World Championships, came in the event with a season best 14.56 metres, which was established while finishing second in Hengelo a few weeks ago.
Williams jumped a shorter distance to win the National Trials - 14.07 metres, finishing ahead of two-time National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division One champion, Shaneika Thomas, with 13.54 metres, while former Camperdown high jumper, Nickeiva Wilson, captured third with 13.18 metres.
Former women's long jump champion, Jovanee Jarrett, who has represented the country at the highest level, regained her national title. Plagued by injuries over the past three seasons, the 31-year-old Jarrett won with a 6.38-metre effort. Former World Youth champion, Chanice Porter, a finalist at this year's NCAA
Division One Championships for the University of Georgia, was second with 6.25 metres, while top local schoolgirl, Claudette Allen of Edwin Allen High--the Penn Relays champion--was third with 6.09 metres.
Kellion Knibb and Danniel Thomas were the star performers in throws among the females.
Top male performer
Among the men, World Indoor shot put representative, Odayne Richards of MVP Track Club, had the best performance at the Championships.
A former World University Games champion, Richards, easily turned back the challenge of
G.C. Foster College's Raymond Brown to win the event with a heave of 20.56 metres. Brown took second with 18.38 metres, while former Calabar High thrower, Chad Wright, was third with 18.19 metres.
Wright and Jason Morgan were involved in a very interesting battle in the men's discus. Morgan, who took the lead early with a throw of 62.29 metres and looked like taking the event, had to settle for second in the end as Wright took the lead with his final effort of 62.69 metres.
Shaun Haughton, also formerly of Calabar High, was third with 52.45 metres. (Jamaica Gleaner)
Guyanese athletes to compete at Jr CAC C/ships this weekend
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: A three member team has been selected to represent Guyana at the Junior Central American Caribbean (CAC) Athletics Championships this weekend in Mexico.
Guyana will go with strictly an under-17 team that will feature three time 1500 metres Carifta gold medalist Cassey George, Carifta bronze medalist Jason Yaw and Inter Guiana Games (IGG)
400 metres gold medalist Jevina Sampson. Yaw is expected to compete in the under-17 Male’s 200 and 400 metres while George should be featuring in the Girl’s 1500 metres. Sampson is expected to take the track in the Girl’s under-17 200 and 400 metres.
The team was scheduled to leave Guyana Thursday, July 3, and is expected to return on July 8.
tt rider amber thompson and her leased horse ‘Vertigo’ (TT Guardian photo)
Former sri lanka captain arjuna ranatunga
Danniel thomas competing in the women's shot put at the Jaaa supreme Ventures national senior track and Field championships at the national stadium in Jamaica on sunday (Jamaica Gleaner photo)
Venus to host special tennis clinics in Barbados
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS:
Seven-time
American Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams is heading to Barbados.
The five-time Wimbledon champ and 2000 Sydney Olympic Games gold medallist is scheduled to be in Barbados in November for two special tennis clinics she will be conducting for guests of the upscale Sandy Lane Hotel.
Tennis With Venus is the name of the promotional package being advertised by the hotel, part of which is the exclusive opportunity to
play and mingle with the famous tennis professional.
The hotel is advertising the US$5 555 package, which includes four nights in one of the hotel’s luxury ocean front rooms, one tennis clinic with Venus, one spa voucher per adult and an invitation to a hotel cocktail party.
The two tennis clinics will be held on November 1 and 2.
Williams became the World No. 1 for the first time on February 25, 2002, becoming the first American black woman to achieve this feat during the Open Era. (Nation News)
Canada-based Guyanese cricketers eager for Limacol CPL
By RavendRa Madholall
TORONTO, CANADA:
Three former Guyana first-class players currently based in Canada are in full support of the Guyana Amazon Warriors to win the second edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Limacol T20 which gets cracking shortly.
All-rounder Damodar Daesrath, fast-bowler Jeremy Gordon and wicketkeeper/batsman Azib Alli-Haniff believe the Guyanese combination will make a greater impact this year after they were beaten in the final last year.
Daesrath stated: “I think it will be a great tournament again and good contest generally. Guyana’s batting looks good, but I think the bowling needs to improve a little… I [am] still confident the guys will win the competition this year.”
The Guyana Amazon Warriors will open their campaign against Antigua Hawksbills on July 11 in Grenada before they play three of their nine preliminary games at home, on July 17 against Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel (19:30h), July 19 against St. Lucia Zouks
TT’s Richard Thompson focuses on Commonwealth gold
PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:
A gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next month will mean more to Trinidadian sprinter Richard Thompson than clocking fast times.
The 29-year-old posted a world-leading 9.82 seconds in the National Championships in Trinidad two weeks ago, to become the fastest man in the world this year. However, Thompson said while running fast times was
important, his focus was on winning the big prize in the 100 metres at the Commonwealth Games.
“As an athlete, the goal is to be the best in the world. Obviously, being at the top of the (world) rankings holds high significance to me, however, I think more than a world ranking or more than a time, it means something more in terms of actually lining up against significant competition at the Commonwealth Games and beating the field there,” Thompson said.
(16:00h) and July 20 against Jamaica Tallawahs (16:00h).
Gordon, who like Daesrath is playing for Canada at the highest level consistently, is very optimistic that his countrymen have the ability to churn out great performances and ultimately win this year’s competition.
“I think Guyana has a really balance side and I think they stand a really good chance of win-
ning it this year,” the right-arm quickie declared. Meanwhile, Alli-Haniff has also expressed similar sentiments.
“To be honest, I think they have a good chance, but winning it with so much youngster in the team will be a major factor to finish on the top. However, I am still confident our boys back home can pull things off this year,” AlliHaniff related.
Jamaican schoolboy overjoyed at being drafted by CPL's Tallawahs
He added: “the fact that I am able to run that fast and the fact that I’m at the top of the list obviously means it puts me in good stead to be able to achieve that goal that I have of being a Commonwealth gold medallist.”
Thompson has not won a major Olympic individual medal since copping silver behind champion Usain Bolt at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. However, he has displayed superb form this season, raising hopes of a medal at the July 23 to August 3 Games.
Earlier this month, he clocked 9.95 seconds at the IAAF World Challenge Meeting in Hengelo and then followed up with victory in the Diamond League, speeding to 10.02 seconds at the Bislett Games in Norway. Late last month, Thompson clocked 9.74 seconds to win at the National Training Centre/Pure Athletics Last Chance Meet in Florida but the time could not be ratified because of an illegal wind limit.
Thomson said he was aware that it would take a special effort to win gold at the Commonwealth Games and was trying to keep himself in the best possible shape. (TT Newsday)
KINGSTON, JAMAICA:
Vere Technical's Fabian Allen is all set to go in training with the Jamaica Tallawahs team ahead of their defence of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 title set to bowl off on July 11.
Allen, who represented Jamaica and the West Indies at the Under-19 level, is over the moon about the opportunity handed to him.
"Well, I am feeling really elated to be a part of the Tallawahs squad. The performance is the key to success, and the world saw my talent, so it is a great opportunity for me, and I am just going to make use of it and build on it," Allen told Jamaican media earlier this week.
The 19-year-old, who was a member of Jamaica's Select XI team that played against the touring New Zealanders, is hopeful that his exploits will propel him into the national senior team.
"Well, the plan is to put out 100 percent in the training session and show them what I am capable of. It is always good to be amongst international players…players who can share their expertise, and the experience will surely lead me straight to Jamaica senior trials and I will work my way up from there," he explained.
The right-hand batsman, who is also a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, was the most outstanding all-rounder in the Intersecondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Digicel All-island Twenty20 championship scoring over 300 runs, inclusive of two centuries and taking over 15 wickets.
Digicel's senior sponsorship manager, Tahnida Nunes, said that Allen's draft came as no surprise to her based on the quality that he showed during the ISSA/Digicel All Island T20 Championship.
"We are very excited for him and the prospects that lie ahead as a result of this news, this is also a testament to the strength of our youth T20 championships. We
had very clear goals for this championship, using the T20 youth championship as a springboard for young players to get in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL)... developing cricket at the youth level and giving these aspiring young cricketers an opportunity to shine and be discovered," she said. Nunes added that the news is also very rewarding to Digicel as a brand, and is just the kind of return that any corporate company would hope to get from partnerships like these.
In closing, Nunes said: "We wish Fabian all the best and we are looking forward to the same great display of talent in a few weeks." (Jamaica Gleaner)
Jeremy Gordon
Damodar Daesrath
Venus Williams
richard thompson (TT Guardian file photo)
Fabian allen
Caribbean
Just days away from the start of the much-anticipated Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) T20 tournament, excitement is growing not only among competing teams and players, but throughout the entire region.
In Guyana, the Amazon Warriors on Tuesday began an eight-day training programme as part of preparations for the July 11 start of the tournament. Six of the 15 members, along with the six Under-19 players, started the training camp at the Guyana National Stadium under coach Roger Harper.
New Zealander Martin Guptill, Pakistani Mohammad Hafeez and Guyanese Leon Johnson were missing on Tuesday, but are expected to join the squad soon. Also, captain Denesh Ramdin, Lendl
Simmons, Krishmar Santokie and Sunil Narine, along with local star Christopher Barnwell, will unite with the squad at the end of the West Indies/New Zealand T20 series.
Preparations
In an invited comment, Harper said the camp is vital for the continued development of each player and he wants to focus on the basics.
of them,” said Harper.
Speaking on the specific areas of target during the various sessions with the respective cricketers, Harper explained that: “With individual players there will be areas that we will naturally look to zoom in on, but generally we want to gear the players and the squad as a whole for T20 cricket. We want to ensure that we do the basic things pertaining to T20 cricket as efficiently as possible and then there are some key areas as well that we think we need to take to a different level”.
The coach is optimistic of a smooth transition, where the squad can build from last year’s team spirit and team work.
The Warriors have retained 10 players from last year’s edition and have already become a force to be reckoned with. “I know what to expect and what we have to look for from certain players. Since last year everyone gelled well and showed good team spirit so we are expecting a good transition this year”, Harper concluded.
Pressure on Jamaica Tallawahs
Meanwhile, Jamaica
Tallawahs captain Chris Gayle is also very excited about ‘The Biggest Party in Sport’. “I feel very excited and honoured to play in the Limacol CPL once again. As defending champions, a lot of pressure will be on us, but I feel that we have the strength to do very well this season. With 11 Jamaicans in our 15man squad, chemistry, cohesion won’t be an issue, and as Jamaicans, we are warm people, so our four overseas players will feel right at home,” Gayle said of the upcoming tournament.
S“The purpose of this camp is to get the players together, to get them in the best possible shape physically, technically, tactically and mentally ahead of the CPL. We wanted to get the players together so we could do remedial work on their game and continue to set plans going forward and what is expected
T JOHN’S, ANTIGUA: For the third successive year, Trinidad and Tobago international runner Tonya Nero captured the Women’s Open title at the tenth Caricom 10K road race, which took place in Antigua on Sunday.
Nero, 25, who holds four TT national records, placed ninth overall in 38:36, well ahead of women’s runner-up Euleen Josiah of Guyana, who clocked 40:48 and Nero’s compatriot Jenelle Nedd (42.03), who took third.
Both Nero and Josiah took champion and runner-up positions, respectively, in 2012 when the Caricom 10K was held in St. Lucia. Nero defended her a year later when the event was staged at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Portof-Spain.
Nedd was in a promising po-
sition to take runner-up for most of the race, but ventured off the course allowing Josiah to overtake her and eventually finish second. Winning the Men’s Open and overall title was Cleveland Forde of Guyana, who reclaimed his 2012 crown after finishing second to TT’s Denzil Ramirez last year. Ramirez did not participate this year. Forde won the event in 34:52, edging home favourite Elliot Mason (34:59) and Radix Reon (35:17) of Grenada, for second and third, respectively, before TT’s best finisher, Nicholas Landeau (37:26) placed seventh. (TT Guardian)
Guyana Amazon Warriors' players at their training session on Tuesday
Guyanese Cleveland Forde and Trinidadian Tonya Nero celebrate their victories
