Caribbean Times International

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ISSUE NO. 141

CANADA EDITION

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WEEK ENDING April 16, 2015

Five star 'Guyana Marriott' hotel opens See story on page 18

The US$58 million flagship Marriott Hotel, in Georgetown, Guyana, has opened its doors to the public on Thursday

TT opens Embassy in Panama Page 16

Jamaica, US sign energy cooperation agreement

Page 7

Caribbean records 49% decrease in HIV infectionPANCAP Page 12

TT's PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the opening of the Embassy in Panama (TT PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar photo)

PPP/C has clear vision for Guyana's further Page 6 development, says Jagdeo

Former President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo

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NEWS

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 2015

Trademarks Bill to aid TT businesses P

O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Planning Minister Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie on Tuesday touted the Trademarks Bill as both armour for local businesses but also a development tool and a law that will ultimately see consumers reaping benefits.

The Trademarks Bill went to Senate on

Tuesday with those Opposition senators who spoke saying that they supported the document in principle but had reservations about some paragraphs.

Tewarie said the legislation would bring local business into the 21st century as it not only opened local patents to international exposure but also accounted for modern developments

like Internet shopping, a fast-growing trend in Trinidad and Tobago.

The new bill is intended to repeal and replace the dusty trademark laws of 1965 and, according to Tewarie, gives the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service better tools with which to enforce the law.

While the more obvious intent of the bill is to protect intellectual prop-

erty, it also facilitates the promotion of trade, Tewarie said.

It also addresses issues related to parallel importation, he said, and its benefits will trickle to the consumers as the legislation allows for the challenging of monopolies on products offered to the public.

Based largely on the its Singaporean counterpart, the bill was also

Region 9 drought

By VahnuManikchand

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EORGETOWN, GUYANA: Huge acres of cassava – a major food staple in the hinterland –are under

serious threat in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) as the drought-like conditions in that community continue to take a toll on residents and their

drafted by experts in the field with references to similar legislation in the Commonwealth.

Opposition Senator Shamfa Cudjoe later commended some aspects of the bill and recommended that Tobago, her home base, be allowed to develop as an equal with Trinidad.

Cudjoe’s concern that those looking to secure rights to their intel-

lectual properties were forced to travel back and forth—via a dodgy interisland service— thereby losing business time and incurring added costs, were later addressed by Legal Affairs Minister PrakashRamadhar, who said Tobago could look out for its own fully functional Intellectual Property Office (IPO) as early as in the next fortnight. (TT Express)

… Guyana Govt says millions needed for full response

farms.

Access to water has become a major constraint especially for irrigation purposes and farmers in the Region are mostly affected.

Access to water has become a major constraint especially for irrigation purposes and farmers

Regional Chairman Wilson Lorentino told the Guyana Times that while the drought situation was affecting everyone, it was the farmers who were suffering the most. He explained that most of the shallow wells and creeks are drying, while others have already dried up.

However, he noted that in some villages, the schools and hospitals are still getting water and that was where residents sourced their supply. In other communities, particularly those with the small-scale farmers, they personally transport water from still flowing sources in tanks and barrels using tractors.

“If this (dry weather) continues, then it will be terrible for us; we need the rain. There was some shower last night (Sunday), but it wasn’t enough. All the communities are feeling the effects and suffering, but

is the farmers getting hit harder,” he lamented.

The Regional Chairman is worried that if there is not adequate rainfall within the next month or so, the cassava crop will be lost. The cassava crop usually takes three, six or 12 months from planting to harvesting, depending on the species.

Furthermore, Lorentino pointed out that even the farmers rearing livestock are at a disadvantage with the shortage of water and grasses as well.

In an interview with the Guyana Times recently, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said he was hopeful that the cassava crop could be saved. “We are aware that the cassava crop will need water and we are working with the [Civil Defence Commission] CDC and Guyana Water Inc [GWI] to ensure we do not lose the cassava

crop,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, as the severe dry weather continues in Region Nine, the Agriculture Ministry has mobilised a team to the Region to help sustain the crops and livestock.

On the other hand, Dr Ramsammy outlined that in addition to agriculture, Region Nine has become a major livestock industry over the years.

He noted that the worsened weather is also affecting livestock rearing activities.

“Livestock feeding has been one largely based on grass feeding and what we have done so far is, we have two additional veterinarians working in the Region to make sure that if there are emerging problems, they will alert us. We also have sent in vaccines and medications along with vitamins and molasses block as supplementary feeding,” he disclosed.

(Guyana Times)

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EDITORIAL

These ladies proudly dispayed their hats last Sunday for Guyana Times photographer Carl Croker, during the Guyana Association of Women Police Grand Tea Party and Hat Show at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Georgetown

Policing our diets Giving shelter to TT's poor A P leading website on human health (www.helpguide.org) advises that the key to any healthy diet is moderation. In essence, it means eating only as much food as your body needs.

One should feel satisfied at the end of a meal, but not stuffed.

Moderation is also about balance. Despite what fad diets would have us believe, we all need a balance of carbohydrates, protein, fat, fibre, vitamins and minerals to sustain a healthy body. Moderation also means eating less than we do now and reducing the intake of ‘junk’ food.

While the proposal to tax junk foods has proved contentious in many countries, in 2014, a US Navajo American Indian tribe council that has seen its population devastated with diabetes rates double that of the rest of the country, as well as significant increases in hypertension, heart disease and renal failure, passed two food tax bills.

One placed a two per cent tax on junk food items (in addition to the customary five per cent sales tax) and one eliminated the sales tax on healthy foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts, etc.

In the city of Leeds in the United Kingdom, where there are reportedly at least 800 takeaways and fast food restaurants, one in five Leeds adults is classified as obese, and a third of its children overweight.

With many such eateries often the only source of food available in a community since grocery stores are absent or far away, officials are considering limiting approval of applications for more fast food restaurants and prohibiting their presence near schools.

Mexico recently passed legislation that taxes junk foods and drinks, while prohibiting them in schools or a quarter mile near schools.

One Barbadian Opposition Member of Parliament recently called for the Government to consider Mexico’s initiative and impose a tax on “sweet drinks” while restricting advertising and sales of junk foods.

However, those who feel that taxing the food we eat is not the answer argue that it will not change behaviour and may simply make the poor less able to purchase other products besides food.

Demark in 2011 had passed a so-called fat tax, only to rescind it a year later, saying it failed to change Danish eating habits.

It has been argued too that although salt and sugar are the usual though unhealthy preservatives in convenience foods, it means food can be stored and eaten when needed, unlike most fresh fruits and vegetables. This makes them more likely to be bought and consumed since it does not necessitate daily trips to a market or store for fresh foods — something that adds transportation costs to a poor family’s bill.

In addition, poverty often forces parents to buy junk food snacks and beverages because they are cheaper than healthy foods and juices. How have we reached the stage where Governments are considering laws to help us to be healthy?

To some like the Navajo, current solutions like advocating health education and exercise are not working. Once junk food is cheaply and easily available, there would be more dialysis due to kidney disease and more limb amputations due to diabetes among the Navajo.

More people are buying unhealthy food products; this becomes an unhealthy lifestyle choice, often leading to earlier death and lower quality lives because of the food choices made. Obesity and being overweight are often the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in many communities.

National health care costs are driven higher as obesity related diseases soar, and nations are spending millions of dollars on treating diseases that are preventable if we could only pay more attention to what we choose to consume.

The notion that Governments must seemingly police our lifestyle choices is unpalatable for many, but the idea of policies geared to affect our choices is aimed not at restricting freedom of choice or discriminating against any one industry; rather it is to encourage healthier choices and moderation among individuals.

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Improving access to affordable and decent housing is what drives the work at Habitat for Humanity Trinidad and Tobago. But sustaining operations gets tougher in a climate of reduced donor funding and economic decline, both locally and globally according to national director, Jennifer Massiah.

Since Habitat self-funds the bulk of its operations, finances and how to access enough of it is a recurring issue.

“It’s nothing less than a miracle,” Massiah said of the organisation’s sustained efforts to shelter the country’s poor. But on the practical side, Habitat has implemented structural changes to keep its operations going and improve efficiency, in addition to strengthening its corporate partnerships. The right to decent, affordable housing is a basic human right, Massiah asserted during a recent interview, explaining that too many families lack access to basic shelter, especially the poor. Thus, their efforts focus on eliminating poverty housing as well as promoting lasting social, economic and spiritual change within communities.

“Safe, decent housing shouldn’t be out of reach but for many families in Trinidad and Tobago, but it is and many of us take shelter for granted,” Massiah observed. She quoted figures which estimate that some 200,000 families locally are in need of adequate housing and realistically, Habitat is only able to serve a fraction of that number. But, as Massiah emphasised, the organisation does more than simply build a home. “We build communities and we build hope…we are working to provide shelter and transform lives in the process because many families require support after the roof goes up.”

So who does Habitat assist?

People who can’t go to financial institutions for a loan are the ones targeted, according to Massiah. These are the working poor, people living in poverty, and people who are stuck in a rut and can’t seem

to find a way out. But even so, families must also meet the qualifying conditions for assistance in building a new startto-finish home.

Habitat’s qualifying conditions for assistance include land ownership and permission to build as well a monthly household income of less than TT$5,000. Families who benefit also have to contribute sweat equity (100 hours of work on their own home and 200 on another person’s home), in addition to repaying a “no-profit” loan that creates ownership.

As expected, a fair amount of people who approach Habitat do not qualify for assistance to build new homes. “The poor has no access to land which is one of the conditions governing our operations…you must have land and legal permission to build on that land,” Massiah said. “This means we can’t provide specific assistance to some families but we look for other ways to help.”

Massiah explained that a fair majority of people they encounter are squatters and the organisation does not support squatting.

During the interview, Massiah introduced Sacha Baboolal who approached Habitat for assistance to build a three-bedroom home at Biche.

Baboolal, a mother of three, shares a one-bedroom home with her husband and two children; a third child had to live away from home because there was no accommodation for him.

“This is a blessing what Habitat is doing for us and I thank God for it,” an emotional Baboolal said. She explained that her prayers have been answered since all she has never wanted was a decent home to raise her children.

“I never ask God for wealth or anything like that, all I ever asked for was a home and he has answered me through Habitat,” she added.

In 18 years of operations, Habitat has completed 355 housing solutions which include start-to- finish new houses, completions and repairs; they have assisted over 1,800 families through various social programmes; and they have

partnered with many corporations and individuals to provide safer and more resilient communities.

This year, Habitat is aiming to complete 81 housing solutions and six housing projects which include conducting community assessments, and they are expanding operations to Tobago for the first time.

Speaking to how Habitat functions, Massiah explained that organisation is divided into programmes and projects (core construction).

Programmes include community assessments using a tool called PASA (Participatory Approach to Safe Shelter Awarness), which helps to map communities, identify vulnerabilities etc, which then feeds into their system and subsequent analysis of how to help specific community.

Through its programmes Habitat also offers technical support and assists with legal work for families seeking access to land. They also advice families on architectural designs and offer assistance on how to source contractors.

Speaking specifically to how they fund-raise, she mentioned Habitat’s annual “Hunger Banquet” where patrons are offered a bowl of soup in exchange for a generous donation. Habitat also submits proposals to donor agencies which help to fund specific projects.

Individuals and companies are also encouraged to sign an annual fund pledge card which comes with tax breaks.

Further, Habitat invites companies to get involved in the construction projects by making in-kind donations such as steel, cement, gravel etcetera.

Asked about other challenges in addition to limited resources, Massiah identified human resource and access to vehicles. She noted that programmes and operations should exceed 30 percent of the budget, which impacts on how much staff they could hire, in addition to having sufficient vehicles.

Anyone wishing to contribute to Habitat’s operations could go to habitat-tt.org to learn more. (TT Newsday)

News WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 2015

Dr Cheddi Jagan was an anti-racist to the core …says St Vincent PM

By Alexis Rodney

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : F o r m e r President and founding leader of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the late Dr Cheddi Berret Jagan was remembered in a fond and yet analytical manner Monday evening when his Party hosted the 15th annual lecture series in his honour, on the lawns of Red House in Georgetown.

Under the theme “Cheddi Jagan, his Nationalism, his Regionalism and his Internationalism”, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves delivered an articulate presentation, chronicling the life of a man considered the “father of the nation”.

According to Gonsalves, Jagan, who had embraced Marxism, had dedicated his life to the total development of Guyana. He had also used that philosophy to formulate ideologies, combined with an

Former President and founding leader of the PPP Dr Cheddi Jagan

acceptance of real life principles to make judgments in the real world.

Dr Gonsalves said he came to this knowledge because he had rubbed shoulders with the former political leader, sharing many stages with him at countless events in Guyana.

“Cheddi Jagan was a leader of extraordinary quality. His intellect, his honesty, his decency, his humility and calm, his personal charisma, his commitment to the poor and working people, his promotion of national independence and socialist democracy and his quint-

essential humanity constituted the brightness which sparkled and illuminated,” Gonsalves told a crowd of diplomats, PPP/Civic supporters and special invitees.

According to him, Dr Jagan made an immense contribution to the development of Guyana and the Caribbean. But what was most impactful was Gonsalves’ recollection of Jagan’s approach to racism, and his tireless effort to smother its growing tendencies from among the people he held dear to his heart.

“Cheddi Jagan was a finished civilised personality, absolutely devoid of race or colour or prejudice.

"Indeed he was anti-racist to the core and called for national unity. " Quoting the leader’s book, the “West on Trial”, Gonsalves related that while Jagan never denied the existence of race issues in Guyana, he grounded it in an economical analysis, tracing its economical origins.

(Guyana Times)

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PPP/C has clear vision for Guyana's further development, says Jagdeo

By IndrawattieNatram

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : F o r m e r President BharratJagdeo on Tuesday told the business community and young professionals in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has a clear vision for Guyana, promising them the setting up of a development fund for rice and also the building of a world class call centre in the region.

During his address to entrepreneurs at the Regional State House at Anna Regina, Jagdeo said a Development Fund and Rice Support Fund, call centre and improved Information Communication Technology (ICT) within the Region were top priorities for Government.

He said that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic

A section of the business communiity in Region Two who attended the forum Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

(PPP/C) Administration remains committed to businesses, recognising the importance of the sector to Guyana’s economy. According to him the Donald Ramotar Administration and officials were working together to craft a manifesto that would ensure a safer environment for businesses to operate and to create jobs.

With the implementation of the Development Fund, he said, farmers from the Pomeroon would benefit by diversifying in their crops.

Making reference to Government’s investment in ICT, Jagdeo further explained that businesses have to take full advantage of the benefits that accrue from the use of cutting edge technology in order to overcome many of the challenges.

He said the

Government of Guyana during both the Dr Cheddi and Janet Jagan’s administrations had drafted many strategies, including the National Development Strategy which outlined the development of Guyana.

“We can compete about the clarity about our vision; we don’t make wild promises, we are practical,” Jagdeo said.

The former President warned the business community about the

Opposition’s plans to create an unstable environment, adding that the PPP/C has examined the economic philosophy of Guyana hence creating a manifesto that is attractive to the business sector.

He added that focus will be on those industries, which have the potential to create national wealth for the country.

“These industries are our backbone… with those industries up and sus-

tainable – then wealth can be created; hence, opportunities for young people,” Jagdeo noted.

In terms of the ICT growth pole, Jagdeo said greater bandwidth will foster business development, boosting the agricultural sector and thousands of jobs can be created ranging from “Gy$60,000 to Gy$200,000” with the call centre, the economist by profession explained. He noted that the Administration has also realised that E-Governance was important. He said incentives like tax holidays would make the sector more attractive.

At the end of the forum, the team consisting of Labour Minister Nanda Gopaul, Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali and Suresh Narine interacted, with audience.(Guyana Times)

J'can teen suspected to have been ISIS bound in police custody

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: The Police High Command late Monday issued a statement confirming that a Jamaican teen who was denied entry into Suriname and returned to the island on Saturday, April 11, is in custody.

Media reports are that the

16-year-old boy was refused passage through Suriname on Saturday, after immigration officers suspected that he was travelling to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) through Turkey.

Detectives from the Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime

Branch (C-TOC), along with other law enforcement agencies, have been tasked to pursue several lines of investigation in relation to the incident, a release from the Corporate Communications Unit said.

“It would be premature to issue any detailed statement on this issue

at this time,” head of C-TOC Assistant Commissioner of Police Devon Watkis said, explaining that the investigation is at a delicate stage.

ACP Watkis, however, assured the public that information would be made available as soon as possible.

(Jamaica Observer)

7 Jamaica, US sign energy cooperation agreement K News

WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 2015

INGSTON, JAMAICA: The Governments of Jamaica and the United States last Thursday signed a Statement of Intent outlining the planned areas of co-operation on the development and deployment of energy-related technologies between both countries.

The document was signed by Jamaica's Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell, and Secretary of the United States Department of Energy Dr Ernest Moniz at the Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa in St Andrew.

The Statement of Intent outlines the possible provision of technical assistance for the modernisation of the energy infrastructure; development of the energy renewable sector; fuel diversification especially in

Jamaica’s Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell (second left), and Secretary of the United States Department of Energy Dr Ernest Moniz (right) shake hands after they signed a Statement of Intent outlining the planned areas of co-operation on the development and deployment of energy-related technologies between both countries. The signing took place at the Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa in Kingston. Looking on are junior energy minister Julian Robinson (second right) and chairman of the Rural Electrification Programme, Rev Garnett Roper

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relation to the acquisition of natural gas; and the strengthening of the governance structure.

Minister Paulwell said Jamaica was very pleased that part of the agreement had to do with the issue of natural gas.

"Jamaica has attempted, for many years, to implement a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, but we have been hindered because we just did not have access to liquefied natural gas, and so one of the important achievements is the American support for our accessing natural gas," Paulwell said.

He added that the Government is aiming to have Jamaica identified as a possible hub allowing natural gas to be delivered to the rest of the region.

"Those are some of

things we will be looking at, and we are also looking at energy conservation and efficiency in both the public and private sectors and the US promised to assist us," Paulwell said.

He said, too, that the Government was committed to ensuring the success of the collaboration by providing the necessary support to facilitate work with the US Department of Energy.

For his part, Dr Moniz noted that the visit of President Barack Obama was an indication of the US Government's commitment to working with its neighbours on clean energy and energy security.

Dr Moniz was part of the delegation of the US president, who left Jamaica last Thursday.

(Jamaica Observer)

Caribbean Court of Justice Barbados FTC approves Lime, celebrates 10 years Flow merger

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: By far its most celebrated case involved a Jamaican national, whose country is still going through the legislative process as to whether or not it should become a full member.

But Sir Dennis Byron, the second Caribbean national to head the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is certain that within a year, not only will Jamaica be added to of the full membership of the court, but also Trinidad and Tobago and the other islands in the sub-regional Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.

“All the countries have agreed to be on board because when they signed the treaty establishing the court they entered into that arrangement and they went further than that, they have all put money to fund the operation of the court so they are fully on board in that respect” Sir Dennis added.

The CCJ was inaugurated in Trinidad and Tobago on April 16, 2005. It replaced the London-based Privy Council as the region’s final court and has been created with a dual jurisdiction – as a final appellate court for those member states which wish to use its services and in its original jurisdiction as an international court with the exclusive jurisdiction to interpret and apply the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the 15-member regional grouping, CARICOM, and to decide disputes arising under it.

The CCJ began with two countries – Guyana and Barbados- having decided to access its appellate jurisdiction.

In February 2010 Belize became the third member and in March this year Dominica followed suit.

Since its inception the court has dealt with 160 cases at the appellate level and 16 at the

original jurisdiction level.

But perhaps its most celebrated case involved the Jamaican national, Shanique Myrie, who had taken the Barbados government to court alleging that when she travelled to that CARICOM country on March 14, 2011 she was discriminated against because of her nationality, subjected to a body cavity search, detained overnight in a cell and deported to Jamaica the following day.

Myrie also claimed that she was subjected to derogatory remarks by a Barbadian Immigration officer and asked the CCJ to determine the minimum standard of treatment applicable to CARICOM citizens moving around the region.

Sir Dennis acknowledged that the Myrie case “excited’ the whole community in the Caribbean and believes “a lot of it had to do with Myrie herself.

Jamaica’s then High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, Sharon Saunders, said the ruling “has set a precedent (and) it will mean that governments across the region will have to raise the bar.

But Sir Dennis says he is not discouraged and strongly believes that Jamaica will come around to joining the court in full since he has noted that both major parties seem to have “found certain areas of common ground”.

Sir Dennis added that the 10 years since the CCJ has been in operation “people no longer speak to the CCJ in that regard.

“A court is a court, it is not a political tribunal sporting any agenda of one sort or another and we in the court will address these issues in accordance with the constitution and legal provisions applicable within the country,” the 72-year-old Kittian-born jurist told journalist. (CMC)

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RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: The Fair Trading Commission (FTC) Friday gave conditional approval for the moves by the British telecommunications giant, Cable and Wireless Communication (CWC) to acquire Columbus Communication International (CCI), operators of FLOW in the Caribbean.

Last year, both companies announced the deal in a joint statement, saying the proposed

acquisition, valued at US$3.025 billion will enable the combined company to significantly accelerate its growth strategy, improve service delivery to customers in the region, offer customers a comprehensive portfolio of highquality products and services, and strengthen their position against larger competitors.

In a statement, the FTC said that it had considered the overall efficiencies of the merger and the anti-competitive effects it

will create in the telephony and Fixed data services but has determined that the merger should be approved subject to certain conditions.

It listed 14 conditions, including that during this transitional period these customers are not to be disadvantaged and that the applicants must submit an independent valuation of the assets to be divested within 60 days after the date of the Commission’s decision. (CMC)

Partnerships key to development of technology and innovation in Jamaica

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy, and Mining, Hilary Alexander, has underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in the development of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in the island and the Caribbean.

Such collaboration, she argued, will allow for the combining of resources to leverage STI for progress.

"If we can pool the resources, to some extent, to be able to share some of the research imperatives and the funding thereof, then I think we will get somewhere," she said.

The Permanent Secretary was speaking at the opening of an STI workshop at the Scientific Research Council (SRC) in Kingston, last Wednesday.

She noted that in developing STI, policymakers in the Caribbean need to look critically at existing research and tailor these to meet the needs of the respective implementing country, or region as a whole.

"We have to focus on what makes sense for this country and, perhaps, for the region; it is not a cut and paste situation. We

Jamaica’s Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hilary Alexander (right), converses with Executive Director Scientific Research Council Dr Cliff Riley during the opening ceremony for the National Workshop on Science, Technology and Innovation Policy and Indicators last Wednesday

are very fond...of taking something that works in another environment and picking it up and saying 'well, it worked there, it is going to work here'. Well no, our situation is ours, our environment is particular," she said.

The NCST's mandate is to enable the people of Jamaica to understand the role of science and technology in their daily lives and how the disciplines can be used to provide growth, jobs, wealth and generally, a better quality of life for all.

The NCST is expected to advance research, popularise science and technology as well as make recommendations to the Government for policy action in

the area.

The Commission consists of 28 members drawn from a cross section of society.

The two-day workshop will seek to, among other things, link the science and technology thrust to innovation and entrepreneurship.

It involves a wide cross section of representatives from the private sector; Planning Institute of Jamaica; Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining; Northern Caribbean University; University of Technology; and the University of the West Indies.(JIS)

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‘New jobs coming to Guesthouses in TT get STAR certification Orealla, Siparuta’ – P Guyana's President tells residents

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Government has been aggressively pursuing a people-centred development course and President Donald Ramotar has assured residents of Orealla and Siparuta that this will result in new job opportunities for them and other Guyanese.

The President on Tuesday visited the two riverain Amerindian communities along the Corentyne River, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), which has a combined population of about 1800.

He told the residents of the Administration’s pursuit of plans to build a deep waterharbour in the Berbice River and a highway from Linden to Lethem to link Brazil, “so that Brazil and South America can do international trade through Guyana”.

Government is also working with the Surinamese to bridge the Corentyne River, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

“These are projects that will transform our country, transform the lives of our people, and that is why we are preparing our people through education… we want our people prepared and ready,” the President said.

Government, he added, is expending large sums to ensure Guyana's human resources are highly qualified and skilled to take advantage of the opportunities that will be presented.

These, he said will directly impact the prospects available to residents in Orealla and Siparuta by opening up new avenues for business from which they can capitalise.

“That will create new kinds of jobs, plenty of jobs and even the road itself -you have to have mechanic shops, tyre shops, vulcanizing shops, hotels, restaurants all of which can generate lots of jobs for people. Those are the things that the Opposition want to cut from the budget.”

The President said the global trends have shown that countries that focus extensively on the development of its human resources have progressed rapidly, and that is the direction Guyana is heading with the hope of having a highly skilled workforce that will attract more investments.

In this context, the Government has been focusing heavily on the social sector to improve people’s quality of life, particularly education, which receives the largest portion of the social sector annual budget.

These provisions include free text books, uniforms, education grants for school children and transportation and meals for children to attend school regularly. Much investment has also been made in the provision of education for hinterland children, including the construction of dormitories.

Similarly, the health sector has recorded numerous strides, and in Orealla, there are now two resident doctors. In the past these villages had only health workers and visiting doctors. Persons from the community were trained as doctors and will return to serve.

Other plans for the areas include providing boat transportation to assist farmers to fetch their produce out from the farming areas, and linking the two communities by road, “so that we can have better communication, better transportation and help to improve the overall economy.

However, President Ramotar warned of the deliberate attempts by the political Opposition to stymie national development.

The Opposition has also opposed money for development projects such as the Amalia Falls Hydroelectric Project, the airport expansion project, the Specialty Hospital and the Amerindian Development Fund.

Money was also cut from the National Budgets in 2012, 2013 and 2014 by the Parliamentary Opposition using its one-seat majority in the 10th Parliament, which was dissolved by President Ramotar in February 2015.

The President acknowledged that both Orealla and Siparuta have challenges with the provision of some services, but noted that Government is continuously working to address those.

Among the issues on which the residents sought the President’s attention are governance and accountability at Orealla while those at Siparuta have requested improved access to potable water for residents on the hilltop, and power generation. (Guyana Times)

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINDAD: TT is pulling out all the stops to ensure its developing tourism product remains competitive and attractive at a time when potential visitors are becoming more discerning in their travels, Umesh Rampersad, chairman of the Tourism Development Company (TDC) has said. Speaking at a STAR Hospitality Assured Ceremony at the TDC’s Maritime office in Barataria, Rampersad said TT’s relevance in the tourism market was bolstered by a clear commitment to education and training of practitioners to ensure greater satisfaction for visitors.

Under the Hospitality Assured Certification Programme—a nine step framework created by the Institute of Hospitality (UK) specifically for the tourism and hospitality sector to improve service quality—operators of three local guest houses were certified. Villa De Rose, Bay Villa Apartments and Inna Citi Place, properties operating under the Small Tourism Accommodation Owners of TT, earned the distinction of being the first in Trinidad to obtain certification.

The TDC’s STAR Unit (Service, Attitude, Training, Respect) executed the programme, which was licensed for use in the Caribbean by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO). “Tourism is one of the top and fastest growing sectors in the world and continues to outperform other significant industries such as financial and business services, retail and distribution, public services and transport and manufacturing.

“Tourists are continuously looking for new and exotic destinations to experience and the service quality delivered is a key factor in influencing tourist satisfaction

Norris Clement, left, training and development specialist in TDC’s STAR Unit, with LieselLashley-Moore of Inna Citi Place; Cynthia Chow of Bay Ville Holiday Apartments; Rebecca Samuel Musgrave, STAR training and development specialist and Seward Constable of Villa De Rose at the STAR—Hospitality Assured ceremony

as it relates to service courtesy, friendliness and the efficiency and responsiveness of service personnel to tourist requests and complaints,” Rampersad said. “As a destination marketing organisation (DMO), we have a responsibility to ensure that quality improvement is a vital ingredient in the strategy for making TT, more competitive in a highly-competitive global marketplace.

“This has become increasingly important as there has been intensifying competition through a growing number of holiday destinations, offering similar products and services causing an increase in consumer quality awareness.”

Rampersad said as a survival mechanism more destinations

strive to differentiate themselves from the competition by delivering a superior tourist experience and quality service, increasing the level of customer satisfaction.

“Programmes such as Hospitality Assured and STAR ensure that we keep abreast of the competition by clearly defining and establishing our service performance measures and standards as a destination,” he said. “As an organisation, we look forward to building on the accomplishments of this first group of Hospitality Assured properties and look forward to other stakeholders and tourism service providers becoming Hospitality assured serving as a proud mark of service and business excellence.” (TT Guardian)

New energy start-up in Jamaica has US$4.8m in signed options K INGSTON, JAMAICA: New energy start-up, the Caribbean Energy Finance Company Limited (CEFCL), has identified some US$4.8 million from clients who have signed option agreements indicating interest in the firm's flagship leasing product, according to its prospectus.

The company launches its initial public offering (IPO) on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) on Wednesday.

At the same time, the IPO will limit the amount that can be raised to a significantly lower figure -- a total of US$4.3 million or about US$500,000 less.

"Put simply, demand exceeds supply already for this innovative product," the company said in a recent release.

The energy leasing company will specialise in providing renewable energy solutions through affordable finance options. Its main target will be companies around the Caribbean.

The CEFCL solution was designed to bring a wide range of benefits to investors, the national grid, local businesses and to the energy- consuming public -- in

Caribbean Energy director Damian Lyn (left) and fellow director Leo Williams at the solar energy site at UTech, Kingston

ways that will lower the overall risks involved in the process.

With more than 40 per cent of the shares of the company on offer to the public (including the planned ESOP), the company is poised to offer open and transparent operations on the JSE and remain in local control consistent with the originally articulated vi-

sion presented to investors.

CEFCL is set to become the first renewable energy finance company to hit the stock market in the Caribbean. The comapny is aiming to attract as many small investors as possible. Leo Williams and Damian Lyn are co-founding directors of the company. (Jamaica Observer)

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‘Time to cut cord from Privy Council’- TT’s Opposition leader

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: The People’s National Movement (PNM) will table a bill in Parliament to abolish the Privy Council “as a matter of priority” should it win the general election due this year, PNM political leader Dr Keith Rowley said on Monday.

This as Attorney General Garvin Nicholas said the issue of the CCJ “is a matter for Cabinet”.

Responding to a call from President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Sir Dennis Byron, 71, for the CCJ to be immediately made Trinidad's highest court, Rowley said the PNM would present a bill to MPs regardless of the extent of the party’s majority if victorious.

Sir Dennis, in an interview with TT media, said there was no reason why legislation could not be tabled on the issue this year, even with a general election due.

“It is a good time for Trinidad to abolish appeals to the Privy Council,” Sir Dennis said, saying the move could also help in the fight against crime by bolstering the adminis-

tration of justice more generally. The remarks came ahead of this week’s commemoration of the CCJ’s tenth anniversary.

With the move likely to require a special majority bill, Rowley said the PNM would table legislation in Parliament early if victorious at the next election, notwithstanding the majority it may hold in the chamber.

“If the PNM does not have enough seats we will bring the matter to the Parliament,” the Opposition Leader told reporters at a media briefing at the Opposition Leader’s Office, Charles Street, Port-of-Spain. “It will be for the Government then to convince the Opposition by reasoned argument that it should be supported, especially since it was supported by the UNC before.

It should not be too difficult to remove the politics and allow the public interest to prevail.”

Rowley would not commit to a specific time-line – such as abolition within the first 100 days of a PNM government – but said abolishing the Privy Council

PNM political leader in TT, Dr Keith Rowley

would be “a priority” and a bill would be “an early item.”

“It will remain for us a priority,” the Diego Martin West MP said.

“It is going to be an early item because it is one of the unfinished items of business that Trinidad

has and Jamaica has committed to it. Our support for the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is not wavering. We believe whether we are in government or in opposition that is how we should go. We did support the Government

when the Government said it will do it. The Government offered the partial arrangement in relation to the criminal aspect of it and leaving the civil. That could not be done because the treaty requirements were not met.”

Contacted on Tuesday at Qatar where he was on official business, Attorney General Gavin Nicholas said, “It is a matter for Cabinet.”

However, Rowley warns the move must be made lest the nation find itself removed from the Privy Council by a British government .

The Opposition Leader disclosed that in meetings with British MPs he has lobbied for them to call for UK authorities to cut the cord.

He said, “I met with a number of British parliamentarians recently from various parties in Britain when they came to visit Trinidad and Tobago and they paid a courtesy call on the Opposition Leader and I told them in no uncertain terms that in so far as they are able to, when they get back to London, use their good offices to assist the British to ask us to leave so that

we can take the politics out of this business here and press on with completing our independence by having our own Caribbean Court of Justice.”

Rowley said ordinary citizens cannot access justice given high legal costs to take matters to the London-based Privy Council.

“It is a very expensive arrangement as you know and it denies a lot of people access to that court only if the exchange rate alone is taken into account,” Rowley said. “If you want a matter to be taken to the Privy Council you have to be a millionaire, otherwise you cannot access that court. And that is not fair to the average person in Trinidad and Tobago. We want a final court of appeal where the average person can approach the court without requiring to become a millionaire.” He said pending any change, the Privy Council will be respected.

“In so far as the Privy Council remains our final court of appeal, we will respect it and will use it,” the PNM political leader said. (TT Newsday)

Women leaders in Jamaica urged to mentor others K INGSTON, JAMAICA: Minister with Responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, is urging Jamaica’s women leaders to encourage other women to play a more active role in national development.

“We have to encourage women to participate a little more. They are going to need more support. It is more difficult for women to get financial support in politics and we have to make sure that we give them the kind of support that they need,” the Minister emphasised.

Senator Falconer was speaking at the inaugural Phenomenal Women Breakfast, held last Friday, at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in Kingston. The event was hosted by the International Women’s Forum (IWF), Jamaica.

The Minister informed that Jamaica is the leading country with females in management positions.

“The International Labour Organization

(ILO) 2015 Report, titled ‘Women in Business and Management Gaining Momentum’, lists Jamaica as number 1 in terms of having the highest percentage of female managers in the world. We have almost 60 per cent…We have a female Prime Minister and strong political representation by women in the Senate,” she noted.

Citing the World Bank’s Gender at Work Report, Senator Falconer further informed that Jamaica is one of five countries where there is statistical evidence of gender equality in the workplace.

“The World Bank reports that only 5 of the 114 countries for which data is available have women who have reached or surpassed gender parity (in the workplace) with men.

These occupations include legislature, senior officials and managers.

And, Jamaica is one of those five countries,” she noted.

The other countries with strong gender equality in the work-

Minister with Responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer (left), in conversation with South African High Commissioner to Jamaica, Her Excellency, MathuJoyini (right), at the inaugural Phenomenal Women Breakfast, hosted by the International Women’s Forum (IWF) Jamaica, last Friday at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in Kingston. The Minister addressed the function

place are Columbia, Fiji, Lesotho and the Philippines.

Senator Falconer praised the hard work and drive of women in the Jamaican society who have risen to these leadership positions.

“I am very proud of our achievements in Jamaica and we are passionately committed to advancing the welfare of our women…We have

to do so in recognition of the fact that there is a strong business and economic case to be made for empowering women,” she argued.

Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, also spoke at the breakfast. Dr. Zuma, who is the first female to chair that position, shared her leadership

experiences with the gathering.

“Women in my culture and elsewhere in the world don’t think of themselves first. When they have their earnings, small or big, they think of the children, they think of their husbands, and they think of everybody else before they think of spending it on themselves… I think that if you empow-

er women you empower the nation” she said.

“It doesn’t just make sense for families and communities and the nation (when you empower women), it makes sense for business as well. Women bring a different dimension and they are multi-taskers.

They look at things in a much broader way and they are more flexible,” Dr. Zuma added.

She argued that when you empower women, you empower the whole family, the community and the nation.

Vice President of the International Women’s Forum (IWF), Jamaica, Camille Facey, said the objective of the breakfast was to promote female leadership through mentorship and learning from the sharing of experiences.

The event was held under the theme – Leadership: Ensuring Transformation and Sustainable Development – and sponsored by Scotiabank Jamaica and the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel.

(JIS)

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Guyana Gov’t launches training programme on health threats for health care workers

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Cuban Government on Monday officially launched a fiveday training programme for health workers, in both private and public institutions in the area of emerging and reemerging Public Health Threats (PHT).

The workshop is being facilitated by two Cuban professionals and focuses heavily on the Ebola virus which is still on the radar, since its last outbreak in 2014.

The sessions are being held at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street, and have as its primary goal the education of participants on infection, prevention and control (IPC) of the virus.

The programme has

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud and Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Dr. Julio Marchante along with other diplomats and course facilitators

already commenced with a similar five-day course which was completed in Berbice, Region Six; however it was officially launched on Monday, according to Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud.

He also noted that this type of training is important as it helps health care practitioners to be prepared for PHTs which can emerge at anytime.

Touching on examples of these threats, the

Jamaica Gov’t focuses on growing maritime sector

Jamaica's Minister of Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, addresses the opening of the five-day Women in Maritime Affairs (WiMA) conference, which opened on Monday, at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay, St. James.

Others (from left) are: Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, Rear Admiral (Retired), Peter Brady; Vice President of Human Resources and Administration at the Port Authority of Jamaica, Belinda Ward; and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Audrey Sewell

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, said the growth of the shipping and maritime sectors is a priority of the Government in keeping with the economic growth strategy.

“This includes strengthening the country’s identity as a maritime country. We want to attract and develop a more diversified range of maritime activities through infrastructure development, capacity building, education and training and business expansion,” she pointed out.

She was speaking at opening on Monday of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) five-day Women in Maritime Affairs (WiMA) conference, which opened on Monday at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay.

She noted that Jamaica is keen on developing industries in ship repair and maritime construction, which are being successfully operated in countries such as the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago, while there is an expanded range of training opportunities available across the Caribbean.

“There is heightened awareness in the sector, fuelled by expanded training opportunities through institutions such as the Caribbean Maritime Institute.

Today, many Caribbean states are deriving significant income and employment from non-traditional areas such as ship repair and construction, bunkering and international ship registration,” she said.

The Information Minister, in her presentation, welcomed the move to establish a WiMA for the Caribbean. The as-

sociation will be formed during the staging of the five-day conference.

She said the development is historic and will change for the better, “the face, focus and future of the maritime industry in the Caribbean.

The Information Minister said the foundation for the formation of Caribbean WiMA has been laid through the “outstanding” work of the Maritime Association of Jamaica (MAJ).

She also lauded the role played by the IMO in “supporting the efforts of our region to integrate women in the maritime sector,” noting that the move represents “forward looking.”

The conference, which is being attended by representatives of 15 Caribbean states, is being held under the theme: ‘Maritime Women of the Caribbean…Achieving Regionally…Advancing Globally’. (JIS)

CMO pointed out that Ebola, which is also a main focus in the training session, is one of the perfect examples of why the training is needed.

He said although Guyana handled the situation well in terms of

its preparedness, there is still a lot that can be done, because despite putting up barriers such as travel restrictions, diseases still pass through from time to time.

The CMO also pointed out that Guyana is working along with the rest of the world to ensure that there will not be another pandemic of measles.

He urged the participants to carefully analyse situations and cases.

He explained that social activities of patients are also important, because they can help the care provider to understand the situation better.

He also encouraged the practice of communication as a key component of treatment.

Meanwhile, Guyana Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) Representative Dr.

William Adu-Krow pointed out that every year, there will be a new or reemerging public health threat, and for that reason the training session is important.In addition, Dr. Midalys Hernandez, Director of the Cuban Medical Brigade told the participants to make the best of the training.

Also present at the ceremony was Cuban Ambassador to Guyana Dr. Julio Marchante, who lauded the relationship between the two countries, and expressed his joy in being able to once again partner with Guyana.

The facilitators are Dr. Ivan Sergio Reyes Salazar, Internal Medicine Specialist and Dr. Raul ConradoBocourt Acosta, Epidemiologist and Infections Control Officer. (GINA)

J’can banana farmers urged to take advantage of export markets

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: State Minister for Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Luther Buchanan says agricultural parishes are being positively impacted by the growth that has been taking place in the sector over the past two years.

Quoting recent reports by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute (STATIN), the state minister noted that the "reduction in poverty in rural parishes is accredited to agricultural production".

"This serves to confirm to all of us that agriculture can be, and is proving to be the game-changer for the Jamaican economy," Buchanan told the large turn out of persons at the 2015 St Mary Agri-Expo, held on April 6, at the Gray's Inn Sports Complex, in Annotto Bay. "In spite of last year's drought, the sector remains in the growth mode, and we have every intention of keeping the growth momentum going. Through a deliberate strategy, we selected a number of key areas, such as table Irish po-

tato, and we achieved 90 per cent sufficiency in 2014," Buchanan said.

As part of its drive to increase local food production, the Government has established nine Agro Parks which have contributed to the reduction of imported foods. Between January and October 2014, the national import bill fell by US$34.2 million (4.2 per cent), to US$773.1 million, down from US$807.3 million in 2013.

The state minister told his audience that there is a high demand for Jamaican fresh produce in North America and Britain, while "breakthrough" is being made in Caricom markets for peppers, dasheens, mangoes, bananas, among other produce.

He urged farmers in the parish to take advantage of the markers that have been opened up for bananas and other crops.

"We want you to be a part of this development, and to work with us to ensure that we have the productive capacity and the output to service the markets that love our Jamaican bananas," he told them. (Jamaica Observer)

Improved education project for RC schools in Trinidad

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Over the next five years, 12 Roman Catholic primary schools in the East Port-of-Spain area have been targetted for interventions due to students underperformance and resulting negative outputs in recent years.

The interventions are being made by the Catholic Religious Education Development Institute (CREDI) and the Catholic Education Management Board (CEMB) in a joint venture project called “Equity in Education in Trinidad and Tobago.” The project, to improve performance, will involve school administrators, parent teacher associations, communities and government entities.

To this end, CREDI and CEMB is currently holding a two-day sympo-

sium with educators and other stakeholders to address challenges faced by students and youths in East Port-ofSpain at St Dominic’s Pastoral Centre, St Finbar’s Church’s Compound, Diego Martin.

Addressing the opening of the symposium on Monday, educator and former Senator Dr Lennox Bernard noted that due to the societal problems associated with the area there will be need for corrective measures that may require policy changes at the governmental level.

The schools targetted are Belmont Boys, Bethlehem Boys’, Bethlehem Girls’, Nelson Street Boys’, Nelson Street Girls’, Our Lady of Fatima RC, Rosary Boys’, Rose Hill Gov’t, St Ann’s RC, St Dominic’s, St Rose’s Girls and Success Village RC. (TT Newsday)

WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 2015

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Global agencies call for urgent action Canadianto avoid groundwater depletion based Guyanese busted with F cocaine at CJIA AO, UNESCO, the World Bank, GEF and the International Association of Hydrogeologists have on Friday called for action by the global community to manage the increasingly urgent depletion and degradation of limited groundwater resources.

Ahead of the 7th World Water Forum in South Korea (12-17 April), the five organizations have proposed a set of principles governments can use for better groundwater management. The 2030 Vision and Global Framework for Action represent a bold call for collective, responsible action by governments and the global community to ensure sustainable use of groundwater.

For too long, groundwater governance has been an area of policy neglect, resulting in the degradation and depletion of this critical resource.

Global groundwater withdrawals have tripled over the past half century — more than a fourth of current withdrawals are non-sustainable. Widespread groundwater pollution is threatening humans and the environment.

Most urban aquifers suffer from sanitation issues while coastal aquifers are exposed to saline water intrusion.

Industrial pollution, pesticides and fertilizers also find their way into reservoirs.

The amount of re-

newable groundwater is unevenly distributed across regions. Some areas, especially those with low rainfall, are at risk more than others. Withdrawal intensity is highest in large parts of China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, the United States, Mexico and Europe.

This could result in lost freshwater reserves at a time when groundwater storage is critical for sustaining water security and adapting to climate variability.

“Since time immemorial humans have sought water from the soil. But we have moved from a village being based around a well to whole cities and industries being built around groundwater,” said Junaid Ahmad, Senior Director of the World Bank Group Water Global Practice.

“We have learned how to dig ever deeper, pump ever harder, and how to turn deserts into breadbaskets.

But we have not also increased the rate at which our groundwater is recharged, and so we should not be surprised when our wells run dry. Much as we have invested in pumps and crops, so now we must invest in groundwater governance.”

Groundwater is indispensable to poverty reduction and shared prosperity. It accounts for more than a third of municipal and industrial supply and services some 40 percent of the planet’s irrigated agriculture.

Groundwater has the potential to provide an improved source of drinking water for millions of urban and rural poor people. Many poor farmers and their families depend on it to irrigate their crops and sustain their livelihoods.

The 2030 Vision and Framework for Action provides an enabling framework and guiding principles for coordinated action among governments and organisations.

“Sustainable management of groundwater is key to maintaining ecosystems and adapting to climate change,” said Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). “We can no longer take this invisible but vital source for granted; urgent action is needed to ensure its long term availability. We look forward to joining hands with partner agencies and countries to ensure water for drinking, food, cities, energy and industrial uses is available for generations to come.”

In response to the urgency of the situation and a product of four years of consultations with stakeholders from more than 100 countries, these principles focus on legal and institutional frameworks, policies, and plans as well as information and incentive structures for sound and effective groundwater management.

This process signals

strengthened collaboration across the international community to understand the barriers to better groundwater governance and address key regional challenges. “Collective and coordinated action is urgently needed to protect and prolong the integrity of our aquifers,” said Moujahed Achouri, Director of the Land and Water Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

“The cost of inaction can be enormous. This vision and framework is an urgent call to decision-makers to act now with the right political decisions to help reach globally shared goals of social and economic development”.

“To make groundwater governance a reality, it is necessary to foster cooperation among countries, especially on transboundary aquifers,” said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova. “Water directly influences our future, we must work together to manage this precious resource more sustainably.” (Guyana Times)

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : A Canadianbased Guyanese was on Monday morning nabbed at the CheddiJagan International Airport as he attempted to smuggle a quantity of cocaine in false walls of his suitcase.

The bust was made by members of the Custom Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) at about 04:00h.

The man was about to board a Caribbean Airlines, 524 Flight destined for Canada. Head of the Custom Anti Narcotics Unit, James Singh confirmed that the cocaine was found in false walls of the passenger’s suitcase who was later identified as Arthur Manget of Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara.

Singh noted that the man arrived in Guyana about five months ago and was on his way back to Canada when the cocaine was found.

While the actual weight of the illegal substance has not been disclosed, Singh stated that it is estimated to be between 8 and 11 kilograms.

Guyana Times understands that Manget was about to be checked-in by a counter clerk when members of CANU recognised that he was acting in a suspicious manner. Upon checking his suitcases, it was noticed that one side looked heavier that the other causing it to topple on its side. On taking a closer look, CANU ranks detected that the man’s suitcase had false walls that were filled with cocaine. He was taken to the search room where he was grilled and told ranks that he knew nothing of the illicit substance. CANU has launched an investigation and has since visited the man’s East Bank Demerara home but no one was there. (Guyana Times)

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Caribbean records 49% decrease in HIV infection – PANCAP

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EORGETOWN, GUYANA:The Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) has reported that the Caribbean recorded a significant decrease in the number of HIV infections.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, PANCAP Director Derek Springer pointed out that many persons did not know about the work of the organisation or its achievements. He noted that one of the organisation’s major achievements is the reduction of the number of new HIV cases being detected by a staggering 49 per cent.

Springer added that this was the sharpest decrease recorded by any region around the world.

However, despite this significant decrease, the Caribbean still remains the second most infected region in the world.

The PANCAP Director explained that this was because of the Region’s large population.

“When we look at the population size of the Caribbean compared with other regions’ population, the Caribbean continues to be the sec-

their needs, was later than when the initial response was focusing on general population,” he remarked.

Dr Shanti Singh along with PANCAP Director Derek Springer and PSI Consultant Sarah Romorini

ond most infected region.

The other thing we must also take into consideration is previously people who tested positive eventually died within so many years, but because of treatment people continue to live longer. It means that if we are able to eliminate HIV transmission today, we will continue to see people living with HIV and, therefore, what we have to monitor at the national and regional level is the incidence of news cases,” he stated.

According to Springer, the reduction of new cases of HIV infections reflects that the Caribbean is making progress in eliminating this societal scourge.

In addition to this, the Region has seen 70 per

cent of persons who are eligible for antiretrovirals (ARVs) receiving the treatment, which is a significant improvement from 2001 when less than five per cent had access to treatments.

The PANCAP Director further stated that the Caribbean has also seen a decrease of 51 per cent in the number of deaths as a result of HIV-related illness.

“Our Region is on track to becoming the first region in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and we have seen in some Caribbean countries over the last few years that there were no reported cases,” he disclosed.

To this end, Springer noted that a Pan American Health

Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) team is currently in Cuba, conducting verification and will even do so in other Caribbean countries to determine whether in fact mother-to-child transmission has been eliminated in the region and Latin America.

Furthermore, Springer highlighted that there has been a significant decline in infections among female sex workers. However, he noted that there were challenges as it relates to cutting the rate of HIV infections among males who have sex with men.

“Of course, a lot of that has to do with the fact that our response to address men who have sex with men and ensuring that we have services that are tailored to meet

The Programme Director of Guyana’s National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Dr Shanti Singh, highlighted that for the first time Guyana has seen a hike in its prevention and treatment services. She noted that by the end of 2014, some 5041 persons were in the care and treatment programme.

“All 5041 persons are receiving ARVs but of that (figure), we have about 89 per cent of those receiving antiretroviral care. This is a significant achievement and as we monitor the ARV programme over time, we can see the proportion of persons in the treatment programme receiving ARVs, increasing,” she noted.

Dr Singh added that Guyana has managed to reach out to over 3000 female sex workers and over 3000 men who have sex with men, during the course of last year.

Additionally, NAPS was able to prioritise areas of interest and was able to reach out to an increased number of miners and

loggers.

PANCAP has approached the Global Fund with a concept note that seeks to strengthen its various programmes.

The organisation is confident that it will receive approval for the US$12.1 million.

According to Director Springer, the project is focused on addressing human rights issues such as discriminatory laws and policies. It will also look at community system strengthening to ensure that the responses are not only a topdown approach but also a bottom-up approach.

In addition, Population Services Consultant Sarah Romorini outlined that she was working closely with PANCAP to promote social marketing activities within the Caribbean and Latin America. She noted that through this programme, condoms are becoming more available and accepted in HIV affected areas.

This, Romorini stated, is not only profitable for companies, but also reflects that persons are taking measures to protect themselves, which will result in more healthy environments.

(Guyana Times)

Grenada woos TT tourists

Grenadian entertainer Tallpree, left, with Chrislyn Lashington, corporate communications officer, Grenada Tourism Association; Brenda Hood, Grenada’s Minister of Culture and Heritage; Rudy Grant, CEO Grenada Tourism Association, and Shirma Wells, director, Spicemas Corporation, at a media conference at the Radisson Hotel, Port-of-Spain, last Thursday

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) is on a mission to have all the hotel rooms on the island filled throughout the year. As part of that quest, the agency has set its sights on the TT market and is currently on a promotional tour. Grenada’s Culture Minister Brenda Hood said on Monday: “Inter Caribbean tourism is very important to the industry and TT is a very powerful destination and therefore we have to take every opportunity to come to TT and promote

Grenada.

“We congratulate the Government of TT for the partnership that we have developed as we promote the destination.

In this way the hoteliers can feel good about what they have to offer.

We want people to follow what is going on in Grenada. It is an island that is safe and there are lots of opportunities and products that we have to offer.”

Hood, who spoke at a press conference hosted by the GTA at the Radisson Hotel in Portof-Spain, said on May 29 Grenada will be launching its Spice Mas and

she expects to see greater connectivity. Veteran hotelier Sir Royston O Hopkin, chairman of Spice Island Beach Resort, said CAL and LIAT bring approximately 80 per cent of the tourist traffic to Grenada.

GTA CEO Rudy Grant said the agency intends to strengthen its marketing thrust, not only in the region, but globally.

“The experience in Grenada is authentic.

We are approaching our marketing in a strategic way and we are looking at the data in a scientific way of who visits from around the world,” he said. (TT Guardian)

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WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Opposition adds 20 females Jamaican group publicly listed on TT Stock Exchange to balance “flawed” list

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: The delisting of Jamaica Money Market Brokers Limited (JMMB) and simultaneous listing of JMMB Group took place on Monday morning at the same time on the TT, Barbados and Jamaica Stock Exchanges.

The change over comes approximately three years after JMMB acquired Capital & Credit Financial Group Limited (CCFG) creating a new structure within the combined group of companies which required reorganisation.

That acquisition gave JMMB strategic capabilities, including Capital & Credit Merchant Bank Limited, now JMMB Merchant Limited, an entity licensed under the Financial Institutions Act of Jamaica (FIA) and subject to the supervision of the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ).

Speaking at the delisting and relisting ceremony at the TT Stock Exchange (TTSE) in Port-of-Spain on Monday, Ronald Carter, chief executive, JMMB Investments TT, said the group had to be re-

structured “in a way that permits the BOJ to effectively carry out its supervisory mandate under the FIA.” “On May 16, 2012, JMMB Group Limited was therefore formed as a new financial holding company and will be at the pinnacle of the group structure. JMMB Group Limited will now be the publicly listed and ultimate holding company of the combined group.”

Carter assured the company’s shareholders that they will be able to retain their shares.

He explained: “Ordinary shares will be transferred, one for one, to JMMB Group Limited—ordinary shares, allowing shareholders to retain the same volume and value of their shares.

The shares will also carry the same rights, benefits and obligations of the previous JMMB Limited ordinary shares.

JMMB Group Limited ordinary shares will list at the same price that the JMMB Limited ordinary shares last traded.”

The JMMB Group offers a wide range of investment solutions, banking and insurance

services in Jamaica, TT and the Dominican Republic and has an base of more than 200,000 individual, corporate and institutional clients.

It began its expansion to other Caribbean markets in 1999 through a successful joint venture establishing Caribbean Money Market Brokers (CMMB) in TT and Barbados.

In 2005, as a means of deliberate business line diversification in the region, JMMB acquired 50 per cent shareholding in Intercommercial Bank Ltd (IBL), as at 2013 JMMB owns 100 per cemtof the IBL Group in TT. In late 2012, the company opened JMMB Investments TT. JMMB Dominican Republic opened its doors in 2006 and in October 2007 our newly-formed company was officially called JMMB Puesto de Bolsa with a mandate to actively develop the Money Market in one of the largest Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands.

There are currently two locations in the Dominican Republic.

(TT Guardian)

in Guyana

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EORGETOWN,GUYANA: Days after the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) found fault with the List of Candidates submitted by the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition, citing insufficient female representation, the group has now added 22 members to its list, 20 of who are female.

The List was submitted to GECOM last Tuesday, Nomination Day, at City Hall. However, it had to be adjusted after the Elections Commission indicated to the APNU/AFC coalition that there was a need for more women representatives to be included on the list.

Of the 75 persons who were named on the List which was submitted on Tuesday, only 20 were women. The APNU and the AFC subsequently added 22 more members after GECOM had found fault with the list, bringing the total number to 97.

According to the legal requirement, the list of representatives must have one third females as such; the alliance was required to make some adjustments.

The Representation of the People Act says the total number of females on each party’s national top-up list shall be at least one-third of the total number of persons on that list. With the addition of the 22 persons, the coalition has now satisfied the constitutional requirement. The law also states that the total number of females on any party’s lists for geographical constituencies, taken together, shall be at

least one-third of the total number of persons on those lists taken together for the geographical constituencies in which that party is contesting.

The other women are Genevieve Allen; Mabel Baveghems; Aileen Chalmers; Susan Farnum; Ingrid Ferguson; Aurdell Glasgow; NiaGonsalves; Viviana Harris; Shondel Hope; Ebony Hunte; Ciselyn Jonas; Janice Lewis- Gonsalves; Ann Marcelle Lee- A-Ping; Andrea Marks; Ann Gentian Miller, a lecturer at the University of Guyana; Allison Maureen-Philadelphia; Hazel Pinder; Alicia Roopnaraine, daughter of Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Leader and APNU Executive, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine; Benita Lauren Sampson and Aileen Whyte.

Meanwhile, the two men who have been added to the List are Lawrence London and Rajendra Bissessar.

Dr Roopnaraine expounded on the criterion which was used, citing at the top of the list, competency and integrity.

“We wanted to place a great deal of emphasis on competency because part of what we are suffering from at the moment is a high level of incompetence in many areas of state operations and we wanted to ensure that we left the level of competence. We have a strong insistence on integrity. So we were putting forward candidates I believe who could be trusted with political office and we tried to ensure as far as we can that our lists that we had submitted would in fact pass those tests,” Dr Roopnaraine shared. (Guyana Times)

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Guyana’s ruling party unveils development plans for Reg 10

By Gomatie Gangadin

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : The People’s Progressive Party/Civic continues to deliver its message of hope during the campaign promising Region 10 residents on Sunday better social and health services as well as the setting up of a Linden Development Fund and the building of homes for retirees.

PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper has promised better social and health services for Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), should the party be re-elected on May 11 when General and Regional Elections are held in Guyana.

Speaking to a large crowd at Wismar, Linden, which welcomed her with loud cheers, Harper related that if elected Prime Minister she would work to ensure that the rights of all women were protected and that opportunities for their empowerment were provided.

“The PPP/ C has always realised the critical role women can play and should play in our nation-

A section of the crowd which gathered at the PPP/C’s Linden rally on Sunday

building process. Our list presented on Nomination Day abides by that institution. Our Party believes in the full respect for the human rights, in particular the rights of women: our right to choose and be involved in the political life of our country; our right to decent work and equal pay and our right to further education to develop our careers; to have businesses and to fully develop our homes.”

Harper said: “as Prime Minister of Guyana, I will, therefore, work with his Excellency, President Donald Ramotar and the Cabinet and with other stakeholders to ensure that the progress made for the past two de-

cades in empowering our women and girls is safeguarded and further enhanced,” Harper, a former Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, told the crowd.

Meanwhile, in talking up the Party’s plans for the Region should the Party be returned to power, the former diplomat related that the PPP/C Government has realised and was fully aware that there was always more that can be done to bring development to communities in Guyana and as such, this has been reflected in the Manifesto which is being put together by the Party for the elections to be held on May 11.

The Prime Ministerial

Candidate went on to state that the Party would seek to establish sub-regional diagnostic centres in the hinterland, recruit foster families and promote foster care, establish a programme for single parents to be assisted and supported so that they can receive further training while ensuring that daycare services are provided for those who work.

Retirement homes for citizens in all of the 10 Administrative Regions were also touted along with the promotion of the rights of the differently able, the establishment of a special victims unit for victims of sexual violence, as well as the establishment of two wa-

ter treatment plants in Wismar and Wisroc.

Meanwhile, in addressing youth issues, Harper told the young people in the crowd that they were one of the most valuable assets of Guyana and as such, the Party was committed to engaging them fully in the decision-making process. On this point, she related that it was the Party’s leaders’ wish to see young people remain and build Guyana and as such, there were also plans for them in the Manifesto.

Government is also hopeful for a new energy sector with the drilling for oil and gas that is ongoing. “What is at stake in May 11 is extremely

important …you should judge us on our record and there is no way the APNU and PNC record can compare to us…That is why they don’t want to talk about the past, they don’t have a record that could compare to our record…elections are about character as well and the PPP/C is proud of the fact that it takes its promises seriously.”

Other speakers at the rally included PPPC’s candidate, Pamela Sauers-Rambarran; Junior Finance Minister, Juan Edghill; PPP/C’s Youth Rep and Linden resident, Dr Gregory Harris; Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon and Works Minister Robeson Benn. (Guyana Times)

J’can Gov’t launches US$3.9 million watershed project

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Government has launched a US$3.9 million project to protect the Yallahs and Hope River areas from degradation, while seeking to improve water resource management.

The five-year project, which is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), through the Global Environment Facility, will also seek to achieve institutional strengthening and capacity building for inte-

grating biodiversity into watershed management.

Delivering the keynote address at the launch on Monday at the Terra Nova Hotel in St Andrew, Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change Robert

Jamaica's Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change (centre), converses with chief executive officer of the National Environment and Planning Agency, Peter Knight, at yesterday’s launch of the US$3.9 million Yallahs and Hope River Watershed Project. At right is country representative for the Inter- American Development Bank Therese Turner-Jones

Pickersgill said the project should create economic and sustainable livelihoods, as it will boost agriculture and forestry in watershed communities.

"Through these activities, more than 200 community persons will be trained in various areas, such as land husbandry, best practices, fire management, ecotourism and other small business ventures," the minister noted.

Pickersgill, who pointed out that degraded lands will be restored under the project, said people should expect

higher water yield, and sustainable land management in the Yallahs and Hope River watershed areas, which can only redound to greater efficiencies and effective results.

"Other beneficial activities will include the reforestation of 400 hectares of degraded land, development of six on-farm demonstration plots, and the commissioning of market studies for development of alternative livelihoods in four communities in the Yallahs and Hope watershed management areas," said Pickersgill.

The minister also announced that the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has granted Ja$11 million for the implementation of a watershed area management mechanism for Black River, St Elizabeth.

The watershed area mechanism, said Pickersgill, would be gradually implemented in several watersheds and has several components that integrate community and Government agencies, planning and action, for which the community takes ownership.

(Jamaica Observer)

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TT’s Opposition leader initiates legal CIOG’s annual action against three radio personalities fundraising dinner in

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley announced he has initiated legal action against three radio personalities and the stations they are affiliated to, for repeating the allegations which Tobago East MP VernellaAlleyne-Toppin made against him inside of Parliament, outside of the Parliament.

In making this announcement at a People’s National Movement (PNM) public meeting at Massy Stores car park in St Augustine, Rowley spoke about the pain his family has endured since Alleyne-Toppin made her claims and about his concern that Trinidad is being run by “a criminal empire.

Rowley, who is also PNM political leader, said he has challenged anyone who has anything to say about his private life or family life, to “come outside” of Parliament and do that. “Guess what, some of them have come outside,” he told party supporters. They cheered as he disclosed, “I have instructed my lawyers to file suit against 91.1 FM and Wendell Eversley, Morgan Job and 102 (FM), Gladiator (Ricardo Welch) and 91.9 FM.” Rowley said he further advised his attorney to examine the “publications and writings” of former Congress of the People (COP) activist Phillip Alexander.

He added his lawyers, “already have instructions that if they find I have been slandered, to sue Phillip Alexander.” He explained, “The reason why I am doing this is not because I am vengeful. It is because I want to protect the climate of the political arena in TT.” Rowley declared, “All those who feel that if you can’t contend with a man, that you dig up his dead father and his dead mother and politics of it, if you have something to say, come and say it an air-conditioned room in the Hall of Justice.” Saying he has a track record of accountability in public life, answering all allegations made against him,

Rowley said he has also advised his lawyers that “as fast as they come, as long as they breach the law and slander or libel me, sue them.”

Saying he is fully prepared to speak about his private life “in the courthouse of TT,” Rowley said, “I do it for Carlton Joseph and Vassie Rowley (his deceased parents).” Saying he has endured, “the worst that the political arena could produce,” in the last week, Rowley thanked “all the people of Trinidad and Tobago who have stood with me and my family. ” Reiterating he has “absolutely no regrets” of entering the political arena, Rowley said, “Where and when I grew up in Mason Hall, there were some things that men didn’t do and one was to show emotion.” Softening his tone, Rowley said, “No real man did that when I grew up in Mason Hall. So I never told my grandfather how much I loved him but God knows, I loved Joe Rowley.”

As the crowd applauded him, Rowley continued, “I never told my father Carlton Joseph how much I loved him but God knows, I loved that man.”

He said it was difficult for his family, 36 years after Joseph’s death, to take attempts to label Joseph as “a rapist in the Parliament of TT.” Saying this situation has affected his five brothers, their spouses, their children and “even the unborn,” Rowley said this could only happen when “you fall in love with office.”

He declared he was not afraid of any claim made against him because, “whatever pain I felt, is not for me because I could deal with every one of them rats, every night, every day.”

Rowley said the Government wants the public to believe “the issue in this election, is how many children Keith Rowley had before he was married.” He countered, “I don’t want to know how much they had before they were married, after they were married and when they dead.” (TT Newsday)

J’can Finance Minister to co-chair G20 working group in Washington

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Minister of Finance and Planning Minister, Dr Peter Phillip is currently in Washington, DC, to attend the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

The Spring Meetings of the World Bank and IMF allows for a forum for discussion among the institutions’ Ministers of Finance, Governors of Central Banks and other high-level authorities of member countries on a range of financing and debt related issues confronting member states.

The meetings in Washington DC will also provide the opportunity for Jamaica to continue formal discussions with critical stakeholders on the policies that the administration is pursuing to realize macroeconomic stability, economic growth and development, the progress made in the implemen-

Jamaica’s Minister of Finance and Planning Minister, Dr Peter Phillip

tation of the country’s economic reform programme and to reiterate how these institutions can tangibly continue to support Jamaica’s development.

The Minister has been asked to co-chair the G-20 Development Working Group which will focus on issues that are pertinent to developing economies, such as growth, debt financing and financial inclusion.

Dr Phillips will be presenting on behalf of the Caribbean the peculiar

challenges facing the region. Other delegations from Jamaica includes the Governor of the Bank of Jamaica, Brian Wynter; the Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Colin Bullock; the Financial Secretary, Devon Rowe; and Head – IMF Coordination and Implementation Unit in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Judith Green The team is schedule to return on Sunday, 19 April 2015.

(JIS)

Canada set for May

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Students receiving their awards at the CIOG/Zakat House Annual Orphans’ Fun Day in 2014

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Canadian Support Group of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) is set to host its annual fundraising dinner billed for May 2.

During the dinner, which will be held at the Islamic Institute of Toronto (IIT), Scarborough, Canada, invitees would be edified on the actions taken to help the poor and needy.

Additionally, the support group would use the opportunity to seek their generous contributions so that the CIOG can continue to serve the less fortunate people of Guyana.

In a release on Sunday, CIOG said the contributions will continue to make a significant difference in the lives of others via a number of existing programmes.

“For example, to ensure that the knowledge of Islam is circulated, our teachers working in several regions must be paid to travel and conduct Madrasah classes. To provide for the vulnerable, our orphan sponsorship programme meets the nutritional, educational and

Computer Training Centre commissioned at New Amsterdam, Berbice

medical needs of children for just US$30 a month per child. To strengthen bonds in the community, our social services include assisting poor Muslim families with the burials of their loved ones. To safeguard the happiness of our children, the 375 orphans currently registered in our programmes are treated to a delicious meal, games, rides and presents every year at an annual fun day,” CIOG explained.

It was also pointed out that Zakaat can also be donated at the dinner and will be used only for its intended purpose.

It was also stated that all donors will receive

a tax deductible receipt from the International Development Relief Foundation (IDRF) for their donations made.

The event is one in which the members of Canada come together to lend a helping hand to the executives of the CIOG in Guyana; to show them how much they appreciate the great effort they are making to help the people of Guyana.

The event will be chaired by the Imam of the Taric Mosque, Shaikh Imran Ali while the keynote speech will be delivered by ShaikhAbdool Hamid. The event is being led by Dr Abdullah Hakim Quick. (Guyana Times)

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TT opens Embassy in Panama

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Prime Minister KamlaPersadBissessar on Monday identified economic benefits as one of the core reasons behind Government’s decision to establish an embassy in Panama.

Addressing the formal opening of the embassy in Panama City, prior to her departure from the Central American nation, the Prime Minister said the “strong commercial relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and Panama” and “benefits to trade that will come with the expansion of the Panama Canal” are two reasons why the embassy was established.

Noting that TT and Panama have had bilateral relations for the last 21 years, Persad-Bissessar recalled that Panama was also the first Central American nation to establish a resident embassy in Port-of-Spain in 1995. “This is one of the reasons why today is a momentous occasion, as we in Trinidad and Tobago

PM Kamla:We continue to expand international relationships as PM Kamla opened the Trinidad and Tobago Embassy in Panama City, Panama this weekend! The opening of the embassy in Panama City means more opportunities for TT manufacturers and a stronger national economy. (PM Kamla Persad Bissessar photo)

will become the first Englishspeaking Caricom country to establish a resident mission in Panama City,” she explained.

Noting that the TT Partial Scope Agreement Bill was passed last month in both

Houses of Parliament and assented to by the President on April 1, Persad-Bissessar said, “This agreement will support economic relations between both countries through the expansion of trade in goods.

She said the agreement will boost trade in areas such as construction services; energy services; port services and information, communication and telecommunication.

Stating that TT and Panama signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Sector Cooperation in March 2012, Persad-Bissessar said this agreement expired on March 12 and “consideration is being given to renewing the agreement given its significance to TT as a net exporter of energy, and to Panama as a net importer.”

Regarding air service collaboration, Persad-Bissessar said Panamanian airline COPA has initially offered three to four flights per week to one to two daily flights. She said the airline now offers one to two two daily flights out of TT and this “ has impacted significantly and positively on the ease of travel to Central and South America with benefits to tourism and business in both countries.”

She also said there is

“significant interest in Panama” by the local private sector. Persad-Bissessar said in March, a 28-member delegation from the TT Manufacturers Association participated in a trade mission to the EXPOCOMER Exhibition hosted in Panama.

The Prime Minister said Panama and TT have also initiated discussion on a number of other agreements which would see enhanced cooperation in areas such as culture, education, sport, technical cooperation and tourism.

Noting the common vision of both countries is reflected through bodies such as the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), Persad-Bissessar said Trinidad provided “meaningful support to Panama” for its candidatures to international organisations such as the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for 20142016 and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

(TT Newsday)

Jamaica to host conference on STEM, TVET

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: THE second International Conference on TVET in the Caribbean will be held May 13-15, 2015 at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

An international panel of presenters will explore the theme "STEM Education in TVET: Imperative to National and Regional Development".

The conference is being hosted by the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona School of Education in collaboration with the UNESCO

Kingston cluster office for the Caribbean; the Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities (CANTA); the Ministry of Education in Jamaica; the HEART Trust/NTA; and the University of Technology Jamaica.

Dr Disraeli Hutton, chairman of the conference planning committee, said that the general objective of the conference is to establish a platform for re-engineering the traditional education process, and strengthen academic discourse as it relates to the implications of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

(STEM) in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

He added that the conference "offers an opportunity to bring together stakeholders from different countries to interact about the prospects, issues and challenges based on informed findings and will showcase currency in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, while addressing regional policies for the mainstreaming of TVET." Dr Wayne Wesley, Chairman of CANTA and Executive Director of HEART Trust/NTA, said that the conference is timely, as the "region

strengthens the mechanisms for the development of a competent workforce and promoting the movement of certified skilled labour through the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) framework."

He stated that the economic development of regional economies is hinged on the availability of skilled human resources.

Dr Wesley pointed out that TVET, through its real-world applications, is the ideal vehicle through which the STEM discipline can be delivered.

Conference partici-

pants will include local, regional and international officials of critical ministries, agencies of governments and private sector entities.

Participants will also include TVET practitioners at various levels of the formal, non-formal and tertiary systems, as well as at the level of universities. National parenting bodies, graduate students and young people from all Caribbean Community member states and the international arena will also be in attendance.

Presentations will be made on the following topics:

* Mainstreaming TVET in the education system * Transforming TVET through STEM integration * TVET and industry engagement * Stimulating innovation through TVET * TVET: the application of STEM for economic development * STEM-focused TVET for sustainable development * TVET and quality assurance * Effective leadership and management in TVET including financial management.

(Jamaica Observer)

Former Guyana President attends large PPP/C fundraising dinner in Toronto

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EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Committee to Re-Elect the PPP/Civic Government on Friday hosted a fundraiser in Toronto, Canada.

The Dinner and Dance held at Elite Banquet Hall, 1850 Albion Road, Toronto, was well-attended and was graced by the presence of former President BharratJagdeo and Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali as well as other party officials.

The Committee had urged patrons to come out “to hear the latest update on one of the most important and defining elections in the history of Guyana, from these prominent and high-profile political

figures of Guyana”.

In this picture, Ali take time for a photo

with guests at the dinner. (Guyana Times)

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Five star 'Guyana Marriott' hotel opens G

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The US$58 million flagship Marriott Hotel, in Kingston, Georgetown, has opened its doors to the public with much pomp and ceremony – accomplishing that feat despite the naysayers, litigation, protests, parliamentary motions and the plethora of resistance to one of Government’s key developmental projects. (More details about the opening ceremony in our next edition).

The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) is the Government-owned company lawfully entrusted to pursue investments on behalf of the State, including public-private partnerships and in September 2009, incorporated Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI), the Special Purpose Company to pursue the Marriott project.

It’s been made pellucid time and time again.

No tax dollars were directly invested into the Marriott Hotel Project, in Kingston, Georgetown, but even if this were the case, such a reality is not unique to the industry in the Region.

As is evident as close as Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Puerto Rico – established travel hubs of the Caribbean – Governments have been taking on leading roles in developing hotel projects.

Local critics chastised the Guyana Government for its part in pursuing the Marriott Hotel project, but over in Trinidad and Tobago, its 428room Hyatt Regency was built by that country’s Government, despite its already established, privately-owned hospitality industry.

The Trinidad and Tobago Government had

Guyana's President Donald Ramotar touring the stat-of-the-art kitchen of the Marriott Hotel

taken a conscious step to develop and diversify its tourism industry and to make it more attractive and sustainable; hence, the pursuit of the Hyatt Regency in 2007. The Trinidad Government‘s strategy was focused also on business conventions, conference hosting, ecoadventure, sport and recreation—similar to the pursuits espoused by the Guyana Government.

The Urban D e v e l o p m e n t Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (UDeCOTT), Trinidad’s leading public developer now owns the hotel and all elements of the mixed- development.

Over in Barbados, there is an even more glaring example of Government taking the principal role in pursuit of the development of a major hotel project – not waiting on the Private Sector – as is advocated by antagonists locally. In fact, in pursuit of the Four Seasons Hotel in Clear Water Bay, Barbados, that country’s Government not only provided a Government Guaranteed loan to the tune of US$60 million,

it also supplied additional financing by sourcing another US$30 million from the State-owned National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

Over in Puerto Rico, that country’s Government successfully pursued the development of a Ritz Carlton Hotel at a cost of almost US$350 million.

This too was funded partially by that country’s National Tourism Development Board which allowed for certain equity and guarantees for the developers.

In fact, the Puerto Rican Government, in using tax dollars to boost the tourism industry has also “installed aggressive incentive laws which reduce tax rates charged to hotel operators”.

But this was not the end of Government support for the development of the Hotel Project.

The Puerto Rican Government also put in place a “90 per cent tax exemption and various tax credits, some of which are transferrable and may be sold and utilised as part of the equity involved to finance hotel development.

In Guyana’s case, NICIL, a privately registered Governmentowned company invested and loaned to the Marriott Project, money not derived from tax dollars but rather revenues earned by the shareholding company.

Over the years, criticisms and unwarranted opposition against the Marriott Project have persisted incessantly.

Among the recent criticisms by vociferous antagonist Christopher Ram is that the creation of AHI, preceded any feasibility study for the project, but “which company exactly would have been tasked with hiring the international consultants for a Feasibility Study or approach the Marriott Group”?

This was an observation made by AHI Chairman Winston Brassington, who ahead of this week’s opening, attempts to once and for all dispel the incessant criticisms against the project, which in part did lead to an Opposition parliamentarian leading court action that saw financing being held up and NICIL having to res-

cue the project.

According to Brassington, as the opening of the internationally branded Hotel draws nears, AHI has set the record straight too on NICIL’s involvement in the project, contrary to numerous inaccurate, erroneous and sometimes fabricated reports in the media and irresponsible assertions made by Opposition politicians.

In fact, Brassington, in setting the record straight, is of the opinion that had NICIL not played the role it did in crafting and marketing an investor-friendly package during a time of global financial crisis, the Marriott Hotel, as it stands in Kingston, Georgetown, ready to open its doors, “would have still been a Guyanese dream”. All the processes for attracting investors, selecting the contractor, selecting the supervision firm were all conducted in an open and transparent manner.

Construction of the Hotel started in earnest in early 2012 following the sod-turning ceremony in November 2011,

but ever since 2009, AHI had been actively looking for partners, locally and internationally, interested in entering into a Public-Private Partnership to develop the Hotel.

By 2010, the following year, AHI also caused to be published numerous invitations locally and internationally for contractors to submit their proposals to be pre-qualified. These were again repeated in 2012.

Republic Bank who had more expressions of interest in 2011, began to find investors backing away. NICIL/AHI, according to Brassington, structured an attractive Public-Private Partnership arrangement to pursue a project that was ultimately determined to cost about US$58 million to construct and bring into operation.

The continued effort to stop the project led to court action by A Partnership for National Unity’s Desmond Trotman. The litigation by Trotman inherently delayed completion of the financing of the project, according to Brassington, who said that despite this, the principals continued to pursue the realisation of the investment, for an internationally-branded Marriott Hotel, Casino and Entertainment Complex, once the legal matters were discharged.

As part of the arrangement with Republic Bank, Trotman firstly challenged the lease between NICIL and AHI for the land on which the property sits. NICIL had initially leased the land to AHI with an option to buy it for US$1 million as long as there is a significant amount of the proposed infrastructure in place. (Guyana Times)

Youth forum attendees in Jamaica say Obama inspired them

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: The hundreds of young people who got the opportunity to see President Barack Obama in person and hear him speak at last Thursday's youth forum at the University of the West Indies left impressed and inspired by the man who holds the distinction of being the first black president of the United States.

Speaking with the Jamaican media after the event, several participants spoke glowingly of Obama, describing him as charismatic, dynamic, inspirational, diplomatic, and an "extraordinary

human being". For most of them, their only disappointment was that they didn't get the chance to ask him any questions.

After a brief presentation, in which he focused on entrepreneurship and launched the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative, Obama allowed 11 random questions from the floor, but for the pool of 350, it was not nearly enough.

Jermaine Case, who was representing the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network, the University of the West Indies STAT and the Inter-American Development Bank Civil Society Group, was in

Three hundred and fifty young leaders from Jamaica and the Caribbean participated in last Thursday’s town hall meeting with President Obama

awe.

For Gabrielle Elliott Williams, President Obama was not lacking in dynamism, charm or

inspirational appeal.

On the subject of the foreign direct investments, the US president said it was up to the in-

dividual governments to decide what's best for their people and to ensure that they stand to benefit from the input in

the long-term.

For that, Jamaica's Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna called him an extraordinary human being.

"It's not often that you find leaders who get it that young people are the future generation of power and what he's very clear about is not giving ad hoc things to make them feel good but he's putting in place mechanisms to build that generation of power," she told the Jamaican media.

Obama left Jamaica Thursday evening, almost 24 hours after he had arrived. (Jamaica Observer)

19 Mergers good for TT economy P news

WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Finance Minister Larry Howai says international mergers will insulate the TT economy from the backlash of falling energy prices.

He said it can no longer be business as usual for Government because of the decline in foreign revenue, so it is impor-

tant to form sustainable mergers.

“Preliminary indications indicate that the first half of this year we shall run a deficit but it will be lower than originally forecasted and considerably better than our revised forecast, based on reduction of revenues consequent with the fall in energy prices,” he said.

Assault of Guyanese Ambassador…

Suriname apologises to Guyana

– launches in-depth probe, promises sanctions

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Lackin

Ambassador to Suriname Keith George

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Government of Suriname has officially apologised to the Government of Guyana following the assault of this country’s Ambassador to Suriname, Keith George on the soil of Guyana’s Embassy in that country.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry in Guyana on Saturday, in a statement to the media, said that Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett has received a formal apology from her Surinamese counterpart, His Excellency Winston G Lackin, regarding the incident that took place at the Guyana Embassy in Suriname’s Capital, Paramaribo, on April 1.

Guyana Times also understands that Minister RodriguesBirkett was also assured by her Surinamese counterpart that appropriate remedial measures will be taken by Suriname and action will be taken to avoid a reoccurrence in the future.

Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry in the statement said too that

it remains committed to the continued deepening of the relations between the Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Suriname and is satisfied that both countries have been addressing the incident under reference in a mature, friendly and good neighbourly manner which is testimony to the strong ties of friendship between both Governments.

It took the opportunity to thank the staff of the Guyana Embassy in Paramaribo for firmly defending the applicable rules of the Vienna Convention during the incident.

Ambassador George was allegedly assaulted by two Surinamese Police Officers who breached international diplomatic agreements concerning the jurisdiction of Police on the territory of embassies as they attempted to arrest the Ambassador’s chauffeur.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry in Guyana immediately expressed its deepest concerns regarding the assault and the violation of the Vienna Convention.

(Guyana Times)

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The minister said with the expected lifting of sanctions against Iran and the continued build up of oil inventories in the United States, revenue and expenditure initiatives have to be fast tracked in the coming months to insulate the TT economy against the effects of those changes. He said the chemical complex to be built at La Brea will make a positive contribution to that effort, providing a boost to the economy.

“Foreign direct investigation from this project alone is US$850 million or TT$5.4 billion,” he said During construction phase of the project, Howai said, 3,000 people will be employed and when the plant is fully operational, 184 people

TT’s Finance Minister Larry Howai

will get permanent well paying jobs.

“TT is no stranger to large petrochemical concerns. Our petroleum industry and downstream activities are highly developed and recognised

the world over. This DME plant will be the first of its kind here,” he said.

“Its high oxygen content, lack of sulphur or other noxious compounds and ultra clean combustion make DME a versatile and promising solution in the mixture of clean renewable and low carbon fuel,” Howai added.

His Cabinet colleague, Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine, commenting on the US$70 million acquisition of BG Group’s assets by Royal Dutch Shell, said that merger will offer opportunities for upstream industries.

“Shell has been looking for an upstream position in the exploration and production business.

I think Shell brings ad-

vantages to TT and one of these advantages is access to capital,” he said.

Ramnarine said he and a ministerial team will meet with Shell officials this week to discuss the company’s plans for TT. “Shell now has a dominant position in the Liquid Natural Gas business in TT,” he said.

Ramnarine said it might take about nine months for the deal to be finalized as regulatory issues have to be addressed.

Royal Dutch Shell and BG Group have key stakes in TT's energy sector, with both companies holding significant shares in LNG export/producing company Atlantic in Point Fortin.

(TT Guardian)

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 2015

Update on the 2012 KamakusaTepui Expedition

S

ince the 2012 Mt Kamakusa expedition to Guyana, at least three undescribed plant species have been discovered among its collections.

In 2013, research botanist and associate curator at the Smithsonian Institute (SI), Kenneth Wurdack in his report noted that many more would emerge from the cryptogams (plants and fungi that reproduce by spores not seeds), which have never been studied from the region.

Notable among these three is a new species of Tryssophyton (Melastomataceae), a tuberous epiphyte (a plant that grows upon another plant, harmlessly deriving moisture and nutrients from the air, rain and sometimes surrounding debris, instead of being parasitic). With whorled leaves

Wurdack sits near some collected specimens (Erin Tripp and Ken Wurdack photo)

and bright purple flowers, Wurdack states that it appears to be endemic to the summit.

For about five weeks in May-June 2012, a small team of U.S. scientists, along with several local personnel and Amerindian guides were based in Imbaimadai, Region

Seven, before trekking to Mt Kamakusa, a 5,511 feet high (1,691 meters) tepui believed to be the third highest tepui within Guyana not bordering another country.

It is however, one of the least explored or surveyed regions. The last and so far only known scientific expedition was

in 1960 when botanist Stephen Tillet reached the lower slopes of the mountain to collect some 40 plant specimens.

During the 2012 expedition, more than 1,100 collections were made under Karen Redden, Kenneth Wurdack or Erin Tripp, which spanned the range of el-

evations encountered (1,600-5,511 feet).

Redden (University of the District of Columbia and SI Research Associate), Wurdack (SI), Tripp (University of Colorado, Boulder), and graduate student Aleksandar Radosavljevic (Chicago Botanic Garden and Northwestern University) were the American expedition members who reached the study area after a 28 mile (45 km) overland hike.

Starting at Imbaimadai and making a western approach, Wurdack in his report noted it was “one of the longest approaches on foot by any BDG expedition to date.” This was due, he said, to the Partang rapids and eastern flank cliffs that made it impossible to reach the mountain by any other route.

Describing the climb to its summit, Wurdack states that it required

a 2.5 hour near vertical scramble of 1,500 feet elevation over one linear mile, as they traversed three of four total escarpments of the tepui.

The Amerindian contingent first reached the summit June 5 by cutting a line, and the U.S. contingent followed, to begin collecting specimens June 7-8.

The exposed rocky summit of Kamakusa, Wurdack reveals, was blanketed by nearly impenetrable shrub thicket.

The 2012 expedition, part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Biological Diversity of the Guiana Shield Programme (BDG), was supported by the National Geographic Society (NGS/Waitt Grant to Redden, PI).

It looked to document plant diversity in the region for scientific studies as well as for ensuring data for future conservation planning.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Caribbean writers to meet in Guadeloupe

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rench novelist and poet Daniel Maximin will be the “guest of honour” at the fourth edition of the Congress of Caribbean Writers that opened on April 15.

The organisers said that the four-day event which is being sponsored by the Regional Council of Guadeloupe, in collaboration with the Association of Caribbean Writers will attract participants from the United States and 21 Caribbean countries to discuss themes relating to travel, migration and Diasporas.

“This biennial event, is now, more than ever, a symbol of the mixing of languages and cultures, welcoming writers from Antigua, Barbados, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, French Guiana, Haiti, Martinique, Panama, Puerto Rico, The Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela and, of course, Guadeloupe. They will present and discuss matters pertaining to their capacity to combine reality, symbolism and the imaginative world,” they

said in a statement.

They said that for the first time ever Francophone literature will be celebrated, with the naming of Guadeloupe’s Daniel Maximin as the guest of honour, who in 2013, was appointed as a member of the French National Observatory on Secularism.

“Maximin is therefore following in the footsteps of Derek Wacott, Nobel Prize winner in the field of literature, for the first edition, Marcio Veloz Maggiolo for the second and Russel Banks for the third.

“This Congress will be an incredible journey of discoveries and exchanges, with a myriad of lucid views on Caribbean history, transposed with talent into pieces of writing. It will serve as a communion among writers and lovers of Belleslettres, who are passionate about the history of migrant peoples, an indisputable aspect of popular cultures. The key objective of this event is to promote and improve knowledge of Caribbean culture."

(Antigua Observer)

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WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

TT to experience ‘a taste of fire’…

…at inaugural Fiery Foods Festival on April 25

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eople from various parts of Trinidad and Tobago will compete for the grand prize of TT$25,000 and TT$5,000 worth of Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) services in the first ever Indigenous, Innovative Fiery Foods Festival held by (CARIRI) and the Centre for Enterprise Development (CED).

The event will take place April 25 at Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, from 10 a.m. Celebrating the unique and flavourful foods of Trinidad and Tobago, CARIRI and CED through this unique competition would highlight the creativity of citizens and their ability to make innovative products that are new and/ or indigenous that use local peppers and other hot spices as the main ingredients.

The event will consist of competitions for both professional and non-professional chefs; as well as established and emerging food processors. Apart from the grand prize that would be awarded to the overall winning chef and processor, prizes will also be awarded to category winners.

The concept of the competition came from Liaquat Ali Shah and aims to showcase the creativity of Trinidadians and Tobagonians in the area of fiery foods. In addition, the competition provides a great opportunity to identify and select potential entrepreneurs who can be assisted with business start-up and expansion.

Unit Leader of the Food Technology Unit and Project Lead for the Fiery Food Festival, Margaret Taylor said: “We are hoping for 40 chefs and 50 processors. The winners have the opportunity to access CARIRI/CED’s services to commercialise their products, get their products tested, enter the business hatchery/incubator or access any of CARIRI’s other services to assist with the development of their products and businesses. Even persons who do not win but have products with potential will have the opportunity to visit CARIRI to receive guidance on making their products market ready.”

On the day of the event, there would be two main attractions. The first attraction called “The Hot Mouth Challenge” requires the person to rap; give a speech or sing using hot and innovative expressions. The second attraction called “Rate The Heat” requires the person to rank the sauces according to the level of hotness. The event will be open to the public who can also enjoy the affair from many booths on the site.

Competitors would be from two major food sectors: food processing and food service and they would be judged in a number of categories. (TT Express)

Seventh Summit of the Americas hailed as historic

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he historic face to face between the United States and Cuba, energy solutions, climate change, peace in Colombia, and Argentina's long-standing claim of sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, were among the many issues highlighted at the seventh Summit of the Americas, which concluded on Saturday in Panama City, Panama.

This year's summit, the first in history that included representatives of the 35 independent countries of the hemisphere, had addresses by the 27 heads of state and government, five foreign ministers and three permanent representatives to the Organisation of American States (OAS).

Heads of state representing lands from Tierra del Fuego to the North American tundra pressed their concerns in a marathon session at a Panama City convention centre. However, it was all overshadowed by the first substantial face-toface encounter by sitting U.S. and Cuban leaders since 1958, as presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro sought to restore diplomatic relations and lower the combative tone that has prevailed since ties were severed 54 years ago.

Obama sought to chart a smoother course in relations with Latin America, and many other leaders notably did not take a page from the leftist ALBA bloc nations and take strong stands against Washington.

The moderate voices

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Huge rock formations at Mt. Kamakusa

U.S. President Barack Obama (right, middle row) and Cuban President Raúl Castro (left, middle row) and other world leaders participate in the Summit of the Americas arrival ceremony in Panama City, Panama.

included the presidents of Latin America's two most populous and economically powerful nations: Brazil's Dilma Rousseff, who only briefly criticised the U.S. sanctions on Venezuelans as "counterproductive and inefficient", and Mexico's Enrique PeÒa Nieto, who delivered an attackfree address.

PeÒa Nieto expressed solidarity with Chile, whose president skipped the summit to oversee the country's response to deadly flooding in recent days; backing Colombia's peace talks with the hemisphere's largest surviving guerrilla army, a common theme on the day; and praising U.S.-Cuban dÈtente and Castro's unprecedented attendance.

"All 35 states that make up the Americas

are here .... This historic gathering is thanks to the dialogue between two great friends of Mexico, Cuba and the United States," PeÒa Nieto said.

"Our nation supports, recognises and is an ally of this process."

Obama announced that Rousseff will visit Washington in June, rescheduling a 2013 trip that she called off amid a diplomatic flap over revelations that the U.S. National Security Agency had covertly monitored her private communications.

She said she was pleased by the invitation and looked forward to the trip.

The summit concluded with a Declaration from the Presidency, which President Varela delivered at the end of the event. In it, the

Panamanian president said he convened the summit "with a universal character," and that the result was a "historic" event, thanks to the presence, for the first time, of Cuba.

"The decision announced by the presidents of Cuba and the United States to move forward with a new approach to the relations between their countries created a legitimate expectation that situations, both old and new, that have made for tense hemispheric relations can be resolved," he said.

"This summit has built bridges in that direction."

In Panama, it was also determined that the eighth Summit of the Americas will be held in Lima, Peru, in 2018.

(Jamaica Gleanor)

Aerial view of the ridge summit of Mt. Kamakusa showing western face

t. Kamakusa is a little explored tabletop mountain or tepui at the extreme eastern edge of the Pakaraima Mountains, about 18 air miles northeast of Imbaimadai and 14 miles west of Kamakusa village.

Its east-facing sheer cliffs, with a rapid drop of more than 5,000 feet to the lowland jungle, directly intercept Caribbean tropical trade winds and give rise to an environment that is among the wettest on Earth.

The western slopes form the

headwaters of the Partang River, a tributary of the upper Mazaruni River, and create a small rain shadow that gives way to an extensive mosaic of savannas, scrub, and short canopy forests.

(Text: Kenneth Wurdack. Photos

by Erin Tripp and Ken Wurdack)

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 2015

Obama enjoys Jamaica visit

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Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller hugs U.S. President Barack Obama following the conclusion of their bilateral meeting at the Jamaica House (Jamaica Observer Photo)

is appreciation for Bob Marley music and Red Stripe Beer is well known, and he proved during his short visit that he is comfortable with the Jamaican Patois. But a little-known fact about United States President Barack Obama is that he really loves Jamaican food.

According to U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica Luis G. Moreno, the president was given a sampling of 12 of Jamaica's more famous dishes on his first night in the island.

Although Moreno is

not sure exactly what the president ate, it is believed that ackee and salt fish, jerk chicken and fried plantains were on the menu.

Obama, who stayed at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel during his nearly 24-hour stop in the island, was very impressed with the meals and conveyed his appreciation to the chef.

"I don't know exactly what the chef did, although I did speak with him and he told me that the feedback that he got was excellent," noted Moreno.

The U.S. president

was in the island for some serious business, including bilateral talks with Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and discussions with 14 Heads of Government from the Caribbean Community, but made time to visit the Bob Marley Museum in St. Andrew less than two hours after disembarking Air Force One at the Norman Manley International Airport.

The 44th U.S. president has long made it clear that he is captivated by the music of the iconic reggae artiste, and was clearly pleased about getting more acquainted

with the history of the legendary singer whose albums are among his prized possessions.

According to the museum's tour guide, Natasha Clark, the president started to sing and dance when the Marley anthem, ‘Exodus’, was being played, and revealed that he had been listening to it while making his way to Jamaica on Air Force One. He also sang along with Marley as the hard-hitting ‘Ambush in the Night’ was played.

Seemingly fired up by the Marley message, Obama, on Thursday, captured hearts and disarmed critics as he greeted the 'massive' and asked 'what a gwaan?' at the start of a meeting with youth leaders from across the region at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus.

It was no wonder, then, that the U.S. president declared his intention to visit the country again with his family, which includes wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha.

"We will have to return with the girls sometime in the future," said Obama not long before he left the island with 48 bottles of Red Stripe Beer and pleasant memories. (Jamaica Gleanor)

Brother Ebony crowned Humorous Calypso Monarch in TT

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fter years of knocking on the door, Fitzroy Joseph (Brother Ebony) has etched his name in the calypso record books, doing so in style on Saturday evening at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain.

Brother Ebony was crowned Humorous Calypso Monarch 2015, dethroning five-time winner The Incredible Myron B. Brother Ebony sang in position six and patrons literally blew off the roof of the Grand Stand with laughter and applause during his performance.

Ebony’s song, “Sign Language”, was simple and effective, with him explaining signs made by his friend Cassandra. Of course, his reply at the end of each verse carried a political connotation.

Preceding Brother Ebony, Mr. Mike started the competition with “Adult Toy” and he received a good reception. He was followed

by Ninja, with “Level the Playing Field”, and

Brother Ebony during one of his performances in the competition

Kid Kalaloo and Brother Alpha with “Deafy Claire” and “I Ain’t Hold Nobody”, respectively.

Bunny Brown (Bunny B) also received thunderous applause for his rendition of “Tame, Tame, Tame”, a song in which he related how several politicians changed their ways. There was loud laughter when he did the verse on Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism Dr

Lincoln Douglas, who was sitting in the front row.

The Minister jokingly threw a nuts bag at Bunny B and took the song in stride as he sang and demonstrated along with Bunny B. Defending monarch Myron B performed “Ebola Scare” but did not click as accustomed.

Brown Boy (Knolly Brown) did “Captain

Rowley”, while Snakey (Heaven Charles) performed “Cah Rhyme”.

The latter dressed the part along with his dancers.

In the second round, competitors were allowed to sing a song of a humourous nature not limited to his repertoire, but most of them sang one of their own.

Again Brother Ebony solicited thunderous laughter and applause from the audience with his performance of “My Wife”. Snakey and Bunny B also impressed with their performances of “The Dhoti Song” and “Old Party Singers”, respectively.

It was quite clear that it was Ebony’s night and the judges’ only problem was who to place second.

Somehow it seems they did not get it right as the audience booed and shouted “no, no” as the results were announced.

For the third time on the night the audience gave a thunderous round of applause to Brother Ebony as he was announced the winner. (TT Express)

Life experiences inspire Guyanese artist’s works

'Geometrica Rising' (2004) (Photo by Michael C Lam)

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'Release' (2013)

uyanese veteran artist Winslow Craig is widely known for his supreme craftsmanship, inventiveness and insight.

Craig was born at Caria Caria on the Essequibo River. He studied at the E R Burrowes School of Art and graduated with distinction in 1989. In 1996 he was awarded the Commonwealth Arts and Crafts Award (1996). He was recently awarded the portfolio for the design and model of the Indian Arrival Monument to be erected at Palmyra, Berbice and is working on a steel sculpture for the athletics track at Leonora.

The artist has exhibited extensively at home and abroad, notably in New Zealand, Belize, China, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Venezuela and the U.S.A. Craig is known for his thought-provoking, magnificent sculptures.

Some of his art pieces are part of the National Collection housed at Castellani House.

His most recent piece “Saving Seeds” is a tribute to his father who

'Swept away' (1993)

died last year. According to Akima McPherson, artist and lecturer at the University of Guyana, “while it [“Saving Seeds”] stands in tribute to the man his father was, it speaks to the role Craig envisions for fathers – a role he feels is not being performed adequately by today’s fathers”.

“Saving Seeds proposes an antidote for the ill which has befallen our times whereby mothers raise boys without appropriate male role present...” McPherson explained.

She went on to say that over the years “Craig has revisited, reworked, expanded and conflated early themes of social and moral responsibility, bonded families, concern for youth, reliance on the Divine, overcoming adversity and victory on struggle. And whereas, some of his early explorations of these themes were largely derivation of his Christian faith and familiarity with Biblical verse, today his explorations are derivative of his experiences as a father and a partner, a brother and an uncle”.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Exploring Iwokrama

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ften when people explore the rainforest, there is much interest in the birds and other rainforest animals.

But the world of plants is equally enchanting and Guyana’s forest, with an excess of 8,000 plant species, presents a haven for plant lovers.

The Soft Wallaba (Eperua falcata) is a super important tree for Guyana. Often we see our electrical wires strung from wooden poles, which are made from this species and it takes a very special skill to create this important value added timber product.

Soft Wallaba is a tree with a straight trunk, and can be distinguished by long reddish hanging fruit pods (once fruiting) that adorn the tree like Christmas tree decorations.

According to Guyana Forestry Commission’s

“Guyana Woods – 21 Species” publication, (revised 2004), the heartwood of the Soft Wallaba is reddish-brown in colour, with dark gum streaks which tend to spread over the surface.

The sapwood is pale in colour and is sharply defined from the heartwood. The texture is coarse and the grain is typically straight. The bole, or trunk, is 15-20m in length and diameter is approximately 60cm and occasionally up to 100cm.

The publication added that Soft Wallaba heartwood is highly resistant to decay and subterranean termites, and is fairly resistant to dry wood termites.

Due to its resistance being extremely high, Soft Wallaba has excellent properties for transmission poles, flag staffs, marine and bridge construction in non-teredo areas owing to its

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strength and durability.

It is suitable for general heavy construction, utility and industrial floors and chemical vat staves.

Additionally, the timber is used to make fence staves, fence posts and shingles for roofing.

A leguminous tree, the seeds may be eaten by rodents in events of the scarcity of other fruits. The flowers are a staple resource for monkeys (howlers, spider, and sakis) during the dry season.

It is a generalist species so it can be found in all forest types, but is codominant in Wallaba forest type on white, highly drained sands. When you visit Iwokrama you can find it on all the tourist trails. It certainly will be one of the tree species the Iwokrama’s guides will be happy to show you.

Ecotourism is one of the important components of Iwokrama’s

strategy for financial self-sufficiency. Visits to Iwokrama directly contribute to the communities in and surrounding the Iwokrama forest.

Tourism there supports the development of an eco-friendly sustainable model, which is being shared locally, nationally and internationally.

The Iwokrama forest and the Rupununi wetlands and savannahs offer visitors exceptional natural and cultural experience set in a learning context. Iwokrama is a place for all ages and all interests and you choose what you want to do.

At Iwokrama, you can retrace the footsteps of the Makushi people, wander the extensive trail system and discover the unforgettable flora, fauna and Amerindian history so special to this tropical paradise.

The Iwokrama forest is an extraordinary destination for naturalists,

Soft Wallaba pods hanging from the tree branches (Dr Raquel Thomas photo)

birders and anyone seeking an authentic retreat to the jungle.

For more of the tours that Iwokrama offers, call the Iwokrama office on (592) 225-1504 to speak with Chauncy or Diana or email tour-

ism@iwokrama.org.

Visit http://iwokramariverlodge.com or check out Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development on Facebook.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

'Deckie’s Liqueurs' 'Red Stripe' renovates making its mark in TT community centre in Jamaica

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rinidad and Tobago is bursting with flavour.

From the unique blend of cultural dishes to the sweet nectars of a vast selection of fruit, all ready and waiting to be bottled for the world to

ipe every year,” Mohan recalls. The drink was a hit with friends and family who encouraged him to commercialise.

Small batches of his sweet sorrel elixir were made and sold at first to his co-workers who, he

Deckie’s Liqueur in some of its flavours on display (FB photo)

enjoy in new and exciting ways. Trinidadian entrepreneur Dexter Mohan has infused these flavours in his liquor and the end result is a delicious balance of local juices with a kick that may leave you swaying but begging for more.

Mohan’s business, ‘Deckie’s Liqueurs’, was established in 2006 with what began as an experiment with local Christmas favourite, sorrel. “I made one rec-

jokes, are still his “number one supporters”.

Since its humble inception, Deckie’s Liqueurs has expanded its brand to include other local favourites such as guava, lime, coconut and what has been described as its “flagship flavour”, passion fruit.

“TT taste buds love passion fruit,” says Mohan, who attributes its gravitational pull to the colour, texture and heavenly aroma of the fruit.

“The smell of the gua-

va and the passion fruit have such strong flavours,” Mohan explains.

“When I cut into the fruit the whole house smells so wonderful and this was transformed into the taste.”

Mohan explains that the family-run business will continue to experiment with new flavours to tantalise the taste buds of local consumers.

With inspiration coming from other territories such as Martinique, his wife’s country of birth, the possibilities are endless. Hog plum, he explains, is commonly used in wines in Martinique and so may also be incorporated into his line.

Deckies Liqueurs, which started off as a “part time hobby” has grown into a well-established business and has garnered a solid fan base, even participating in events such as Carnival fetes as well as private functions. The brand can be found at ‘Tru Valu’ stores nationwide as well as ‘West Bees’ supermarket in Diego Martin. Samples of these sweet alcoholic drinks are available at local markets in TT. Mohan, who is an advocate for local talent and entrepreneurship, emphasises the importance of the support of the local community for artisans such as himself by attending the many local up markets throughout the year.

(TT Newsday)

Red Stripe’s team busy at work at the community centre

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he Red Stripe Diageo team was out in full force last Friday as they spent a full day successfully renovating the Cheesefield Community Centre in St Catherine, Jamaica. The renovation forms an important part of the company's Project Grow sustainability initiatives within the communities in which they operate.

The community centre, although in a deplorable state, has been somewhat of the community's 'oasis', a home to its medical clinic every third Thursday and a space for the sports-loving members of Cheesefield on a Sunday to flex their muscles in friendly play.

Dianne Ashton-Smith, head of corporate relations, Red Stripe, commented on the renovation noting, "Today is part of Diageo's global #proudofwhatwedo campaign aimed at giving back to the communities in which we operate. By renovating this community centre, which has been a vital resource for many groups in Cheesefield, we are providing even better facilities for conducting meetings to respond to the challenges and opportunities within this community.

"We are also creating a space for conducting classes and enhancement courses, which will be offered under

the Diageo Learning for Life Project Grow. Additionally, once completed, this fully-functional and outfitted venue will be home to community events and other viable activities that would allow opportunities for income generation to maintain this facility," she added.

Her wish is for residents of the area to work even harder to ensure that it is maintained and remains available and accessible to every member of the community.

The centre received significant internal and external renovations inclusive of tiling, painting, cleaning, landscaping, improvements to the basketball court and a new sign for the building.

The renovation project follows on the recent lease agreement signed between Red Stripe and the government last month at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new cassava plant at Red Stripe. The agreement with the government included an additional 250 acres of land at Wallen Farms, surrounding the Cheesefield community.

The additional land contributes to the company's goal to replace 40 per cent of imported inputs used in the production of its flagship Red Stripe beer with the local cassava. (Jamaica Gleanor)

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 2015

Honesty

By Narine Dat Sookram

D

r. Jean Small is a GuyaneseJamaican who graduated from the University of the West Indies in Foreign Languages: French, Spanish and Latin. Her profession all her life has been as an educator, which she passionately pursues.

She was born in Guyana but has been living in Jamaica since 1954. Small has worked in Guyana, Trinidad, Nigeria, Australia and Jamaica as a French teacher at both secondary and university levels. Her love since school days has been theatre. She considers herself first as an actress and secondly as a director and playwright, using theatre tools as a vehicle for understanding life, language, culture and interpersonal relationships. As a foreign language lecturer, she uses theatre to teach French and Literature at the university level.

Her publications include a series of textbooks in French and Spanish for schools; the play ‘A

Small with two of her puppets during a puppet show in 2008

by the French government for distinguished teaching of French and Literature - in 1985 with the Academic Palms at the level of Chevalier, and in June 2004 at the Level of Officer.

Small is presently retired from the University of the West Indies where she last headed the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts. She is currently the Convenor of the Fine Arts Board of the University Council of Jamaica, member of the Alliance Française (an

Acting a dramatic piece at a storytelling event

Black Woman’s Tale’; and articles on the empowerment of theatre.

Small has participated in theatre internationally and is the only person in Jamaica who uses theatre as a tool for teaching French and Literature. For 13 years, Small led a team of experts from across the Caribbean to formulate the curriculum in French and Spanish for the Caribbean Examinations Council.

Notably, she participated in writing the syllabus for Theatre Arts for CXC. The prolific educator has been decorated twice

organisation that promotes French language and culture worldwide), and past president of the Jamaica Association of French Teachers.

In 2001, Small was inducted into the Caribbean Hall Of Fame in Jamaica. In 2003, Small joined the Toastmasters International, which is an organisation that sees communication and leadership as essential to personal and societal development.

Through her performance in her club, the Dynamic Speakers, she gained the designation as Distinguished

Toastmaster in 2012. In 2004, she placed third in the Jamaica National Speech Competition.

In May 2005, she won the Jamaica National Humorous Speech Competition, and in November of the same year she won the Humorous Speech Competition held in St. Croix, which made Small the 2005 Caribbean Toastmasters Champion of Humorous Speeches.

In 2006, she won the evaluation contest at the Area Level, and in 2007 she became the Caribbean Champion of Public Speaking.

Additionally, her other awards include the Actor Boy Award (1995) for her performance in ‘Hot Flashes’, the Charlotte and Isidor Paiewonsky Prize for the Best First Publication of “Lament” - a poem dedicated to Prof Kamau Brathwaite in the Caribbean, and the choice of her play, ‘The Black Woman’s Tale’ as the best Jamaican play in 1998, which she performed in France in French at the Theatre Gérard Phillipe.

Small also writes short stories and is a storyteller. On 14 November 2006, she was chosen to perform as a storyteller with the internationally acclaimed storyteller, Gayle Ross, at the Edna Manley College.

On October 2007, the United States Embassy invited Small to perform her winning speech entitled ‘Rain’ at the opening cocktail reception of the launching of the Chiefs of Mission HIV/AIDS Conference in Jamaica.

In the 2006, at the Tallawah Drama Competition held at the University of the West

Indies, the French play Small entered won two awards: one for the script that she had written, which consisted of translations into French of six of Mutabaruka’s poems, and the one for the performance of poetry by a group accompanied by drums and movement.

Small is also the director of her own company, TALA (Theatre Arts Learning Aids), which promotes the use of theatre as a teaching tool. Through TALA, she teaches values and attitudes using the art of puppetry and storytelling. Her puppetry troupe is called 'Puppets For Peace', which presents puppet plays for children and workshops for early childhood educators and Sunday school teachers on the effective use of puppetry as a teaching tool. TALA offers a course in Public Speaking. Small also conducts drama classes with the children of the Portmore Missionary Preparatory School.

In 2010, Small was awarded the Bronze Musgrave Medal by the Institute of Jamaica for excellence in theatre. In that same year, she received the Life Award from the Jamaica Association of Dramatic Artists for over 50 years of contribution to theatre in the Caribbean, as well as a plaque from the Guyana for her outstanding contribution to theatre. In 2011, Small was awarded her Doctor of Philosophy for her thesis on creativity and the use of theatre techniques in teaching French Language and Literature. (First published on www.guyanesegirlsrock.com)

H

onesty is important because it creates peace of mind and promotes relationships of trust among us. The good thing about honesty is that it makes a relationship with people and society a complete whole.

On the flip side of this when we are not honest, it surely leads to conflict and corruption. We may not realise this, but honesty can provide some sort of self-improvement – meaning that when a person is honest with him/herself, it means that they can recognise their own weaknesses, which is a good thing, because this will allow them to work towards becoming a better person.

Whereas, when someone is dishonest with him/herself, they have a harder time to make any improvement.

We must remember that a society that is characterised by a culture of dishonesty is missing the opportunity to thrive businesses and even the government as well. And speaking of government, a dishonest political leader can easily take advantage of his/her office in many of ways.

Some of them may be stealing funds from the public. Honesty can really makes a relationship stronger by promoting trust, because if someone finds out that he/she has been lied to, it makes it very challenging to trust the liar in the future I have no doubt that we all at some point in our lives have come across people who seems very loving at first, but as we get to know them more, we see a completely different side to them.

And as we get to know them more, we realize their charm is only phony. For example when they smile, we can surely see a big smile, but on the other hand their eyes is telling a whole different story.

Or in many other cases, as soon as we try to talk about anything important, their body language may change right away.

There is an old saying that when someone is being nice to us, it’s a good reason not to trust them.

I personally grew up respecting those who told me the truth even in the most difficult times in their live, because it surely wasn’t an easy thing to do.

It is much easier to get over a situation this way, rather than having to lie to people only because we want to come across as a nice person. Honesty surely takes courage, because it’s never easy to break someone’s heart.

However, a good example is if we are not in love with someone who is badly in love with us, then the right thing to do is to be strong enough to tell them how we feel and that we want to end the relationship.

For the sake of being honest, it is important for us to accept the fact that a situation as such is a tough one, but at the same time we must take some responsibility for putting ourselves into that situation, but most importantly we must face such difficulties with courage.

When we can do this we are seen as an individual who people can trust, because it’s all about being honest.

For questions, comments and feedback, send them to mcnarine@rogers.com.

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Neil Nitin Mukesh: 'Prem Ratan 'Kick', 'Bang Bang!' nominated Dhan Payo' boost to my career for stunt awards in U.S.

A

ctor Neil Nitin Mukesh has pinned his hopes on upcoming Salman Khan-starrer Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, which he terms as one of the most important films of his career.

The 33-year-old actor, who made a successful debut with ‘Johnny Gaddaar’ in 2007, had a string of flops at the box-office in the recent past, including ‘David’, ‘3G’ and ‘Shortcut Romeo’.

Neil is thrilled about working for ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’, which re-

unites Salman with filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya of Rajshri Productions.

The actor, who plays Salman's younger step brother, Ajay Singh, said his complex role is new for a Barjatya film, which is known for its too good characters.

On his experience of working with Salman, Neil said it is a dream sharing screen space with the ‘Dabangg’ star.

"I am honoured to work with Salman Khan. He is one of the best human beings I have come across. It is so rare to find the combination of a mega superstar, who is so chilled out and relaxed and at the same time a people's person. He is concerned about everybody on the sets. It does not matter to him how big or small a person is. That shows his stature. His presence is intimidating but when you know him he is like a baby," Neil said.

The New York actor revealed he is undergoing physical training for an upcoming action sequence in the movie.

(TOI)

Farah Khan: Won't make experimental films under pressure

F

ilmmaker Farah Khan, whose films are marked by dollops of dance, songs and melodrama, says she may make an experimental film like Kalki Koechlin- starrer ‘Margarita With A Straw’ if she finds a good script. However, she asserts she won't make it under any sort of critics' pressure.

"If I love a script, I will surely make it," the ‘Happy New Year’ director said at a screening of ‘Margarita With A Straw’.

"If I will get a script like this (‘Margarita With A Straw’) or I would feel that I can go for this script, then I would def-

initely make it. But I won't go ahead with it just because critics want me to make such films. I won't take that pressure on me," she added.

‘Margarita With A Straw’, directed by Shonali Bose, narrates the struggle of a cerebral palsy affected girl (played by Kalki Koechlin) with the normal activities in her life.

Not only the film, but Kalki also has garnered a lot of appreciation in the international circuit for her performance.

(TOI)

Bollywood’s version of ‘Dumb and Dumber’

S

tep aside 'Dumb and Dumber'.

Our very own desi version 'Welcome To Karachi' is here.

The film's protagonists, two incredibly stupid friends Kedar Patel (Jackky Bhagnani) and Shammi (Arshad Warsi) embark upon an adventurous journey. The duo sets out for the U.S. in a boat, but ends up in Pakistan. And that's just the beginning.

Vashu Bhagnani's 'Welcome To Karachi', the trailer of which released earlier this week, is an out-and-out laugh riot, where these two find themselves in extraordinarily hilarious situations — from being captured by the Taliban to being suspected as Talibani terrorists. "We wanted to capture the goofball sincerity and endearing stupidity of Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels in ‘Dumb and Dumber’. Our message is very simple, we just want audiences to laugh their heads off," says Jackky Bhagnani.

Jackky and Arshad were last seen together in the film 'F.A.L.T.U.' "The

I

‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ and ‘John Wick’.

The Hindi movie with power-packed action scenes is also nominated for Best Specialty Stunt award. It will vie against ‘Dumb & Dumber To’, ‘Fury’, ‘Need for Speed’ and ‘Pompeii’.

‘Bang Bang!’, which also stars Katrina Kaif, may get honoured with Best Overall Stunt By a Stunt Woman at a ceremony to be

held in California on May 9. Other contenders are ‘Need for Speed’, ‘Pompeii’, ‘The Sacrament’ and ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’.

Taurus World Stunt Awards in the form of a Taurus statuette is given annually to members of the Taurus World Stunt Academy for outstanding stunt and stunt-related achievements in eligible, theatrically released motion pictures.

(TOI)

Revealed! Ranbir, Katrina's 'secret' party spot

A

sprawling penthouse in a partially-occupied building on Pali Hill is Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif's 'secret' party spot, according to reports.

While they have a sea-facing apartment on Carter Road with a terrace which every guest raves about, lovebirds Ranbir Kapoor and

Katrina Kaif have found another spot for occasional get-togethers with a select set of friends.

A source close to the couple informed Mirror that the topfloor in a partially occupied Bandra highrise, Sandhu Palace, has caught the fancy of the couple. No, they aren't planning another

real estate investment.

The penthouse is owned by a close friend who is game for midnight bashes away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi.

It was last Friday, Ranbir and Katrina, along with RK's director buddy, Ayan Mukerjee, producer Aarti Shetty and actor Aditya RoyKapur among others let their hair down. The occasion was the birthday bash of one of the owners' sons.

One of the guests present told Mirror, "It was a crazy party with flashing psyche deli lights, trance music and even a projector in the living area. The apartment is like one you'd find in New York's Upper East Side and is the perfect party place." (TOI)

Salman Khan clocks five years on Twitter two are spot on with their comic timing. Get ready to hold your sides," says the film's lead heroine Lauren Gottlieb, who plays an ISI agent in the movie.

'Welcome To Karachi' releases May 21.

(TOI)

Irrfan Khan hopes to meet Dan Brown

rrfan Khan, who has starred in Hollywood hits like ‘Life Of Pi’ (2012) and ‘The Amazing SpiderMan’ (2012), is now off to the U.S.A to begin the first round of preparations for American filmmaker Ron Howard's next.

The film is the third installment in Dan Brown's ‘Robert Langdon’ series.

B

ollywood blockbusters ‘Kick’ and ‘Bang Bang!’ have been nominated in Taurus World Stunt Awards alongside Hollywood biggies like ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ and ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’.

Salman Khan-starrer ‘Kick’ is up against ‘The Expendables 3’, ‘22 Jump Street’ and ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ for Best High Work Award.

It is also nominated in Best Stunt Rigging category along with ‘22 Jump Street’, ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’, ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ and ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’.

Hrithik Roshanstarrer ‘Bang Bang!’ which has several deathdefying stunts, may bag the Best Fight award if it manages to defeat ‘300: Rise of an Empire’,

The talented actor hopes to meet author Dan Brown and co-star Tom Hanks as he prepares for the film. Irrfan says, "This trip is to decide my look in the film, what I will wear etc. Ron and I have been discussing how we will approach the role. We've also spoken about the character's accent.” (TOI)

B

ollywood superstar Salman Khan has completed five years on micro-blogging site Twitter.

With more than 11 million followers, the 49-year-old may be a little behind with the numbers when compared to the other two Khans - Shah Rukh and Aamir, who have over 12 million followers, but has always kept fans updated by interacting with them on regular basis.

The ‘Dabangg Khan’ completed five years on Monday. He was trending on Twitter by the keywords #5YearsOfSalmanOnTwitter.

Salman, who made his Bollywood debut with 1988 film ‘Biwi Ho To Aisi’, also shares a fan following of more than 20 million on Facebook.

Some of his blockbuster films include ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’, ‘Hum Dil De

Chuke Sanam’ and ‘Wanted’.

The actor will next be seen in Kabir Khan's ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ in which he will star opposite Kareena Kapoor Khan.

He'll also be making his comeback to Rajshri Productions with ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’. (TOI)

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Justin Bieber kicked out of Coachella!

H

ollywood star Ryan Reynolds has escaped unhurt after being involved in a hit-and-run incident in Vancouver, Canada.

The 38-year-old "Green Lantern" actor was hit by a car when he was leaving the parking lot at the ShangriLa Hotel, Vancouver, reported Ace Showbiz.

"It was a hit and run in the parking lot apparently, but there were no injuries," said Vancouver police Constable Brian Montague.

Police are investigating the incident and will ask Reynolds whether he wants to proceed with any charges since he was not injured.

According to Montague, police have an "idea" of who was driving. The driver of the car that hit the actor was allegedly paparazzi, but the police did not state whether the driver had been identified or located.

In an email, Reynolds' publicist Leslie Sloane

shared details of the incident, "While walking, Ryan was struck by a paparazzi driving a car through an underground parking garage. The man fled the scene. Ryan is okay."

The hotel also released a statement confirming that there was an incident in the building's residential parking lot, but it did not mention the exact name of the victim. "We have extended our full assistance to the authorities who are handling the matter," the statement read.

Reynolds, who hails from Vancouver, was in town to film "Deadpool".

(TOI)

Madonna kisses Drake on stage

R

apper Drake received a surprise kiss from singer Madonna, whom he invited to his headlining set at music festival Coachella.

The crowd was excit-

ed when the 28-year-old brought out Madonna on the stage, but they went even wilder when he and the pop diva made out during the performance on Sunday, reports aceshowbiz.com.

Madonna, who inspired one track on Drake's "If You're Reading This It's Too Late" mixtape, invaded his set to perform some of her own songs like "Human nature", "Hung up" and "Express yourself".

Towards the end of "Express yourself", she planted a kiss on Drake's lips. Numerous people in the audience weren't the only ones who were left shocked. Drake himself clearly didn't expect such a thing would happen.

After she let got of him, Madonna walked off the stage while telling the crowd, "I'm Madonna, b**ch!"

Meanwhile, Drake could only laugh before saying, "What the f**k just happened?" (TOI)

J

ustin Bieber was kicked out from Coachella festival after being chokehold by the security at the entrance, it has been reported.

According to TMZ. com, the 21-year-old singer and his team walked to the artist's entrance where Drake was performing, when they were stopped by security and told the area was at capacity and they couldn't come in.

Eyewitnesses told the website that the 'Baby' hitmaker argued with security, saying that there

was no way he could stand in a big crowd because he would get bombarded by fans.

According to reports, Bieber didn't stand down and security was pissed and at that point

a Coachella staffer came up to Bieber and said she would escort him inside the artist's area.

The staffer grabbed Bieber by the arm and began walking him and his security team inside, when Coachella security came up from behind and put Bieber in a chokehold and the singer was then ordered to leave the festival.

Sources close to Bieber said that the singer voluntarily left the venue, and they're considering taking legal action against the security guards. (TOI)

Simon Cowell considers adoption

M

usic mogul Simon Cowell and his partner Lauren Silverman are considering adopting a

child.

The 55-year-old 'X Factor' boss and Silverman welcomed their first baby, son Eric, last year and have spoken of their desire for the boy to have siblings.

But Cowell believes adoption may be the couple's best option for a second child, reported Daily Star.

"Myself and Lauren want to have more children of our own but we could adopt as well. I wouldn't rule out it happening. It's a good idea. I'm beginning to warm to the idea of adopting," Cowell said.

Eric is Cowell's only child, while Silverman has an eight-year-old son with her ex-husband Andrew Silverman. (TOI)

David Arquette, Christina McLarty tie the knot

D

avid Arquette has officially exchanged vows with girlfriend Christina McLarty in an intimate ceremony in Los Angeles on April 12.

The couple were married amongst close family and friends and were joined by their 11-month-old son, Charlie West, and their two basset hounds for the ceremony, People Magazine reported.

Arquette and McLarty, have been together for two years and got engaged in 2014, two months after the birth of their son. (TOI)

Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel welcome baby boy Scarlett Johansson's 'Star

S

inger-actor Justin Timberlake and wife Jessica Biel have welcomed their first child, a baby boy.

The couple's representatives said Biel and Timberlake, 34, have named the boy Silas Randall Timberlake, ac-

cording to People magazine.

"Both mother and baby are doing well and the father is ecstatic," the representatives said.

The representatives did not specify when Biel, 33, had given birth.

Timberlake and Biel have been married since October 2012.

The couple had kept details of the pregnancy tightly wrapped, confirming they were expecting only on Timberlake's 34th birthday in January.

"Thank you everyone for the B'day wishes! This year, I'm getting the greatest gift ever.

Can't wait," he wrote on Instagram, where he posted a picture of himself kissing Biel's belly.

(TOI)

Wars' tribute in 'Avengers 2'

I

n the latest trailer of Marvel's ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’, Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson is seen with light saberlike weapons similar to the ones used in "Star Wars" films.

The 30-year-old actress will reprise her role of Black Widow in the superhero-action film, which is the sequel to 2012 movie ‘The Avengers’.

The mysterious pair of weapons unleashed

by Johansson's character has sparked speculations that the upcoming film has a possible ‘Star Wars’ connection in the form of a tribute.

‘Avengers: Age of

Ultron’ also stars Robert Downey Jr, who returns as Iron Man, along with Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as Hulk and Chris Evans as Captain America.

Jeremy Renner returns as Hawkeye, and

with the additional support of Don Cheadle as James Rhodes/ War Machine, Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill, Stellan Skarsgard as Erik Selvig and Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury. (TOI)

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Sea Adventurer expedition explores Guyana’s beauty place. He commented on the full display of flora and fauna that Guyana boasts, speaking at length about Guyana’s “877 species of birds… and a Bird Sanctuary in the Botanical Gardens.”

Guyana is one of the few countries to have such a sanctuary, he proudly informed Captain Gluschke.

Director Haralsingh enlightened the Captain about these facts, adding that passengers would be treated to a tour of the nations’ capital by Evergreen Adventures Tours, as they are edu-

T

cated on the history and beauty behind the makeup of the capital city.

Also, the wonders of Essequibo with its forests and Islands, and the world known single fall Kaieteur Falls were among the places listed as must sees by the Director.

To honour the occasion, as it is the first time that the Sea Adventurer came to Guyana, although its predecessor Clipper’s Adventurers has been here several times, the GTA Director gave Captain Gluschke several books on

Guyana’s flora and fauna with an artefact as a souvenir. It is expected that these publications would better edify the passengers on Guyana’s contributions to nature.

Hotelier Manager, March Warmenhoven gave a tour of the impressive vessel to this publication along with several other media entities.

He explained that the vessel has been in use since the time of the Soviet Union and has proven quite useful on the tough waters that the line chooses to go.

(Guyana Times)

The 'Sea Adventurer' berthed at the GNIC Wharf Saturday afternoon

he Sea Adventurer, an expedition ship, is in Guyana ready to be part of the cruise lines that have stopped in Port Georgetown to experience Guyana’s vast display of forest and nature.

Early on Friday, the expedition ship docked in the Demerara River.

Captain of the ship, Peter Gluschke, explained to this publication that the expedition had been destined for Essequibo. However, the tide was low and prevented the ship from

anchoring itself in the Essequibo River.

Nevertheless, Captain Gluschke stated that it is still an experience for his exploring passengers. He informed that the Sea Adventurer is not a run of the mill cruise as it goes to places and countries that are not on the normal routes for cruises. He said that his cruise attracts a clientele that is interested in actually seeing what other countries have to offer in the way of flora and fauna.

Thus, it is places “like

this” that the Captain has been cruising all around the world, such as the Far East, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, etcetera. He said that there are enough cruise ships that visit the big cities and developed countries.

The Sea Adventurer goes to countries that are known for their “quiet life with nature not so much disturbed.”

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh, informed Captain Gluschke that he came to the right

The captain’s domain where he steers the Sea Adventurer to its many explorations

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Guyana’s Bartica Regatta 2015 a grand success

D

espite the ongoing uncertainty in Bartica, Guyana, its much-anticipated Regatta 2015 turned out to be a grand success.

The Bartica Regatta is usually held during the Easter weekend every year in the mining town of Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and features a variety of exciting activities including water sports (main event- boat racing); cricket, football; boxing; talent shows; musical concerts’ street parades, and an exhilarating Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant.

Throughout the years, the event which has earned itself a place on the National Tourism Calendar has attracted much investment, sponsorship and multitudes of tourists from near and far.

However, this year, due to the changes in the mining economy and the local political atmosphere, the overwhelming support usually received has dwindled.

According to Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford and Bartica Regatta Committee Coordinator Elisabeth Moonsammy, the usual sponsorship, which was sought from companies in the mining in-

Jamaican author releases first children’s book series

Powerboat race winner Dave Scott

dustry, was scaled back due to the low gold declarations in the mining sector.

In addition to the loss of support from the Private Sector, Bradford said the government also provided minimum assistance to this national event.

Aside from the obstacles endured in the sponsorship aspect, Bradford and Moonsammy highlighted that this year’s Regatta fell in the midst of an elections campaigning season, which usually impacts everything in its path negatively.

Bradford and Moonsammy re-

grettably related that the organising committee was unable to host the traditional Miss Regatta Pageant due to the lack of sponsorship.

The Regional Chairman disclosed that notices were put out calling on young ladies to participate in the pageant, but there was no support from that end either, which he assumed was owed to the intense political climate.

As a result, the favoured pageant was replaced with a simple fashion show where local talent was displayed. (Guyana Times)

The author Taliba Morgan and her book (inset)

J

amaican author Taliba Morgan has released her debut children's book series called ‘Lizzy and the Magic Coat’. Unlike her brothers and sisters of the Morgan Heritage reggae band, who are predominantly music practitioners, Taliba has directed her attention to writing and hopes her first effort will impact the socialisation of minors in a positive way.

Lizzy and the Magic Coat tells the story about a curious young girl who is a witch in training. However, in order to complete her magical training, she must learn important values such as obeying her parents, among other behavioural practices normally required by parents of their children. On Lizzy's journey, she also encounters various situations, which teach her important life lessons.

An excited Taliba Morgan told the Jamaica Gleanor that Lizzy and the Magic Coat was inspired by her young daughter and her late mother.

"I have always had an interest in the arts - even as a child I used to write short stories. I started off acting and my father sent me to theatre school, so I later developed an interest in screenplay writing," Morgan said.

"I first wrote this story as a gift to my daughter. However, I decided that I wanted it to be published, because reading is fundamental and this is something my daughter can remember me for," she said.

The book was published independently through Amazon's 'CreateSpace' publishing arm. Taliba Morgan said she decided to push the book using her own resources, after being

sidelined by several publishers who were more focused on lending their services to more established writers.

Lizzy and the Magic Coat is available for purchase on Amazon Europe, Amazon Great Britain, Kindle, and Barnes & Noble. Amazon digital outlets are selling copies for US$9.99 while Barnes and Nobel are selling their copies at US$10.28.

The author will also launch a literacy campaign called 'Dream 1000' this summer in support of the book. To keep up with the campaign, persons may log on to www.little-lizzy. com. A donation of 1,000 copies of the book will also be made to community-based organisations, and charities in New York.

"The campaign is geared towards building literacy. We will also partner with some companies to donate schoolbags and other supplies like calculators, pens, pencils, etc," Morgan said.

Lizzy and the Magic Coat will be a seven-part series, and Morgan, who owns her own production company called Nagrom Films, hopes the story will eventually be transformed into a cartoon.

She is now looking for potential investors, plus a distribution deal in the Caribbean for the book.

"We are hoping somebody from the Caribbean will see this article and come on board because we want to be distributed in that market as well," she said.

Taliba Morgan also disclosed that she has the support of her siblings from Morgan Heritage, who have been promoting her work via social media. (Jamaica Gleanor)

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WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Guyana: Berbice basketball to be revamped

G

uyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) President Nigel Hinds is pushing to improve the standard of basketball in Berbice.

The GABF President met with basketball organiser Vibert Garrett on Sunday and discussed plans for the improvement of the sport in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) and Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

During the meeting, which took place at the Area H Court in Rose Hall Town, Garrett outlined some of the difficulties affecting the development of the sport.

Since being resuscitated in early 2014, the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association

Nigel Hinds

(BABA) has not lived up to a promise made by President Keith Myers during his inaugural speech that BABA will organise a tournament for each quarter for the year.

It is now the second quarter of the second year and players are still waiting on BABA’s first

basketball tournament.

On Sunday, Hinds met with Garrett during what should have been the first game of the MPG Packaging Plant basketball tournament.

During the discussion, the President promised to organise clinics for basketball table officials.

The clinics are expected to focus on persons who are interested in scoring, while another clinic for persons interested in refereeing the game will be looked at. Interested persons are being asked to make contact with the BABA. Meanwhile, Rose Hall Jammers got a walkover in the opening game of the MPG Packaging Plant basketball tournament

as Hopetown Stealers failed to show.

The tournament continues on Sunday when New Amsterdam Warriors take on archrivals Smythfield Rockers at the Vrymens Erven Court.

Seven teams are listed in the tournament, which is being played on a round-robin basis in two groups.

The Jammers, Stealers and Canje Knights are in group A, while group B consists of the Warriors, Rockers, Fyrish Black Sharks and Ithaca Hardliners.

To date this is the fourth tournament Garret has organised since last year. All the tournaments have been sanctioned by BABA. (Guyana Times)

TT’s Thompson still rolling in Florida

A

mber Thompson again flew the Trinidad and Tobago flag with distinction in the United States during the recently-held Winter Equestrian Festival events at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Centre in Wellington, Florida.

The 16-year-old, who is the same age as her Argentine thoroughbred Vertigo, was awarded ribbons almost every time she competed during the month, jumping courses with obstacles up to 1.2 metres high.

Thompson’s very best performance was delivered in the penultimate competition when she placed second

RIBBONS ON DISPLAY: Amber Thompson and Vertigo at the stables.

in the Classic Show Jumping Class. One of the final riders in the event edged her by halfsecond to claim the top prize.

Earlier in the competition, Thompson had been beaten by less than a second again when she placed third from a field of 40 in the Children’s Modified Jumper Class.

Thompson and Vertigo placed eighth in the speed class, before subsequently finishing fourth in the Classic Show Jumping Class.

The duo participated in the “Clear Round gets a Ribbon” leg of the competition and were awarded blue ribbons for producing two clear rounds. (TT Express)

Berbician shines at Bodybuilding Championship in Guyana

B

oasting a sharp p h y s i q u e , Corentyne’s Chetram Nagesar emerged the overall champion of the annual Novices Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship organised by the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) on Saturday night.

Competing in front of a packed audience at the Theatre Guild in Kingston, Georgetown, the 21-year-old of Tej Mohal Gym earned his place in the final showdown by earlier outperforming four other competitors to win the 132-pound class.

Nagesar was a crowd favourite from the onset, and he did not let his fans down, finishing the night as the best athlete

on show.

The Men’s Physique category was won by Stabroek News Sport Journalist Emmerson Campbell of BodyMaxx Gym, while Caerus Cipriani of Fitness Paradise and Yannick Grimes of BodyMaxx took second and third respectively.

By virtue of being the lone entrant, Janica Pluck of Buddy’s Gym was crowned Miss Bikini.

Other winners included Rashleigh Bentick of

Fitness Paradise Gym in the Under-21 and Bantamweight divisions, Jamal Tinnie of Fitness Paradise Gym in the Lightweight category, Kris Williams of Buddy’s Gym in the Welterweight division, and Julio Sinclair of Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) in the Heavyweight segment.

Last year’s Novices champion Sylvester Andrews and reigning Flex Night International champion, Godfrey Stoby both guest posed at the event.

The event was made possible by Fitness Express, Cyrex Gym, AlHaaq, Subs and Salads among others.

Next up on the GABBFF programme is the Senior Championships in July.

(Guyana Times)

Jamaica wins five gold medals in South Africa

O

lympian Kenneth E d w a r d s and Subrina Richards led the way as Jamaica bagged five gold medals in as many divisions at the International TaekwonDo Federation’s (ITF) African Taekwon-Do Cup in Pretoria, South Africa last weekend.

Edwards and Richards, Jamaica’s topranked male and female fighters, spearheaded the effort as Akino Lindsay, Tashauna Grannum and Tye McKay also added to the country’s gold medal haul.

Edwards defeated South Africa’s Gert Ungerher in -85 kg male sparring, setting the stage for high-schooler Akino Lindsay to stop Mozambique’s Jose Delanie in +85 kg male sparring.

Another Jamaican

high-schooler, Richards, confirmed her rank as the island’s top female fighter by outclassing South Africa’s Bronwen Bradley in black belt light weight action to open her 2015 international season on a high.

M e a n w h i l e , Grannum announced her return from injury, stepping into the ring to easily beat South Africa’s Jenine Hutchinson in the middleweight black belt final.

McKay, Jamaica’s sole practitioner in patterns, took gold in his pet event, beating Job Abnerio Chiote of Mozambique.

The tournament, among the events marking the 60th anniversary of taekwon-do, featured strong rivals from the home team, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Madagascar. (CMC)

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CFU Club Championship Antigua: Cricket kicks off in Trinidad Association head calls F for fee to visit stadium

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resident of the Antigua & Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA), Leon “Kuma” Rodney, is calling on the board charged with managing the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground (SVRCG), to consider imposing a fee on tourists and other visitors entering the facility on a daily basis.

Rodney believes the SVRCG holds enough significance to be considered a tourist attraction while monies collected from visitors could be used to fund some aspects of the day-to-day running of the venue.

“There is a statue there with Viv and I think what the ministry seriously needs to concentrate on is to put things in place to charge people coming into the grounds. This is about

the only international ground that you just walk in freely. I am sure you would have travelled up and down the world and you would know to get into Lord’s you would have to pay a fee and things like that, so I think that the ministry needs to consider a small (fee) …,” he said.

The SVRCG was named in honour of former West Indies captain Sir Vivian Richards following its construction in 2007. It was built to cater for 10,000 but is capable of housing twice that number.

Rodney also renewed his call for the public to support all five days of the Test Match while highlighting the contributions made by corporate Antigua.

“Support the West Indies; let’s get them off to a good start and send

them down to Grenada.

Let’s just beat England because we are desperately in need of a victory, especially over England,” he said.

“We at the Antigua & Barbuda Cricket Association really have to try and protect the rights of the people who are making it possible and in this kind of time we are calling a guava crop time, for Banks Beer, Gatorade and these people to put their money into the cricket the way in which they have done, they must be commended and their rights must be protected,” he added.

West Indies are currently taking on England in the first match of a three Test series. The match, which started Monday, is slated to conclude Friday. (Antigua Observer)

ifteen clubs from the region will start the 2015 edition of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship which kicked off in Trinidad on Wednesday.

The clubs, two from Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, and Haiti, and one from Antigua and Barbuda, the United States Virgin Islands and The Bahamas, will compete in four preliminary round groups to be contested from Wednesday to next Monday.

They include Jamaica's Waterhouse FC, who debuted in the tournament last year before being eliminated.

Waterhouse FC would have started their campaign against Antigua & Barbuda's SAP FC on Wednesday’s opening day at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

"Last year, for the CFU Club Championship, we went into the tournament very focused, well prepared with an intention to do well. What aided us was that most clubs in the region apparently did not know much about us in terms of competing effectively at that level. So we went in as the underdogs," said club captain and national goalkeeper Richard McCallum.

"This year we are going in just as focused, but the level of [financial] support we had last year is missing this year. Nonetheless, our intention is to do just as good as we did last year, and hopefully we can take it much further."

The group winners will advance to the final phase scheduled for May 20-25 in a straight knockout format.

The top three teams at the CFU Club Championship will secure berths to the CONCACAF Champions League.

Group One -- Alpha United FC (Guy), Central FC (Tri), Inter Moengotapoe (Sur).

Group Two -- DirectTV W Connection FC (Tri), SAP FC (Atg), Guyana Defence Force (Guy), Waterhouse FC (Jam).

Group Three -- America FC (Hai), Montego Bay United FC (Jam), SV Excelsior (Sur), Club Sportif (Glp).

Group Four -- Don Bosco FC de Petion Ville (Hai), Helenites Sporting Club (Vir), Unite Sainte Rose (Glp), Lyford Cay FC (Bah). (Jamaica Observer)

Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls get support from Ramson's - as they prepare for World Cup

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Members of the Sunshine Girls pose with Ramson’s brand ambassadors Andeanna Bacchas (left) and Danielle Francis at the end of the Sunshine Series held in January at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Jamaica

has E Ramson Limited, through its flagship Ramson's brand, has committed to being the official food sponsor of the Sunshine Girls, pledging food supplies to the tune of Ja$1 million.

As the girls are currently preparing for the World Cup, they will be able to enjoy tasty and nutritious meals from the high-quality brands distributed by Chas E Ramson Ltd. "We are very pleased with the outpouring of support from corporate Jamaica and in particular the food supplies provided by Chas E Ramson," said Marva Bernard, president of Netball Jamaica.

"This sponsorship will greatly assist in the girls' physical preparation for the games."

Christopher Ramson, assistant general manager at Chas E Ramson Ltd, in outlining the reason for Ramson's support, stated: "We view this as an extension of our corporate social responsibility. Further, our company places a high premium on the positive values of tenacity, good sportsmanship and team spirit embodied by the Sunshine Girls.

"This represents a good fit with Ramson's values. Additionally, it gives us great pleasure to sponsor a team that has such great Jamaican grass-roots support. We

wish the Sunshine Girls great success in the upcoming Netball World Cup." The Sunshine Girls finished fourth in the last Netball World Cup, which was held in Singapore in 2011. This year's World Cup tournament will be held in Sydney, Australia, in August.

The latest International Netball Federation World Rankings published on April 3 show no change in the relative positions of the top 10 netball nations. However, fourthranked Jamaica has closed the gap to only 12 points behind number three-ranked England.

(Jamaica Observer)

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WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

TT’s St. George shines at Jr. Pan Am Cup

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he duo of Kollyn St. George and Keiana Lester, who got silver at the women team sprint at the 2014 Junior Pan American Cycling Championships at the Velodromo Bicentenario in Aguascalientes, Mexico, returned to the aforementioned venue to capture gold on Monday, as the 2015 edition got underway.

The tandem shattered the Junior Pan Am and national records en route to victory in a time of 34.718 seconds.

St. George sped to a sizeable lead on the first leg with Lester keeping pace on her teammate. Lester improved as the race went on but St.

George was first across the line, to secure gold for the pair.

Earlier in the day, the pair broke the junior and elite national records with a brisk time of 34.985 seconds.

Tuesday night, St. George was at it again on the track, doubling up on her gold medals by scorching her rivals to win the 500m Time Trial in a new Pan American, Junior and Elite National Records. Lester was just short of a podium finish, coming in fourth.

Also on Monday, the trio of Chaquille Henry, Sei Daniel and Nicholas Paul ended in fifth spot with a time of 48.877 seconds in the men team

sprint while Teniel Campbell, in the junior women scratch event, finished in seventh position.

On Tuesday, St. George and Lester were expected to return to action in the junior women 500-metre time trial while Daniel and Akim Constantine were due to participate in the junior men keirin.

Also on the second day, Paul and Tyler Cole were scheduled to compete in the scratch event while Ramon Belmontes was slated to feature in the three-kilometre individual pursuit.

The Pan Am Cycling Championships will end on Friday. (TT Newsday)

Jamaican jockey stalled by fate

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amaican jockey Carlton 'Frankie' Frank was all set to make his debut at Caymanas Park last Saturday, but his mount was scratched at the start of the ninth race.

Frank fell from the Tensang Chung-trained Unbreakable just before the start of the race, and as a result the fouryear-old chestnut gelding bruised the top of his left hind leg and was declared a late non-starter at the gates by the raceday veterinarian.

"It is not what I expected on debut, but it is just horse racing.

The unexpected happens sometimes and you

Carlton Frank (PHOTO: JOSEPH WELLINGTON)

have to live with it. It is very disappointing, but look on the bright side, I am here," the 51-yearold told the Complete Racing Guide.

"I will be here for the

rest of the year so there will be more opportunities to ride in a race.

At the end of the year, though, I will leave for the United States to continue my riding career," he continued.

While his first ride was a scratch, Frank said the experience was invaluable.

"I am happy to be able to get that opportunity to ride. Even though I didn't get to ride in a race, at least I went onto the track so the fans could see me. It was a good feeling," said Frank, who got a rousing welcome when he entered the Parade Ring.

(Jamaica Observer)

Barbadian surfer impresses in China, Australia

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arbados can boast of being home to one of the world’s best Under 21 surfers. Chelsea Tuach, the third ranked junior surfer in the world for the second consecutive year, is now also ranked in the top 10 of the World Surf League’s (WS) Women’s Qualification Series (WQS).

With seven heat wins under her belt and an excellent average heat total for the year of 13.25 on the WSL Women’s Qualification Series, Tuach has proven that she is among the best female surfers in the world. Her two third place finishes at the 6000 WSL QS in Hainan Island, China and at the 1000 WSL QS at Merewether, NSW, Australia have cemented her place in the top ten and are the highest finishes at this level of a Barbadian surfer in the history of our sport.

Tuach was also a podium finisher at the WSL Junior Pro event in Merewether, ending 4th out of 48 of the world’s best juniors and a semifinalist at the Pro Junior in Cocoa Beach, Florida. She also secured an impressive second place at the Corona Women’s Pro in Puerto Rico in March.

Halfway through the season, Tuach remains focused on her goal of making it on the elite WSL World Championship Tour, which is only open to the top 16 female surfers in the world.

Tuach, who returned home last night for a short break, had this to say: “I have been travelling and competing

Chelsea Tuach

for the past three-and-a-half months in China, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Puerto Rico and I am happy with my results so far. I have come out on top of some of the best surfers in the world so that gives me confidence moving forward. I am happy to be home to practise in some warm water at my favourite break in the whole world, Soup Bowl!

“I will be training hard and trying to push my surfing over the next few weeks in preparation for the ISA World Surfing Championships in Nicaragua and the WSL 6000 Los Cabos Pro in Mexico,” she said.

“I want to thank my coach, Jim Hogan and my sponsors Roxy, Dragon, Dakine, the Art & Sports Promotion Fund, Chefette, Futures and Surfer Girl Suncare for their continued support.” (Barbados Advocate)

Guyana Jaguars deserve PCL win, says Chattergoon

The victorious Guyana Jaguars team after returning home

By Ravendra Madholall

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he Guyana Jaguars were ecstatic following their resounding 2014/2015 West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) revamped Professional Cricket League (PCL) four-day tournament win, according to Hemnarine Chattergoon.

Having triumphed with a title after a drought of 17 consecutive years, the former West Indies and Guyana under-19 batsman proudly believes the Guyanese lads thoroughly deserved the championship, regaining the prestigious trophy.

The elegant righthander, who still plays professionally in Canada since taking up residence more than a decade ago, stated that the double-round should also help West Indies’ cricket greatly so that they can bring better results at the international level.

Guyana Jaguars ended impressively with 148 points winning an exceptional eight matches, los-

ing only one game and engaged in a draw.

The Berbician Chattergoon, the eldest brother of the four that played for Guyana including former West Indies opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon, has credited the local cricket in Guyana for the consistency shown by the senior players on this occasion.

He rated the transformation from the local to the regional level as excellent.

“Success is always important and what Guyana Jaguars team achieved this year by winning the tournament was very heartening and a sign of the strategic structure of our cricket back home locally. I just want to take this opportunity to congratulate them too and I am confident they can return to winning ways from this year,” Chattergoon, who also played for Canada at the highest level, commented.

Albion spinners Veerasammy Permaul and Devendra Bishoo

were amazing churning out some captivating bowling performances snapping a combined 128 wickets.

Left-arm orthodox test player Permaul once again proved his ability with 67 scalps while his fellow international colleague, the leggie Bishoo emerged with 61victims.

Chattergoon further declared that the discipline, determination, perseverance, commitment and temperament were some of the ingredients for Jaguars’ successful run and once utilised effectively in the future, they should be an unbeatable side again.

Guyana Jaguars’ loss came to Barbados Pride at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The Bajans were eventually dethroned but finished the competition as the second-place winner.

Meanwhile, Guyana last won the tournament in 1998 when they shared the spoils with Leeward Islands tallying ten titles since the regional longest version cricket was introduced in 1968.

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TT’s St. George shines at Jr. Pan Am Cup

WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 2015

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TT’s dynamic duo, St. George and Lester, centre, proudly displaying their gold medals. (Digicel Sportsmax photo)

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