Govt unhappy over slothful reports on maternal deaths –
Food management critical in climate change fight
Berbice man remains critical after chopping Mechanical testing needed for corn, blackeyed peas cultivation – NAREI Caribbean bankers get training in anti-money laundering
ties up drug fight pacts at Russian conference
official complaint Iran setting up terrorist cells here –Dr Luncheon
thursday, june 6, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com
Govt unhappy over slothful reports on maternal deaths – Dr Luncheon
Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon on Wednesday stated that Cabinet is not pleased with the sloth which entails in the submission of reports regarding maternal deaths in Guyana.
Responding to questions at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing regarding the recent death of a mother and her unborn child, Dr Luncheon said the Cabinet Committee established during the tenure of former Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy to monitor such cases is still functioning.
He stated that Cabinet does receive reports which are generated by the institutions where the cases originate, and the review of the circumstances is carried out by the special body set up by Dr Ramsammy.
The Cabinet secretary, however, explained that Cabinet is unhappy about the commitment of getting those reports in timely ways.
Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon
“I am familiar with the details. What we are not happy about the result of the engagement by the Ministry of Health by the committee who oversees the developments which led to the death and makes a pronouncement,” he said.
He explained that the recommendations arise from the deliberations of that body that addresses and
gives the contributory factors, and what has happened with the implementation of engagement and recommendations.
Dr Luncheon observed that part of the monitoring depends on the consideration of the expert group, which considers the circumstances based on the reports, make findings, and recommendations. “Those things don’t flow in a timely way,” he added.
“I still feel much more can be done at the level of the Ministry of Health to expedite that process, and allow us at Cabinet level to follow the circumstance and move on what interventions are needed or being recommended to forestall or decrease the incidence of maternal deaths,” the HPS stated.
Regarding maternal deaths as a whole, speaking as a former health sector worker, Dr Luncheon observed that a lot of them
are unavoidable due to catastrophic outcomes during labour, wherever it occurs in or out of Guyana. “Your chances are slim when these occurrences take place. It is not unique to Guyana. That which will occur during the terminal stages of labour, will occur that will lead to death of mother and child.”
Nevertheless, in the circumstances where it is avoidable, he noted that there may be some interest in having those details covered up, “that is why Cabinet’s monitoring has been put in place. What we have put in place has suffered from sloth of its implementation, not abandoned,” he said.
Referring to the recent death, the HPS added, “I won’t be surprised if that report gets to the committee in July for a death that occurred in early June. That is where our dissatisfaction lies. We will have to prepare to get a report in an untimely way.”
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Solid waste recycling being examined
Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon said the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry has reported that six expressions of interest in recycling solid waste in Guyana have been received.
The Cabinet secretary said Cabinet has endorsed the recommendations flowing from the solid waste management proposals that had been responding to requirements for expressions of interest for the recycling of garbage.
The status report presented by the ministry focused on the examination of the proposals that have been received, he said.
“Those reports identified six firms expressing interest, three of which submitted formidable proposals that emphasise a number of issues, including the domestic and international experiences in recycling,” the Cabinet secretary said.
He pointed out that the report also covered the contributions which would be made by the government of Guyana towards the recy-
cling project, as well as the companies’ inputs, commercial plans and financial operators into their project.
Dr Luncheon explained that government’s input into the project would be based on the result of examining the companies requiring government concessions on machinery and a guarantee of recyclable materials being available.
The ministry has indicated to Cabinet that more time was needed to bring on board the recommendations of the responses from the firms that had expressed their interest in participating in the recycling project.
Government had put out the request for expressions of interest to deal with the reprocessing which would accompany government’s own initiative that has been operationalised in all regions and implemented through public/private partnerships.
The three firms still to submit their proposals have a June 17 deadline to do so, at which time Cabinet will then have a comprehensive picture of the interest of the market.
Indian arrival celebrations in NY this Sunday
Acultural variety concert will be held this Sunday to mark the 175th anniversary of Indian presence in the Caribbean at Smokey Park, 127th Street and 95th Avenue in the heart of Richmond Hill, New York.
This will be the 28th annual celebration organised by the Indo-Caribbean Federation, led by Guyanese Ralph Tamesh.
The Indian arrival programme will commence at 14:00h and conclude around 19:00h. The festivities will include a cultural variety concert, featuring a live band, a singing and dancing competition, and modelling of Indian wear.
The celebration is called Indian Arrival Day, commemorating the first arrival of Indians to the Caribbean. The event is observed annually with splendour and gaiety to pay homage to the immense contributions Indians have made to this part of the world.
This year’s celebration will commemorate the 175th anniversary of the migration of Indians from India as indentured labourers to Guyana and the Caribbean.
Tamesh said his organisation’s primary aim is to propagate Indo-Caribbean culture in New York, to promote and strengthen ethnic identity, and to assist fresh American residents in adapting to a new environment in New York.
The idea of observing Indian Arrival Day in New York was initiated by a group of Indo-Guyanese and Trinidadians in 1984 and, since then, the concept has taken off and expanded in scope with an annual observance.
The Local Government and Regional Development Ministry received expressions of interest in recycling solid waste in Guyana
EPA’s mandate to be fortified – environment minister
The reorganisation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is at present engaging the attention of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry as it seeks to strengthen the agency’s functions to be at the forefront of environmental issues at various levels.
The agency’s head, who is also the Private Sector Commission (PSC) chairman, Ron Webster has been in talks with Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud in this regard, the minister disclosed on Wednesday during a World Environment Day observance at the Umana Yana.
“We have just completed a review of 77 new guidelines and… sometime today (Wednesday) we will be putting into effect a number of regulations that go after the issue of littering and garbage disposal. We are also looking at creating a new compliance division within the EPA to ensure
tection and improvement of the environment, and take the necessary measures to ensure the prevention and control of pollution, assessment of the impact of eco-
that businesses, companies and individuals too, carry out their responsibilities,” Minister Persaud said.
The EPA came into effect 17 years ago on World Environment Day, June 5, after then acting president of Guyana, Samuel Hinds, assented to the Environmental Protection Act (No 11, 1996).
It was mandated to oversee the effective management, conservation, pro-
nomic development on the environment, and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Trash can equal money
Recognising that the task of safeguarding the environment is an ongoing process, Minister Persaud said the Guyana government is open to suggestions and ideas such as earning revenue from trash.
The idea, which is a best
practice in other parts of the world, was proffered by UN Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Khadija Musa who delivered remarks at the observance.
She used the example in the United States where the practice of households recycling bottles and aluminium cans increased particularly during the era of the economic downturn.
“The trash that piles up around town here or in the interior is actually money. It can produce resources for the country to improve in many different areas. It can generate fuel.
There are countries that have developed micro-economic projects or activities that people are actually earning money from generating fuel logs from trash,” the UNDP resident representative explained.
The trash into money idea has already been taken into consideration with a number of business venture proposals advanced only on Monday, Minister Persaud said.
The Guyana Shines ini-
tiative, spearheaded by the diplomatic corps over a year ago to foster community participation to maintain a clean environment, was welcomed. Talks with the Japanese government are ongoing to have them involved as well.
Minister Persaud underscored the need for stakeholder involvement, particularly the business and private sector, but more particularly legislation to strengthen the law on environmental compliance.
Sadly, the attempt to amend the law to apply the $5 environmental tax on all plastics instead of only imported beverage containers was shut down by the opposition in the National Assembly, sending the wrong message to the wider Guyanese community Minister Persaud said. The amendment, which was being made to the country’s Customs Laws would have seen a $5 tax being applied to local producers of the beverages such as Banks DIH and Demerara Distillers Limited. Under the current legislation, a $10 tax is charged on each bottle of beverage.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud greeting staff of the Guyana Forestry Commission while viewing exhibits on World Environment Day
Private Sector Commission Chairman Ron Webster and staffers of Caribbean Container Inc at the World Environment Day observance
Editor: Nigel Williams
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com
Editorial
Trade war salvos
It appears that we just witnessed the follow-up salvos in what might turn out to be a full-scale trade war between China and the West. Unfortunately, the product at the centre of the fracas is the solar panel, which has the potential to assist in the most crucial global challenge of the century – global warming and climate change.
Last October, following up on preliminary penalties set earlier in the year, the U.S. Commerce Department set anti-dumping duties ranging from 18.32 per cent to 249.96 per cent on solar energy cells imported from China. “Dumping” is the term applied to products exported below their production cost and is prohibited by World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. Maybe the move was prompted by the then looming presidential election in which Barack Obama was criticised by his Republican rival for being “soft” on China. But the tariffs are still in place and are sure to come up when the Chinese President Xi Linping meets President Obama this Friday.
One of the companies that had filed the anti-dumping charge was German and was also part of a parallel case filed with the European Union (EU) Trade Commission. This Tuesday, the commission imposed preliminary tariffs of 11.8 per cent on solar panels produced in China with the promise of final tariffs of 47 per cent to be applied in two months, unless remedial action is taken. Over €20 billion of business is involved. Without mentioning the action on its solar panels, within hours China announced an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation of wines imported from the EU. The investigation could lead to the imposition of steep tariffs by China on these wines.
With its growing millions of wealthy citizens, the demand for European wine has grown exponentially in China and to meet the demand, large investments have been made, especially in the French wine industry. The charge of dumping is one that has been raised very frequently in Europe and the U.S. by local manufacturers against the cheap Chinese imports flooding their markets. At the same time there are powerful forces, including the leaders of Germany and 16 other members of the EU, that have warned against taking precipitate action. The EU Trade Commission, however, felt otherwise.
Ironically, it was hoped that Obama might have now removed the U.S. tariffs on the Chinese solar panels and play a role in averting the very actions that the EU and China have now taken. China and the U.S. have been sparring on their responsibilities to reduce global warming and solar panels, which are totally “green”, have been playing a major role in reducing greenhouse gases. The problem was that solar energy had traditionally been more expensive to use than carbon-intensive coal or oil. But in recent years solar power has become much cheaper through a host of factors, including Chinese competition. Energy experts predict that its cost could match that of conventional fuels in the next few years in some areas.
Solar cell prices have been falling, from US$76 per watt in 1977 to about US$10 in 1987 and only 74 U.S. cents in 2013. Between 2006 and 2011, Chinese cell prices dropped 80 per cent from US$4.50 per watt to 90 U.S. cents per watt. The use of solar energy shot up as the cost went down. Global installed capacity jumped by 28.4GW in 2012 to 89.5GW. The 100GW milestone will be crossed sometime this year.
The truth of the matter is that China subsidises and promotes its solar industry. But the U.S. and Europe also provide massive subsidies and supports – including loan guarantees, research grants and tax deductions such as investment tax credits and accelerated value depreciation. We do not have to mention the subsidies that the U.S. and EU have in their agriculture sectors.
We hope that the issue will be resolved between Presidents Obama and Xi Linping. It is the grass that suffers when the elephants even make love.
Tribute to Pandit Ramlall
Dear Editor, Last month, glowing tributes were paid to the late Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud on his enormous contributions to Guyana and Hinduism. People generally tend to wait until a prominent figure passes away to pay tribute (panegyrics) to him or her.
I would like to shower accolades on Pandit Ramlall, Vedic scholar and founder of the Arya Spiritual Centre in New York, while he is still with us. Like Pandit Reepu who was praised for his political struggle, Pandit Ramlall was very active in Guyana’s political freedom movement, although he did not serve in Parliament.
Pandit Ramlall, formerly of Skeldon, on the Corentyne, Berbice, recently celebrated his 85th birthday in New York. Many individuals from all ethnic and religious backgrounds came out to shower praises on Panditji, recognising him for his outstanding contributions to humanity around the globe.
They showered praises on this exemplary Guyanese Hindu and political leader, who made enormous sacrifices for their freedom in Guyana and for institutionalising Hinduism and the Guyanese presence in America.
Pandit Ramlall has a humble history. He was born on February 28, 1928 in a poor family of indentured servants and became orphaned at age four.
He lost his mother. His father had come from India and indentured to Port Mourant, then settled in Skeldon. Ramlall’s parents died when he was still a child and he was raised in the Hindi-speaking environment of his uncle’s home.
Ramlall developed a passion for learning all about the Hindu religion and culture and, from an early age, he developed an attraction to struggle against injustice fighting to better the lot of his fellow Guyanese.
He joined Dr Cheddi Jagan and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in the freedom against colonial rule. At the same time, he studied hard to become an exponent of Hindu Vedic thought, and went on to become an accomplished scholar of Sanskrit and Hindi.
Ramlall-ji had a rough childhood. He had to work for a living while a little boy to support himself and pursued self-schooling. He worked as a brick layer, water boy, sugar boiler and chemist.
He was fired for his religious belief as an Arya Samajist by a White overseer. But another White overseer hired him in another section of the Skeldon sugar factory.
By this time, Ramlall had acquired a commendable level in of the Hindi language and he began to perform Hindu religious ceremonies. He also sang well.
Ramlall became a pandit at age 19. He seized every opportunity to learn from the Arya Samaj (Vedic) missionaries who came to British Guiana from India, including Pandit Ayodhya Prasad, Professor Bhaskaranand, Pandit Narayan Dutta, Shrimati Janki Devi, Pandit Bhesh Pati Sinha and Pandit Usharbudh Arya. Pandit Ramlall became a Hindi teacher.
In the early 1950s, he played a leading role in the Hindi School’s conventions. Under the guidance of Pandit Usharbudh Arya, now Swami Veda Bharati, Pandit Ramlall became a leader in the youth movement known as the Arya Veer Dal, which was established in the late 1950s. He excelled in the Arya Veer Dal activities. He won a scholarship to study in India.
Pandit Ramlall dedicated his life to the struggle for freedom and justice. He was a stalwart in the campaign for an independent Guyana under the leadership of Dr Jagan. Because of his active involvement, he was jailed with others in 1964 by the British government. During his incarceration at the Sibley Hall Detention Centre, he taught many of the other inmates to read and speak Hindi and educated them in Vedic philosophy.
He was also a teacher at the Tagore Memorial High School on the Corentyne. In 1974, Pandit Ramlall immigrated to New York,
where he obtained employment and also enrolled at New Rochelle College. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in psychology and subsequently, the Dip Ed (Diploma in Education). He was employed at New York County Health and Hospital Corporation as hospital care investigator. He was also a union representative for the Local 371 Civil Service Union.
Pandit Ramlall is the founder and spiritual head of the Arya Spiritual Centre, a pioneering institution of its kind, at Queens, New York. He is a patron of the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of New York. He is also the founder of a cultural centre in Guyana.
Ramlall-ji has gained international recognition (plaques, awards and citations, among others) for his missionary work and his service to humanity in America as well as for his role in the Guyana freedom struggle. Just two years ago, he was honored by President Bharrat Jagdeo for his role in the restoration of democracy in Guyana.
He regularly travels to Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad, Netherlands, throughout the U.S., Canada, Asia, Mauritius, Fiji and India lecturing on Hinduism. He has authored several books, and articles on Hinduism. May he endure many more years of life to serve humanity.
Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
Students of Marian Academy perform a skit about recycling at a World Environment Day observance, organised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, at the Umana Yana on Wednesday (Carl Croker photo)
Some thoughts about the Sunday seawall lime
Dear Editor,
A great good has come about from the recent overtopping along the Kitty and East Coast Demerara seawalls. Prior to this, there were many complaints about happenings at this location, particularly in the area of traffic, noise and garbage accumulation.
These complaints originated from what used to take place at this spot where the lime was ongoing every Sunday. I remember how driving home on Sunday evenings used to be was so very difficult – the noise, lane invasions, careless walking and speeding motorcycles. The place used to be a bedlam. I just could not fathom why this kind of practice was allowed in the first place.
It became a staple for so many, even though it
defied logic. I used to ask myself if these people had responsibilities – school, work or families. Then the noise and litter factors were always on my mind. We have laws against these kinds of things, and yet these were ignored. I was always amused at what used to happen on Mondays – a big clean up exercise was always necessary.
Well, that is my reason for being thankful for the recent overflow and the forced move from the authorities to keep the area free.
I am for social activities, but when these are prioritised at the expense of more serious issues, then it leaves questions in my mind.
I have a little word, as regards facilitating people who like these kinds of activities. For sure they
must not be shunned, and Guyana has enough space for any kind of outdoor hanging out. I think that if a section of the sea wall is to be designated for allnight parties, there should some set guidelines.
I think here of the traffic situation, noise level and participants who drink and then have to drive. These must be addressed first. Of course, the garbage disposal is another factor. It makes no sense to clean up only to mess up. That is why when they have campaigns for a cleaner environment, I am not optimistic of a change. There is need for an entire revamping. The emphasis should be about not to mess up, so that there will be little or nothing to clean up.
Yours faithfully, Shameer
Bacchus
Where is our sense of
nationalism?
Dear Editor,
Our country celebrated its 47th Independence Anniversary, yet our entertainment providers used this holiday to capitalise on this day by holding various ‘jump-up’ sessions which were prevalent throughout the country.
We have certainly lost the meaning of this day, as when there are American holidays, Guyanese (some
who do not know the significance of this day), could be seen celebrating these holidays such as St Patrick’s Day and Cinco De Mayo. It leaves one to wonder, how many of these people were in the national park to sing the national anthem and witness the Golden Arrowhead being hoisted for the 47th time?
I do hope that as our
We need more proactive work by the police
Dear Editor, The policy of better to be safe than sorry works for me. I believe that if I know, then I can respond intelligently. The police did some good work and what they discovered made me feel good, yet I am deeply concerned.
I feel good because many potential crimes were probably nullified. The report is that seven people are now set for trial, being arrested between in three separate incidents, involving guns, ammunition and cocaine. The mere fact that criminals have
killing weapons is more than a hint that they have crossed the line. They have retrogressed from abhorring work to the point of robbing for a living. If robbing means killing, then so be it. This downward spiralling is out of control. So the police must be alert and take the precautionary move of confronting limers, gangs and any other suspect. After all, people want to walk the streets in an atmosphere of safety.
Recently, many have been calling for this kind of action from the police. There are criminals, dan-
gerous ones too, who are milling about like normal citizens, in a most natural and easygoing manner. I cannot help then but be wary. It is like sleeping with a rattler and not knowing it, that is, until too late. So I back the lawmen in making these kinds of moves. They are necessary. Use the reverse psychology – instead of having me on the edge, let the criminals get nervous. I say that they must be off the streets.
Respectfully submitted, Ariel Jones
The game is bigger than the player
Dear Editor, It seems to be much ado about nothing as regards the request in a letter by Robin Singh.
Here it is what he said: “Allow me to bring to your attention an injustice to the sport of cricket which I kindly ask you correct at the earliest opportunity.” The issue deals with the alleged shooting to death of a man by a “cricketer”.
Whether or not Carlyle Barton, the murder accused, was a cricketer has nothing to do with the sport. Do we want to make that kind of parallel as regards the recent corruption in cricket? How about religious leaders who have erred? Did they destroy their particular faiths?
Maybe it is more about a little blip in terms of reporting for the press. Reporters should be a little bit more diligent.
Yours respectfully, Bernard DeFreitas
motto dictates, when things go wrong we do not keep blaming our politicians for the problems we face instead of supporting our country in the development of where we are now and where we are going to be in the near future. Where is our sense of nationalism?
Yours truly,
Melanie Krishna
You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com
Page Foundation
BY APRIL SPERRY
So, you want your child to become a better writer. Good plan! The ability to write clearly and with ease is one that will help your child from first grade through the rest of his or her life.
Sure, school will teach your child the fundamentals of writing (grammar, syntax, and such), but that won’t necessarily make it easy or fun. Take-home essays and homework as signments can only help so much; the only way to be come a better writer is to practice it over and over. Even as a college English major, I fully admit that writing is hard!
The first step to becom ing a better writer is read ing. Reading and writing come together as a pack age deal, so the more your child reads novels, newspapers, and other forms of the document ed word, the more eas ily he’ll be able to string together his own sentenc
Now for the real challenge: getting your child to practice writing. It takes more effort than zoning out to the television, and it’s not exactly a group activity, like a game of pick-up soccer is. Feel free to suggest the typical writing activities like acrostic poems and “pass it on” sentence games to your children, but don’t hold your breath waiting for them to jump at the opportunity to do more of what looks and smells like school work.
Help your child develop good writing skills
paid for their good report cards with money and video games, I was given books for my accomplishments. For each good report card I received, I was brought to the local book store and encouraged to “pick two,” which my parents would pay for. This taught me that books weren’t burdens, but rewards.
Provide financial backing
es. Encourage your child to read all types of writing including fictional, journalistic, scientific, and historical pieces. This is the best way for young ones to truly understand how writing styles and tones should differ between and cater to different genres (which is immensely helpful when trying to figure out “how to write” for different classes).
for stealthily encouraging your children to start reading and writing. I’ve realised that these are all methods that my parents employed on me, and I’ve turned out to be a word-and-sentence-loving, book-binding-sniffing, English major, so they’re apparently effective.
Use the right rewards system
Back in middle school, when all of my friends were
This doesn’t mean you’ve got to buy your child a brand new laptop, but parents should pick up the cost of learning. Make it clear that you will always cover the costs of books, printer paper, journals, and other supplies that your child might need to become a better reader and writer.
Publish it
Many newspapers accept article submissions from local residents that they will publish online and in print (and there are often special contests and calls for submissions specifically written by children). Nothing encourages a child to start or continue writing quite like the possibility of seeing his words published. This is also a great time to remind your child that anything saved in an online archive can be accessed later to add to college or job applications.
Keep a blog
It’s better than a diary! I tried writing in a diary once in third grade, but I felt so awkward talking to myself that I stopped after a few days. A blog is public though, meaning that all of your child’s writing is for an audience; anyone in the world can read it (or if that’s not ideal, it can be made private, so no one sees it). Additionally, the technological age of the 21st century has turned many children onto typing and off of writing by hand, so a blog may feel like a more natural medium for writing than pen and paper.
Give writing-related gifts
Two of my most prized possessions include a leather-bound compilation of stories by Mark Twain and a good fountain pen (although I do love a good set of stationery to go along with it all). In order to make a writer out of your child, show him why all aspects of the written word, from the pen to the paper, to the binding, are to be appreciated.
The trick is to encourage your children to write... without making it feel like work. The ability to write will help your child out, not just in English class, but with science, history, and even math. And by the way, you can try out these tricks on yourself, too! It’s never too late to start writing! Words are power. (www.modernmom.com)
Strategies to help children become better spellers
Learning to spell like learning to write has often been surrounded by many misconceptions. It has been misunderstood by children, parents and even some teachers. The standard way to teach spelling in schools has generally been through the memorisation of lists of words and learning rules.
It is impossible to learn the number of words that we use as adults by memorising lists. So, while spelling lists might help children to memorise some words, proficient spelling requires the development of a range of generic skills that are necessary for effective spelling.
The stages of spelling growth Children begin to learn about spelling in the preschool years as they are immersed in a rich language environment that supports them as readers, offers them many varied opportunities to write and encourages an environment where it is natural to explore words and ‘play’ with them. There are many skills that children need to learn that eventually they can apply as part of writing for varied purposes. Most children move through a series of stages in spelling development. While these are never ‘neat’ and dis-
crete stages, they are recognisable with most children. Understanding the stages will help us to choose the right strategies to help them become better at spelling. Gentry and Gillet (1993) suggest that most children move through the following stages:
Pre-phonetic – this occurs very early on (from age two to three years) and involves the child trying to form letters or simply drawing symbols that are an attempt to represent letters.
Semi-phonetic – at this stage (age four and up) the child is able to write most letters and even some approximations to words, and they know some of the sounds they make (as well as letter names).
Phonetic – eventually the child is able to represent sounds with the appropriate letters (single letters at first). They also begin to represent words in more conventional ways, but often they will use invented spelling patterns where the word has some (but not all) of the letters correct. This begins for most children from five years of age. transitional – at this stage children (aged six to seven years) are able to think about the word, develop visual memory and begin to internalise the spelling pattern and know when words ‘look right’.
Conventional – at this more mature stage the child can use both visual and auditory skills and memory as well as meaning based strategies (like seeing how the word fits in context). Now they can write multisyllabic words from memory and find the learning of new words much easier as they apply their skills and strategies from one situation to another. This occurs for most children from about eight years of age but continues to develop throughout the primary years of schooling.
How can I help children to be better spellers?
Most children learn quite naturally to experiment with writing and spelling, and adults support this at a very early age. Even as we read to toddlers we point to words and language devices; this in a sense is the beginning of spelling awareness (not just reading). Early memorising of rhymes and songs, playing with sounds and words play of all kinds is also the beginning of spelling. There are a variety of more explicit strategies that teachers and parents can use to support spelling development in the primary school years. I will share eight key strategies that are helpful. (trevorcairney. blogspot.com) TO BE CONTINUED
Fly Jamaica cleared to operate NY, Toronto routes
The government of Guyana has granted its approval for Fly Jamaica to operate the Georgetown/New York and the Georgetown/Toronto routes from Guyana.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) and Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon addressing reporters at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President on Wednesday said the airline has welcomed the decision by Guyana.
Dr Luncheon stated that the approval came after the standard evaluative procedures were carried out by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and the recommendations made to Cabinet by Public Works Minister Robeson Benn.
The HPS said the approval would have come earlier, but the submission made to
Cabinet was too late to be incorporated into the agenda for the statutory meeting.
It is hoped that flight operations would begin as early as possible after all formalities would have been completed. Nevertheless, Dr Luncheon explained that Fly Jamaica should have completed those requirements and deposited the required bond of $40 million before the recommendation could have been made to Cabinet by Minister Benn.
Delta Airlines, which previously operated the route, ceased operations in Guyana one month ago, stating it was no longer profitable to do so. Prior to Delta’s exit, the government had been seeking interested airlines to fly the Guyana route. Apart from Fly Jamaica, it was also in discussions with JetBlue which flies to several Caribbean countries.
Mechanical testing needed for corn, black-eyed peas cultivation – NAREI
National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) Director Dr Oudho Homenauth said the move to test the possibility of growing black-eyed peas and corn here comes on the basis of the need to do so mechanically.
Dr Homenauth said the Agriculture Ministry is fully aware that the commodities of black-eyed peas and corn were grown on local soil before. He said the research was done on what was cultivated before but the times have changed from then to now.
Dr Homenauth made this comment in response to former head of the defunct Guyana National Service, Major General retired Joseph Singh, who said there was no need for a test since large quantities of the crops were produced in Guyana back in 1970s.
The NAREI director said the test being touted for the crops is to satisfy new plant varieties that have emerged over the years, as well as to engage in mechanised production.
He added that it is the ministry’s intention to produce the two crops on a larger scale for local consumption, and as such, it is not feasible for it to be done manually.
He explained that mechanised production includes acquiring workers to plant seeds, fertilise them, spray pesticides for pests and harvesting.
“You have to ensure you have the right fertiliser, the right time to plant and harvest. Black-eyed peas are done on a 75-day basis, in terms of planting and harvesting it,” he pointed out.
He added that in the past,
farmers received some difficulties in harvesting with the combine machine. Singh’s comments came in wake of the Agriculture Ministry announcing on Saturday that it was embarking on a plan to grow the crops here in commercial quantities to reduce the country’s food import bill.
In a release, the ministry said most of the corn and peas in Guyana are imported from the Central American country of Belize.
Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said, “I believe that we should not be importing black-eye peas and corn, I believe that Guyana should be an important producer of black-eye peas and corn… these are crops that Guyanese farmers can grow, so I have instructed the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) to use its land in Essequibo, and to plant 10 acres of black-eye peas just to demonstrate it can be grown in Guyana.”
Dr Ramsammy also instructed NAREI to work with the GSA to utilise 10 acres of land at Mon Repos for corn cultivation.
There are three known types of sweet corn, according to genetic background, which are normal sugary, sugary enhanced and super sweet. There are also varieties now containing a combination of either two or all three of these genes.
Sweet corn thrives best in loamy, well-drained soils, but will tolerate a wide range of soil types.
Black-eyed peas on the other hand are considered very tolerant to drought and better adapted to sandy soils. All cultivated blackeyed pea varieties are considered warm season and quite adapted to heat and drought conditions.
thursday, june 6, 2013
Muslim scholar to grace Meraj-un-Nabi programme
The Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) will be the venue for the 17th Annual Al Isra Wal Meraj (Merajun-Nabi) programme to be held on Sunday June 9, at 13.30h.
The programme, which is now a premier activity on the calendar of events for Muslims in Guyana, is hosted by The Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman and
the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex.
Internationally acclaimed Muslim scholar, Mufti Ashraul Haque of India is expected for the programme and will deliver the feature address. The presence of this scholar is made possible through the Anjuman Sunnatul Jamaat Association Inc (ASJA) of Trinidad and Tobago.
Mufti Haque was born
in India and educated at the famous Al Ahzar University in Egypt. He is currently attached to the Anjuman Sunnatul Jamaat Association (ASJA) of Trinidad and Tobago as the principal of the Hajji Ruknudeen Institute of Higher Islamic Education in the twin-island republic. He is one of the most qualified Sunni Muslim scholars presently in the Caribbean.
He will be accompanied to the programme by ASJA International Qaseeda Committee Chairman Hajji Imam Ahmad Hoosein.
Also expected at the
programme
Al Isra Wal Meraj is a very important event in the history of Islam and mankind and the programme continues to be held under the theme “The journey that changed history for mankind”, as was done since it was introduced in 1997. The programme is being hosted in Guyana by the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex and The Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman.
is Hafiz Hadji Sarafat Ali and Suriname’s Hedayatul Islam Vice President Hadji Mahmud Ghafoer.
Mufti Ashraul Haque
thursday, june 6, 2013| guyanatimesgy.com
Kingston man charged for Phagwah Day stabbing
Aman was remanded to prison on Friday by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for stabbing another man to death on Phagwah Day this year.
Kevin Ally, 45, of Lot 6-7 Water Street, Kingston, Georgetown, made an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the capital offence of murder. The accused was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which states that on March 8 in Georgetown, he murdered Abdul Nazir Ghani, 42, of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara.
Prosecutor Jairam Luckhai stated that Ghani was a carpenter and on
the day in question, about 11:30h, he was working on a house on Carmichael Street, Georgetown, where some children who were indulging in Phagwah activates, threw water on Ally causing him to get annoyed and he started to verbally abuse them. Ghani who saw what transpired, rebuked the man about his behaviour.
The accused became further annoyed and pulled out a knife from his pants waist and stabbed the carpenter in his chest. The injured man was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Ally was arrested and after
investigations were conducted, he was charged.
The magistrate enquired from the prosecution why the accused was not brought to court earlier, and she was told that he was hospitalised.
It was reported that after the stabbing, Ally was pursued by the public and was thrashed, causing him to sustain injuries for which he had to be hospitalised.
The magistrate informed the man that he would be remanded to prison and she transferred the matter to Court Three on the same day, where the accused was told to return on April 16.
Man cries, “Where is the justice?” after remanded on charge of beating reputed wife
“Where is the justice?” was the cry of a construction worker who appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for two charges on Wednesday.
Devon Allicock, 21, of Lot 33 James Street, Albouystown maintained his innocence when both charges were read.
It is alleged that on May 10 at James Street, he unlawfully assaulted his reputed wife, Deorani Sukanand. The second charge alleges that on June 3 at Ruimveldt Police Station, he behaved disorderly.
Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt objected to bail,
since the defendant and virtual complainant (VC) reside at the same address and Allicock may interfere with Sukanand. However, the VC gave a separate address of 26 James Street, indicating that the two were not residing at the same abode.
The magistrate denied Allicock bail. The matter is scheduled to be continued in Court 10 on June 17.
As the accused was about to leave the dock, Sukanand admitted to the court that she had given false information to the police authorities. She stated that she does not want to offer evidence against her reputed husband and begged for clemency while voicing her wish that bail
is granted on his behalf.
The VC, who indicated to the court that she felt like she would fall, was given a chair to sit before the magistrate as she related what really transpired. Sukanand said that it was her family who forced her to make the false allegations against the accused after they separated.
The magistrate then told the VC that it is a criminal offence to make a false report to the police and that she can be charged if she decided to enter the witness box under oath and testify to what she was presently saying.
Not heeding the magistrate’s words of caution, Sukanand entered the
box and underwent questioning by the prosecutor where she admitted to the criminal offence of offering false information.
In light of the sworn testimony, Magistrate Latchman made a call for an investigation to be carried out and stated that based on the outcome of the inquiries, a determination of the matter will be made. However, Allicock was still remanded.
On departure from the courtroom Allicock tried to reach out to his reputed wife who seemed very distraught that he was not granted his pre-trial liberty and subsequently broke down in tears, shaking her head saying that she wants bail to be granted.
Zeeburg murder trial begins in voir dire
The trial into the gruesome murder of a 49-year-old Zeeburg West Coast Demerara woman began on Wednesday in voir dire (a trial within a trial).
Murder accused Hemeraj Rambachan called “Arun” is indicted with the murder of Rajpattie Jagroop between July 21 and 22, 2009. The man was 22 years old at the time of the murder.
On Tuesday, a 12-member mixed jury was empanelled before Justice Brassington Reynolds after which State Counsel Renita
Singh, who in association with Dhanika Singh is leading the prosecution, made the opening address before the jury. Rambachan is being represented by Attorney Kim Kyte-John.
The trial began in voir dire which is done in the absence of the jury. A voir dire is usually held to determine the authenticity of caution statements which are allegedly given by the accused.
In addition to a confession statement, the prosecution also have an eyewitness, among their eight witnesses, to build a case
against the accused. The trial will continue today in the high court.
According to reports, Rambachan was involved in a relationship with Jagroop’s 17-year-old daughter; however, the relationship ended but the two kept in contact. On the night in question, the man reportedly called the young lady and asked her about her whereabouts. In fear, Jagroop sent the teen to another residence.
While Jagroop and a smaller daughter were sleeping, Rambachan reportedly entered the house
through a kitchen window and attacked the woman in the presence of her daughter.
Rambachan allegedly stabbed the woman 16 times about her body and also chopped the woman’s small daughter on her head before escaping. Jagroop and her daughter were both rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival while her daughter was treated and sent away. He was subsequently arrested and confessed to committing the murder during an interrogation.
First-time offender refused bail for assault charge
Afirst-time offender was remanded to prison for causing grievous bodily harm when he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday.
Clad in a blue shirt, Michael Reid, 27, of Kingston, Georgetown, plead not guilty to the charges when they were read against him. It is alleged that on June 3 at Georgetown, he inflict-
ed grievous bodily harm by administering two cuffs to the face of his girlfriend Samantha Harris.
Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt objected to bail owing to the fact that the defendant resides with the virtual com-
plainant (VC) and there was a strong probability that he would interfere with the VC if granted his freedom.
The magistrate refused bail and the matter was transferred to Court 10 for June 20.
Flexing muscles...
...in GECOM
For months now, the Chief Elections Officer Gocool Boodhoo’s fate as to whether he’ll continue in that position or not has been up in the air. The opposition commissioners are demanding not only a pound of flesh from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), but its very heart.
They claim their knives are out for Gocool, because he made a computational error at the end of the last elections. That’s right: with this opposition, once they have you on their bad books, one strike and you’re out. Here’s a man who’s been with the independent, autonomous elections body from the beginning and he makes one error and he’s to be hung. Asking about the quality of mercy from this power-drunk opposition is like asking for mercy from a shark in a feeding frenzy.
The thing is, no harm came out of his error. He’s part of a system. His numbers can be checked and rechecked by all the commissioners – including the three from the opposition. In fact, it was Vincent Alexander, the People’s National Congress (PNC)-nominated commissioner who caught the error which was accepted immediately by Boodhoo and everyone else concerned. Chairman of GECOM, Dr Steve Surujbally, also nominated by the opposition, but always taking a principled neutral line, has emphasised that there’s been absolutely no evidence that Boodhoo acted in bad faith.
But all of that cuts absolutely no ice with the opposition: they demand their pound of flesh even though other senior officers in the secretariat have each committed their share of faux pas. They are all, after all, human. But the opposition, like the aforementioned shark, have their own axe to grind against Boodhoo.
The Alliance For Change (AFC) has always blamed him for a seat in Linden that had been allocated to Sam Hinds of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in 2006. It’s a wonder they haven’t blamed the man for their disgraceful rout in 2011.
The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) knows Boodhoo represents institutional continuity and memory in GECOM. With him out of the way, they can pull any number of stunts to create the usual mayhem they precipitate after elections. The decision on Boodhoo is to be made tomorrow. If the commissioners are split 3-3 between government and opposition, the deciding vote is the chairman’s.
We remind him once more to stand firm and not be cowed by opposition’s bullyism, as he demonstrated when they picketed Boodhoo and his house in 2011. Do the right thing and retain Boodhoo in GECOM. Remember what Donne said so long ago: “Therefore, send not to know/ For whom the bell tolls/It tolls for thee”.
....in T&T
The opposition in the land of limbo, carnival and calypso are all in a tizzy over what they call “major breaches in protocol” made by the People’s Partnership (PP) government in general and Prime Minister Kamla Persaud-Bissessar in particular during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping. And what were these faux pas that caused so much consternation and shame in the People’s National Movement (PNM)’s arbiters of “protocol”?
The largest was – get this! – President Xi was allowed to hold an umbrella over his wife’s head because it was drizzling lightly. We use the word “allow” because the fellow insisted on it. As the Chinese ambassador explained when the media took up the opposition’s role as Emily Post (the arbiter of “etiquette”, remember?), in Chinese culture it’s expected for the male to do what he did. And this is the point that this bunch of “Mimic Men” in the Caribbean will never get. We don’t have to do it just the way the British “showed” us. In this brave new world the Chinese and Indians and Brazilians and South Africans are creating, maybe the West might have to get with the new programme. And Dr Keith Rowley might decide that touching Nelson Mandela’s feet is not a “breach of protocol”.
...on local govt elections
Are the U.S. and British ambassadors going to lecture the opposition over delaying local government elections?
Kevin Ally
Ramotar warns against food wastage
President Donald Ramotar declared that Guyanese must begin to minimise actions that have negative impact on the environment, as the drive towards sustainable development demands that the world’s natural resources are utilised in a more responsible manner.
Delivering the feature presentation at World Environment Day observances organised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, Ramotar made a call for citizens to “buy local, eat only what is needed, and preserve the environment”.
“We must consume only what is needed to survive. While we have to eat, some of us eat too much and at the same time, it’s important that we do not waste. It is alarming to consider the magnitude of waste. We throw away too much food,” the head of state lamented.
He pointed out that 30 per cent of the world’s food is wasted, while 26 per cent of the world’s children suffer from stunted growth primarily as a result of the lack of food.
President Donald Ramotar
dation of the world’s social and economic development.
He stressed that the rate of waste at such a magnitude will have even greater consequences in the not too distant future.
With the world recording a population of 7.1 billion which is expected to rise to 9.3 billion by 2050, tremendous suffering is anticipated if no measures are implemented to reverse such a worrying trend.
Ramotar underscored that natural disasters are creating havoc on the plan-
“There must be something we are doing right and Guyana will receive an award later this month in Rome. Let’s try to extend
our efforts to the community, ” the president said.
“Great sin”
The president described it as a “great sin” and “tragedy” that the world produces enough food to feed every human being on the planet, yet 30 per cent of the world’s population is undernourished.
“It’s a shocking shame when we consider a large part of the population is dying from hunger and a large part of the struggle in relation to attaining the Millennium Development Goals is in the area of reducing poverty and hunger.”
He attributed this to a lack of development technology in Third World countries and the imposition of standards that promote waste.
Ramotar remarked that more than 130 million children worldwide are affected by Vitamin C deficiency, resulting in 250,000 losing their sight and half of that number dying within a year.
According to the president, this is a waste of resources, as well as a retar-
et, pointing to the great floods now taking place in Central Europe.
“Not only are they becoming more frequent, but they are becoming more intense. The devastation of natural disasters and the ensuing suffering are incalculable. All of these things force us to sit up and take notice,” the president related.
He said it was unfortunate that there are still influential persons who argue that climate change is not an issue, while those who believe and understand the situation seem incapable of easing its harmful effects.
New Human Global Order
“It was in recognition of this natural disaster, the relations between countries, social relations that former President Cheddi Jagan talked about the need for a New Global Human Order. A new way of thinking, a new way of dealing with the problems, as they exist,” Ramotar remarked.
He disclosed that the New Human Global Order
was adopted by the United Nations and is expected to be discussed at a meeting next month in an effort to develop the idea and identify how it can contribute to making the world a better place.
Put country first Ramotar cautioned that the general interest of the country must always be put before individual interests which can lead to greed, corruption and vices that impact the environment as well.
He mentioned that Guyana has taken a forthright and positive position on environmental issues since the 1990s, highlighting that the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) is a model that can be considered as a modest solution to the problems.
“Even in Guyana, we cannot think about the LCDS as complete and unchanging… that all of us involved in the various aspects of life, be it social or natural sciences, must work to see how we can make it better and serve people,” Ramotar stated.
Despite the growing problem of garbage in the country, the president said that there are many positives of which Guyanese should be proud.
He detailed that Guyana has been ranked 17 out of 189 countries by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for reaching the Millennium Development Goal of reducing hunger and malnutrition.
“There must be something we are doing right and Guyana will receive an award later this month in Rome. Let’s try to extend our efforts to the community. Work to direct our energies away from civil war and towards those that affect us and the environment,” the president said.
thursday, june 6, 2013
Cabinet approves over $2BM worth of contracts
– over $1B for East Bank road construction
Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon on Wednesday reported that Cabinet has offered no objections to several contracts in various sectors totalling more than $2 billion. The contracts are as follows:
Berbice man remains critical after chopping
Clifton Ramsarran, 39, also called “Witch” of Lot 102 Number Two Village, East Canje Berbice, who was chopped about his body after he threatened his estranged lover to shoot her is still in a critical state. His is presently in the High Dependency Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
He is suffering from chop wounds allegedly inflicted at the hand of his lover’s son on Sunday evening and is slipping in and out of consciousness.
Tatranie Ramsarran, the mother of the injured man explained that she visited her son at the hospital on Tuesday and he was not responding, but the doctors at the institution claim that he was recovering quite quickly. She explained that her
son’s face is swollen as a result of the injuries he received to the head. The man’s mother said she did not see the woman with whom her son was involved and the police have not told her anything with respect to investigations.
However, Kevin Mohabir, 18, of 198 Sukhu Street, East Canje was on Wednesday slapped with an attempted murder charge when he made an appearance at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.
He was reportedly remanded to prison and is due to make his next court appearance later in the month.
Ramsarran was chopped about the body after threatening his estrange lover to shoot her if she does not agree to reconcile the relationship.
According to reports reaching this publication, Ramsarran went to the home of his lover at Lot 198 Sukhu Street, East Canje, Berbice and threatened to kill her with a .38 revolver.
The woman, whose name was given as Simone, became afraid and raised an alarm. Her son, Kevin Mohabir, who was in the sitting room of the house, armed himself with a cutlass and ran in the direction of Ramsarran who was standing in the yard and dealt him a chop to his left arm and head.
Mohabir was arrested and Ramsarran was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was examined by a doctor on duty. He was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he remains a patient.
Bar fight lands men in court
Two men charged with assaulting each other appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday.
Parmanand Suknand and Richard Joseph both pleaded not guilty to the charges which state that on June 2, at First Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, they unlawfully assaulted each other.
Suknand’s lawyer, Paul Fung-A-Fat, told the court that his client, who is the
manager of Seeram’s Bar, has never been in trouble with the law and on the day in question, Joseph was behaving disorderly. It was as Suknand was escorting him from the bar that he came under attack.
Before making an application for reasonable bail, Fung-A-Fat informed the court that Joseph pulled out a 12-inch knife and attempted to slash Suknand who was fortunate to evade serious injury.
At that time Joseph was not present in court;
however, when he made his appearance before the magistrate, he stated that he was being pushed out of the premises and was only trying to defend himself.
There were no objections to bail from the prosecution and the magistrate granted Joseph and Suknand their pre-trial liberty in the sum of $160,000 and $20,000 respectively.
The duo is required to appear in court on June 21, and the matter has been transferred to Court 10.
Newly-trained GDF sergeants get God’s blessings
One day before 13 ranks graduate from the Leader Sergeants Course Number One, a traditional church service was held in their honour on Wednesday at Base Camp Ayanganna.
The service was held early Wednesday morning in the auditorium and was attended by Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief-of-Staff, Commodore Gary Best and his wife, other top officers, and ranks from the various units.
The proceedings began with a march by the Colour Party who presented the “Colour” to the force chaplain which was then placed on the altar. Two ranks recited brief scripture lessons before the prayers began.
Excellent officers
The event’s main activity was a sermon delivered by Reverend Patrick West of the Streams of Power Ministries. The reverend told the ranks that they should use the criteria, as set out by the Prophet Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, in order to become excellent officers of the country. “You must have reverence for God
– be truthful, honest and just, you must use this criteria to do your work,” he said. West urged the graduating officers to build their abilities and capabilities so that they can be good leaders and the backbone of the force.
He then advised the leaders to make good choices and develop other leaders under their stint. The reverend pointed out to the officers that they should open lines of communication, have compassion for people, use their authority to com-
mand others, and understand that they have equal responsibility to be accountable for their actions in order to function effectively.
He charged the ranks to “work accordingly to what you’re assigned to, because your work will be based on your ability and capability and this will ensure you understand the scope of delegate authority. You are responsible to this force and country, so commit yourself to be the best God wants you to be.”
The 13 sergeants will be
presented with the badges today.
They are the first batch of ranks to undergo training in the course and to pass through the Sergeants’ Academy, which was commissioned on Tuesday by Commodore Best at Base Camp Stephenson.
The Leader Sergeants Course lasted for 12 months and began with 27 participants, drawn from various units of the army; 14 of whom had to return to their respective units because of disciplinary infractions.
Winners of ANSA McAL’s “For the Fun of Life” receive prizes
Winners of ANSA McAL’s Tropical Rhythms “For the Fun of Life” promotion on Wednesday received their prizes at the company’s headquarters, at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara during a simple ceremony.
Among the winners was Navindra Singh, a computer technician of La Bonne Intention, ECD, who not only won the top prize, a new Mazda Axela motor car but also an Apple iPad. The car was handed over to the proud winner by ANSA McAL Managing Director Beverly Harper.
Brand Representative for Tropical Rhythms, Anjeta Hinds said the competition started in January, but was extended to May. Hinds added that the promotion, the first of its kind, received overwhelming support.
Harper congratulated the winners, noting that the company has been rewarding customers in the most impressive ways. She added that this was not the first promotion where a car was the top prize.
Harper shared Hinds’s sentiments and thanked the customers for their overwhelming support. She said
that the company will continue to hold promotions under various brands to give customers chances to win fabulous prizes. She also highlighted, with a grin on her face, that out of the thousands of entries received, the grand winner submitted at least a thousand. Harper encouraged persons to continue to support the company.
Grace Foods Marketing Manager Andre Hussein, one of several other company officials in attendance,
also congratulated the winner and expressed the company’s commitment to keep rewarding its customers.
Singh expressed his excitement on owning his first car. He said that it could not have been possible without the support of his family and friends.
He also thanked ANSA McAL for presenting him with the opportunity to win, noting that he submitted quite a lot of entries and has been rewarded.
The grand prize winner
encouraged persons to support the company, adding that he will continue to give his support.
In smiles, he collected the documents for the car from Hussein and revved the engine while his wife sat in the front seat.
The other winners are Robin Bacchus of Farm, East Bank Demerara who won an Apple iPhone and Sue-Channie Chan of 10 Sixth Street, Better Hope, ECD who won a 32” LCD television.
Education Ministry to investigate feeding programme at Kato Primary
School
The Education Ministry has launched an investigation into reports that children attending the Kato Primary School have to trek miles with logs for hot meals.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand has strongly condemned the action taken by the school and said that her ministry has launched an investigation into the incident to have it fully addressed.
According to her, the school receives on a monthly basis the sum of $474,059 to provide daily meals for approximately 127 children enrolled there.
Further, Manickchand said it was agreed upon by the community in a signed document that prior to the
commencement of this programme, there are times when parents are asked to contribute firewood for cooking.
“However, at no time should children be asked to fetch firewood, water or engage in any programme related activity that could be deemed as exploitation of children,” she explained. She further stated that “at no time should children be called upon to engage in non-curricular activities during school hours.”
The minister argued that during the monitoring and supervision visits to this school, the issue of children fetching wood was never brought to the attention of any Education Ministry personnel.
Govt to spend $21M to repair army helicopter
Government will be spending some US$105,000 ($21,467,129) to purchase spares for the malfunctioning Guyana Defence Force Bell 412 helicopter.
Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon announced on Wednesday that the contract has been approved for the procurement of the spares. The helicopter has been in and out of the army repair shop over the years.
At one time, the government had planned to sell the chopper, bearing registration 8R-GFP, but it was warned against doing so by top aviators here.
The GDF then conducted extensive repairs on the helicopter and it was put back in operation. However, it was again downed recently owing to mechanical problems.
Luncheon also announced contract awards for several other agencies. In the agriculture sector, $2999.4 million was approved for the procurement of super long-reach hydraulic excavators for the National Drainage and
Irrigation Authority. A sum of $1.2 billion was approved for the construction of roads, drains, and structures from Herstelling to Diamond, East Bank Demerara in 10 lots aggregately; while $41 million (US$205,000) was okayed for the supply, delivery, and installation of hardware and software for the Disaster Recovery System, under the Finance Ministry. A $28.0 million contract was greenlighted for construction of the Protected Areas Commission Headquarters, National Park, Thomas Lands; $32.3 million for docking and repairs of National Flagship GDF Essequibo; $242.1 million for construction of the fuel wharf and fuel pipeline for the 26 megawatt Wartsila Generator Project, Vreeden-Hoop. The other contracts approved were $24.7 million for the supply, installation, configuration, and wiring of air conditioning units of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, and $168.6 million for the upgrade of two lots of roads in Amelia’s Ward, Phase 1B, Linden.
From left: Grace Foods Marketing Manager Andre Hussein, grand prize winner Navindra Singh, his wife, and ANSA McAL Managing Director Beverly Harper
The Colour Party bearing the “Colour” standard
Education Minister Priya Manickchand
Food management critical in climate change fight
The importance of managing food in the fight against global warming was reinforced by national and international diplomats during the Environmental Community Health Organisation’s (ECHO) first National Environmental Youth Convention on Wednesday, which was held to mark World Environment Day.
In keeping with the theme “Think. Eat. Save.”, U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt, while addressing primary and secondary school students at the Guyana International Convention Centre (GICC), said the close link between food security and climate change cannot go unnoticed.
The evidence of global warming is glaring, the U.S. ambassador said, pointing to an increase in floods, forest fires, hurricanes and other natural disasters. This global phenomena, he said, can be attributed to the increase in land, water and air pollutions.
He said due to lack of effective food management, approximately 1.3 billion tons of food are disposed of annu-
ally. “Every year, 1.3 billion tonnes of food are wasted... and one third of everything that is grown in the world is lost or wasted. This is just a huge drain on natural resources.”
Ambassador Hardt explained that during the production and distribution of food across the world, significant amounts of financial and natural resources are utilised to generate food. In the process, 70 per cent
of the world’s fresh water is used while deforestation occurs to facilitate food production, although it contributes to global warming.
Act now
In an effort to reduce the impact, caused by food wastage, the U.S. ambassador said crucial steps must be taken. “We can make informed decisions and choose foods that have less environmental impact, such as or-
the way for food production, animals and plants are destroyed in the process, resulting in some becoming extinct. Hence, the effort put into food production should not go unnoticed.
Besides deforestation, which contributes to the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, Dr Anthony pointed out that the dumping of food creates a greater environmental problem which also contributes to global warming.
Impact
“When food rots, it produces, in a lot of cases, a lot of green house gases; a gas called methane. As you know methane is three times more harmful than carbon-diox-
couraged to share it among those in need. “Every year, in the rich countries, about 272 million tonnes of food are being dumped while in Sub Saharan Africa, 239 million people are not getting enough food to eat and there are other parts of the world where people need food.”
Opposition Leader David Granger said Guyana, for decades, has been experiencing challenges in the field of food production due to the country’s geographic location.
According to him, there exists the need for better infrastructure to facilitate the production and distribution of food to minimise its loss and increase exportation.
Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO)
ganic foods... you can also buy local foods and not the ones that are imported, because something that is local comes from not too far away, and those from overseas come on trucks and boats and planes and all of that add to pollution and waste,” he told the youthful audience.
Culture, Youth and Sport
Minister Dr Frank Anthony echoed similar sentiments. During the process of clearing forested areas to pave
ide in the atmosphere. So it’s a big problem. And so when people dump food and it goes to the landfill site, it is producing methane that is destroying the atmosphere.”
Ironically, while 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted annually across the world, 925 million do not get enough food with 25 children under the age of five dying each year from hunger. Instead of wasting food, persons are en-
Sustainable Development and Environment Health
Senior Advisor Adrianus Vlugman and City Mayor Hamilton Green were among the officials present.
In addition to the motivational speeches, students from both primary and secondary schools did a series of dramatic pieces and dances to condemn the wastage of food and environmental pollution.
Students at the World Environment Day observance at Umana Yana on Wednesday pose in front of a large photo of Kaieteur Falls
A booth at the U.S. Embassy Guyana Shines Project’s World Environment Day observance
Schoolchildren marvel at “trees” and a “house“ made of recycled bottles at the World Environment Day observance, organised by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry
Members of the audience at the World Environment Day observance at the Umana Yana
thursday, june 6, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com
Rohee ties up drug fight pacts at Russian conference
Guyana has tied up bilateral agreements with at least three countries to help fight drug trafficking on the sidelines of a major drug enforcement conference being hosted at the World Trade Centre in Moscow, Russia.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, along with Crime Chief Seelall Persaud and Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit head James Singh, is attending the conference which opened on Wednesday. Reports say that the heads of the police services of more than 100 countries made anti-drug proposals.
According to a Home Affairs Ministry statement, Rohee is attending the June 5-7 conference at the invitation of the Federal Drug Control Service of the Russian Federation and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of the United States Justice Department.
The International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC), which is an annual event, allows for policymakers and senior law enforcement officials from around the world to discuss and develop strategies aimed at countering the illegal trafficking, manufacture and use of drugs, as well as related illegal activities such as money laundering.
Suppress drug trade
The ministry said Rohee took the opportunity to hold bilateral discussions with his counterparts. It was agreed during the meeting with Russian Internal Affairs Deputy Minister Igor N Zubov to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two
countries, specifically in the training of police ranks. The ministers exchanged information on the police reform programmes being undertaken in both countries, and the Russian minister showed strong interest in Guyana’s community and neighbourhood policing programmes.
Commitment
A meeting was also held by Minister Rohee with the Minister responsible for the South African Police Service, Nkosinathi Mthethwa. Both sides agreed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in furtherance of the commitment to fight the drug trade. It was also agreed that a study would be done of the triangular drug route – Guyana, Brazil and South Africa –with a view of suppressing it through joint efforts.
Additionally, Rohee held a meeting with the Brazilian delegation. Further bilateral meetings have been planned for the duration of the conference.
Challenge to mankind
Speaking at the opening of the conference, Russian Federal Drug Control Service Director Viktor Ivanov said the drug problem has turned into a challenge to all of mankind. Global drug trafficking is annually valued at US$500-800 billion.
“This is comparable with the hydrocarbon market,” he said. “When drug money comes to banks, competition is disrupted and the economy sustains significant damage.”
Head of the European group for the prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism, Yuri
Chikhanchin said some banks did not hesitate to attract drug money amid the financial crisis. “There is information that some banks attracted such funds during the crisis to stabilise their position and to solve the liquidity problems,” he said.
Arrest, confiscate money
Russian President Vladimir Putin called for the confiscating of money and assets received as a result of illegal drugs operations and resistance to money laundering efforts.
“Another key [cooperation] area is to undermine the financial base of drug crime …,” Putin said at the IDEC XXX conference. “It is necessary to more actively find, arrest [persons] and confiscate money and assets ...”
Providing mutual legal
help and expanding information exchange on suspicious bank accounts, deposits, investments, and property would help to break the drug production infrastructure, he added. He also supported the central coordinating role of the UN in the global fight against drugs. “The role of this universal organisation cannot be substituted with anyone,” Putin said, adding that it was extremely important to reach the goal of decreasing the production of the most dangerous drugs, including heroin and cocaine, in the world by 2019.
In his opinion, the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) and NATO should fight the drug threat together. “That would be a strongly consolidated effort, a response to common threats, which are real, rather than mythical,” he said.
Joint crackdown
Likewise, DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart called for a joint crackdown on drug trafficking. She emphasised that not a single country was able to succeed in the anti-drug fight on its own, as drug dealers were using global communication and financial networks.
Approaches may differ but there are some common elements, she said, noting that coordination and a mutual wish for professional partnership were important.
Leonhart proposed to build on the joint success, as drug dealers choose the path of least resistance: going wherever law enforcement is weak and there is no rule of law. The DEA administrator recalled cooperation
between U.S. and Russian drug control officers, which helped block a heroin channel between Afghanistan and Russia.
International anti-drug crusade
According to Putin, Russia has enough expertise in organising the antidrug campaigns. “Some 35 wholesale heroin distribution channels were liquidated and more than 890 million rubles (about US$31.3 million) worth of drugs were seized within the past two years in the joint work of Russia and Kyrgyzstan,” he said.
The CSTO-led Operation Canal Transport of last December exposed more than 1500 crimes and seized about 500 kilograms of drugs and more than 750 kilograms of drug precursors, he added.
The Federal Drug Control Service and other specialised law enforcement agencies of Russia make a weighty contribution to the international anti-drug crusade.
“The UN Office on Drugs and Crime says they intercept up to 40 per cent of the heroin routed to our country. More than 11,000 attempts of wholesale drug trafficking to Russia were prevented by the Federal Drug Control Service in 2012,” the president said. At the same time, Putin warned against the legalisation of any type of drugs, including “soft” ones, saying “this is a very dangerous path.
“The drug-dealing business is a breeding ground for organised crime, contraband and illegal immigration. So, we believe all types of drugs must be suppressed,” he said.
Caribbean bankers get training in anti-money laundering
Leading training providers for finance professionals-the Caribbean Association of Banks Inc (CAB), in partnership with the Florida International Bankers Association (FIBA) and the Florida International University (FIU) hosted two packed training workshops, back to back on Anti Money Laundering for Certified Associate (AMLCA) and Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) Implementation.
In a release, the CAB said the training was developed for compliance officers, risk management professionals, bank examiners and lawyers for banks and financial services institutions and took place from May 22 to 24. The AMLCA training was led by Alice E Morris, of Solomon Edwards Banking & Financial Services in South Florida.
Morris has over 22 years’ experience in global risk management, regulatory compliance and AML/TF programmes with a strong
background in customer investment suitability compliance, internal controls, operational risk management, and compliance IT system development and implementation. Attending the training were compliance and risk professionals, senior accounts, loans, legal, and operations officers and branch and general managers from banking and other financial services institutions throughout the Caribbean.
Topics
The training covered the areas: application of AML laws/regulations, understanding/rating risk, CDD, EDD, KYC, AML compliance systems, identification of suspicious activity, transaction monitoring and the BSA/AML FFIEC manual in practice (required for the certification).
The course material, which covered many real and famous case studies, generated some very technical discussions, particularly regarding the systems
and processes. Frequently stressed was the importance of putting all of AML procedures in place and the need to document, document, and document.
The FATCA implementation training was delivered by Marian Ancheta Llera, a law firm partner located in Florida. An experienced tax attorney, specialising in international tax compliance and FATCA, Llera went through the FATCA Tax
Act (introduced by the U.S. government and designed to crack down on tax avoidance by wealthy U.S. citizens investing offshore) in great detail to ensure that all of the participants understood the historical perspective, classification of FFI’s & Non-FFE’s, how to develop and implement an effective FATCA action plan, due diligence and the identification of U.S. accounts, practical application in terms of
IT systems, data collection, alerts and searches, and the specific reporting and withholding requirements dictated by FATCA. Llera provided an update on existing international government agreements, including the status of Caribbean governments with respect to FATCA. The workshop was attended by an unprecedented number of senior compliance, risk, project, operations, training, legal, IT and management
professionals from banks and credit unions in the region; indicating how important FATCA preparations have now become given the imminent date for FFI registration with the IRS.
Benefits
Both workshops successfully delivered real and practical value to the participating organisations as all participants left satisfied that they had received absolutely all of the critical information and references required to either manage an effective AML programme or create a successful FATCA compliance programme, for the benefit of their organisations.
Caribbean Association of Banks Inc is a community of banks and other financial institutions in the Caribbean/ Caricom region, whose mission is to advance the interest of member institutions through advocacy, networking, provision of training and other solutions to strengthen the Caribbean financial sector.
Russian Federal Drug Control Service Director Viktor Ivanov (left) and U.S. DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart attending the 30th International Drug Enforcement Conference
Some of the participants at the training programme
No official complaint Iran setting up terrorist cells here – Dr Luncheon
Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon said that there have been no concerns raised with the Guyana government about the setting up of terrorist cells in the country.
Dr Luncheon responding to a question raised during Wednesday’s post-Cabinet media briefing and which referred to a recent media article stating that high-profile Argentinean prosecutor Alberto Nisman had indicated that Iranians have been setting up such cells in the Caribbean and Guyana.
AMIA bombing
On May 29, Nisman, the Argentine prosecutor who investigated the 1994 AMIA bombing, issued a 500-page indictment that accused Iran of establishing terror networks throughout Latin America since the 1980s. The Iranian regime infiltrated “several South American countries by building local clandestine intelligence stations designed to sponsor, foster and execute terrorist attacks, within the principles to export the Islamic revolution,” a two-page summary of the report obtained by The Long War Journal stated.
In a 31-page summary
report obtained by The Long War Journal, Nisman said Iran’s “clandestine intelligence stations and operative agents... are used to execute terrorist attacks when the Iranian regime decides so, both directly or through its proxy, the terrorist organisation Hezbollah.” Nisman also warned that Iran could seek to use sleeper cells. While presenting the indictment on May 29, Nisman reportedly said that members of the sleeper cells “sometimes... die having never received the order to attack.”
Iran has set up intelligence bases in a number of South American countries, according to Nisman, including, but not limited to Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, Guyana, Trinidad
and Tobago, and Suriname. Nisman, the summary stated, plans to send his indictment “to the pertinent judicial authorities” in the various countries. A copy of the indictment is also being sent to U.S. authorities.
In addition to revealing the extent of Iran’s infiltration in South America, Nisman reportedly succeeded “to corroborate and strengthen with new evidence” that shows that the Iranian regime was responsible for the AMIA bombing in 1994, which killed 85 people.
Conviction
Nisman claimed that the 2010 conviction of two Guyanese men for conspiring to blow up the John F Kennedy International Airport was part of a larger sequence.
Abdul Kadir, a former Mayor of Linden and executive member and parliamentarian for the People's National Congress (PNC), and Russell M De Freitas, have been convicted for plotting to blow up fuel lines at the JFK Airport.
Prosecutors in New York have claimed that Kadir had secretly worked for years as a spy for Iran when he said
during cross-examination that he had drafted regular reports to Iran’s ambassador in Venezuela on plans to infiltrate Guyana’s military and police. The plot to attack the airport did not advance beyond the conceptual stage. A U.S. Court of Appeal recently upheld a ruling that Kadir and De Freitas’ life sentence.
Allegations
Dr Luncheon said that the allegations which surfaced from the disclosures made by the Argentinean prosecutor “were the first that were being brought to our attention indirectly”.
He further stated that neither the Argentinean government nor international bodies have submitted to the government of Guyana, “in any official way that they have evidence or concerns about setting up of terrorist cells by Iran in Guyana”.
Dr Luncheon reiterated that apart from the disclosure by a high official in the Argentinean legal infrastructure, “neither our bilateral nor the international community has made any formal notification to the government of Guyana about the setting up of terrorist cells in Guyana.”
OECD-FAO expect slower global agricultural production growth
Global agricultural production is expected to grow 1.5 per cent a year on average over the coming decade, compared with annual growth of 2.1 per cent between 2003 and 2012 This is according to a new report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Wednesday.
Limited expansion of agricultural land, rising production costs, growing resource constraints and increasing environmental pressures are the main factors behind the trend. But the report argues that farm commodity supply should keep pace with global demand. The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 20132022 expects prices to remain above historical averages over the medium term
for both crop and livestock products due to a combination of slower production growth and stronger demand, including for biofuels.
The report says agriculture has been turned into an increasingly market-driven sector, as opposed to policy-driven as it was in the past, thus offering developing countries important investment opportunities and economic benefits, given their growing food demand,
potential for production expansion and comparative advantages in many global markets.
However, production shortfalls, price volatility and trade disruption remain a threat to global food security. The OECD/FAO Outlook warns: “As long as food stocks in major producing and consuming countries remain low, the risk of price volatility is amplified.
TURN TO PAGE 17
Message of morality must be heeded by all – CIOG’s Sheik Moen ul-Hack
Renowned Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) Director of Education and advisor Sheik Moen ul-Hack stated that the message of morality must be heeded by all Guyanese regardless of their religion.
“Morality is the border between animal life and human life and when someone recognise he came from somewhere and has a purpose here and he is accountable to the Almighty… it makes him responsible and he lives his life to the fullest and the highest objectives of life …,” said Moen ul-Hack during a recent interview with TVG’s Current Issues and Affairs Programme (CIA).
He noted that the CIOG message to Guyanese is to know who you are and where you come from and where you are going.
He highlighted that the Al Isra Wal Meraj observance, which is being held today, is one that brings awareness to the Unseen and evidence of the presence of beliefs that drive mankind and the hereafter, and gives purpose and meaning to existence on earth. “There must be a day when true justice and true reward will be metered out… and that belief makes us more accountable and responsible…” stated Moen ul-Hack.
He noted that the observance will go well into the evening in commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad’s night journey to Jerusalem and ascension to the heavens, which is regarded as one of the greatest events to have been taken place.
He stated that it concerns the prophet’s intimate conversation with Allah, and represents the essence of what it is to be Muslim.
He emphasised that prayers help us to promote
virtues and prevent vices. They fulfil the purpose of creation, while allowing creation to communicate with the creator and are necessary for developments and success in both worlds.
Al Isra Wal Meraj is the two-part journey that the holy Prophet Muhammad took during a single night on the 27th night in the month of Rajah, according to the Islamic calendar. In the journey, Muhammad travels on the steed Buraq to “the farthest mosque” where he leads other prophets in prayer. He then ascends to heaven where he speaks to God, who gives Muhammad instructions to take back to the faithful regarding the details of prayer.
The event paves the way for the period of strict fasting (the month of Ramadan) by approximately 32 days. According to historians, what would have been two months’ journey depending upon the mode of transportation at that time, took the Prophet Muhammad just one night, his journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and to heaven in one night, goes beyond the boundaries of time and space, and all natural laws which cannot explain the reasoning of God Almighty. It is a demonstration that points all humanity to acknowledge the presence and existence of an eternal creator.
Guyana Shines Project volunteers awarded
U.S. Ambassador to Guyana D Brent Hardt said the Guyana Shines Project continues to aim to meet and inspire as many Guyanese of the need to protect the environment. He was at the time speaking at the project’s second anniversary hosted at the Theatre Guild, which was held in observance of World Environment Day 2013 on Wednesday. At the event, volunteers of the project received awards and a Guyana Shines Documentary was premiered.
Hardt noted that the project has built a good foundation in the past two years, adding that it has been able to meet all the primary and secondary schools in Georgetown.
He underscored that educating young people is one of the most effective ways of making Guyana litter free. The diplomat said since the
project was launched two years, the government has also come onboard and piloted similar projects, making reference to initiatives such
as the “Pick It Up Guyana” campaign.
The ambassador added that religious groups, communities and the private
sector have also seen the need to lend their hands and participate in the initiative.
The Guyana Shines Project encourages and mo-
Guyanese communities to maintain a clean environment. The British High Commission, the Canadian High Commission, the
bilises
European Union delegation in Guyana, Conservation International Guyana and Youth Challenge Guyana are also part of the project.
The awardees of the Guyana Shines Project
Alberto Nisman
Sheik Moen ul-Hack
Caribbean tourism “barely keeping its head above water”
Asenior official of the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) Tuesday warned that the Caribbean “is barely keeping its head above water” amid predictions that the sector will record a slight increase in tourist arrivals in 2013.
CTO Director of Research and Information Technology,
Winfield Griffith, told a workshop that forms part of the Caribbean Week activities here, that the figures show the region did not outperform areas such as Asia and the Pacific last year.
He said overall, worldwide, there had been a 3.8 per cent increase in visitor arrivals in 2012 and that “Asia and the Pacific, they were ahead of Africa slightly
Brazil drops happy prostitute AIDS campaign
The Brazilian Health Ministry has dropped an online campaign entitled “I’m happy being a prostitute”.
The message was part of a wider education programme about sexually-transmitted diseases and was aimed at reducing prejudice against sex workers.
Health Minister Alexandre Padilha said he had never endorsed the advert: “I do not think this is a message the ministry should be sending.”
Critics in Brazil say the campaign glorified prostitution. Padilha said the message was being tested on the ministry’s website, but it was not meant to be published.
“For as long as I remain in office, an ad like that will not
Three
Pbe part of our campaigns,” he told Agencia Estado.
The Brazilian government is highly praised for its AIDS programme, which includes the distribution of free condoms and a pragmatic approach to the problem in an overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country.
But this is not the first time the Health Ministry’s campaigns have attracted criticism.
Last year, the ministry dropped a video produced for the festive carnival period featuring a gay couple.
The current campaign of awareness to sexuallytransmitted diseases will go ahead, without the “happy prostitute” reference. It is entitled “Not ashamed of using a condom”. (Excerpt from BBC News)
olice in Mexico have detained three people in connection with the disappearance on May 26 of a group of 12 revellers from a bar in Mexico City.
The youngsters’ disappearance in broad daylight from a popular entertainment district in a central part of the capital has raised many questions.
Relatives say the police have turned a blind eye to the case because the missing come from a poor area.
Amnesty International says authorities are failing to prevent disappearances.
Police said they had arrested two waiters, who worked at the Heaven bar in the Zona Rosa district of Mexico City, and a woman, in connection with the 12 missing revellers.
Officers are still looking for the owner of the bar, who they say is now considered a fugitive, after searches of a number of premises he had listed as his addresses turned up nothing.
and the Caribbean followed in third position”.
He said five years ago, the Middle East, which was a major competitor to the Caribbean and other destinations “had fallen back due to what is happening in those areas.
‘We know that these areas are quite politically unstable and it reflects in their numbers,” he said.
But Griffith told the workshop attended by representatives from the National Trust Offices, the Caribbean was losing its “bit of market share” with regards to stay over arrivals even when the figures were showing an increase globally.
He said French Caribbean islands recorded a decline between 2011 to 2012 while the United States and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean were recording significant increases. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)
China gives Grenada US$8.7M, considers other assistance
China is to give Grenada nearly EC$20 million (US$8.7 million) in grant assistance, even as it considers more aid to the island.
This came as a result of bilateral discussions in Port of Spain on Sunday between Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi was on a two-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago before leaving for Costa Rica late Sunday. While there, he met with a number of
Surinam Airways third Boeing 737 joins fleet
The management of Surinam Airways (SLM) has welcomed the arrival of the airline’s third Boeing 737 on Sunday, which they believe will eliminate delays and cancellations, and increase regional services.
SLM expects short-term gains after the addition of this third Boeing 737 to its fleet of four. The carrier has been in existence for 50 years and is one of a few regional airlines still surviving.
The new aircraft will take on regional routes, charters and, according to inside sources, increased services out of Guyana. Haiti and New York are still on SLM’s radar. However, with no aircraft available
with the range to fly the New York route, it is highly unlikely that SLM will soon connect Paramaribo and Georgetown with New York. Currently, only Caribbean Airlines flies from Guyana to New York, with the average fare currently US$1000 return.
The executive board of the airline expects that problems with delays will be something of the past. However, without a second aircraft to ply the transatlantic route to Amsterdam, SLM will continue to haemorrhage money, especially now that the European Union has imposed stiff penalties for delays and cancellation of flights, which SLM has been facing. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)
Mexico City Attorney General Rodolfo Rios said investigators were still analysing video footage from surveillance cameras in the area to establish what exactly happened on the
morning of May 26. Rios said it showed members of the group – seven men and five women –arriving at the bar, but not leaving it.
Caribbean leaders in a series of bilateral meetings.
The grant assistance to Grenada is part of a multimillion dollar package of assistance that Beijing has offered to the Caribbean region.
Officials travelling with Xi said the money can be drawn down on a schedule and for purposes that Grenada will determine.
Mitchell, heading a four-man delegation, made an impassioned plea for more grant assistance from
Beijing for the next three years, as the Grenada government seeks to stabilise the fiscal crisis it inherited.
Mitchell asked Beijing for US$10 million for each of the next three years in direct budgetary support.
“I add again that the cash support, this year, next year and the following year is crucial because of the situation in which we have found ourselves,” Mitchell told Xi in wrapping up his presentation. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)
TT psychiatrist puts blame on bosses
One in 10 people in the workplace suffer from mental illness and one of the root causes is the attitude of management towards workers. Making the statements on Tuesday was Dr Varma Deyalsingh, secretary of the Association of Psychiatrists, who was speaking on the topic, “Addressing mental illnesses in the workplace”. He spoke at a seminar at the Employers Solution Centre, Aranguez.
Deyalsingh said depression involved feelings of sadness, despair and helplessness. Saying mental illness had many faces, Deyalsingh added: “You can have someone coming into the workplace looking sad and you can
have someone else coming in hearing voices and being paranoid, thinking their colleagues are against them and always bad-talking them.”
Stress in the workplace was another factor which must be closely monitored, as this could not only be transmitted to the home but could lead to a host of illnesses, such as hypertension. “Everyone experiences some degree of stress, but it is how it affects us socially, how it affects our relationship with our colleagues, and with those in the home, that we have to look at,” Delaysingh said. “Stress in the workplace is also related to stress in the home...You cannot isolate one from the other.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
Jamaica: School inspection system to go electronic
The Education Ministry has gone to tender for the development of an electronic system to support school inspections under the Education System Transformation Programme.
Speaking with reporters and editors at this week’s Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange at the newspaper’s Beechwood Avenue offices in Kingston, Jean Hastings, director of the transformation programme, said this will ease the strain on the National Education Inspectorate (NEI) in carrying out their evaluations and further cut costs.
“Currently, the way we are doing inspections is very labour-intensive... They will spend anywhere from three
to five days [in a school] and we have schools in some very remote areas, so you can imagine that it is expensive, and perhaps not sustainable in the long run unless we do something,” Hastings explained, noting that the cost could be as high as J$200,000 per school.
“They go in and they spend three days, we pay them per hour, because it’s not cost-effective to have them on staff, so we contract them. The rate is reasonable, but it adds up. If we have to locate them in the particular area we have to pay for the accommodation and travel expense and to prepare the report and so on,” she said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
The region is losing market share with respect to stay-over arrivals even as figures are showing an increase globally
The Grenadian delegation (left) led by Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell in discussion with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Port of Spain, Trinidad
Syrian army retakes key town of Qusair from rebels
Syrian government forces have taken full control of the strategic town of Qusair, state TV and the rebels say.
The town, near the Lebanese border, has been the focus of fierce fighting for more than two weeks between
rebels and Syrian troops backed by fighters from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
State TV said a large number of rebels had died and many others had surrendered as troops advanced swiftly.
The rebels said they withdrew over-
night in the face of a massive assault.
Television pictures showed widespread destruction, with many buildings reduced to rubble and no civilians in sight.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it hoped to gain access to the town to help civilians caught up in the fighting.
“There are reports of hundreds of people that have been wounded that have not been able to receive the necessary medical treatment,” ICRC spokeswoman Rima Kamal told the BBC.
She said there were also reports of shortages of food, water and medical supplies.
George Sabra, the chairman of the Syrian National Coalition, the main umbrella opposition group outside Syria, said that there were hundreds of injured people awaiting help in the area and called on the Red Cross to be allowed access. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Obama picks confidante Susan Rice as national security adviser
President Barack Obama chose close confidante Susan Rice as his new national security adviser on Wednesday in a shakeup that increases the White House’s control over foreign policy and brings a blunt-spoken voice to Obama’s inner circle.
The hard-charging Rice, selected to replace low-key Tom Donilon in the post, is expected to play a high-profile role in defending Obama’s foreign policy, particularly on the civil war in Syria. Obama has come under fire for his cautious approach in response to mounting evidence that President Bashar al-Assad used chemical
weapons against rebels seeking to oust him. Obama will nominate Samantha Power -- a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, former White House aide and Harvard profes-
sor -- to replace Rice as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, White House officials said.
The selection of Rice will likely anger Republicans who have sharply criticised her role in the handling of last September’s attack on a U.S. compound in the Libyan city of Benghazi that killed four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens. Obama had been expected to pick Rice, 48, as national security adviser since she withdrew last December from consideration to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state amid the criticism by Republicans about Benghazi.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Turkey protesters demand dismissal of police chiefs
Activists in Turkey have called for the sacking of police chiefs in Istanbul, Ankara and other cities over their forces’ violent responses to protests.
They presented a series of demands to Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc, who on Tuesday apologised to injured protesters.
The crackdown on protests over the redevelopment of a park in Istanbul last week triggered nationwide unrest.
Thousands of striking workers have now joined demonstrations to demand Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan resign.
Banging drums and carrying banners, trade unionists marched on Istanbul’s Taksim Square, which has
been the focal point of the unrest.
There was a similar march by workers including doctors, teachers and bank staff in the capital Ankara.
Overnight, police in Istanbul again fired tear gas, water cannon and smoke grenades at protesters on the fifth night of unrest.
In the coastal city of Izmir, police arrested 25 people for posting “misinformation” on Twitter.
Relatives said those detained – young men and women, mostly in their early 20s – had posted as few as two tweets informing protesters of the location of police activity and roadblocks in the city. They feared they would be charged with criminal incitement. (Excerpts from BBC News)
Pakistani PM urges end to U.S. drone strikes
Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called for an end to U.S. drone strikes in his first address since being re-elected to the post.
“We respect the sovereignty of others and they should respect our sovereignty and independence. This campaign must come to an end,” he told Members of Parliament.
Sharif, who was ousted in a 1999 coup, was later in the day sworn in for an unprecedented third term as PM.
He faces numerous challenges, including Taliban attacks and a crippled economy.
In his speech to parliament after 244 MPs approved him in the 342seat chamber, Sharif also pledged to tackle corruption
and reduce unemployment and power cuts.
He told MPs that it was necessary to work out a joint strategy to stop drone strikes.
“We must learn others’ [American] concerns about us, and express our concerns about them, and find a way to resolve this issue,” he said.
“These drone strikes that rain in every day have to stop.”
The BBC’s M Ilyas Khan – who was in parliament to hear Sharif speak – says that the underlying message was that U.S. concerns about militancy need to be addressed. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Little sympathy in Tunisia for Femen’s topless activists
Three European women who bared their breasts to protest against the arrest of a Tunisian Femen activist appeared in court on Wednesday.
The women – one German and two French – were charged with indecency and attacking public morals after last week’s topless protest in support of Amina Sboui, an activist with the Ukraine-based group.
Sboui, 18, was arrested after she painted the word “Femen” on a wall in a cemetery in an act of protest against hard-line Islamists. Sboui, who has since been fined and faces further charges, has been held in detention since May 19.
Indian police raid hideouts for rapists
An American woman who authorities say was gang-raped by three men after visiting a popular Hindu temple in northern India was resting in her hotel Wednesday under the protection of a police officer while investigators searched for her attackers.
The 31-year-old woman was raped after leaving the Vashishth Temple site around 13:00h Tuesday, according to police. After failing to find a taxi to take her back to her hotel, she accepted a ride from three men who took her to a wooded area
where they raped and robbed her, authorities said.
The woman was examined at a hospital and released, according to police Superintendent Vinod Kumar Dhawan. She was staying at a hotel in Manali with friends, according to authorities. A police escort has been assigned to protect her, they said.
The woman was unable to provide significant details about the men or the truck they were driving, making it difficult for police to make an arrest, Dhawan said. (Excerpt from CNN)
But while Sboui’s case has attracted sympathy in Tunisia, the case of the three Femen “sextremists” has won little support in the socially conservative country.
lawyer for 15 years here, we don’t allow this. Neither the right or the left allows anything like this to happen.”
“I am shocked,” one outraged female lawyer told France24 during the May 29 protest. “I have been a
Even Tunisia’s secular and feminist groups are shying away from supporting the three Europeans.
“What has happened to Amina, this ruthlessness, is not justified. She does not in any way represent a threat to national security,” Nadia Chaabane, Member of Parliament for the secular centre-left al Massar party, told reporters. (Excerpt from France24)
Aussie DJ in Kate prank wins award
An Australian radio DJ whose prank targeting Prince William’s pregnant wife led to the suicide of a nurse has been voted the best DJ in the land by his employer.
Michael Christian, along with Mel Greig, were suspended after the December 2012 prank in which they called a nurse at King Edward VII’s Hospital pretending to be Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles to gain information about the condition of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
After the pair played the prank on air, the
nurse who transferred the call through to the ward, Jacintha Saldanha, committed suicide.
On Tuesday, Christian was crowned “Top Jock” in a contest conducted by his radio network, Southern Cross Austereo.
The internal contest pitted DJs who submitted their best bits every week.
Christian was the joint winner. A trip to Los Angeles awaits.
“From the start I felt like I had something to prove to myself,” he said in a statement. “That regardless of all that’s happened in the past few months I’m still at the top of my game.”
Syrian army tanks patrol Qusair after recapturing the town
Susan Rice
Pakistan s Prime Minister Omar Sharif
Ramnarine outlines Petrotrin cost overruns
Completion of the Petrotrin headquarters is estimated to cost TT$440 million, of which TT$170 million has already been spent to construct the steel structure which currently can be seen from the Solomon Hochoy Highway, says Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine. Ramnarine spoke about the stalled headquarters project in a statement to the Senate on Tuesday on the state of Petrotrin, in which he gave details of cost escalation
North America
at the gasoline optimisation programme (GOP), the gasto-liquids project and the catalytic cracker upgrade. He said between 2005 and 2010 Petrotrin was very refinery focused, though there was little or no exploration or development drilling. Ramnarine added: “As the company deals with the legacy issues of the GOP and the gas-to-liquids project, it has refocused itself on the upstream. It has been stabilised and pulled back from the
brink and is poised for growth in production,”
On the headquarters project, Ramnarine said an agreement was signed in 2005 with HCP Architects Ltd for provision of the design of Petrotrin’s new corporate head office at Pointe-a-Pierre. The construction budget then was estimated at TT$75 million for a 60,000 square foot building, he added. In 2006, the former board approved a proposal with a cost of TT$250 million. (Trinidad Guardian)
Unit labour costs fall at quickest pace in four years
Agauge of labour related costs fell in the first quarter by the most in four years, although the reading appeared to be distorted by a shift in employee compensation during the prior period to avoid a tax hike. Unit labour costs fell at a 4.3 per cent annual rate during the period, revised readings from the Labour Department showed on Wednesday. The govern-
Europe
ment had initially estimated a 0.5 per cent gain, and the downward revision confounded analysts’ expectations that the reading would remain unrevised.
However, the government revised sharply higher its estimates for employee compensation during the fourth quarter after incorporating new data sources. That brought the readings more in line with oth-
er indicators of wages which have suggested that employers pulled forward compensation for staff into the fourth quarter so that employees would pay taxes on that income at 2012 tax rates. Washington raised tax rates in January. Still, the figures show minimal inflationary pressures. Unit labour costs were up 1.1 per cent in the year through the first quarter. (Reuters)
France criticises China’s antidumping probe into EU wine
The French government has labelled a Chinese anti-dumping probe into wine imported from the European Union (EU) “inappropriate and reprehensible”.
China launched the investigation a day after the EU imposed anti-dumping levies on Chinese solar panel imports. Dumping refers to firms selling goods below their fair value, which the EU alleges China’s solar panel makers have done,
undermining local manufacturers.
China said it “resolutely opposes” the “unfair” levies by the EU. A French government spokesperson condemned the Chinese move and called for a meeting of all EU member states to show their solidarity on trade issues. Germany’s Economics Minister Philipp Roesler called for a negotiated solution.
“The EU must always negotiate and I think there’s
still the chance to quickly sit at the table and agree on a fair framework and definitely avoid a trade war that would affect many more areas than the photovoltaic sector,” he told German television.
Raoul Ruparel, a European economy analyst at the Open Europe think tank, said: “There’s an interesting question to be asked over why China chose this particular market for its investigation. (BBC News)
Africa
RwandAir spreads wings to Ghana, eyes Europe
wandAir has add-
Red Accra, Ghana to a growing list of its international destinations.
Launched on Saturday, Accra becomes the national carrier’s 4th destination in West Africa and the 14th internationally.
It will operate five flights a week, according to acting marketing manager, Robert Nsinga. “We expect to carry 260 passengers per week
in a connection via Lagos,” Nsinga said. The newly acquired aircraft, Boeing 737700NG Series, will ply the new route.
As it expands operations to key cities in the world, RwandAir is also boosting its fleet to match some of its main competitors. Last month, the airline signed a purchase agreement with Bombardier Aerospace for a Q400 NextGen turboprop
airliner at US$33 million (about Frw20.9 billion). The 67-seater, dual-class Q400 NextGen aircraft will ensure RwandAir is well positioned to offer increased capacity on popular new routes. With the construction of Bugesera Airport, the company projects to have boosted its current fleet of 12 aircraft with two Boeing 787 Dreamliners that will fly to Asia and Europe. (allAfrica)
Toyota recalls 242,000 Prius cars
Toyota has recalled 242,000 Prius cars worldwide including 5000 in the UK because of faulty brakes. The company, which suffered a debilitating recall crisis in 2009/2010, said no accidents have been reported but it has received 93 complaints from customers worldwide. Toyota will be contacting UK owners of the affected vehicles in the coming weeks by post. It will exchange the faulty part with a
Middle East Asia
new one, which should take around three hours.
This is the latest in a series of car recalls affecting a number of different companies. Neil King, automotive analyst at Euromonitor, said: “Recalls seem to be so commonplace these days, I don’t see it having any major impact. The only fortunate thing [for Toyota] is that at least they are not the only ones affected. There was a period when it seemed to be only
Toyota.” He said car recalls are getting more frequent as vehicles become increasingly technologically advanced. On Tuesday, U.S. group Chrysler refused to recall 2.7 metres older-model Jeeps, saying that U.S. regulators’ concerns about the vehicles’ fuel tanks causing fires and deaths were ill-founded. Toyota’s current problem affects third generation Prius models built between March to October 2009. (The Guardian)
Makkah to build US$400M housing for 25,000 hotel staff
Construction has started for the first ever integrated staff housing complex to be built in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Arabian Business revealed. The project, which was recently inaugurated by the Governor of Makkah, Prince Khaled Al Faisal, is being developed by Diyar Al Balad, a consortium of Saudis and Emiratis and is slated for completion in the
first quarter of 2016. The project is being built within the Makkah Gate Project accessible via the Jeddah Makkah Highway.
It will cater for up to 25,000 employees, primarily targeting employees working in the robust hospitality sector in Makkah.
The project, which is being undertaken by a newly formed company Retaj Al Balad Al Ameen, is a joint
venture between Diyar Al Balad and Al Balad Al Ameen (a subsidiary of Makkah Municipality). It has been successfully structured as a public-private partnership (PPP) to develop a gated mixed-use integrated real-estate development comprising residential units for families and bachelors, retail, school, hospital and recreational offerings. (Arabianbusiness)
Tips for buying a business
Buying a business can be an excellent way to become a business owner. It saves you from many of the headaches, heartaches, and risks associated with unproven startups. It’s important, however, to be fully informed as you embark on the process. Here are four “must-knows” about buying your first business.
Buy the business that fits who you are
Don’t buy a coffee shop just because someone told you that coffee shops are profitable. Buy a coffee shop because you genuinely love coffee. Buy it because you can think of a dozen ways to make your coffee shop experience just a little bit better. You should also look at
your skills, capabilities, and job history. There’s nothing that says you can’t become a success in a completely unfamiliar industry – but you’ll enjoy your best level of success and happiness by pursuing a business that tackles a field you know and love. After all, you’re going to spend a whole lot of time with your business. Shouldn’t it be something you’ll enjoy?
The classified ads may not be your best bet
If you don’t look any further than the classified ads, you might miss out on some truly outstanding opportunities. Try asking local business owners who might be selling their business soon. Try making a
list of local businesses you’d love to own – you can always approach the owner to see if they’re interested in selling. Professionals who are in the business of buying and selling businesses, such as CPAs and CVAs, often have insider information on people who are interested in selling but haven’t gotten around to looking for buyers yet. You’ll likely pay a premium for these companies, but they may net you stronger a business than searching the classifieds, going online, or advertising that you’re ready to buy. You can also try business brokers, but be careful – brokers work on behalf 06.13of sellers, not on behalf of buyers, and might not have your best interests at heart. (Business Dictionary)
Michael Jackson’s teen daughter attempts suicide – mother
Paris Jackson, the 15-year-old daughter of late pop star Michael Jackson, was rushed to a Los Angelesarea hospital on Wednesday after an apparent suicide attempt, her mother said, but her family later reported she is “physically fine.”
“Paris is physically fine and is getting appropriate medical attention,” Perry Sanders, an attorney for Paris’ grandmother and guardian, Katherine Jackson, said in a statement.
“Being a sensitive 15-year-old is difficult no matter who you are,” the statement added. “It is especially difficult when you lose the person closest to you.”
Paris Jackson
al in Los Angeles and family attorneys have been expected to call Paris as a witness.
Paris’ mother, Debbie Rowe, told entertainment TV programme “Entertainment Tonight” that her daughter attempted suicide and had “a lot going on (lately).”
“We appreciate everyone’s thoughts for Paris at this time and their respect for the family’s privacy,” an attorney for Rowe said in a statement.
ed to a medical situation in Calabasas at 01:27h, sheriff spokesman Steve Whitmore said, declining to provide additional details because of privacy laws.
Jackson was married to Rowe from 1996 to 1999, and the couple had two children together, Prince Michael in 1997 and Paris in 1998. Jackson later had a third child, Prince Michael II, also known as Blanket.
Runway reckoning
Kingsley Cooper, CEO of Pulse Model Agency and conceptualiser of Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW), is calling on regional designers to view fashion as an industry to reap its benefits.
Cooper’s comments come just days before the 13th annual CFW scheduled to start Friday at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew, Jamaica.
This year, the CFW business forum will feature presentations by Kubi Springer, a branding expert out of the United Kingdom, and marketing executive Jessica Huie, also from the UK.
Pop singer Jackson died in 2009 at age 50 from a lethal dose of surgical anaesthetic propofol while preparing for his “This Is It” series of concerts in London.
The Jackson family’s wrongful-death lawsuit against concert promoter AEG Live is currently at tri-
Celebrity website TMZ. com, which first reported the suicide attempt, said Paris had been taken from her family’s home in Calabasas, California, by ambulance at about )2:00h local time, citing unnamed sources.
Los Angeles County Sheriff deputies respond-
Rowe turned over full custody of the children to Jackson as part of their divorce, but she had recently rekindled her relationship with Paris.
Jackson’s children live under the custody of their 83-year-old grandmother, Katherine, and their cousin, TJ Jackson. (Reuters)
Renowned pianist storms out of concert after fan records show on phone
One of the world’s leading pianists has surprised concertgoers by storming off stage because a fan was filming his performance on a smartphone. Krystian Zimerman, 56, returned moments later and declared: “The destruction of music because of YouTube is enormous.”
He carried on with his recital, but chose not to perform an encore and cancelled a post-concert reception.
The Polish pianist joins several high-profile musicians who have spoken out against filming. In April, indie rock band the “Yeah Yeah Yeahs” put up a note for fans entering a gig.
Agitated
“Please do not watch the show through a screen on your smart device/camera,” it said, along with some stronger words.
Former Pink Floyd bassist and vocalist Roger Waters described filming at gigs as showing a “lack of respect” to the artist.
Zimerman was per-
forming at the Ruhr Piano Festival in Essen, western Germany, where he was said to have spotted a member of the audience filming the concert from the balcony.
“He noticed someone up in the choir seats filming the concert on their smartphone. We think it was probably an iPhone,” said festival spokeswoman Anke Demirsoy after the performance.
“He asked them to stop, but they didn’t. So he interrupted the recital and walked off stage.”
Zimerman then apparently told the audience that he had lost recording contracts and projects because of recording company executives telling him: “We’re sorry, that has already been on YouTube.”
The festival’s director, Franz Xaver Ohnesorg, said he sympathised with Zimerman’s frustration.
He told German media: “What happened is theft, pure and simple. It cuts particularly deeply when the artist is of a sensitive na-
ture.”
The BBC could not reach Zimerman on Wednesday for comment.
Jasper Hope, chief operating officer at London’s Royal Albert Hall, said filming at live events was not a problem – as long as it did not disturb the artist or the audience.
Be discreet
“It’s not hard to be discreet,” he told the BBC.
“If you’re the kind of artist that is prepared to use digital media to promote yourself, then provided you’re not distracted I don’t see a problem with that.”
He added: “Do I seriously think that recording contracts for any artists can be jeopardised in this way? No I do not. It is becoming part and parcel of modern music promotion.”
Violinist and composer Steve Bingham said for many musicians the issue was not about theft, but instead about terrible quality.
“You want people to pass on your music to friends, but the downside is you don’t
get the quality control you want if someone is recording in the 17th row on a smartphone.
“You either miss the bass because phones don’t pick up the bass or the view is such that visually it isn’t that good.”
Frustration at amateur filming is not just shared among musicians. British comedian Lee Hurst found himself in court in 2009 after smashing up an audience member’s mobile phone during a gig.
He told the court: “TV programmes have writers writing for the performers and they go around to gigs and take the material and sell it to the BBC and ITV and that material is gone.
“You are then accused of stealing your own material. It has happened to me with material shown on national TV that I had already done.
“There are thieves amongst the circuit, sadly, and amongst the writing community.
“Nobody will protect us, we have to protect ourselves.” (BBC News)
Broadway to celebrate Tony awards with NY street party
Broadway is gearing up for the annual Tony theatre awards on Sunday with a roster of top stars set to hit the red carpet and a simulcast slated for a mass viewing party in Times Square. The 67th annual awards, Broadway’s highest honours, will be held at Radio City Music Hall and include appearances by nominee Tom Hanks and other stars including Scarlett Johansson, Sigourney Weaver, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anna Kendrick, Zachary Quinto, Sally Field, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and
Jon Cryer.
Hanks is the odds-on favourite to win best actor in a play for his Broadway debut in the late Nora Ephron’s “Lucky Guy”. Other top contenders are musicals “Matilda”, a British production based on a Raold Dahl novel, and “Kinky Boots”, which features songs by pop star Cyndi Lauper.
“There is nothing like celebrating Broadway’s most spectacular night, with Broadway’s biggest fans, right in the heart of Times Square,” said Charlotte St Martin, executive director of
The Broadway League, and Heather Hitchens, executive director of the American Theatre Wing, in a joint statement.
The awards ceremony, hosted by actor Neil Patrick Harris, will be broadcast Sunday on CBS at 20:00h. EDT. New York theatre fans will be able to view a live simulcast of the programme on two large screens in Duffy Square at West 46th Street and Broadway.
At that event, there will also be live performances, trivia contests, and a chance to win a pair of tickets to the
awards ceremony held just blocks away and an afterparty.
Forty-six new shows opened on Broadway during the 2012-2013 season which ended in May 15 musicals including nine new productions, and a record 26 plays, including 14 new ones.
Grosses were slightly down from the previous year, likely owing to the devastating October storm Sandy, which shut theatres briefly and hobbled some shows that were just finding audiences. (Reuters)
“Our designers have to approach design as a business, which is what it is. Deal with all aspects. Be properly trained and fully understand the business in which they are engaged. Plan carefully, step by step, with a specific, realistic target in mind,” Cooper told the Jamaica Observer.
He stated that failure to see their craft in business terms, is one reason why Caribbean designers fail to make it in the international market.
“Of course, there are several other areas of development required to sustain and make a fashion industry grow. Management is key, as a design house is an independent business, first and foremost. Funding is another area, so is production, manufacturing, as well as the technical skills to make the design house efficient and effective,” he said.
For Cooper, this is one of the reasons CFW remains relevant.
Cooper is urging designers to understand the role of a fashion week and how to maximise its benefits.
“Each design house is an individual business and is responsible for their own success. No fashion week will make them successful. However, CFW plays a key role and can be of tremendous help in that process, but success will only come when all the elements required for the success of a design house, are put in place,” he added.
This week, regional designers will be joined by three African counterparts: Ethiopia’s Mafi and Fikerte and Zimbabwe’s Sabina Mutsvati.
Among the Caribbean staples whose work will be displayed on the runway are Trinidadians Claudia Pegus, Heather Jones, Robert Young and Zadd and Eastman. From Jamaica, there are Barry Moncrieffe, Biggy, Arlene Martin, Ashley Martin, Marcia Nicely, as well as Tigerlily from the Cayman Islands. (Jamaica Observer)
“CFW has had to wear many hats, including those that a fashion week was not meant to wear. Business forums, workshops, for example, as well as the Caribbean Fashion Industry Association (CAFIA) are all part and parcel of CFW and have come out of CFW.”
OECD-FAO expect...
A wide-spread drought such as the one experienced in 2012, on top of low food stocks, could raise world prices by 15-40 per cent.”
China, with one-fifth of the world’s population, high income growth and a rapidly expanding agri-food sector, will have a major influence on world markets, and is the special focus of the report. China is projected to remain self-sufficient in the main food crops, although output is anticipated to slow in the next decade due to land, water and rural labour constraints.
Presenting the joint report in Beijing, OECD Secretary General Angel Gurría said: “The outlook for global agriculture is relatively bright with strong demand, expanding trade and high prices. But this picture assumes continuing economic recovery. If we fail to turn the global economy around, investment and growth in agriculture will suffer and food security may be compromised.”
“Governments need to create the right enabling environment for growth and trade,” he added. “Agricultural reforms have played a key role in China’s remarkable progress in ex-
panding production and improving domestic food security.”
FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva said: “High food prices are an incentive to increase production and we need to do our best to ensure that poor farmers benefit from them. Let’s not forget that 70 percent of the world’s food insecure population lives in rural areas of developing countries and that many of them are small-scale and subsistence farmers themselves.”
He added: “China’s agricultural production has been tremendously successful. Since 1978, the volume of agricultural production has grown almost five fold and the country has made significant progress towards food security. China is on track to achieving the first millennium development goal of hunger reduction.
“While China’s production has expanded and food security has improved, resource and environmental issues need more attention. Growth in livestock production could also face a number of challenges. We are happy to work with China to find viable and lasting solutions.”
You’ll instinctively know how to arouse interest in your wares, making you a good salesperson. You’ll need to be careful when it comes to actually handling money, however.
By Bernice Bede Osol
(June 21July 22) (Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)
One of your greatest assets is a desire to do things for others that they can’t do themselves. If you utilize this wonderful gift, you will generate a plethora of good will.
A friend might lean on you in hopes that your capability will rub off. Do your best to help this person -- you’ll need similar assistance in the near future.
An opportunity to make more money from a work-related matter is yours for the taking. You may need to modify it somewhat, but it should be easy.
(Aug. 23Sept. 22)
(July 23Aug. 22) (Feb. 20-March 20)
Mental tasks will be much easier than work requiring physical effort. If there is some type of heavy lifting on the agenda, hire helpers.
(March 21-April 19)
You’ll have some very good chances to add to your material resources if you assert yourself. Don’t be afraid to make extra funds by doing something new.
(April 20-May 20)
If you’re permitted to use your own ideas at work, you’ll stand a much greater chance of success. Do what you can on your own and don’t be thwarted by outside forces.
(May 21June 20)
You’re in an exceptionally good achievement cycle, but your victories could come about in a surprising way. It’ll be a lastminute change that does the trick.
Profit from past experience and don’t fall into a trap that has snared you before. Old mistakes don’t have to be repeated.
(Sept. 23Oct. 23)
You are likely to fare better in a joint endeavour than a solo effort. Pick your ally wisely and you’ll do quite well.
(Oct. 24Nov. 22)
Because you’re as much of a giver as you are a taker, you’ll be in high demand. Your good attitude will be a boon to your team.
(Nov. 23Dec. 21)
To feel gratified, you’ll need to engage in an activity that produces real benefits for you and others. Start the ball rolling quickly.
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China, Mexico presidents agree on “strategic” partnership
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Mexican counterpart vowed to work jointly to access international markets, like the lucrative U.S. market, as part of a new strategic partnership.
Xi on Wednesday begins his second day of a three-day visit to the Latin American economic powerhouse, which will include a speech before Mexico’s congress.
Xi arrived in Mexico after visiting Costa Rica, and after meeting Caribbean leaders in Trinidad and Tobago.
On Friday Xi travels to the United States for a muchanticipated weekend summit with U.S. President Barack Obama.
China has in recent years aggressively pushed trade and investment ties with the developing world, particularly Africa and Latin America, to secure raw materials to fuel its economic growth and wield greater geopolitical influence in relation to the United States.
On Tuesday Xi and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto pledged to enhance diplomatic and trade ties between the two countries, and to smooth over their long-standing rivalry on exporting products to the United States.
Mexico is a member of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), along with the United States and Canada. Xi in turn praised the “comprehensive strategic partnership” between the two countries.
In a joint statement
Mexico and China agreed to increase talks at various government levels “to deepen mutual trust and conduct bilateral dialogues on strategic issues,” Chinese state news service Xinhua reported.
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“We expect to broaden investments of Chinese capital in our country,” Pena Nieto told reporters late Tuesday; a move that will create more jobs and make Mexico “an important platform for exports to the countries with which we have free trade agreements.”
Closer ties include more coordination in forums like the United Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping, Xinhua said. Mexico also reiterated it support for the “One China” policy.
Mexico said it considers that “Taiwan and Tibet form an integral part of Chinese territory,” and that issues regarding Tibet “are internal Chinese affairs.”
China’s ambassador to
are one of the issues that the two leaders agreed to review. Mexico and Costa Rica recognise Beijing, but the other six Central American countries maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary. The two split in 1949 after a civil war. Pena Nieto capped the day by welcoming Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan late Tuesday to a gala reception at the National Palace, the executive offices located in Mexico City’s storied Zocalo plaza. The reception included performances by top Mexican dancers and a star female ranchera singer. (www.channelnewsasia.com)
U.S. filmmaker jailed in Venezuela freed, expelled
AU.S. filmmaker jailed for alleged espionage in Venezuela was expelled from the country and returned to the United States on Wednesday in a gesture that could signal a thaw in tense relations between the two countries.
Timothy Tracy’s release was secured with the help of former U.S. Republican William Delahunt, who has long worked to improve often strained U.S.-Venezuelan ties and was hired by Tracy’s family as an attorney in the case.
“He’s been informally advising us since pretty much the onset and we retained him last week,” Tracy’s sister, Tiffany Klaasen, said of Delahunt, a member of the U.S. delegation at the March funeral of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Both she and Delahunt also credited the U.S. State Department.
Tracy’s expulsion came just as Secretary of State John Kerry was to meet with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua on the sidelines of a regional summit in Guatemala to discuss strained relations between the two countries, which have been without ambassadors since 2010.
Delahunt acknowledged the coincidence of Tracy’s release but said “no conditions” were set by Kerry for the meeting with Jaua. He said he had intervened on Tracy’s behalf with
officials in Venezuela – who he said did not include President Nicolas Maduro – but “I want to keep those discussions private.”
“On both sides there is a desire to have an improvement in the relationship based upon respect, and that’s what’s important,” Delahunt said, suggesting it might help that Kerry, then a Massachusetts senator, met Maduro a decade ago when Delahunt took a delegation of Venezuelans including Maduro on a trip to his district in Cape Cod. The trip was part of efforts by the so-called “Grupo de Boston” in 2002-2003 to salve internal tensions in the socialist-run South American country after a failed coup against Chavez. Tracy’s expulson was tweeted Wednesday morning by Venezuela’s interior minister, Miguel Rodriguez, who described Tracy as having been “captured doing espionage in our country.”
Family and friends say the 35-year-old Hollywood producer and actor had been in the country since October making a documentary about Venezuelan politics when he was arrested on April 24 at Caracas’ airport as he tried to leave the country to attend his father’s 80th birthday in suburban Detroit.
U.S. President Barack Obama had deemed “ridiculous” allegations by Venezuela that he was a spy. Friends said Tracy hardly spoke Spanish and had been
very open about his work as he met with Venezuelans on both sides of the country’s deep political divide. Tracy’s previous production work had included script consulting on a film about barbershop quartets.
U.S.-Venezuelan relations have been especially tense in recent months. Maduro expelled two U.S. military attaches in March the same day Chavez died, accusing them of trying to foment instability, and Tracy’s arrest came amid domestic political turmoil over the opposition candidate’s claim that Maduro, Chavez’s hand-picked successor, stole April 14 elections.
The Obama administration has backed opposition candidate Henrique Capriles’ call for a full recount. Klaasen said the family spoke frequently to Tracy while he was held. “He was treated very well,” she said. “I was never concerned for his safety.”
Klaasen said that even after Tracy was transferred last week to a notoriously unruly prison, El Rodeo, the family was assured he was in no danger.
She said she understood from Tracy’s lawyer in Caracas that he was isolated in El Rodeo in a cellblock for foreigners. A colleague of Tracy’s in Los Angeles, Aengus James, said he would be arriving there Wednesday afternoon. (Yahoo! News)
Mexico this week told local media that his country delayed permission for Mexican pork exports in 2011 after then-president Felipe Calderon met with Tibet’s Dalai Lama.
exports
China’s President Xi Jinping (left) and Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto shake hands during an agreement signing ceremony at Los Pinos presidential residence in Mexico City
England finish NZ series with win
England won by 34 runs in the final one-day international at Trent Bridge as New Zealand claimed the series 2-1 on Wednesday.
Ian Bell made 82 but the innings was revitalised by Jos Buttler, who hit three sixes in 47 not out off 16 balls.
Buttler shared 62 in 24 balls with Eoin Morgan (49) as England posted 287-6, scoring 76 runs in the last four overs.
James Tredwell (3-51) dislodged Martin Guptill (38), who made unbeaten tons in the first two games, and the Kiwis were 253 all out despite Ross Taylor’s 71.
Although the series had already been lost, averting a first home whitewash since 2006 and rectifying deficiencies in all three facets of the game ahead of Saturday’s Champions Trophy opener with Australia made this far from a routine dead rubber for England.
Buttler’s exploits and a greatly-improved display in the field helped to achieve that but the early exchanges, with the floodlights on from the start in overcast conditions, offered little encouragement.
Only six runs came from the first six overs with Alastair Cook out lbw for a duck. He surprisingly decided to use the only review to challenge the decision by ex-England batsman Tim Robinson, standing in his first ODI.
But, on his former home
ground, the official’s decision was vindicated as replays showed the ball crashing into leg-stump.
Jonathan Trott’s strikerate as ever was the subject of much scrutiny as he made 37 from 53 balls during a stand of 66 with Warwickshire team-mate Bell before falling lbw playing across the line in the 19th over.
Having completed a typically stylish 26th ODI halfcentury, Bell picked out mid-off.
With Joe Root run out for 33 four balls earlier, it left Morgan and the recalled Ravi Bopara, one of four changes in the England team, both on nought in the power-play overs.
Both appeared painfully out of touch, Bopara dropped on three, with only 20 runs accrued in those five overs.
Bopara, who made 28 from 38 balls, was caught on the mid-wicket boundary but Buttler almost surpassed that in six deliveries from seamer Kyle Mills, dispatching a six and four fours.
The Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman’s vibrant hitting appeared to inspire Morgan, who launched Mitchell McClenaghan over long-on for six, the left-arm seamer feeling the pressure as 20 came from a 10ball over, when his first five overs had yielded 2-9.
With a mixture of innovation, extraordinary bat speed and elements of fortune, Buttler, who came to the crease at number seven for the final ball of the 46th over rather than in the 30th over at number six in Sunday’s defeat at Southampton, was on the
verge of the fastest fifty in ODI history.
The final ball was hooked valiantly but landed short of the ropes and went for two instead of the six required for the record.
New Zealand had Guptill to provide an emphatic response, and after six overs they had amassed 39 with only Luke Ronchi dismissed.
Having made 319 runs without being dismissed in his last three ODI innings, Guptill’s golden run continued with ruthless precision, both on the short ball and driving through the off-side.
England badly missed the rested James Anderson and though Stuart Broad was fit to return, he conceded 37 from his opening four overs, while Steven Finn leaked 26 from his first four.
But redoubtable spinner
Tredwell, England’s highest wicket-taker with 11 in the 3-2 series defeat in India in January, was brought on in the 10th over and claimed the prize scalp with only his fifth delivery as a sharply turning ball squeezed between Guptill’s bat and pad as he pushed forward.
Root ousted Kane Williamson for his first ODI wicket, Tim Bresnan dismissed Colin Munro first ball in the next over and Tredwell had skipper Brendon McCullum caught at the wicket cutting to leave the Kiwis 111-5 in the 20th over.
Cook positioned himself in the gully and snared a sharp chance there to dismiss James Franklin off Broad but the threat of
Taylor and how England’s part-time fifth and sixth bowlers would fare remained.
Taylor swept Root over mid-wicket and into the car park and when Tredwell returned with 67 needed from the final eight overs he hit successive maximums.
He almost made it three in a row but was ninth out as Finn, the tallest man on the field, took a catch on the boundary and pushed the ball to Bresnan before falling over the rope, before the tourists were all out in the 47th over.
The teams will meet again on Sunday in the Champions Trophy, which begins today with India against South Africa in Cardiff. (BBC Sport)
SCORE BOARD
England innings A Cook* lbw b McClenaghan 0 I Bell c N McCullum
b McClenaghan 82
J Trott lbw b McClenaghan 37
J Root run out (Guptill/†Ronchi) 33
E Morgan run out (Guptill) 49
R Bopara c Taylor b Williamson 28
J Buttler† not out 47
T Bresnan not out 0
Extras: (lb2, w7, nb2) 11
Total: (6 wkts, 50 overs) 287
Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-69, 3-149, 4-153, 5-210, 6-272
Bowling: M McClenaghan 10-1-54-3, K Mills 9-1-55-0, T Southee 9-0-65-0, J Franklin 4-0-24-0, N McCullum 8-035-0, K Williamson 9-042-1, C Munro 1-0-10-0
Windies urge children to ‘THINK WISE’ India
BIRMINGHAM,
ENGLAND - West Indies captain
Dwayne Bravo along with team-mates Darren Sammy and Jason Holder travelled to The Oval on Wednesday for a special coaching clinic with three local London schools as part of the ICC THINK WISE partnership with UNICEF and UNAIDS.
The trio attended the clinic alongside fielding coach Andre Coley and took part in a session delivered by Cricket Without Boundaries.
The 60 children had the chance to learn about the skills involved with cricket, batting, bowling and fielding, from the players and coach, while also understanding the background of THINK WISE and learning about HIV and AIDS awareness. Each player dropped into the different sessions and then the children had the chance to ask the players questions about their cricketing careers and how important it was to be responsible and concentrate on studying in order to improve oneself and ones cricketing prospects.
Bravo said: “It’s always important to take time out
West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo enjoys the company of young cricket fans as the Windies held a coaching session for 60 London schoolchildren at the Oval on Wednesday. The event was part of the ICC THINK WISE partnership with UNICEF and UNAIDS. The session was delivered by Cricket Without Boundaries. (WICB Media photo/Philip Spooner)
and work with children during our busy schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy. We like to be able to come and share our expertise with the kids and I’m also grateful to Darren, Jason and Andre for taking the time to come down too.
“It’s very important to get kids aware of HIV and AIDS at an early age, just like sport, the earlier you get involved in something the quicker you learn about it. It’s good that THINK WISE is taking the initiative to ed-
ucate children about HIV and AIDS and I am happy to have been here and I really enjoyed the experience.”
Holder who is at his first senior ICC men’s tournament, having previously represented West Indies in the U19 Cricket World Cup in 2010, added: “It was a very good day and a new experience and I thoroughly enjoyed working with all the young kids here and I think England has a bright future with children like the ones here today.
“It’s always good to have some downtime away from training and be a part of something new like this and to work these kids it really warms the heart.
“I think that THINK WISE is a very good imitative and it’s great that these three organisations, the ICC, UNAIDS and UNICEF, have come together for this tournament. Hopefully the partnership will continue to grow from strength to strength for years to come.”
(WICB Media)
New Zealand innings L Ronchi† c Trott b Broad 22 M Guptill b Tredwell 38 K Williamson lbw b Root 19 R Taylor c Bresnan b Tredwell 71 C Munro c †Buttler b Bresnan 0 B McCullum* c †Buttler b Tredwell 6 J Franklin c Cook b Broad 7 N McCullum c Broad b Bresnan 28
T Southee c Cook b Finn 15
K Mills not out 28 M McClenaghan c Root b Finn 4
Extras: (b2, lb5, w6, nb2) 15
Total: (all out, 46.3 overs) 253 Fall of wickets: 1-39, 2-70, 3-96, 4-97, 5-111, 6-122, 7-175, 8-196, 9-235, 10-253
Bowling: S Finn 9.3-0-57-2, S Broad 9-0-56-2, T Bresnan 8-027-2, J Tredwell 9-0-51-3, J Root 5-0-34-1, R Bopara 6-0-21-0
and South Africa set for opener
India and South Africa, two of the top three oneday teams in the world, get the Champions Trophy under way today.
The sides meet at Cardiff in the opening Group B game of a tournament regarded by many as a “mini World Cup”.
Hosts England begin their campaign on Saturday against defending champions Australia in Group A at Edgbaston. The final of the eight-team competition, which features 15 matches, will be held at Edgbaston on 23 June.
India are the reigning world champions and sit top of the International Cricket Council one-day rankings, but captain Mahendra Dhoni knows they cannot afford to make a slow start.
“You don’t really have much time,” he said. “You have to get your act together really quickly, be at your best right from the very start. It’s a tough tournament.”
South Africa skipper AB de Villiers, who could be without pace bowler Dale Steyn today because of a side strain, said: “We know we have a good chance and we’re just going to free up those wings and give it a good shot.
“There aren’t a lot of concerns. I’m very positive about
what’s lying ahead; I’m very confident going into this tournament.”
Gary Kirsten stands down as South Africa coach after the Champions Trophy, marking the end of a two-year reign in which South Africa have established themselves as the best Test team in the world. “It would be nice to give him a good farewell; he’s been a great coach to us,” said de Villiers.
“I find it funny calling him coach because no one calls him coach. He’s almost like one of our friends and a mentor. He’ll be dearly missed.” West Indies face Pakistan on Friday, with new Windies skipper Darren Bravo promising to “give the English fans something to support”.
“Winning is my main priority, but we’re going to entertain and we’re going to continue to play the game with flair and glamour,” said Bravo, who, in Chris Gayle, has arguably the most destructive limited-overs batsman in the world at his disposal.
Australia, who were bowled out for 65 in their final warm-up game against India, will attempt to defend the title they won in South Africa in 2009 - before the Ashes against England start next month. (BBC Sport)
England players celebrate their win
thursday, june 6, 2013
Nadal and Djokovic set up French Open semi-final
BHS and BEI clash in U-17 school’s football tournament today
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will meet in a much-anticipated French Open semi-final after both won their quarter-finals in straight sets on Wednesday.
Seven-time champion Nadal saw off Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2 6-3 6-1 on Court Philippe Chatrier, while world number one Djokovic beat Tommy Haas 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
The two tournament favourites, and last year’s finalists, will face each other on Friday, with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga playing David Ferrer in the other semi-final.
Djokovic and Nadal will meet before the final because the Spaniard is seeded third as he continues to make his way back from a seven-month break for a knee injury.
Nadal said: “I know that
I play against the best player of the world. I know that he’s having great results for a long time.
“I’m just trying to play my way, trying to find my rhythm and trying to play my best match. That’s the only way to have a chance in the semi-final.”
The Serb said: “I look forward to the match. You know, it’s not the first time I’m playing him. We have played over 30 times. I’m sure that we know each other’s games really well.
“We are in good form. This is the biggest match-up of our Roland Garros 2013 campaign for both me and him.”
Wawrinka, 28, had reached the quarter-finals with a dramatic five-set win over Richard Gasquet, and he looked to pay the price for that exertion against Nadal.
A loose forehand saw
the Swiss drop serve in the opening game and two more errors off that side gave Nadal a double break at 4-1, prompting Wawrinka to smash his racquet and hurl it across the court as the set slipped away.
Nadal suffered one brief scare when he was broken back midway through the second set, but his opponent could not capitalise.
A woeful smash contributed to him handing the advantage straight back and another forehand error gave the 27-year-old a two-set lead.
At the same time, a more absorbing contest was unfolding on Court Suzanne Lenglen as Djokovic battled to subdue Haas.
The German’s run to the last eight at the age of 35 has been one of the stories of the tournament, but like Wawrinka he had spent a
lot of time on court to reach the quarter-finals. A single break of serve gave Djokovic the opening set but the second was in the balance until the Serb won a brilliant point of 24 strokes at 5-5 in the tie-break.
The 26-year-old worked the opening superbly before drilling a backhand into the corner that brought a rueful thumbs up from Haas.
Djokovic twice let leads slip in the third as his forehand began to misfire, before a third break at 5-5 saw him serve it out at the second time of asking after two hours and 13 minutes.
Over on Chatrier meanwhile, Nadal made the decisive move in the third set with a running forehand that left Wawrinka rooted to the spot, and eased home in one hour and 56 minutes.
(BBC Sport)
Mercedes face tribunal over ‘illegal test’ claims
Formula 1’s governing body the FIA is to send the case of alleged illegal in-season testing by Mercedes before its international tribunal.
The judicial body has the power to impose penalties ranging from exclusion from the world championship to a fine.
Mercedes were accused by rival teams of taking part in secret tyre tests with Pirelli that breached FIA rules.
The FIA said: “The conditions of this testing may constitute a breach of the applicable FIA rules.”
However, it will not be taking action against Ferrari, who took part in tyre tests with Formula 1 tyre provider Pirelli in April.
Red Bull and Ferrari protested at the Monaco Grand Prix after discovering Pirelli used Mercedes to undertake a three-day test.
They believed Mercedes were gaining an unfair advantage over competitors by using their current car.
The Monaco GP stewards prepared a report for the
FIA into the claims, which prompted a disciplinary inquiry by the governing body.
Pirelli’s sporting director Paul Hembery gave a staunch defence of the tyre test with Mercedes which he said was neither secret nor inappropriate.
It then emerged Ferrari had also conducted a test with Pirelli - though using an earlier 2011 car - and the FIA involved the Italian team in its inquiry.
An FIA statement issued on Wednesday said: “The Monaco Grand Prix Stewards raised in their report to the FIA an is-
sue concerning a tyre testing session carried out by Pirelli with the participation of Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in Barcelona on 15-17 May.
“The FIA requested clarifications from Pirelli and Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in this respect. The FIA also asked questions to Scuderia Ferrari Team, which took part in a tyre testing with Pirelli in Barcelona on 23-24 April.
“The FIA requested all the other F1 Teams to provide the FIA with information they may have regarding any tests carried out by
Pirelli during the 2013 season.
“In the light of all the replies received and in view of the information gathered during this inquiry, the President of the FIA, acting as the FIA prosecuting body, has decided to: (1) close the case as regard to Scuderia Ferrari Team considering that its participation in a tyre testing organized by Pirelli in Barcelona on 23-24 April 2013 using for this purpose a 2011 car is not deemed to contravene the applicable FIA rules. (2) To bring the case concerning the tyre testing session carried out by Pirelli and Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in Barcelona on May 15-17, 2013 before the FIA International Tribunal because it results from the inquiry that the conditions of this testing may constitute a breach of the applicable FIA rules.
“The FIA International Tribunal is called upon to make a decision in compliance with the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules.”
Berbice High School (BHS) and Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) will meet in today’s final of the inaugural Patrick “Patto” April U-17 InterSchools’ football tournament after both schools booked their places with wins on Wednesday at the All Saints Scotts School ground, Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam.
BHS recorder a 7-0 win over Canje Secondary School (CSS) with Mark Wrong scoring a hat-trick, Keron McKenzie, a brace, and one each from Shimron Hetmyer and Jermaine Samuels; BEI got pass New Amsterdam Multilateral (NAMS) 2-1. Scoring for BEI were Gary Solomon and Troy Munroe.
BHS made their semifinal by whipping New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) 4-0 on Monday. Wrong convert-
ed a double while Steffan Hindsscoring one and national cricketer Shimron Hetmyer scoring in the second half.
In match two played also on Monday School of the Nations, New Amsterdam, scored early against Canje Secondary School (CSS) to take the lead but that was undone by the boys from CSS, who recorded four unanswered goals.
Scoring for CSS were Jamal Benjamin, Trevon Griffith and Kevin Dey while SON got their lone goal off the boot of Shaqueel Rohitalle.
In action on Tuesday Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) over powered Vryman’s Ervin Secondary (VESS) 3-2 on penalty kicks after the two teams played to a 1-all draw at the end of regulation time. Scoring for VESS was Steffen Boucher. (Andrew Carmichael)
Can West Indies...
Pollard’s strike-rate was 10.06 runs an over in these overs, as he finished as the second best finisher in terms of runs. He hit 20 sixes in the last five overs of this IPL, most by any batsman, along with Rohit Sharma.
Surprise package
At 6’8” tall, Jason Holder is the youngest in the Windies squad. But he resembles the famous breed of fast bowlers from the glory days of Caribbean cricket, when tall and gangly men could hit that unplayable length effortlessly, playing truant with the best batsmen. Holder’s List A record is impressive with 29 wickets in 16 innings at an average of 20.24 and an economy-rate of 4.47. With his medium pace, and the bounce he can generate because of his stature, Holder could be a handy option, especially in the middle overs, a vital segment in ODIs where good batting teams gain the initiative.
Weakness
Discipline and playing as a group. As they showed in their first warm-up match against Australia, the players can easily forget their plans. Initially Johnson Charles started aggressively, but failed to switch gears as the Australian bowlers found a rhythm. Luckily Darren Bravo played a mature innings to raise a platform for a 300-plus target, but the Windies batsmen panicked in their attempt to accelerate during the batting Powerplay, thereby finishing easily 30 runs short. Later, after Roach had put the Australians on the backfoot with an aggressive first spell, the rest of the bowlers, especially their captain Dwayne Bravo,
From page 23
failed to maintain the right lengths and lines for a sustained period, thereby allowing Shane Watson to dominate. Such dips in concentration can only negate all the hard work, so West Indies have no choice but to be more ruthless.
Champions
Trophy history
Their escape to victory at The Oval, on a dark Saturday evening late September in 2004 in the final against England was the highest point West Indies reached in their Champions Trophy journey. That triumph had come 25 years after Clive Lloyd had lifted the World Cup in 1979. Despite their decline in the longer format, West Indies have remained a surprising force to reckon with in the Champions Trophy, having made the finals thrice in the six editions. They reached the final in the inaugural Wills Trophy in Bangladesh in 1998, and made consecutive finals in 2004 and in 2006. In the 2009 edition in South Africa, they lost all three of their group matches.
Recent form
Since the last Champions Trophy in October 2009, West Indies have only beaten one high-ranking country, New Zealand, which they won 4-1 last July. During the period they played 70 ODIs, winning just 27 while losing 40 including the quarter-final exit during the 2011 World Cup. Although they secured a 3-0 whitewash at home against Zimbabwe in their last ODI series, they would still remember the 5-0 humiliation in Australia at the beginning of 2013.
Mercedes tyre test has come into question
Rafael Nadal Novak Djokovic
MCY&S, NSC complete successful cricket session
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, in collaboration with the National Sport Commission (NSC), on Wednesday hosted a cricket session for several schools along the East Bank of Demerara at the Agricola basketball court.
Cricket Coach, Daniel Richmond conducted the three-hour session which attracted 49 students (25 males and 24 females) from seven schools.
In an invited comment after the session, Richmond said the fundamental aim of the session was to educate the students on the rudiments of cricket and to aid their development in the game.
The schools that participated are: Agricola Primary, Covent Garden Primary, Huston Secondary, Covent Garden Secondary, Success Elementary, Eccles Primary and Peter’s Hall Primary.
Meanwhile, similar sessions are expected to be conduct next Wednesday at the same venue. The cricket session is part of the ministry’s and NSC’s mandate to promote sport at the school level.
Trojan Cycle Club honour cyclists
Trojan Cycle Club recognised the efforts of Berbice’s top wheelers when the club competed at their first Independence Three-Stage cycle race two weeks ago.
Dwight Holder and Ramiro Crawford, the youngest person to complete the race, were recently honoured by the business community for their effort in the event; the only other Berbician to complete the event was Ray Millington of Flying Ace Cycle Club. Automotive Paint station of New Amsterdam presented the riders with trophies for their achievement. The club also took the opportunity to recognise Furniture World for sponsoring the club’s uniform. President of the club
Steve Ramchushit thanked Furniture World for its in-
GRFU announces 29-man squad for training
The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) announced a 29-man squad for training to be selected for the upcoming North American West Indies Rugby Association (NAWIRA) Under-19 Caribbean championship which will be held in Trinidad and Tobago in July.
The NAWIRA championships will involve teams from The Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.
The members selected for training are: Levi Mitchell, Shaquille McBean, Shaquille
Paul, Kevin Joseph, Dellon Jones, Osafo Selman, Orande Mc Donald, David Lowenfeild, Ryan Aimran, Terrence Clarke, Joshua Allen, Telroy Mc Calmount, Jermaine Leacock, Troyton Braithwaite, Shaquille Brummel, Trevon Davidson, Fidel Neils, Elroy Gibbons, Shaquvan Williams, Daniel DeAbreu, Floyd Sealey, Christopher McLennon, Jeffon Bowen, Dean Peters, Loranzo Forde, Jason Solomon, Carl Rebby, Allister Peters and Iswar Dean Bhoopa.
All players are asked to report to the National Park this afternoon at 16.30h to commence training.
Instructors at Prison gym undergo practical training
Gym instructors and gym administrators of the Republicans Flex-In Gym – the gym that will soon be established in the Georgetown Prison – are undergoing sessions in practical training in preparation for the July launching of the establishment.
The eight trainee instructors, comprising officers and inmates, have just completed theory sessions in basic anatomy, exercise programmes for special populations and basic nutrition. Those sessions were facilitated by Diane Sinclair, certified fitness trainer and manager of Fitness Paradise Gym.
The entire project is an initiative of Flex Night Inc in collaboration with Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited and the prison authorities, and falls under the theme of “correction rather than retribution” as announced by the Home Affairs Ministry at its 2012 retreat.
The trainees have also
been exposed to training in “Essentials of Gym Management”, a component facilitated by Flex Night Inc Director, Donald Sinclair, and will undergo a final session in “Gym Event Management and Organisation.”
It is expected that the knowledge gained in the latter session will equip the trainees with the appropriate skills to enable them to conceptualise, plan and execute well-managed events on behalf of Republicans Flex-In Gym.
The practical component of their training in the area of gym event management and organisation will be executed on Sunday at the Fitness Paradise Championships and Gym awards where teams of two trainees will be assigned to different event stations to gain practice in managing gym events.
The graduation will be held on June 14 and the ceremony will be held at the Prison Officers Sports Club.
Daniel Richmond demonstrating the basic batting style during Wednesday’s cricket session (Rajiv Bisnauth photos)
Trainees listen as Onai Vasconcellos explains the leg press
Trojan CC President Steve Ram Chechit presents a certificate of participation to Rosemary Chapman of Furniture World
Participating students with cricket Coach, Daniel Richmond (extreme right) at the conclusion of the cricket session at the Agricola basketball court
CPL draft attracts global attention
– franchise teams named
Montego Bay, Jamaica – As the Caribbean Premier League draft took place wednesday and players were selected to the six franchise teams, fans around the world logged on to the CPL website, www.cplt20.com and the CPL Facebook page, www.facebook.com/carnivalt20, and followed intently on Twitter @cpl_t20 to see which players were recruited.
The CPL social media networks were abuzz as some fans applauded the choices of the team selection panels and others debated the compositions of some of the squads. The CPL website was blown away by hundreds of thousands of visitors which caused a slow-down for a short period, showing the mass appeal the CPL will have across the globe. CPL officials rectified this quickly and populated all the pages on the site with all the players who were selected, so fans could find out their teams in real time. In addition, all of the players have been personally emailed and congratulated on their selection.
Social media
“We were overwhelmed by the level of interest in the draft, not only regionally but internationally, evidenced by the huge volume of traffic on our website and social media sites,” said Damian O’ Donohoe, CPL CEO. “It’s obvious that the world is eager to see who’s ‘coming to play’ this summer, and we are looking forward to an exciting tournament now that we know exactly who will be playing on each team.”
There is a 24-hour window in which teams can make trades among themselves, noted O’Donohoe, and any changes will be announced shortly after they are made.
“Obviously this was our first draft for the Caribbean Premier League and we are
pleased to say that the process went extremely well,” added O’Donohoe. “Each team was well prepared and made very thoughtful, strategic selections but they also enjoyed the experience.”
Team Antigua was represented by West Indies franchise player Marlon Samuels (via Skype), Head Coach Sir Vivian Richards and Assistant Coach Phillip DeFreitas.
Team Barbados’ Head Coach Desmond Haynes and Assistant Coach Robin Singh (via Skype) were supported by West Indies franchise player Kieron Pollard, who also participated via Skype, and Barbados CPL Media and Administration Officer Jason Harper.
Guyana team
Guyana franchise player Sunil Narine (via Skype) worked with Head Coach Roger Harper, Assistant Coach Curtly Ambrose and Guyana CPL Media and Administration Officer Omar Khan to select their team while Jamaica’s franchise player Chris Gayle (via Skype) and CPL Media and Administration Officer Richard Berridge (via Skype) gave their input to Head Coach Paul Nixon and Assistant Coach Junior Bennett.
Franchise player Darren Sammy (via Skype), Head Coach Andy Roberts and Assistant Coach Matthew Maynard selected the St Lucia franchise team and Trinidad & Tobago franchise player Dwayne Bravo (via Skype) worked with Head Coach Gordon Greenidge, Assistant Coach David Williams and CPL Media and Administration Officer Colin Borde to choose the Trinidad & Tobago team. Held at the Half Moon Bay Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the atmosphere in the room was electric. It was, of course, a competitive draft, but those select-
Christopher Barnwell
ing their teams were well prepared, making the first event of its kind to ever happen in the Caribbean a real success.
Utilising technology to overcome the fact that the West Indies Franchise players were in London at the time of the draft, CPL officials ensured that all were connected to their selection team by Skype throughout the draft. All the players were pleased with the ability to be involved every step of the way in their team selection.
Trinidad & Tobago franchise players Dwayne Bravo voiced it best on behalf of all, stating, “I really enjoyed the entire draft process. I can’t wait for the CPL to get started, and I love my team!”
Guyana Franchise
On paper Guyana has
a balanced team with a number of exciting players coming from the territory, including speedster Ronsford Beaton, Christopher Barnwell Narsingh Deonarine, Veerasammy Permaul, Trevon Griffith and Ramnaresh Sarwan. These players form a cadre that also includes Sunil Narine (TT), Mohammed Hafeez (Pakistan), Lendl Simmons (TT), Denesh Ramdin (TT), James Franklyn (New Zealand), Martin Guptill (NZ) and Krishmar Santokie (Jamaica).
The compilation of the teams followed the rules established prior to the event, ensuring at least two Under-23 players on each team, that was not an issue for any of the teams, most of the Under-23’s were chosen early in their draft
pool and two teams actually have three Under-23 players, Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados. The seven local players requirement was also easily achieved, with two teams having 10, St Lucia and Jamaica and two having eight, Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago.
The draft also validated clearly the cricket talent that is present in the Caribbean by the selection of all the West Indies players in the first pool, with teams passing on some of the international players that were available. Five of the teams chose only three of the four international players they could have selected for their teams.
Draft process
The Most Honourable PJ Patterson; Walter Scott, QC; and Lance Gibbs of the CPL Cricket Committee oversaw the draft process. Former Jamaican Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe and former PricewaterhouseCoopers Senior Partner Tony Lewars were appointed by the tournament committee to officiate the proceedings and Raymond Reece acted as tabulator.
Observers included West Indies Cricket Board CEO Michael Muirhead; Michael Hall, CEO of the West Indies Players Association; CPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe; tournament committee members Zorol Barthley and Conde Riley; CPL Board members and representatives from CPL major sponsor Digicel.
The event was hosted by CPL Event Director Laurie-Ann Holding and IMG’s Michael Fordham. O’Donohoe says next on the agenda is the announcement of the team names and captains.
The inaugural Caribbean Premier League starts on July 30 in Barbados and concludes on August 24 in Trinidad.
GUYANA: Sunil Narine, Mohammed Hafeez, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin, James Franklyn, Christopher Barnwell Martin Guptill, Krishmar Santokie, Steven Jacobs, Ronsford Beaton, Trevon Griffith, Narsingh Deonarine, and Veerasammy Permaul.
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA: Marlon Samuels, Ricky Ponting, Kieran Powell, Johnson Charles, Kemar Roach, Steven Smith, Sheldon Cotterell, Dave Mohammed, Devon Thomas, Gavin Tonge, Justin Kemp, Rakheem Cornwall, Jahmar Hamilton, Anthony Martin, and Montcin Hodge.
BARBADOS: Kieron Pollard, Shoaib Malik, Dwayne Smith, Shakib Al Hasan, Umar Akmal, Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel, Rayaad Emrit, Ashley Nurse, Carlos Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Kyle Mayers, Devendra Bishoo, and Kirk Edwards, Ramon Reifer.
JAMAICA: Chris Gayle, Muttiah Muralitharan, Andre Russell, Ravi Rampaul, Shaun Marsh, Vernon Philander, Danza Hyatt, Carlton Baugh, Nikita Miller, Jacques Rudolph, Chadwick Walton, Jermaine Blackwood, Akeem Dewar, Dave Bernard, and Nkrumah Bonner.
STLUCIA:DarrenSammy, Herschelle Gibbs, Albie Morkel, Tino Best, Tamim Iqbal, Shiv Chanderpaul, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Andre Fletcher, Garey Mathurin, Liam Sebastien, Dalton Polius, Kavem Hodge, Kenroy Peters, and Nelon Pascal.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: Dwayne Bravo, Ross Taylor, Darren Bravo, Fidel Edwards, Aaron Finch, Samuel Badree, Kevon Cooper, Kevin O’Brien, Suleiman Benn, Adrian Barath, Delorn Johnson, Nicholas Pooran, Yannick Cariah, Miguel Cummins, and Justin Guillen.
Can West Indies’ matchwinners fire as a unit?
There are many reasons why West Indies could be the most dangerous team in the tournament. Their strongest attribute is that they possess more than one matchwinner: Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Kieron Pollard and Kemar Roach have the capability to overpower opposition. Sunil Narine plays a decisive role, especially during the final fifteen overs, including the batting Powerplay, when batsmen step on the accelerator. Their determination to hang in there to win the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last year, where they lived on the edge on a few occasions, would have given them the self belief needed in big tournaments. However the chal-
lenge now is whether they can repeat that in England. They could certainly take solace in The Oval Miracle, where they fought back from 147 for 8, chasing England’s 218, and ended up winning by two wickets in near twilight. That event was hosted
in England as well, so West Indies can draw upon that memory for inspiration.
For them to win, the Big Five will have to stand up and lead. Gayle has said he wants to play deep into the innings. Samuels, one of Wisden’s top five cricketers of 2013, will
be the pivot between the top and lower order, and can also squeeze in a few overs as a spinner. Pollard needs to bring his world-class finishing skills, so effective in Twenty20 cricket, and perform on a consistent basis.
But the two people who
can influence the team’s belief will be the former and current captains: Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy. Bravo took over the ODI leadership from Sammy prior to this tournament, and has the respect of his players being the fourth senior-most member behind Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Samuels. More than his allround skills, it would be his leadership style that would determine the Windies approach. But unlike Sammy’s animated approach, Bravo can be isolated at times. He needs to confide in Sammy when in a tight corner, and be flexible in changing plans whenever the going gets tough.
Key player
Despite his success in the Twenty20 format, Kieron Pollard has never managed
to bring the matchwinner status he has established in tournaments like the IPL. However, his potential cannot be questioned. He has been West Indies’ best ODI batsman since the 2011-12 season where he has scored 926 runs from 30 innings with three centuries (most by a West Indies batsman during this period).
Pollard has the firepower to demolish the best bowling attack during the death overs and it will be in the role of finisher where he can help swing West Indies’ fortunes. Pollard performed that role to perfection in Mumbai Indians winning their maiden IPL title last month. Pollard scored 250 runs in the last five overs, second only to MS Dhoni (286).
Chris Gayle Marlon Samuels Kemar Roach
CPL draft attracts global attention
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Miller impresses despite Karunaratne century
BASSETERRE, St
Kitts – Left-arm spinner Nikita Miller continued to press his claims for a senior team place with a four-wicket haul but his effort was outshone by Dimuth Karunaratne’s century, on the opening day of the first four-day “Test” between West Indies A and Sri Lanka A on Wednesday.
At the close, Sri Lanka were 310 for five, after winning the toss and opting to bat first at Warner Park.
The left-handed Karunaratne made 101, and was supported by Kithuruwan Vithanage with 62, opening partner Udara Jayasundara who made 57, and Ashan Priyanjana who chipped in with a cameo unbeaten 51.
Miller, who has played a Test and 39 One-Day Internationals but has been overlooked for the last two years, was the best Windies A bowler with four for 93.
Karunaratne and Jayasundara put on 104 for the first wicket as Sri Lanka A overcame two short rain stoppages to reach 92 with-
out loss at lunch.
The 25-year-old Karunaratne, with six Tests behind him, hit 13 fours in an innings that required 159 balls and lasted 216 minutes. Jayasundara, meanwhile, a 22-year-old lefthander, gathered his runs over 98 balls in 115 minutes at the crease, and counted nine boundaries.
Miller got the breakthrough after the interval, claiming Jayasundara to a catch at the wicket but West Indies A were forced to toil again as Vithanage joined
Karunaratne to add 94 for the second wicket.
Vithanage, a 22-year-old left-hander with two Tests under his belt, faced 103 balls and hit six fours in 139 minutes of batting.
Karunaratne eventually raised his century off 157 balls but fell just before tea when he pulled left-arm seamer Sheldon Cotterel to Kraigg Brathwaite at midwicket.
Three wickets – including that of Vithanage’s –then tumbled for just 35 runs as Miller made inroads
into the middle order. However, Priyanjana arrived to play a breezy knock, carving out nine fours and a six off a mere 65 balls to keep the Sri Lankans on top. The 23-year-old put on 51 for the fourth wicket with wicketkeeper Kaushal Silva who hit 26.
Nikita Miller
Dimuth Karunaratne
Sunil Narine
Mohammed Hafeez
Ramnaresh Sarwan
See story on page 23