15th August 2013

Guyana faces dark future without hydropower – research scientist

Banks, private sector fear implication of blacklisting

Govt working to address skills deficit – Ramotar Guyana intensifies presence at the Bird Watching Fair Plaisance man knifed to death by reputed wife Rejected man douses trainee nurse with acid Guyana’s CARIFESTA team ready to roll

Plaisance man knifed to death by reputed wife

Less than a week after a teenager of Sparendaam was killed by her 18-yearold fiancé; a man was on Wednesday morning stabbed to death by his reputed wife.

Clifford Singh, 34, of Lot 28 Prince William Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara was reportedly stabbed several times in the vicinity of the heart and lashed to the head by the woman whose name was given as Dacia Bourne.

Guyana Times understands that the couple was involved in a heated argument about 01:00h on Wednesday in the middle of the street, when the woman called another man who occupied the same house and the two allegedly attacked Singh.

About 02:00h, his body was discovered on the road in a pool of blood by passersby who raised an alarm.

The name of the man who aided Bourne was given as “Jumo” and is in police custody, while the woman is on the run.

The dead man’s sister, Jennifer Persaud-Bovell explained that about 03:00h, she was awakened by her son’s mobile phone which started to ring and thought that it was someone dialing the wrong number.

The phone continued to ring and when her son answered, it was a cousin in -

forming him that his uncle was stabbed to death.

He related the news to his mother, and a few minutes later, PersaudBovell disclosed that she heard a voice at the gate and upon looking out; she was again told of the tragic event.

As she ran up the road, which is about 200 feet from the incident, she saw her brother lying on the ground covered with blood.

“The scene was cordoned off and the police were conducting their investigation, so I couldn’t go close to see what injuries he received… a police later told me that he was stabbed to his heart and other parts of his body and was also lashed to his head with a piece of wood which was recovered… they also found the knife which was used to commit the murder,” the woman explained.

Frequent fights

She went on to say that the couple were in the habit of fighting, noting that they normally spend the night together and when he leaves for work in the morning, she would spend the rest of the day at her grandmother’s home.

Her brother, she noted was a mason and has a 14-year-old child from a previous relationship, and the woman also has a two-year-old son from

Murdered: Clifford “Yaka” Singh

another relationship. The couple reportedly fell in love after they met about two years ago when she moved in with her grandmother. She is formerly from South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

At the scene, there were blood stains on the road as curious onlookers were seen enquiring about the fatal stabbing. The house in which the couple lived is located in a yard filled with bushes, and shared by one of the dead man’s friend.

A neighbour, who lives opposite the couple’s home, also related that brown and Singh had frequent misunderstandings which would turn violent.

Alicia Hardy stated that she was in her bed when her daughter woke her up to inform her that “Yaka” was dead, and lying on the road.

When she checked, her worst fears were confirmed. Minutes later, she noted that a few boys from South Ruimveldt arrived on the scene.

They were in shock to have discovered the man, dead.

She said the couple would normally fight and then reconcile.

“Sometime, she does go and beg for him when he got lock up… people does don’t tek them on because is a normal thing, so when we hear it happen, we nah surprise”, she added.

The couple have a 10-month-old child.

Singh’s body was taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home and police have since launched a hunt for the woman.

Restaurant owner charged for gun, ammo possession

Ye Jai Rong, 46, of Lot 15 B Kildonan Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was on Tuesday charged for possession of one .32 semi automatic pistol and six live .32 rounds of ammunition without being the holder of a licence.

He was placed on $400,000 bail by Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh when he made his first appearance at the Albion Magistrate’s Court.

The man pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him and will make his next court appearance on September 9.

It was reported that on August 8, acting on in-

formation received, police ranks went to the home of a teenager and questioned him about allegedly discharging a loaded firearm.

A search was conducted on the home he resides in and the pistol with registration number F31996, along with a magazine and six live rounds were found in a southern bedroom of the upper flat of the house.

The gun and ammunition were shown to the teenager who claimed that it belonged to his father Ye Jui Rong, who was in Georgetown conducting business.

Upon interrogation, the teen claimed that a cus-

tomer went into the restaurant, which is located at the lower flat of the house, and ordered a serving of chicken and after receiving same along with his change; he proceeded to order a half fried rice, but did not pay for it.

As a result, an argument ensued between the two men. The customer, the teenager claimed, broke a bottle and pelted him and a worker.

In retaliation, the teenager reportedly went upstairs and collected the gun, ran behind the customer who had already left the premises and discharged a round in the air.

Body retrieved from Number Three foreshore

The body of a cash crop farmer who left his Rosignol, West Coast Berbice (WCB) home to catch fish was on Tuesday found at the Number Three foreshore. He is suspected to have drowned.

The dead who man has been identified as Harry Bhisundyal called “Brandy”, 55, of Rosignol, reportedly left home about 14:00h on Sunday.

He was discovered

about 07:00h on Tuesday at the foreshore.

Upon the discovery, his body was examined by a doctor who gave the cause of death as drowning. An autopsy was not performed. Bhisundyal’s body was handed over to the family since there were no signs of violent marks about his body.

Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that on the day of the discovery, Deolall Ram Daly

a resident of the area, was going to catch fish at the Number Three foreshore when he saw Bhisundyal’s motionless body. At the time, he was clad in a white short pants with a green t-shirt. An alarm was raised and the brother of the deceased arrived on the scene and positively identified his remains. Due to his decomposed state, Bhisundyal was buried on the same day.

GPHC gets new board of directors

Anew board of directors for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has been installed to serve for the period July 2013 to June 2014.

In photo, Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran presents the GPHC’s licence to Board Chairman Colonel Mark Phillips.

The other board members are (from left) Dr Mahendra Carpen, Dr Dalgleish Joseph, Renata Chuck-A-Sang, Dr Sheik Amir, Norma Semple, Kemtom Alexander, Bibi Zaheeda Hack, Dr Shamdeo Persaud and Nirmal Rekha. Also in photo is GPHC CEO Michael Khan

Govt working to address skills deficit – president

By Danielle CampBell-lowe

President Donald Ramotar said government has made tremendous investment in the area of education which has created the need for an increased, additional technical skill and human resource capital.

ing Guyana into a major hub for air transport between the northern and southern hemi-

Speaking at the opening of the two-day National Economic Forum, Ramotar noted that the most recent of these investments include new technical education centres.

The annual forum was organised by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) and is being held under the theme “Promoting Economic Growth through Innovation, Diversification and Partnership”.

Ramotar, who chairs the council, said human resource investment has been scaled-up on assumption that Guyana is on the verge of moving from being just an agricultural country to an industrial hub where a lot of skills will be required.

The president stressed that many of the constraints faced by the country have been more internal problems with skills and human resources.

Ramotar made mention of the brilliance of local students, evident by this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) results, stating that the investment in education is beginning to pay dividends.

“This is a reminder that we in Guyana have the capacity and the brain power as any other country in the world. It is for us to harness that and channel it towards the development of our country,” the head of state mentioned.

Infrastructural projects

Ramotar said based on the realisation that infrastructure remains a major constraint to economic development; government has embarked on several infrastructural enhancement projects. He listed the construction of a modern airport which has the potential for transform-

“We have recognised that the development of our infrastructure will facilitate economic growth and social development. This will help Guyana to play a more important role in the international economy as well.” – President Ramotar

sphere and the development of a branded hotel.

“We have recognised that the development of our infrastructure will facilitate economic growth and social development. This will help Guyana to play a more important role in the international economy as well.”

Ramotar emphasised that at this stage in the country’s development, stakeholders must have all hands on deck to achieve the basic needs of all citizens as this is vital to the growth of the economy. He stressed though that Guyana cannot, however, achieve this goal unless there is economic growth. According to the president, Guyana’s economy is operating in an international environment that is complex, complicated and not always friendly to small economies.

“We need to harness all human resources and capa-

bilities to meet the exogenous circumstances and challenges; ones which we have no control over, but must deal with from time to time,” Ramotar pointed out.

Good conditions to advance

Although there have been some signs of improvement in the international economy, it is still complicated and has forced the region to create over the years very good conditions to advance at a faster pace.

Ramotar detailed that Guyana has developed good relations with neighbours and cooperation agreements that are helping the economy to grow and creating greater confidence in human relations.

He disclosed that traditional relations with North America and Europe are strong and despite difficult economic circumstances; these countries have remained committed to Guyana and are very important partners in the country’s development. Significant focus is also being shifted to Asia, Africa and other continents, propelling government to establish relations in these areas for mutual benefits of all parties involved.

Ramotar remarked that although government will always be criticised, he acknowledged that increased emphasis must be placed on the efficiency of implementation of decisions made.

“I intend to pursue this and to ensure that government deliver on the commitments which were made for the rapid development of society,” the head of state noted.

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

Secondary schools’ results

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is one of the standout successes of the Caribbean integration movement through the Caribbean Community (Caricom). Launched in 1979, it has grown by leaps and bounds with its mission to provide a standardised curriculum for the secondary schools of the region, as well as testing the success (or failure) of the impartation of that knowledge base to the student population.

It performs the latter task through the Caribbean Secondary School Examinations (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exam (CAPE). CSEC, which replaced the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary (O) Level from England, is administered at the end of fifth form.

To be considered matriculated (or qualified for further enrolment) a student must obtain passes in at least five subjects, including mathematics and English Language, with a minimum of grade three. CAPE is intended to prepare students who intend to pursue higher academic or technical training and replaced the GCE Advanced (A) Level.

In what has introduced a great deal of confusion, however, CXC divided the syllabus for the GCE A Level subjects that used to be offered, such as Biology, Physics or Mathematics, among others, into two segments, dubbed “Unit 1 and Unit 2”. A student would write the Unit 1s in the subjects they decided to specialise in at the end of the lower sixth form and the complementary Unit 2s at the end of their upper sixth form year.

The confusion arises in two ways and is evident in the CAPE results just released. Firstly, the results of the upper and lower sixth formers (Unit 1s and Unit 2s) are all combined. There is no need for this: Unit 1s are of no consequence without their complementary Unit 2s. The upper sixers’ Unit 2 results should be combined with their results from their previous year’s Unit 1s to obtain the rankings on CAPE performance.

If this were done, it would be clear that Melodie Lowe of Queen’s College is the top performer at CAPE this year. This has implications for the scholarships that the government introduced last year for CAPE performances.

The other confusion arises if students from some schools are allowed to write Units 1 and 2 in the same year as was the case in one instance. The number of passes thus becomes higher for those students for that year, while if combined with their passes with the previous year’s results, could be lower overall. We can see that this will open up new manoeuvres in our highly competitive atmosphere.

While it is laudatory that some of our students can continue to push the boundaries of the total number of subjects that can be written at CSEC in any one sitting, this simply highlights the abysmal results that plague our secondary schools overall in the face of ever increasing spending by the government in the sector.

The Achilles heel continues to be the inability of the Ministry of Education, school administrators and the teaching staff to come up with an answer to the inability to significantly raise performances in the compulsory matriculation subjects of English and mathematics.

According to figures supplied by CXC, passes for English A were recorded at 45.69 per cent compared to last year’s 37.02 per cent. This of course, represents a slight improvement, but is within range of the variations observed over the last few years.

In mathematics, there was an insignificant decrease from last year’s 29.69 per cent pass rate to 28.92 per cent. What this means is that the energy injected last year by the ministry with the interventionary pilot programme to boost performance in these subjects have ebbed.

We need clear answers as to what is to be done, since the fact that 70 per cent of our students leaving secondary schools who will be entering the work force are deficient in this crucial area makes for a very gloomy picture.

‘’Saturdays with Anansi – Again”, as renowned art educator and storyteller Michael Khan, aka Ole’

Library with Brer Anansi and his friends. The cast was honoured with the presence of one of

and sign interpreter Sean Thomas, and they entertained the audience with their ever-so

manifestations of our intangible cultural heritage

Nigel Hughes should be banned too

Dear Editor, I have seen the reports in all the papers about the terrible misbehaviour of the foreman in the Lusignan Massacre. The conflict of interest may have been deliberate. He should be jailed in addition to being banned from ever doing duties as a juror again.

But what about Nigel Hughes? His behaviour

was deplorable. This man is a lawyer and should know that this was wrong. Is he so desperate to try to free the accused of those heinous crimes?

This man is not fit to be a lawyer. He should be debarred. We need to work on the integrity and morals of our nation.

Your faithfully, Andy George

and

returned to

and

Remove jury trials

Dear Editor, I followed closely the reports in the paper of the trial of two accused in relation to the Lusignan Massacre.

When the verdict came out I was shocked and could not understand how that was possible.

But now I see that this travesty of justice was also possibly influenced by the relations between one of the defence lawyers, Nigel Hughes and the chairman of the jury.

This miscarriage of jus-

tice is becoming a norm in our country. We cannot afford this. I wish to say that we should remove jury trial because it seems that it is quite easy to get at them. This mentality is deeply rooted in our society since the period of undemocratic rule and proving difficult to eradicate.

REMOVE JURY TRIAL IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE, PLEASE!

Sincerely, N Naraine

TIP must be stopped very early

Dear Editor,

I am very heartened by the recent sensitisation programme, as regards Trafficking in Persons (TIP), being conducted by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry. Its effort to continue raising awareness on the subject of TIP is most commendable.

Recently, the police dismantled a massive humantrafficking ring that had connections to operations in Spain

and France. This ring is suspected to have been engaged in the smuggling of Chinese citizens into European countries and the United States.

Then in the U.S., over 150 people were arrested on charges of holding children against their will for prostitution. The suspects, who were referred to as “pimps”, were arrested in 76 U.S. cities and are expected to face state and federal charges, related to sex crimes and human trafficking.

I have a feeling we can very well move into this kind of zone and so we must stop this before it really takes off. Perpetrators of TIP are very unscrupulous and they must not be shown any kind of leniency.

I feel very encouraged that the exercise here of raising awareness had the backing of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Guyana, and this organisation has been supporting the Ministries of Human

Services and Home Affairs in combating TIP for some time now. It will take time, effort and money, but if we believe that TIP must be confronted even before it gets going, then we will make the investment. I want us, as Guyanese to be supportive too. If we know of suspicious happenings, then we must call in the authorities.

Yours truly, Brent De Abreu

More stray-catching problems

Dear Editor, Problems with the catching of stray animals were expected, but not of this nature. In fact, I think that straycatchers should focus on the main highways, particularly the public roads. At the Den Amstel Police Station, there is a troubling situation. This particular station is seen by many to be quite out of order. I think we are all aware of how a firearm went missing there after it was lodged.

Now, it seems as though impounding animals at the station is creating a lot of problems. One animal owner wanted to pay for his impounded goat and two kiddies, but many problems surfaced, particularly that of disputing whether or not the three animals were his. Eventually one of the animals died.

Animal specialists must have an input for stations where practising impounding is concerned. If the facility and

personnel are not sufficient, then that station must not impound. It is most cruel indeed.

It is rather foolish to be cruel to impounded animals, when the real perpetrator of having strays on the road is the actual owner. I see no reason to impound for lengthy times. All that has to be done is confront the owner and slap a really heavy charge on him.

As soon as this kicks in, these owners will make sure that their animals are well tended. Let us face it – we have

too many strays on the road and in the neighbourhood. We have to do something. I am reading every-now-and-again about the increasing number of animals which are being impounded, but this never translates into any visible positive effect. I still see way too many creatures on the road. Something has to be done.

Respectfully submitted, Audley Cummings

Eid in Trinidad, Guyana and Toronto among Guyanese

Dear Editor, I was very fortunate to observe Eid preparation and celebration among the Guyanese Muslim diaspora in Trinidad, New York and greater Toronto over the extended holiday weekend. The Guyanese Muslim community is very tightly-knit every where they are settled, especially during Ramadan (Rojah), Eid and other Islamic celebrations.

The Guyanese Islamic culture is very strong in areas where the community is settled and the communities usually come together to observe festivals like Rojah. They zealously observed Rojah in Cunupia, St Helena, Chaguanas and elsewhere in Trinidad and in the greater Richmond Hill, New York area and also thronged mosques across Ontario, Canada. The celebration among Guyanese in Trinidad, New York and Toronto is the exact same as Trinidadian Muslims and the same as that of our Muslim brethren in Guyana.

Eid marked the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Pious Muslims around the world abstained from eating and drinking from sunrise until sunset for an entire lunar month that began with the sighting of the crescent in July concluding with the sighting of the next new crescent last Thursday or Friday evening.

The masjids in Trinidad, New York and Toronto were all beautifully decorated with colourful lights, trimmings and crescent moons just like in Guyana for the occasion and they were packed with worshippers during dusk for the breaking of the fast as well as for Eid. There are several Guyanese oriented masjids in New York, in addition to masjids for every Islamic ethnic community, with each ethnic community preferring

to patronise a masjid of their own nationality.

The Guyanese community has been steadily growing in Richmond Hill, New York with worshippers overflowing from the masjid on Liberty Avenue. The Al Abidin Masjid has planned an expansion to accommodate the growing population. Like in the New York metro area, the greater Toronto area also has its Guyanese patronised masjids and friends informed me during my visit over the weekend that huge crowds thronged public observances on Thursday and Friday.

In New York, people put on their best, fanciful and most colourful traditional clothing – kurthas, Nehru suits, and shalwar kameez. Thousands gathered in the morning for Eid prayers on Thursday and feasted on a variety of cuisine during the course of the day. To accommodate the throngs of people, tents were constructed outside of the masjids and some communities contracted catering halls for the occasion. During the course of the day, qawalis and qaseedas were aired on the Pradeep Kumar show on television in recognition of the festival. The West Indian radio station, WICR, also played live Bollywood music and religious songs.

In Trinidad, several Guyanese joined Chaguanas parliamentary candidate Jack Warner (seeking reelection) and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar during the campaign in late July to break the fast. On the eve of the Eid celebration, businesses and government offices were decorated with greeneries, crescent moon, trimmings, colourful lights and huge signs of Eid greetings.

The grocery stores were stocked with vermicelli, milk, dates and spices, among oth-

er things for the preparation of traditional sweets that are distributed during the festival. Grocery stores offered special sales on Eid related items. Homes were also brightly decorated with trimmings, crescents and other lights.

There are no Guyanese oriented masjids in Trinidad and as such Guyanese worship at community mosques where they are settled –mostly in Central and on the East-West corridor. Guyanese friends in Trinidad said they were well prepared for the Eid festival shopping for new clothes and groceries for traditional meals and desserts (gulab jamun, vermicelli and other mithai). As in Guyana, Trinidad and elsewhere, it is a tradition to distribute sawine to neighbours, friends and relatives.

In the greater Toronto area, the Guyanese Muslim community has developed a close bond like their counterparts in New York. The community in greater Toronto has increased tremendously over the last three decades. In Toronto, the community has evolved to have their own Guyanese oriented mosque and have worked with other communities to establish Islamic centres.

As in New York for Eid, Guyanese Muslims gathered at community centres and masjids in their communities (not necessarily those established by or patronised by Guyanese) and visited friends and relatives for dinner just like back home.

Wherever they found themselves, Guyanese Muslims had a most joyous time on the Eid holiday and non-Muslims joined them in the celebration with the consumption of mithai and sawine and meals.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

Guyana must continue to push tourism

Dear Editor, I am never surprised when I read about any large influx of tourists to this country. People know that there are many undocumented cases of actual tourists and their coming and going where Guyana is concerned.

I think of our church alone and I have some figures to add. I remember not too long ago, members from our sister church in the U.S. sent volunteers to put up a building to house worshippers here in Guyana. The actual group was big –there were 12 builders and they all came with their families.

We had a total of 43 people. Then just a few years back, workers from another church came and repaired our old stelling at the camp site. Some 25 people came. So we are missing a few here and there. These did not come as tourists as such, but they definitely toured and enjoyed Guyana.

“Destination Guyana” continues to attract tourists from around the world, and has already recorded an 11.5 per cent increase for the first half of the year. I think that since Christmas is our big season, we are set for an improvement on this number.

The latest batch came from Suriname and Holland as over 300 disembarked the Kanawaima ferry that services Guyana and Suriname. They stayed for three days, experiencing and enjoying the country’s rich cultural heritage, the many historical sites in Georgetown, the Essequibo Islands, the country’s flora and fauna, the exotic cuisines and entertainment spots.

This particular trip was organised by the Garage Tour Company of Suriname, which has been collaborating with the Tourism Ministry and has been bringing over 40 visitors in Guyana on a weekly basis.

According to the Guyana Tourism Association (GTA), this kind of activity will bring greater economic development to the Corentyne. When things like this are ongoing, it gives us the incentive to lift out standards.

I think here of the Number 63 beach, where a lot of work is being done to enhance its surroundings. The many relapses must stop quickly. GTA is now working towards zoning in on other areas, namely the crossings from the Lethem border, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the Ogle International Airport, in order to have a better pic-

ture of the number of visitors to Guyana.

I care about the figures, yes, but I am more for getting people from around us, going back and forth. They come and go back with nice stories, only to drive others to come and experience Guyana.

If this kind of zeal should continue, it will be just a matter of time before whole new industries and businesses can start up. What the GTA must do is to continue in this vein, but do some more publicity. If eventually, a yearly calendar of events can be mapped out, the locals will be able to get themselves well-prepared for these visitors. We will be able to promote our hospitable culture, even better with knowledge of events, long in advance.

Yours sincerely, Cyril Hinds

Page Foundation

Tips to keep learning hot this summer

The summer months provide a much needed break from the rigors of formal schooling, but transitions from school to summer and back to school again can be stressful for children accustomed to a routine – not to mention the slip in academic skills.

Vielka McFarlane, a veteran educator and founder of the Celerity Educational Group, a group of charter schools in South Central Los Angeles, says parents have a big job over the summer months, but that the long break can provide wonderful opportunities for social learning, which means gaining knowledge and skills through experiences. Travelling and cooking are great examples of social learning – an essential component to education. Take an important concept in science curriculum: the freezing point of water. “How can a kid who has never seen snow understand this concept easily? But if you can see the various states of matter going up a mountain, that kid is going to grasp that concept a lot easier,” McFarlane says.

So, how do you help prepare your child for the school year to come, while providing social learning opportunities? McFarlane offers

these tips:

Take time to reflect at the beginning of the summer, be sure to reflect upon the last academic year with your child, and make a plan for the year to come. “Making a plan eliminates the fear of the unknown, and everyone likes feeling that they’re in control.” Some point questions to keep in mind are:

* What was the best thing about this year?

* What were your successes and how do we line up more successes for the coming school year? For example, “This year you learned to write four-sentence paragraphs, but next year you will be expected to write eight-sentence paragraphs. How will we get ready for that?”

* Be sure to ask a lot of “Why” questions. For example, frame an issue that was faced this year and then ask “Why?”

McFarlane says parents should be sure to keep this conversation simple. “There’s a lot going on at the end of the year. If you talk too much they will get overwhelmed,” she said. Discuss this plan again just before the school year begins.

Make conversation summer provides some great down-time in which to open up the lines of communica-

tion with your child. Even simple questions at the dinner table, such as “What did you learn today?” can create opportunities for learning outside of a textbook. McFarlane says it’s easier than parents think to tie conversation into the state standards. “A lot of info can apply to the standards, and you don’t have to be a college grad,” she says.

Share your passions. This is a great time to share your own interests with your child whether that be cooking, fishing, knitting, woodworking, or traveling. Make sure to give your child responsibilities during these activities to truly allow him to dig in. If you’re cooking, allow him to measure all the ingredients and read out the recipe. If you’re travelling, let him do some of the trip planning. McFarlane says parents would be surprised how these activities have practical application to the curriculum.

Introduce your child to new things. As a single mom and educator, McFarlane sees summer as an opportunity to let her son “stretch his wings in other areas he’s not able to do in the school year.” After nine months of structure, McFarlane says it’s good do something completely different, like rock

climbing or exposure to the arts through plays, museums and concerts. But, it’s also important that these experiences remain tied to learning. McFarlane says parents should keep in touch with their child’s strengths and weaknesses, and try to tailor their summer activities to areas where they need support: if your child has attention problems in school, play chess. If she’s a reluctant reader, carve out at 30 minutes a day of reading time where everyone in the family sits down with a book, newspaper or magazine. “I make it a point to take this opportunity to put myself in the driver’s seat as keeper of the continuity between school learning and social learning,” she says. Keep a routine “‘Laxing your routine is asking for trouble,” McFarlane says. “Kids need routine. That’s the one thing that keeps them grounded and makes them feel safe.” She says while it’s okay to loosen the routine over the summer, with later bed times and alternate meal times, it’s important to return to the school time schedule about a week before school starts. This will ease their transition back to school, reduce stress and help children to focus on the year ahead. (education.com)

TTeenagers told to keep parents at bay after results day

eenagers are being warned to keep “pushy parents” away from the telephone as they try to secure university places after getting their results.

The Girls’ Schools Association, which represents around 180 private schools in the United Kingdom, said parents increasingly saw it as their duty to take over on results day.

of the GSA said: “Now is not the time to be nervous on the telephone and it’s certainly not the day for letting your parents fight your battles for you.

“By all means discuss your options with them, but if you have to talk to universities, you’re on your own.”

Clare Reseigh, head of sixth form at St Gabriel’s School near Newbury, said:

“Under no circumstances allow your parents to call on your behalf because that will send entirely the wrong message about your maturity and commitment” – Clare Reseigh, St Gabriel’s School, Newbury

But the GSA said this risked sending out the wrong message to universities.

This week, thousands of students received their CSEC, CAPE, and A-level results.

Results day is followed by the clearing process which sees would-be undergraduates matched to spare places on degree courses.

The GSA’s advice urges teenagers to take the lead themselves rather than letting their parents take over.

Hilary French, president

“If you have to ring universities to confirm or renegotiate your place, it goes without saying that it must be you who calls.

“Under no circumstances allow your parents to call on your behalf because that will send entirely the wrong message about your maturity and commitment.”

But education author and parent Sarah Ebner said parents still needed to be involved in the clearing process.

“Supportive parents can only be of help to their children, but it’s true that sometimes they need to step back,” she said.

“If a mother or father makes the phone call to a university, then it does suggest that they have a child who may need spoon-feeding, but that doesn’t mean parents should just step back and leave their children to get on with it.

“If their child has just missed a university place, they will be upset and need guidance. If you just walk away, I don’t think you’re being supportive at a time when you’re needed.

“Instead, talk through what they might want to say and try to boost their confidence. Then give them the phone and leave them to make the call themselves.”

Siobhan Freegard, cofounder of the parenting website Netmums said: “Parents need to let go at some point and teens need to learn to be independent – and letting 18-year-olds deal with their own university clearing is a great place to start.

“Of course, parents must be on hand to give advice, support or just be a sounding board, but remember it is your child’s life, not yours, so let them live it. Even if you don’t agree with their choices, the mistakes are theirs to make, live and learn from.”

Cuban ambassador bids farewell

Anew Cuban ambassador will be assigned to Guyana within a few days, outgoing Cuban Ambassador to Guyana Raul Gortázar Marrero said after paying a farewell courtesy call on President Donald Ramotar on Wednesday.

The diplomat is ending his four-year tenure at a high point in the two countries’ relations just as a significant number of Guyanese have returned from Cuba after completing seven or more years of studies in different fields.

The opportunity for Guyanese to pursue scholarships was made possible through a bilateral

agreement between former President Bharrat Jagdeo and Cuban leader Fidel Castro that also catered for technical support in the construction of four diagnostic and treatment centres and a state-of-the-art eye care facility at Port Mourant.

The ophthalmology centre, manned by members of the Cuban medical brigade replaced a prior arrangement for Guyanese with eye ailments to benefit from all-expenses covered trips to Cuba for eye surgery. Guyana and Cuba share a 40-year relationship that has been built on the solid foundation of dynamic political dialogue,

warm mutual respect and productive cooperation, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

Aside from the medical brigade, Ambassador Marrero made reference to collaboration in sport and agriculture, assuring that the Cuban government will continue to support Guyana’s development.

“Nowadays, Latin America and the Caribbean are working in unison in this regard, because in unity, there is strength and once we have that strength, we can overcome,” Ambassador Marrero said.

In October last year,

President Ramotar met incumbent Cuban President Raul Castro for the first time when he visited Cuba and discussed the bilateral programme of cooperation. The visit ended with agreements on the exemption of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official, and service passports, and cooperation in the areas of sport and health.

Guyana informed Cuba of its decision to exempt Cuban nationals from visa requirements to enter and remain in Guyana for periods not exceeding 90 days for the holders of all categories of passports.

Rehab work on Skeldon factory successful – president

The US$200 million Skeldon Sugar Factory will fulfil its objective, President Donald Ramotar told an economic forum on Wednesday.

Acknowledging that the sugar factory has been experiencing trying times, the president said he foresees a future when the multibillion-dollar factor will accelerate its performance.

“I am predicting today that Skeldon will fulfil its potential and become a flagship for the sugar industry,” he said with no sign of uncertainty.

On Tuesday, South African Firm Bosch Engineering, which was hired to execute rehabilitative work at the Skeldon Factory, conducted a series of successfully tests, the president noted.

Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)

Chief Executive Officer Paul Bhim told Guyana Times that the factory has not commenced the crushing of cane for the second crop, but, based on the pleasing results, the operations of the factory are expected to accelerate. “I expect that the factory will settle now and will perform better; there is still more work to be done but we are improving,” Bhim said.

The South African firm was hired to redesign and reengineer several aspects of the facility, including the reengineering of the bagasse feed system, redesigning the cane conveyers, drilling of a new well, the replacement of a five megawatt alternator, as well as the modification of the pump dumpers. The Skeldon Factory was commissioned in 2009, with the intent of boosting annual sugar production past the 300,000-tonne mark.

Man gets five years, $40M fine for cocaine in ochroes

Aman has been jailed for five years for trafficking 15.55 kilograms of cocaine, which were found in a shipment of ochroes on Monday at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri.

Hadrick Cummings, 25, of John Street, Campbellville, pleaded guilty to the charge of pos-

session of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking when he appeared on Wednesday before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

According to Prosecutor Neville Jeffers, on the day in question, the defendant went to speak to an agent for air cargo company Amerijet

International Inc located in the CJIA in person. He provided all relevant documents to the agent to export a shipment of bora, ochro, and eggplant. Ranks from Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit then examined the shipment and found the cocaine, with a street value of $13,500,000, in some of the ochroes. The defendant was

told the offence and arrested. Cummings, who was unrepresented, told the court that he tried to smuggle the cocaine, because he did not have any money and wanted to make some very quickly, so he “tried a thing”.

Magistrate McLennan also fined the defendant $40,500,000.

Husband placed on bond for assault

A47-year-old man accused of beating his wife was on Wednesday placed on a bond to keep the peace by

Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. It was alleged that on August 10 at 4676 Rasville,

Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown, Jermaine Joseph unlawfully assaulted Brenda Fernandez. He pleaded not guilty to the charge read against him.

Eyew tness Casting stones...

...at conflict of interest

There are more “lawyer jokes” than any other subject in the genre. A typical one might be: Q:

What’s the difference between a vacuum cleaner and a lawyer on a motorcycle? A: The vacuum cleaner has the dirt bag on the inside. Try looking up the jokes on the Internet – you’re not going to find a single one that says anything positive about a lawyer.

Now we’re sure there has to be some lawyers of integrity around...somewhere. The problem is finding them. But what you find popping up more than anything else are stories that reinforce the horrible stereotypes. Take the scuttlebutt about Nigel Hughes. The fella comes from one of our older lawyering families. You’d think he’d be careful about playing fast and loose when it comes to the profession.

You’d be thinking wrong. The dust hadn’t even settled about his not ‘fessing up about playing both sides against the middle on the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project (AFHEP) fiasco, when he is enmeshed in another sordid instance of not revealing critical info that would reveal serious conflict of interest violations.

In Amaila Falls, Hughes got himself all tangled up when it came out that he was the company secretary for Amaila Falls Hydro Inc – even as he was chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC) – a party that purported to violently oppose the whole project. AFC supporters are asking whether the party’s opposition was all a sham, and that in the end they would’ve supported AFHEP because of the Hughes connection.

Defence lawyer Paul Fung-A-Fat said the virtual complainant is his client’s wife and doesn’t want to offer any evidence against him. He also requested that the couple be placed on a bond.

Magistrate McLennan dismissed the case, but placed the defendant on a 12-month bond, with a penalty of four months in prison if he breaks the bond.

That the AFC, in fact, did attempt to backtrack on their earlier rejection of the project further solidified their suspicions. The party’s gone into a damage control mode, but the yawning chasm between the moral high ground their chairman had attempted to seize and the clear conflict of interest he attempted to hide hasn’t gotten any narrower.

And now comes the bombshell: a judge in the most high-profile Lusignan Massacre case, asked the defence lawyers, including Hughes, and the foreman of the jury, Vernon Griffith, of any prior relationships. They both stood mute when, in fact, they had a lawyer-client relationship extending over years.

With the case over – and in which Hughes claimed a victory because the jury, led by its foreman, came out with a “not guilty” verdict – all hell has broken loose. The judge has banned the foreman from ever serving on a jury. But what about Hughes? Aren’t all lawyers officers of the court and sworn to promote the cause of justice? Shouldn’t he be censured – even by the Guyana Bar Association – for not revealing his relationship?

...at credentials

Just as how the AFC and its leaders had strained mightily and nastily – to accuse some government officers of conflict of interests – when it now is clear, that was all Freudian transferences of their own excesses, the People’s National Congress (PNC) is jumping on a similar wagon to accuse Winston Brassington of not being “qualified” to be in charge of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project.

Carl Greenidge advises the government that they should get rid of Brassington and take a leaf from the PNC’s playbook from the 1970s when they were trying to get a hydro project in the Upper Mazaruni. They’d set up the Mazaruni Development Authority (MDA) to execute the project. Is this guy for real??

The only thing the MDA “executed” was to “kill” the project!!! So the brain trust couldn’t foresee the Venezuelan objections right after Ankoko? What a farce!!! And to build the road to Amaila, Greenidge also suggests the PNC model? What? To force all students at the University of Guyana (UG) to “volunteer” to build it? Wanker!!!

...at fossils

Imagine the company making BlackBerrys is up for sale. At a bargain basement price. Its 50 per cent market share of 2009 has shrunk to three per cent today due to the assault of Apple and Samsung with their smartphones. Today, you either innovate or perish.

Guyana faces dark future without hydropower

– research scientist

By Svetlana

Guyana can face a dark future, if it fails to turn to hydroelectric power in the near future, Guyanese-born research scientist in Canada, Professor Suresh Narine said.

Speaking at the opening of the two-day National Economic Forum at Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown on Wednesday, Professor Narine said currently, 94 per cent of all energy consumed in Guyana is imported, accounting for approximately 45 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2008.

“That’s a crippling amount to spend for any country,” he said, noting that all of the imported fuel derives from fossil fuel.

Linking the demand for fossil fuel to population growth, the Trent University research scientist said given the world’s rapidly growing population which is expected to jump from seven billion to nine billion by 2015, Guyana should turn to alternative energy sources to dodge the impacts of fuel shortage.

Demand

Between 2024 to 2040, the demand for fossil fuel is expected to peak, a period in which diminishing fossil fuel would result in rise in oil prices. Countries, like Guyana, he said will suffer the worse.

“Fossil fuel is a finite resource, it is not if, it is simply a when. Long before we hit peak oil, speculation of a dwindling resource will result in escalating prices. We have seen this already.”

Zooming closer to home, the research scientist said too the Caribbean currently has a fragile relationship with the PetroCaribe programme.

“Surely, the Caribbean nations are in serious jeopardy of energy security,”

he lamented.

Under the PetroCaribe programme, 17 beneficiary nations buy oil from Venezuela, paying a percentage of the purchase’s value upfront, with the remainder being paid off in installments over a 25-year period. The PetroCaribe initiative was initiated by the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez in June 2005.

According to Professor Narine, with 94 per cent of the country’s energy deriving from fossil fuel, it therefore faces not only high fuel bills, but also security issues.

Guyana has long been hoping to discover oil within its shores, but according to professor, if petroleum is discovered, it will take approximately 10 years before production. “What will we do during that period, are we going to continue to stymie our industry?” he asked, adding: “It’s a matter of matching known technology with investment to develop, to provide affordable and sustainable energy.”

Sensible option

Taking into consideration fossil fuel, hydroelectricity, wind generation, photo voltaic, biogas, biomass, biodiesel and ethanol, gas thermal, wave generation and nuclear energy, Professor Narine said studies have shown that hydro power will is the most sensible option for sustainable generation of energy, with the most lucrative return of investment, given the density of energy required.

He further pointed out that, from the more than 60 sites in the country, the Amaila Falls is the most suitable location. “Guyana simply can’t afford to lose this opportunity,” he said.

Additionally, the research scientist advocated for a national energy policy approved by the Cabinet and the National Assembly. He said President Donald Ramotar should establish a

taskforce with representatives from all facets of society, including government, opposition, the private sector and marginalised groups, to produce the draft national energy policy.

“It should be chaired by a very nonpartisan respected person... because what this taskforce says needs to be respected,” he said.

Benefits

Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Ronald Webster said the Amaila Falls project is currently in limbo because some political leaders’ failure to make decisive decisions. According to Webster, Guyana can rake in tremendous savings, pointing out that US$120 million can be saved per annum from fuel, US$20 million on diesel generation, and overall, avoid the impact of fuel price escalation.

He added that the US$18 million grant from Norway would have been used as equity for the project; an initiative that could lower the cost for manufacturing and mining industries, among other sectors. The yearly subsidy to Guyana Power and Light (GPL) could be channelled towards the education system (University of Guyana) he opined. “I ask that everyone give a rethink to this project and support it,” he urged.

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh echoed similar sentiments. Every day, entrepreneur and business corporations pay large sums of money for an unreliable source of electricity supply.

“I say without any fear of contradiction, that the single biggest impediment in the private sector, for more rapid private sector growth in Guyana, is access or the lack thereof of affordable and reliable electricity... we have before us in the first time in our country’s history an achievable solution to this problem; the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project,” he declared. (email: svetlanam@guyanatimesgy.com)

Alleged robber refused bail

Aman was brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he was charged with robbery. It is alleged that on March 25 at Camp Street, Georgetown, Ronald Kissoon robbed Cecil Gajadhar of $4,340,000. He

pleaded not guilty to the charge read against him.

The defendant was represented by Attorney Adrian Thompson, who made an application for bail. The lawyer said an ID parade was not conducted, there was no confession nor was there any evidence to prove that his client committed

the crime. Kissoon was apprehended after he allegedly snatched Gajadhar’s bag containing the cash in the vicinity of the Guyana Revenue Authority on Camp Street, after the victim raised an alarm and caught the attention of a police inspector who was trav-

Parliamentary consensus for Amaila negates future political risk

The main opposition political party, A Partnership for National Unity’s support of the Amaila Falls Hydro Power (AFHP) Project is critical to ensure there is no political risk in the future.

This is according to the project’s technical coordinator, Winston Brassington, who also said developer Sithe Global/ Blackstone had insisted on acquiring the full support of all political parties, so as to prevent any future implications for the facility.

Brassington told Guyana Times , during a telephone interview, that the hydro project is the largest long-term investment undertaken in Guyana and investors cannot afford to take political risks.

He highlighted that with the APNU being the main opposition party, there is a possibility that it could become the next party in office following the next elections.

Investment

elling in a taxi at the time. Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence. He also stated that Kissoon is the third person to be charged for the offence. The defendant was remanded and

He added that Blackstone is one of the largest private equity investment firms in the world, and it therefore requires security before proceeding with any further investment.

The head of the hydro project’s technical team said the developers had made their position clear and had also informed their partners of the move.

Sithe Global/Blackstone

recently withdrew from the hydropower project, after the Hydro-Electric Bill and the debt ceiling motion, which are necessary to the realisation of the project, only secured the votes of government and the minority opposition Alliance For Change (AFC).

“Small window” of hope Brassington said although the future of the project seems “dead”, President Donald Ramotar has indicated a “small window” of hope for it.

This hope, he said, would still be based on support forthcoming from all political parties.

Recently, the APNU called on government to repackage the hydroelectricity plan for the country, noting that it will not budge from its earlier position of non-support for the mega project, unless government provides more information.

Opposition Leader David Granger said the coalition remains firm in opposition to the project.

However, government, via a release, refuted the reasons given by the coalition for its non-support of the facility, calling them unfounded.

The administration added that it has been explained repeatedly, over the years, that the tariffs consumers pay will be reduced as a result of Amaila Falls and a separate project to modernise the Guyana Power and Light Inc.

Banks, private sector fear implication of blacklisting

– say CFATF sanctions catastrophic for trade

With Guyana’s financial sector in a limbo due to the failure to comply with international standards and regulations as it relates to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing Terrorism Act (AML/CFT), corresponding banks are already eyeing the country as bad place for trade and investment.

In light of this negative image, banking and private sector officials have joined forces to voice their concerns about a possible serious shrink in investment, owing to failure to sign on to worldwide AML/CFT Act after missing for the second time around, the deadline laid out by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

Central Bank Governor Lawrence Williams, Republic Bank’s Chief Executive Officer John Alves and private sector representatives Gerry Gouveia and Clinton Urling on Wednesday highlighted some of major challenges Guyana would face for noncompliance with the international anti-money laundering act.

In separate interviews with Guyana Times, the officials expressed dissatisfaction at the set back caused by non-consensus among the political parties, which led to Guyana being unable to complying with both deadlines initially set by the CFATF.

Alves said this situation

would now put the banking sector at a loss, and there will be great difficulties for both incoming and outgoing foreign exchange activities with corresponding banks.

“I’m sure you have heard the people talking about Guyana being blacklisted, what in fact that would mean, it would be much more onerous for foreign exchanges,” he said.

According to Alves, already there are a number of difficulties and challenges in processing transactions, and this is not good for Guyana.

“Clearly, now our task as bankers are going to be far more difficult and ultimately costly for customers because of the to and fro in getting matters sorted out… in the longer run, if we are indeed blacklisted, it will make the whole transfer of payments more difficult,” he added.

Central Bank Governor

Lawrence Williams said Guyana being blacklisted would mean that there will be enhanced monitoring by corresponding banks.

This, he noted will be ruinous for financing in Guyana since trade and banking depends heavily on corresponding banking relations.

Williams said being blacklisted would position Guyana as risky and partners would most likely terminate relations with the banks in Guyana.

“It would have implications for international payments and can result in delays of transfer. Additionally… all payments will be closely monitored and there will be detailed questioning for every transaction,” he disclosed.

According to Gouveia, blacklisting will have a negative impact on Guyana’s economy, shrinking the in-

vestment climate.

“This blacklisting and if we don’t comply with the criteria will have a negative effect on the economy and with corresponding banks… we will continue to have issues in this regard, coupled with the failure of several major projects, and this is not good,” Gouveia said.

Urling, who also expressed dissatisfaction at the situation, said the severity of the implications is not yet known, but it will not bode well for Guyana.

“In terms of the severity of not signing on to the AML/CFT, it is not clear but we know for sure the country could be placed on a blacklist and this would have economic consequences which could not only affect businesses, but private sector as a whole.”

Guyana on May 27 failed to meet the first deadline given by the CFATF after the opposition announced its non-support of the antimoney laundering legislation.

The country was granted an extended deadline from CFATF following a request from General Anil Nandlall.

However, on Wednesday last, the passage of amendments to Guyana’s AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill was plunged into uncertainty once more after the opposition side of the House decided to have further deliberations on the bill.

No Gel like when people scratch he back

When man and wife get old, dem hand does can’t reach fuh scratch dem own back. So dem does have to scratch one another back. Man does scratch he wife back and wife does scratch back man back. It got some people who ain’t get old yet, but dem does like to scratch people back, and then de same people does have to scratch back dem back.

That is what people does call one-fuh-one. And once it is de back, it does involve more than just back scratchin. Some people does like when dem whole –pun or not – back get de scratchin. Even up to dem neck and down to dem bamzee.

Not too long ago, a big company start scratchin No Gel Hughly back, and No Gel been scratchin back de company back. Then No Gel turn round and try to scratch Rum Jhaat back, but Rum Jhaat ain’t feel no scratchin from No Gel. Is either No Gel was too friken fuh scratch Rum Jhaat back, or he didn’t like Rum Jhaat back.

By then de story buss out and every body find out how No Gel was addicted to back scratchin a long time now. Well, that is why No Gel politricks career done, and he decide he gon focus pun he liar career alone.

But No Gel had already find a young man back fuh scratch and de young man was scratchin back No Gel back real good. All de time, this was happenin right in de court. But it look like de young man finger nail was too long, so he leff a mark pun No Gel back, and de judge see and expose all de scratchin. Now No Gel liar career done too.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! And all de time Rum Jhaat tekkin sweet scratchin from Feathers all de way from India. It look like Feathers don’t leff no mark pun Rum Jhaat back!

Guyana intensifies presence at the Bird Watching Fair

Guyana will once again be represented at the annual British Bird Watching Fair in Rutland, London on August 16 to 18. Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director Indranauth Haralsingh confirmed the country’s presence while he explained that the Guyana team will comprise of representatives from the GTA, the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Rupununi Trails, Wilderness Explorers, Dadanawa and the Guyana High Commission in London. Specialist bird guide, Luke Johnson will also be on hand to answer pertinent questions.

God’s Garden

With over 860 bird species found in Guyana, the country has over the years evolved into a bird watcher’s paradise, and the increase in interest to sell the destination is as a direct result of market driven strategies focusing on bird watching as a niche market.

Patrons and exhibitors interact at one of the annual British Bird Watching Fairs

After the fair, a seminar titled “Guyana Summer Evening” will be staged; attracting the international press and tour operators. This event will also feature presentations being made by members of the Guyana delegation.

In recent years, Guyana has been ranked by numerous tour companies and in-

ternational travel publications, receiving a very good branding and endorsements.

The destination was labelled “God’s Garden, a Birder’s Paradise”, and branded as the hottest new neo-tropical birding destination; Guyana was also listed as one of the top 20 places to visit and among the top 100 adventure destinations of a lifetime.

According to Haralsingh, with over 10 years of exposure at the BBWF, the largest bird fair in the world, Guyana will present in a more magnified way, adding to its credence as a birding hotspot.

“Birds of Essequibo – a Checklist” will also be displayed at the event. This

publication is an integral part of the development of the Essequibo Tourism Circuit, which is a project that seeks to highlight the tourism potential of Essequibo.

Through the study done by the Guyana Amazon Tropical Bird Society (GATBS), a number of locations which already house interior lodges and resorts were found to be homes for a number of much sought after bird species, making Essequibo a hotspot for birding activities.

Alluding to additional features of Guyana’s participation this year, the GTA director revealed that for the first time, the country will be promoting Butterfly Spotting.

Butterfly watching

This, he said will add to the appeal of the destination. “For the very first time, we will be showcasing, along with opportunity for bird watching, Guyana’s potential for butterfly watching,” Haralsingh added. To boost

this potential, the GTA will also be promoting the publication, “An introduction to Butterflies of the Iwokrama Forest and Communities of the North Rupununi District”.

The GTA/ THAG booth will be located in marquee four, in the Travel/Tourism category. As to the importance of continued participation in this event, the GTA director said, “This platform provides the perfect opportunity for networking, for the promotion of Guyana and for the generating of important feedback that will lead to the development of this important niche market.”

This year’s bird fair is expected to be bigger and better than ever, as the event is in its 25th anniversary year. There will be hundreds of stands selling the latest products for wildlife enthusiasts, from scopes to sculptures, binoculars to bird food, e-guides to eco-holidays. The event will also attract the who’s who in the birdwatching industry.

Green mining

Though not always easily evident, modern everyday life is very connected to gold mining. The gold used for jewel lery and cavity fillings is easily apparent, but not so obvious is that used in electronic gadgets like mobile phones and com put ers; cars; and hospital equipment.

Gold mining is also key to the products of tomor row as there is increas ing demand for this metal in emerging technologies for alternative energy, transportation, communications, and medicine. It is our society’s connection with gold and also its role in the global monetary system that keeps us mining for it.

That gold mining has negative impacts on the environment cannot be contested. The creating of open pits, mounding of overburden, tailings and settlement ponds, operating and maintaining mining machinery all take their toll on the environment. Globally, this has caused government and society alike to raise their voices to call for the gold industry to change the way it operates so as to reduce its negative impacts on the environment and people. Heeding the call, the gold mining industry globally has, more and more, been moving towards “green mining”

Green mining integrates pollution management, for example, tailings management and energy and greenhouse gas emissions management; indigenous and community outreach; crisis management planning; safety and health and biodiversity conservation. Because all mining activities are interlinked, green mining offers a holistic approach that addresses all steps of the mining process, from designing new mines and minimising the environmental footprint to exploring a host of technologies and ensuring long-term maintenance.

To do the best environmentally, mining companies must monitor their environmental impact at every stage. Regulators such as environment agencies must also play a role in setting and enforcing environmental standards towards green mining.

Already, in some parts of the world, environment agencies are working together with technology companies to find ways to increase the efficiency of manufacturing processes to reduce the need for new minerals. This step is deemed necessary in view of the trend of increasing consumption

of minerals in today’s world; it is anticipated that by 2050, mineral demand per person will increase three-fold.

Environment and other regulatory agencies are also introducing legislation and regulations towards improving the environmental performance of mines. The onus is on mining companies to explore and implement measures to reduce the impact on the environment. The use of modern technology and methods, for example, can significantly reduce overburden while reclamation of mine sites can reduce the impact of

mines on water quality.

As a country involved in gold mining, Guyana has in place mining legislation and regulations that address the safeguarding of the environment. There is also a monitoring and enforcement regime that aims to ensure that miners abide by the law. The country also continues to pursue programmes to encourage the introduction of new technology to reduce the environmental impact of mining, for example, the use of mercury trapping retorts, use of sediment traps, etc.

Renewable energy is another measure to be explored in green mining. Heavy equipment used in mining contributes greenhouse gas emissions and switching to renewable energy can reduce the footprint of the industry.

The economics of gold mining and the dependence of society on this most “noble” element have kept the industry alive. However, economics alone cannot sustain the industry in the future; equally important as innovation to the survival of the industry is public perception. As such, the industry must, of necessity, continue to heed the call of society to reduce its environmental impact. Green mining is an approach that has the potential to enable the industry to find that balance between economics and the environment; this in the end will shrink mining’s environmental footprint. You can share your ideas and questions by sending your letters to: “The Earth Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division. Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.

Japan's solar energy soars, but grid needs to catch up

Hokkaido, Japan’s second largest and northernmost island, is known for its beautiful wild nature, delicious seafood, and fresh produce. Now another specialty is taking root: Large-scale megasolar power plants that take advantage of the island’s unique geography.

A new renewable energy incentive programme has Japan on track to become the world’s leading market for solar energy, leaping past China and Germany, with Hokkaido at the forefront of the sun power rush. In a densely populated nation hungry for alternative energy, Hokkaido is an obvious choice to host projects, because of the availability of relatively large patches of inexpensive land.

Unused industrial park areas, idle land inside a motor race circuit, a former horse ranch – all are being converted to solar farms.

But there’s a problem with this boom in Japan’s north. Although one-quarter of the largest solar projects approved under Japan’s new renewables policy are located in Hokkaido, the island accounts for less than three per cent of the nation’s electricity demand. Experts say Japan will need to act quickly to make sure the power generated in Hokkaido flows to where it is needed. And that means modernising a grid that currently does not have capacity for all the projects proposed, installing a giant battery – planned to be the world’s largest – to store power when the sun is not shining, and ensuring connections so power can flow across the island nation.

Turning to renewables Japan historically has had no fossil energy sources of its own; it powered much of its economic growth

Japan's renewable energy incentive law has spurred construction of so many

over the past few generations with homegrown nuclear energy. At the start of 2011, more than 50 reactors provided Japan with 30 per cent of its electricity, and the plan was to increase that share to 50 per cent.

Tsunami

That scenario was upended on March 11, 2011, when the most powerful earthquake ever to shake Japan touched off a tsunami that breached the defences of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on the east coast. The second-worst nuclear energy accident in history displaced 70,000 people and saddled the nation with a long and difficult cleanup.

The scope of the disaster was driven home for the Japanese people in recent weeks, when the plant operator acknowledged that it has been unable to stanch the daily flow of tens of thou-

sands of gallons of radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. Due to opposition from local officials, all but two of Japan’s nuclear power plants are now idle. And although Prime Minister Shinzo Abe supports a nuclear restart, his government also is addressing Japan’s needs by administering a renewable energy incentive policy that went into effect last year before he took office: a generous “feed-in” tariff. Modelled after laws that spurred clean power in Europe, it ensures that generators of renewable energy are paid above-market rates for their electricity. At 42 yen (43 U.S. cents) per kilowatt-hour for solar photovoltaic power, the rate is nearly twice what residential customers pay in Tokyo and is nearly four times the average in the United States.

(Excerpt from National Geographic)

thursday, august 15, 2013

Hindu college obtains 95 per cent CSEC pass rate

By Vahnu Manikchand

The Cove and John Ashram’s Hindu College on the East Coast of Demerara has recorded solid performances at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations with a number of students achieving grade one passes.

The Hindu college has obtained an overall pass rate of 95 per cent at the examinations. The private school sent 29 students to write the exams, of which 12 were males, but it was the females who emerged as top performers.

Of the 13 subjects offered by the school, four students wrote 11 subjects, namely Reshma Singh, Keisha Jagnarine, Omadai Goberdan and Ghandai Bhagwan. Singh and Jagnarine are the school’s top performers, each obtained nine grade ones, one grade two and one grade three.

Speaking with Guyana Times , the two top performers said that they are very proud of their achievements, noting that they were nervous when going to collect their results. Both students explained that they had difficulty with mathematics, and were happy to excel at the examination.

Support

The girls thanked their teachers and families for their support and encouraged other students to study hard as this will help them to be successful at their examinations.

In addition, four students who wrote 10 subjects obtained grades one in six or more subjects. One person wrote nine subjects while five wrote eight. There are three students who wrote seven subjects while five of them wrote

six subjects and four wrote five.

According to the school’s principal Rajkumarie Singh, there was a 100 per cent pass rate in agriculture and integrated science, electronic document preparation and management, English B, human and social biology, principles of business, social studies and religious education.

There was an 83 per cent pass rate in chemistry, 96 per cent in English A, 74 per cent in mathematics, 95 per cent in office administration and 75 per cent in principles of accounts.

Satisfaction

In an interview with Guyana Times , Singh expressed her satisfaction with the performances of the students, noting “the students who come to the Hindu college are not the top achievers at the NGSA exams, we may have one or two per cent of persons with good marks coming in here, but most of the students, 90 per cent of them got just above 400 marks and even less”.

Nevertheless, Singh said she is quite pleased with the performances of the students this year, adding that there has been an increase in the pass rate and several specific areas when compared to last year.

She disclosed that the pass rates in mathematics and English have increased and is a big achievement for the school.

“I feel very proud of the students and their and our teachers too because they all contributed towards this success... these are not students who did well in the Grade Six exams, but we knew they have the potential, so we worked with them to develop their academic abilities as well as their values,” said the prin -

cipal, while adding, “values and academic goes side by side, hand-in-hand, and because of that, we consider ourselves excellent in discipline”.

The principal pointed out that not only does the school focus on academic excellence, but also on moral and spiritual values.

“Even though this is a Hindu school, we have several students who are not Hindu that are attending here… What we do, is instil values that are common in all the religions in our students so that they have respect for the creator and honour their religions,” Singh stated.

Extra lessons

The principal pointed out that the school does not allow extra lessons, but when it nears exam, makeup classes are held early in the mornings and on weekends.

“We don’t give lessons in the afternoon because most of the students live very far, for example, our top performer lives in Mahaicony Creek and the runner-up lives in Mahaica Creek,” she noted.

The Hindu college, which was opened in 2004, is a secondary school which provides an opportunity for underperforming students to improve themselves academically, while being taught about morals and the importance of religion. Tuition fees are affordable. The school also houses fully equipped information technology and science laboratories, along with a library which plays a major role since the school encourages reading among its students.

“Every morning school doors are opened at 07:30h when I am here and students will come in and read,” Singh said.

The principal noted that

reading is a key learning mechanism, and as such, every students reads the Guyana Times newspapers in the mornings, and for the fifth formers, they are required to read the editorials which they summarise in their English class.

Praise

Singh credited the students’ success hugely on dedicated teachers at the school. Currently, there are 11 teachers at the school but some are part time. The principal explained that they have a few young teachers there, but this does not hinder their performance as educators since they work assiduously with the students under her guidance.

Singh placed special emphasis on the fact that the school has a senior lecturer at the University of Guyana, Anand Persaud, who is a volunteer mathematics teacher.

She praised Persaud’s miraculous work, noting that he joined the school about six months ago and within that short time, he was able to make a significant impact on the students’ performances.

Persaud told this publication that it was a difficult task to work with the students in such a short time and get them prepared in time for the examinations.

“When I came after two weeks, I told the principal that this would be very challenging and honestly, I was even about to give up at one time, but I know that they are students who are eager to learn so I decided to stay on and work with them,” Persaud related.

He is hoping that the next batch of students will perform better in mathematics. (vahnum@guyanatimesgy.com)

BBCI hosts Eid-ulFitr programme

The Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) last week held an Eid-ul-Fitr programme during which it honoured Shira (only name given), one of the oldest Muslim Guyanese between Rosignol Village and D’ Edward Village.

She was presented with a food hamper, the company said in a release. In addition, the programme included opening remarks and a speech on the significance of Eid-ul-Fitr by BBCI Chief Executive Officer Omadat Samaroo and singing by special invitees.

There were also special thoughts on Eid-ul-Fitr by Alesha Alli, Imam Ayub and S Alli, an employee of BBCI

Inc. The BBCI said it does not only play the role of collecting tolls and facilitating vehicles crossing its facilities and vessels transiting through the retractor opening and under the high span, but also discharges its corporate responsibilities, and more importantly plays an integral part in the development of education, sports, supports national events and makes donations to charitable and non-charitable organisations in proximity of the bridge or in Region Five and Six.

The company said it had also sponsored events in other counties and as far as the hinterland.

Rejected man douses trainee nurse with acid

Atrainee nurse was on Wednesday morning doused with acid by a young man she had allegedly rejected.

Annmarie Hutson, 33, of 616 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown was about to enter the compound of the Georgetown School of Nursing on East Street, Georgetown when the young man attacked and doused her with the substance.

As a result, the woman suffered burns about her body, including her neck and hands. Her back was also severely burnt. She was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was taken for emergency surgery. Her assailant fled the scene on a motorbike which

was waiting for him. The police have since been informed of the incident and have launched an investigation.

Hospital officials told Guyana Times that the woman received third degree burns on her back while her neck and hand received some minor burns. “She is still in state of shock, but she will eventually recover… it will take some but the scars are expected to remain,” the official said.

Guyana Times understands that Hutson attends the Georgetown School of Nursing, but was attached to the GPHC. When this publication visited the nursing school, the students were tightlipped about the incident.

Cannabis trafficking accused on remand

Aman was remanded to prison after he was brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to two counts of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

It is alleged that on

August 10, at Albouystown, Sean Lashley, 40, had in his possession a total of 55 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. He pleaded not guilty to the offence. The matter was transferred to Court One for September 12.

ICT geared for rapid future growth – Dr Singh

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh revealed that there has been rapid growth in the area of Information Communication Technology (ICT), with more than 3000 jobs created in the field over the last decade.

Addressing participants at the National Economic Forum (NEF), Singh stated that no other sector has managed to grow as rapidly as ICT, as a result of a coordinated policy effort by government.

The finance minister believes that the creation of legislative framework, working to facilitate competitive access to bandwidth, bridging the domestic digital divide and ensuring Internet connectivity with the construction of the fibre-optic cable are some of the state interventions that are paying off.

He noted that there has been noteworthy investment in ICT education with the establishment of labs in each school to ensure a population that is literate, equipped to operate in the modern world and to position Guyana as a leader in the sector.

Conducive environment

Singh highlighted that the growth Guyana has achieved is not accidental, but the result of deliberate policy to create a conducive environment to promote diversification of the economy.

“So that today’s economy is not focused on two dominant industries; years ago, the country was dependent on the fortunes of sugar, rice, and bauxite, but this is no longer the case. Today, we have large and vibrant agro and tourism sectors,” he said.

The finance minister pointed out that most people are surprised at the fact that Guyana’s largest private employer is a Mexican company, which has created 2000 jobs in the last eight years.

He believes that this could only have happened with a government policy resulting in stable domestic prices, maintenance of low and competitive interest rates, containment of inflation, creation of an environment conducive to mobilising domestic savings, and attracting direct external investment.

“And indeed the manner in which the private sector, including foreign domestic investors, have responded to this environment by coming to Guyana, establishing operations, creating jobs and improv-

ing livelihoods,” Dr Singh noted.

He emphasised that government will continue efforts to ensure the preservation of a macroeconomic environment in which investors can be confident about the safety, security, and future of their investment; and promotion of diversification, including emerging sectors such as ICT, tourism, and hospitality.

“When we think of local economy – we think of minerals because of the vast endowment of natural resources as a long-standing tradition; such as agriculture, but we do not think of services that have emerged, that are growing and contributing to Guyana’s economic life,” he pointed out.

The finance minister added that every necessary action expected of a responsible government will be taken to ensure the foundation is made for longterm sustainable economic growth.

“Everyone will concede that for the past six years, the domestic economy has performed exceedingly well and in the face of the most testing external circumstances – the achievement of almost seven years of uninterrupted economic growth, preservation of macroeconomic stability, and ensuring key macroeconomic indicators are trending in the most appropriate direction,” he detailed.

Dynamic private sector

The finance minister said the results accomplished speak for themselves at time when the global economy is grappling with the worst economic crisis in living memory; regional counterparts are experiencing economic contraction, while the dissipation of foreign direct investment, chronic loss of jobs and severe fiscal constraints continue.

Despite this, the local economy continues to grow.

Minister Singh mentioned that while government has ensured the establishment of a policy framework that is conducive to the achievement of this outcome, it is the private sector that has been investing and putting in the necessary effort to ensure continued competitiveness.

According to Singh, private sector entrepreneurs respond to the policy environment daily by mobilising their savings, raising capital, taking risks, investing in economic ven-

tures, creating employment and returning profits which grow their business.

“While I represent the interests of the country’s economic growth, it is the dynamic private sector that achieves the result. Government will contin-

ue to keep an eye on this in the long- term and take decisions consistent with this,” Singh disclosed.

Government will ensure the environment is favourable.

However, he cautioned that the job of guiding the economy will never be complete, since the external environment will pose new challenges daily, forcing government to respond to dynamic situations and make different policy decisions.

Singh emphasised that the administration has not shied away from making these decisions, which often involve choices that are not viewed as the easiest or political expedient, but may be in the best interest of Guyana’s long-term development and future.

Man assaults his son’s mother, court hears

Adrian Reese who allegedly unlawfully assaulted the mother of his child was on Tuesday brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on August 2 at La Penitence, Reese unlawfully assaulted Anastasia Calender causing a breach of the peace. He pleaded not guilty to the charge read against him.

According to Prosecutor Deniro Jones, on the day in question, the defendant was visiting his son when he called to the virtual complainant, who

was in the house with her boyfriend, that she should come outside in an angry tone.

When she did not comply, he went into the house and dealt her one slap. The matter was reported and the defendant was subsequently arrested and charged.

There were no objections to bail put forward by the prosecution, and Magistrate McLennan granted Reese bail in the sum of $10,000. He was also placed on a bond to be on good behaviour pending the outcome of the trial. The matter is set to return to Court One on September 10.

Regional

Caricom food import bill crosses US$2B yearly

More than US$2 billion is spent on the annual food import bill by Caricom countries, which have a combined population of only six million people. Dr Richard Cox, capacity building officer of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), shared the statistic on Tuesday.

“It is worth noting that Caricom itself produced the figures to show that our import food bill runs over US$2 billion every year,” he said. His comments were part of a capacity-building workshop on the NAP/IFS Alignment Process in the Caricom sub-region.

“A place that has such great soil is importing US$2 billion and more of food every year. What sort of food security are you talking about when you have such an import bill and the English-speaking

Caribbean is about six million people?” Cox said this was significant and stake-

holders must get involved in proper sustainable land management and finding

Barbados’ prime minister weighs in on same-sex relationships

Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart believes the issue of same sex relationships is one which must be wrestled with and resolved in the way Christ would have settled it.

Stuart expressed this view on Monday while delivering the feature address at the opening of the Anglican Church Province of the West Indies’ Congress 2013. He said the church must ask what Christ would have said and done.

Acknowledging that the issue was a very sensitive one and a new agenda item which was difficult for

Christians to grapple with, he continued: “It does not seem to conform to anything that we think God intend-

ed and we are going to win the argument as long as it is framed in moral and ethical terms.

“But, I have noticed, as I am sure you have, that those who are promoting this idea have themselves realised that they cannot win the argument if it is left in moral and ethical terms. So, they have shifted it, quite wisely I think, on to human rights grounds. And, once you put it there, the question has to be asked, if heterosexuals are entitled to enjoy the human right of interaction with one another and of marriage, why can’t homosexuals?”

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Jamaica spent J$87M on independence celebrations

The Youth and Culture Ministry spent a total of J$87 million on activities to mark Jamaica’s 51st year of political Independence, which culminated with the Grand Gala at the National Stadium on August 6, which was celebrated as Independence Day.

In a release on Tuesday, the ministry said that the

funds included costs for activities planned at both the parish and national levels over a seven-day period.

“These included parish church services, National Independence Thanksgiving Service, ‘Mello Go Roun’, Jamaica Festival Song Showcase, Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Coronation, Jamaica Gospel Song National

Finals, World Reggae Dance Championship, the construction and maintenance of the Independence Village for five days and nights, the reasoning sessions and the Grand Gala at the National Stadium,” the ministry disclosed.

According to the ministry, tickets for all events – including the Grand Gala which was attended by 27,500 people – were distributed “through several advertised private sector outlets”. “The usual practice of providing all members of parliament (MPs) with tickets for their constituencies was maintained with all MPs in Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine receiving between 100 and 200 tickets each for distribution in their constituencies,” the ministry said in an apparent response to claims of political bias in the ticket distribution. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

solutions.

“If we appreciate that land degradation is really about achieving sustainable development and about the livelihood and the very future existence of some of the most economically vulnerable people on this planet, then we agree that increased land degradation will exacerbate poverty, create greater threat to food security, resulting in greater social and economic dislocation,” he said.

The situation is “particularly acute” in Small island Developing States (SIDS). UNDP resident representative Richard Blewitt said like most SIDS, Caribbean countries faced challenges originating from their small size and geographical location, small economies, limited infrastructure, and high vulnerability to natural disasters such as hurricanes. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Cuban literacy programme benefits over 300,000 Ecuadorians

More than 300,000 citizens in 13 Ecuadorian provinces have learned how to read and write with the Cuban literacy methodology known as “Yes, I Can”, which was implemented by 54 Cuban teachers in the South American nation.

A ceremony at the Education Ministry to mark the end of a stage in the literacy campaign was attended by hundreds of people who participated in the initiative since 2011.

The campaign helped lower illiteracy rates from 6.5 to only 3.5 per cent in all Ecuadorians over 14 years of age, living in the country’s most backward regions.

The meeting was attend-

ed by Education Minister Augusto Espinosa, Cuban Charge d’Affaires Basilio Gutierrez, Bolivian Ambassador Rusena Maribel Santamaria and legislator Ximena Ponce, among other authorities. Espinosa thanked the Cuban education team for its work and reiterated his government’s willingness to wipe out illiteracy from the country.

Meanwhile, Cuban diplomat Basilio Gutierrez congratulated all participants in the programme and called on them to keep going to higher stages in the education initiative. The Cuban Yes, I Can methodology was created to help eradicate illiteracy in all nations of the world. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Brazil bullet train tender delayed for third time

The bidding process to build Brazil’s bullet train has been delayed again but the government insists the flagship project will continue as planned.

Transport Minister Cesar Borges said it had been delayed this time after only one consortium came forward to work on the 38 billion reais (US$16.7 billion) scheme.

The rail line linking Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro was originally planned to be completed in time for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

This is the third delay to

the project.

The first phase of the bidding process, which includes the selection of technology suppliers and system maintenance components, is now expected in the second half of next year.

Borges said the delay would give more foreign companies the opportunity to participate.

“The postponement was made due to requests from potential German and Spanish investors,” he said.

The government said the second stage of the project, choosing companies to

build the infrastructure, was scheduled to begin as planned in 2015. The deadline for the completion of the high-speed rail line is still set for 2020. The rail link is a key infrastructure project of President Dilma Rousseff’s government.

The 500 kilometre (300 mile) link between Brazil’s two biggest cities has long been on the drawing board, but transport specialists and construction firms have questioned the project’s economic viability. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Murder toll in TT jumps to 234

The murder toll in Trinadad and Tobago has jumped to 234 following the killing of 23-yearold Akeem Baptiste in Laventille.

Police reported about 18.45h on Monday, Baptiste was seen running along Building Four of the Apartment complex in John John. It was said that he was being followed by a man with a gun.

Baptiste tried to call for help, but he was eventually cornered by his assailant.

Residents heard an exchange of words, however, it was said that as they were concerned for their lives, they stayed indoors and notified the police.

After a few minutes, Baptiste was heard shouting out in pain, following which, several loud explosions were heard.

When the police arrived, they found Baptiste’s body lying in a pool of blood in the northern end of the building. The area was immediately cordoned off, and a party of officers from the Besson Street Police, the Inter Agency Task Force, and the Homicide Bureau of Investigations visited the scene. (Excerpt from Trinidad and Tobago Today)

Taiwanese president starts Caribbean tour in Haiti

Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou and Haiti’s President Michel Martelly celebrated the official start of construction Tuesday on a new Supreme Court building to replace the one destroyed in the Haitian capital in a devastating January 2010 earthquake.

The two presidents laid the ceremonial first stone during Ma’s one-day vis-

it to Haiti, the first in a trip to the Caribbean and South America.

Martelly thanked Taiwan for its support for reconstruction, including nearly US$16 million for the courthouse being built in a neo-colonial style near the grounds of the National Palace, which was also destroyed in the quake.

The courthouse is expected to take about two years to

complete and is being built by Taipei-based construction company OECC. This was the first visit by a Taiwanese president to Haiti, and Martelly told reporters that he asked Ma to encourage Taiwanese companies to invest in Haiti. He also asked for support to help improve the impoverished country’s agricultural sector.

(Excerpt from Yahoo! News)

Around the world

Bloodiest day since revolution marks new beginning for Egypt

Military raids on protest camps and vicious battles that followed left scores dead Wednesday in Cairo, starting a new turn in the tumultuous cycle that has rocked Egypt for more than two years.

Clashes between Egyptian security forces and supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi made it the country’s bloodiest single day since the 2011 revolution that ousted the previous president, longtime strongman Hosni Mubarak.

“It’s an open war,” said one protester who managed to escape one of the two protest camps.

At least 149 people were killed and more than 1400 were wounded, state TV reported.

The Muslim Brotherhood said earlier that 200 Morsi supporters were killed and more than 8000 were injured. But the party has given exaggerated figures in the past,

only to revise them later.

“I think what we’re seeing right now is just the beginning of what is promising to be a very, very long and

Berlusconi’s conviction definitive, Italian president says

President Giorgio Napolitano on Tuesday ruled out any reversal of a tax fraud conviction against Silvio Berlusconi and issued a stern warning to his party against trying to bring down the government over the issue.

Napolitano’s statement that the law must take

its course dashed hopes in Berlusconi’s People of Freedom (PDL) party that the head of state would find a way to allow the former prime minister to continue his leadership of the centre-right without restriction despite a jail sentence.

The party says that curtailing Berlusconi’s politi -

cal activity would rob the 10 million people who voted for him in February’s election of their democratic choice. Several of its leading members had pressed Napolitano to find a way out.

“Any definitive sentence, and the consequent obligation of applying it, cannot but be taken into account,” Napolitano said in a statement, warning against any “fatal” crisis in Enrico Letta’s fragile left-right coalition government at a time when Italy is stuck in its worst postwar recession.

Earlier, Berlusconi’s oldest daughter Marina, 47, who heads his 6.6 billion euro business empire, flatly dismissed speculation that she could become the PDL figurehead to run the party while her father was out of circulation.

(Excerpt from France24)

bloody battle as the interim government and the security forces try to regain control of the streets,” CNN’s Arwa Damon reported from Cairo.

Mohammed ElBaradei resigned as vice president of foreign affairs, state-run Nile TV reported.

Egypt declared a monthlong state of emergency, according to state television. A curfew was also established in several cities including Cairo, from 19:00h Wednesday to 06:00h Thursday – and all violators will be jailed, state news reported.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the events in Egypt “are deplorable and they run counter to Egyptian aspirations for peace, inclusion and genuine democracy”. (Excerpt from CNN)

Iraq Kurds reach out to Baghdad to fight surging al Qaeda

When hundreds of al Qaeda fighters in armored trucks attacked the northern Iraqi town of Shirqat with machine guns last week, the local army unit called for backup and set off in pursuit.

But after a two-hour chase through searing desert heat, most militants vanished into a cluster of Kurdish villages where the Iraqi army cannot enter without a nod from regional authorities.

It was just one example of how distrust between the security forces of Iraq’s central government and of its autonomous Kurdish zone helps the local wing of al Qaeda, the once-defeated

Sunni Islamist insurgents who are again rapidly gaining ground, a year and a half after U.S. troops pulled out. “We had to wait more than two hours to get the required permission to go after them,” an Iraqi military officer who took part in the operation 300 km (190 miles) north of Baghdad said.

“While were we waiting, they simply disappeared.”

The Shi’ite-led Iraqi government and Kurdish authorities are now looking at examples like the Shirqat attack and considering the once unthinkable – launching joint security operations and sharing intelligence – to combat the common enemy of al Qaeda. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Israel-Palestinian peace talks resume in Jerusalem

The first direct IsraeliPalestinian peace talks in three years have begun in Jerusalem, say Israeli officials.

Few details have been released about the location, timing or agenda of the talks and both sides have been cautious about achieving any breakthrough.

Overnight, Israel freed 26 Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal to restart negotiations.

Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem continue to overshadow the resumption.

The issue halted the last direct talks in September 2010 and Palestinian representatives have accused Israel of trying to sabotage the latest negotiations.

In recent days, Israel has announced plans for more than 2000 new settlement homes.

Palestine Liberation

Jesse Jackson Jr jailed for misuse of campaign funds

Former U.S. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for misusing campaign funds. Jackson, 48, pleaded guilty in February to fraud after he spent US$750,000 (£483,000) on a Rolex watch, fur coats, mounted elk heads and other items.

The Illinois Democrat’s wife, Sandra Jackson, who pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns, was sentenced to one year in prison. The disgraced politician was once seen as a possible presidential candidate.

Prosecutors had recommended a four-year prison term for him.

At the court in Washington DC on Wednesday, District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson said

that as a public official Jackson had been expected to “live up to a higher standard of ethics and integrity”. Just before he learned his fate, Jackson made an emotional speech to the judge in which he apologised to the American peo-

ple, his family and his father, the civil rights leader Jesse Jackson. He told the judge he hoped his son and daughter would not be affected by the sentences and that his wife would receive probation.

Organisation (PLO) official Yasser Abed Rabbo said the settlement expansion was “unprecedented”.

“The talks might collapse any time because of the Israeli practices,” he told Voice of Palestine radio. There has also been skepticism on the Israeli side.

The Jerusalem Post on

Wednesday reported “extremely low” expectations about the latest talks. It quoted Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon as saying: “We’ve been trying for 20 years since Oslo, and for over 120 years of the conflict. The skepticism in the tone of my remarks is apparent, but we’ve decided to give it a chance.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

Indian sailors dead after submarine explosion in Mumbai

An unspecified number of Indian sailors have died after an explosion and fire on a navy submarine at a dockyard in Mumbai, authorities said Wednesday.

Rescue efforts are under way at the scene following the blast and “major fire” early Wednesday on the INS Sindhurakshak, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Defense Minister AK Antony later said that some officers had lost their lives, but he did not give any details on how many had died.

The Russian-built submarine has mostly sunk from the damage, the Defense Ministry said, and only a part of it is visible. About 18 people were on board the vessel at the time of the blast, it said.

Images carried by CNN sister network IBN showed the night sky over the port area lighted up by the explosion and blaze, which began shortly after midnight.

Navy and civilian firefighters were called into action at Mumbai’s naval dockyard to tackle the flames and rescue survivors. By Wednesday afternoon, the navy had taken sole responsibility for the rescue effort, Mumbai Fire Chief Suhas Joshi said. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the explosion, the Defense Ministry said. The Sindhurakshak was commissioned in 1997, according to the Indian Navy. (Excerpt from CNN)

TT Finance Minister Larry Howai: Budget is a political document as well W

hen a national budget is being prepared, po-

litical considerations must also be taken into account said Finance Minister Larry Howai. “A budget is not a technical document alone, but it is also a political document and a social document. So one has to recognise all the forces that come into play when one is preparing a budget and all segments of the society. The budget is not something everybody agrees with,” he said. He was speaking yesterday at news conference at the Finance Ministry, Eric Williams Building, Port of Spain.

The budget will be read

on September 9, this year. Although not all budget consultations have been completed, he said most of them have been completed.

“The budget process is always a tight process. The consultations have been going on all year round and they have not really stopped. At the midyear review we had different groups coming in to talk to us. We have well-oiled machinery in the Finance Ministry that can get the budget done within a reasonable amount of time,” he said. He added that outstanding payments to Petrotrin and other companies will be settled in the next fiscal year.

(Trinidad Guardian)

Chad suspends Chinese firm CNPC over oil spill Eurozone comes out of recession

The eurozone has emerged from recession after a record 18 months of economic contraction. The bloc’s GDP grew by 0.3 per cent in the second quarter of 2013, slightly ahead of forecasts, the Eurostat agency said. The growth was widely expected after the German economy rose 0.7 per cent between April and June.

However, the overall figure masks the mixed economic fortunes among the countries that make up the 17-country eurozone area.

Germany and France both

posted stronger-than-expected growth, expanding 0.7 per cent and 0.5 per cent respectively.

Portugal, among the smallest and the weakest eurozone economies, showed the fastest growth, at 1.1 per cent. The country was one of three that had to take a multi-billioneuro bailout. But Spain, which had to seek outside support for its struggling banking sector, saw its economic output fall by 0.1 per cent on the quarter. Italy and the Netherlands both saw output drop by 0.2 per cent.

European Commission Vice

President Olli Rehn said the figures suggested the European economy was gradually gaining momentum, but added there was no room for complacency. “There are still substantial obstacles to overcome: the growth figures remain low and the tentative signs of growth are still fragile,” he said.

“A number of member states still have unacceptably high unemployment rates; the implementation of essential, but difficult reforms across the EU is still in its early stages. So there is still a very long way to go.” (BBC News)

Chad has suspended all operations of a Chinese state-run oil firm for causing environmental damage, Chad’s oil minister has told the BBC.

Djerassem Le Bemadjiel said the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) was to blame for an oil spill in several sites near a forest.

He said the situation was “intolerable” but did not make it not clear how long the suspension would last. The company also runs an oil refinery

in the capital, N’Djamena.

Chad became an oil-producing nation in 2003 with the completion of a US$4 billion (£2.6 billion) pipeline linking its oilfields to terminals on the Atlantic coast.

‘Very serious’

The oil minister took the decision after officials visited Koudalwa, some 200km (125 miles) south of N’Djamena, where CNPC was exploring for oil, the AFP news agency reports.

“It’s a very serious situ-

ation, it’s intolerable,” Le Bemadjiel told the BBC French Service, describing how trees had been destroyed. He said such violations were a crime, adding: “In the oil sector you don’t do this.” The minister told AFP that the Chinese exploration unit had dug huge trenches and let oil flow into them, and then had it removed by local workers without protective gear.

Managers at the company would be held responsible for the violations, he told AFP.

(BBC News)

Hyundai and Kia unions vote for strike

Unions representing workers at Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors have voted in favour of a strike.

Negotiations with management broke down over pay and other benefits.

The development comes a year after workers at the South Korean carmakers walked out for four months, costing Hyundai US$1.5 billion (£970 million) in lost production.

Strike action by the 45,000

Middle East

workers the union represents could begin as early as Tuesday next week.

South Korea’s car industry is subject to recurring strikes because of strong unions.

“We don’t like to strike. But the company has accepted part of our demand only after we staged strikes,” union spokesman Kwon Oh-il told Reuters.

The demands of the union include bonuses equivalent to eight months of base salary, as well as a 56.25g gold medal for

those with 40 years’ service. They are also asking for 10 million won for each worker whose children opt not to attend college. The company already pays tuition for collegegoing children of employees.

The vote in favour of industrial action was announced on Wednesday. However, the companies are engaged in a six-day mediation period. That means the earliest a strike could start is Tuesday of next week. (BBC News)

Steinway agrees US$512M private sale to hedge fund Dubai’s Nakheel floats tender for US$680M mall project

Steinway Musical Instruments, the U.S. company famous for its grand pianos, has agreed a buyout deal with hedge fund firm Paulson & Co. The deal values the firm at US$512 million (£330 million) and trumps an earlier offer made by rival firm Kohlberg & Co.

Steinway still has 25 days to accept better offers, but

Kohlberg has already said it will not bid again. The 160-year-old firm piano maker has struggled to maintain its profit margins in recent years.

Shares rose six per cent to US$40.51, close to the offer price. Steinway’s sales grew just two per cent last year. It sells a selection of brass and other instruments alongside its range of pianos. It has been looking for a

buyer since December 2012, after concluding a 17-month strategic review.

The purchase is seen as an unusual move for John Paulson, who heads the Paulson & Co fund. He rose to prominence in the financial world in the wake of the crisis in 2007 when he bet against the subprime mortgage investments at its centre. (BBC News)

Dubai developer Nakheel has floated a tender for piling works for the new $680m Nakheel Mall on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah.

The mall itself, located at the end of the palm trunk, will have three levels of basement parking and three levels of retail.

The project has a total area of 82,593 square metre and a built-up area of 418,181 sq m, and will contain over 250 specialty shops, food court, coffee shops, two major department

stores, one supermarket, and multiplex cinema.

The mall will also house a 1000 sq m indoor garden and a 180m viewing deck offering views over the palm development and the Dubai skyline.

The development will also include a 200-room, five-star hotel with direct mall access, 200 serviced apartments and a swimming pool, restaurant and lounge. The mall will also be linked to the Palm Jumeirah monorail system.

In February Nahkeel said

Scrutinise

By Jeff Cornwall

once overheard a student exclaim, “That Dr Cornwall sure is a negative guy for being an entrepreneurship professor.” My approach has even been called “being Cornwalled.” I have been labelled the Simon Cowell of entrepreneurship.

Assume business won’t work Being a naysayer isn’t what my heart wants me to do. I would love to be their cheerleader. But I know that I am not helping them if all I do is blindly encourage new business

owners to jump ahead.

One of the most important things I try to teach entrepreneurs is to always work from the perspective that their new business ideas won’t work.

Statisticians call this working from the null hypothesis. When they come up with their next “great idea,” I want the would-be owners to immediately take the null hypothesis. Assume that it cannot work, and start trying to disprove that it cannot work.

If the idea survives scrutiny, then it is time to further

it had received interest from “global and international” retail operators on taking space within the mall. It is due to be completed in 2016. Nakheel chairman Al Rashid Lootah said: “Nakheel Mall will bring a new dimension to shopping, dining and leisure in Dubai. It will enhance the services and facilities available to residents of Palm Jumeirah, and provide an exciting new destination for people across the UAE, including the millions of tourists who visit our country each year.” (Arabianbusiness)

develop the business model and possibly move toward launching the venture. I know it may seem like we are coming at the same thing from only a slightly different angle, but the difference in outcomes can be profound.

Once you start looking at a business idea with a critical eye, you uncover the weaknesses and holes in it. If the idea survives evaluation from this perspective, the resulting business model will be stronger when it comes time to launch. (Business Dictionary)

Govt, private sector will continue collaboration on crime fighting

The Home Affairs Ministry and the private sector will continue to work closely to foster greater safety and security in the country, subject minister Clement Rohee said during the opening ceremony of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry Security Seminar on Tuesday.

Rohee said the private sector has always factored in the Home Affairs Ministry’s operations, and will continue to do so as the years unfold. In the presence of officials from the chamber, the Guyana Police Force, GEB Security Services, Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations, and Republic Bank, he alluded to the appointment of staff at his ministry. It was explained that representatives from the private sector are often placed on interviewing panels during the hiring of staff for the ministry.

According to him, the Task Force on Smuggling and Contraband and the Task Force on Drugs and Illegal Firearms have been in frequent engagements with the private sector representatives, noting that the Guyana Fire Service, the Guyana Prison Service, and the Guyana Police Force are no exceptions.

“We also have representatives on the private sector board of the Crime and Social Observatory which is an integral part of the Citizen’s Security Programme,” he explained,

nothing that it is “an ongoing, sustainable and living exercise”.

Additionally, he said the private sector plays a critical role in the formulation of policies within the force and while the establishment of policies is crucial, he emphasised the need for the force and private sector to work closely to ensure the policies of the Guyana Police Force and by extension, the Home Affairs Ministry are adhered to.

Public safety

Addressing public safety and security in Guyana, Minister Rohee said often this issue was reduced to crime, but it covered a diverse number of areas.

“Some people see public safety and security only through the prism of crime, but this is not so. Public safety and security is a much broader concept, not only crime, detection and prevention of crime but all issues pertaining to law and order,” he explained.

The appointment of Patrick Mentore to the chairmanship of the Strategic Management Department of the Guyana Police Force had resulted in a wave of criticism, because back in 1997, Mentore resigned from the force.

The home affairs minister said Mentore will not be removed from his position. “The head of the department has relations with the Guyana Police Force some time ago, a man published a book the other day and tried to discredit him to say that he ought not to be a part of the Strategic Management Department, because he was associated with some episode that took place in the country years ago,” Rohee said dismissively. “We never accepted that, we have expressed our full confidence in the persons who are part and parcel of the Strategic Management Department.”

It was explained that the members of the Strategic Management Department, which consist of mostly civilians were recommended by a group of panellists headed by Former Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff, retired Major General Joseph Singh.

“They (the panellists) interviewed them; one by one they grilled them, asked some very searching questions and at the end, made the recommendations to the Home Affairs Ministry, ” Minister Rohee emphasised.

Stocktaking a priority, says new Caricom EPA director

The new director of Caricom’s Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Unit, Carlos Wharton has prioritised a stocktaking exercise in relation to the work of the unit.

According to a Caricom Secretariat release, Wharton, who took up office on August 1, is tasked with leading the unit, one of two within the Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (CARIFORUM) Directorate based in the secretariat. The unit was set up to facilitate the implementation of the CARIFORUM-European Union (EU) EPA, by providing CARIFORUM states with technical guidance and assistance in meeting the commitments and taking advantage of the benefits outlined in the agreement.

Wharton pointed out, “The stocktaking exercise will provide a chance for a retrospective as well as a prospective look at the unit’s work, in particular, and EPA implementation, in general.”

He underscored that “once the stocktaking exercise is completed, the unit would have generated the information necessary to plan further action and to effect a way forward with respect to its work programme”.

Distinctive role

Wharton noted that the unit has a distinctive role to play in facilitating the implementation of the EPA, and said he is especially looking forward to working closely with national and regional partners, with a view to strengthening national capacity among CARIFORUM states to implement the agreement. He added that under his leadership, the unit would build on its strength of extending technical support to national counterparts.

Wharton concluded, “In going forward, I want to ensure that the unit is well positioned – particularly in the context of partnerships and resources – to be even more responsive to the needs of regional states at a time when they have to contend with

Dharmic Sabha holding music classes

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s Sanskritik Kendra will be a hive of activity from this week as two teachers from India have arrived in the country set to share their skills in tabla and other percussion instruments, harmonium, and keyboard.

Akshay Kavle and Rohan Mokul, who teach at a music academy in India and are musicians for ZEE TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’s outdoor shows, are here through the Reepu Daman Persaud Foundation, the Sabha said in a release. The foundation was established seven years ago and has provided a number of students from around the country with scholarships towards their primary, secondary and university education. Now, the foundation is offering all those with musical ability and inclination the opportu-

nity to train with these musicians out of India for one year.

After one year, students with great potential will be given the opportunity for further training overseas. There will be a free three-month beginner’s course in tabla and harmonium/keyboard.

Classes will be offered from Thursday to Sunday at the Dharmic Kendra in Prashad Nagar, Georgetown. Persons will also have the opportunity to train on a oneon-one basis with the musicians or in small groups for a minimal fee. The teachers will also be conducting classes in Berbice and West Coast of Demerara and at the Dharmic School.

In addition, the Dharmic Sabha is offering the following classes: Hindi classes – free; Sanskrit classes –Wednesdays free; Bhagvad Gita classes – Wednesdays

free; Pandit’s classes –Wednesdays – free; Dance classes – Sundays free; from September: Indian Cookery Classes – basic and advanced; Yoga classes – three days a week and Zumba classes –three days a week.

Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha President Dr Vindhya Vasini Persaud is urging all to make use of the opportunities provided and work on developing or discovering their musical potential or their aptitude for the arts, cooking, or language. She also encourages parents to get their children involved in such constructive and wholesome activities as it will help them in their all-round development. If anyone is interested, they can call the Dharmic Kendra on 227-6181 or 2191900 to register or attend the introductory music session today at 17:00h at the Kendra.

Guyana’s CARIFESTA team ready to roll

Guyana’s CARIFESTA delegation coordinator Lennox Canterbury said the country’s delegation was about 95 per cent prepared for the regional event and will be well represented in the various disciplines.

myriad challenges brought on by the changing realities of CARIFORUM/EU relations, a critical part of which is the EPA.”

He indicated that he was happy to be on board, and was looking forward to working with his team to roll out the unit’s work programme.

At the 18th meeting of the Council of Ministers of CARIFORUM, it was decided that an EPA Implementation Unit should be established in the CARIFORUM Directorate, thus superseding a unit that had previously been established, under the same name, within the Secretariat’s Trade and Economic Integration Directorate. As a result of this decision of Ministers, a new CARIFORUM Directorate structure took form, comprising the EPA Implementation Unit and the Development Cooperation Unit. The 15 signatory CARIFORUM states to the EPA are the independent Caricom member states and the Dominican Republic.

Speaking to Guyana Times, he disclosed that Guyana’s delegation will consists of about 60 plus people, which includes people from the official delegation and some self-sponsored individuals. Canterbury noted that there are plans to showcase Guyana as much as possible, and Guyana’s delegation will use whatever space is available and whatever opportunities it has.

“Guyana will have a country booth in the cultural market and that runs every day from Friday – that is where we will be showcasing Guyana not only

from a cultural aspect but also Guyana as a tourists’ destination and also as a place for investment,” he explained.

He said one of the major setbacks is the country not being able to take a larger delegation to Suriname, adding that “we have our financial constraints that we have to live with”. The head of the delegation stated that many Guyanese have taken up the call and opted to go to Suriname to participate in the festival through self-sponsorship. Additionally, he said the Culture Ministry has not, to his knowledge, gone over its $20 million budget for CARIFESTA 2013. The funds were allocated from the $100 million set aside for the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry’s Sports and Arts Development Fund.

Turning his attention to the various areas in which

Guyana will be participating including the film, literary, performing, fashion, and culinary arts, he underscored that Guyana’s delegation will perform to the best of its ability at CARIFESTA XI and it is expected to entice the crowds.

Some of the other countries which will be participating in the festival are Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent and St Kitts, while some larger non-Caribbean countries further afield are also expected to partake including Malaysia, China, Indonesia, and Brazil. Guyana’s delegation left for Suriname this morning.

The official opening ceremony of the festival is on Friday evening at the Suriname Chamber of Commerce building in central Paramaribo. CARIFESTA XI is slated for August 16 to August 25.

Armed robbery suspect placed on $400,000 bail

Aman accused of robbing two women at gunpoint was on Tuesday granted $400,000 bail by Magistrate Ann McLennan.

On his second appearance in two days at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Thristan Yearwood got his pre-trial liberty in the sum of $200,000 on

each count of robbery under arms. The matter had been adjourned to Tuesday, since the prosecution did not produce the case jacket.

It is alleged that on December 12, 2012 at Georgetown, being armed with a gun, Yearwood robbed Jean and Carletta Melville of a quantity of items and cash valued $9,714,000 and

$360,000 respectively. He was not required to plead to the charges.

The defendant is to report to the Alberttown Police Station every Friday at 16:00h until the completion of the trial. The matter was adjourned to August 20. The matter was transferred to Court One for September 12.

SUDOKU

You’ve got more control than you realise. A little persuasion mixed with ingenuity and the offering of the proper incentives will ensure that you get your way.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

Focus on partnerships, be they domestic or workrelated. Discuss problems and disagreements openly and honestly. Knowing where you stand will help you make an important decision.

Step into the limelight and show everyone how capable you are. You’ve got some creative ideas that can lead to a better position, so share them.

Look for ways to improve your life, your attitude and your image. The new you will surprise some and impress others. Step out on a limb and show everyone your attributes.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

You have several profitable ideas that you can act upon. Exercise your brain and you will come up with a service that your community needs and that will help you out financially.

(March 21-April 19)

Take on a challenge and engage in activities that will give you the opportunity to show your intelligence and talent. You’ll attract attention and the support of someone unusual.

(April 20-May 20)

Stick close to home and people you know you can trust. Before spending a lot on a luxury item, do your research, and don’t allow anyone to talk you into going over your budget.

(May 21June 20)

Trying to push others to do what you want will lead to emotional problems. Use reverse psychology to ensure that you keep your allies working on your behalf.

It would be wise to keep your personal life out of the workplace. Listen to what others have to say, and you’ll learn valuable information that will help you correct some of the emotional distress you face.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Talk your way into or out of any situation using your charm and intelligence. Call in a favour if it will help you get ahead. Watch out for interference from people who envy your skills.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Take a break from the hurly-burly and do something you enjoy. Learn something new that you can utilise to earn more cash or raise your profile.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Emotions will surface in a heated situation. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you don’t know where you stand. A change in the way you live will end up being beneficial.

thursday, august 15, 2013

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Woman bashes former paramour’s motorcycle

Awoman was brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after she was charged with damage to property on Wednesday.

It was alleged that on August 10 at Mc Doom, East Bank Demerara, Melissa DeGrace, 30, 57 Back Street Mc Doom, unlawfully and maliciously damaged motorcycle CF3726, property of Curtis Luke. She pleaded guilty to the charge read against her.

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According to Prosecutor Deniro Jones, the defendant is the mother of the virtual complainant’s children, but the two are separated. On the day in question, the VC went to visit his children when he got into an argument with the

defendant. DeGrace then took a piece of wood and hit the motorcycle, damaging the front headlamp, the front and back plates, and dials. The total damage amounted to $50,000. The matter was reported, and the defendant was arrested and charged.

DeGrace, who was unrepresented, said on the day in question, Luke came to visit the children since they had an agreement.

She said she was speaking to him about taking the children so she can have some time for herself when he told her in “an arrogant manner” to text him and he will reply when he is in the mood.

She explained that she became annoyed and followed him out to the road

where he began to abuse her. She then picked up a wood and dealt the cycle several hits.

She apologised for her misconduct and promised to compensate the VC. She said she had a conversation with him in which she told him that he can keep the $60,000 he would have paid for child support that month, since she got a job and will see to the expenses of the children.

The VC told Magistrate McLennan that he would like to continue paying the child support and DeGrace should find another way to compensate him.

Magistrate McLennan told the defendant that she has until October 31 to pay the VC $50,000 or face six months’ imprisonment.

Magistrate rebukes noisemaker

You cannot play music that loudly so early in the mornings, Magistrate Ann McLennan admonished a Waterloo Street man who appeared before her on a noise nuisance charge on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Collin Mark, 44, of 2044 Festival City, North Ruimveldt, pleaded guilty to playing loud music from his stereo set in his car at Waterloo Street, much to

the annoyance of others.

According to Prosecutor Deniro Jones, on the day in question around 02:45h on August 14, the defendant stopped his car PPP 998 in the vicinity of Jerries Snackette and played music from the set in his car at a very high volume. The Jerries proprietor summoned the police and the defendant was subsequently arrested and charged.

Mack, who was unrepresented, told the court that he was on his way home with his wife when they stopped to get something to eat, because they were hungry. He stated that he left the music playing and went into the snackette.

The police subsequently came and told him to go to Brickdam Police Station.

Magistrate McLennan dismissed the matter, but placed him on a bond to keep the peace for 12 months.

Man fined for purchasing stolen phone

Aman was fined $70,000, with an alternative sentence of 18 months in prison, for purchasing a stolen phone when he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It was alleged between April 24 and August 12, at Georgetown, Jermaine Marcus, 31, received stolen property – a Samsung

Galaxy S2, property of Alvero Ramotar. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

According to the facts, the defendant brought the phone from someone at Stabroek Market “under the clock”. The phone was originally valued $120,000, but Marcus brought it for $25,000.

Attorney Paul FungA-Fat represented the defendant, and stated that

his client, prior to this offence, has never been in trouble with the law. He asked that a custodial sentence not to be imposed, since the phone was recovered.

Magistrate McLennan, in passing sentence on the defendant, considered the fact that Marcus was fully aware that “”hot” or stolen goods are sold under the clock”.

Mason on assault, escape from lawful custody charges

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Amason who fled police custody after being arrested for assaulting his reputed wife was brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on August 1 at Georgetown Public Hospital, being in the custody of Constable 2423 Akeem Lewis pending charges of an assault, Michael Stanton,33, escaped. He pleaded guilty with explanation. It is further alleged that on the same day, at OMG, he unlawfully assaulted Mavara Skeet, his child’s mother. He pleaded not guilty to the

charge read against him.

According to Prosecutor Deniro Jones, on the day in question the defendant was arrested by Constable Lewis at the Prashad Nagar Police Outpost, after which he got into a fight, sustained injuries and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital to receive medical attention. When he went in to see the doctor, he escaped; however, he was chased by the police and was apprehended.

The prosecution stated that the VC is the defendant’s child's mother. They have been separated for two months, but only communicate because of their daughter. On August 11, the VC

was at OMG when the defendant approached her and slapped her. He also dealt her several punches about her body and wrung her left arm.

Stanton, who was unrepresented, told the court that he was a bit frustrated when he and his child's mother got into an argument, but he did not hit her. There were no objections to bail by the prosecution. Magistrate McLennan set bail at $5000 for the assault matter which was transferred to Court One on September 13, and sentenced Stanton to nine months imprisonment for escaping from police custody.

Asif confesses to spot-fixing

Mohammad Asif, the former Pakistan fast bowler, has publicly confessed to his part in spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test in 2010 and hopes to make amends in order to revive his international career.

He delivered an unconditional apology at the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday, nearly three years after he was handed a seven-year ban from participating in any form of cricket.

“I accept the punishment from the ICC tribunal in 2011,” Asif said at a press conference. “I apologise for my actions that have brought disrespect to my beloved country, to the millions of fans in Pakistan and in the world. When I look back at the events of my career, I feel very sorry.

“I request all the players

who want to represent their country that they must keep away from all sorts of corruption,” he added. “I am ready to help any player who wants to avoid such pitfalls. I will duly cooperate with the ICC, its AntiCorruption and Security Unit (ACSU) and with the PCB, in fighting corruption in the game.”

In April, Asif and his former captain Salman Butt, who was handed a five-year ban and another five years suspension from all cricket by the ICC, lost their appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for the suspensions to be reduced.

Dave Richardson, the ICC’s chief executive, called on them to admit their wrongdoing and cooperate with the ICC’s ACSU following which Butt had apologised in June.

Asif, who was found guilty of bowling a deliberate no-ball, will be 33 by the time the minimum of five years from his ban are complete and will work through the final two years under suspension, on condition that he commits no further breach of the Code of Conduct throughout that period and participates in an anti-corruption educa-

tion programme under the Pakistan Cricket Board. The apology is not expected to have any immediate implications but Asif will have to undergo rehabilitation and present the whole truth to the ACSU and PCB.

“I also want to make myself available for the rehab program to be conducted by the PCB through the support of the ICC,” he said, “I have suffered a lot because of my wrongdoings. Now on the Independence Day of my country, I promise that once my ban finishes I will try to repair the damage I have done. My family has also suffered so I want to start a new life with a hope that all the fans of the game accept me.”

“I also request the ICC to allow me to play first-class cricket so that when my ban ends I am fit enough to represent my country.” (Cricinfo)

Darren Stevens being investigated by ACSU

Darren Stevens has been charged with failing to report a corrupt approach as part of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) investigation into events during the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League.

Stevens, the 37-year-old Kent allrounder, has not been charged with any corrupt activity itself and is therefore free to continue playing. Stevens is one nine individuals charged with various offences; seven for

fixing and two for not reporting approaches.

In a statement, Stevens said: “I confirm that I have been charged by the ICC with a failure to report a corrupt approach made to me during BPL2 in February this year. I have not been involved in any corrupt activity and have not been charged with any and I am cooperating with the ICC and ACSU in their investigation and prosecution of the corruption charges in matters relating to the

BPL.

“I am totally against any corruption in cricket and would never do anything other than perform to the best of my ability in any game. ICC have not suspended me from playing and I remain willing and able to play for Kent in all fixtures if selected. As the charge against me is now the subject of disciplinary proceedings I can make no further comment with regard to them at this stage.”

The charges, which fol-

Milcah Chemos wins 3000m steeplechase

One of the curious anomalies in World Championship history prior to Moscow was that no Kenyan woman had ever landed this title. Not anymore. In a textbook demonstration of steeplechasing, Milcah Chemos, after a number of championship disappointments, controlled the race from the front to clinch top spot in a worldleading mark of 9:11.65 on Wednesday.

Fellow Kenyan Lydia Chepkurui, who had opted to tuck behind Chemos for much of the race, claimed silver in a personal best 9:12.55.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian record-holder Sofia Assefa produced the gutsiest of bronze medal performances by recovering from a fall on the beginning of the penultimate lap to bravely drag herself from the surface of the track on to the medal podium.

lowed an investigation carried out by the ACSU, relate to an alleged conspiracy within the Dhaka Gladiators franchise to engage in match-fixing and spot-fixing during the tournament, as well as failures by individuals to report approaches made to them to be involved in the conspiracy.

The news will raise more questions about the viability of the BPL. Many players are still awaiting payment for their involvement in the 2013 season. (Cricinfo)

dominant Jamaica crowned WicB Women’s super 50 champions

St George’s, GRENADA

– Jamaica have been crowned West Indies Cricket Board Women’s Regional Super50 2013 champions after a dominant performance over Trinidad and Tobago in the final played at the Tanteen Ground in Grenada on Wednesday.

Jamaica blasted Trinidad and Tobago out for a paltry 83 in 38 overs then romped to 86 for 3 in 21.1 overs to gallop to a sevenwicket victory.

Jamaica captain Stafanie Taylor snapped up 3 for 13 from seven overs while Shanel Daley supported with 2 for 9, also

from seven overs, to leave the Trinidadians stuttering. Only captain Merissa Aguilleira (17) and Stacy Ann King (15) reached double figures as the Trinis limped to their modest total.

The Trinidadians never recovered after being reduced to 3 for 27 in the 12th

over. Aguilleira and King then briefly stemmed the slide before they lost three wickets with the score on 61 to leave them tottering at 6 for 61 which later became 8 for 70.

Chinelle Henry led the Jamaican run chase with a run-a-ball 31 with six boundaries while Natasha McLean made a resolute unbeaten 22 from 63 deliveries which contained three fours.

The confident Jamaicans retained their title which they also won in 2012 by marching to 86 for the loss of only Jodi-Ann Morgan (13), Taylor (10) and Henry. McLean and Chedean Nation (0*) formalized the victory for the Reggae Girls.

The teams will now take a short break before commencing the Twenty20 Tournament which gets on the way on Friday and concludes with the final on August 22 at the Grenada National Stadium.

The other six teams in the tournament are Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines. (WICB)

Assefa might have earned much of the post-race attention for her heroics, but no one could deny Chemos’s day in the sun. For so long dominant on the Diamond League circuit, she so often faltered at the major championships when expected to win.

A bronze medallist in this event at each of the past two World Championships and a fourth-place finisher at the London Olympic Games, many wondered if the diminutive Kenyan would ever prosper on the biggest stage.

Fifteen woman lined up down the home stretch for the start of a women’s 3000m Steeplechase which was shamelessly a sideshow for much of the crowd enthralled by a captivating pole vault competition starring home favourite Yelena Isinbayeva which was reaching a riveting finale.

The three Kenyan and three Ethiopian athletes were expected to dominate, but perhaps we could not have expected them to take control quite so quickly as Hiwot Ayalew set off with vigour at the head of the pack and the east African half dozen forged a 10-metre lead on the rest after a little over one lap.

Ayalew, the 2013 World Cross Country silver medallist, led the top six through the first kilometre in 3:01.72 from Chemos, Etenesh Diro, the third Ethiopian, Assefa, Chepkurui and her compatriot Hyvin Jepkemoi.

It was this point that Chemos, with her familiar head-bobbing and wide arm action, could wait no longer and she eased on the gas, happy to control proceedings from the front.

A slower second kilometre of the race was covered in 3:09.64 and the five athletes behind flip-flopped position with frequency but all appeared reluctant to attack the 27-year-old Chemos, despite the reduction in pace.

Jepkemoi was the first athlete to fall out of medal contention, and then at the

barrier on the beginning of the back straight on the penultimate lap, the-well placed Assefa came to grief. The crowd gasped at the heavy fall but the pugnacious 25-year-old bounced straight back off the floor having conceded 20 metres on the leaders.

Diro was next to be dropped off the lead pack and at the bell it was the dogged Chemos a couple of metres clear of Chepkurui with Ayalew in third. Assefa meanwhile was gradually making inroads in fifth.

Chemos, who by now was increasing her stride rate, had taken Chepkurui with her and the battle for gold appeared set to be an allKenyan affair. By the back straight Assefa had caught and passed Ayalew and suddenly an improbable medal looked a possibility.

Rounding the final bend, the heroic Ethiopian continued to close on the lead two with Chemos for the first time starting to look heavy legged. Fleetingly, it looked possible that Assefa could claim the most dramatic of World Championship gold medals.

However, off the final barrier Chemos found an extra gear and sprinted away to victory with Chepkurui also repelling Assefa who, understandably, looked slightly leaden-footed coming off the final barrier.

The Ethiopian still managed a season’s best of 9:12.84 for bronze with her countrywomen Ayalew (9:15.25) and Diro (9:16.97) also registering their quickest performances in 2013 in fourth and fifth, respectively. Jepkemei in sixth set a personal best of 9:22.05 with the first non-African Valentyna Zhudina, the Ukrainian record-holder, back in seventh (9:33.73). (IAAF)

Lambert seals England win

Rickie Lambert scored the winner on a dream debut as England twice came from behind to see off Scotland in a breathless encounter at Wembley on Wednesday.

James Morrison had given Scotland an early lead with a fierce shot which England goalkeeper Joe Hart fumbled into his net.

Theo Walcott then scored a brilliant individual goal to bring England level only for Kenny Miller to restore Scotland’s lead after the restart with a thunderous shot on the turn.

England were only behind for four minutes, however, as Danny Welbeck rose highest to steer a firm header beyond Allan McGregor’s grasp. Then Lambert, 31, had the final word, 20 minutes from time, as he powered a header beyond the Scotland goalkeeper from a corner.

At the final whistle, all 80,000 supporters at Wembley rose to applaud after these two great rivals had traded blows for the first time for 14 years.

From an England standpoint, this may not have been the convincing victory that Roy Hodgson wanted ahead of key World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine early next month, but this was as exhaustive an examination as he could have hoped for.

The contest was committed and competitive. There

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has offered Sri Lanka Cricket a chance to play a day-night Test on their tour to the United Arab Emirates in winter.

Two of three Tests on the tour are scheduled in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and these could be potential venues to host the day-night Test.

The ICC last year approved the idea of day-night Test matches but left it to member boards to decide on the hours of play and the colour of the ball to be used. No board so far has considered

were encouraging signs from the midfield trio of Tom Cleverley, Jack Wilshere and Steven Gerrard, while the flair and fortitude of Welbeck and Lambert will have offered encouragement ahead of four matches that will decide whether England go to next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Even in defeat, Scotland were impressive and this performance will add to their growing optimism under the leadership of Gordon Strachan. The performances of Morrison and James Forrest caught the eye, while Scott Brown led with a calm assurance.

The build-up had been dominated by Wayne Rooney and the uncertainty around his future at Manchester United. With the exception of a 45-minute appearance in a behind-closed-doors practice game against Real Betis 10 days ago, this was his first meaningful run-out since he scored in England’s 2-2 draw against Brazil on June 2. But this was not to be his night.

The 27-year-old striker was wrongly ruled offside on the stroke of half-time, as he latched on to Steven Gerrard’s pass and fired in. Rooney looked a footballer desperate to prove a pointdemanding the ball, launching himself into challenges and shooting on sight. He left the field to a standing ovation from the England

fans, but it was his replacement who would steal the headlines.

It had been Rooney who had England’s first chance, when he flicked Leighton Baines’ fizzing low cross wide. But it was Scotland who landed the first blow.

Miller’s tireless running won a corner, which was cleared only as far as West Brom midfielder Morrison, who unleashed a fearsome shot through a crowd of English defenders - one that crept beyond Manchester City goalkeeper Hart, who should have done much better.

Scotland redoubled their efforts and Grant Hanley suffered a head injury as he attempted to keep England at bay. With the Blackburn defender temporarily off the field receiving treatment, England equalised with the first half’s single moment of brilliance.

Cleverley released Walcott down the right with a delightful pass. The Arsenal forward raced into the area, cut inside Steven Whittaker and prodded a left-foot shot beyond McGregor.

Scotland found new purpose as the second half began, and were soon back in front. Miller gathered Alan Hutton’s clever cross and lost Gary Cahill with a drop of the shoulder, before turning on to his left foot and drilling a shot beyond Hart.

(BBC Sport)

playing day-night Tests, but the PCB has shown interest in trying out the format. The board has organised day-night first-class matches and a few MCC fixtures in Abu Dhabi have also been played under lights.

“We have offered to play a Test match under lights,” Nadeem Sarwar, the PCB spokesman, told ESPNcricinfo. “We are keen to experiment with daynight Test cricket as we believe that this would help in reviving interest in the format. The major aspect in our discussion is the cor-

Philander confident in Tallawahs’ chances in Limacol CPL

Kingston, JAMAICA – World class fast bowler Vernon Philander is thrilled about the mood in the Jamaica Tallawahs camp, and believes the Kingston-based franchise has what it takes to win the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League.

The 28-year-old South African, one of three overseas players in the Tallawahs line-up for the glitzy showpiece that has taken the region by storm, says the unity in the squad is excellent and this augurs well for their success.

“The Jamaica camp has been great. We’ve got a great team and we’ve got a great bonding taking place. We’re playing as a team, enjoying each other’s success and that’s obviously key in such a short tournament. The boys are gelling well and having fun,” said Philander, who is playing alongside fellow foreign pros Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan and Pakistan batsman Ahmad Shahzad.

“We play the game to win and obviously we’re going to give it our best shot and hopefully it comes off.”

Tallawahs opened the tournament with a loss to Guyana Amazon Warriors in Georgetown, but have rebounded in style to win their three matches since. Their impressive run has left them third in the standings on six points, and with a great chance of booking their spot in the final four.

The Tallawahs play Guyana again today at Sabina Park from 14:00h Jamaica time (15:00h Guyana time).

Philander has been key to the Tallawahs’ success, producing a top spell in the second game against Antigua to help set up that victory, and has chipped in with little cameo performances ever since to make his presence felt.

He said the Caribbean campaign has been a top notch one so far.

“I think it is a great initiative. It is always great to

respondence on the colour and brand of the ball. The venues are definitely ideal

and there is no dew factor involved in December and January.”

Vernon Philander

be playing Twenty20 cricket in the Caribbean. It’s obviously good for young lads to showcase their talents on the world stage,” he pointed out. “The quality of the tournament is good, with the West Indies international players being spread over the teams that are here. It’s good that the younger blokes can get some exposure and to mix with some of the international players and to get that experience in order to perform on the world stage. All in all, it’s a good initiative.”

Philander, one of the spearheads of South Africa’s attack, is also using the Limacol CPL as preparation for upcoming international assignments. The Proteas take on Pakistan starting in October and face India at the end of the year.

“That’s why I came out here – to get the experience with the white ball and obviously to be playing. It’s obviously prep for

me moving forward with the white ball at the international level. I’ll take it as good preparation for that,” Philander said.

The second fastest bowler to 50 wickets in Test cricket – he achieved the mark in just seven matches – Philander said he was taking his success in stride and pacing his career.

So far, he has taken 89 wickets from 16 matches, proving himself to be one of the most difficult seamers to handle on the international scene.

“I take it each game at a time. I prepare for my next game as if it’s my next game and that’s how I go about my business,” Philander said.

“I’m not one to look too far ahead into the future. I just take it one game at a time. Hopefully I can take a lot more sticks (wickets) and obviously keep a lot of people happy and a lot of people (batsmen) unhappy as well.” (CPL)

Sarwar also added that a day-night Test could attract spectators and broadcasters. “Preliminary enquiries have revealed that there is an interest amongst sponsors and broadcasters in day-night Test cricket as it could add commercial momentum,” Sarwar added.

“We also anticipate greater spectator interest compared to an all-day Test match. PCB has conducted trials of day-night, domestic firstclass matches and, for us, this will be an exciting experiment, subject, of course, to agreement by Sri Lanka

Cricket Board.” Pakistan will host Sri Lanka in the UAE between December 2013 and January 2014 for a bilateral series that includes three Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20s. The series, the second bilateral contest between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the UAE, will be played in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. The first Test has been scheduled for December 31 in Dubai, while Abu Dhabi and Sharjah will host the second and third Tests, from January 8 and January 16. (Cricinfo)

Jamaica ready to take Limacol CPL spotlight

Kingston, JAMAICA – Action-starved fans in Jamaica will be treated to a scintillating package of cricket and entertainment over the next few days when the excitement-filled Limacol Caribbean Premier League takes flight at Sabina Park today.

The Jamaica leg of the inaugural regional tournament, which climaxes on Sunday, is the latest chapter to be unveiled, following action in Barbados, Guyana, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago in recent weeks.

Over the last week, preparations have gone into high gear at Sabina Park for the four-match programme, and Cricket Operations Officer Oneil Cruickshank has given the assurance that all systems are go for the Jamaica leg.

“We have been preparing for this for a while now and we are confident of delivering what we expect to be a very successful leg of the Caribbean Premier League,” Cruickshank said.

“The tournament has been an overwhelming success so far and a huge hit

with Caribbean fans, and we expect no different from the cricket-hungry Jamaica public who we expect to come out and support this event.”

He continued: “Unlike some other venues, Jamaica’s games will be played during the day hours but we’re appealing to Jamaican fans to come out and see the likes of Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard, and other international stars who will be on display.”

Host team Jamaica Tallawahs will raise the curtain on the Jamaica leg today when they clash with Guyana Amazon Warriors at 14:00h (15:00h Guyana) at Sabina Park.

This will be followed by an intriguing doubleheader on Saturday, when St Lucia Zouks and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel do battle at 10:00h, and Tallawahs and Barbados Tridents clash in the feature game at 14:00h.

The tournament will climax on Sunday when Tallawahs and Red Steel face off in an electrifying encounter at 14:00h.

In addition to crick-

et, fans will be treated to high quality entertainment from international reggae artiste Konshens, who will perform during today’s game, and a performance from dancehall reggae star I-Octane, during Saturday’s schedule.

Event Director Rhonda Kelly said the fusion of cricket and entertainment was one of the hallmarks of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League, and would be even more significant in a musically-rich culture such as Jamaica’s.

“Not only can fans see explosive batting from Chris Gayle and fine catches but they are also guaranteed high quality entertainment from two artistes who are class performers,” Kelly noted. “In the Limacol CPL it is always about the party because we always come to play.”

Fans can purchase tickets for matches from the Sabina Park ticket office, along with Digicel outlets downtown and at Knutsford Boulevard. Tickets, however, will be available only at the Sabina Park office after Friday.

The Limacol Caribbean Premier League got underway two weeks ago in Barbados with a spectacular ceremony and is set to climax in Trinidad and Tobago with the semi-finals on August 22 and 23 and the final on August 24.

Kaneria launches another appeal

Danish Kaneria has filed an appeal against his lifetime ban in the Commercial Court in the United Kingdom and has sought for a publicly open proceeding against his sentence.

Kaneria, 32, was banned by an ECB disciplinary panel in June last year after he was found guilty of corruption while playing with Essex in 2009. The ECB handed down a lifetime ban and costs of £100,000 were imposed on Kaneria. He subsequently appealed against the conviction but that was dismissed while the appeal against the sanction and costs is still pending.

The Commercial Court deals with complex cases arising out of business disputes, both national and international.

“I have launched my appeal today before the UK’s commercial court,” Kaneria told ESPNcricinfo. “I want to be heard by an independent judiciary and want all the proceedings open in public. I have nothing to hide and want everything to be open. I have suffered a lot and my

case never was heard fairly by the ECB.”

ESPNcricinfo understands that the ECB remains very confident in the strength of their case.

Kaneria, who played for Essex for six seasons between 2004-2010, was convicted of “cajoling and pressurising” team-mate Mervyn Westfield into accepting cash to concede a set number of runs in a Pro40 match against Durham in 2009. Westfield was later charged by police and found guilty of spot fixing. He was given a four-month prison term and the same day Kaneria was named as the go-between who had also approached other players about fixing.

However, the police took no action against him and it was left to the ECB to lay disciplinary charges with their case depending heavily on the evidence provided by Westfield as a witness. The ECB went to the High Court to get a summons which forced Westfield to give evidence at Kaneria’s initial appeal in April after it emerged he was reluctant

Wahlberg’s master stroke

Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg is adding some star power to the game of cricket.

According to barbadosadvocate.com, the American actor is owner of the Barbados Tridents — one of six teams created for the inaugural season of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League.

The story did not state how much Wahlberg invested or when the acquisition took place.

Wahlberg, however, describes himself as “a huge cricket fan”.

“I’m excited to be a part of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) because I know cricket is huge in the Caribbean and a rich part of the region’s heritage,” Wahlberg was quoted saying.

“Sports and entertainment are a powerful combination, and the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) will appeal to a huge audience worldwide,” he continued.

The Barbados Tridents are currently in the semi-finals despite losing 27 runs

to Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Queens Park Oval in Trinidad on Sunday. Prior to the loss, the team had an unbeaten run.

Wahlberg thanked Canadian entrepreneur Ajmal Khan for introducing him to Barbados and the LCPL.

Khan, founder of Verus Capital in 1985, and later the merchant banking company Verus International Corporation in 1999, has made millions of dollars turning companies into successes around the world.

From 1985 to 1993, Verus

Capital acquired and resold over US$2 billion in real estate properties, becoming the largest syndicator of properties in Canada. He said the sport would benefit from Wahlberg’s involvement. “Having Mark [Wahlberg] involved with the Limacol CPL is quite a coup for us. He brings a global celebrity appeal, which adds to the party atmosphere, and anticipation that is already building in these final days before the tournament begins. Having him as an ambassador of the greatest party in sport will indeed draw the attention of current and new cricket fans across the world, and we look forward to embracing a whole new generation of cricket fans in the US thanks to Mark,” Khan said. Wahlberg has a list of films to his credit including 2 Guns, Four Brothers, Pain & Gain, The Departed, and The Other Guys. Before an acting career, Wahlberg scored a smash hit as Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch with Good Vibrations in 1991 (Jamaica Observer)

Northern Ireland beat Russia in qualifier

Northern Ireland clinched a remarkable first win of their World Cup qualifying campaign as Martin Paterson’s header saw off Fabio Capello’s Russia on Wednesday.

Paterson superbly guided in Niall McGinn’s fine cross just before half-time to give Michael O’Neill a first win as NI manager in his 10th match.

to do so.

Kaneria is currently banned from the game internationally because the ICC’s anti-corruption code states that decisions based on a domestic board’s regulations should be upheld by boards around the world. He has repeatedly denied all involvement.

Rashid Latif, the former Pakistan captain, has been one of the most vocal supporters for Kaneria and has made some strong claims about how the ECB handled the case. “Right from the onset I had my doubts on the approach adapted by the ECB in the spot-fixing case against Kaneria and the more I dug into it, the more I realised that there is a deeper truth behind all that have been presented before the general public.

“Since it was a jolt for the English cricket structure as one of their own players got in a fix they went all out to bail their own player [Mervyn Westfield] out, and in the process made Kaneria the scapegoat with a sole purpose to safeguard their own ego.” (Cricinfo)

Just before the goal Jamie Ward struck a post and in the second half Paterson had a header ruled out for offside.

It was Northern Ireland’s first win since August 2011.

That was a 4-0 success over the Faroe Islands under Nigel Worthington, who resigned just a few months later after a poor Euro 2012 qualifying effort.

Former Shamrock Rovers boss O’Neill took over in December 2011 but has had to wait almost two years for a maiden victory.

With their hopes of reaching the 2014 World Cup all but over after disappointing home draws against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg, and the most recent defeat by Israel, things were looking bleak.

But, as they have done so often in their history, the men in green produced an againstthe-odds victory when it was least expected.

Paterson’s header was his first competitive goal for Northern Ireland - his only other in a green shirt having come from a penalty in a friendly against Finland in August 2012.

It came just seconds after Ward’s low 25-yard drive had crashed off an upright, with

Paterson just missing out on forcing in the rebound.

O’Neill’s men had started brightly with McGinn directing an ambitious volley wide and Paterson seeing his shot comfortably saved by CSKA Moscow keeper Igor Akinfeev.

However Russia, knowing victory would take them to the top of Group F over Portugal, took over and penned the hosts deep into their own half.

There was a real heartstopping moment when Alan Dzagoev seemed to have worked an opening in the box but West Brom defender Gareth McAuley was again on hand with a fine sliding tackle to dispossess the Russian.

Northern Ireland, hit by the late withdrawals of Manchester United defender Jonny Evans and Palermo striker Kyle Lafferty, emerged from the pressure unscathed and produced a blistering finish to the first half.

The drama started in the 41st minute when Ward collected Danny Lafferty’s quick free-kick and ventured forward to drill a low shot against the post from 25

yards.

Paterson could not get any power as he attempted to force in the rebound but the Huddersfield Town striker responded to that disappointment by grabbing the goal which rocked the Russians.

McGinn set it up by getting behind his man and delivering the perfect ball from the byeline on the right, Paterson rising to steer a sublime header beyond the reach of Akinfeev.

In the 58th minute Paterson, who only started because of Kyle Lafferty’s injury, and Northern Ireland briefly thought they had a second.

Shane Ferguson’s corner was played back across goal by Craig Cathcart and headed in by Paterson, only for an offside flag to cut short the celebrations. Northern Ireland continued to play their hearts out, with their belief visibly expanding.

Russia became increasingly frustrated and, in the end, failed to get the result they needed to go top of Group F. The night belonged to Northern Ireland and manager O’Neill. (BBC Sport)

Warm up/warm down pool to be constructed by year end

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony revealed on Wednesday that the 25m warm-up/warm down pool is expected to be constructed by year end and up-and-running by the first quarter of next year.

This was disclosed during the closing ceremony of the ‘Learn to Swim’ programme at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. The programme was conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission (NSC).

With this revelation, the fraternity can rest assured that international meets will be held here, since having the facility is a requirement of FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation/ International Swimming Federation) for a country to hold such meets.

It was also learnt at the closing that government has already contacted

Myrtha Pools, world leaders in Olympic-sized swimming pools and Guyana first 50m pool.

“We have already paid Myrtha Pools for the pool and within the month that pool will be shipped from Italy to be installed. And while that pool is coming in another week we will be signing the contract with a local company to do the foundation of that 25m pool, so hopefully once that local company gets that contract, by the end of the year they will be able to put in the foundation and we will be able to install this pool. So by the first quarter of next year we can have that 25-m pool up and running,” Anthony stated.

Meanwhile, Anthony on Wednesday urged participants of the ‘Learn to swim’ programme to remain in the sport, noting that swimming has many physical and mental health benefits. He also emphasised that the sport will play a pivotal role in

their holistic development.

Addressing 138 youths between six and 16, parents, coaches and other officials, the minister said while the programme is an introductory one, participants must continue being actively involved in the sport in order for a balanced career.

“You see one of the things as parent we focus our attention mostly on the academic side and sometimes we take for granted that the child will somehow develop in the other areas. But that cannot be taken for granted because we started our young having an imbalance in what we are teaching the child; the child will grow up to become an adult and does not value the importance of things like sport, and that is why at a very early age it is important that we give that balance and we allow young people to understand the importance of sport,” the minister declared.

Anthony noted that the

ministry was pleased with the turn out and hopes that the programme offered, has helped in some way to introduce participants to swimming or a new sport.

“We at the ministry are extremely pleased that so many children started the programme and so many children stayed with the programme. And we hope that the programme we offered has help in some small way in introducing the children to swimming and in a more general way in introducing them to sport, because we think that is very important”.

The minister also noted that programmes of such natures will ultimately enable more persons to qualify to use the National Aquatic Centre.

“We want more people to use the Aquatic Centre. We want people to take advantage of it. This pool can afford swimmers to compete with others in the world

and at the same time can produce champions, so programme of such nature can assist us,” minister Anthony pointed out.

He also cautioned parents about the importance of exercise, pointing out that recent studies have shown that people should spend at least half hour a day exercising.

He also warned parents to not just enroll their children in some sporting group or organisation but rather to be intimately involved.

Meanwhile, Director of Sports, Neil Kumar extended gratitude to Cuban coach Isabel Maria Cousa Fals and the 12 local coaches for their time and commitment during the programme. He urged the participants to put the lessons learned into practice and implored the local coaches to qualify themselves.

Kumar also complimented the parents for their interest shown throughout the

programme. Fals disclosed that the programme was structured and organised and will continue. She indicated that Guyana has the potential to become a great swimming nation.

According to the administrator of the Colgrain Poll and NAC, Abraham Watson, the programme was designed to teach the participants how to swim. He said that the students were taught the basics such as breathing control, kicking, arm movement and formation of strokes.

Watson informed that the six-week programme is a short time to teach persons “how to swim”, but the basic skills acquired from the course can be further developed during future clinics. He indicated that 26 students from the programme will further be involved in a three-month training course at the Colgrain pool. Sarena Razak graduated to the National Aquatic Centre.

Anthony declares Digicel Caribbean Squash Championships open

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport

Dr Frank Anthony on Wednesday afternoon declared the Digicel Senior Caribbean Squash Championships open at the Georgetown Club while welcoming the foreign teams to Guyana. Anthony congratulated the Guyana Squash

Association (GSA) for hosting the championships. He expressed that squash is relatively an expensive sport but the ministry is working with the GSA to extend the game to other parts to Guyana.

“With squash the ministry has had a very good partnership with the GSA and we are pleased to work

with them to develop two public squash courts. With the opening of the public squash courts, we were able to give a number of ordinary Guyanese who perhaps never believed that they would have been given an opportunity to play squash and an opportunity to go there and learn the game.

“Squash is relatively

an expensive sport but the Ministry is working with the GSA to extend the game to other parts in Guyana,” Anthony said.

Meanwhile, the minister urged the foreign teams to visit places in Guyana during their stay, since according to him, Guyana has a lot to offer by way of the vastness of its natural beauty,

its rich history dating back to the slave rebellion, the diversity of its culture and the hospitability of its people.

President of the GSA, David Fernandes in his remarks welcomed the visiting teams and added that the GSA is eagerly looking forward to a great tournament.

Digicel’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gregory Dean said that the company is pleased to partner with the GSA. He said the company will continue to contribute

to sport and youth development and wished the players a good tournament.

ANSA McAl’s Heineken representative, Robert Hiscock said his company is proud to be associated with the tournament. He also wished the participating teams a successful tournament. The tournament commenced on Sunday and involves six teams: Barbados, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, OECS, Trinidad and Tobago and host Guyana.