Caribbean Times International

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: PPP/C’s Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar has refused to concede that the PPP/C has lost the 2015 general elections and while saying that the party has won, has called for a total recount of all the votes.

“I cannot concede that I lost this election,” he told reporters at a PPP/C press conference at Freedom House on Thursday afternoon. Asked by the media if he would give up power should the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) officially declare the APNU+AFC alliance the winner of the elections later today (Thursday), Ramotar responded that “I haven’t closed any options.” He said that he will be consulting with his team and did not rule out a legal challenge.

“We are convinced that these elections were rigged,” Ramotar said, while adding that the party did not agree with the assessment of international observers that the elections were credible. He called for a total recount of all the votes and said that Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield had found problems with 490 polling results.

An APNU+AFC delegation led by Presidential Candidate, David Granger met with the Guyana Elections Commission late Wednesday and requested an end to recounting process which the Commission started for a number of polling stations. The recount was requested by the People’s Progressive Party in several areas.

GECOM’s Preliminary figures show APNU+AFC wins by 5,360 votes

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) in a memorandum to the diplomatic community is contending that irregularities plagued the May 11th 2015 Guyana General and Regional Elections including specifically the voting at Polling Stations and the processing of the voting by GECOM electoral staff and others.

In support of its contention, the PPP/C disclosed that many Statements of Polls (SOPs) received by GECOM from the ten Electoral Districts were identified as fakes.

The Party in a statement noted that at its meeting on Wednesday, Chief Elections Officer of GECOM, Mr. Keith Lowenfield, disclosed that he had noticed that many of the SOPs had formats different from the authentic SOPs that were earlier distributed to the Electoral Districts to be used by Presiding Officers to tabulate votes at Polling Stations.

“These fake SOPs did not additionally carry the endorsed signatures of GECOM that were applied to every SOP purchased by GECOM from Canada,” the PPP noted.

According to the PPP, it was also disclosed that SOPs had numbers of voters that exceeded the voters that were assigned to the Polling Stations.

As a result of this, the PPP/C had called on GECOM to halt declaration until the following is completed:

1. a) The establishment of the genuine nature of each SOP submitted to GECOM for the ten (10) Electoral Districts and provision of

a quantitative assessment of fake SOPs;

2. b) The total recount of all ballots cast in the May 11th, 2015 Elections;

3. c) The earliest disclosure of these irregularities, the nature and the results of the investigation done by GECOM;

4. d) The submission of interventions to regain confidence in the Electoral process of May 11th, 2015.

Meanwhile, with all results in, based on GECOM’s Preliminary Results, the APNU+AFC alliance has won the most votes for the 2015 General and Regional Elections. Mr Lowenfield made the announcement on Thursday at a press conference.

With results from all polling stations in, the APNU+AFC alliance has received 206, 817 votes while the PPP/C received 201, 457 votes for the 2015 the General Elections. He said that the results are preliminary and the Returning Officers will be making their official declarations soon.

The PPP/C has requested recounts from all the districts. However, the US, UK and Canada, as well as other observer missions have hailed the polls. UK High Commissioner, Greg Quinn said that there is no evidence to support new allegations made by the PPP/C of irregularities in Monday’s elections. Quinn’s statement follows another by the US Embassy standing by its assessment that Monday’s elections were free and fair.

The result shows how close the election was as the margin is less than a seat.

- PPP/C says many SOPs are fake

Budget set for June 15 in Barbados

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS - June

15 is Budget Day in Barbados.

On that day, Barbadians will hear Government’s strategy to take the country forward as Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Chris Sinckler presents the annual Budgetary Proposals and Financial Statements 20152016. Leader of the Government Business in the Lower House, Minister of Health John Boyce made the announcement as Parliament ended its sitting Tuesday afternoon.

The highly anticipated budget will outline measures as to how Government intends to address some of the pressing issues relating to the island’s economy.

Barbados will be eager to hear how Government plans to increase growth, as in 2014 the economy grew by 0.2 per cent and just under one per cent in the first three months of this year, on account of stronger performance by the tourism industry.

However, analysts are calling for the growth of other sectors.

The result of the 19-month stabilisation programmewhich started in August 2013 and ended in March 2015would also be looked at, as while a reduced fiscal deficit is one of the successes of this programme, Government has deemed it necessary to extend some of its measures for another year.

At the end of March, the deficit was 7.2 per cent.

In addition, Barbadians will want to know how Government will address the International Monetary Fund’s recommendations on the statutory corporations, which it has termed as a drain on the Government’s purse.

In an interview with the Barbados media, Minister Sinckler had admitted that he would be dealing with several of these matters.

Barbadians will also be looking to see whether concessions would be given to businesses or if there would be any form of tax relief.

Opposition Leader, Mia Mottley, is expected to make her reply.

The presentation by the minister will start at 4 o’clock in the evening. (JMB)

UTech to receive Ganja Research Licence in Jamaica

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) will unveil its plans for cannabis research and will on Thursday receive its Ganja Research Licence. This unveiling is scheduled to take place on the university’s Papine campus under the “Medical Marijuana Integration Day”.

The day’s activities will commence with an opening ceremony at 8:30 am, during which Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Phillip Paulwell will give an address.

Minister Paulwell is also expected to present the Ganja Research Licence to the institution. (Jamaica Observer)

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EDITORIAL

Gender inequalities

The issue of women’s advancement in Guyana has been given much attention on the recent campaign trail, particularly by the major parities – PPP/C and APNU/AFC. Both parties boasted of having a comprehensive plan in terms of advancing women’s rights and ensuring that they take their rightful place in the society which they hope to implement once elected.

To its credit, Guyana has made significant progress in advancing women’s empowerment under the PPP/C Government. Even though there is still much work to be done, Guyana must be commended for the progress it has made in ensuring that; in addition to women being protected under the law, they are also given the relevant opportunities for their personal and professional advancement.

Further, it should be mentioned that Guyana was ranked 29th in the world out of 143 countries by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 2013 and 42nd of 200 countries, in terms of political and educational empowerment by the Global Gender Gap Index. In essence, irrespective of what the naysayers will want us to believe, there is much the world can learn from Guyana’s experiences in terms women’s empowerment.

At present, the International Development Partners and Governments are putting their finishing touches on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, and the issue of gender equality and women’s empowerment is getting the attention it deserves.

At a recent forum to mark the 20th anniversary of the landmark conference on women that enshrined the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, UN Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark stressed that, in addition to a specific gender equality goal in the new Post 2015 global development agenda, it is crucial to ensure all policies at the national and local levels are seen through a “gender lens” to help overcome historic inequalities between men and women.

Clark was quoted as saying that in pursuing economic growth which benefits all citizens, it is important to focus not only on ensuring that women can participate in the decisions which affect their lives, but also on overcoming the barriers, including institutionalized discriminatory practices and attitudes, which severely affects women from moving forward.

This includes addressing the scourge of violence against women, and also the disproportionate burden of unpaid work carried out by women and girls which deprives them of time to earn money, gain new skills, and take part in public life.

According to the UNDP, during the last few decades, poverty rates have declined in every region of the world. Between 1990 and 2010, the proportion of people in developing regions living under the threshold of US$1.25 a day, the international benchmark for measuring extreme poverty, fell from 47 per cent to 22 percent.

Progress for women is also visible. For example, at least 50 per cent of the world’s women are now in paid wage and salary employment, an increase from forty per cent since the 1990s. Also, women’s political participation has increased worldwide.

In 1995, women comprised 11.3 percent of parliamentarians. Today, they make up 22.1 percent of parliamentarians, which is, however, still below the 30 per cent target set by the UN.

However, despite the progress, too many challenges remain. According to a recent UN report on the Millennium Development Goals progress, more than 1.2 billion people still live in extreme poverty, and women continue to be more likely than men to be among them.

Despite the increased number of women in paid wage and salary employment, women remain disproportionately represented in vulnerable employment, and earn ten to thirty per cent less than men do for the same work. Moreover, across countries and regions, women are less likely than men to have access to decent work, assets, and formal credit, and do not have an equal voice in decision-making.

In this regard, Clark highlighted key steps to boost women’s empowerment, these include: supporting legal reforms to ensure women’s equal access to land, credit and assets, guarantee equal pay for equal work, and strengthen labour protections; developing employment and entrepreneurship programmes which target women; and establishing social protection measures which are of particular benefit to women, such as maternity benefits, unemployment and health insurance, and greater livelihood security.

These are some very valid suggestions which we hope will be taken seriously by all stakeholders.

Cases in TT for court technology

PORT-OF-SPAIN,

TRINIDAD:

It may not be a widely known fact, but courts throughout the Caribbean have been investing heavily and making great advances in leveraging technology to improve the administration of justice. For example, several courts now routinely post their rulings, opinions and filed papers on the Internet. Other have implemented or are testing electronic filing systems to save both time, paper and, ultimately, costs.

Tech with benefits

In technologically advanced courtrooms, audio-visual display and presentation systems, video-conferencing of remote witnesses, Internet access and real-time transcription tech are being used in a concerted effort to reduce trial time and associated costs. Such technology is also being used to help improve fact-finding by both judges, lawyers and juries.

By allowing proceedings to move quickly, the new technology permits courts to try more cases and reduces the delay between the filing of a case and its resolution. These benefits should only increase as courts continue to add technology, and as judges and litigants become more familiar with the features of the existing technology.

Use of courtroom technology can also permit greater access to proceedings by non-parties since they are able to see or hear anything that the jury can.

Similarly, rather than having to wade through boxes of evidence to find a physical copy of a case document, then show the document to the opposing counsel, the witness, the judge, and each juror one by one, an electronic copy can be easily shared with the relevant persons in a matter of seconds

5 Technologies Impacting Courts:

1. Evidence Presentation: Today, courtrooms are being equipped with high-resolution cameras, multimedia projectors, video monitors, microphones and hi-fidelity speaker systems. In some cases even

the judge’s bench, jury-boxes and witness stands are being outfitted with flat-screen LCDs and touch-screen tablets.

To better engage members of the public, sports-bar styled large screen monitors are also being installed to allow them to also view evidence being presented. Courtroom can also be outfitted with strategically-placed microphones to permit speakers to be heard even while moving around the courtroom.

Cameras are also find a place in the digitally-enabled courtroom. Attorneys can use cameras to better present fingerprints, x-rays, maps and other evidence; or to zoom into fine print on contracts or documents.

2. Video Conferencing: Cameras, microphones and monitors can be used to take testimony from remote witnesses from another town, city or country. For example, a witness in a sensitive case may now testify safely via video conferencing; or an expert witness from another country may be saved the time, cost and hassle of traveling. Video conferencing also permits greater flexibility in scheduling cases.

3. E-Transcripts: E-transcripts are a safe and convenient way of delivering a transcript electronically. Transcripts can be encrypted and password protected, to enable speedy electronic delivery. This means lawyers can get their transcripts as soon as they are complete. E-transcripts can saved lawyers countless hours in reading through testimony to find a specific reference, by using hyperlink and word searchable now common in electronic document readers.

4. Real-time Transcription: Real-time transcription is a highly sought after service in courtrooms. It enables litigators to analyse testimony on a notebook or tablet computer as it happens in the courtroom so they can adjust their line of questioning, or seek further clarification on a matter, without having to request a readback. It ensures that testimony

given was delivered as it was intended to be.

5. Live Internet Streaming: This court reporting technology is one of the most exciting innovations currently available. It enables an unlimited number of people to view testimony as it happens, from any location. Live internet streaming has saved the legal industry a lot of money on travel expenses, since they can participate in legal proceedings from their office anywhere in the world.

Capacity to transform

Many of these technologies have long been adopted and enjoyed by business for years, in boardrooms, corporate offices. Yet the courts and justice system lagged woefully behind times.

Some members of the legal profession may view these modern gadgets and devices as an unnecessary encumbrance to courtroom proceedings. However, technology’s capacity to radically and permanently transform how justice can be administered should be beyond dispute.

The time is ripe to more emphatically seize the opportunities created by emerging technologies to improve the administration of justice, enhance public access and service, and bolster public trust and confidence. The jury is still out, however, on whether our courts possess the courage and resolve to create the courtroom of the future, today.

Are you a member of the legal profession or involved in the court system? What other technologies do you believe can play a positive role in improving the administration of justice? We would love to hear from you. Share your thoughts with us at technologymatters@ brightpathfoundation.org

Bevil Wooding is Chief Knowledge Office at Congress WBN (C-WBN) an international non-profit organization and Executive Director at BrightPath Foundation, responsible for C-WBN’s technology education and outreach initiatives. Follow on Twitter: @ bevilwooding (TT Guardian)

Guyana: East Coast Demerara man hangs self with bed sheet

– had earlier failed to find name on OLE

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

As persons in the quiet East Coast Demerara community of Foulis were busy exercising their right to vote at the Regional and General Elections on Monday, the village was thrown into shock and mourning as a man in his thirties decided it was time to end his life.

Dinesh Badrinath, 35, was found hanging from the rafter of his twostorey home at Lot 404 10th Street, Foulis, after launching himself from his bed with a bed sheet wrapped around his neck. He was discovered by his wife who ventured into the upper flat of the building at around 13:45h.

This publication, whose representatives were in the area providing coverage of the elections at the time the news started to spread about the suicide, was able to confirm through relatives of the man’s actions.

He had earlier visited a polling station in 9th Street, but his name was not on the Official List of Electors (OLE). Instead of checking the other polling stations in

the area, Badrinath ventured home and hanged himself. According to his father, Jewan Nath Badrinath, his son never suggested any suicidal tendencies and seemed normal.

The father confirmed that his son was never registered to vote and he also did not cast a ballot in 2011, as he was not on the list of voters during that election as well.

“I does tell he all the time ‘go and get register’ but he never listen, so me nah know why he go and check. He never register to vote.”

The elder Badrinauth, and other relatives who had gathered at the home, were baffled as to the reason for such actions by Dinesh. The man’s older brother had also com-

mitted suicide last June when he ingested a poisonous substance. Only Saturday last, the family observed his one year ritual.

A close friend of the family, popularly known as “Veera” in the community, told this newspaper that “this man was never suicidal. I ain’t really understand wha go in he head.”

After the man was cut down from the rafter by his wife, detectives suggested he be rushed for medical treatment, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Dinesh Badrinauth leaves to mourn his father, wife, son, brother and sister.(Guyana Times)

Guyana’s remittances totalled Gy$90B in 2014 – IDB

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANA: Remittances from the United States to Guyana totalled US$438 million, (Gy$ 90.7 billion), according to a new report by the InterAmerican Development Bank’s Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF).

According to “Remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean Set a New Record High in 2014”, the increase reflects significant growth in remittance flows to Mexico (eight per cent), Central America (7.4 per cent) and the Caribbean (6.3 per cent), linked to the recovery of the economy and labour market in the United States.

However, there was a decrease of one per cent to South America, partly caused by the economic situation in Spain, which constitutes a major source of remittance flows to that sub-region.

Since the 2008-2009 international financial crisis, and up

until 2013, the total amount of remittances sent by migrants to their countries of origin had failed to match the levels of 2008, when they sent a record high of almost US$65 billion.

“Remittances remain an important source of income for millions of families in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Fernando JimenezOntiveros, Acting General Manager of the MIF. “The remittance sector has evolved by adopting new technologies and options for sending and receiving, and has seen a decline in fees. However, it is essential to continue working so that those who receive them have opportunities for savings and investment.”

Mexico, which receives more than a third of all remittances sent to the Region, continues to be the largest recipient, with US$23.6 billion, followed by Guatemala with US$5.5 billion, the Dominican

Republic with US$4.5 billion, El Salvador with US$4.2 billion, and Colombia with US$4 billion. According to the MIFIDB report, the recovery of remittances is projected to continue or even accelerate in 2015, given growth forecasts for the United States, Spain, and Latin America.

The MIF, a member of the IDB Group, supports Private Sector-led development benefiting low-income populations and the poor – their businesses, their farms, and their households. The aim is to give them tools to boost their incomes: access to markets and the skills to compete in those markets, access to finance, and access to basic services, including green technology. A core MIF mission is to act as a development laboratory – experimenting, pioneering, and taking risks to build and support successful micro, small and medium business models. (Guyana Times)

Integrity Commission silent on emailgate probe in TT

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD - As it remained silent over the status of investigations into a probe into purported email materials raised in Parliament in 2013 by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, the Integrity Commission on Tuesday sought to distance itself from a newspaper report which had stated murdered senior

counsel Dana Seetahal had played a role in the recusal of its former chairman Ken Gordon from the case.

In June 2013, the Integrity Commission confirmed to the TT media that the then chairman Ken Gordon hosted a private meeting with Rowley at Gordon’s Glencoe home on May 15, days before Rowley

in Parliament called on the Commission to probe purported emails implicating Cabinet officials. In what was described as an “aide memoir” of the meeting kept by Gordon, the former chairman had disclosed he called Rowley’s mobile phone twice in response to a message from Rowley requesting an “urgent meeting”; suggested to

Rowley that they meet at Gordon’s home since both live in the same area; offered Rowley a drink once they were at Gordon’s Newbury Hill, Glencoe home; and disclosed to Rowley that a matter raised by Rowley with former President George Maxwell Richards was not before the Integrity Commission since the Commission was not

properly constituted as at that date.

Gordon declined to resign for the private night meeting with Rowley despite calls for him to do so but said he would recuse himself from the probe. He said the Commission’s statute authorised certain actions.

In an unsigned media release issued on Tuesday, the Commission said, “Reference is drawn to an article in the Sunday Express of May 3 2015 at page four under the headline ‘Dana’s murder an act of terrorism.’

In the article the author inaccurately states that, “as a consequence of a letter written by Seetahal, on July 18 to the Registrar of the Integrity Commission, former chairman Kenneth Gordon stepped aside from the Commission’s investigation into emailgate.” The Commission set out a time-line which put Gordon’s recusal at an earlier date.

The body said, “The Integrity Commission wishes to restate that at the first meeting of the seventh Integrity Commission which was held on Thursday July 04, 2013, Chairman Kenneth Gordon indicated that he will recuse himself from participating in any deliberation or decision re-

garding any investigation the Commission may undertake into the authenticity of alleged emails disclosed by Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives on May 20, 2013 as he was cognisant of the importance of perception.”

The Integrity Commission continued, “Mr Gordon’s decision was confirmed at the second meeting of the seventh Commission which took place on Tuesday, July 09, 2013. A statement to this effect was issued to all News Media on July 18, 2013.”

Justice Zainool Hosein was appointed Chairman of the Integrity Commission on November 21, 2014. Commission Registrar, Martin Farrell, did not immediately respond to queries on Tuesday over the status of the investigation.

On Monday, Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar released a legal letter from her legal team in which a US attorney expresses the view that it is for the Integrity Commission to vindicate Persad-Bissessar in the matter in light of the disclosure of emails relating to her which do not correlate with the materials produced by Rowley. (TT Newsday)

Guyanese businessman among 6 arrested following cocaine bust at CJIA G

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: A La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara businessman was among six persons taken into custody following the discovery of more than 48 kilos (100 pounds) of cocaine in frozen seafood at the CheddiJagan International Airport (CJIA) on Sunday evening.

According to reports received, the businessman whose name was given only as “Mohamed” opened fire on several Police ranks after they turned up at his house to arrest him in connection with the cocaine bust. None of the Police ranks were injured, and with the assistance of additional ranks, the businessman was arrested after he surrendered.

The Guyana Police Force stated that ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch were on duty at the CJIA when they intercepted 51.062kg of cocaine concealed among frozen shrimp that were packed in about 48 parcels for export.

The boxes were about to be loaded onto a Caribbean Airlines Flight destined for

the United States of America. Guyana Times understands that the businessman is a wellknown shipper who exports frozen food items.

This is the second interception of a major shipment in weeks. In April, suspected drug trafficker Barry Dataram was busted with over 100kg (225 pounds) of cocaine at his home at Fourth Avenue, Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.

Three other persons were also arrested during the raid including his teenage reputed wife.

It was reported that a large quantity of ammunition and more than Gy$1 million in cash were also unearthed during the operations.

The cocaine was found in several parts of the house in several packages of frozen seafood suspected to have been prepared for shipment. The four arrested were subsequently charged for the offence and remanded to prison. Dataram and his reputed wife were also slapped with gun and ammunition charges. (Guyana Times)

Hadeed: TT Gov’t earned its majority in last election

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD

: Responding to criticisms about Government’s use of its majority in the Parliament, Tourism Minister Gerald Hadeed said on Tuesday that Government “did not go out in a shop and buy its majority in the Parliament”.

“We earned that majority in the last election. We are here with this majority because the population gave us the mandate and they gave us the mandate to be here as the Government. You all are the Opposition simply because you did not do what you had to do when you were the government.

“So I would like to suggest, Senator (Shamfa) Cudjoe, that we do not use the Parliament as a majority to do what she believes that we do. We do this in the best interest of Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.

Hadeed was responding to statements from People’s National Movement (PNM) Senator Cudjoe, who had accused the Government of using its majority in Parliament at the expense of the Opposition.

Hadeed was speaking on the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Bill, 2014, in the Senate.

Responding to PNM charges that Government was turning the Motor Vehicle Authority (MVA) into an octopus and the Ministry of Transport of creating an empire, Hadeed said: “It is very clear to see that in order to effectively manage and regulate the drivers, it has to be a holistic approach. You cannot approach this thing in silos, like the former administration with 20 arms all working independently of each other and with no way to share information.

“At least with this octopus, it is one head,” he said, adding that it would lead to benefits for the country.

Hadeed said he was surprised by the PNM’s “vociferous objections” because the MVA initiative was started under the PNM and the draft of the Bill done by the PNM clearly shows the inclusion of many of the issues “which the Opposition now finds so distasteful”.

“It is clear that this is a case of sour grapes,” Hadeed said.

He said the legislation had been 30 years in the making.

Hadeed said he want-

ed to speak on how “this octopus” would affect an industry “which was very dear to me”– the insurance industry.

He said ATTIC (Association of Trinidad and Tobago Insurance Companies) and the wider community would benefit in a number of ways. The measures in the Bill would help to a) reduce the number of stolen vehicles; b) improve compliance with insurance motor vehicle laws and regulations; c) reduce traffic accidents and road fatalities; d) help law enforcement to police drivers; e) quicker detection of vehicles which have no insurance contracts; e) increase consumer protection by facilitating the gathering of information on a motor vehicle such as if it was involved in any accidents etc; f) ability to track, monitor and report stolen vehicles; g) the potential for the reduction of the reduction of (insurance) rates for motorists.

“This Government is not about ole talk, it is about action and the vision we have for a brighter Trinidad and Tobago is becoming a reality,” said Hadeed. (TT Express)

Banks in Jamaica gear up for new card security system

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Banking institutions are now being questioned about their readiness in implementing a security system to reduce credit and debit card fraud, as liability shifts from banks to merchants over the next five months.

Representatives from the island's major banks last Thursday gathered at a seminar hosted by Productive Business Solution (PBS) and international partner Entrust Datacard, suppliers of the new credit/debit card facility dubbed Europay, Mastercard and Visa (EMV).

The forthcoming shift means that issuers or merchants that do not support EMV will assume liability for fraud that is the result of a compromised mag-stripe card transaction as of October. Up to last year, local banks where held accountable for credit/ debit card fraud charges of up to US$58,000 and Ja$34 million.

"Currently, the banks are the ones being held liable for credit card frauds but that will change and the merchants will be asked to pay. So it is urgent that the banks implement the new system to protect merchants from absorbing these costs," gener-

al manger of PBS, Michael Lewis, told the Jamaican media in a telephone interview last Thursday.

What's more, Lewis stated that as more countries move to implement the new system, credit card fraudsters are now turning their attention to countries like Jamaica, which has been slow in the implementation of the system.

"Europe and Canada has the system fully implemented, and since Scotia is a Canadian

bank they are now taking steps. But Jamaica needs to get ready. Trinidad is already 80 per cent migrated and the Dominica Republic also has the system underway," he told the Caribbean media. He added that the United States saw a 50 per cent increase in credit/debit card fraud since the implementation in other countries.

The EMV technology is a global standard for credit and debit card payments, us-

ing a chip card system that requires customers to insert their cards into point-of-sale terminals to authenticate the transactions instead of swiping.

Traditionally, electronic cards use a magnetic strip which stores data, allowing anyone who accesses the data to gain sensitive information. However, the new card will feature a small magnetic square that increases protection against fraud, by creat-

ing a unique transaction code each time the card is inserted for payment.

The system has already been implemented in a number of countries and should be implemented in the United States by the end of the year. Jamaica is now working to have the system introduced in tandem with the US.

Scotiabank Jamaica's vice-president of marketing, public and corporate affairs, Monique Todd, previously told the Jamaica media that plans are underway for the bank to switch over to the EMV cardprocessing system by the end of 2015.

She added that the new solution should allow for faster processing at checkout points in addition to enhanced security, as customers will no longer need to sign transaction receipts and verify their signature.

For the first few months, the EMV cards should be equipped to use both chip and magnetic-strip functions to avoid disruptions, and allow time for merchants to adjust. While the new system will not prevent data breaches from occurring, Lewis believes it will make it much harder for hackers to conduct fraudulent transactions. (Jamaica Observer)

Minor glitches as Guyanese voters exercise their right

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANA: On a day blessed with glorious sunshine, voters on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) came out in their numbers to cast their votes.

Residents of Enmore lined the stairs of the Community Centre to cast their ballots, and while there were some minor hiccups, the process was generally smooth.

In many of the villages, stretching from Fairfield in the East to Better Hope to the West, voters had formed long queues from as early as 05:00h, determined to exercise their constitutional right to vote for the party of their choice.

A 71-year-old woman from Ann’s Grove, Pauline Dodson, said she was at the polling station from 04:30h after “party people” had passed through the village waking up residents to go out and vote.

Further up at Enmore, there were a few concerns which were raised by People’s Progressive Party/Civic activists, who claimed that at one polling station, the Presiding Officer had denied a few residents the opportunity from voting when they turned up without identification cards, although their names were on the list.

Another problem that arose in this area was missing names on the Official List of Electors appearing on the online version on GECOM’s website. Although those persons affected were eventually allowed to vote, this brought a burden on the process as more time was spent on clarification.

Dodson, who was relaxing by her son’s snackette on the Ann’s Grove Public Road when this publication caught up with her, said the polling station opened on time and the voting process was smooth.

On a more positive note, others in Enmore who were among the first to vote expressed satisfaction with the cooperation by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) staff and their clear directives, especially to first-time voters.

J'can approved as member of UN SCAD

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: The United Nations Security Council Affairs Division (SCAD) has approved the nomination of O'Neil Hamilton to its Roster of Experts, which advises the United Nations Security Council.

Hamilton, who was nominated by the Government of Jamaica, is the first such nominee from a CARICOM Member State with a focus on non-proliferation and terrorism, and joins a roster of selected professionals from Member States of the United Nations with strategic policy and technical experience relevant to the

work of the UN Security Council's subsidiary organs, including the Sanctions Committees, Monitoring Groups and Working Groups.

The Ministry of Justice said in a release that the UN Sanctions Committees provide oversight for recommended measures and tasks set out in specific Security Council Resolutions which can involve a range of initiatives, including comprehensive economic and trade sanctions and/ or more targeted measures, such as arms embargoes, travel bans, financial or diplomatic restrictions.

Hamilton is currently the CARICOM Regional Coordinator for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540, which seeks to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. He was also appointed in 2013 to serve as the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate's (CTED) Focal Point for the CARICOM Member States. (Jamaica Observer)

Two first-time voters along the East Coast corridor said they felt a sense of pride at being able to cast their ballots and having a say in the leadership of the country.

The two young ladies who wished not to have their identities disclosed told Guyana Times they were impressed with the swift and efficient work of staff at the polling station where they voted.

Both young women divulged that they followed the campaign closely and had a clear choice on who they want to govern the country.

They further added that regardless of the outcome of the election, all politicians must work in the best interest of the citizenry.

Meanwhile, National Independent Party Presidential Candidate Saphier Hussain, who voted at the Fairfield Community Centre, said the process there was hassle-free as he turned up in the hot midday sun to cast his ballot.

Retired Judge Donald Trotman, working as a Rural Constable at a polling station in Golden Grove, ECD, said the process was quite an orderly one, with most of the voters turning out during the morning session.

Trotman divulged that many persons turned up at the polling place he was stationed to cast their ballots between 06:00h and 10:00h, after which a few started to trickle in as

the day wore on. Up to about 14:00h when this interview was conducted, Trotman reported that there was an air of calm in the community, with no reported cases of disruption.

Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica)

Chairman Clement Corlette, who voted at around 11:00h at Triumph North said that he feels quite privileged to have done so. At the time he voted, there were just a handful of persons there, leaving him to assume that there had been a rush earlier in the day.

A Partnership for National Unity activist Ernest Elliot, who voted at the Golden Grove Secondary School, stated that he was quite happy how the process was conducted, stating that there was only a minor hiccup with the shortage of ballot paper.

However, this was rectified by the Deputy Returning Officer Jaigobin Mohabir, within an hour of him becoming aware of the issue.

(Guyana Times)

TT negotiates for additional cruise calls

ORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Tourism Minister Gerald Hadeed met this week with senior executives from three cruise ship lines. Steven Young of P&O Cruises, James Langley of Saga Cruises and Claudius Docekal of Azamara Club Cruises are on a familiarisation visit to TT to see what the country has to offer their ships and passengers on a cruise call.

Discussions focused

on ways in which the number of cruise calls could be increased, possibilities for home porting and fuel bunkering and other vessel provisioning and how TT could develop unique and different shore excursions that will appeal to passengers.

During their visit, the cruise line executives toured the port of Port of Spain and cruise facilities and experienced some of the tours offered to their passen-

gers. Meetings were also arranged with the local shipping agent and the Port Authority management team.

Hadeed said Government is committed to increase cruise ship calls and to develop new tours for passengers.

“I am looking forward to holding further discussions with these cruise lines with a view to enhancing the successful working relationship we already enjoy with them,” he said. Taking part in the meeting with the cruise line executives were Donna Ferraz, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism; Keith Chin, CEO, Tourism Development Company Limited (TDC); Charmaine Lewis, CEO, Port Authority of T&T; Balkaran Maharaj, manager of cruise shipping at the Port Authority; and Greer Assam, TDC’s cruise sector specialist. (TT Guardian)

Jamaican Enquiry to cost Ja$410m

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: The Commission of Enquiry into the May 2010 West Kingston operation is projected to cost Ja$410 million.

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Peter Phillips, told the House of Representatives that the total cost of the enquiry should not exceed the budgeted Ja$410.4 million. He said that Ja$28.5 million of the budget has already been spent. The estimated sala -

ries of the three commissioners, the secretary to the commission, and its legal counsel should add up to Ja$256 million.

Legal fees for attorneys representing the security forces and the office of the public defender was estimated at Ja$120 million, while goods and services were estimated to cost Ja$34.3 million.

(Jamaica Observer)

Guyanese Soldiers deployed to boost confidence amid rumours

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

Amid minor skirmishes and rumours of unrest, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) requested the presence of the military to help boost confidence during Monday’s polls.

In a statement the Police said that as a result of expressions of intimidation by members of the electorate, coupled with few incidents in Georgetown, Commissioner of Police Seelall Perdsaud called on the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips, for the support of military in the conduct of Joint GDF/GPF Patrols.

Trini fathers welcomed in delivery room

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Fathers are very much welcomed in the delivery room of the Maternity Department, Port-ofSpain General Hospital (PosGH), says Nurse Bernadine Farrell but only if they have first completed at least seven Lamaze child birthing classes, free of charge, at the hospital.

On Saturday, the Joint Services had assured that it was fully prepared and ready to ensure that the General and Regional Elections are executed in a safe, secure, and stable environment, and that a state of normalcy is maintained throughout and after the election process.

On Friday May 8, the Heads of the Joint Services met for their final operational briefing. Commanders at all levels became clear on their duties and tasks to ensure the stability and secu-

The Chief of Staff later consented, and patrols were mounted. The Police stated, “The Joint Patrols are intended for the sole purpose of building confidence.”

rity of the nation is maintained during the entire election and post election period.

Currently troops are deployed to all regions across Guyana and have been urged to maintain their professionalism at all times, and under all circumstances. In addition, they will ensure that their actions are in keeping with the legal framework governing their conduct in Internal Security Operations.

The Guyana Defence Force is deployed in all Police Divisions so that, at short notice, they will be ready to assist the Police should the need arise.

(Guyana Times)

ILO and Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean launch new course in labour diplomacy

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD:

The Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), has created a new module in labour diplomacy. It is one of a series of diplomacy courses offered by the Academy.

The course was officially launched at the Forum on the Future of the Caribbean in Trinidad on 7 May 2015.

The five-day module in labour diplomacy, expected to be held in September 2015 at the St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago, will introduce participants to the ILO through a series of lectures and discussions aiming to:

• explain the history, mandate and structure of the ILO;

• identify the role of the ILO’s constitution, international labour standards, current and salient issues related to the world of work and the importance of the decent work agenda.

Expert lecturers, distinguished in the field of labour diplomacy, will deliver the course which will target those working in government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, the public and private sector, as well as postgraduate students, and those from non-governmental organizations, who have an interest in expanding their capabilities and knowledge on labour diplomacy.

“It might seem strange for a diplomatic academy to be offering training on a topic like labour, but the Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean is not your typical traditional academy. The Academy adopts an all of government approach to diplomacy and shares the view of the International Labour Organization that individuals in business, government and labour

Professor Andy Knight, Director of the Diplomatic Academy of the caribbean (left) and Giovanni di cola, special Advisor to the Multilateral cooperation Department, International labour organization (right) at the Forum on the Future of the caribbean, 5-7 May 2015

unions should learn the art of diplomacy in order to ensure labour peace and promote decent work for all,” stated Professor Andy Knight, director of The Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean.

Giovanni di Cola, special advisor to the Multilateral Cooperation Department, ILO Geneva and former director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, who participated in the Forum on the Future of the Caribbean, stated, "The Masterslevel course on labour diplomacy is the result of team work among academia, social tripartite partners and the ILO. It aims at developing leadership skills and knowledge on labour matters and decent work in the context of new diplomatic and international patterns."

The course was inspired by a comment from Winston Dookeran, minister of foreign affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, during an ILO side event hosted at the third international confer-

ence on small island developing states (SIDS) in Samoa in September 2014. Exploring the future of economic integration in the Caribbean, decent work and labour market outcomes, Dookeran challenged the ILO to create a module on labour diplomacy to enable greater engagement of social partners in political processes.

The Forum on the Future of the Caribbean 5-7 May, hosted by the University of the West Indies and the ministry of foreign affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, in collaboration with the United Nations System in Trinidad and Tobago, and a wide range of international development partners, brought together political leaders, academia, private sector leaders, young shapers, civil society and policymakers, to engage in a vigorous debate and discussion under the theme: Disruptive Thinking. Bold Action. Practical Outcomes. (Caribbean news now)

Farrell, one of the head nurses on the Labour Ward, on Sunday encouraged all fathers to participate in the classes.

“We recommend fathers attend lamaze classes because it helps them prepare for what happens during delivery. They are more likely to stay calm and (better able) to help the mother during her labour pains.”

The head nurse was speaking with the media on Sunday during a visit to meet women who had given birth at PoSGH on Mother’s Day.

Farrell, who has 29 years experience as a nurse, warned that fathers “can’t just expect to walk through that door to the birthing suite without some training” but said if they have completed the minimum training, “they are more than welcome to do so.”

Classes are held every Wednesday at 1 pm at the Antenatal Clinic of the Maternity Ward. They are open to everyone, including fathers whose expectant wives/girlfriends are not scheduled to give birth at PoSGH.

While at least six women gave birth on the eve of Mother’s Day, only one actually did so on Sunday, Akeda Miguel of San Juan.

The 28-year-old woman gave birth to her first child, a boy, at 8.42 am on Sunday. Tyler Yee weighed five pounds, three ounces at birth and could be seen yawning adorably.

However Tyler’s mom was camerashy and asked that no photos or videos be taken of her but Miguel did agree to an interview.

“I knew I was having a boy, so all I wanted was a safe delivery. He was due on June 7 so this was a surprise. I’m tired but having this process over is amazing.” Asked if fathers should be allowed in the delivery room, Miguel smiled and said “I’d rather not. I think (Tyler’s) dad might have passed out.”

On the night of April 19, a nurse and a doctor at the Maternity Ward were pelted with an object by a pregnant patient. Nurses at the time said it was the fourth assault on a nurse in the space of 17 weeks. Questioned about her treatment by staff, Miguel on Sunday said “I had a really good experience. Everybody was really, really nice. The staff was helpful and my treatment was really, really good.”

Farrell meanwhile told reporters that most deliveries are incident-free but that “as things go, the bad one ended up in the news.”

“This month we had 80 births and one negative experience. The mother ran out of the birthing suite and had to be brought back in by the doctor. Everything was fine after that. Both mother and baby are fine,” Farrell recalled.(TT Newsday)

Observer Missions give kudos to Guyana for election process

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANA:

Amid a few minor hiccups, the country and Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by extension has come in for high praise from both the international and domestic observer missions that are monitoring the electoral process.

Currently there are five international observer missions and 14 local groups conducting observation works in the country. This includes the pre and post election periods, the voting process and tabulation of the ballots.

Guyana Times caught up with some of the observer missions to get their reactions to polling day activities. Chief of Mission for the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Guyana, Ambassador Lisa Shoman has expressed her satisfaction with the conducting of polls, while noting that 98 per cent of the polling stations opened on time.

“Early this morning there was quite, a good turnout and I think we were able to observe the opening of the polls. The polling stations had the materials that they needed,” she noted. Shoman added that the OAS observers in the 10 administrative regions had submitted a preliminary report on the

opening of polls in all 10 regions.

However, the OAS Chief of Mission registered her disappointment with the long procedure that is in place for voters without identification cards. These sentiments were adopted by the team from the Union of the South American Nations (UNASUR), who also congratulated Guyana and GECOM for what they say was an efficient and transparent voting process.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, Special Representative of the South American organisation, Dr Domingo

Paredes, praised the electoral systems that are in place. He pointed out that the voting stages adopted by Guyana are not seen in any other South American countries, referring to the ID display in polling stations, the presence of security personnel at all polling stations and political representatives in the stations among others.

Paredes commended the Election Commission for a job well done, noting that their voter’s education programme was on par. He specifically mentioned the visual displays around the polling stations displaying

the stages of the voting process.

Nevertheless, the UNASUR representatives highlighted a few issues that came to their attention such as the lack of accessibility for the handicapped and the elderly to the polling station. Furthermore, he noted that there are limited polling stations, hence the long queues.

UNASUR had observers at 33 polling stations in four regions. There were observers at four polling stations in Parika, at eight stations in Georgetown and New Amsterdam, and five in Linden.

In addition, the

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Ramesh Persaud dubbed the election process “credible”. He told Guyana Times that he had the opportunity to visit polling stations in outlining areas such as Diamond, Skeldon and Linden.

Persaud sang the praises of the GECOM staff, noting that they were “properly trained” and the systems in place were in accordance to the country’s practices. He added that the voting process was moving apace, since by 10:00h, most of the polling stations were cleared.

Furthermore, the

PSC Chairman is urging Guyanese to be patience and accept the official results published by GECOM. “The process was credible, the staff were diligent and I even spoke to the political agents and while there were some minor discrepancies, it was nothing had could alter the results.”

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Observer Mission, which has a seven-member team in Guyana, has stated that observers were deployed to polling stations in and around Georgetown, Charity Linden and New Amsterdam.

At these locations, the Commonwealth observers “met with local election officials and Police commanders and collaborated with other observer groups”. The international organisation team observed the voting process, counting of the votes and transmittal of the results from the various polling stations back to the Elections Commission head office in Kingston. Observers from the United States Embassy were seen in the Corentyne monitoring various polling stations. They indicated that up to midday on Monday, when approached by this newspaper, there were no complications.

(Guyana Times)

Jamaica's economic programme remains on track – IMF staff

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Board is expected to approve the eighth review under the Extended Fund Facility, which will see approximately US$40 million being released to Jamaica.

According to a news release from the Ministry of Finance and Planning Tuesday, "all quantitative performance criteria for the March 2015 quarter were met, with the exception of the primary balance and indicative revenue targets. “Nonetheless, the primary surplus target expressed as a percentage of GDP remained at 7.5 per cent," the release continued.

The release also said the IMF has concluded that the Government’s commitment to meeting the objectives of the programme remains strong, and that the Jamaican economy should rebound in FY2015/16.

See the press release from the Ministry of Finance and Planning in full:

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff

visited Jamaica over the period 04 – 13 May 2015 to conduct the eighth scheduled Staff Review of Jamaica’s performance under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The mission met with key stakeholders including Government officials, technical staff, private sector leaders, and other stakeholders.

The IMF team concluded that the Government’s commitment to meeting the ob-

jectives of the programme remains strong, evidenced in the overall implementation of policies to date and the progression of structural reforms. All quantitative performance criteria for the March 2015 quarter were met with the exception of the primary balance and indicative revenue targets. Nonetheless, the primary surplus target expressed as a percentage of GDP remained at 7.5 per cent.

The deviation was due to lower than projected inflation and growth. In response, several actions are being taken to strengthen revenue and expenditure management. Notwithstanding this deviation, the Fund team’s assessment of the programme suggests that Jamaica’s economic programme remains on track. The overall balance of the public sector was significantly better than target and the debt to GDP ratio remained on a downward trajectory. Although economic growth in the second half of FY2014/15 was lower than expected, due to unforeseen temporary factors, the macroeconomic environment continues to improve. Benchmark market interest rates have been trending lower, inflation is contained, the current account deficit on the balance of payments continues to contract, foreign reserves exceed expectations and business confidence is high. Against this background both the IMF staff and GOJ concur that the Jamaican economy should rebound in FY2015/16. Further,

the outlook for growth over the medium term remains positive, supported by on-going reforms to the business environment and the progress being made on the key catalysts for growth, such as the port expansion projects, the regime for special economic zones and the work of the Electricity Sector Enterprise Team.

The GOJ has requested a waiver on the primary balance criterion and on the basis of strong performance, characterized by the unprecedented passing of seven reviews without any modifications to the performance criteria, it is expected that the IMF Board will approve the 8th review under the EFF and thereby allow for the release of SDR 28.32 million, approximately US$40 million to Jamaica.

The GOJ’s economic policies are presented in an updated Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies and the Government stands ready to take necessary actions to ensure that the programme remains on track. (Jamaica Observer)

Guyana: Suspect in city wharf gun smuggling remanded

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA - A man suspected of being involved in the smuggling of a shipment of AK-47 rifles, pistols and ammunition which was found at a city wharf was remanded to jail on Tuesday on an illegal firearm possession charge.

The defendant, 21-year-old Jamal Murphy of 40 Vigilance, East Coast Demerara, was brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts Tuesday morning.

Two AK-47 rifles, four .40 pistols, 11 9mm pistols, 15 extra magazines for the firearms, and 489 various calibre rounds were found in a box shipped to the defendant from Ron Murphy from the United States of America. A bulletproof vest, a haversack and food items were also among the contents of the box.

Murphy pleaded not guilty to the offence and his lawyer, Delise Daniels, informed the court that the prosecution is “hard-pressed to prove any case of possession” by her client. She said that the defendant was expecting food stuff in the box and had no knowledge of the firearms that were found with his food items.

She petitioned the court for bail as her client has been quite cooperative with the Police,

informing that someone else may be involved with the firearms and provided a name. She told the court that her client is quite young, has never been accused of any offence, and presently has no matter in court.

However, Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the court that Murphy actually gave three addresses to the Police, one being in Plaisance.

He explained that a Customs Officer was checking the box shipped to Murphy when the Officer realised that it had other compartments. Thus, the search was stopped and the Officer’s superiors and Murphy were contacted. Murphy came in and a further search of the box was done, which led to the discovery of the guns.

Prosecutor Mangru told the court that this shows that the defendant had control of the guns and thus knowledge of it.

Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry, who stated that there was no justifiable reason given as to why the defendant would not flee if granted bail.

She remanded him to prison, and transferred his case to be tried by Magistrate Judy Latchman in Court Three. Murphy will be back in court on May 20. (Guyana Times)

Canada among new markets for Jamaican bananas

ST JAMES, JAMAICA:

The Jamaican Government says it will be putting Ja$250 million into a project aimed at revitalising banana production for the export market.

Strong efforts to revitalise the export market, due to high international demand for Jamaican bananas, have resulted in new markets in Canada and Grand Cayman, and a scaled back resumption of exportation to the United Kingdom, which was suspended in 2008.

The Banana Export Expansion Programme (BEEP) -- details of which were provided at an investment forum in Montego Bay recently -targets new and existing farmers in the traditional banana-growing parishes of Portland, St Mary and St James.

Funding is being provided under the European Unionsupported Jamaica Banana Accompanying Measures (JBAMs), with the Banana Board as the implementing agency.

The Ja$250-million investment by the Government will go towards land divestment in priority agro parks, off farm irrigation infrastructure, and farm road improvement. Some Ja$76.5 million will be distributed through JBAMs for material input supplies, Global Good

Agricultural Practices (Global GAP) infrastructure, and Fairtrade Labelling Organisations (FLO) certification, according to the Jamaica Information Service.

Farmers will receive support from JBAMs in the areas of training, certification, and technology transfer in both production and post-harvest management. They will be required to provide 60 per cent of their production cost, while the remaining 30 per cent will be provided through the BEEP.

Farmers in St James will benefit under the initiative, through sever-

al agro parks that are to be set up at Sevens River and Sunderland in the parish.

The parks, the first of which will be established in Sevens River, will function as incubators to ensure the expansion of production within global standards, and the development of the industry, while preserving its competitiveness for both the domestic and export markets.

At the Montego Bay investment forum, held at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) offices, the farmers and potential investors were provided with

details about the project, including the registration process, cost of production, and market opportunities.

"It is still a work in progress and our forum with you is not only to give you information but also to get back some information from you so that the programme, when we implement it, is the best programme," said Banana Board General Manager Janet Conie.

The major components of BEEP include upgrading of the tissue culture laboratory; facilitating ongoing exports of a single small container of banana; providing financial support through a revolving loan for material inputs required for production of the first crop; providing Global GAP infrastructure for strategic grouping of farmers: storeroom, toilet, welfare facility; and facilitating Global GAP and FLO Certifications to ensure market access and premium prices.

The programme will also seek to address disaster mitigation; prevent Moco and Black Sigatoka diseases; and improve access of farmers to the Catastrophe Fund.

A series of natural disasters in the recent past have severely curtailed Jamaica's banana production, and as a result, the banana export market.

(Jamaica Observer)

‘Let mothers breastfeed at work’ – TT’s Health Minister

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD

– Trinidad’s Minister of Health Dr Fuad Khan is calling on unions to negotiate for an area in the workplace to help promote breastfeeding and to have mothers pump milk for their babies.

“This is a start to promote breastfeeding in the workplace. I think at this point in time I will call upon the unions of Trinidad and Tobago when they are doing their negotiations to make sure they just don’t negotiate for money, negotiate for the possibility of having an area in the workplace for women to breastfeed or pump their milk,” he said.

The minister was speaking on Tuesday at the first National Breastfeeding Symposium, Hyatt Regency, Dock Road, Port of Spain. Khan said

despite all the awareness of breastfeeding, only six to 13 percent of mothers breastfed their babies until six months.

“Breastfeeding rates are low in Trinidad... Our goal is that in the next ten years we get this rate up to 50 percent. Breastfeeding is one of the most important acts a mother can do for her baby,” Khan said.

He said the Ministry of Health has been pleading with mothers to achieve optimal breastfeeding practices because of its benefits to both mother and child.

He questioned the reasons for the lack of breastfeeding.

“Is it a result of the lifestyles approach? Is it the lack of breastfeeding areas in the workplace for pumping milk? Is it the result of the system that does not promote breastfeeding? I hope that after to-

day you join with us in providing breastfeeding friendly workplaces so mothers can comfortably and hygienically express and store their breastmilk,” he said.

“It is a complete food

for the growing baby for the first six months of life. It contains lactose, not fructose or sucrose; and the correct proportions of proteins and fats which result in easy digestion and ab-

sorption, thereby allowing for optimal growth of the brain and vital organs,” he said.

The minister noted a mother’s antibodies pass into breastmilk and help prevent many illnesses in the vulnerable newborn.

“Beside infectious diseases, breastmilk decreases obesity as you go on in life,” he said.

He said in 2000 a German study found that breastfed children were almost two times less likely to be obese. “Breastfeeding in the first year of life is a crucial strategy in preventing childhood obesity and its complications. It is a serious public health concern.

Recent data in Trinidad has shown that 25 percent of schoolchildren are either overweight or obese,” he said. He indicated the ministry is taking these issues into consideration for

implementing breastfeeding in a total manner because there were still some gaps to address in ensuring that the health system provides additional breastfeeding support required by mothers.

The minister also announced a national committee termed, “Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Perinatal Mortality”, will aim to form part of Government’s agenda for clinical governance.

“This will help us to help ensure that all pregnant and recently delivered women receive the best possible care delivered in appropriate settings,” he said.

Khan indicated the committee will have the authority and responsibility for the investigation of all maternal and perinatal deaths in Trinidad and Tobago.

(TT Newsday)

Joint Services appeal to Guyanese for calm, restraint

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA - More than 24 hours after the polls closed in the General and Regional Elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is yet to issue any form of substantial results to the anxious waiting nation.

In light of the development, it is anticipated that Guyanese will react if the results continue to be delayed by the body which has the sole responsibility to pronounce the results, particularly as both of the main political groupings have claimed victory.

On Monday, angry A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) supporters in Sophia created some disturbances. It is predicted that more will follow in days to come if the results are not released in a timely manner.

GECOM is calling for patience, and the political parties have also been making the same call. In addition, the Chairman of the Joint Services, Brigadier Mark Phillips, is urging all of Guyana to remain calm during this time.

“As the nation awaits

the official results from the Guyana Elections Commission, I urge that all Guyanese remain calm. Do not allow yourselves to be provoked, and do not give way to negative emotions and suggestions of negative occurrences. GECOM is the only institution by which we can get the official results of the elections,” he stated. He urged Guyanese to be patient and implored the electorate that after the final announcement is made, to demonstrate maturity and let good sense prevail by accepting the results. Phillips noted that

as Guyanese, we are all in the situation together and there is nothing to be gained by destroying communities and harming each other. “Progress and real development will not come through violence,” he noted.

Brigadier Phillips also emphasised that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will continue to provide support to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) during this time.

He stated, “The GDF will be involved in various patrols in support of the Guyana Police Force with the intent to ensure stable, safe and secure communities across Guyana. I urge you to support our troops as they carry out their constitutional tasks to keep you and your communities safe. You do not need to fear our troops. We are working to ensure your safety.”

The Army Chief-ofStaff also posited that the Joint Services looked forward to the eventual announcement of the final results from GECOM and more so, looked forward to continuing to build Guyana in partnership with its citizens. (Guyana Times)

Man-made ‘bush fires’ on the rise in Trinidad

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD

There have been 268 ‘‘man made’’ bush fires for the year so far in Trinidad and Tobago, with 908.85 hectares of land burnt.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by fire officials and officials from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources at a joint press conference on forest fires at Knowsley Building, Port of Spain.

Acting Chief Fire Officer, Roosevelt Bruce, said the month of May has been an unusually hectic month. He said last year there was a total of 300 bush fires in May and up to 8am on Tuesday, there were 202 bush fires.

He said the fire services was concentrating on ensuring that people are safe, and advised people to clear their property of bush, dry grass, and shrubs.

“Ensure you have at least ten metres around your property clear. What happens if you leave that wild bush to grow, a bush fire will encroach on your property,” he advised residents.

Devon Cinheiro flight lieutenant of the TT Defence Force Air Guard said they have worked in conjunction with the National Operations Centre conducting fire fighting operations utilising Bambi buckets. He said thus far, they have managed to put a total of 142 dumps of water on various fires which

equates to 26,128 gallons of water.

Barry Mahabir, head of Forestry Division’s Fire Prevention Unit, said the greatest number of bush fires occurred in the North West conservancy with 142. He said of the 908.85 hectares of land burnt, 227.59 hectares were private lands and 663.31 hectares were State lands.

Minister in the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Ramona Ramdial, said the ministry was looking into recommendations given to them to addressing the bush fires. These recommendations included amending the Agriculture Fire Act to increase the fines from TT$1,500 to a possible TT$10,000 to those caught in the act of intentionally setting fires.

“We will be looking at the recommendation of building retaining ponds along the Northern Range, and other areas for easy access to water.

“The third recommendation is training in forest fire-fighting and aerial fire suppression and the fourth recommendation, possible leasing of forest fire water bomber planes,” she said. She also appealed to private land owners to be cognizant of the environment, and to not intentionally set fires to clear land during the dry season.

“I am also making an appeal to the private landowners to allow the authorities to move into the land so we can get the fire traces implemented in these different areas, so we can prevent the spread of forest fires in the future,” she said. Ramdial warned that the bush fires will result in flooding, landslips and landslides when the rainy season begins. She appealed to citizens to be cognisant of the environment and implement preventative measures as the rainy season approaches. (TT Newsday)

Over 130 charged since 'anti-gang legislation' passed in Jamaica

KINGSTON, JAMAICA –

Since the passing of the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Act or the ‘anti-gang legislation’ just over a year ago, more than 130 people have been charged.

This is according to a news release from the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Unit, which said that along with the work of the National Strategic AntiGang Unit (NSAGU) –based at the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Branch (C-TOC) –it has seen the capture of seven of Jamaica’s most wanted men.

The release said that among those captured are Aston ‘Daley Boy’ Daley, who was arrested in March of this year,

the Jamaica constabulary Force has reported that a large number of criminals have been passed since the ‘anti-gang legislation’ was passed

and Ryan Brembridge, otherwise called ‘Little Blacks’, who was captured in an operation in Westmoreland in 2014.

Both men, the police reported, have since been charged, with the Brembridge being collared under the Criminal Suppression Act for leading a criminal organisation. However, the police say although they have seen some successes, more can be achieved with the support of citizens through their hotline numbers, as well as a smart phone app ‘Stay Alert’ available on Google Play store. (Jamaica Observer)

PAHO wants more trained nurses in the Caribbean

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES

(CMC) –The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) is calling for more nurses in the Caribbean and the Americas to be trained to provide skilled care.

PAHO said it is also urging that steps be taken to address what it described as inequities in nurse distribution and the problem of out-migration.

“Many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean currently face shortages of nursing personnel, presenting an obstacle to achieving the goal of universal health access and coverage for all people in the Americas,” PAHO said.

PAHO’s regional advisor on nursing and health technicians, Silvia Cassiani, said nurses are “an important human resource for health”.

She said that nursing personnel make up 60 per cent of the health workforce and cover 80 per cent of health care needs.

“We have to do much more to train more professionals, to make sure

PAHo lamented that about 42 per cent of nursing positions in the English-speaking

are vacant due to out-migration.

they are distributed equitably according to the needs of the population, and to retain them in their workplaces,” she urged.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 23 doctors, nurses and midwives are needed for every 10,000 inhabitants to provide essential health services.

In the Americas, WHO said about 70 per cent of countries have the number of personnel they need, or even more, “but they face challenges in their distribution and training”.

It said out-migration has a “major impact on nursing human

resources”, and that the number of nurses from the English-speaking Caribbean who are working abroad is estimated to be three times the number of those working in the countries where they were trained.

PAHO lamented that about 42 per cent of nursing positions in the English-speaking Caribbean are vacant due to out-migration.

“Establishing mechanisms to improve workforce retention and working conditions in public health services are among the measures that can reduce out-migration of health workers.” (CMC)

1,408 TT families may get ‘$100 homes’

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD

- There are some 1,408 families who have rented a Housing Development Corporation (HDC) unit for over 30 years and so are eligible to now buy their home for TT$100, in a scheme announced by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at a United National Congress (UNC) rally at Diego Martin North Government Secondary School on Monday night.

HDC corporate communications officer Maurisa Findlay disclosing the number of families to TT Newsday on Tuesday, said the

residents are located in 402 buildings in some 51 HDC communities across Trinidad which are at least 30 years old.

These communities are located in areas such as Independence Square (Port of Spain), Laventille, Morvant, Malick, (all in north Trinidad); Pleasantville, Dos Santos Street, Lady Hailes, Roy Joseph Street, and Lisas Gardens, (all in central Trinidad); and Maloney (in east Trinidad).

The HDC has no building that is over 30 years old in Tobago, she noted.

Findlay said, “It is helping people to be-

come homeowners, as the Minister (Housing Minister, Dr Roodal Moonilal) says, moving people from ‘renters’ to ‘homeowners’. It does target those in our low-income community, who are paying a rent of TT$100 per month. It should benefit those in low-income brackets.” Asked if delinquentrenters could buy their homes, she promised more details in the future. Likewise, on the question of whether the HDC or private owners in a mixed community must pay the upkeep costs, she said that has to be worked out. (TT Newsday)

2015 ElEctions in Guyana - fly linE

PPP slams attack on Kwame McCoy by APNU/AFC activist

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA

Hundreds of supporters of the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition on Monday afternoon attempted to barge into the St Sidwell’s Primary School after they learnt that People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Candidate Kwame McCoy entered the premises as ballots were being cast.

McCoy had gone to the station as a candidate of the ruling party to observe the voting process. This is allowed under election regulations. When Guyana Times arrived on the scene, there was chaos as scores of residents swarmed the vicinity of the primary school. Due to their aggression, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) staff decided to close the gates to the school, denying them entry. This move triggered more aggression as the residents started protesting and yelling out threats.

Some 15 minutes into the episode, Presidential Candidate

of the APNU+AFC coalition David Granger and APNU General Secretary Joseph Harmon arrived on the scene. Instantaneously, the agitated residents halted their aggression against McCoy and rushed to Granger’s aid as he made his way to the polling station. Granger determinedly entered the building, had a discussion with the GECOM staff present there and, once again determinedly exited the premises into the arms of his supporters who flocked at his side begging him to assist them in getting rid of the PPP/C politician. Granger then proceeded to get on top of a Police pickup to address the crowd, pleading with them to end their com-

motion and allow McCoy to walk away unharmed.

“As long as that person is here, we will not be able to fulfill the purposes of Election Day. I have therefore asked the Police; listen to me carefully, to escort that person out safely. I am asking you not to touch him…,” Granger said as he attempted to dissuade his supporters. Nevertheless, following desperate attempts, Granger succeeded in making his supporters agree to let McCoy exit the building unharmed. However, as McCoy exited the building, some people were still trying to attack him which forced a group of persons to form a human barricade to prevent the aggressive mob.

Mc Coy was seen safely entering the Police vehicle which made off down Vlissengen Road. PPP/C condemns Meanwhile, the PPP/C condemned the incident saying that McCoy suffered serious bodily injuries and was admitted to hospital for treatment.

The party reported that he was stoned by the mob while he was in the vicinity of the school, however, it did not detail at which point this episode occurred.

In a media release, the PPP/C said it strongly condemns the actions by the Opposition supporters, noting that they merely acting upon “a deliberate and malicious rumour” manifested by Opposition personnel to “fabricate excuses if they

were to lose these elections”.

The PPP/C then reminded that they had warned about the Opposition peddling rumours which can pose serious consequences upon the people of Guyana. “Having built false hope in the minds of their supporters, they have, through these rumours, set the stage for the nonacceptance of the results which can precipitate instability within the country. There is overwhelming evidence of such during past elections and have only served to set our country backwards,” the statement read.

Moreover, the PPP/C called on the leadership of the Opposition coalition to demonstrate a profound sense of responsibility and to reign in its supporters who are bent on creating havoc.

Observers

Additionally, the

PPP/C called on both the international and local observers to be cognisant of these incidents. Members from the Commonwealth Observers Mission, speaking to media operatives outside the St Sidwell’s Primary School while the incident was occurring, reported that thus far, everything appeared to be executed smoothly. The two-man team simply replied by stating that they are unaware about the reason behind the ruckus but claimed that they were assured by the Police and GECOM staff that everything will soon be restored to normalcy. McCoy, as part of his responsibilities for which all candidates are entitled, was exercising his right by making rounds at the various polling stations across the country. (Guyana Times)

TT: Senator Lalla seeks UNC nomination

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDADTemporary senator, former High Court judge and present attorney- at-law, Larry Lalla, is seeking the nod to represent the United National Congress (UNC) in the general election.

Lalla did not say, however, which constituency he is seeking to represent. He was one of several hopefuls who visited the UNC headquarters, Rienzi Complex, Couva, on Tuesday to collect a nomination form. Lalla believes the transition from the law to the politics is a natural one given that the dynamics of both professions are the same.

After collecting his nomination form, Lalla said, “I prefer to keep the seat confidential for now. All I will say is that I’m ready and willing to serve my country under the leadership of Kamla Persad-Bissessar. It’s a big leap of service; service to the country and the people of the constituency that I have in mind...What I would say is that I’ve been approached by persons in the constituency who have asked me to submit a nomination. I think it’s a natural transition.”

Lalla added, “In the profession (legal), our duty is to serve clients, to represent people. And that is an aspect of our training that is naturally carried over into the

politics of the country.”

Other hopefuls to serve as UNC candidates included Patricia Herry for Laventille East/Morvant. Herry is a community and social activist who ran for public office under the National Alliance for Reconstruction in both local and general elections.

Herry believes the residents of Laventille are ready for a different party because their current People’s National Movement’s MPs have not been doing their jobs.

In her view, they are realising that as safe seats, they are not receiving any assistance from the current administration, so they are likely to make a change. She said, “It’s a constit-

uency I had lived in for over 40-something years of my life and I’ve been doing a lot of groundwork, self- help and community work. I went up twice already for that area, twice under the NAR (National Alliance for Reconstruction), local and general and once for the UNC, which was general election.”

“Last election, I had put in my nomination paper,” Herry said. “But I had to give way for the NJAC (National Joint Action Committee) candidate since we formed the PP.”

Other persons wanting to be candidates who collected forms on Tuesday included Dara Singh for D’abadie/ O’meara and Richard Sukdeo for Chaguanas East. (TT Newsday)

TT: National Geographic documentary based on outdated statistics

- according to waste management officials

PORT OF SPAIN,

TRINIDAD - The authorities who deal with waste disposal in Trinidad and Tobago say that a documentary broadcast last week on the National Geographic (NatGeo) Channel, naming Trinidad as the top producer of garbage per capita in the world, was based on incorrect statistics.

An official at the Solid Waste Management Company Limited (SWMCOL), who refused to be named or quoted, said the programme was based on outdated statistics probably obtained from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).

TT waste management officials have dismissed claims by a National Geographic documentary saying that the country is the largest producer of garbage per capita in the world.

The spokesperson said SWMCOL was in the process of gathering updated figures to submit to PAHO, then attempted to withdraw those

comments and substitute them with “no comment.” Natgeo itself reportedly said it use statistics ob-

tained from a World Bank Report “What a waste — A Global Review of Solid Waste Management

Data.”

The programme, The Big Picture, debuted on the NatGeo channel last week and reported on the countries in the world which produce the most garbage. It said that because of the large size of the country, China was the largest producer of garbage with 418 billion pounds per year.

However, when broken down on a per capita basis, Trinidad and Tobago, because of its small size, came out as the largest producer of garbage per capita in the world. According to the programme, each person in TT produces 32 pounds of garbage per day.

Although they didn’t have any statistics of their own, staff at

SWMCOL doubted this could be true.

One employee said PAHO, or whatever agency supplied the statistics, probably based their count on the garbage brought to the country’s landfills, but observed that not all garbage is dumped in landfills.

Indeed, waste disposal authorities said on Tuesday the figure quoted in the NatGeo report was hopelessly exaggerated and the correct figure is closer to 1.5 kilogrammes per person per day and not the 32 pounds of garbage per person mentioned in the report. “There is no way on earth one person could produce that much waste in a day,” the source said. (TT Newsday)

‘Ganja is not for kids’ – Jamaican Minister urges as new ganja law takes effect

ST JAMES, JAMAICA — Minister of Justice

Senator Mark Golding has called on citizens to respect the police, particularly in relation to the recent amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act, which have introduced several important changes in respect to ganja.

"As a Government, we are not encouraging anybody to smoke ganja, especially the youth at school. In fact, we are coming up with a public education programme to say to the youth, yes the law has changed and some of the harsh penalties have been removed, but this is not something for kids as kids should not be smoking and they should not be drinking alcohol," the minister emphasised.

Senator Golding said the public education programme is necessary as the situation must be dealt with responsibly.

Addressing a group of residents at a community sensitisation meeting last week for farmers and hoteliers on the new legislation on ganja, in Orange Hill, Western Westmoreland, the minister urged citizens not to "exalt" themselves and disrespect hardworking law enforcement officers.

"The police have had to deal with the law for a long time as it was, so there are certain types of behaviour and understanding that have developed over many, many years around ganja. It is not an easy thing to transition from one set of understanding to the new dimension...this will take time. What I would say to everybody is this, deal with the police with respect," he said.

The Bill to amend the Dangerous Drugs Act to decriminalise ganja for medicinal, religious, scientific and therapeutic purposes was passed by

legislation on marijuana.

the Jamaica Parliament earlier this year.

The law makes the possession of small quantities of ganja a non-arrestable offence, instead it makes it a ticketable infraction that does not result in a criminal record; it permits the use of ganja for religious, medical, scientific, and therapeutic purposes; and it provides for regulation through the granting of licences to permit the development of a lawful industry for medical ganja and industrial hemp.

Senator Golding also appealed to the police to "respect the law of the land, learn the law and serve and protect, work with the population and use your discretion wisely".

Noting that there is a move afoot to have an organised group of farmers in the parish -- Westmoreland Hemp and Ganja Farmers Association -- engaged in

a controlled cultivation of ganja, the minister encouraged farmers to approach this from a group level.

"I encourage you farmers to organise around the association. I think this is a good system because when you are deal-

ing with the Government agency, it's better than every little man doing it on his own," Senator Golding urged. (JIS)

TT’s Environment Minister warns of climate change

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD - As a country with a highly variable climate, Trinidad and Tobago (TT) is facing negative impacts in the current warming environment. This was the message delivered by Environment and Water Resources Minister Ganga Singh during a National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services, on Monday at the Radisson Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.

He said increasing coastal erosion, frequent floods, dry spells and drought, and periods of higher temperatures were associated with global warming. He said as a country with a highly variable climate, TT was facing negative impacts in the current warming environment.

Singh said according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) the 10 warmest years in their 134-year record have all occurred since 2000, with the exception of 1998. The year 2014 runs as the warmest on record, with March 2014 being the warmest month globally.

tt’s environment and water resources minister, Ganga singh

The minister said the consultation, which was held in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), and including agencies such as the TT Meteorological Society, was to mainstream effective policies to adapt to climate variability, and change and limit their negative impacts and influences to ensure a more resilient TT.

Singh said TT’s wet season, which was the main generator of the country’s water, has seen a reduction in rainfall while the duration of dry spells has increased.

He said an area of challenge was diseases linked to climate change such as

Chikungunya, dengue and leptospirosis. Singh noted that the increase or deficit of rainfall would have a direct impact on agriculture and livestock.

The minister said the authorities had prepared for the dry and wet seasons at the wrong times, and had to note the periods of the country’s climate changes. The opportunity which this Climate Change presents to the Meteorological Services is to move the Meteorological Services from their archaic scientific background into a realm in which they will now be able to communicate with all the stakeholders.

Singh said if he were

directly in charge of the MET Services, he would locate his enterprise at the centre of Climate Change in the delivery of practical results to the various stakeholders.

Singh said it was important that with climate change taking place, it would get rid of the phobia of change in the country as people recognised that the impact taking place was beyond our territorial boundaries.

He said he was thankful that the areas being focussed on were civil protection, disaster prevention of floods, river flooding, drought, strong winds, thunder storms, hurricane and tropical cycles falling under the area of hazards. Singh said the second area of concern was dealing with diseases and epidemics sensitive to weather and climate change such as Chikungunya, dengue, asthma, fluid epidemics, leptospirosis and meningitis.

Other areas, he said, included agriculture and livestock in food security, dealing with water reserves, and energy and the energy sector. (TT Newsday)

J'can 'top-tier gangster' nabbed in the US

KINGSTON, JAMAICA – A

Jamaica man the police describe as “one of the island’s top-tier gangsters and violence producers” was recently captured in the United States.

He is Michael Headley, otherwise called ‘Dudus’, of Salt Pond Road in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

The National Strategic Anti-Gang Unit (NSAGU) reported on Tuesday that Headley was captured through the collaborative efforts of the NSAGU and its international law enforcement partners.

Two other people, Mead Myrie and Kevon Maitland, were arrested along with him. The police say they too are wanted for various

crimes including murder.

The police say Headley is a known member of the Klansman Gang — which operates in Spanish Town, St Catherine and its environs — and was wanted for murders and shootings. According to a news release disseminated by the police’s Corporate Communications Unit, Headley was recently fingered in the 2013 gun murder of Ballington Morris.

Headley, Myrie and Maitland are to be deported to Jamaica, after which the police say local detectives will pursue several matters against them, particularly under the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Act. (Jamaica Observer)

Employees say we have done it!

EW GPC contin-

Nues to excel in Guyana and the Caribbean, and stakes a claim to be the only pharmaceutical manufacturer and exporter in the region that is United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) compliant.

The company manufactures more than 200 products, including the world famous Limacol, at its East Bank Demerara plant. After privatisation in 1999, the company has added over eighty (80) new products to its range and has a further 25 new products in the pipeline which includes statins, proton-pump inhibitors, anti-fungals, anthelmintics and anti-parasitical formulations.

Export Leader, US FDA and Quality

The company is not

only the undisputed leader in the domestic market; it exports over 60 percent of its output to North America, Europe, The Caribbean, South and Latin America. Recently, the company has started to export to Haiti as well.

NEW GPC is pursuing a vigorous export-led strategy, which drives continuous improvement and adherence to the highest international standards for quality in a fast paced environment. The company is "Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP)" compliant - the gold standard in a highly regulated industry and has undergone two recent US FDA Audit inspections and found compliant thereby clearing the way for continued exportation to the USA.

Pre-qualified

Government Supplier

NEW GPC regained its old position as the largest supplier of pharmaceutical products to the government’s health sector. This came after years of hard work and significant investments in production and warehousing facilities.

NEW GPC has the most extensive and modern 100,000 square feet warehousing facility which is used for storage of government’s pharmaceuticals and which is granted free of charge to them. This facility is easily the best in the Caribbean, meeting international standards and comprising of three temperature-controlled zones. The strength behind the legend

None of the achievements would have been possible without the company’s most valuable asset, its employees. The focus therefore shifts to Human Resource (HR) practices at NEW GPC and to the employees themselves.

As a pharmaceutical manufacturer it is twice as important to attract and recruit the most suitable candidates, and retain those with institutional knowledge, experience and skill. HR practices are therefore intertwined with training and continuous staff development. The cor-

In their own words

JOY AUSTIN – MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENT

I have worked with the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation, now NEW GPC INC, for over 30 years. I am proud to say that I have grown from strength to strength enjoying various benefits in terms of Medical Scheme, Pension, company loans, subsidized meals and allowances. NEW GPC INC. is a family oriented company. We manufacture products of a very high standard and I am a proud ambassador of this family.

MYRTLE SINGH NURSE AID/OSH OFFICER

I have been employed for over 25 years. During these years I have no regrets. The management has always taken care of my needs. During my years I can proudly say that I have gained knowledge from the many external and internal training courses that I have benefited from. I enjoy free transportation from home to work (return), subsidized meals and many more benefits. I am allowed to be a member of Union to represent my interest.

poration maintains one of the largest internship programs with UG for students of Chemistry and Pharmacy.

Management also recognises that a highly motivated workforce is key to its success and as such places equal emphasis on staff welfare and remuneration. Employees typically receive annual bonuses, up to four weeks vacation leave (five in some instances) with pay, leave passage assistance (LPA) equivalent to one month’s salary, subsidized meals and meals allowances, employee discounts, uniforms and allowances, free transportation for East Coast, West Coast and Georgetown based em-

ployees, full safety gear, pension, medical and various other fringe benefits such as cricket tickets, bursaries etc. The company has a high rate of job satisfaction, which is evident in arguably the lowest rate of staff turnover for large companies in Guyana.

The relations with the unions, GLU and CCWU are, not surprisingly, excellent. Through these and creating a collegial atmosphere, NEW GPC has been able to buck the trend of migration of qualified Guyanese and has retained and expanded core competencies to the benefit of all concerned including our country.

NEW GPC is part of

a larger group that employees more than 500 people and therefore directly contributes towards the upkeep and security of 500 families. Equally important is that there exists in Guyana a Guyanese company with the people, experience and competencies to manufacture essential medicines. Not many can boast of having a pharmaceutical manufacturer/exporter in their own country. The NEW GPC is also the owner of the Guyana Amazon Warriors cricket franchise, which is part of the Limacol CPL Twenty/20 League that brings excitement and joy every year to local fans.

REVENDRA PERSAUD PHARMACIST

Being employed at NEW GPC INC. over the last two years has indeed been wonderful. Since I have been here, I have experienced nothing but professionalism from all the staff at all levels. I would like to express that this Company is one of a kind and takes good care of its employees. Working here is so far the best working environment of my life. I am also excited that NEW GPC INC. has bought the CPL Franchise “Guyana Amazon Warriors” to Guyana.

LEXTER DATSON SENIOR TECHNICIAN

I have been working with the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation now NEW GPC INC. for the past 17 years. I have never had any problems with this company. Over these years. I have achieved my own home and transportation, thanks to Management and a very good salary I am receiving.

VIOLA SERTIMER CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY

I am proud to say that my company has been a contributor to the economy for a number of years and is one of the oldest companies in my country. We have enjoyed a number of benefits such as internal and external training sessions, free transportation, subsidized lunches etc. We have a family relationship with each other and always feel like a second home.

In their own words my experiences at new GPc inc.

WENDY BAIRD MACHINE OPERATOR

I have been with this company for over 35 years and I am proud to be an ambassador for NEW GPC INC.

IRIS CUMBERBATCH QC INSPECTOR

I have been with NEW GPC since 1987. I have always enjoyed working with this company since we work as one family and we enjoy the time that we spend together. I also

ANNZETTE THOMAS MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR

I have worked with the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation since 1990 until it was privatised in 1999 and with the new management. Under their leadership, GPC has been transformed into a state of the art pharmaceutical plant. Management always ensures that their staff are happy we work in peace and understanding. My children can enjoy their own personal bank account as a result of the company's Bursary Award Scheme.

II am proud to say that I have given NEW GPC INC. 25 years of service. I can attest to the high moral standards, honesty and integrity in which the company has conducted its business. Having worked these many years, I have known management to be highly professional in all of their business decisions. NEW GPC is truly a leader in Guyana.

MAXINE BESS CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY

I have been with the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation now NEW GPC INC. for the past 27 years. During this time I have attained a wide scope of knowledge working under the supervision of various managers. I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy benefits such as health, transportation, salary increases and bonuses under the past and present ownership.

VAULDA ANTHONY GENERAL HELPER

I have been at NEW GPC for over 17 years. I am a workers representative for one of the unions, representing workers interests. I am proud to say that we enjoy decent salary and other fringe benefits. The Management of NEW GPC INC. is always approachable and willing to discuss anything regarding workers.

AUDREY PERSAUD BATCH LEADER

I have been working with Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation since 1987. I have no problem with this company. I was able to achieve land and I am now proudly building my home. I was also able to educate all my children with the salary I receive from this company.

SUKDEO PERSAUD PRODUCTION SUPERINTENDANT

I have worked with the Company NEW GPC INC. for 24 years. We have a wonderful bunch of staff of mixed race working and we are a very happy to work for NEW GPC INC. GPC INC. who transformed the company into a profitable organization and expanded on its range of products. There were improved working conditions in terms of salary and other conditions of employment for employees at all levels.

enjoy seeing the products that we manufacture on the shelves of our local supermarkets and pharmacies.

SAVITRIE HARIPRASAD LINE ATTENDANT

I have been working at NEW GPC INC. since 1990. I have enjoyed working with this company and have no regrets. Management has always been good to me.

VAULDA MURRAY MACHINE OPERATOR

I have been employed be Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation now NEW GPC INC. for over 36 years. I am proud to say that I was sick for over 8 months last year, (2014) just an example to show how we live as a family, I was not dismissed and I enjoyed all the benefits as usual, I am proud to be an ambassador of NEW GPC INC. A Guyanese owned company.

CHARLENE JORDAN BATCH LEADER

I have been employed with the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation now NEW GPC INC. since 1987. I have no regrets working with this Company. I find the management of NEW GPC INC and their Board of Directors to be very employee friendly. Our interests are always taken care of. I am proud to be a NEW GPC INC. Ambassador.

FAY SCOTT-SMART PERSONNEL MANAGER

I am a proud ambassador of NEW GPC INC. the leading pharmaceutical manufacturing company in the Caribbean. NEW GPC INC. is a closely-knit family. Our employees are over most valuable resource and we treat them with pride and respect. We enjoy benefits, which many other companies desire to have. We can be considered the envy of others due to the fact that our staff turnover is very low. All my children are bursary awardees of NEW GPC INC, which they get yearly.

THORLA STEPHNEYTROTZ - SECRETARY

I am proud to have been with NEW GPC INC. since 1987. I have worked as a line attendant from the beginning and now I work as an administrative assistant. I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy benefits such as medical scheme, transportation from home to work (return), pension scheme, subsidized meals, salary increases and bonuses. I am covered by the union and have company loans granted whenever the need may arise.

VINCE GRIFFTH PRODUCTION SUPERINTENDANT

It has always been a pleasure working for NEW GPC INC. for the last 24 years. The company was not profitable in the days of Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation. However, since the privatization to NEW GPC INC. There were improved working conditions in terms of salary and other conditions of employment for employees at all levels. Management of NEW GPC INC. has consistently invested in its human resources through training from both local organizations and foreign consultants. We have also benefitted from annual salary increases and other emoluments such as bonuses; paid vacation allowance, free transportation etc.

Stabroek News, Kaieteur News peddle lies about NEW GPC

… as Guyana Govt seeks to keep pharma supply chain intact

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANA: In a banner headline Saturday, the Stabroek News screamed, “Over Gy$2B speeded up for NEW GPC INC – no drugs supplied yet”. It was a clear effort to smear the NEW GPC, the company which had emerged as the only one of the seven bidders in 2014 to fulfil the World Health Organisation/Wor-ld Bank inspired National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) criteria to become pre-qualified to supply pharmaceuticals to the Ministry of Health and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

The Stabroek News was absolutely wrong on both claims of its headline.

Alleging that it was quoting an “unknown source” at the Ministry of Finance, the Stabroek News alleged that it was told that “a cheque equivalent to US$6,730,526.15 was made out by the Ministry of Finance and delivered to the NEW GPC for the third and

final set of payments for drugs to the Health Ministry.”

Contacted by the Guyana Times, sources at the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Finance and the NEW GPC were adamant that there was no such cheque for such an amount. Both the MOH and NEW GPC officials also agreed that there had been partial shipments on contracts given to the NEW GPC and payments were made in accordance with the one-twelfth (1/12) monthly releases from the Ministry of Finance.

The Ministry of Health official noted, “We are in the business of saving lives and ensuring that the health of the Guyanese populace is enhanced. To order and have drugs supplied is the prudent thing to do since the country needs medicines and lives will be put at risk if the supply chain is interrupted or delayed. With the Budget not passed, are we to allow people to die?”

But it was clear that in the run up to the elec-

Carter ill,

returns

tions, the Stabroek News was trying to create a bigger wave of sensationalism than even its tabloid counterpart the Kaieteur News did with its headline, “Government shovels US$12.8 million contract to NEW GPC”. The Kaieteur News was regurgitating announcements made by Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon that Cabinet had given its “no-objection” to three contracts for pharmaceuti-

cals. Evidently copies of the three contracts were leaked to an Opposition Internet blog site and were picked up by the two Opposition newspapers. Violating most of the norms of professional journalism, the Stabroek News regularly recycles opinions passed off as “News” from blog sites.

Since last July, Dr Luncheon had announced that NEW GPC was the only company that was pre-qualified to supply

the large contracts of pharmaceuticals and had challenged the Trinidad Company ANSA McAL to produce to the public the bid it had submitted to the Tender Board.

“Our result was that, there is only one company that satisfied those requirements as far as NPTAB was concerned, and that was brought to Cabinet,” according to Dr Luncheon.

Asked whether the criteria used to pre-qual-

ify a company were biased in favour of NEW GPC, the same claim that the Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News are making once again, the Cabinet Secretary had replied, “The criteria are biased in favour of safety.”

ANSA McAL has yet to provide evidence that its bid had satisfied all the criteria, but yet its partisans continue with the old claims.

It should be of interest to Guyanese that Guyanese pharma companies cannot bid for supplying pharmaceuticals to the Trinidad public health system, yet both the Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News have taken up cudgels for ANSA McAL to enter Guyana’s supply chain without even fulfilling the World Bank/WHO criteria adopted by the NPTAB.

The NEW GPC pays millions in taxes, provides employment for hundreds and supplies world-class products to the global market.

(Guyana Times)

home …but Mission remains to observe Guyana elections

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: After spending just over one day in Guyana, former United States President and founding member of the Carter Center, Jimmy Carter, returned home on Sunday due to ill health.

This was confirmed in a statement from Carter Center, which has deployed a large delegation of observers since April to monitor the electoral process in the country.

According to the release, President Carter took ill and subsequently left Guyana on Sunday

to return to his Atlanta home in Georgia, USA around midday. The former US President arrived in Guyana on Friday afternoon, ahead of Monday’s General and Regional Elections. He was scheduled to leave the country on Tuesday. However, prior to his departure, on Saturday, President Carter and the Carter Center observation delegation coleaders, Dame Billie Miller of Barbados and Dame Audrey Glover of the United Kingdom, met with People’s Progressive Party/Civic

(PPP/C) Presidential Candidate, President Donald Ramotar and A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Presidential Candidate David Granger. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM); Guyana Defence Force Chief-ofStaff, Brigadier Mark Phillips and Guyana Police Force head, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud were among other key stakeholders that met with Centre officials.

Both Glover and

Miller are still in Guyana to lead the Carter Center’s observer mission.

The Center assured that the team of observers will be continuing their work while updating Carter on developments in the country.

Peaceful process “President Carter is hopeful about Guyana’s election and expressed his commitment and that of The Carter Center to supporting Guyana in the days

ahead, stressing the need for a peaceful process before, during, and after the election,” the statement said.

The Carter Center official told the Guyana Times that they have a full team of observers, ready to be deployed around the country.

They will be witnessing the electoral process, including voting, counting, polling, and tabulation, and release a preliminary statement of key findings on May 13,

which will be available at http://www.cartercenter.org. The Carter Center’s assessment of the electoral process will be based on Guyana’s Constitution, national legal framework, and its various obligations for democratic elections under public international law, including relevant regional and international agreements.

This is The Carter Center’s fourth election observation mission in Guyana. (Guyana Times)

20 feature

Toya bows ouT

J’can artiste dies in Miami from diabetic complications

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Dancehall artiste Toya, common-law wife of Downsound Records boss Joe Bogdanovich, died in the United States Thursday morning.

The 'Hot Like Fire' singer had been off the music scene for some time as she battled complications from diabetes which left her blind.

When Splash contacted Bogdanovich for a comment, he said: "I am not in Jamaica right now, I can't speak."

The singer whose given name is Latoya Jackson, is survived by a six-year-old son, Joseph.

A source close to the artiste related that Toya took her illness badly.

"Once she went blind she really just gave up hope. She was in Miami as doctors there were looking for a way to treat her, but she just didn't

pull through," said the source who did not wish to be identified.

Toya was one of the outrageous female artistes who emerged in dancehall during the last decade. D'Angel, Spice and Ishawna, another Bogdanovich protégé, have also made their mark with risque songs and costumes.

Bogdanovich has risen in the music industry

working with the likes of deejays Harry Toddler and most recently Ninjaman and Ishawna.

Toya was the selfproclaimed 'First Lady' of Downsound which produced most of her songs including 'Boss Lady' and 'You a Lie'. She grabbed attention on stage with her striking looks and saucy stage performances.

(Jamaica Observer)

Young voices unite in historic TT choir

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Can you imagine 4,000 children singing Happy by Pharrell, and One Love by Bob Marley, on a Saturday afternoon at the Queen’s Park Savannah?

That’s what will happen on May 16 at the Grandstand, from 4 – 6 pm, when for the first time ever, so many children here will be joining their voices in a mass choral event, to include 12 songs.

The concert will celebrate TT children as one community, through the medium of music, in a totally inclusive way that is not about competition (like, say, our music festivals), but is rather about embracing all children in united performance.

For the past four months, thousands of boys and girls from 100

children across tt who will be coming together on Saturday at the Queen’s Park Savannah for the firstever mass choral concert of its kind in the caribbean

primary schools from all parts of TT have been hard at work rehearsing their songs, in an effort inspired by the Young Voices UK choirs, who have been doing this for 18 years now.

Among the songs the TT youngsters are learning is: You Gotta Be by Des’ree; Lean On Me by Bill Withers; the Lion King Medley (a big favourite among the children); Happy by Pharrell Williams; One Love by Bob Marley; and All Ah We Is One Family by Lord Nelson.

Profit is not the point of the event, said the energetic UK broadcaster and TV personality Gigi Morley last Thursday, in an interview with the TT media at the Hyatt hotel in Port-of-Spain.

In town to help organise the event on behalf of Young Voices UK, Morley said all ticket costs will go towards basic costs for producing the show—such as lighting, sound, staging and staffing.

Young Voices UK has subsidised most of the costs so far, with valuable help from the TT Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism (which has waived rental fees for the Grandstand) and Ministry of Transport (which is volunteering use of PTSC buses to transport the children on the day). Digicel is sponsoring the fees for the guest performers Randolph Matthews (from the UK), Tessanne Chin (from Jamaica), and local Digicel Rising Stars winners Neval Chatelal and Neisha Guy.

Gigi Morley is originally from Diego Martin in Trinidad, and left TT at the age of 19 to pursue a career in the UK.

An enthusiastic Morley explained what the project was all

about.

Young Voices, started in the UK, combines the power of singing together as one, with accompaniment from a wide range of musicians and artists, to create mass youth performances that are memorable.

Last year, Young Voices UK held concerts involving over 120,000 children taking part in the UK and Ireland. The aim is to provide a music experience for children that they will benefit from and remember for the rest of their lives.

“Young Voices is literally for the first time this year going global,” said Morley. “There’s going to be Young Voices America on June 4, Young Voices Germany...and they’re in talks with a few other places, like Japan, and Croatia. It’s really exciting.”

The idea to hold such a large children’s concert in TT is so new here, she said, that many principals, when they first heard of it, probably thought she was “some crazy lady.”

Morley soon realised she would have to personally go all over TT to meet with stakeholders, explaining the value of the learning, sharing, and community feeling that concerts like this can create.

Morely herself has been directly involved in hosting Young Voices concerts in the UK for the past ten years. She says this form of music education is not only fun for children, but also has a strong, positive impact on them.

Morley mentioned the many benefits of music education—in promoting literacy, numeracy, listening skills, memory skills, and teamwork skills. (TT Guardian)

Paul Kain paints street realities in TT

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD: Life in TT not only unfolds against the backdrop of beachscapes and bamboo patches; it also takes shape in urban streets.

Paul Kain’s second solo show From the Streets adds another dimension in a picture of tropical existence.

In a sweet mix of languages: the portrayal of body language (a stance, lean, tilt of the human figure in each piece) and the use of TT vernacular to title his paintings, Kain offers a series of work that oscillates between the humorous and the solemn.

The oil painting Bad Man Nah Fraid Nobody elicits a smile with its depiction of a man clad only in headphones. He assumes a position akin to Usain Bolt’s signature pose as he stands outdoors in a plastic kiddie pool that is overflowing with water from a standpipe. He is an image of pluck and swag—a su-

perstar in his own world. Yet, in the background of the piece, there is an approaching figure of an older woman, perhaps his mother, grandmother or a community matriarch. Her stride looks determined. Will her presence instil fear in this naked, male character in the foreground? Or will he exert his “bad-man-ness” on her?

Beneath the amusing veneer of this work there is an undercurrent of the tensions and power play between men and women in society.

While viewers might laugh in response to the works on display they do not get to look down on Kain’s characters. The painting Yuh Eye Long might be addressing audiences at the gallery as much as it refers to the figures in the work itself. A black woman with golden tresses stands at the centre of the image. She wears a coral bra with a blue skirt. Her exposed stomach flash-

Reggae artiste launches acoustic set

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Acousticalevy, Barrington Levy's first acoustic album, wAS officially launched on Monday at the South Beach club in St Andrew.

The 15-track set is being distributed by DDP Records, a new company owned by Gary 'Doctor Dread' Himelfarb of RAS Records fame.

Levy worked with producer Handel Tucker and guitarist Lamont Savory on the project, which hears unplugged versions of some of his biggest hits, including 'Murdera', 'Under mi Sensi', 'Prison Oval Rock and She's Mine'.

The singer welcomed the opportunity to put a

es a navel ring. Her gaze is fixed squarely on the viewer. To her left, a girl watches.

Does the title of the piece refer to the girl’s covetous look or is the yellow-haired woman suggesting that she has what the viewer wants?

In other words, is the viewer’s eye long?

The viewer is not given the controlling vantage point of voyeur in

this exhibition. Kain’s painted people match the viewer’s gaze. The individuals in such pieces as Boy No Lie Di Ting Was Dis Big But Ah Tell Yuh and Come Nah Baby Yuh Know Ah Does Handle Yuh Doh Study It, lock eyes with the viewer. They do not blink.

In other works such as Baddist and Transactions, audiences

see the strong backs of Kain’s figures as if they have turned in powerful defiance of the viewer’s stare. His men, women and children take on unapologetic postures without posturing and their lack of affectation becomes infectious.

Kain draws on his lived experiences of encounters and conversations with a range of people—prostitutes, pie men, Cepep workers, parlour attendants— while working at a mini mart in St James. His pigments on paper, canvas and hardboard capture the grit of the streets without losing colour intensities altogether and becoming murky.

The fact that some of the edges of his paper surfaces are torn and that several pieces are displayed with nailed corners adds to a street atmosphere—one redolent of fete posters.

Of note is one painting titled Doppelganger. It is the only one in the

body of work that does not come from Kain’s memories of his interactions at the mini mart and it serves as the promotional image for the exhibition’s invitation. It is a picture from Kain’s imagination and it depicts conjoined twins rendered in quick and dirty strokes. Each one holds a balloon. The piece is both crude and playful. Its significance lies in its capacity to anchor a reading of this exhibition.

Kain does not glamorise the streets nor does he condemn them but he reaffirms, however, that our likeness is not restricted to associations with sun, sea and sand. We might find our twin and see ourselves—both the enchanting and the raw sides—in our acknowledgement of our connection to another reality.

From the Streets continues until May 23 at Soft Box Gallery, 9 Alcazar Street, St Clair. (TT Guardian)

A big step for TT’s differently abled

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

When it comes to the rights of people with disabilities in Trinidad and Tobago, it is time for less talk and more action.

This was the sentiment expressed by disability rights attorney and pioneer, John Wodatch during the Rotary Club of Central Port of Spain’s weekly meeting at Hotel Normandie, St Ann’s.

Wodatch said, “The president said to me that people in Trinidad like to talk and it is a matter of moving from just talking to action.”

fresh spin on his songs, some of which were first recorded over 30 years ago.

"I am music an' I still want to venture into different areas," said Levy. "I always love the acoustic form so this is a good look for me."

Barrington Levy is one of the survivors of the 1980s dancehall explosion. He recorded many of hits then for producer Henry 'Junjo' Lawes with the Roots Radics Band at Channel One studio.

His songs from that period earned him a lasting base in the United Kingdom and Europe where he remains a regular on the summer festival circuit. (Jamaica Observer)

Wodatch is in Trinidad for one week as part of a programme hosted by the US Embassy and UNDP. He is an expert in disability law and has already met with several members of government, civil society and members of the disabled community. Wodatch was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar on Monday.

He said, “I have spent my career on the rights for people with disabilities. I was in the US government for 42 years. I am retired now but I am working with several countries around the world as they go through the same process we went through – and deciding how to integrate people with disabilities into the culture of their

country.”

“The US Embassy asked me to come to Trinidad and Tobago because you all are going through this process as well,” he added.

Wodatch noted that he was given an opportunity to show Trinidad and Tobago an avenue to begin the process to rati-

Disability rights attorney and pioneer, John Wodatch.

1970s in the United States was a very dark period for people with disabilities. There were very few buildings that were accessible along with public washrooms.

“It is not pleasant to relive this history; however, I think it is instructive because I see here today in Trinidad

United States about 18 per cent of the population has a disability.”

It is also important to keep in mind the ageing population. It is a fact that as we age we will gain some sort of disability. In the United States about 50 per cent of people over 65 have a disability so making ac-

fy the UN treaty, called the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The purpose of this treaty is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

Wodatch noted the

and Tobago that you are much more advanced than where we were in the 1970s.

Wodatch said before we can move forward improving the lives of people with disabilities, it is important to dispel certain misconceptions.

He noted it was imperative to break these misconceptions. He said, “In the

commodation in your country across the board will benefit your country, Wodatch said.

“We have seen similar statistics around the world between 15 and 18 per cent,” he added.

“We are making these strides and my message to you is really a simple one, we’ve done it and so can you,” he said. (TT Express)

Rappelling off Avocat Falls in TT

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

The notion of someone climbing down a vertical drop using only a rope conjures up images of Spiderman or Agent 007 making some daring escape from the snares of a villain. Known as rappelling, descending a wall, rock face or any vertical drop with the aid of a rope, the technique often used by mountain climbers and has become a sort of adventure for those seeking an outdoor thrill.

Indeed, from afar (very far) rappelling seems like a fun adventure. That is until you stand at the summit of

some mountain staring down at the vast distance between you and the valley below. This is often the point at which the art of rappelling is enough to make a grown man start cold sweating. Suddenly that harness the guide has strapped to you may not seem so secure. Suddenly the rope looks much thinner than it really is. Suddenly you start thinking: “What mad demon has possessed me to make me want to do this thing?”

Mixed emotions of fear and exhilaration accompany first time rappellers. Such was the experience of the troop of adventurers who set off one Sunday to rappel off

the face of Avocat Falls in Blanchisseuse. Many were nervous when it was their turn to make the descent. One young lady was terrified to the point of paralysis, when having just started her descent, she could not summon the courage to leap off the first ledge and descend to the pool below, and the idea of climbing back up seemed just as frightening. After what seemed like the time period between when Rock of Ages was sand and when it became a solid rock, she descended – safely.

There were many bruised knees and minor cuts about the limbs from climbers repeatedly bumping into the cliff face. No doubt, landing in the cool waters of the waterfall’s pool helped soothe some of those aches.

Despite all this, nearly all who made the climb were thoroughly thrilled they had done so, even vowing to try it again anytime Adventure Seekers hosts such an event again. If it’s adventure you seek, find Adventure Seekers at www.facebook.com/ adventureseekerstt or email them at adventureseekerstt@ gmail.com (TT Newsday)

J’can College honours stalwarts

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Four past students of Kingston College (KC) with strong ties to the Jamaican entertainment industry, were honoured on May 2 by the school's New York chapter.

Music producers Augustus 'Gussie' Clarke and Donovan Germain, sound engineer Dennis Thompson, and actor Paul Campbell were recognised by the Kingston College Old Boys Association for outstanding achievements in their fields.

Jasmin Reid, a retired vice-principal and teacher at KC, was also honoured at the ceremony which took place at Antun's in Queens, New York.

The honourees were presented with plaques from the KC Old Boys Association, as well as citations from the New York State Assembly.

Germain, founder and head of Penthouse Records, attended KC from 1964-70. He described the occasion as special.

"KC is close to my heart so it was

a special moment. To be honoured with my favourite teacher, my mentor (Clarke), and Dennis Thompson who toured with Buju Banton is really great."

Banton, a Grammy Award winner, was one of the artistes who made Penthouse a powerhouse during the 1990s. Clarke's Anchor Records also thrived in that decade, working with acts such as Grammy winner Shabba Ranks and Maxi Priest.

Thompson started his career as an apprentice engineer at Studio One in the late 1960s. He has toured as a sound engineer with Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff and Dennis Brown. Campbell is among Jamaican cinema's most recognisable figures. He has starred in movies including Dancehall Queen, Third World Cop and Shottas. KC was founded by members of the Anglican Church in 1925. This year, the school celebrates its 90th anniversary. (Jamaica Observer)

Science and cupcakes, a winning combination in TT

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:

You might ask yourself, what does bio-chemical engineering have to do with cookery? In Timothy McIntosh’s world, it is everything.

McIntosh may know his way around a Bunsen burner but he has also shown that he is a master in the kitchen. In 2012, McIntosh and his sister Winnette got the sweet taste of victory after winning Cupcake Wars, a popular baking show on the Food Network channel in the United States. These MIT graduates flew Trinidad's national colours red, white and black high while impressing the judges with their plateful of delectable cupcakes.

McIntosh said, “Winning felt awesome because it was such a challenging experience and what I felt great about was that our Trini-ness shone through and was actually mentioned on the show and in subsequent news stories. It was amazing to represent for Trinidad and Tobago like that.”

With no professional background in baking, McIntosh chuckled and said, “Knowing that you’re going to be on the Food Network, baking for the world to see will get you into baking real quick.

“I got the call for the show really based on personality, but up until that point I hadn’t really done a ton of baking outside of amateur dabbling here and there. I really started baking hardcore about a week and a half before going on the show. I quickly realised that I had a unique knack for it, given my scientific background and the fact that

baking is one of the purest applications of science as far as knowing how to accurately combine ingredients and carry it through the oven baking process,” he added. They own Sweet Lobby, a bak-

ery in Washington DC that has been in existence for the past four years.

He said, “Life became pretty hectic after Cupcake Wars. Food Network has legions of fans and the show particularly had its fanatics so there was definitely a lot of buzz in and around DC when we won and cover spots on NBC, FOX and even NPR helped spread the news of the win. We became a national destination that tourists would look up when coming to DC and business increased tenfold. We definitely got recognised in a few airports and even signed a few autographs. So life certainly became busier, but in a good way.”

Since then McIntosh has decided to branch out on his own with a luxury dessert project called Découvre. Combining his passion for science; with his newfound love for food, McIntosh hopes to highlight the importance of STEM.

STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education. Focus is put on these areas together; utilising an interdisciplinary and applied approach that forms into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications for youths.

McIntosh said, “This is a field that is really important to me and is essentially what I want to be a major aspect of the Découvre project in years to come.” He said, “At MIT, I became heavily involved in youth STEM education outreach through an office called the Office of Engineering Outreach Programmes (OEOP). It quickly be-

came a passion of mine (and still is). I was a lead educator/curriculum developer with them during and after my tenure at MIT. One of the main goals of the office was to design innovative programmes geared toward illustrating the real-life applications of science to disadvantaged youth, as a means of piquing their interest in the technical fields at an early age. Ultimately, this is what I would love to do in Trinidad.

“My aim is that eventually Découvre will become a major contributor in the conversation surrounding what we are doing to ensure that as a nation, our students are not lagging behind in the pursuit of STEM fields as viable career options. I believe that I have been blessed with a very unique and particular set of skills/experiences that have ushered me into an apt space to be able to give back in this way,” McIntosh said.

“Découvre, means “discover” in French and I want us to do just that: discover what real quality chocolate is. “Chocolate is such a universally loved flavour but I want to expose people to chocolate as it is supposed to be enjoyed. There is such a difference between desserts made using real chocolate as opposed to nondescript supermarket cocoa powder and I want to highlight the vast disparity in that quality,” he said.

McIntosh returned to Trinidad a few years ago and realised that there was a very popular niche market when it came to chocolate and chocolate desserts. (TTExpress)

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Fourteen finalists were selected and sashed from a total of 18 in this year's Miss Teen Jamaica 2015, held at the New Kingston Conference Centre located inside the New Kingston Shopping Mall on Dominica Drive, St Andrew, recently.

The occasion also served as a harsh re-

Pminder of the atrocities being experienced by Jamaica's children. Each of contestant took the stage with a lit candle and pleaded with those intent on doing them harm.

Nuture us for a better tomorrow; don't ignore what is happening to us, and don't kill us, love us were some of the appeals made by the teens.

"My heart goes out for

ORT-OF-SPAIN,

TRINIDAD: In Trinidad and Tobago we can all breathe a sigh of relief; we are not the only ones who make a mess of the English language. It is a problem that affects millions of people worldwide.

“Although English is not an easy language to master it is not impossible to learn to overcome its challenges,” said Marlene Davis.

“In fact, once you are clear on the use of Standard English, it can provide any individual a greater level of confidence in their ability in the spoken and written word,” she added.

Davis is an Express columnist and retired English teacher with over 20 years’ experience. Her career has given her the opportunity to travel to various countries doing what she loves — teaching. In fact, teaching for this Cascade scholar has been a recipe of passion and compassion. Davis is not the only one who is enamoured by teaching others; it also runs in her family.

She said, “Though some of us may have a good grasp of the English language, unfortunately there are some people that just do not know.”

There are several examples of this, Davis highlights in her new book, Language Matters. It is a guide of sorts that is geared towards helping

these young children. It really bothers me... over two dozen children killed since 2015. It is a sad state of affairs," Janet Sinclair, event conceptualiser, told Jamaican Observer.

The opening segment ended with audience and competitors holding hands and singing Diana Ross's Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand).

But it didn't end there. One finalist said she yearns for a day when "girls can walk the streets and not be harrassed".

The entertainment package saw dub poet Keith Shepherd in performance as well as Digicel Rising Stars alumnus Nickeisha Barnes.

"It was a very good show and all the girls were winners," Sinclair

Trinidadians and Tobagonians master the English language.

The book took approximately one year to write. Davis says it is a great book for teenagers and adults, as it covers numerous topics such as grammar, pronunciation, spelling and vocabulary. Davis also took the time to highlight the importance of saying “Thank you”, “Sorry”, “Excuse me”, “You’re welcome” and “Please”. She refers to these words and phrases as “Magic Words”. In Language Matters,

Davis has a collection of articles for people who really take joy in reading; and for those who don’t, Davis’ great sense of humour is very evident throughout and will not only have you laughing off your seat but hopefully will entice you to read more.

Davis says, “I put God out of my thoughts one day and corrected a vendor on Frederick Street and told her it’s not currants rolls—it’s currant rolls” to which she replied “Is not one currant ah does put

added.

The finals will beheld at the Courtleigh Auditorium on July 26.

The 14 finalists chosen were: Olivia Clarke, 13, student of Frome Technical High, (Miss C-Jay's Water Sports and Marine Services); Jada Shalane, 15, Clan Carthy High, (Miss Reggae City Sports Bar); Davia Dennis, 14, Jose Marti Technical, (Miss

in it? Is plenty, plenty currant ah does put in it.”

“Give me a cokes” or “This is mines” are other examples of this and though some of us will chuckle about the above incident however just being able to read and write properly should not be taken for granted, Davis said.

She noted though it may seem downright obvious to some people; for others it is a part of everyday language and there is nothing wrong with the above statements.

This incident with the vendor remained in Davis’ mind and became the catalyst which started the book.

One of the topics in her book is Back to Basics. Davis noted while this is the foundation for people at the primary school level, it is not reinforced enough at the secondary level, leaving some pupils at a loss when it comes to the use of Standard English. While Davis begrudgingly admits that the advent of technology has contributed to some people’s lack of awareness of the use of Standard English, older folks should know better.

“I speak in Standard English; I listen to the vernacular but am not really confused by it at all. I think because I have been correcting it for years as a teacher it just comes naturally to me,” she said.

Wellington Dental); Debbisha Reid, 14, Norman Manley High (Miss J'sin Promotions); Rosan Samuels, 17, St. George's College, (Miss GK Motors); Jade Edwards, 14, The Queen's School (Miss Johnson's Maintenance); Ashley Clarke, 13, Jose Marti Technical, (Miss Eyeland Wear); Racquel Hall, 17, Excelsior Community College, (Miss Fay's on Wheels Restaurant); Vashanie Johnson, 17, St. James High, (Miss Lawson's Block Factory); Christian Codner, 13, Ocho Rios High School, (Miss Delapenha's Funeral Services); Khadeen Johnson, 17, Glenmuir High (Miss Danrest Fashion & Accessories); Rene Curtis, 17, Merle Grove High, (Miss Singer); Princess Lattibeaudiere, 16, Convent of Mercy/Alpha, (Miss Big Stone Records); and Leighashley Dunbar, 16, Oberlin High, (Miss Charles Chocolate). The finalists are vying for scholarships valued Ja$1 million at the University of College of the Caribbean in St Andrew, as well as a trip to the United States. (Jamaica Observer)

Apart from covering the basics when it comes to Standard English, Davis, through her book, also covers misused words, essential literary terms and tips on punctuation, to name a few. The book consists of 150 pages with revision exercises at the back.

Davis spent many years preparing pupils for the CXC and GCE Advanced Level (CAPE) in English Language and Literature, General Paper, as well as debating and public speaking skills. She has conducted courses in Business Writing Skills, Presentation Skills, Personal Development and Office Deportment. She also holds a BA (Hons) in English.

Coincidentally, the title of the book, Language Matters is also the name of her column that comes out every Tuesday in the Trinidad Express.

Davis has seen many people make many mistakes in Standard English, written and spoken.

She said, “My objective is not to embarrass anyone; I truly have compassion for people and do enjoy teaching the English language to anyone who is willing to learn.”

Davis plans to launch the book later this month on a date to be announced.

Copies of the book will be available soon in bookstores. (Trinidad Express)

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Emerging designer Jehan Jackson is scheduled to unveil her sophomore collection at Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW) slated for June 6-15, 2015.

Jackson, who studied textile design and fibre

arts at the Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts, debuted to rave reviews at last year's staging of CFW.

Her Old Harbour Babe collection — inspired by her mother's childhood memories of their hometown, Old Harbour Bay — was well received.

Vogue Italia declared "the seductive designs" of Old Harbour Babe were among the outstanding collections last season.

"My biggest accomplishment, thus far, was finally launching not

GEORGETOWN, CAYMAN: Cayman Islands Fashion Week was back for its fifth go last weekend in Grand Cayman and welcomed the island's hottest pop cultural export of the moment -- Caymanian actress Grace Gealey, who stars on American TV's breakout hit hip-

hop drama Empire -- to add currency to the couture celebration. Billed 'Fashion Rocks', the marquee event hosted at the Lions Centre in Red Bay, Grand Cayman, featured 13 collections from Caribbean talent such as New Yorkbased Guyanese Roger Gary and 2012 Miss Trinidad and Tobago

only my long-awaited collection at CFW 2014, but also featuring my exclusively designed and digitally printed textiles. However, that was last year and I know the expectations are even higher this year," said Jackson, who is in her twenties.

In addition to several young designers, a formidable line- up of regional and international designers, including Claudia Pegus, Cedella Marley, Robert Young, Hope Wade, Uzuri and scores of others will be on show.

(Jamaica Observer)

World-turned-designer

Athaliah Samuel, and Mexican American designer Cesar Galindo and Project Runway

Season 5 runner-up Korto Momolu. SO shares scenes on and off the runway. (Jamaica Observer)

Humanity

By Narine Dat Sookram

Humanity is everyone’s business that is how I see it. Generally speaking, for those who practice any religion and I mean and religion, it can surely give a higher purpose to our lives and keep us grounded.

The thing what I mean by this is that it is not only a set of rules that we must devote our lives to, but more importantly it is also what we take from any religion, is what is important.

Religion should be something that we truly believe in and practice on an ongoing basis, rather than something to define our actions. I would think that all religions teach the importance of peace and unity, which is what the world needs badly today.

Personally for me the most important religion is humanity, because just being a good human being defines us everywhere. Let’s not forget too how important peace is. I support the old saying, “where there is peace there is abundance.”

This is very achievable, the only requirement from us is to be helpful to the ones in need very time regardless where we may be. In other words it is important for us to understand other people’s problem and accept their situations and try to be as considerate as possible.

I know that it can be very hard to love and care for every living being, especially how some people may treat us after doing so many good things for them. Let’s not forget that regardless of how much good things we do, we will still have a few people who will say negative things about us.

As far as I am concern, humanity means to care for and help other people whenever and wherever possible. This is something that fits with my own values, because it makes me feel very fulfil within during the process and even after the fact knowing that I have made a difference in someone’s life.

Another way to service humanity is to help someone at times when he/she needs it the most. In other words we have to forget our own selfish interests in order to experience the feeling of giving.

One may wonder what we can do to help someone if we don’t have a lot to give. I have this conversation all the time with people. This is very simple it’s not complicated at all. It reminds me of what Mother Teresa once said, “It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”

In other words, we do not have to have a big bank account to do our part to contribute towards humanity. For example by helping an old woman lifting her heavy bag is an act of humanity.

Or helping a ‘disabled’ person in any way possible is also an act of humanity, just to name a few examples. The thing is, once we understand how importance is it to service humanity in our everyday lives, our purpose as a human being will quickly be fulfilled.

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

Kangana Ranaut:

It’s hard to have a genuine relationship

The team of 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns' is buoyed by the response to the trailer and music. Four years since the first instalment, 'Tanu Weds Manu', director Aanand L Rai is again collaborating with R Madhavan, Kangana Ranaut and Jimmy Sheirgill. Only this time, Kangana plays a double role, her new character being the Haryanvi athlete Datto.

Given that their first film ends with Tanu wedding Manu, Aanand says about the sequel, "Generally, we take

Sonakshi Sinha opens up about her family project, admits that ‘Action Jackson’ didn't turn out the way she expected, asserts she can't see anyone else playing Rajjo in ‘Dabangg’.

Your glam prop role in your last film, ‘Action Jackson’, disappointed. Will AK Murugadoss's ‘Akira’ be any different?

My role eventually turned out to be something entirely different. But when I commit to something, I believe in doing it with conviction. ‘Action Jackson’

things into the cribbing zone after marriage, I wanted to change that. I think it's the imperfections that make a relationship." Adding to that, Madhavan calls the sequel a "nice family inspirational film for the middle-class."

Maintaining that Manu has changed as anyone else in four years, the actor elaborates, "Aanand has made this larger than life — in a sense that women want a husband like Manu, guys want a woman like Tanu. You'll even find a character like your aunt in the film."

For Kangana, the toughest part was playing the protagonist and antagonist at the same time. She says, "While Tanu is trying to be feisty and fearless all over again, Datto is a young girl falling for a man who has just gotten divorced. Justifying two characters, playing against each other was the biggest challenge."

Further, pointing out that the movie has a contemporary take on marriages, she says, "It's hard to have a genuine relationship. You hold on, want to make it work... that's what makes this film interesting. (TOI)

After getting bail in the 2002 hitand run case, Salman Khan wasted no time in joining the cast of Kabir Khan's Bajrangi Bhaijaan in Srinagar. To avoid the media waiting outside Srinagar airport, the actor's security team whisked him out through the cargo gate.

He was driven straight to his hotel, located on the banks of the Dal Lake, and soon after left for Sonmarg where the film's final schedule is currently underway. Said a source close to the project, "Kabir and his unit were prepared for a week's absence after the May 6 hearing. Instead of holding up the shoot, the unit chalked out a plan to can scenes which did not require the actor."

They filmed with the film's supporting cast, including Nawazuddin Siddiqui."Since the film is scheduled for

an Eid release, there is very little time left. They couldn't afford to halt the schedule," added the source. "Salman has about a week's shooting left which will be completed in Sonmarg. There are a few dialogues and an action sequence after which it will be a wrap for Bajrangi Bhaijaan." (TOI)

Kareena consults legal team over weight loss article

and ‘Akira’ are different films, made by different people with different characters. ‘Akira’ is a character people will relate to.

Your director turned the character around, from a guy to a girl. How much has ‘Akira’ changed from the Tamil original Mounaguru?

‘Akira’ is different from the original now that it has a female protagonist and has been adapted to the sensibilities of a Hindi film audience. Murugadoss sir's gift came with a strong sense of responsibility. When briefing me, he pointed out that we'd both been part of films which featured male superstars. This film is riding on us.

Konkona Sen Sharma plays a cop in the film... apprehensive about getting overshadowed?

Konkana is a fantastic actress. I'm looking forward to the shoot. Actors feed off each others’ energy, being in the same frame with her will only enhance my performance. (TOI)

'Helen' will transform Poonam Pandey's career: Director

Controversial model-actress Poonam Pandey's career is poised for a transformation after "Helen", says the film's director Ajit Rajpal.

Rajpal told IANS: "When a title like 'Helen' gets attached with Poonam, it automatically creates curiosity and entertainment. I'm confident that Poonam's career will be completely transformed after 'Helen'.

"The way she is working right now, I have no doubts that a few years down the line, she will be someone who everybody will be looking forward to working with."

Rajpal earlier wrote "Nasha" -which also starred Poonam -- but he never got to direct it. But for "Helen", he made sure to take on the writer and director's roles himself.

Asked what prompted him to cast Poonam in "Helen", he said: "I have been tracking her progress in the entertainment world and I can say that

she has not been fully explored yet. Her talent hasn't been tapped."

"Helen", produced by Vipin Medhekar and Suresh Nakum under the banner The World Networks, is scheduled to go on the floors in June.

Poonam had earlier clarified that even while the film's title may suggest otherwise, "Helen" is not a biopic on yesteryear's dancing diva Helen. (TOI)

Ksome weight loss pills to shed the extra pounds. This news went viral on the internet. A website posted that Bebo had used a miracle pill to lose 13 kilos. But the news has not gone down well with the actress who is planning to take legal action.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, a source close to the actor was quoted saying that Kareena found out about the article a week back and is consulting her legal team to take the appropriate action. Not only that, she also plans to send legal notices to the medical company that produces the product and the website that published the news. Further to reports, Bebo is planning to sue the medical company for Rs 20 crore. (TOI)

Her mother may be happy to see her face peeping out of newspaper pages but Anushka Sharma feels actors should retain a certain amount of mystery and enigma for their audiences.

The 27-year-old actress, who has cemented her position as a bankable star with the success of "PK" and "NH10", has been in the headlines recently be it her movie projects or her relationship with cricketer Virat Kohli.

"Actors are overexposed today. Everytime I open the newspaper, I see my face, I see myself on hoardings. It is overbearing to see myself so much. My mother is happy though."

“Till date, she gets excited to see my face in the newspaper," Anushka said in an interview.

"But, I feel a certain amount of mystery should remain with actors, there should be some enigma. You should go and experience them onscreen."

The audience will get to experience Anushka's performance in two backto-back movies --Anurag Kashyap's "Bombay Velvet" and Zoya Akhtar's "Dil Dhadakne Do" -- releasing this Friday and on June 5.

"Bombay Velvet", where she is paired opposite Ranbir Kapoor for the first time, will see Anushka in an "internalised" role, quite opposite to her chirpy image. (TOI)

Arjun Kapoor turns three in film world

Arjun Kapoor completed three years in the world of showbiz on Monday and the actor says the journey has been surreal for him.

"So happy birthday to me 11th may 3 years back I was born on celluloid...6 films & 3 years later still feels surreal," Arjun tweeted on Monday.

The son of producer Boney Kapoor ventured into Bollywood with 2012 film Ishaqzaade in a rough and rebellious look. Arjun also thanked his fans for supporting him.

"Thank u to all of u for all the love and unconditional support I am nothing without all of u... #3YearsOfArjunKapoor. Thank u for

showering all the love & making me feel special about being in the industry for 3 yrs," [sic] he wrote.

The actor went on to try different genres of films by doing a double role in Aurangzeb, essaying role of the hotheaded Bala in ‘Gunday’ with ease, and also brought forward his nerdy side in ‘2 States’. (TOI)

Hemsworth worked at pharmacy to pay bills

Since welcoming daughter Wyatt, now 7 months old, in October 2014, Hollywood couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis are enjoying the nesting phase as first-time parents.

Kunis, 31, said she has become more civic-minded since Wyatt's birth, reported Us magazine.

"I'm proud to be a stay-at-home mom. I want an eco-friendly car, I want to compost everything, because I want the world to be better for her," Kunis said.

The "Friends With

Benefits" star said the pair is too busy to plan a wedding, they have found time to get in-

volved behind the scenes of their gated 90210 community. (TOI)

George Clooney won't play prank on wife

Actor George Clooney is too scared of the consequences to play a prank on his wife Amal Alamuddin.

ble. She can do anything to me. I could be behind bars."

While there are no pranks in his marriage, Clooney insists he has a lot of "fun" with his wife.

"It's been pretty great. I'm very lucky, and I'm very happy and we have a really fun time.

"Thor" fame actor Chris Hemsworth says he had to "clean breast pumps" to pay the bills before he became famous.

"I worked for a pharmacy that would rent out milk extractors, you know breast pumps, for pregnant women. I swear to god I had a toothbrush and a spray, and I would scrub dried milk off the machines," Hemsworth told website Collider, reports aceshowbiz.com.

The 31-year-old is currently filming "The Huntsman", which is set to release in 2016. (TOI)

Third 'Sex And The City' movie in pipeline

Actress Sarah Jessica Parker has sparked rumours there are plans for the third instalment of "Sex And The City".

She posted a cryptic message on social media on photo-sharing website Instagram along with a photograph, which hinted at a third film, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

which is known for being one of her character Carrie Bradshaw's favourite shops.

Alongside that, she wrote: "Well. I guess the cat's out of the (little brown) bag. As usual, we will keep you posted on every detail as we are able. I'm under strict gag order until then. Xx, Sj."

The mysterious post follows months of speculation that Parker and her costars Kristin Davis, Kim Cattrall and Cynthia Nixon, were set to return for a third instalment.

Back in October 2014, both Parker and Davis hinted they could be reprising their roles when they exchanged a series of tweets seeming to be in reference to the movie.

Davis wrote to Sarah: "Miss YOU XOXOXO!!"

The 54-year-old is known for his love of practical jokes, but he'll not play anyone of them on the 37-year-old lawyer, reports femalefirst. co.uk.

Asked if he plays jokes on Alamuddin, Clooney told Entertainment Tonight: "Listen, she's a lawyer. I can get in trou-

"I'm very proud of the things that she does in the world and who she is, and she has a wonderful family and friends. It's been a really exciting, fun time," he said.

The couple got married in September last year in Venice. (TOI)

Jake Gyllenhaal, Ruth Wilson spotted kissing

Hollywood star Jake Gyllenhaal has fuelled Ruth Wilson romance reports after they were caught kissing over the weekend.

The "Nightcrawler" star made his Broadway debut playing opposite Wilson in "Constellations" and it appears the pair's onstage chemistry has spilled over into the actors' real lives, reported E!Online.

Gyllenhaal, 34, was first romantically linked to his British colleague in December and now it appears they have gone public with the relationship after sharing a "passionate" kiss after attending a fitness class together at Barry's Bootcamp gym in Manhattan last week.

Samuel L. Jackson has admitted that he was addicted to work and loved creating film characters as it kept him going.

The actor previously dated Taylor Swift, Reese Witherspoon and Sports Illustrated models Alyssa Miller and Emily DiDonato. (TOI)

Samuel L. Jackson admits work 'fuels him up'

The 66-year-old actor said "Painters get up and paint. Writers get up and write. I get up and create characters. I like creating. It fuels me. And it's doing something that keeps me from being me all day." According to

Multivision Multimedia, the iconic actor whose work includes cult movies like 'Pulp Fiction,' 'Die Hard' and 'Avengers', will be playing the role of the President of the United States in the upcoming movie ' Big Game '. (TOI)

The image posted by the 50-year-old actress, features her carrying a paper bag from department store Bloomingdales -

Stage and screen actress Elizabeth Wilson has died. She was 94.

Wilson passed away on Saturday at her New Haven, Connecticut home, The Hollywood Reporter said.

She was best known for her collaborations with acclaimed filmmaker Mike Nichols, most notably in 1967's "The Graduate", in which she played Dustin Hoffman's on-screen mother.

Nichols also directed Wilson in his films "Catch-22", "The Day of the Dolphin" and

Eva

Parker then replied: "Me too you? Head the news? X"

Davis added: "You let me know when we can celebrate." (TOI)

"Regarding Henry".

Wilson's other notable supporting role was as Roz, the nemesis of Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin in "9 to 5".

Throughout her nearly seven-decade career, Wilson also appeared in films such as "The Birds", "Quiz Show" and "The Addams Family", and her TV credits include "East Side/West Side", "Doc", "Dark Shadows", "All in the Family", and "Murder, She Wrote'.

Wilson was also a famed stage star, making her Broadway debut in "Picnic' in 1953,

and she went on to perform in such productions as "Threepenny Opera", "The Importance of Being Earnest", "You Can't Take It with You" and "A Delicate Balance". In 1972, Wilson was given the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for her role in anti-war drama "Sticks and Bones", and she was elected to the Theatre Hall of Fame in 2007. Wilson also earned nominations for BAFTA Film Awards, the Emmy Awards and the Drama Desk Awards. (TOI)

Longoria admits to being on 'good terms' with ex hubby Tony Parker

Eva Longoria recently admitted that she is on good terms with her former husband Tony Parker. The former couple have confirmed to be friends again, and the 40-yearold beauty, who ended her 3-year mar-

riage with San Antonio Spurs player in 2011, was even spotted cheering for him and his basketball team on April 22, Contactmusic reported. The ' Desperate Housewives ' star is now in a serious relationship with Mexican media tycoon Jose Antonio Baston, and the 32-year-old basket ball player too has moved on and married a French journalist named Axelle Francine.

Though the actress had an adverse effect of the split on her health initially, earlier this year, she admitted that she was in a 'happier place' with her new beau. (TOI)

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

She’s analytical, practical and creative, an artist who is serious about her work.

Born and raised in St Andrew, Kareen Wilson, 27, told the Jamaican media that from a young age she was drawing full-figured people while the children around her drew stick men. At age seven, when she was introduced to paint, she became attached and has never looked back.

As such Wilson said it came as no surprise to her parents when she decided to pursue art right throughout life, despite the discouragement from her teachers.

"They would say it was for the slower students and I was not slow. In fact, what shocked them was when I received a grade one in CXC art, which is usually hard to achieve, and grade ones in the seven other subjects I did," she said.

After graduating from high school she journeyed to Macalester College in St Paul, Minnesota to study psy-

chology and minor in studio art, where her love for panting blossomed into a hobby.

Wilson said at Macalester she was introduced to charcoal and further fell in love with it when she realised how much she could do with it.

"You were taught to use charcoal as if you were painting and you could also use it to do drawings as well," she explained.

From there she further expanded her portfolio, which now encompasses over 100 paintings of mostly water colours and charcoal.

In 2012 she built her own website www. kareenwilson.wix.com/ fineart to allow other people to enjoy her art work and has launched online competitions for which her paintings are the prizes.

"I do these competitions on notable days, for example Valentine's Day where I invited couples to upload their pictures, compete for likes, and the couple with the most likes would win an art piece," she said. "I

do this to get my art out so people actually know what I do. I went into this not even expecting to get Facebook likes, so when people enter these competitions it means a lot."

She also paints Bible stories for children who are part of her aunt's Sunday School at the Greater Portmore Open Bible Church.

"I particularly enjoy this for the fact that I'm doing art and I'm helping kids. They love the visual representation of biblical things and when they are able to read a story and see it in paint it's great knowing you can do something that is accessible to kids," she said.

But what keeps her motivated is the sense of relaxation that it gives her.

"I see art as an escape and when I'm doing it I don't need to think about anything else. I experiment a lot. I have no set style. Many artists have a style but I do whatever draws me. Sometimes knowing I haven't done something in a while will move me

to do art," she said.

Quite the Jill of all trades, Wilson also designs T-shirts, her own business cards and her own tattoos. Plus she does block printing, etching, intaglio and ceramics.

In her day job, she works as a lab technician in the pathology lab at the Banana Board, and she has also incorporated art into her work life.

"I draft and edit

things that will be published and do just about any artistic work such as ads, graphics, work on the website and other things that aren't in my purview," she said. She's also currently pursuing a MBA at the University of the West Indies with a concentration in human resource management as she explains that there's a chemical or psychological explanation for everything people do and

she wants to find out. Wilson also loves chess but doesn't play it much as she said it adds stress and has a tendency to make her upset.

"Sometimes it's difficult to see the next few moves, and you have to look five or 10 moves ahead and it can consume you. So I decided to spend free time doing more soothing things like art," she said. (Jamaica Observer)

Jamaica/Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this year

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: The Jamaica/Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. At its launch Thursday at Four Seasons Hotel, it was announced that its founder Sonny Bradshaw and politician/musician Seymour 'Foggy' Mullings will be honoured.

The eight-day event begins May 30. Unlike previous years, it will be held mainly in Kingston instead of Ocho Rios.

"It has been a struggle, but

we hang on as the need to provide this space for live jazz music is still there. So, we feel that the work that we have done over the past 25 years was well done," said festival director Myrna Hague, Bradshaw's widow.

She noted that changes for the silver anniversary also includes a new starting date. The show previously opened on Father's Day.

"This year promises to be very exciting and we try to do something different as Sonny would have often done. We moved away

from Fathers' Day but June is still Jazz Month," Hague noted. "The other thing that we have done, we centralised it in Kingston to a large extent. We discovered new venues to accommodate jazz fans."

In memory of her husband who died in 2009, his Jamaica Big Band will perform with saxophonist Dean Fraser. So too the Jamaica Military Band.

Mullings, a former deputy prime minister of Jamaica and Government minister, was a respected pianist who performed at the festival several times.

He died in 2013.

Two pianists, Marjorie Whylie and Lloyd 'Obeah' Denton, will lead the Mullings tribute on opening day at the Ashe Centre.

Also appearing on the festival will be Haitian singer Zina, and from South Africa, Lorraine Klaasen; the Rotem Ziva Trio from Israel and Ginetta's Vendetta from the United States. The second day will be a Jazz Brunch at Hotel Four Seasons featuring Robert Browne (son of musician/producer Danny Browne) on guitar. At the same venue on June 2 and 5 are Jam Sessions with keyboardist Ozou'ne. (Jamaica Observer)

Caribbean literature’s favourite Englishman

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Jeremy Poynting doesn't have a bushy white beard, but he has the twinkly eyes and pink cheeks of Santa Claus, and that's who he is for many Caribbean writers.

Poynting is an Englishman, whose accent reveals his Yorkshire roots: he started publishing from his garage in Leeds.

Now, as Bocas Lit Fest organiser Nicholas Laughlin pointed out, Poynting has published more Caribbean literature than anyone else anywhere, ever. On the bookstalls upstairs, many of the new books by TT writers—Sharon Millar, Rhoda Bharath, Laughlin—had been issued by his Peepal Tree Press.

So 60 people signed up for Poynting’s workshop on Preparing for Publication, in the audiovisual room of the National Library, on April 29, the day before Bocas 2015 officially kicked off.

Some left disappointed, however, if they hoped Poynting would reveal the secret of how to become a bestselling writer. Attorney Robin Montano asked several times what made a book “commercially viable;” but that’s not a question Poynting was interested in.

Another participant wanted to know if he thought the current massive international success of Jamaican novelist Marlon James would help other Caribbean writers. Poynting was vague, but seemed to think not, and wasn't exercised over that anyway.

That became apparent as he explained the philosophy of Peepal Tree, which has published over 300 books and lasted three decades, but which despite those successes

is wildly different from the average publisher.

For instance, Poynting enthused about the Jamaican poet Tony McNeill, who published only three books in his lifetime, but whose brilliance and influence are recognised by his peers and successors. Many of McNeill's poems are unpublished, and Poynting is hoping to put out his collected works. It may sell only 150 copies—“He's a difficult poet,” Poynting acknowledges—but he's fine with that.

An ordinary, commercially-minded publisher would not be. Poynting mentioned David Dabydeen, the Guyanese writer and academic long established in the UK, whose early books Peepal Tree published. His work might sell 700-1,000 copies a year—enough to satisfy Poynting, but not enough for Dabydeen's later publisher, Cape, who dropped him.

Peepal Tree gets some funding from the Arts Council of England, but runs on a shoestring budget, with two full-time staff. That means it “can take literary, but not economic risks.”

The company might sell a pre-ordered print run of 500-700 copies of a book; after that, thanks to rapid digital publishing, they can print more if and when they're needed. Peepal Tree has little cash for promoting its writers, and rarely pays them an advance. Even then the maximum is three figures.

But it can publish work by new writers, or reissue classics— such as the novels of Edgar Mittelholzer— and that's what makes Poynting happy: developing good Caribbean writing and making it available to an audience, no matter how small. (TT Guardian)

CPL final and semi-final tickets go on sale

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA : The Biggest Party in Sport is just six weeks away, and tickets for the final and semi finals of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League go on sale at www.cplt20.com!

The Queen’s Park Oval will be packed to the rafters for the climax of what promises to be the most exciting CPL season yet, and fans wanting to guarantee their place at these matches should get online without delay.

Prices start at US$12.50 for the semi finals, and US$15 for the final. Special discount packages for all three games will also be

Fans urged to book early to avoid disappointment –Box Office opening dates also announced

available for the first 48 hours on the CPL website, where fans can also

buy tickets to all group stage matches, and find out about further flash

sales and great value deals.

The CPL also an-

nounced the Box Office opening dates for all six stadiums. Barbados, St Lucia and St Kitts & Nevis will open on May 27th, with Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago to follow on June 15th, and Jamaica on June 18th.

Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League, said: “CPL is always the hottest ticket in town. We know that all three games will be a sell out at the Queen’s Park Oval, so I urge fans to book early to avoid disappointment.

“We can’t wait to see who will be battling it out in the finals in front

of what is bound to be a fantastic crowd at one of the Caribbean’s most iconic venues.”

Global superstars including Kevin Pietersen, Jacques Kallis and Shahid Afridi will join the Caribbean’s finest cricketers, like Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine and exciting up-and-coming local talent.

Last year’s tournament attracted a global audience in excess of 65 million and this year is set to be even higher as fans across the world continue to be drawn to the high quality action on the pitch and the unique party atmosphere off it. (CPL.com)

Time to cash in on potential of Jamaica International Invitational meet

...There are important lessons to learn from The Bahamas

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: The 'Bahamazing ' of the recent held IAAF World Relays at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium by that nation shows how innovation can translate a sporting event into megabucks.

In 2014, the first IAAF World Relays was held in the Bahamas. Many then questioned whether the inaugural World Relays would have survived since there are the Penn Relays, Diamond Leagues, World Challenges and a myriad of other games that compete for participation from elite athletes worldwide.

Anne Barrett, the senior director of logistics for the IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2015, mapped a plan of action that would ensure that the relays become a premium sport tourism feature and earn maximum profit and exposure for that island.

The Bahamas for the 2015 version of the relays implemented a logistics hub that included airlifting into the island, immigration control for sport fans to the relays, a transport hub to the hotels/stadium from the airport, shopping and storage of equipment.

The Bahamas for the 2015 version of the relays implemented a logistics hub that included airlifting into the island, immigration control for sport fans to the relays, a transport hub to the hotels/stadium from the airport, shopping and storage of equipment.

Months before the relays, an online logistics hub was created for accreditation, ticket pur-

chase, hotel accommodation and sightseeing. The Bahamas, because of its performance in hosting the relays successfully in the first two years of this competition, will again be host in 2017. Congratulations to The Bahamas for a job well done.

The Jamaica International Invitational/IAAF World Challenge has been on for a few years now. Jamaica should maximise this meet to make a substantial profit to fund sports programmes. The meet should be marketed to earn foreign currencies from people outside of Jamaica. The Jamaica Invitational usually takes place in May when many elite athletes want to test where they are in relation to other international athletes. Jamaica has the male and female world champions for the marquee 100m sprint. Our male and female athletes have dominated in the 200m sprints. Kaliese Spencer, for her part, is the current Diamond League champion for the 400m hurdles, while Javon 'Donkeyman' Francis is upcoming and poses a real danger in the 400m to Kirani James of Grenada. Also, the schoolboy Akeem Broomfield is also on the wings doing sub 45s for the 400m, while Jaheel Hyde is the future of hurdling -- formidable in both the 110m and 400m. Elaine Thompson of MVP has the fastest time for the 100m sprint this year.

I have not even mentioned Usain Bolt, who is Jamaica's global pulling card. Even the presi-

dent of the United States could not resist the pull of posing with Jamaica's megastar recently.

Jamaica has also attracted global superstars like Carmelita Jeter, Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay, Sanya Richards and Christine Ohuruogu to this meet. I am primarily a research scientist with some teaching duties in the Faculty of Medical Sciences, UWI. However, based on my foray into sports, I am posing a project to the Ministry of Tourism, JAAA and Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), who is the primary sponsor of the Jamaica International IAAF World Challenge. Since the Jamaica/IAAF World Challenge is a one-day evening event that usually starts at 6.15 pm on a Saturday, let us get some same day sports tourists into Jamaica for the meet.

The University of the West Indies should be able to facilitate this for same day sports visitors who would be leaving in the early morning of Sunday for home. They could have a night visit to the UWI Bowl/ Usain Bolt Track after the meet and have charter buses taking them back to NMIA in time for their early morning flights.

This sort of logistics sports hub is possible. The David Geffen School of Medicine, the National Baseball League and United States Antidoping Agency on the morning of April 21 and afternoon of April 22 arranged a fly in/ fly out of New York after an antidoping forum in midtown Manhattan. Participants were able to chat to an

Emmy award winner and some sports stars and also sight tour in the night. Of course security would have to be in place to ensure that visitors to Jamaica are safe.

This sort of logistics sports hub is possible.

The David Geffen School of Medicine, the National Baseball League and United States Antidoping Agency on the morning of April 21 and afternoon of April 22 arranged a fly in/ fly out of

New York after an antidoping forum in midtown Manhattan. Participants were able to chat to an Emmy award winner and some sports stars and also sight tour in the night. Of course security would have to be in place to ensure that visitors to Jamaica are safe.

Jamaica has fiddled with its sports assets for too long. The government and the JAAA will not have to visit China for a sport logistics hub, I am

proposing and is giving the design for free. Mr Earl Jarrett, over to you. See if you can get Irwin Claire, chairperson of the New York Diaspora and Dr Susan Davis from the Miami region to help with preliminary implementation of this project starting at the Diaspora meeting in Ocho Rios this June. JAMPRO can also be bought in to start preparation for implementation next year. (Jamaica Observer)

England shun Pietersen due to breakdown in trust

LONDON – Kevin

Pietersen is not in England’s plans this summer due to a complete breakdown in trust but has not been banned from playing international cricket in the future.

England director Andrew Strauss outlined his plans in his new role and the controversial Pietersen was, unsurprisingly, the main topic

“There is a massive trust issue between me and Kevin.”

Pietersen was sacked by England last year following a number of incidents that culminated in the 5-0 Ashes defeat in Australia during which he was accused of being disengaged from the team.

Strauss’ first task as director was to sack Peter Moores as coach

Kevin Pietersen

of interest.

“Now is the time for us to be really open about the Kevin Pietersen situation — people have been running away from it for years,” Strauss told reporters in the Lord’s pavilion.

“The truth about Kevin is that he is a phenomenal cricketer. But over months and years trust has eroded between Kevin Pietersen and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

and two days later Pietersen gave a timely reminder of his batting talent with an innings of 355 not out for Surrey in the county championship, the highest score of his career.

But Strauss said that had done nothing to alter the situation and he met Pietersen on Monday evening to tell him face to face he does not feature in England’s plans.

“It did not change my thinking at all as we

have always known what a fantastic cricketer Kevin is,” Strauss said. “He was not happy with the decision and I did not expect him to be.

“It’s not about his ability as a player. It’s about trust. You can’t build that over a few days.

NO GUARANTEES

“I can’t give him any guarantees about the future but he is not banned from the side because no-one knows what is going to happen in the future.” South Africanborn Pietersen, 34, has made 8,181 test runs, including 23 centuries, and is England’s highest runscorer in all forms of international cricket.

He was a team mate of Strauss’ for many years and played under his captaincy but he was dropped for a test against South Africa in 2012 after sending provocative texts about the skipper to opposition players.

Strauss was forced to issue an apology in July 2014 after being caught on microphone making offensive remarks about Pietersen during a television commentary stint.

“The trust isn’t there at the moment. I wish it wasn’t the case but it is the case,” Strauss said.

“If there’s a way to build trust let’s look at it … this isn’t about Kevin Pietersen, it is about the future of English cricket.

“I know from my time playing cricket for England that trust is absolutely imperative in any team environment.” (Reuters)

Bravo, Smith fail to find magic as CSK loses

RAIPUR, India–Dwayne Smith’s run of low scores continued and his West Indies counterpart Dwayne Bravo failed to have an impact, as their Chennai Super Kings crashed to a six-wicket defeat to Delhi Daredevils, in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday.

In a match at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Chennai posted an inadequate 119 for six and 20-year-old opener Shreyas Iyer then spanked an unbeaten 70 as Delhi overhauled the target with 20 balls remaining in the contest.

Despite the loss, CSK remained on top of the standings on 16 points but just one clear of Kolkata Knight Riders in second.

Delhi, meanwhile, are one from bottom on ten points.

Opting to bat first,

CSK struggled as both Smith and New Zealander Brendon McCullum failed to fire for any length of time.

McCullum fell in the sixth over for 11 with CSK crawling at 16 for one and Smith, who faced 24 balls and counted two fours and a six, followed in the ninth over for 18, lbw to seamer Albie Morkel.

Smith has made just

72 runs in his last six innings and has a highest score of only 40 in his last ten.

There was no magic from Bravo either, who was fifth out in the 18th over for just eight, skying a catch to JP Duminy at mid-off off rightarm seamer Gurinder Sandhu.

South African Faf du Plessis top scored with 29. (CMC)

Jamaica’s Delano Williams targets sizzling 200m times this year

KINGSTON, JAMAICADelano Williams is careful not to get too far ahead of himself, even if he is producing improving times ahead of 200-metre races he is scheduled to tackle later this year. The IAAF World Junior Championships 200m champion from Barcelona, Spain, in 2012, lowered his personal best in the 400m for the second time this year, running 45.42 seconds to win the development event at Saturday's Jamaica International Invitational at the National Stadium, and said while it was not perfect, there was a lot of positives from the race. The former Munro College runner, who switched allegiances from Turks and Caicos to represent Great Britain, told reporters after his race that his first sub46.00 seconds race, his final ‘one lapper’ for the season, he hoped his coach Neil Harrison would be pleased.

“Me and coach have been working on sprint endurance, and this is my last 400m for the season. I had one more obligation to him and that was to get a sub-46 seconds and I am sure he will be pleased, but maybe not too pleased with the last 20 metres... but nevertheless it's all about the 200m now,” he said. Williams, who had run 46.20 seconds earlier this

year, said he also hoped this time would get him on the Great Britain mile-relay team for later in the season. As of Monday, he was the fastest Briton over 400m.

He was part of the Great Britain 4x400m team at the IAAF World Relays in The Bahamas the previous week, but said lack of sleep and not eating enough had left him drained. “But I am back in Jamaica now, back home, and eating that good Jamaican food, so I am back on track,” he said. The IAAF World Championships in Beijing is a target for Williams, but he said the goal was to become the British 200m champion later this year first. “The aim this year is to win the 200m at the Great Britain Trials and to eat healthy and stay strong and take things one step at a time,” Williams pointed out. “We have objectives for Beijing, but I am not ready to talk about them until we get there.”

His personal best in the 200m is 20.27 seconds, done while completing the Class One sprint double for Munro College at the ISSA Boys’ Champs two years ago, but on his present form, a sub-20 seconds timing might be in the making this season, it was suggested to him. While not ruling it out, Williams continued in his cautious manner by saying, “yes, that is one of the aims, but we will see when we get there”. (Jamaica Observer)

GCC dominant in Woodpecker Products Ladies League

– Hikers come from behind in 2nd Division Men’s league

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANAAction in the Woodpecker Products Ladies League and the John Fernandes

Insurance Men’s Second Division League continued this past weekend at the St Stanislaus College Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Front runners in the John Fernandes Insurance Men’s Second Division League, All Greys, were again held to a 2-2 draw by a resurgent GCC side who kept their title hopes alive with the result.

The match was almost like a carbon copy of their first encounter, where All Greys used their superior experience and tactics to get out to a 2-0 lead

through a double form Sheldon Corlette. The tide slowly turned in the second half as experience succumbed to youth and GCC drew level through goals from Patrick Edghil and Michael Craig.

The only other men’s match of the weekend saw an opportunistic Old Fort side take an early lead against Hikers. Old Fort led for the majority of the match, after taking the early lead through Trolex Young.

However, the Old Fort defence held strong until the third quarter, when Hikers drew level after which there was no stopping them as they scored three more unanswered goals on their way to a 4-1 victory.

Meanwhile in the

Woodpecker Products Ladies League, fresh off their good showing in Trinidad, the GCC women took charge of the tournament with three

Bermuda to face Puerto Rico in friendly

HAMILTON, BERMUDA –

Bermuda and Puerto Rico will gear up for their respective 2018 World Cup second-round qualifiers by meeting in a friendly international at the National Sports Centre here next month, officials have announced.

Bermuda reached the second round by eliminating Bahamas 8-0 on aggregate and will now face Guatemala, while Puerto Rico, who had a first-round bye, take on Grenada.

Grenada drew 2-2 and lost 2-0 in two

friendlies against Bermuda here in March.

Bermuda’s friendly against Puerto Rico is set for June 6 – six days before Bermuda take on Guatemala in Guatemala City, with the return leg here on June 16.

Eric Labrador, president of the Puerto Rico Football Federation, told the Royal Gazette newspaper they planned to bring a strong side to Bermuda. “The friendly game is one week before our first game of World Cup qualification with Grenada, so Bermuda is a very important game

for us,” Labrador said.

“We are going to fly the whole team to Bermuda.”

Puerto Rico, who are 167th in the FIFA rankings, 39 places behind Bermuda, are scheduled to arrive on June 4.

While Bermuda thrashed the Bahamas, they can expect a far tougher assignment against Guatemala, ranked 90th, who also had a first-round bye.

Bermuda took on Puerto Rico in two friendly matches here in 2008, losing the first game 2-0 and the second 1-0. (CMC)

Windies Women beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – West Indies Women defeated Sri Lanka Women by five wickets in the opening OneDay International of the five-match series at the R Premadasa Stadium here Wednesday. Scores: SRI LANKA WOMEN 149 all out off 49.5 overs (Prasadani Weerakkody 42, Sripali Weerakkody 24 not out, Lasanthi Madushani 23; Hayley Matthews 3-19, Anisa Mohammed 2-15) WEST INDIES WOMEN 153 for five off 40.1 overs (Deandra Dottin 84 not out, Merissa Aguilleira 30; Eshani Kaushalya 2-4) (CMC)

wins from their matches. Despite the absence of several key players due to injury, GCC disposed of Old Fort and the National Under-20 Women 5-0 and

4-0 respectively. Their final match would prove to be more competitive as the Hikers side filled with several former national players frustrat-

ed the GCC forwards for most of the first half, before Tricia Woodroffe gave GCC the lead late in the second quarter.

Nevertheless, despite Hikers’ ability to continually frustrate the GCC forward line through some intelligent defence from sweeper Marisha Rodrigues, which led to some counter attacks of their own, GCC’s Ulrica Sutherland put her team further ahead in the 42nd minute for a 2-0 lead and eventual win.

The result means that GCC will remain as the only unbeaten side in the competition with nine points from three matches followed by Hikers on six points followed by the National Under-20s and Old Fort. (GuyanaTimes)

Edghill, Singh debuts at Canadian World Circuit in close loss

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

National junior player Kyle Edghill and national cadet player Jeremey Singh made their debut at the 2015 Canadian Open World Junior and Cadet Circuit event on May 11 in Markham Ontario Canada.

In their first competition against Canada ‘D’, Guyana lost the match 3-2. Edghill won both of his individual matches, topping Frederik Dufresne twice, both times by a 3-0 margin while Jeremey Singh lost twice to Wenbin Zhang at 3-2 and 3-0.

The fifth match-up saw the Guyanese duo losing to the Canadian duo 3-0 to cap of their first

team match.

The tournament provides the opportunity for both players to benefit from much needed exposure in view of developing their tactical and technical capacity while gaining critical world ranking which is key to advancing their competitiveness in future international and regional competitions.

Edghill will be com-

peting in the 18 years and under boys’ singles and teams while Singh will be competing in the cadet boys’ singles and teams. The team is being managed and coached by Lisa Lewis.

Chelsea Edghill has participated in this event with great honours having won gold in the girls’ cadets in 2012 and Bronze in 2013. (Guyana Times)

Cooper eyeing big performances in CPL

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD –Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel allrounder Kevon Cooper says he will be going all out to prove his worth in the Caribbean Premier League which bowls off later this month. The 26-year-old, a specialist in the game’s shorter forms, says he is also keen on making the West Indies squad and has

been working hard in local cricket to improve his form.

For the first time in a few seasons, the 26-yearold is not campaigning in the ongoing lucrative Indian Premier League where he played for Rajasthan Royals but says he has now focused his efforts primarily on readying himself for Red Steel’s CPL campaign.

“I have been working really hard on my batting since the (Regional Super50) and I got an opportunity to captain Queen’s Park this year and the guys have been do-

forward to the CPL and trying to break into the West Indies team and get a chance in that squad.”

He added: “It is always good to play in front of plenty people and remind

ing well and I am also performing,” Cooper told the Trinidad media newspaper.

“Unfortunately I missed out on the IPL this year but that is behind me now. I am really looking

the world of what I can do. I made my debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2010 and it was a good experience for me. I really enjoyed those moments and hopefully I can bring back some of those moments in

my career.”

Cooper was the best Red Steel bowler on show last season, picking up 12 wickets with his medium pace at an economy rate of six runs an over and an average of 22.

However, he could not prevent Red Steel from a four-wicket defeat at the hands of Jamaica Tallawahs in the first semifinal, as they bowed out of the competition, eventually won by Barbados Tridents.

This season, Red Steel open their campaign on the road, with games against St Lucia Zouks at Beausejour, Barbados Tridents at Kensington Oval and Guyana Amazon Warriors at Warner Park.

Cooper says Red Steel would be hosting home matches at a critical time of the tournament and

this would be important, as they possessed an excellent record at Queen’s Park Oval.

“There is always good support at home and there is always a lot of energy and vibes. We won all our games at home last year so we are looking forward to it and it will give us something to look forward to knowing that if we reach the business end of the tournament, all the matches will be at our home venue,” he pointed out.

“But having said that, we still need to play well at the start of the campaign to give ourselves a good chance of making the semifinals.”

Both semi-finals and final will be hosted at Queen’s Park Oval.

The CPL bowls off on June 20 in Barbados and wraps up July 26. (CMC)