Caribbean Times International

Canadian appointed new CEO of Caribbean Airlines

TRINIDAD:

Michael DiLollo, a 47-year-old Canadian, is the new CEO of Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL). The appointment, officially announced Tuesday, comes several months after the sudden resignation of acting CEO Robert Corbie in September 2013. DiLollo, who was introduced at a news conference at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, took up duties at the state-owned carrier on Monday.

DiLollo has already met with CAL’s board and middle management and is due to meet with other employees later this week. The new CEO is taking up his appointment at a time when the airline is facing competition from JetBlue which entered the market offering lower fares on the New York and Fort Lauderdale routes. He hinted that CAL’s revenue may have dropped since the U.S. carrier entered the market in late February.

He noted that apart from the threats CAL faces externally, the airline also faces internal

threats such as costs which “could perhaps be reconsidered.”

CAL chairman Philip Marshall said DiLollo was chosen after an “extensive search” and was “the outstanding choice in terms of his combination of leadership, governance, technical, and communication skills.”

Commenting briefly on the financial state of the airline, Marshall said the 2010 and 2011 audits have been completed and have been submitted to the Ministry of Finance. He said the overall finances of the airline had substantially improved over 2012.

DiLollo served as president of Transat Tours Canada, the business unit of Transat AT, Inc, from November 2009

to September 2011. He had been with Transat since 1991 and served as an executive vice president of TTC, Transat AT Inc, at Air Transat AT Inc from November 2008. Prior to that, he was senior vice president of Technical Operations and Customer Service for Air Transat. He is an Airbus A330 captain and has considerable and diverse experience in the aviation industry.

He also served as vice president of Airline Operations at Medatlantica Group and was a director of Nav Canada from April 24, 2013. DiLollo is a graduate of Queen’s University in Business Administration. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

Another woman killed by spurned lover in Guyana

GUYANA: A teenage girl of Caracas Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Guyana, died early Tuesday morning after being viciously stabbed by her 48-year-old former reputed husband Monday night.

The death of 18-yearold Onicia Greaves adds to the staggering statistics of women who have been killed by their male partners in Guyana. The man–Robert Sandy–later attempted suicide by drinking a poisonous substance. He was listed as critical up to press time at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Greaves was the mother of a four-monthold daughter. The incident occurred at approximately 19:30h on Monday at the home of the deceased's mother in

Angoy’s Avenue.

The elder sister of the teen, Nicola, told this publication that on the night in question Onicia had gone out into the yard to wash her daughter’s nursing bottle when the man reportedly launched his attack.

The bleeding teen was immediately rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital. She was taken to the main Operating Theatre at the institution where doctors and nurses worked assiduously to save her life. However, because of the injuries, which included a punctured lung and kidney, the teen succumbed in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Refused to accept breakup

According to Nicola, the tragic incident stemmed from a dispute between her late sister and her child father. She

explained that her sister, who had been living with the man for three years, had left him and went to reside with her mother a couple months ago. The young woman told this newspaper that her sister went to Georgetown about a week ago; however, it was only Monday that she returned after being told by the attacker via telephone that their child was sick and needed her.

Nicola said after the breakup, Sandy threatened to kill her sister and commit suicide.

Reports are that the teenager suffered nine stab wounds, six to her back, one to the right side of her abdomen and two near her chest. According to information received, after committing the act, Sandy made good his escape and then allegedly consumed pesticide.

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EDITORIAL

Opportunities in agriculture

Population growth and dramatic diet changes will, over the next several decades, place great stress on agriculture worldwide.

A recent report by the Global Harvest Initiative (GHI) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has stated that Latin America and the Caribbean region (LAC) can help feed a global population of nine billion people in 2050 providing that key policy actions to bolster agricultural productivity are implemented.

The “Next Global Breadbasket: How Latin America Can Feed the World” outlines challenges, recommendations and action items for policymakers, the donor community, farmers, agribusiness, and civil society. The report describes the role of Latin America and the Caribbean region in addressing this challenge, as well as its opportunity to increase development, reduce poverty, and support social progress across the region.

Executive Director of the Global Harvest Initiative, Dr Margaret M Zeigler has reminded us that the region has immense potential to help meet our planet’s growing demand for food, feed, fibre and fuel in a sustainable, productive way. By putting in place a comprehensive agenda of pro-agriculture policies, the region can attract the investments and innovations to become the 21st century global breadbasket.

Key areas listed in the report for policy action and investment in which the public and private sectors can and must move forward together include: agriculture science, research, and development; knowledge and extension services for farmers; transport and logistics infrastructure; irrigation, water management and mechanisation technology; regional and global trade; farmers’ access to financial services, cooperatives and producer associations; and reduction of post-harvest losses.

The potential is great for agriculture development in the region, and governments and policymakers must capitalise on the opportunities presented. For example, the LAC region contributes 11 percent of the value of current world food production and represents 24 percent of the world’s arable land. The region has about 28 percent of the world’s land that has been identified as having medium to high potential for sustainable expansion of cultivated area, and a 36 percent share of land that is within six hours travel time to a market.

After participating in the Third-Caricom Mexico Summit and meeting of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), in Mexico, Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar was reported as saying that there is consensus that agriculture development must be expanded as food security remains in sharp focus. He reported that there is also agreement that overall production has to be increased; hence there is need for the region to start thinking of some sort of specialisation for countries with the aim of increasing production.

The region’s agriculture needs to be re-positioned through innovation and best business know-how and be re-directed to give results as required. Additionally, using resources efficiently and adapting to the effects of climatic change and other shocks will be the hallmarks of smart farming in the coming decades.

Guyana is regarded as a leader on climate change issues in the region and is perhaps one of the best models to follow as the country is now in the process of implementing the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). The country is known to be one of the few in the region that have been proactive in ensuring sound agricultural policies are implemented, taking into consideration the challenges with respect to rising food prices on the international market.

Agriculture is not given the kind of attention it deserves at the level of the heads of government in some of the other countries in the LAC region, in particular Caricom. Agriculture plays a crucial role in economic development, through employment creation, poverty reduction, income generation, food and nutrition security, and ultimately, growth.

Governments need to go beyond the rhetoric and get down to serious business since it is important that the region not only provide enough food to meet its own needs, but must take full advantage of the many opportunities available in terms of meeting the nutritional needs of the global population.

Caribbean needs new strategy to influence debate on food security

An international conference ended earlier this week in Ethiopia, with Caribbean delegates indicating that the region needs to do more to influence the discussion on food security, nutrition and making a case for increased economic assistance.

More than 700 policymakers, development practitioners, donors, and others met to evaluate emerging shocks that pose significant threats to food and nutrition security among Small Island Development States (SIDS), especially in the Caribbean.

The three-day meeting was tasked with identifying the key agricultural and nutritional needs for the wellbeing, livelihood and economies of SIDS. The conference highlighted presentations from experts from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Caribbean delegates had a hard time putting across their concerns to the conference with regional economist and former diplomat, Edwin Laurent, telling Caribbean media: "It is clear that the Caribbean needs to do more; we need to be more focused on getting our message across about what our needs are and more strategic in having them met".

Food security

But he contended that the principal focus of the conference was the needs to be on Africa, given its size and the number of people who live there and by comparison, the scope of the problem in the Caribbean.

"In the Caribbean you don't have people dying from hunger as opposed to Africa,

where thousands die each year, and where the problems of food and security are much more severe than they are anywhere else in the world, so it is quite appropriate that there be this great attention to the problems of Africa," Laurent stated.

He said, too, that from reports presented, it was clear that the attention to African issues was bearing fruit, as in the case of Ethiopia where a few years ago thousands died from famine, more recently with greater attention being paid to the requirements of the country, only a few died when inflicted by a major drought.

"So there has been change and progress in some areas, but unfortunately where the Caribbean is concerned we have not been seeing much positive and rapid change as we have seen in Africa," he noted.

The 2020 vision conference was about food security and ensuring that countries and people have access to food, but Caribbean delegates expressed the view that the region has a different interest in the subject, with the focus not on what can be grown locally, but having enough money to be able to purchase what people need.

Coordination

Caribbean farmer groups attending the conference also spoke of the need for a greater coordinating mechanism on the issues of food security, nutrition and climate change both at the regional and international level.

They called for greater focus not just on academic institutions, but the process of

incorporating local knowledge in an effort to enrich the whole dialogue.

But the farmer groups were ecstatic about achieving what they described as their primary objective at the three-day conference, that of furthering the process of bringing the Caribbean and the Pacific together as a bloc.

"This would enable us to negotiate a better quota of aid packages and programmes, because in the ACP regime it is all about Africa, it being a large continent, and a major frontier for growth. As a result the Caribbean and the Pacific have been sidelined," said Jethora Greene, Coordinator of the Caribbean Farmers Network.

He said that the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation had facilitated the presence of a reasonably strong Pacific and Caribbean delegation at the conference, "as a result we have agreed to a collaborative effort building on what we had previously initiated".

He stated also that he was certain the initiative will see the emergence of an EU Caribbean/Pacific summit with a number of partners already expressing an interest.

"So from a Caribbean perspective our goal has been achieved. Essentially what we are saying is that if we have a summit for the Caribbean and Pacific with the EU, we will be able to focus on some of the real needs that we have, as opposed to getting lost in the wider ACP group, especially when it comes to dealing with the several issues of Africa," Greene indicated. (Caribbean News)

Multi-billion dollar gold project advances in Guyana

GUYANA: Some 600 Guyanese are guaranteed jobs during the construction phase of the multibillion dollar gold project being initiated by Australian mining company Troy Resources Guyana Inc.

On Monday, a US$5 million ball mill arrived at the OMAI Wharf, Linden, as the company advances with its US$86.8 million gold project at Karouni, Cuyuni-Mazaruni.

A ball mill is a type of grinder used to grind materials into extremely fine powder for use in mineral dressing processes, paints, pyrotechnics, ceramics and selective laser sintering.

The Australian exploration and mining company will be developing an area west of Omai with the anticipation of raking in an annual production of 90,000 ounces of gold over a seven-year period. Production, however, in the first 12 months is projected at 102,000 ounces of gold with production commencing between December 2014 to February 2015.

During a simple ceremony at the Omai Wharf, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Project Director for Troy Guyana Inc Ken Nilsson

disclosed that during the construction phase of the project, close to 600 persons will be employed, but said once operations commence, approximately 300 persons will gain permanent employment. This figure is expected to grow over the seven-year period.

Troy Resources was driven in the country due to Guyana’s favourable climate, Nilsson explained, noting that Troy Resources Guyana Inc bought Azimuth Resources, the owner of Australian Company Pharsalus Gold Inc after it became cashstrapped.

Groundwork

Nevertheless, the company remains grateful to its predecessor which has laid the groundwork, investing approximately US$55 million into to the development of the West Omai Gold Project.

Troy Resources has already committed US$25 million to the project.

In December 2012, an initial site due diligence visit was conducted, and by March 2013, “off market takeover offer of Azimuth” was announced. In April that year, Troy secured a US$40 million funding

from Investec, resulting in complete acquisition by July.

Now with the Australian company moving to develop the Karouni Project, the Project Director said major emphasis is being placed on building good relationships with citizens of Guyana, the business community and the Guyana government.

Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Chairman Clinton Williams, Guyana Gold and Diamond

Lawyer gets two-year suspension in Jamaica for professional misconduct

JAMAICA:

Attorney-at-law in Jamaica Arlean Beckford has been banned for two years from practising law as a result of what the General Legal Council (GLC) described as "professional misconduct".

The GLC, in a local newspaper advertisement Monday, announced that the licence of the St Andrew-based lawyer had been suspended after she was found guilty of professional misconduct for a second time.

The GLC said that after hearing evidence in the latest breach from a complainant identified as Winston Rowe, it ruled that the attorney had acted unprofessionally.

The ban became effective on May 1 and Beckford is not entitled to practise until her suspension has expired.

Prior to the ban, the GLC had taken disci-

The lawyer was also reportedly fined Ja$250,000 and ordered to pay the complainant's attorney's fee of Ja$50,000

plinary action against the lawyer in 2005 for professional misconduct regarding a real estate deal.

She was reportedly fined Ja$250,000 and ordered to pay the complainant's attorney's fee of Ja$50,000. Following the 2005 disciplinary action, Beckford was twice accused of defrauding her clients, and, in both instances, was arrested and charged with fraudulent conversion

and taken before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court.

She was first arrested and charged in February 2011 following allegations that she defrauded one of her clients of more than Ja$5 million in a real estate deal. It is alleged that she sold a house for the complainant in 2008 and failed to hand over a cheque, which she had received for the sale of the house.

Beckford was later arrested and charged in

Miners Association (GGDMA) President Patrick Harding and the Chairman of the Linden Interim Management Committee Orrin Gordon were among officials present.

Williams said: “this project signals well for us in terms of foreign exchange earnings, our GDP, our employment generation capabilities.”

Minister Persaud said despite the challenges faced by the initial investor, his ministry is pleased that the project is now moving apace. While the small and medium scale miners have played an important role over the years in the gold mining industry, Persaud said it is of similar importance to facilitate large-scale mining operations such as the Karouni Project.

He said too that the offloading of the 3.2MW unused grinding mill for the gold project, along with its electrics, ancillary equipment and peripheral parts is an indication of the seriousness of the company in operating in Guyana.

Vision

The minister stressed too, “we will ensure that at the end of the day, this project is not only good economically in terms of providing jobs for Guyanese, not only good in providing revenue for the state, not only good in terms of developing our natural resources but very importantly that it becomes an outstanding project with good environmental credentials, good social credentials.” (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

March 2013 following fresh allegations that she failed to turn over Ja$1.8 million given to her by a client in July 2012 to effect a land transaction in St Catherine. (Jamaica Observer)

Guyana’s anti-money launderinG bill...

CFATF rejects Opposition's amendments

GUYANA:

Amendments to Guyana’s AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act of 2009 have been rejected by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said.

The amendments to the Principal Act were tabled by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) at the level of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee and endorsed by the Alliance For Change (AFC).

While speaking on the National Communications Network (NCN) in Guyana on Monday, Minister Nandlall explained that subsequent to the visit by CFATF Chairperson Allyson Maynard-Gibson and the Executive Director Calvin Wilson, the Donald Ramotar administration was asked to submit both the government’s draft and the Opposition’s draft of the legislation to CFATF.

Because the government’s amendments were already approved by the regional financial institution, a covering letter was sent along with the Opposition’s draft. The documents were examined by CFATF technical personnel for compliance and according to Nandlall, the Opposition’s amend-

ments received negative reviews.

“As I predicted, the CFATF rejected every single one of the amendments that they are proposing…”

One of the proposals calls for a removal of the role of the Attorney General from the process. “The CFTAF’s answer to that suggestion was that it is wrong. The Attorney General is put there because he/she is legal advisor to the government and would be recipient of all legal materials that would come into the government’s position in relation to its relations with organisations such as the United Nations Security Council and other international organisations. And it is the Attorney General that will have to go to court for and behalf of the government to seek certain orders to give effect to the government’s obligation under various treaties, and therefore

the Office of the Attorney General is important in the legislative apparatus of the AMLCFT regime,” Minister Nandlall explained.

Another shot down

Another proposal made by the APNU was the appointment of an authority by the National Assembly to oversee the operations of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), but though there were major objections by the government, the coalition who later received the support of the AFC, was bent on tabling this amendment in the House. The government has argued that this type of mechanism would have undermined the functional autonomy of the FIU, which by all international standards should be an independent institution.

“The CFATF’s advice on that particular proposal of the Opposition was that it does not meet the international stan-

dards, that the mechanism for appointment is politically contaminated and that the method or the mechanism that it creates removes from the FIU and its staff and directors that important requisite autonomy and functional independence,” the Legal Affairs Minister further explained.

No-show

The third condemnation relates to what was submitted of the Opposition’s draft with regards to seizure of cash. This was rejected on the basis that it was not part of the requirement and that it is a completely unnecessary imposition.

The Parliamentary Special Select Committee led by Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira met on Monday, but though government members were present along with AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, APNU members were a no show.

According to Nandlall, the committee considering the Bill was unable to meet over the last two weeks because the “Opposition members have manufactured one reason after one another for their unavailability to meet.”

Commenting on the issue over the weekend, President Donald Ramotar said if the Opposition proceeds with its proposals, the country’s economy will still be endangered. (Guyana Times)

Lack of U.S. currency still plagues business in Trinidad and Tobago

TRINIDAD: The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce believes it is time for collaboration on a solution for the challenge being experienced by business people who say they now have to “shop around” to get United States dollars in TT.

In September 2013, the chamber said it spoke directly with some members who indicated that they were again experiencing a severe shortage of foreign exchange to meet their various companies’ operational needs and payments to their suppliers, the business group said in a statement Monday.

“These concerns we brought to the attention of the Governor of the Central Bank. A follow up survey in 2014 has indicated that our business community is continuing to be plagued by the lack of available foreign exchange in U.S. dollars in the local market,” the chamber said.

In spite of the Central Bank’s new system of allocation of U.S. dollars to the authorised dealers and despite the recent further injection of US$50 million into the local foreign exchange market, a third follow up survey with members has indicated that the situation has not improved, it added.

“Some of our businesses are experiencing severe difficulties with respect to meeting their foreign exchange needs to pay suppliers for imported goods, which can have a detrimental impact on their operations and viability of their businesses,” said chamber chief executive Catherine Kumar.

“Our members have also expressed some concern with the new arrangement for allocation to the authorised dealers. The private sector is now being advised to ‘shop around’ for foreign exchange, but this is not an efficient way for them to conduct their business. And even when this is done, their requirements are not being met. Additionally, the business purchaser ends up paying a higher rate for their U.S. dollars.”

Given the current scenario, the chamber said it will be hosting a meeting on June 6 at the chamber building, Westmoorings which will bring together the business community, the president of the Bankers Association and the Governor of the Central Bank, to allow direct conversation and understanding of each of the parties’ roles in the distribution of U.S. dollars in Trinidad and Tobago. (TT Express)

Jamaica to establish entertainment registry

JAMAICA: The Ministry of Tourism is to establish a registry on July 31, aimed at certifying and registering persons involved in Jamaica’s entertainment industry.

Speaking at a recent JIS 'Think Tank', Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment

Damion Crawford explained that the registry will provide a central portal for listing Jamaican entertainment services and companies.

This, he said will include their key profile and contact information; legitimise the entertainment industry for greater economic benefit; facilitate efficiency and transparency within the entertainment industry, and provide for the free movement of creative skills internationally and across the region. "The registry is an attempt to better coordinate

and organise the entertainment industry so that it can be viewed and operated as a

business. We do not know how many persons qualify for tools of trade, because we do not know who an artiste is and who are the entertainment practitioners," the junior minister said.

He noted, too, that the government has found it difficult to fund, contribute and implement policies for the enhancement of entertainment, hence the reason for the registry, to streamline and create a more structured industry.

Mandatory

He said that while all other entertainment practitioners have the option of registering, it will be mandatory for all promoters of entertainment events, as this was the only way they would obtain an amusement licence.

"A deejay, for example, might choose not to be regis-

tered, but need to understand that he would not obtain the benefits that come with it, and so a person who is turned back from entering a country and who is not registered, can make no claim for us to defend his rights," said Crawford. He noted that persons who are new to the industry or those who are not recognised as bona fide practitioners would have to wait for two years before they are considered fully registered. All others would be fully registered after six months of completing the registration process. There will be no cost to register for the first six months of implementation and the Tourism Ministry will manage the registry, through its Entertainment Board and in tandem with the Ministry of Local Government. (JIS)

PNC gov’t paid House of Israel members–Nadir -

even though they never worked

GUYANA: Former The United Force (TUF) leader in Guyana Manzoor Nadir has said that members of the House of Israel, the religious organisation fingered in the 1970s thrashing of political rallies, were on the payroll of many government agencies and institutions, although they were never present on the job.

Nadir is among a number of others who are accusing the Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham regime of oppression during that “dark” period. He maintained that the House of Israel group was undoubtedly aided by the PNC.

The politician, in an interview with Guyanese media last Friday, said he has lived through a period in Guyana’s history that would cause any sober, right-thinking Guyanese to be fearful.

Nadir said while he was aware of many other government agencies where the House of Israel members received sala-

Former

ries, he is confident of the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC), since he had worked at the establishment as a Supervisor. According to Nadir, these persons never reported for work. In fact, the only time he would see strange persons, was when issues arose with their pay. “Those people were the enforcement arm of the People’s National Congress,” Nadir said.

He cited an incident involving a man named Michael Dhorne, who was the brother of one

of Rabbi Washington’s women. He said, although he did not work, he was paid for services of a foreman. Nadir recalled an incident a few days before the 1980 General Elections. He said Dhorne was in the habit of gathering persons to break up Opposition rallies, while setting up campaigns of their own.

“Dhorne would pull the staff that were under him and take them out to hold these campaigns.” He said an incident occurred where a staff member of the GPC was informed by Dhorne that he needed to participate in a political campaign. He said Dhorne’s temper flared when he (Nadir) told the staff that he could not leave to attend the campaign. “So he flew into my office in a rage and hit his hand on the desk and said. Do you know who I am?” Nadir reported.

He recalled being severely beaten by House of Israel members on the polling day of 1980, simply because he spoke out

against the illegal activities. He said all these infractions took place a few months after Dr Rodney was assassinated. Beaten Nadir stressed that injustices were not only limited to the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), but all other political parties that were against the ruling government. He said too that he eventually lost his job at the GPC, because of his political affiliation.

Last week, Rabbi Adom, a leader of the House of Israel in Georgetown, who was 28-years-old at the time

of Dr Rodney’s death, told Guyanese media in an interview, that he wished not to say anything on the allegation, lest he say the wrong thing.

He added, while he was aware of the allegations back then, he could not say much, since he was travelling the country during that time.

He said that he heard about the alleged involvement of his fellow members, but had never attended any meetings held by Dr Rodney.

Asked about the church’s political affiliation during the time,

Adom said that the church had only offered its assistance to the government in the canefield when it was burnt in 1977. The church had also donated blood to the Georgetown Public Hospital, and had offered its services to Guyana Stores. The House of Israel and its domineering practices during the 1970s and 1980s formed the thrust of the first session of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which was opened on Monday, April 28 in Guyana. (Guyana Times)

St. Vincent seeks US$6 million emergency IMF financing

ST. VINCENT: The St. Vincent and the Grenadines government is seeking more than US$6 million in emergency financing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said Monday.

He told a news conference that a letter of intent would be sent to the Washington-based financial institution and he is hopeful that the funds would be disbursed in June when the IMF board of directors meets to discuss the request. “I am making a request for emergency financing from the IMF

amounting to 4.15 million special drawing rights (SDR), equivalent to US$6.4 million. I

New Bermuda premier sworn in following Cannonier’s resignation

BERMUDA:

Michael Dunkley

was sworn in as Premier of Bermuda during a ceremony at Government House on Tuesday less than 24 hours after 51-year-old Craig Cannonier announced his resignation as a result of the so-called “Jetgate” controversy.

Dunkley, the National Security Minister, swore the oath of office before Governor George Fergusson with fellow One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) parliamentarians and family members on hand to lend their support: “I am humbled by

the responsibility I have now been given. Let me first, however, thank former Premier Craig

Cannonier. We worked together first in opposition and as his deputy I was grateful for the opportunity he gave to me to serve in cabinet.

“I always enjoyed his support as a minister and it cannot be forgotten that he led our party to a significant election victory,” Dunkley said.

Cannonier’s 17 months as premier were the shortest in Bermuda’s history, coming after the OBA ended 14 years of Progressive Labour Party (PLP) rule in the December 2012 general election. (Caribbean News)

am asking for 25 percent of our quota under the Rapid Credit Facility… which is five years with three and a quarter years grace period at 1.13 percent interest,” he stated. Gonsalves also told reporters that he held talks with an IMF delegation that had visited the island “at our request” and the use of the funds “as I am saying in the letter is for rehabilitation.”

He explained that, “the IMF assistance will meet the urgent foreign exchange needs stemming from the disaster and ease the pressure on our balance of payments,” adding that the funds would represent a blend between the Rapid Credit Facility and the Rapid Financing Instruments.

Gonsalves was in-

sistent that the island would not be entering into any agreement with the IMF that would result in structural adjustments to the island’s macro-economic policy.

“This is not any money with any conditionality,” he said, telling opposition politicians that they have no idea as to how the IMF functions. (Excerpted from Caribbean News)

Guyana Police recapture two escaped prisoners, another shot

dead

- fourth fugitive still on the run

GUYANA: Police in Guyana have recaptured two of four prisoners who escaped from the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts lock-up on Monday. A third escapee was shot dead while up to press time, the fourth is still on the run. The prisoners had ripped out the ventilation grille to break out.

Keron Cummings, 26, of Sophia, Georgetown, who is still on the run, has been charged with several armed robbery offences.

Steven Bacchus, who was charged with the murder of Constable Quincy Wright in January, was recaptured on Hadfield Street shortly after the break-out. Another escapee, Vickram “Lil John” Persaud, who was charged with the murder of Constable Cumberbatch in September 2013, was shot and killed in a confrontation with the Police at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice.

According to a Police press release, at about 19:20h on Monday, Persaud, 28, of Doctor Dam, La Grange, West Bank Demerara, was shot twice, once to his face. He was then taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival around 21:00h. Persaud was reportedly in possession of an unlicensed .38 revolver.

Meanwhile the third escapee, 20-year-old

Randolph Marks, of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was found around 01:20h on Tuesday morning.

Crime Chief Lesile James disclosed that the Police, acting on information received went to a house in Freeman Street, East La Penitence, where he was found hiding under a bed. Marks was charged with armed robbery and the murder of Patsan’s Trading Sales representative Bharrat Ramcharan last month.

The Crime Chief had disclosed that Police ranks were alerted to the holding area after they heard a strange sound emanating from the area, and as they arrived, they saw Bacchus making his way through the hole. Quick action by the Police resulted in the rearrest of Bacchus, however, there was no sign

of the others. Following the break-out, several officers were questioned since the Police outpost is located near the holding area.

According to information received, the men were brought from the Camp Street Penitentiary to appear in various courts for their offences. The men had already made their appearances and were supposed to be taken back to the correctional facility, but there was a delay. A Police source explained that on a normal day, after the prisoners would have made their appearance before the Magistrate, they are kept in the holding area as they wait on others, so that the vehicle can make one trip to the facility. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Climate Change to dominate CDB meeting in Guyana

GUYANA: The 44th Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Annual Board of Governors’ meeting slated to be held in Guyana on May 28 and 29 will among other matters, focus on climate change, financial sector issues, debt and indebtedness of the region.

Guyana’s Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh made the comment during a recent interview on the National Communications Network (NCN) regarding Guyana’s preparedness for the hosting of the meeting.

During the meeting, Guyana will take centre stage with regards to the

Finance minister Dr

issue of agriculture and climate change. Guyana has been on the forefront of the global advocacy effort on the issue of climate and in particular on the peculiar threat faced by the small states

Domestic workers are the most exploited in Caribbean–ILO

Around 650,000 domestic workers are being forced into labour–the most exploited category of workers in the Caribbean, a new report by the International Labour Oganisation (ILO) has said.

The report, which was launched on Tuesday, also highlighted that globally, forced labour in the private economy generates US$150 billion in illegal profits per year, about three times more than previously estimated, according to the new report.

The ILO report, ‘Profits and Poverty: The Economics of Forced Labour’, said two thirds of the estimated total of US$150 billion, or US$99 billion, came from commercial sexual exploitation, while another US$51 billion resulted from forced economic exploitation, including domestic work, agriculture and other economic activities.

“This new report takes our understanding of trafficking, forced labour and modern slavery

to a new level,” said ILO Director General Guy Ryder. “Forced labour is bad for business and development and especially for its victims. Our new report adds new urgency to our efforts to eradicate this fundamentally evil, but hugely profitable, practice as soon as possible.”

The new figure is based on ILO data published in 2012 that estimated the number of people in forced labour, trafficking and modern slavery at 21 million. Significantly, the new estimate indicates that

more than half of the people in forced labour are women and girls, primarily in commercial sexual exploitation and domestic work, while men and boys were primarily in forced economic exploitation in agriculture, construction, and mining.

The report highlights income shocks and poverty as the main economic factors that push individuals into forced labour. Other factors contributing to risk and vulnerability include lack of education, illiteracy, gender and migration.

Jamaica tragedy: MoBay twins washed away by flood waters

of the Caribbean and the role of forest in contributing to the global fight against climate change.

Dr Singh said planning and preparation for the meeting which started some time ago, have intensified over the recent days and weeks.

“It is an extremely important event in the annual calendar of events for the Caribbean, and Guyana considers itself privileged to host this meeting,” Minister Singh said.

He noted that the meeting is happening at an important time for the region and institution, itself has an important mandate. (Guyana Times)

JPolice. Students of Green

Pond Primary School, the boys were still clad in their khaki uniforms when the bodies were found.

The siblings, who resided at St Georges Drive, Cornwall Courts in the parish, were Monday afternoon swept away by angry flood waters in the

North Gully.

It was a sombre atmosphere at the waterfront Tuesday morning as a large crowd gathered after news spread throughout the city that the bodies of the twin brothers were found.

Relatives of the deceased who were early on the scene broke down when they saw the bodies of their loved ones on the ground. Teary-eyed onlookers openly expressed their sympathies with the family and friends of the deceased.

According to Sergeant Peter Salkey, communications liaison officer for the St James Division Police Division, a search was launched for the boys immediately after the police received a report that the two children were washed away by flood waters in Cornwall Court about 5:30 Monday afternoon. According to reports, the boys were walking home from school when one jumped in the drain to play in the water and was swept away. His twin brother, in a bid to save him, jumped in the rushing water and was also washed away. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Jamaican gov't moving ahead with Bernard Lodge housing scheme

JAMAICA: Transport, Works and Housing

Minister Dr Omar Davies has assured persons who have made deposits for houses in the Bernard Lodge scheme in Jamaica that their money is safe and that the project will go ahead.

The minister explained that the proposed Bernard Lodge Housing scheme was designed as a public/private sector partnership agreement where the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) would provide land and funding for the development provided by the private partner.

He stated that to date the private sector partners "have not demonstrated the capability of living up to their commitment and their obligation"--that of securing financing for the development.

The minister said that despite the deviation from the originally announced timetable, the Jamaican government (through the HAJ), will honour its obligations in accordance with the sales agreement; The development will be executed. "Your deposits are safe, secured in a commercial bank, and can be accounted for at any time," he confirmed.

Dr Davies, who was making his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, said that a depositor who wanted a refund would be accommodated immediately. He said that communication with the depositors would be improved, by way of, but not limited to, meetings, as is necessary.

Jamaica’s Housing Minister Dr omar Davies (Jamaica Gleaner file photo)

In the meantime, he assured the House that action has be taken, including meetings with representatives of the new HAJ Board, management and other government agencies, to finalise the programme, and move ahead.

Going forward, he said that discussions have been held with the National Housing Trust to explore possibilities for collaboration on this, and on other projects.

"Based on professional and technical advice presented to me, I have instructed that a more precise and in-depth cost analysis be conducted on what is required for the supporting physical infrastructure, especially sewage disposal and storm drainage, to ensure efficiency and effectiveness, on installation," Dr Davies said.

He added that the promised dates of delivery would be delayed in order to complete the required due diligence.

"Notwithstanding, deadlines have been set for the supply of requisite information to avoid further delays in moving forward," the minister said. (Jamaica Observer)

Clico Trinidad up for sale

TRINIDAD: The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago Monday confirmed a local newspaper report that the government is planning to dispose of Clico’s traditional portfolio—life insurance, health coverage and long-term annuities—as part of the resolution strategy for the financially-strapped insurance company.

A statement signed by Governor Jwala Rambarran said the Central Bank was in control of Clico, pursuant to Section 44D of the Central Bank Act and it was the only entity empowered to restructure the business or undertakings of Clico, in accordance with the provisions of the act. While section 44D gives the Central Bank extensive powers to take control of companies in which “the interests of depositors, creditors, policyholders or members of an institution are threatened,” those powers are subject to section 44F (5) of the Central Bank Act, which states: “In the performance of its functions and in the exercise of its powers under section 44D, the bank shall comply with any general or special directions of the Minister (of Finance) and shall act only after due consultation with the minister.”

Rambarran’s statement said in order to sell Clico “the Act requires the Central Bank to have a market price for Clico’s traditional portfolio determined by an indepen-

dent valuation company. An independent actuarial firm has, therefore, been engaged to value Clico’s traditional business for this purpose and the exercise is still in progress.”

Evaluation

A local newspaper report Sunday quoted TT’s Finance Minister Larry Howai as stating that the firm conducting the actuarial review of Clico is the New York-based professional services firm, Towers & Watson. The valuation exercise is expected to be completed next month. The Central Bank statement said after the valuation was completed, “the Central Bank will conduct the process for the sale and transfer of Clico’s traditional insurance portfolio on a transparent, open market basis. The bank has neither engaged with any prospective buyers nor made any decision on the structure of the portfolio transfer.”

The Central Bank

said it “remains committed to pursuing the resolution of Clico in the interest of policyholders and creditors in accordance with requirements of the law.”

Clico collapsed in January 2009 as it was pushed over the edge by the onset of the global financial crisis and years of risky deals, related party lending and dodgy corporate governance. As a result of the collapse of the insurance company, taxpayers have pumped over TT$20 billion into Clico, its sister insurance company, British American, and a related non-bank financial institution, Clico Investment Bank, which was placed into compulsory liquidation by the High Court in 2011. Liabilities

Clico’s most recent audited financial statement for its 2012 financial year puts the

insurance company’s insurance contract liabilities at over TT$8 billion. Those liabilities must be matched by assets. The Central Bank said that as part of its resolution strategy for Clico, it “proposes to transfer Clico’s traditional insurance portfolio for value to an acquiring insurance company that is well capitalised, has a proven track record and the capacity to honour all obligations to policyholders.”

The Central Bank’s three criteria for the acquiring insurance company exclude an issue raised by Howai, who in the Sunday article said that the Central Bank had advised him of concerns about the systemic risk inherent in one of the large existing local insurers acquiring all of Clico’s traditional portfolio. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

More airlines to fly into Guyana

GUYANA: Guyana’s aviation industry is on the rise with more airlines expected to be launched in the country very soon.

President Donald Ramotar made this disclosure last Friday night while addressing the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI) Cocktail Social at the Princess International Hotel.

“I am happy to know that over the last few weeks, we have been having some successes in attracting more airlines… to Guyana,” he told members of the private sector.

Additional airlines in the country would result in greater competi-

tion and a likely drop in airfares. This, President Ramotar said will be of great benefit to the tourism industry which continues to play an important role in the country’s economy.

“One of the airlines that will be coming will have good capacity… to take cargo out of our country which means we can properly export fresh greens and vegetables, fruits to a wid-

ening market, not only the Caribbean but North America,” he added.

From July 11, Panama-based Copa Airlines will commence it services with flights from Guyana to Panama. The

international carrier is positioning itself to provide this service twice weekly. This comes after the Donald Ramotar administration made a decision to waiver the visa requirements to enter Guyana from Panama, Costa Rica and Peru.

This therefore means that citizens of the listed countries can spend up to 90 days in Guyana without a visa while Guyanese would have an opportunity to access a wide range of connecting flights to the U.S., Canada and the UK through Copa Airlines at shorter timeframes.

Additionally, the airline will also play a part in marking Destination Guyana as a major route

in South America for persons desirous of travelling within shorter timeframes around the world. Just four months ago, CONVIASA launched its first commercial flight in Guyana. The Venezuelanbased carrier is currently operating flights out of Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). After making its inaugural flight to CJIA in November 2013, CONVIASA was brought in and carried out 53 passengers, making Guyana its 10th international destination. Caribbean Airlines, Fly Jamaica and LIAT are among other airlines operating in Guyana. (Guyana Times)

CCJ delegation holds constitutional reform talks in Grenada

GRENADA: A delegation from the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was scheduled to visit Grenada Wednesday as the island pushes ahead with plans for constitutional reform.

One of the issues being debated is having the CCJ, established in 2001, replace the Londonbased Privy Council as the region's final court.

A CCJ delegation, including retired judge Madam Justice Bernard, Queen's Counsel Martin Daly, Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commissioner and Queen's Counsel Andrew Pilgrim, representative of the Barbadian Bar Association, was expected to meet with various stakeholders, including Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell as well as offi-

cials from the public and private sectors.

They were also slated to participate in a series of public education fora leading up to the referendum on Grenada's accession to the appellate jurisdiction of the CCJ.

A government-appointed committee has been holding discussions nationwide on the

CCJ issue and a special town hall meeting was planned to take place on Wednesday.

A statement quoted Legal Affairs Minister Elvin Nimrod as telling a recent forum in Bequia that the CCJ has been designed to be more than a court of last resort for the Caribbean Community.

(Jamaica Observer)

Chinese cyber surveillance renews Caribbean security concerns

An announcement on Monday that a grand jury in the United States has indicted five Chinese hackers for cyber espionage and other offences directed at six entities in the U.S. nuclear power, metals and solar products industries has renewed concerns that a number of Caribbean governments may be at risk as recipients of personal computers supplied by foreign agencies.

The U.S. indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to hack into American entities, to maintain unauthorised access to their computers and to steal information from those entities.

In some cases, it alleges, the conspirators stole trade secrets. In other cases, it alleges, the conspirators also stole sensitive, internal communications.

“The range of trade secrets and other sensitive business information stolen in this case is significant and demands an aggressive response,” U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said.

The five Chinese hackers were each charged with 31 offences.

Potential threat

Late last year, reports emerged that clandestine hardware modifications to donated computers could represent a potential security

threat to governments in the Caribbean and elsewhere.

In 2009, Canadian researchers reported that an electronic spy network, based mainly in China, had infiltrated computers in government offices around the world. They said the network had infiltrated 1,295 computers in 103 countries, and included computers belonging to foreign ministries and embassies.

Caribbean involvement

Antigua and Barbuda signed a bilateral agreement with China to provide 500 laptop computers towards the One Laptop per Child Policy in secondary schools. China has also provided the government of Antigua and Barbuda with military aid, including computers. As recently as

Guyana sets up national committee to tackle interpersonal violence

GUYANA: A National Committee has been established in Guyana by the Home Affairs Ministry to tackle issues relating to interpersonal violence.

The Committee will be reviewing recommendations that were made following a conference hosted by the ministry on interpersonal violence last November, with a view of implementing them.

According to Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, some 58 recommendations were made. He pointed out that when violence-related crimes such as domestic violence, interpersonal violence, gang-related violence and violence at schools occurs, then persons look to the Guyana Police Force and the Home Affairs Ministry as regulatory bodies for help, hence the need for such a committee.

Rohee disclosed that he had approached Cabinet with the recommendations and proposed that a committee be set up to oversee these recommendations. He noted that Cabinet subsequently approved the establishment of the Committee, which would be spearheaded by his ministry.

The Committee includes representatives from various agencies. These are: the Ministries

of Home Affairs; Labour, Human Services and Social Security; Education; Youth, Culture, and Sport; Health; Amerindian Affairs; Legal Affairs; and Finance along with faith-based organisations, youth organisations, women organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Monday’s meeting is the first engagement of the Committee and according to the minister, while all of the agencies were not present, those present are sufficient to get the Committee’s work going.

Strategic plan

At the opening of the National Conference for Prevention of Interpersonal Violence, President Donald Ramotar said that there is no fixed approach to addressing the issue of interpersonal violence. However, he had urged the participants of the Conference to work as a

cohesive unit and come up with strategic plans to tackle violence in all its manifestations from a national standpoint.

The President noted that interpersonal violence is becoming a major economic burden and the lives of Guyanese and too many young people are being cut down by the senseless acts of their fellow citizens. Ramotar noted that violence poses a threat to the personal security of every citizen of a country.

“Interpersonal violence is not just a personal and social matter, it is also a public security concern. The State has a general responsibility for law and order and for the protection of its citizens…interpersonal violence presents a treat to the social order and the safety of citizens and is, therefore, a legitimate concern to those entrusted with ensuring public safety,” the President had said. (Guyana Times)

Another church leader endorses legalising ganja in Jamaica

JSeptember of last year, the Chinese government supplied Lenovo laptops to the Bahamas Government Information Services while in March 2013, the government of China donated laptops to all members of parliament in Barbados.

Dominica received 30 desktop computers, six laptop computers and computer accessories last year, courtesy of the government of China while the Royal Grenada Police Force has received a number of Chinesesupplied computers.

The Chinese government has so far supplied some 30,000 laptop computers for Guyana’s One Laptop per Family Initiative while in 2011, the Trinidad government purchased some 17,300 Lenovo laptops. (Excerpted from Caribbean News)

AMAICA: Another church leader in Jamaica has joined the growing number of persons advocating for the country to legalise the ganja trade.

Reverend Rennard White, vice president of the Jamaica Evangelical Alliance and president of the Missionary Church Association, said ganja should be given greater attention and should form part of the national development plan.

Addressing congregants at Tuesday morning's Labour Day thanksgiving service at the Covenant Moravian Church in St Andrew, he said such an industry has to be properly managed to maximise the economic benefits.

In 2012, general secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union, Reverend Karl Johnson, called for the decriminalisation of ganja.

He argued that it should also be made

reverend rennard white says ganja should be given greater attention

available in certain quantities and instances that do not include exporting. He explained that the clergy has largely been silent on the issue because of the cultural perceptions of ganja.

Turning to another topical issue, White also gave some support to Senator Imani-Duncan Price's push for a quota system to increase the number of female legislators in parliament.

The Electoral Commission has said it

is giving serious consideration to implementing the system.

The church official stated that although having a quota system may be unfortunate, the need has arisen because of the continued gender imbalances across the political landscape.

He indicated that women and men were given equal responsibilities by God and therefore women should be treated equally and not as less capable than men.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

Guyana’s Education Minister gets Honorary Doctorate from Lesley University

U.S: Education Minister of Guyana Priya Manickchand was conferred an Honorary Doctoral Degree by Lesley University for her outstanding work in advocating for social justice and gender equality.

Manickchand was honoured before by the university alongside South African Jazz Musician and Social Activist Hugh Masekela in 2010, for their demonstrated commitment and leadership to advancing gender and racial equal-

ity around the world.

A citation from Lesley University stated that:

“Priya Manickchand, your life has been dedicated to improving the lives of women, children, and families within your country. You have been a tireless advocate for the victims of violence and a spokesperson addressing the cultural and human conditions that give rise to the pervasive problem of gender-based violence…”

It further read: “As Guyana’s Minister of Human Services and

Social Security, you were devoted to ending the scourge of violence against women and children. Toward this end, you published a National Policy on Domestic Violence, presented to Parliament for passage into law a series of bills relating to the care, development and protection of children, and initiated a countrywide campaign to stamp out sexual violence”.

After being conferred with the Doctoral Degree, Minister Manickchand addressed the graduates to a standing ovation. She stressed the importance of education in the development of the world. She said: “Education is universally recognised as being one sure way to catalyse change: to improve individual circumstances, to uplift families, to transform communities, to develop countries, to change the human condition for the better.”

Also receiving an honorary degree was world renowned American author of children’s books, Loris Lowry. (Guyana Times)

Hundreds of students march against child abuse in Jamaica

JAMAICA: Hundreds of uniformed primary school students of Jamaica marched down the main thoroughfare in Port Maria, St Mary, last Friday for the parish's annual Child Month March against Child Abuse.

According to the march's organisers, the Child Development Agency (CDA), a recent study by the Office of the Children's Registry found that less than 20 percent of reported abuse allegations were made by young people.

The CDA's team leader for Portland and St Mary, Dotlyn Bailey, believes the figure is low because many young victims are afraid to speak out.

She hoped the protest, which was held on National Children's Day, will encourage more children to report incidents of abuse to the relevant authorities.

Bailey told the media: "Today, we had a march of uniformed groups, including primary schools, police officers, and firemen. The aim is to empower children because they do not know the process and may be afraid to approach those who are responsible.

She added: "We think more children are being abused, but because they are not empowered, they continue to suffer, and this affects them in school and later on in life.

"We want to ensure they know there is an avenue where they can say what they want and feel they will get the kind of redress they need."

"We decided this was a good way to engage with and hear from the children and to help them develop confidence so they are able to report incidents.

(Jamaica Observer)

Economist warns of more job losses, business closures in

Barbados

BARBADOS:

More private sector job losses and business closures are in the offing, says Barbadian economist Ryan Straughn.

He said this was a distinct possibility given that the economic environment in Barbados today was not conducive to doing business. This, he explained, could be seen in how established businesses had been struggling to remain viable, far less achieving profitability.

Straughn addressed the issue Monday in the face of persistent statements from government ministers, in particular, that the private sector was not doing enough to

help the country out of the prolonged economic slump.

The business consultant and past president of the Barbados Economic Society said the clearest indication of

the trading environment businesses had been operating under was the decline in corporate taxes collected over the past six consecutive years.

“What is particularly alarming is that the absolute level for the fiscal year 2013/2014 is approximately 60 percent less than in 2006/2007. Therefore, unless one is enticed by significant concessions and other tax incentives, it would be difficult for any new entrant to enter the Barbados market space and invest significant capital when existing businesses are experiencing significantly less profits than in previous periods,” he noted. (Nation News)

Trinidad Police get foreign help in Seetahal’s case

TRINIDAD:

National Security Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Gary Griffith said last Friday that foreign assistance have been sought to help catch the killer/killers of Special State Prosecutor Dana Seetahal. Griffith made the comment while speaking with the media following the passing out parade of Coast Guard and Air Guard recruits at the site of the Military Museum, Chaguaramas.

“Emotions are running high, but the fact is law enforcement agencies are doing their job and there is some input with international agencies as well. I don’t want to make any further statement on it but I can assure you that anything that can be

trinidad (TT Guardian file photo)

Canadian envoy joins calls for local gov’t elections in Guyana

GUYANA:

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana Dr Nicole Giles has urged the Guyana government to host the local government elections, noting that it is vital and critical in the development of the country.

done is being done,” the minister stated.

He added that, “what I ask is for the public to have confidence in the law enforcement agencies they are doing their work and getting support from international agencies if and when necessary. I am confident we would get to the bottom of this.”

Seetahal was shot dead on May 4 along Hamilton after she left the Ma Pau casino car park on French Street, Port-of-Spain, on her way to her One Woodbrook Place apartment. According to her autopsy report Seetahal was shot twice in the right side of her head, twice in the right forearm and once in the chest. She died on the scene. (TT Guardian)

Dr Giles, speaking last Thursday at the launch of the Parliament’s website and live streaming project at the Parliament Buildings, told the gathering which included the Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and a majority of the Members of Parliament, that though the country was making strides in other areas such as technology and e-governance, there is still a need for bigger strides to be taken particularly in the direction of local government elections, citing the need for proper systems and structures to be put in place so that the country can be positively developed.

“As Guyana makes important strides in advancing e-governance

Bleak outlook for lost British sailors - were heading back from Antigua regatta

ANTIGUA: The search for four British sailors missing in the Atlantic has resumed after it was called off on Sunday.

Antiguan media reported Wednesday that the U.S. Coast Guard had agreed to continue searching after a request from the UK government. The 40ft Cheeki Rafiki was sailing back to the UK from a regatta in Antigua when it got into difficulties.

The wife of one of the men said it had been an “emotional rollercoaster” since all contact with the crew was lost last Friday.

Cressida Goslin–wife of Paul–and other members of the men’s families met with Foreign Office Minister Hugh Robertson on Tuesday afternoon before leaving for the U.S. Embassy.

The four missing crew members are Mr Goslin, 56, from West Camel, Somerset;

and making itself increasingly accessible to its citizens, it is also critical that….the citizens of Guyana have fully functional structures in place at all levels of government, including at the local level. It is equally important that the citizens of Guyana are able to exercise their voices and rights through their votes in selecting their own government, in-

cluding at the local level. Local elections at this stage of Guyana’s rapid development can only serve to build on progress already made and are critical for its future development”, Dr Giles said.

Her statements come on the heels of several other calls being made by various sections of the society for local government elections to be held

given the current situation at some of the municipalities.

Just last month several organisations in the country including the Berbice Chamber of Commerce, the British High Commission, Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry, Embassy of the United States of America, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Guyana Association of Women Lawyers, Guyana Bar Association, Guyana Manufacturing and Service Association and the Guyana Trades Union Congress made calls for the government and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to work together in the interest of holding the much needed local government elections. Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon also last Thursday underscored the need for local government elections, but again expressed the view that there were several considerations and steps that must be taken before these elections are called. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

St.Vincent Opposition promises to press for removal of Visa restrictions to Canada

ST. VINCENT: Arnhim Eustace, the leader of the main opposition party in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has reiterated his party’s intent to press for the removal of visa restrictions to Canada if he wins the general election constitutionally due next year.

Eustace, the leader of the New Democratic Party made the declaration at a town hall meeting over the weekend.

He said for some time, the party had been examining the matter of the visa restriction with the aim of reversing the decision made on September 11, 2012.

At that time, Canada said it had im-

canada imposed visa requirements on nationals of st.

and st. Vincent and the Grenadisnes in september 2012

posed visa requirements on St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines because of concerns that some people were presenting unreliable documents. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Andrew Bridge, 22, from Farnham, Surrey, the yacht’s skipper; Steve Warren, 52, also from Somerset, and 23-yearold James Male, from Southampton.

The U.S. Coast Guard, which on Monday said the search would only be resumed if “new developments about the case” emerged, said it had agreed to deploy rescuers at the request of the UK Foreign Office. (Antigua Observer)

Caricom still hoping to conclude trade agreement with Canada by June deadline

JAMAICA: With just weeks away from the June 30 deadline for a new trade agreement between Caricom and Canada, Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister Senator AJ Nicholson says the region is still very committed to finalising the pact, which takes into account the interest of the Caribbean as a whole.

“Caricom, in its ambition, requires this agreement to be asymmetrical, taking account of the fact that the region comprises small, vulnerable developing countries engaged in negotiations with a larger, more diversified developed country, listed among the largest trading nations in the world,” Nicholson said.

He made the comments last Friday while updating the Senate on the recent 38th meeting of the Caricom Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), which was held in Guyana from May 9-10.

Nicholson noted that in October 2013, both sides agreed, at the Prime Ministerial level, that the negotiations will continue until the end of

June this year.

He pointed out that Caricom has been working diligently to meet this deadline and to achieve an agreement, which takes account of the interests of a region of small, vulnerable developing countries with trade capacity constraints.

The minister pointed out that the Sixth Round of Negotiations was held in two parts, the first in Kingston and then in Ottawa from March 31 to April 4, 2014.

“This Round was completed with prog-

ress made on the text of the agreement and on non-controversial issues. However, major differences between the parties remain on critical issues such as market access for goods (tariff liberalisation), services and investment, development, and labour and environment standards, among other things,” Nicholson stated.

He stressed that both sides agreed to engage in stocktaking before embarking on a Seventh Round of negotiations.

“Caricom has already demonstrated a high lev-

el of flexibility in these negotiations. The conclusion of the negotiations requires flexibility on both sides,” the minister emphasised.

Meanwhile, he mentioned that Jamaica and Canada continue to maintain a generally positive and mutually beneficial partnership.

He noted that Canada is an investment partner, a significant source of overseas development assistance, the second largest market for tourist arrivals, the third major trading partner, and home to a large Jamaican community numbering an estimated 300,000.

“Let me take this opportunity to express Jamaica’s appreciation to Canada for its development support over the years, in areas such as security and justice, among others. It is known that the road in any friendship does not always run smoothly, but the strength of that friendship is demonstrated in the actions taken to overcome the challenges that may arise from time to time,” Nicholson said. (JIS)

Businesswoman survives execution attempt in Guyana

GUYANA: A businesswoman in Guyana was in the wee hours of last Friday morning shot twice after four men attacked her in what appeared to be a planned execution along Garnett Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

Malika Susan Da Silva, 26, of Lot 75 David Street, Subryanville, Georgetown, had gone to a relative’s home at Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown to collect three persons to take them to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) when her car came under fire by four armed men.

In an attempt to escape after being shot, she crashed through a fence and into the wall of house a short distance away. Up to late Friday afternoon, Da Silva was undergoing an emergency surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Fazeela, a relative of the injured woman, explained that Da Silva left her home about 02:00h last Friday morning in her Toyota Hilux vehicle and upon arriving at Garnett Street to collect her sister and brother-in-law, they heard gunshots.

One of the men reportedly exited the car and discharged two rounds at the woman, hitting her to her shoulder and back.

The relative recalled that after the shooting, the woman

drove off the scene, but due to the gunshot injuries, she lost control and crashed into a fence and subsequently into the wall of a house on the other side of the road.

After crashing into the house, the men again discharged four more bullets in their direction and sped away from the scene. Those who rushed out to offer assistance did not get a glimpse of the registration number, or the driver of the car.

Allegedly trailed

From all indications, the Toyota Fielder car was following the woman since she left home. The headlamps of the car were not on and the car did not have registration plates.

The relative further stat-

ed that the injured woman assist her father with his business in Stabroek Market, noting that this was not the first time the family was attacked. She added that the men did not go towards the car to retrieve anything from within, which is a clear indication that the shooter wanted her dead. The relative explained that a bullet was lodged close to the woman’s spine and there is a high possibility that it might have serious implications. The doctors, she added are monitoring the woman’s condition.

Police spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker in a statement said they are investigating the incident. (Guyana Times)

Barbados open to labour talks with Trinidad for possible hiring of retrenched workers

TRINIDAD: With Trinidad and Tobago having over 13,000 vacancies in its public service, and Barbados letting go about 3,500 public sector employees, Barbados Finance Minister Christopher Sinckler has said his government is open to mutually beneficial cooperation in this area.

After he addressed investors gathered at the Port-of-Spain Marriott for an ANSA Merchant Bank event last Wednesday, Sinckler said: "Indeed, there are a lot of very skilled people in Barbados. Of course, we have our campus of the University West Indies, and we churn out social scientists of all sizes and shapes."

He said: "We're encouraging people to look for opportunities beyond Barbados and there are Caribbean territories that require that skilled labour. A lot of skilled labour from Barbados comes (to TT). They go back and forth, and we are encouraging them to look for those opportunities."

Earlier he had told investors that while the Barbados central government employs about 21,000 the overall public service is about 25,000 strong. "Our goal is to bring the overall public service down to about 20-21,000, which is really where it should be," he said.

Asked if the island nation plans to issue any more bonds to boost its reserves and refinance some of its debt, he said: "Not at this stage, certainly not on the wider international market because we feel the forex situation has settled

down. The reserves are slowly building back and so there is not an immediate requirement to get to the market."

He added that in June, the Barbados government will be going "on a fairly extensive nondeal road show to meet with international investors in London, Boston, Chicago, New York, and then later in the year, we will be going further west." He said the Barbados government will be doing this "so that investors understand what is really happening, and our efforts to return stability to the economy, and of course, to bring economic growth."

Turning to ANSA Merchant Bank Managing Director Gregory Hill, he added, "Of course, the TT market is always there. There are projects that we are doing with ANSA and with others."

Hill hailed the present as an ideal time to invest in Barbados. He said: "If you believe Barbados is a strong economy in the medium to long term, you would see that the global markets clearly over-reacted to some of the changes in the Barbados economy."

Having mentioned talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during his presentation, he answered the question of whether Barbados was looking to implement an IMF programme like debt-burdened Jamaica: "Not a formal programme but we have a very good collaborative working relationship with the fund through the Article IV consultation process, but also technically.” (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

Rowley victorious in lopsided PNM internal election in TT

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: Dr Keith Rowley won a lopsided historic “one man one vote” internal election of the main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) as the party gears itself for a possible return to power in Trinidad and Tobago following its heavy defeat in 2010.

Rowley, who had been appointed political leader after the PNM was whipped 29-12 in the May 24, 2010 general election, had called the new internal poll, revamping the old system of the leader being elected by party delegates, introducing instead the one-man, onevote system.

Preliminary results showed at that least 30 percent of the 81,000 party members eligible to cast ballots had done so during Sunday’s islandwide polling with Rowley receiving the majority of the votes.

PNM elections commission vice chairman Murchison Browne said Rowley led in 11 constituencies and had 95 percent of the votes cast. His challenger, Pennelope Beckles-Robinson conceded defeat, telling reporters “I congratulate him,”

noting that the votes cast so far “suggest a victory for Rowley.

But she said that the party was not prepared for the new voting system.

“We simply were not ready for this one man, one vote, it is a task of being ready for 81,000 members,” she said.

Rowley, wearing a sailor cap during the counting exercise, told reporters he was now “the captain of this ship,” adding “the preliminary results are quite satisfying. It appears as though we are going in the right direction.”

“The enthusiasm from

Glenn Lall provides US$2 million funding for confectionery factory in Guyana

GUYANA: Sueria Manufacturing Inc, located at 70 Eccles Industrial Estate, East Bank Demerara (EBD), in Guyana, was formally commissioned on Saturday, with President Donald Ramotar lauding it as an example of youth entrepreneurship.

The company is owned by Frank Sanichara and Teshawna Lall, with a claimed US$2 million or G$400,000,000 funding by Kaieteur News publisher, Glenn Lall, the father of Teshawna. It is involved in manufacturing a range of confectioneries, and other products such as nuts and biscuits packaged under the ‘Sueria’ brand.

President Ramotar, in brief remarks, said that for an economy to be sustained, it has to be rooted in production. He advised that the owners should enter into contract farming arrangements to ensure sustainable and quality supplies.

The company indicated it would focus on exports, and this move was also commended by the President.

The investment however came as a surprise that Glenn Lall had accepted the need to support local investment in Guyana, given that his

newspaper has been on a crusade against development in the country.

The Kaieteur News has painted a dystopian picture of Guyana being a crime-infested, corrupt country where business is always under threat.

Its distorted reporting on the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill, the Amalia Falls Hydro Power Project, the Specialty Hospital and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project, to name a few, did much to undermine these mega projects intended to provide a better business environment.

Lall is also known for his scathing, personal attacks on several senior government personalities, and viciously misguided criticism of President Ramotar as

being “weak”. But in an opportunistic aboutface, he thanked the Ramotar government for making a project that is close to him possible.

Meanwhile, in a clear rebuttal of the Kaieteur News’ role in killing the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, the Head of State reiterated the need for cheaper electricity and to build the Hydro plant, which would be a plus for the manufacturing sector.

The President also explained that the spending by government on the social sector (more than 30 percent of the National Budget), is indicative of the need to enhance local human capital, and outlined the gains being made in education, particularly in interior locations as part of human capital development thrust.

He also repeat-

the party members was sustained throughout the day,” he said, adding that the party was glad there had not been much acrimony during the months of campaigning. “Healing is only required where there are wounds and sores. The PNM does not carry wounds or sores. We walk with a spring in our step and we look forward to the days ahead when we engage the general election issues.”

He has promised to work with every PNM member including his challenger, telling reporters “when all the results come in, I expect to be the leader of the party. We don’t have two categories of members, we have one category—a member of the People’s National Movement.”

He said the party, which ever since its humiliating defeat in 2010 has been able to regain control of the Tobago House of

PM Portia

Assembly (THA), won the Local Government elections and winning a byelection in the St. Joseph constituency, had been “very energised” by the internal elections.

Preliminary results from 33 of the 41 constituencies show that Dr Rowley won 14,621 votes, in comparison to challenger Beckles-Robinson’s 1,235. Team Rowley made a clean sweep of all 15 executive posts that were contested.

A total of 34 candidates contested the poll: a full slate of 15 from Team Rowley, 13 from Team Penny and six independents. Over 81,500 members were listed to vote in the one-man/one-vote system, used for the first time by the PNM.

The highest turnouts were in the Diego Martin constituencies, San Fernando and St Joseph, Mitchell said. (TT Guardian)

requests lower land title rates for seniors in Jamaica

ed his call for support of the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, which he described an Anticorruption Bill, and said that he was calling a spade a spade when he stressed the need for its passage. He spoke of the Opposition’s nonsupport for many of the transformative projects which will benefit all Guyanese. The Kaieteur News has also been part of the Opposition’s torpedoing of the projects.

Touching on the media’s operations, he called for this to be used in a responsible way, as they possessed immense power and influence.

The Kaieteur News Publisher, in brief remarks, thanked President Ramotar for helping to make the factory a reality. He was however silent to the President’s call for a responsible press. (Guyana Times)

JAMAICA: Prime Minister Portia

Simpson Miller has requested that senior citizens in Jamaica who are accessing their certificates of title for the first time, do so at a reduced rate.

Simpson Miller has asked the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, to explore the possibility of offering seniors a reduction in the cost associated with the process. She made the request while delivering an address at the official launch of the expansion Land Administration and Management Programme (LAMP II), at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, last Thursday, where just over 200 people, most of whom were senior citizens, received titles and certifi -

cates of compliance.

The beneficiaries are from the parishes of Clarendon, Manchester and St Elizabeth, the original three parishes under the LAMP when it first began in 2010.

Simpson Miller said that she will be waiting for Portfolio Minister, Robert Pickersgill, to make an early submission to Cabinet to lower the rate for the elderly.

“We know that times are hard, and many of you find it difficult to pay even the reduced fees charged by LAMP for registering your land,” the Prime Minister said.

She noted however, that LAMP is still the best value for money available today for land registration services, and urged land owners to take advantage of it.

“In Jamaica it is a stunning fact that of the over 800,000 land parcels, only about 50 percent have a registered title. This government wants to see that each and every land owner has security of tenure. By that I mean a governmentguaranteed registered title,” said Simpson Miller.

LAMP II will extend the project beyond the initial three parishes to include five additional parishes of St James, Westmoreland, St Ann, Hanover and Trelawny. (Jamaica Observer)

With Canadian assistance, Guyana’s Parliament proceedings now streaming live

GUYANA: The sittings of Guyana’ National Assembly are now being streamed live online as a result of a collaborative project involving the Parliament Office of the National Assembly of Guyana, the government of Canada, through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The initiative along with the Parliament’s website was officially launched last Thursday. The website has portfolios for all of the MPs, details on all motions moved and passed, questions and answers by members of the National Assembly, among others. All MPs have been provided with Samsung SIII to ensure they maintain an interaction with the users of the website. All of this has been done to the tune of Gy$16.6 million.

Speaker of the House Raphael Trotman said the overall project was initiated after the need was seen for the public to become even more involved in the activities of the House and for information to become accessible to members of the

general public. He expressed thanks to the government of Canada and the UNDP for their contributions in making the project a success.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Chisa Mikami said the organisation had extend-

ed its support to the initiative since it was seen as a project which is beneficial for all of Guyana. Interactive forum Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana Dr Nicole Giles told the gathering that the implementation of the project is indeed one

which will benefit the population as the public will now be aware of what is taking place in the lawmaking organisation.

“The establishment of live streaming from the National Assembly of Guyana to a dedicated website that is accessible to all Guyanese makes a tangible contribution to Guyana’s ongoing efforts to deliver better government, stronger communities, and more engaged citizens. It will help to broaden and extend Guyana’s political discourse on national policies and encourage heightened political participation, including women,” Dr Giles said. She further noted that “in any democracy, communication between a Parliament and its citizenry is a challenge. Citizens too often are disengaged, viewing parliamentary debates and happenings

as a distant discussion that has no real impact on their lives. The reality is that nothing could be further from the truth and decisions taken in this chamber affect them profoundly. That parliamentary debates are traditionally accessed either through the filter of the media or digging through paper copies of the Hansard…makes them ever more distant and inaccessible”.

Dr Giles reasoned that by providing live and uninterrupted streaming of the proceedings of Guyana’s National Assembly, Guyanese throughout the country and in the diaspora will be given a ring-side seat to the debates on issues that affect them while giving them equal access to all Guyanese, regardless of their geographic location, gender or background. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Antigua and Barbuda in high gear for June 12 general election

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA: Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has called on supporters to ensure that his ruling United Progressive Party (UPP) is returned to power for a third consecutive term in the June 12 general elections, even as his main challenger, Gaston Browne was telling voters Antigua and Barbuda will be liberated on that day.

Nomination Day was scheduled for May 21 and political observers say control for the 17-seat Parliament will be a straight contest between the UPP and the main opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP).

In the 2009 general election, the UPP won nine of the 17 seats with the ALP six and the

other seat going to the Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM).

Spencer addressing supporters at a recent mass rally in the village of Potters, east of the capital, said it was important for the UPP to be returned to office in order to continue with the socio-economic programmes and policies that have enhanced the lives of every citizen over the past 10 years.

“The elections are very critical. It is very important to the continued development of Antigua and Barbuda. We cannot return to the past. I want to say to you that it is necessary for us to recognise and appreciate that although victory is in sight we cannot drop our guard. I want to tell you that it

is not over until it is over,” he said.

But Browne, who is leading the ALP into elections for the first time, said he was confident of victory adding that the

naming of the election date was “long overdue.

I think his (Spencer) performance was pathetic and bordering on a pappy show. The 12th of June, 2014, will be judgment

day for Baldwin Spencer and the UPP. It will be deliverance day for the people of Antigua and Barbuda and victory day for the ALP.”

The ALP suffered its first electoral defeat in 2004 after nearly 30 years in power held by the iconic and controversial Bird family.

Lester Bird, 76, who succeeded his father and ALP founder Vere Bird Snr as prime minister from 1994 until 2004, lost the ALP’s leadership race to Browne in 2012.

About 48,000 people have been registered to vote after a registration exercise in November 2013, the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) had said. (Antigua Observer)

Jamaica Police report 13 percent drop in murders

JAMAICA: The Jamaica Constabulary Force last Friday reported a 13 percent drop in the number of murders committed between January and March 2014, when compared to the same period last year.

According to a news release issued by the Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), there were 36 fewer murders, moving from 269 last year to 233 this year.

The police also reported a reduction in rapes, aggravated assaults as well as “acquisitory crimes”.

According to the CCU, there were 34 fewer rapes, down from 287 in 2013 to 154 in 2014. Aggravated assaults dropped from 160 to 108 this year, a 33 percent reduction, according to the CCU. There were 257 fewer acquisitory

crimes, down from 1,462 for the period last year to 1205 this year.

Acquisitory crimes include robbery, break-ins and larceny. "Performance for the last

fiscal quarter/first quarter January to March 2014 has shown that the strategies employed by the organisation have been bearing fruit," the CCU release said.

The communication arm of the force also reported seizing 160 firearms and 2,757 rounds of ammunition during the period. The release also boasted a 17 percent increase in drug seizures and a total 8,231 arrests and charges made.

"All sworn and unsworn members must be commended for their contribution in whatever way, as without teamwork, commitment and resilience the organisation would not have accomplished so much, given the challenging environment in which they work," the CCU said.

"It is important that as we move forward in furtherance of achieving the security sector’s goals as outlined in the Vision 2030 strategic plan, we remain focused and resolute in our quest to make Jamaica a safe and secure place for both resi-

dents and visitors.

"The level of professionalism displayed during the period under review has not gone unnoticed," the CCU release added.

Complaints of unprofessional conduct have also declined, the CCU said, so too police fatal shootings, which have declined by 51.4 percent--from 72 in 2013 to 35 in the first quarter of 2014.

"This achievement was due to better planning and execution of operations as well as improvement in confidence of members in their ability to disarm suspects through continuous training," the CCU said. "It is also testament to the fact that the police are not inclined to harm suspects if they surrender peacefully when accosted by the police." (Jamaica Observer)

Trinidad officials probe report of eight pregnant girls at one school

TRINIDAD:

Education offi-

cials in Trinidad are currently probing a report of there being eight pregnant students at a secondary school in the southern section of the island.

The pregnant schoolgirls have been identified as members of the school’s football team while the fathers-to-be are said to be from the same school.

Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh, who requested an immediate investigation, said once the girls are found to be under the age of 16, police must institute criminal proceedings. He said he was unaware of the incident.

“It has not been brought to the attention of the Minister of Education, the Chief

Education Officer nor the schools supervisor.

I have just read it this (Sunday) morning and I have asked for an investigation to be done into it immediately. If the girls are in fact pregnant, they will be suspended with immediate effect and if they are under the age of 16, that is a matter for the police. We will have to report it to the police as the law requires,” the minister said Sunday.

On Saturday during a national consultation in Chaguanas, Zena Ramatali, President of the National Parent Teachers’ Association (NPTA), revealed that the eight schoolgirls, one of whom is a Form One student, were all pregnant and no one has been arrested for having sex with the minors.

“If that had come to the attention or the knowledge of the principal, the schools supervisor or the teachers, they ought to have reported that to the police immediately and also to the Ministry of Education as required by the law,” Gopeesingh said, adding that parents as well,

should take some blame as they too are required by law to report such matters to the police.

Report

Ramatali said she has a report compiled by the NPTA’s regional representative who has been conducting investigation at a particular school where the students are reportedly

pregnant.

“In a school in south Trinidad, right now, there are eight girls that are pregnant in one school. It is not alleged, it is a fact, and as far as I have heard, no one has been arrested for having sex with these minors and these children are going to have to deliver babies in the hospitals,” she stated.

The Trinidad and Tobago National Council of Parent Teacher’ Associations Incorporated, of which NPTA is a member, hosted a consultation entitled “Sex Education in Schools” at the Enterprise Government Primary School, Chaguanas.

Ramatali called for counselling for the young pregnant secondary school student foot-

ballers and expressed concerns that when the pregnant schoolgirls attend hospitals, they “receive very bad treatment at the hands of nurses as if to further punish them for becoming pregnant by teaching them a lesson.”

Saying that the crime against the students was a “cover-up”, Ramatali said that the NPTA was following up the matter very closely and a NPTA regional representative has been having discussions with the school’s principal.

She told the consultation NPTA has been flooded with complaints on a daily basis about issues of teenage pregnancy and sexual harassment at the nation’s primary and secondary schools. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

Guyana’s juvenile detention centre to be reformed amid sex allegations

GUYANA: Amid damning allegations of sexual assault on students and staff at the New Opportunity Corps in Guyana, the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry has announced moves to reform its policies to bring much needed regulation at the state’s juvenile detention centre. It also announced plans to build separate campuses to avoid both boys and girls sharing the same living quarters and other facilities.

Culture Minister Dr Frank Anthony last Thursday disclosed that the old rules of the correctional facility will have to be changed, so that

the incidents, whether true or not, would not recur. He was at the time speaking with journalists at a special media briefing to address the allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse at the facility.

And while the Human Services and Social Security Ministry has launched an independent investigation into the allegations, Dr Anthony said his ministry is awaiting the outcome of that inquiry before any action is taken.

Security In the meantime, he assured that his ministry will be taking immediate measures at the institution. The first step

will be to enhance security.

He indicated too that the ministry is seeking to partner with all non-governmental organisations to provide mentorship to students at the facility.

Anthony said that the profile of incidents for which children are sent to the NOC have changed overtime. These may range from armed robbery to simply wandering the streets. According to him, the ministry is now deciphering how it will separate the more benign offences from those that are considered very serious criminal acts.

Separating students

The minister noted too that officials have

British visitor drowns at beach in Jamaica

JAMAICA: A British national, vacationing at Calabash Bay in Treasure Beach, Jamaica, with his family, drowned last Thursday morning, police have confirmed.

He has been identified as Anthony James Wilkinson, 49, a social worker of London, England.

Police say Wilkinson

who was holidaying with his wife and two sons, aged six and four, was walking on the beach with the four year-old when the latter went into the sea. Reports say Wilkinson rushed into the water when he realised his son was in trouble and held on to the child.

However, he himself got into difficulties— sucked in by strong un-

der currents. Hearing his cries for help, his wife also ran into the water and was able to take the child from his arms.

She, too, struggled to escape the water but was saved by others. Reports are that those rescuers also got into difficulties but were able to pull Wilkinson from the water. However, they were unable to resuscitate him. (Jamaica Observer)

come to the conclusion that co-education for both male and female students at the institution will also have to be redressed since it may have contributed to some of the issues faced at the

facility. He explained that almost all of the educational activities carried out at the institution are done with all students together.

“We are hoping to build separate institutions to separate boys and girls and they would not be on the same campus, it will be of some geographic distance from each other. Unless we separate them, we will continue to have these challenges”, Dr Anthony said.

The New Opportunity

Corps made headlines once again just over two months ago when news of a breakout surfaced. On March 22, four female students reportedly absconded from NOC. Two female staff members made efforts to prevent the girls from leaving, but were unsuccessful. Sometime later, four males also escaped. Two days later they were all found and were placed before the magistrate’s court. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

More of Guyana’s law enforcement officers get critical

GUYANA: The law enforcement community in Guyana was further strengthened when several officers attached to agencies under the umbrella of the Home Affairs Ministry returned from overseas training. This is part of ongoing efforts to boost the capacity of these agencies, which included the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU); the Guyana Police Force (GPF); Guyana Prison Service and the Ministry itself.

Head of CANU James Singh, along with a Technical Officer Sanjay Shew, attended overseas forums in the first week of March. Singh attended a conference in St. Lucia on March 4 to 6 that promoted closer regional cooperation and knowledge of trafficking.

Shew went to the 20th Annual Regional Drug Commanders Conference on March 3, in Punta Cana, Dominican

Republic. This forum helped to identify strategies to combat illegal drug trafficking and develop cooperation among managers. It also looked at conducting criminal investigations and collecting intelligence on major trafficking organisations operating within the Caribbean.

Anti-drug trafficking

The Police Force saw six officers travelling overseas for training exercises.

Detective Sergeant Sherlock Houston of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) attended a training course on Drug Trafficking for Police Officers in Italy from March 3 to 14, during which the development of contrasting techniques against drug trafficking was examined.

Detective Corporal Mahendra Thuknauth of the CID had attended the “Precursor Chemicals Course” from March 10

Guyana’s acting Police commissioner seelall Persaud (Guyana Times file photo)

to 21, in Jamaica. The course provided a full understanding of precursor chemicals, how they are diverted into illegal markets, and the manufacturing process of illegal drugs. Participants were also educated on the regional and international laws and regulations governing the movement and enforcement controls of precursor chemicals and the implications for money laundering and asset forfeiture.

Superintendent of Police Errol Watts went

Move to promote Milk River as tourist attraction in Jamaica

JAMAICA: An initiative to enhance the local, regional and international tourism potential of historic Milk River in Clarendon, Jamaica, is being undertaken by the Milk River Tourism Organisation (MRTO).

Under the theme 'Expanding community tourism', the MRTO will be showcasing the community as a viable tourist economic zone at its inaugural Milk River Seafood & Jerk Festival on July 26.

The event will feature a celebrity chef cook-off competition, beach netball, volleyball and football competitions, boat racing, boat rides, celebrity guests and performances by local artistes and a kiddies' village. A lucky patron stands to

win the gate prize of a motor car.

The event has received the endorsement of residents and the business community in Clarendon, as well the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, and the Clarendon Parish Council.

Diane Sommerville, treasurer of the MRTO, says she is confident that the event will attract a bumper crowd due to the responses from sponsors and the community at large. "The organisation…anticipates that the event will be one of the most talked-about events of the year," said Sommerville, who also manages the Milk River Hotel and Spa. She said the MRTO

overseas training

to an international conference during the period March 17 and 20 in Kerala, India, which shared enforcement experiences and research findings, while Detective Corporal Quanza Bagot participated in an “Advanced Narcotics Investigation Course” from April 28 to May 9 in Jamaica. The course aimed to provide understanding of the techniques used in drug law enforcement to enhance drug enforcement officers’ ability to conduct thorough professional investigations.

In the area of armoury management, Corporal Handel Moses attended the Second Regional Armoury Management Training Course (AMC) for Caribbean States from April 28 to May 9 in Trinidad and Tobago. The course sought to boost the capacities of government armourers in the specific technical skills and management

processes necessary for the safe, effective and efficient accounting, inspection, repair, maintenance, storage, security, and destruction of firearms and ammunition.

Strengthened capacity

The Police top brass also strengthened their capacity, with acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud attending the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police’s 29th Annual General Meeting and Conference in Trinidad and Tobago from April 28 to May 1.

Prison Service ranks also attended overseas training: Chief Officer Gornall George, acting Chief Officer Christine George, and Cadet Officer Deoraj Guyandat. They participated in a Corrections Institutional Management Course that was held in March 23 to 29, in Nebraska, USA, which centred on increasing capacity to

operate juvenile detention facilities that are safe, secure, humane and transparent.

From the Home Affairs Ministry, two persons were sent on overseas training. Coordinator of the Task Force on Fuel Smuggling and Contraband Floyd Mc Donald, went to a Preparatory Conference for the 11th Conference of Defence Ministries of the Americas in Peru from March 6 to 7. Research Officer Tabitha Barnwell then attended the Regional Conference for the Americas on the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development from April 28 to 30, in La Antigua, Guatemala. During this Conference, participants discussed the integration of armed violence reduction and prevention into national, regional and international development processes. (Guyana Times)

Barbados, China to sign visa abolition agreement

BARBADOS: The governments of Barbados and China will sign a mutual visa abolition agreement to pave the way for smooth entry of Chinese nationals who are holders of diplomatic and service (official) passports.

is working to make Milk River an attractive tourist destination.

"We are about to start a series of workshops to sensitise residents to the changes that will come when visitors arrive in the community. Training will include sensitising residents on the benefits of the venture, and getting them prepared to provide services such as food and accommodation to our visitors. Plans for training tour guides are far advanced and will commence in a few weeks," she said.

Proceeds from the Milk River Seafood Festival will go towards training programmes and the development of early childhood education in Milk River and adjoining communities. (Jamaica Observer)

Barbados’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, announced the signing date for the agreement as Tuesday, May 27, while addressing stakeholders attending the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation’s Doing Business with China half-day seminar last Friday.

She told her audience that this agreement abolishes the requirements of visas for holders of these passports and will “make it easier for a substantial number of persons to enter Barbados easily”.

Since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations with China, McClean said Barbados and China have built a solid relationship that was based on mutual respect and cooperation.

She said evidence of this strengthened relationship was through increased commercial and business activities as well as reciprocal visits of high-level dignitaries.

These include an official visit to several coun-

tries in Latin America and the Caribbean in June 2013, a visit from a team from China Central Television hosted by the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation in September and in November 2013, a delegation from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Tianjin Sub-Council met with several government and private sector stakeholders to get a better understanding of the investment and trading climate in the region.

In August 2013, McClean said there was the visit of the Henan Performing Cultural Arts Group, which staged a hugely successful exhibition at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex and a performance by the Nanijing

Orchestra in March this year. The foreign minister mentioned that Culture Minister Stephen Lashley headed a Barbados delegation in April, and signed an agreement with his Chinese counterpart Cai Wu, aimed at strengthening cultural cooperation between Barbados and China.

McClean said the relationship was “anchored” by a double taxation agreement that was signed in 2000. “In addition, the numerous Barbadians that have benefitted from scholarships in China may be looked upon as an untapped pool on which we may draw as we seek to increase our engagement with China,” she stated. (BGIS)

Data shows 30 percent of Jamaica’s students attend school hungry daily - gov’t ramps up Breakfast Programme

JAMAICA: Armed with data showing that at least 30 percent of Jamaica’s students attend school hungry every day, Education Minister Ronald Thwaites announced that starting in the coming school year, 70 percent of early childhood students will begin to benefit from an improved Breakfast Programme.

“I need to tell you we have evidence that over 30 percent of our children come to school hungry every day. Now, when we face this it is no point just getting angry and despairing... it’s time to do something about it,” the Education Minister

said at the Annual Child Month Exhibition staged last week by the Child Protection Committee at Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) in Montego Bay.

Thwaites said the breakfast programme will feed nearly 138,000 children every day.

“And for those who can afford, they will be asked to make some payment towards the Breakfast and Lunch Programme,” he added, explaining that Ja$1 billion a year has been allocated to fund the programme.

Thwaites said that after a pilot programme was conducted last year, it was discovered

that “40 percent of the children needed constant breakfast supplement, while another 30 percent go hungry sometimes—depending on family income going up or down”.

Imams return to Trinidad after Venezuela detention

RINIDAD: Three imams

TSunday returned to Trinidad after being detained in custody in Venezuela for the past 55 days. There were tears of joy and sadnesss as they arrived at the Piarco International Airport. The group was held in Venezuela when they attempted to secure visas at the Saudi Arabian consulate for those who were going to the small Hajj (Umrah). Members of the Muslim communities including the elderly and babies hugged and welcomed them back home.

Sheik Hassan Hamid, Iman Hamzah Mohammed, and Abdullah Salaam arrived on a flight on board Caribbean Airlines that was sponsored by the Ministry of Finance. This is the second time in seven months these three men had problems while trying to secure visas in Venezuela. Five men who remain in the custody of the Venezuelan intelligence service (SEBIN) Bolivariano de Inteligencia Nacional) continue their hunger strike.

A group which included women and children were sent home over two weeks ago after a daytime raid on their hotel.

In an interview with the media, the imans claimed the other five detainees were not charged even though they have been in custody for a long period of time. They appealed to the Ministry

there were tears of joy and sadnesss

the

of Foreign Affairs to take more proactive stance in the arrests of the others and assist in having a Saudi Embassy in TT.

Hamid said he was not treated “badly” when he was in custody and will spend his time home with his family.

“If there is a need to go over there again to get visas there is no problem. If this is the price we have to go pay to get our brothers and sisters…look around there is only love and this is what it takes…I should be back there trying to get our brothers released,” he said.

President of the Islamic Missionaries Guild of the Caribbean and South America, Imtiaz Mohammed, and attorney Nafeesa Mohammed who supported said it was good for the families to be united. (TT Guardian)

U.S. scientists explore Grenada’s huge underwater volcano

GRENADA: A team of scientists from the United States has travelled to Grenada, exploring the darkest corners of a huge underwater volcano off the island’s coast hoping to better understand the mysteries of earthquakes and tsunamis, and ultimately saving lives.

President of U.S. Ocean Exploration Trust, Robert Ballard, famous for discovering the Titanic 12,000 feet below the surface of the icy North Atlantic in 1985, has set his sights on exploring the volcano, Kick’em Jenny, studying its eruption history and learn more about how underwater volcanoes can pose a threat.

Ballard, who is also director of the Center for Ocean Exploration at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography, said the Kick’em Jenny volcano has a history of explosive eruptions, which could have the potential to trigger tsunamis, the effects from which could be felt as far away as the northeastern United States.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Kick’em Jenny vol-

cano has erupted 10 times since 1939, with the most recent eruption in 1990.

“This is the most hazardous part of our planet, where (tectonic) plates are head-on,” said Ballard, noting that the devastating 2011 Japanese earthquake and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami were both underwater earthquakes. The American television network, ABC TV, said reporters from its “Nightline” programme accompanied Ballard and his team of 40 explorers aboard their exploration vessel Nautilus during the final 48 hours of their 90day voyage, which was documented for an upcoming National Geographic special, “Caribbean’s Deadly Underworld,” which premiered Sunday on the U.S. network, Nat Geo WILD.

The conditions around the Kick’em Jenny volcano are so dangerous to humans that Ballard and his team relied on the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) “Hercules,” a 5,000-pound submersible, to be their “eyes and ears” inside the volcano,” ABC TV reported. (Excerpted from Caribbean News)

“That’s the early childhood sector,” Thwaites lamented. He said that all the local studies point out that “inadequate or inappropriate” nutrition is a significant contributing factor in “poor brain and personality development…hence, the need for the introduction of a State-funded school-feeding programme to be assisted by private sector, families, communities, people of goodwill everywhere”.

The Child Protection Committee is the brainchild of Sandra Webley, a former medical social worker at CRH. It was launched there in May 2005.

According to Dr Garfield Badal, chairman of the Western Regional Health Authority, the committee was established to address “an increasing number of abuse and neglected children” who were detected by Webley at the hospital at the time.

“The primary objectives were to offer in-hospital support to victims; not just victims, but families of victims of abuse and neglect; and also to improve the education of our professions and caregivers in general, as it relates to children...as it relates to abuse,” Dr Badal explained. (Jamaica Observer)

Netherlands-based researcher in Guyana to investigate suicide epidemic

GUYANA: As part of its mental health programme launched earlier this year, the Guyana Foundation is hosting Serena Coultress, a researcher from Maastricht University in the Netherlands.

Coultress arrived in Guyana last Sunday, and will be conducting research into the local suicide epidemic, which has reached crisis-proportions.

According to a release, her findings will be used for a Master’s in Global Health at Maastricht University, and will shape and inform upcoming mental health projects conducted by the Guyana Foundation.

Additionally, it will be made available to local stakeholders in the mental health sector. Over the upcoming weeks, Coultress will be meeting with, and conducting interviews with mental health professionals, social workers, representatives of local non-governmental organisations, religious

leaders, and members of the community who have been affected by suicide.

Coultress commented that “mental health is a topic I feel passionately about, so when I became aware of the high levels of suicide in Guyana, I was compelled to travel here. I was fortunate to make contact with the Guyana Foundation who are not only hosting me, but will no doubt make good use of the findings. Ultimately, I hope my research will help the community to understand

the underlying factors behind the high suicide prevalence in Guyana”.

Meanwhile, Guyana Foundation Managing Director Anthony Autar expressed delight about the work that Coultress has embarked upon.

“This research study will help fill an existing information gap in Guyana about suicide. Although we know that the suicide rate in Guyana is among the highest in the world, there is little to no up-todate research, conducted in accordance with internationally-accepted research standards, about the underlying factors driving so many of our people–young and old–to end their lives in such great numbers. So interventions to tackle the suicide epidemic in Guyana have not been as effective as they can be.

“We hope that the information gathered from this research study will give us insight that will shape and inform initiatives to stop the senseless loss of lives to suicide,” he said. (Guyana Times)

Inaugural Guyana Festival gets more private sector support

GUYANA: The Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry along with the Guyana Festival Committee on Monday received Gy$3 million from Caricom Bottling Company to help offset expenses that the festival will incur as the event is being held.

Speaking at the simple handing over ceremony, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali stated that the festival carries a lot of expenses, but he is happy with the sponsorship thus far.

“Over the next couple of weeks you will see more private and corporate businesses coming on board for the Guyana Festival, the expenses for the festival is very high so any sponsorship is welcome,” Ali stated.

Meanwhile, Caricom Bottling Marketing Representative Mondale Smith stated that the company, after much deliberations decided to

donate to the Guyana Festival because it is an event that promotes Guyana and they are all for such an event.

The Guyana Festival will be held August 8-10 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara under the theme ‘“Sound, Soul and Taste”.

Extravaganza

Minister Ali said the Guyana Festival is the biggest event planned for the year 2014 and it seeks to bring many tourists to the country in hopes of boosting the Tourism Sector.

The much-anticipated event was launched on April 2 at the Guyana International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. Organisers said the three-day event will see exciting activities that will celebrate sport legends, culture, art, entertainment, food, music and much more.

On day one, there will be an air show, followed

tourism minister

by an international concert with drumming and lots of food. Day two will commence with the Festival Games–where the Master XI will take on the President’s XI in football and cricket. Famous names on the rosters include Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Carl Hooper, Lennox Cush, Mahendra Nagamotoo, Clive Lloyd, Narsingh Deonarine, Veerasammy Permaul, and Trevon Griffith. An unforgettable night of legends on stage, such as Dave Martins, follows this day of activities.

ali and marketing representative of caricom bottling company

brief media representatives in the presence of other officials at the handing over ceremony on Monday memorate the event, and will contain discount coupons from the sponsors; autographs from Clive Lloyd, Dave Martin and other stars as well as President Donald Ramotar; and the entire programme. It is something that can be kept as a souvenir and will cost US$15 or Gy$3000. A Festival Coin designed by Kings’ Jewellery to commemorate the event will also be available at the jeweller. (Guyana Times)

Day three will see the electrifying National Cook-off with food from every corner and every culture of Guyana represented at the Guyana National Stadium. There will also be a Generation Next concert with local artistes such as Adrian Dutchin, Jumo Primo, and Vanilla.

One every evening of the Festival there will be Coney Island rides for the entire family, an arts and craft exhibition and sale, and a wide variety of food and drinks on sale.

Festival passports will be available to com-

Participants in world's longest ocean race docks at Port Antonio in Jamaica

JAMAICA: International teams taking part in the Clipper 2013/14 Round the World Yacht Race, including the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) sponsored ‘Jamaica Get All Right’ team, have arrived at the Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio at the end of Race 12: Spirit of Jamaica Chase, from Panama.

“The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is the ideal platform to highlight the energy and spirit embodied in our people. More than just a holiday destination, Jamaica is a place where people go to enjoy the island’s rhythm and positivity; it’s a place where people go to relax and to ‘Get All Right’," said Jamaica’s Director of Tourism John Lynch.

"We are very happy to welcome the Jamaica Clipper crew in Port Antonio for what we hope will be a highly memorable part of their Clipper Race experience.”

The Clipper Race is known as one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges, taking eleven months and over 40,000 miles to complete.

Over 260 crew members from over 40 different nationalities take part in the Clipper Race on a matched fleet of 70foot ocean-racing yachts. It is the only race of

its kind in the world for amateur sailors and this is the third time the race has visited Port Antonio.

“We had a great time here four years ago when I skippered the ‘Jamaica Lightning Bolt’ team in the 09/10 race, so I know just how great the hospitality is here. We always get a fantastic welcome and I know we’ll be well looked after by the Jamaican Tourist Board,” said ‘Jamaica Get All Right’ skipper, Pete Stirling, who also led the Jamaican entry in the Clipper 2009/10 Race.

'Jamaica Get All Right' came tenth, arriving in Port Antonio at 23:28.

First place team 'Henri Lloyd' crossed the Folly Point Lighthouse finish line in Port Antonio, at 15:41:57 with 'Great Britain' just 31 seconds behind in second place at 15:42:27. 'Switzerland' took third place, claiming its second podium finish of the Clipper Race so far, finishing at 16:42.

The Clipper Race fleet will be berthed at the Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio, until May 24, when it will depart in Race 13: The Grange Hotels Trophy to New York which completes Leg 7, the penultimate Clipper Race leg. (Jamaica Observer)

Over a dozen Guyanese social workers and schoolteachers graduated Saturday in the United States at Lesley University in Cambridge, with master’s degrees in trauma, sensitive assessment, intervention, and consultation.

According to a news

officials from UNICEF and the Guyanese government’s social service agencies, began designing the specialised counseling curriculum,” the Globe reported. It added that a year later the programme was launched and 13 Guyanese teachers and social workers enrolled.

“They have spent a

ly to study for two-week stints at Lesley,” the paper stated.

Specially-designed

“We spent a long time planning and designing this programme,” the paper quoted Guyana’s Education Minister Priya Manickchand as saying. The minister, who was in Cambridge to attend the gradua-

report in the Boston Globe, the programme was tailored specifically for Guyanese social workers who are believed to largely lack specialised training to address domestic violence and child abuse.

“In fall 2010, Catherine Koverola, dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Lesley University, along with

grueling three years in the Interdisciplinary Studies Programme of Lesley’s Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences: maintaining their full-time jobs while taking classes in Georgetown from local and visiting Lesley instructors, as well as from instructors in Cambridge via Skype. They also traveled to Cambridge periodical-

tion ceremony, added that “what was especially important to us was to make sure that the curriculum factored in cultural nuance and respected that fact that while domestic violence is universal and is rightfully condemned everwhere, the path to correcting it and ending it may differ in different cultures.”

The paper featured

several of the students including Priscilla Gonsalves, a Probation Officer/Child Protection Officer with Guyana’s Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

Stephen Bactawar, 43, who teaches high school social studies in Georgetown said some Guyanese parents value hunting or fishing more than education, according to the Globe report.

“As a teacher I observed lots of domestic situations and wanted to intervene in the children’s lives, and work along with the parents, especially when I learned the parents were not playing a great role in their childrens’ educations,” Bactawar is quoted as saying in the newspaper report. “But it was extremely difficult to get disengaged parents involved.”

Better understanding

Bactawar explained that his studies at Lesley helped him better understand the parents’ mental health and emotional issues, so he has had a greater chance of convincing them to get involved.

Over the past year or so, Bactawar said he has begun helping teachers recognise signs of abuse and create strategies to work with parents. He is

Big changes for Jamaica’s Styleweek 2014

JAMAICA: There will be a significant change to this year's Styleweek Jamaica, scheduled for May 22-25.

Deiwght Peters, CEO of the Saint International model agency and conceptualiser of the eightyear-old event, said the programme will be extended by a day.

"Styleweek Jamaica will be four days of shows. This is an extension of the usual threeday schedule," Peters told Jamaican media.

Activities include: Glitz Glam 'N Style at the MercedesBenz Showspace on South Camp Road on Thursday; Supermodel City Lockdown, which will see three fashion shows at Macau Gaming Lounge and Opa Greek Restaurant in Kingston and FAMOUS Nightclub in Portmore on Friday; International Mecca of Style at Mercedes-Benz Showspace on Saturday and Fashionblock on Knutsford Boulevard.

"The only public event is Fashionblock which sets a new bar in local fashion events," Peters said. "This brings up to 12,000 fashion fans to our capital to witness a fashion spectacle. The

making progress, but not all child abuse manifests in physical injuries, he said, and that can make problems harder to detect, the paper reported too.

Kaycina Jardine, Guyana’s 33-year-old manager of government adoption programmes and a Lesley classmate of Bactawar, cited a 2012 UNICEF report that found the most common form of abuse in Guyana was neglect, not physical assault.

“My thesis focused on child victims of sexual abuse, but the even larger problem was children abandoned, not fed, not clothed, not taught, not treated properly,”

event's dynamism helps in uniquely positioning Kingston as a fashion/ lifestyle capital."

Jamaican designers Neah Lis, TNT Fashions Tasha Gordon, HOD by Gregory Williams, Nina, Kaydian Nicely, Karl Brown, Heather Layne for Elan, and Balla Sean will unveil Spring/ Summer 2015 collections.

The international roster includes Donnovan Depass of New York and Kevin Obrian from Paris.

Peters estimates the production tab this year could be Ja$25 million. However, the benefits are immeasurable.

"There are many spin-offs from Styleweek Jamaica. Firstly, designers who showcase experience an increase in business post-event. In preparing for the event there is an increase in purchasing of materials, employing tailors and seamstresses and employing assistants," he noted. "There is a multiplier effect on this economic activity," he added. (Jamaica Observer)

Jardine told the Globe. Fine arts therapy, long a staple at Lesley, has been part of the program for the Guyanese students.

Jardine said that coaching caregivers at orphanages in how to teach dance and music to their young charges gave her insight into what they needed to care for the children.

“It’s interesting that some of what is making the biggest difference isn’t complicated,” Jardine said. “Music and dance, for example, are two things people in our country love.”

The dancing helps the children feel more comfortable.

Alice Yard offers Caribbean prize for writing

TRINIDAD: Alice Yard has announced the establishment of the Alice Yard Prize for Art Writing, an annual award for an original piece of critical writing on contemporary Caribbean art by a Caribbean writer aged 35 or under.

Conceived and administered by the co-directors of Alice Yard, the prize aims to encourage new writing on Caribbean art and artists, and to identify emerging voices in contemporary Caribbean art criticism, a release said.

The winner of the prize will receive a cash award of US$1,000 and publication in The Caribbean Review of Books. The inaugural Alice Yard Prize for Art Writing opened for entries on May 16, with a deadline of 14 July.

The winner will be announced in September 2014 to commemorate Alice Yard’s eighth anniversary. To be eligible to enter for the 2014 prize, a writer must be a citizen

of the Caribbean, whether resident in the region or abroad, and be under the age of 35 on the entry deadline, July 14.

The release added, a piece of writing entered for the prize does not have to be a conventional critical essay or review. The prize administrators are interested in writing that investigates different forms and genres, as long as it is driven by genuine critical engagement.

The prize will be decided by a panel of three judges, Krista Thompson (Bahamas/U.S.), chair. Thompson is an art historian and curator and associate professor of art history, Northwestern University; Charles Campbell (Jamaica/ Canada) an artist and curator and chief curator, National Gallery of Jamaica and Courtney J Martin (U.S.), art historian and curator and assistant professor of the history of art and architecture, Brown University. (TT Guardian)

GUYANA: Yupukari village, situated in Rupununi, is home for the Yupukari Crafters, a group of quintessential weavers who have created a new age in perfecting the art form to support their community’s sustainability.

The first Yupukari Crafters piece came about because seating was needed for the village library. The village woodworkers who built the Caiman House Field Station (CHFS) were drafted as furniture makers. Many prototypes, later a dining set, went on display at a local crafts fair. Orders began to come in from local ecotourist guesthouses and visitors. Pieces placed in a local shop sold out in two weeks.

Using local ‘moonwood’ (saplings harvested only during periods of full moon when insects depart); cowhide, wildpicked, homespun, hand-woven cotton, and a variety of reeds and woody plants, the pieces are joined without glue,

Crafters, a for-profit project to provide jobs in the village and to create an income stream for literacy in an under-resourced community. Both salaried positions and a steady market for piecework have been created, with profits directed toward the building of classroom and public libraries, instruction in the teaching of reading,

screws or nails. Precise tenons yield a rustic, handmade chair that nonetheless packs flat and assembles with simplicity.

With the mentorship of Jocelyn Dow at Liana Cane in Georgetown, the original group of woodworkers, along with interested ‘termites’ (members of the youth woodworking group), formed Yupukari

and librarian training. Currently, the crafters are displaying and selling their craft in the CHFS guest house, and are looking to approach other interested sites to display and sell the functional pieces. The sale of craft creates local income, honours traditional skills, and supports conservation of natural habi-

the crafts, create a challenge also.

Practical artist Combrencent Ernest Artist Combrencent Ernest carved out a name for himself a couple years ago. Literally in a block of rubber stamp he carves “Made in Yupukari by Combrencent ErnestPractical Artist”. The essence of his self-assumed title and his variety of works is mirrored by other crafters in the

tats. The crafters are pursuing indigenous knowledge programmes, where elders pass on their knowledge and links to interested university programmes also, as youths tend to become interested in the available local lessons when outsiders take an interest in them as this would provide needed exposure of their creativity.

The challenge in each community remains reaching available and interested markets. The costs associated with transporting goods, coupled with assigning true value to

Rupununi as one of applied art.

Pieces are pulled, cut, formed and woven from within the environment that everyone naturally negotiates, relates, and survives on. Combrencent feverishly pursues works through wood, paint and clay, as well as experimenting in other local materials. His most notable work, a collaborative effort with Yupukari artist Matthew Dorrick, is a three dimensional mural of the Kanuku Mountains serving as a gateway into Caiman House

Field Station. The other entry into Caiman House is another product of Combrencent’s hands: a pair of wood carved black caimans.

Much like this acclaimed artist, many of the crafters in the Rupununi move comfortably between many different materials. That comfort perhaps developed through a trial of familial apprenticeship or self-interest. Cotton hammocks for rest, clay bricks for security, and a variety of tools borne from leaves serve as an introduction for a lengthy list of needs for life in that region. This effortlessly transitions to be artefacts of culture, local ingenuity and creativity.

Markets emerging from tourism and Lethem as the burgeoning gateway to Brazil, create new opportunities to sell these functional “canvases”, allowing today’s entrepreneurial artisans to continue the traditions passed through generations while pursuing novel forms of presentation.

When considering his next idea of artistic pieces and that people are demanding them, Combrencent usually contemplates what resources are available to make something new, and that is similar to his process for creation.

So what inspires him? “When I get it I just do it. I start on the page with the pencil then I move to wood carving and rubber. Now I’ve been carving in small bone and wood,” he says.

Combrencent and the Yupukari Crafters are but some examples of the range of loosely organised “guilds” seeking new markets, partners, and opportunities. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

African-Jamaican Connexion raises funds for sick women in Jamaica

JAMAICA: Efforts are underway to help women in Jamaica suffering from endometriosis and fibroids.

The outreach arm of the Women's Health Network (WHN) is seeking to raise funds to purchase a mammography machine and ultrasound unit in order to better help needy women across the island.

To this end, the WHN last week organised African-Jamaican Connexion—a concert that featured South African singer Lorraine Klaasen as well as local performers Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffith, Shuga, Nikeisha Barnes, Desi Jones and Friends, as well as dance company L'Acadco. The event was held last Friday at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

Mowatt told Jamaican media that she was only too pleased to be asked to perform at the show, the proceeds of which, she noted, go to such a worthy cause.

"I felt really privileged to be asked. Over the years a number of my songs have been geared towards the experiences of women and so I see this as a perfect fit. If I can help women alleviate some of the illnesses which affect them, then I would be playing my part," Mowatt remarked.

The outreach programme for the WHN assists less fortunate women suffering from certain illnesses. The group has facilitated 800 surgeries, including Caesarian sections and the removal of fibroids, for women in St Elizabeth and St Mary, Jamaica. (Jamaica Observer)

House of Jaipur unveils special fashion collection to honour Indian Arrival in Trinidad

TRINIDAD:

Indian Arrival Day, celebrated on May 30 in Trinidad and Tobago, commemorates the arrival of the first Indian Indentured labourers from India to Trinidad in May 1845, on the Fatel Razack.

The Fatel Razack brought not only a new labour force to assist in the economic development of TT, but also a new people with a new culture, a new lifestyle and new traditions.

House of Jaipur salutes this achievement and in honour of the 169th anniversary of Indian Arrival, is proud to celebrate this occasion with a presentation entitled Suhani Raat.

Translated in English, Suhani Raat means “A beautiful night” and is the night chosen by The House of Jaipur to unveil its 2014 collection.

A release from the House of Jaipur said,

May 21 would have been “a glorious evening of Eastern glitz and glamour while embracing the flair and style of the Caribbean woman.”

Having just concluded the successful Bombay Dreams series, House of Jaipur promised to once

TRINIDAD: For Lisa Browne (not her real name) conception has been an uphill battle.

again promote the beauty of TT’s diverse society.

The fashion house noted that “while much of the world is just learning to embrace multiculturalism and accept diversity, Trinidadians have been living it for more than a century.” (TT Guardian)

‘Kingston Paradise’, a new Jamaican feature film by Mary Wells, has been nominated for the Best Diaspora Feature award (along with three other films from the Americas), for the prestigious African Movie Academy Awards.

It also debuts at the famous Cannes Film Market 2014, (Marche du Cannes) where it will be presented by the Los Angeles-based film company, California Pictures.

The AMAA award announcement will be on May 24 in Nigeria while it debut at the Cannes Film Market on May 19 in France.

The African Movie Academy Awards is a celebration of African heritage and culture. In 2014 it celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Hundreds of films were entered for the award across the continent of Africa and globally. The award has been described by the international media, particularly CNN, as 'Africa's Oscars'.

At the Cannes Film Market, held during the Cannes Film Festival, the

film would have been screened for potential international distributors and buyers.

‘Kingston Paradise’ is an offbeat urban thriller that follows Rocksy, a small-time hustler who journeys to steal a car. Rocksy's lady friend, Rosie, dreams for peace depicted in a painting that, ironically, leads to a crime of desperation that changes their lives forever. The two end up in a fight to survive the chaos of broken dreams and aspirations. The film stars Christopher 'Johnny' Daley, Munair Zacca, Camille Small, Gregory Nelson, and Paul Shoucair. It is also produced by Mary Wells and Frances-Anne Solomon and its original music score is by acclaimed Canadian composer, John Welsman.

The film has already been awarded Festival Programmers Award--Narrative Feature at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles in February and the Audience Award & Special Mention for Best Feature Narrative at the 2013 CaribbeanTales Film Festival in Toronto. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Following a series of failed in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatments, her life’s savings almost completely depleted and the chance of bringing a new life into this world seemingly impossible, her story is a lesson in perseverance.

In 2010, Browne sought treatment after several medical issues, including diagnosis of severe endometriosis, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and low ovarian reserve which reduced her chances of a natural conception. Several series of invitro fertility procedures have cost Browne and her husband upwards of TT$120,000.

Browne’s experience is a reality faced by countless women in the Caribbean, and millions more worldwide.

High costs

Many regard the high cost of fertility treatment, though, as beyond their means, and give up on their dream of becoming parents before they even try. A round of IVF treatment in places like the U.S. and UK can cost upwards of US$12,000. Even in the Caribbean,

where these costs are typically halved, it can still be enough to discourage hopeful parents from exploring the possibilities.

With her husband at her side, Browne made up her mind that she would exhaust every avenue available to her. Despite their determination, the couple planned for the possibility of needing at least three rounds of IVF treatment, and budgeted accordingly.

“Once we spoke to the bank and they were willing to lend us the money to do it,” Browne related.

The first three outcomes at a local clinic were not what they had hoped for with three failed tries, and funds were quickly being depleted. Browne, who opted to do her fourth round of IVF at the Barbados Fertility Centre (BFC), which also has a team in Trinidad, described the process as “a breath of fresh air”.

“The first time I tried IVF it didn’t work out but I still wanted to give it another try. We took a loan and that’s what we’ve been doing ever since. We did four to five years of treatments and I finally got pregnant at the end of 2011. It was a an overwhelming experience…,” Browne said.

Success Browne’s persistence was rewarded when she gave birth to a healthy baby girl. “My daughter is 21 months. She is perfect for me. I definitely look forward to having another child, I will have to repeat the treatments but it’s worth it,” Browne said.

Financial planner Aliyah Jaggessar said couples seeking IVF treatment typically have three options for funding. These are savings—whether using existing savings or creating a longer-term savings plan or assets (such as an inheritance) securing a loan, or going the mortgage route. (Excerpted from TT Express)

Barbados’ Crop Over more than skimpy costumes

BARBADOS: Crop

Over in Barbados is becoming too indecent so bands such as Youth Explosion are more important than ever.

Barbados’ Minister of Education Ronald Jones, speaking at the band’s recent annual service at St David’s Anglican Church, praised the band for remaining decent in an industry where clothes were appearing to be more and more optional.

“You have demonstrated decorum over the years and I hope you will continue to lift young people up. Crop Over is about creativity but costumes are getting smaller and smaller and unless a creative stand is taken, we will soon have a bunch of naked people wining and grinding down the street,” he said.

Jones told Barbadian media he was satisfied

enough was being done in the education system concerning the creative arts, but lamented more still needed to be done to create outlets for that creativity.

“It is being taught, that is why you are seeing Youth Explosion. The focus we see is that there are significant cultural talents emerging due to the exposure to trained people. The evidence is there every year at Junior Kadooment when

you hear the buoyancy of youth steel pan orchestras or the work of the Barbados Community College.

“[However] I don’t think it is enough to have NIFCA once a year, although I understand the restraints because there are so many demands on time and resources, but we have to find the space on weekends to showcase the talents of our young people,” he said. (Nation News)

Sir Shridath Ramphal to soon launch new book Booths almost sold out for TT’s trade show

Renowned Guyanese-born international diplomat Sir Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal will soon launch ‘Glimpses of a Global Life’, a book outlining the central role he played in several significant events during his time as Commonwealth Secretary General.

Ramphal rose from humble origins to become a key adviser to Queen Elizabeth II as Head of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Leaders from every continent engaged with him as the longest serving Secretary-General of the Commonwealth (1975-1990) and as the only person who served on all the Independent International Commissions that grappled with the world’s major issues.

‘Glimpses of a Global Life’ involves a cast of the world’s leading characters and the central role Ramphal played alongside them in issues such as ending apartheid in South Africa; laying the foundations for global concerns about the environment; the reform of global governance; and

the resolution of conflicts.

The core of the book is concerned with the 15 years he served as Commonwealth Secretary General; for 11 of which Margaret Thatcher was Britain’s Prime Minister.

Ramphal tells the story of the Commonwealth’s role in ending the Unilateral Declaration of Independence of Southern Rhodesia by a minority white regime and bringing Zimbabwe to independence; of aiding the struggle against apartheid and securing its end, and the release of Nelson Mandela and South Africa’s freedom; of Thatcher’s obduracy against sanctions and the heroic stand against her by other Commonwealth leaders – from Africa, India and, particularly, in terms of effectiveness, Canada and Australia. Ramphal replaces conjecture over these dark episodes in human history with fact.

In these ‘glimpses’, the shadows of characters such as Uganda’s tyrant, Idi Amin, are recalled, as are the enlightened spirits of others like Germany’s Willy Brandt and Nelson Mandela –all of whom Ramphal encountered in his global life.

‘Glimpses of a Global Life’ is as well an analysis of major problems and challenges that dominated the 20th century which continue to shape the contours of the 21st.

TRINIDAD: Most of the 220 booths for the 2014 Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) have already been sold, Ramesh Ramdeen, CEO of the TT Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) said.

“At this point in time 175 booths have gone, so we just have 40 to 45 booths left. All the 11 pavilions would have gone at this point time. We have the space for 45 more booths. For those people who want to advertise in the show, we have an opportunity. We have limited space for banners to be hung. We have a live television system so everything that happens will be beamed live throughout the show,” he told TT media.

TIC 2014 takes place from July 2 to 5, at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. The event is re-

turning to that venue for the first time since 2009 because it is more accessible and booths have almost doubled, Ramdeen said.

“Previously it was at the Hyatt in Port-ofSpain, but this year we decided it would be best to take the show back to the Centre of Excellence. We polled our manufacturers and we were told the logistics at the Hyatt Hotel was difficult,” he added.

Ramdeen stated too that the TTMA wants to take things to a different level this year.

“We are trying to create new opportunities to take it to another level. The world has gone in particular direction of globalisation and free trade. It is for this reason we are different from trade shows in the region. We want to see the competition and what they have. We want to

see what the international exhibitors have to offer,” he indicated.

He explained that products from manufacturers in TT are as competitive as anywhere in the world.

Patois interpreter shortage in Canada

The age-old debate about the legitimacy of Jamaican Patois is bound to be refuelled by revelation from a Canadian judge and an interpreters' association in Ontario that there is a shortage of professional interpreters of the local tongue in that North American country.

Jamaican attorney-atlaw and immigration expert Antonn Brown corroborated the claims, describing the situation as "critical", particularly in the criminal justice system in Ontario, the province with the highest concentration of Jamaicans.

Brown heads Jamaica2Canada, an immigration and education firm that helps Jamaicans resettle in Canada.

Jamaican media solicited his opinion after reading an article in the April 30 edition of the National Post under the headline 'Jamaican patois interpreter shortage causes mistrial, leaving alleged drug

smugglers in legal limbo'.

The article said that the case of two Jamaicans accused of smuggling drugs through Toronto's Pearson International Airport three years ago ended in a mistrial because the court found the assigned Patois interpreter to be incompetent.

"I am shocked that in a jurisdiction like Brampton, with

the diverse population and the criminal caseload including narcotics matters involving Pearson International Airport, the availability of accredited Jamaican Patois interpreters is so slim," Ontario Superior Court Justice Clayton Conlan is reported as saying in his written decision.

The decision was made April 24.

Accredited professional

Brown explained that there is no shortage of Jamaicans in Canada, with more than 2,000 having immigrated in 2012 alone. That means that there is also no shortage of people who speak and can understand Patois. The problem, however, is that very few are accredited in a professional capacity by the Canadian authorities.

"The issue as it relates to the criminal justice system in Ontario relates to the method of obtaining accreditation as an interpreter by the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, as well as the corresponding quality and quantity of interpreters who wish to obtain the accreditation," he explained.

The National Post story also quoted executive director of the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario Catherine Schweizer, who said none of the members of her organisation were accredited Jamaican Patois inter-

“We can go out there and beat the competition and embrace it. We have an open policy. We feel the Caribbean market has allowed us to go to where we are but we need to go beyond that. We are bringing international buyers from North America, Europe and other areas in the world,” he noted.

TTMA president Nicholas Lok Jack said TIC is just one way the association assists local manufacturers.

“We also do capacity building. We are taking trade missions overseas. It is just one of the many products that exposes our manufacturers to internationalisation. That is really the view of this board. It is not about protectionism but internationalisation. How do we create opportunity? We have to look for niche markets,” he stated. (TT Guardian)

preters. Further, she said she didn't even have the examination materials to certify someone in the area.

"It is a very difficult language to find, absolutely," she said, according to the National Post.

The shortage notwithstanding, Brown said outside of the context of a criminal trial in which judges and/ or jurors cannot understand accused persons who speak Patois, there isn't a high demand for Patois interpreters, given that Canada's official languages are English and French. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Ranbir opens up about RishiNeetu’s troubled marriage

Ranbir Kapoor, who comes from a noted and rich Bollywood family, recently opened up about his painful childhood because of the fight between his parents, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh.

"Sometimes the fights would get re-

ally bad. I would be sitting on the steps, my head between my knees, till five or six in the morning, waiting for them to stop," the actor told a tabloid.

"My parents had a very troubled marriage for a long time, and I was caught in the middle because I was there. But let’s just say I didn’t grow up with any rose-tinted illusions about love. I learned the hard way how complicated a relationship between a man and woman could be."

The actor even credited the turmoil for his success.

The trouble in Rishi and Neetu’s paradise hit the headlines then and they were almost on the verge of separation, but things were put under control and they have had a long married life despite troubles. (TOI)

Huma Qureshi tests her interior designing skills

Actress Huma Qureshi, who recently bought a new house, is trying her hand at being an interior designer for her place. She wants to give it a "personal touch" of her distinct taste.

The ‘Gangs Of Wasseypur’ actress wants to lend an eclectic style to her new residence and so is outsourcing a variety of styles from different places and is combining them to make her house look unusual and beautiful.

“I have been going through architectural magazines and visiting some home decor stores, as and when time permits. I want to give the house a very personal touch," the actress said in a statement.

Huma, who is currently busy with a workshop for her upcoming film with Varun Dhawan, will also be taking time out between work to design her place. (TOI)

Katrina furious over buffalo app

Bollywood diva Katrina Kaif is furious that an advertisement for a mobile app company has a buffalo called Katrina. While it does not come as a surprise that a buffalo has been named after her, she feels that she is being made the butt of a joke as she endorses a rival brand.

A Mid-Day report said the app that makes fun of Katrina is endorsed by Parineeti Chopra and Varun Dhawan.

In fact, Katrina's fans have also criticised the ad in social media.

The report added that the advertisement has been pulled off the air.

(TOI)

Karisma Kapoor's husband files petition for kids’ custody

Karisma Kapoor's estranged husband has filed a petition for the custody of their two children, Samaira and Kiaan; but the actress is ready to fight it out.

Over the last few weeks, the grape vine has been buzzing with rumours about how Delhi businessman Sunjay Kapur has moved to court against his estranged wife Karisma Kapoor for the custody of their nine-year-old daughter Samaira. But Mirror has now learnt that Sanjay is also fighting for the custody of their four-year-old son

Ranveer Singh denies dating Deepika

News linking Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh seems never ending.

In fact, even their close friends like Karan Johar and Arjun Kapoor have openly talked about the same in ‘Koffee With Karan’, but both actors are not willing to come out in the open and keep denying any kind of romantic alli-

ances between them. "Come out in the open about what?" said Ranveer a bit impatiently.

Denying their relationship, Ranveer stated that he is too busy with his professional life and has no time for love.

Ranveer, who has given two backto-back hits and has left for the shoot of Zoya Akhtar-directed ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ to Barcelona on a cruise with Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Anil Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, said, "We aren't dating. She is a very close friend of mine. We go out. She is one of the most wonderful people I know. I have a great amount of respect for her. I think people jump to conclusion when they see us together. My professional life is taking all my time and energy. Unfortunately, I don't have much time for romantic relationship. There is no love in my life at the moment." (TOI)

Waiter identifies Salman in court, says he served drinks to his group

Abar waiter Tuesday identified actor Salman Khan in a court, saying he had come along with his friends in a group to have drinks in a five-star hotel on the same night, hours before Khan ran his car over people sleeping on footpath in suburban Bandra, 12 years ago.

The waiter, Molay Baug, told Judge D W Deshpande he had served cocktails and Bacardi (White Rum) to the group who had come along with Salman to 'Zen Bar' in J W Marriot hotel, but could not remember whether the actor had consumed drinks.

Public prosecutor Jagannath Kenjralkar examined the witness to

‘Film

show the court that the actor had consumed drinks before meeting with an accident on the ill-fated day.

One person was killed and four others were injured when Salman had rammed his car into a bakery shop on September 28, 2002. (TOI)

industry was not my choice’-Rekha

Bollywood's eternally inimitable diva Rekha, who has impressed with her performances in films

like ‘Mr. Natwarlal’, ‘Umrao Jaan’ and ‘Silsila’, says she never wanted to become an actress. But now when she looks back, she is glad she took this career path.

"Coming to this industry was not my choice but I am glad it happened...I think it was well worth it," the 59-yearold said. "It was during ‘Khoon Bhari Maang’ that I realised that I can only become an actor and nothing else," she added.

Rekha was present at filmmaker Subhash Ghai's Whistling Woods International Institute to attend its 'Celebrate Cinema' festival when she shared her thoughts on her life and career. The National award winning actress started her career as a child artist in 1966. (TOI)

John Abraham to promote 2014 FIFA World Cup in India

Actor-producer John Abraham, also a self-confessed football enthusiast, will promote 2014 FIFA World Cup in India.

Kiaan Raj Kapoor. A custody petition has been filed at the Bandra Family Court by his lawyers Jalaja Nambiar, Narayan Suvarna and Radhika Mehta who are tightlipped about the details of the case. A copy of the same has been sent to Karisma as well.

A source close to Sunjay told Indian media from Delhi that he was forced to take this step as Karisma has not been allowing him access to the kids. (TOI)

With the world's greatest football tournament just around the corner, sports and entertainment channel Sony Six is set to launch their 2014 FIFA World Cup marketing campaign and they have roped in John Abraham for the same, said a statement Wednesday.

John will be seen donning the persona of Brazil's striker for the campaign that promises to bring alive the zeal and excitement of the football tournament in India. (TOI)

Pamela Anderson reveals being raped as a child

In what seems like a shocking revelation, Baywatch star Pamela Anderson admitted that she was molested at the age of six, raped when she was 12-yearsold and gang-raped just years later.

An ANI report says that the 46-year-old actress made the revelation at the launch of her charity, The Pamela Anderson Foundation, at the Cannes Film Festival.

She said that she was molested at the age of six by a female babysitter. Quoting News.com. au, the report added that her friend's 25-year-old brother raped her when

she was just 12. If that was not enough of trauma for the pretty actress, she further went on record to say that her boyfriend gang-raped her with six friends when she was just in High School.

From that childhood, Anderson would go on to grace the cover of Playboy magazine for the first time when she was 22. She gained mainstream fame a couple of years later via ‘Home Improvement’ and ‘Baywatch’, then found her "overexposure" upped in 1995 when a sex tape she made with first husband Tommy Lee of Motley Crue went public. (TOI)

Ryan Reynolds' tryst with cold after sunny honeymoon

Actor Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively had to move into a tiny "roadside hotel" in Canada and deal with a cold wave after a honeymoon in Africa in 2012.

This was because Reynolds had to film his new movie ‘The Captive’ in the cold region. It was challenging for the actor, who married Lively in September 2012, to shoot the film in freezing temperatures in Ontario, Canada immediately after soaking up the sun in Africa, reported femalefirst.co.uk.

Speaking at a press

conference for the movie at the Cannes International Film Festival, Reynolds said: "I dragged my wife from our honeymoon in Africa and landed her in Ontario, Canada, when it was minus-40 degrees."

The actor, who was previously married to actress Scarlett Johansson for three years until 2011, revealed that they moved into "this little roadside hotel where we stayed for a month. That was the biggest challenge".

But he admitted that Lively was a good sport, adding: "Ironically, she coped with it far better than I did." (TOI)

George Clooney to marry fiancée Amal Alamuddin this autumn

George Clooney and his fiancée Amal Alamuddin are set to marry this autumn, a source has revealed.

The insider told US magazine that Clooney would marry her today if he could, but he wants to give her a dream wedding.

The source said that it is her first, and he wants it to be his last.

Clooney, 53, was previously married to actress Talia Balsam back in 1989, but the couple divorced in 1993.

As for the actual location of the ceremony, the London-based attorney and L.A. resident are considering his beloved Lake Como, Italy, or Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, which are both owned by Clooney. (TOI)

Brooke Shields didn’t want anything from MJ

Brooke Shields has said that she didn't want a thing from Michael Jackson.

The 48-year-old actor who was interviewed by fashion stylist Phillip Bloch of Untitled Magazine asserted that she did not want a thing and Jackson wanted her to have things, the New York Post reported.

According to Shields, it was hard for the King of Pop to deal with, because he didn't know what to give as she wasn't asking for anything.

‘Was arrested because of fame’-Alec Baldwin

Actor Alec Baldwin believes he was arrested recently for riding his bicycle the wrong way down a street because of his star status. However, he was released shortly afterwards.

Baldwin was handcuffed and taken away in a police car on May 13 after he was caught riding his bicycle the wrong way down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, reported femalefirst.co.uk. He denied claims he shouted at the two female officers.

"They recognised me immediately. I saw the white female cop whisper to the Hispanic cop about who I was, and then they handcuffed me," the actor stated.

The former ‘30 Rock’ star told New York Post newspaper's Page Six column that he felt he was targeted because of his fame and vowed to put up a legal fight. He added: "There's a process hearing July 24, when all of this will come out."

The actor---who has eight-monthold daughter Carmen with wife Hilaria, and 18-year-old daughter Ireland with ex-wife Kim Basinger---also joked New York police take cycling offences as seriously as terrorism. (TOI)

Arnold Schwarzenegger sues nutritional supplements company for 'exploiting' name

Arnold Schwarzenegger has filed a 10-million-dollar lawsuit against bosses of a Nevada-based nutritional supplements company, amid allegations that they have been exploiting his name and image to illegally promote their products.

The actor's lawyer, Marty Singer, has accused executives at AN USA Management Group and Arnold Nutrition Group of "shameful conduct", insisting the actor

and former Mr. Universe "would never endorse or affiliate himself with any fitness or nutritional product without first undertaking rigorous research, testing and due diligence to ensure that the product is healthy and helpful to athletes".

The legal papers, filed in a Santa Monica, California court earlier this week, suggested that the defendants have "brazenly stolen and exploited Schwarzenegger's name, image, likeness and reputation to promote Arnold Nutrition and Arnold Nutrition products without ever having contacted him," Contactmusic reported. Schwarzenegger is demanding damages for violation of publicity rights and unfair competition. (TOI)

Martin Kirsten dumped Heidi Klum because of her 'love for money'

Heidi Klum's bodyguard boyfriend Martin Kirsten had reportedly dumped the super model because "she put money ahead of her boyfriend and kids".

A friend of the 41-year-old told Radar Online that Martin called it quits with the 40-year-old supermodel as he was sick being a house-husband and taking care of her four kids

with former husband Seal.

Though it was hard, Kirsten knows he did the right thing as Germany's Next Top Model host put work before everything and was never around, the pal added.

Meanwhile, it seems like Klum has moved on, as she was recently spotted getting cozy with 27-year-old art dealer Vito Schnabel. (TOI)

Jennifer Lawrence asked JLo to dance for charity

Actress Jennifer Lawrence says TV host Jimmy Fallon abandoned her when they decided to ask singer Jennifer Lopez, to dance with them at a charity event.

The forthcoming movie ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ actress was dancing with Fallon at a recent charity par-

ty, when they spotted Lopez and decided to ask her to join in, reported contactmusic.com.

Lawrence said that she was left looking like a freak when the TV host left her alone to handle their plan, and so she had to muster the courage to speak to the 44-year-old singer.

"We came up with this plan together. We're dancing, we see JLo and we're like, 'We've got to ask JLo to dance!' And I was like, we'll do a spin and then we'll go, 'Dance with us'," said Lawrence.

"Basically, I do it, and then I look and Jimmy's gone! It's just me looking at JLo going, 'Dance with...me?' And she was just looking at me. You (Fallon) made me look like a freak in front of JLO," she added. (TOI)

Grenada launches carnival in Trinidad

TRINIDAD:

Grenada’s pretty mas, Shortknee, Vieux Corps and Jab Jab came to town last week for the launch of the island’s 2014 Spicemas festivities. A Grenadian contingent met with local stakeholders last Friday at the Radisson Hotel pool side, Portof-Spain to launch the Grenadian carnival in Trinidad and Tobago.

A second carnival awaits Trinidadians less than an hour away by plane or just under three hours away via a ferry service on August 11 and 12 when Grenadians take to the streets of

their different parishes to celebrate carnival.

“Whether you are playing jab jab, shortknee, fancy mas or spectator mas, I would see you in Grenada for Spice Mas 2014,” said Brenda Hood, Parliamentary Secretary to the Grenadian Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture at the event.

Grenada, she said, saw the benefits of hosting a launch during Spicemas last year and noted that Trinidad and Tobago provides the most visitors from the region to that country.

She explained Trinidad and Tobago

and Grenada share strong familial, cultural, and historical ties. Hood shared the stage with both traditional and modern masqueraders to give the audience a taste of Spicemas during her presentation.

The launch was a collaborative effort between the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) and Spicemas Corporation (SMC) that both had representatives at the launch. Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Authority, Rudy Grant said the carnival had its unique attributes and he invited all to participate. “Spicemas is not only

about having fun but it is also a way for you to see what Grenada has to offer. Coming to Spice Mas would be an experience you would never forget,” he said.

Spicemas Corporation’s recentlyappointed general manager, Amanda Smith outlined events that would take place from the launch of Spicemas in Grenada on May 31 leading up to Carnival Monday and Tuesday.

The TT Spicemas Launch this year, according to a media release, had two components: a travel agent Expo and a media launch. The Expo was attended by more than 60 travel agents representing more than 40 local travel agencies.

Travel agents met one on one with officials from the GTA, SMC, True Blue Bay Resort, Radisson Grenada Beach Resort, Spice Island Beach Resort, Blue Horizon Garden Resort and Caribbean Airlines.

Christine NoelHorsford, Manager of Projects and Reporting referenced the new brand, “Pure Grenada: The Spice of the Caribbean”, which was well received by the Trinidadian travel agents. (TT Newsday)

Tahera Brown crowned Miss Portland Festival Queen in Jamaica

JAMAICA: Port Antonia, Portland-Tahera Brown was Saturday night crowned Miss Portland Festival Queen.

Brown, although not topping any of the sectional prizes, came out ahead of five other contestants in the pageant held at the Port Antonio High School in Portland.

Brown, who is from St Thomas, and a second year student at the

College of Agriculture, Science and Education, was the reigning St Thomas Farm Queen. She relinquished that crown to enter the Portland Festival queen contest.

“It was not difficult giving up the St Thomas farm queen title. I had spent my reign well, I enjoyed every minute of it and saw this as just another stepping stone to my achievement,” said Brown.

“It was a wonderful experience despite the many up and downs; I am confident enough to keep strong and very happy to know that I am the victorious winner and I know that I will do Portland proud at the national level,” Brown added.

She plans to initiate a competition for males in an effort to “develop positive attitudes and values

to encourage our young men and preserve our culture.”

First runner-up Shanique Rogers was adjudged the best performer with a dialect entitled ‘In a mi Head’ which had the audience in stitches.

The second runnerup, Vanessa Gilzene, was adjudged most culturally aware, while Sheri-Gaye Brown won the most congenial award. (Jamaica Observer)

TRINIDAD: International recording labels RCA Records and VP Records will be working together to promote Bunji Garlin’s internationally known, “Differentology (Ready For The Road)”.

According to a media release, the Trinidadian artiste has signed a deal with the two record companies that would give the already popular song greater reach in foreign markets.

The release stated that Bunji (Ian Alvarez) is thrilled to partner with RCA. “It’s an honour to be considered to be a part of this entity, and I look forward to all the possibilities, ups and downs that comes with it. Our whole camp is excited about this development, and would hope that it will be encouraging too many who have dreams, and have been constantly told that it can’t happen for or to them.”

VP Records Chief Executive Officer Chris Chin commented, “The partnership represents another monumental step forward for Caribbean music. ‘Differentology’ is a song that has proven itself well beyond the core audience and, connected to so many through mainstream radio airplay, placements on hit television programmes, and features at major sporting events. We are now

primed for RCA to propel this track to the masses.”

“Bunji and the team at VP have laid an incredibly successful foundation, fuelled by great music, hard work and determination. This is an exciting time for all involved as RCA and VP collectively navigate Bunji to the next level of his career,” stated Peter Edge, Chief Executive Officer of RCA Records.

The “Viking of Soca” has seen success in international markets after releasing “Differentology” last year. The single was remixed by Major Lazer as well as Busta Rhymes, and has earned the artiste a 2013 Soul Train Award win for Best International Performance. It has also been featured on American network ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, won New York City’s HOT 97 FM’s Battle of The Beats competition and chosen by National Public Radio (NPR) as one of the year’s favourite anthems, as well as MTV Iggy’s Song of The Year.

Earlier this month Bunji was featured on American television channel BET’s 106 & Park to perform the song. He will return to New York City area on June 1, to take over the main stage on Hot 97’s Summer Jam concert, followed by a day of promotional activities for the song. (TT Newsday)

GUYANA: Taking a first glance at 26-yearold Roy Stewart would never for a moment reveal that he has a disability. A person listening to his dazzling, hair raising performance would never think that he is not bothered by that life changing condition. He is extremely talented.

He sings and manipulates the Saxophone well. His performances are so unique; they seize the attention of his audience, who later come to adore him with simple and childlike affection.

But the famous Roy Stewart, with stage name “Sweet Sax”, is legally blind. Born in Guyana and raised in neighbouring Suriname, Stewart was diagnosed with macular degeneration at a very tender age. According to him, he must have been born with the chronic eye disease which causes vision loss in the centre of the vision field.

Positive mind

But have it as you may,

He added that his passion lies in soothing hearts with melodies which he maintains “must send a message of hope and salvation”. Stewart is a Seventh-day Adventist Christian who declares that “church life shaped and moulded my character”.

“Sweet Sax” is no stranger to the stage. Since he began playing professionally close to seven years ago, he has played alongside renowned artistes from around the world; an experience he holds dear to his heart. He said he has developed his unique way of playing by simply listening to “the big cats” he said with a hearty laugh.

struments” developed after a childhood friend brought a “unique instrument made of coconut branches to him”.

Inspiration

He said he later fell in love with the saxophone, but was however unable to purchase one because of what he described as his “impoverished” situation at the time. He was later able to gather enough money to purchase his first (second hand) Saxophone and has since been creating quite a stir wherever he touches base.

that disability in no way prevents the charming and bubbly Stewart from embracing his passion for music and his hope of achieving his goals of becoming a renowned performing artiste, a Pastor and Psychologist. The young man said he has learnt to accept and conquer his disability and has already prepared for the inevitable.

“If we treat life with a high spirit and a positive attitude, life will give us back that. But if we treat life so so, anyhow, don’t care, that’s what we will receive”, Stewart said while speaking with Guyanese media.

He has played in and out of Guyana, at Ambassadors’ residences, carving his name in the annals of time. He has made many appearances at the National Cultural Centre, performing at many major events including weddings and other special functions.

Stewart told this publication that his love for “wind in-

Stewart finds inspiration from players such as the late Louis Armstrong and Kenny G, among others. And while his performances depend on the occasion, he finds pleasure performing gospel melodies. Even with his disability, Stewart is on the move to advance his studies and is in the process of writing several subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), which he hopes will brighten his future. (Guyana Times)

Savory is a relatively new artist in Guyana, making a name for himself within the local art industry. The artist was born and raised in Coomacka Mines, a small village in Linden where pristine nature abounds just outside his front door. Inspired by nature, Carlus uses his paintings as a medium to build appreciation for the rich biodiversity he witnesses everyday he steps out his house. Additionally, he is inspired by veteran artists, like the late Phillip Moore, and tries to emulate them in producing quality work. After completing high school, Carlus attended Burrowes School of Art where he further developed his talent as a well-rounded artist. At Burrowes, where he graduated in 2010, Carlus learnt a lot on all aspects of art. In high school, Carlus was into architecture, and that built his appreciation for art and motivated him to pursue studies in it. The visual artist credits his talents to heredity: his entire family is artistic, and he lately found out that veteran Guyanese artist Ron Savory is a distant relative. Art for Carlus is a mean of self-expression. He enjoys painting about nature including landscapes, animals and lakes. His most recent obsession, which he has made a career out of, is animation. Carlus described animation as a “different level of art which pushes an artist to think out the box”. The artist thoroughly enjoys the art process because of its unpredictable end result. Initially, Carlus would start painting with just one image in mind then that is developed into more images, which he cohesively puts together. His debut exhibition was at the National Drawing Competition Exhibition held at Castellani House. He entered three pieces of his most notable work and received positive reviews. Exploring all aspects of art is what Carlus enjoys. One such aspect is capoeira- a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music. For his future plans, Carlus would like to further his studies in art abroad and continue to develop himself as an artist. He advises youths to find something they are passionate about and vigorously pursue it. Carlus encouraged: “If you really love something you will find a way to make it happen.”

Jamaica's tennis player Bicknell ranked number one in U.S.

U.S.-Florida-based Jamaican Blaise Bicknell, is now the number-one ranked tennis player in the boys' 12-and-under category in the United States, according to the latest rankings released by the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

The 12-year-old has been outstanding in U.S. tournaments for some time, placing among the top four in All American competitions recently.

Only last November, he advanced to the semi-final of the Eddie Herr International Tournament, which is the top junior tournament in the world. The tournament was held at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Miami, which offers elite tennis camps and programmes. Top women's players, Serena Williams of the U.S. and Russian Maria Sharapova, also train there.

"He's very excited about his ranking," Blaise's mom, Nicola Bicknell, told Jamaican media on Tuesday.

"He's been playing tennis from since he was two years old; and from four, six years old, we could see that he's very talented," she added. "He pursued it, trained hard and is now reaping the results."

Prior to the rankings released last Thursday, Bicknell had been ranked at number two.

He numbers among a group of young Jamaicans who are all based in Miami and do-

TRINIDAD:

Olympic medallist

Deon Lendore, 21, is expressing doubt over his ability to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, this July, despite the fact that he now holds the second fastest time in world.

At Saturday’s Southern Conference Track and Field Championships, in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, Lendore, captured gold in 400m in a time of 44.36 seconds and as a consequence broke the four-and-a-half decade old stadium record.

Although he ran under the banner of his school Texas A&M, at the weekend, his polished performance had booked him a place on the national team for the Commonwealth Games.

In an interview earlier this week, he said:

ing exceptionally well in junior competition.

Tyra 'Hurricane' Black, who also holds top ranking, and her older sister, Alicia 'Tornado', as well as Roger Lyn and Dimitri Bird, are but a few.

Many of them participated in the Russell Tennis Academy (RTA) EY Top-16 Boys and Top-8 Girls Invitational Tournament in Jamaica at the weekend, where Bicknell and Tyra Black emerged as the top performers.

Bicknell beat number-two seed Lyn in the semi-finals, then got the better of Bird 6-2, 7-5 in the boys' championship game.

Dominating performance

Tyra Black was in record-breaking form,

“The Commonwealth Games right now is a kind of iffy situation, because this season I have really been hitting it hard. I went from being number one indoor where I’ve been running some fast times back-toback, to coming outdoor and dropping some serious time.”

Lendore added, “And I had an injury (groin and hamstring) earlier at the Texas relays like a month ago…Back from

Guyana's top cyclist begins training in U.S. for Commonwealth Games

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

winning every match without dropping a set--an unmatched feat. She beat Shea-Ann Kameka 6-0, 6-0 in the semis, then registered a similarly dominating performance in the title game against Shaeda Nickle, winning 6-0, 6-0.

Black and Bicknell then played an exhibition set, which the latter won 6-4.

Rayne Russell, a member of the event's coordinating group and coach, said: “the quality of tennis is at an international level, as Blaise and Tyra Black are all number-one rated players. We've gone out of our way to fly down some of the top players to this event…it was a one-of-akind event." (Excerpted from Jamaica Gleaner)

GUYANA: Roraima Bikers Club cyclist

Alanzo Greaves, departed Guyana Monday to compete and train in the United States of America (USA) as he intensifies preparation for the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The 24-year-old rider, who finished fourth overall at the 32nd annual Independence ThreeStage cycle race last weekend, said that the trip will be quite different from the one month stint he had in the USA in May/June last year.

Unlike 2013, when he was involved in pure-

ly competitive races, this time around Greaves will spend seven weeks competing against top riders around the globe, as well as train for the upcoming Games.

The talented rider is part of the squad shortlisted by the Guyana Cycling Federation to prepare for participation at the Commonwealth Games from July 23 to August 3.

“I’m looking to once again do well and improve my overall game, as well as get into top shape for the Commonwealth Games later this year,” Greaves said as he embarked on his fourth such visit to the USA.

In 2013, the former

Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club rider chalked up three impressive victories from eight races. He won the Floyd Bennett Category 1-3 race, the Historic Riverton Criterium (Pro 1-3) event and the W.S. United Category One race. Greaves also finished as runner-up in the Connecticut Criterium (Pro 1-3) race. Apart from the three top podium spots, he also copped fourth in the CRCA Open Category 1-3; 12th in the Floyd Bennett Category 1-3; 18th in the Bound Brook Criterium Pro-1 and 52nd in the Tour of Somerville Category Pro-1. (Guyana Times)

Young Barbadian sprint king inks historic contract with Adidas

that injury and having to lead the 4x100m relay (team) which is a new race for me, I have been running a lot of races compared to everybody else. Then at the NCAA Championships, I will be running like six races. I don’t think I will be in the shape. Everybody else (is) not running the collegiate circuit. They don’t know how hard I have it right now to be running all these races.”

He said following last weekend’s Conference Championship, attention would now shift to the Regional Championships where he would be expected to compete in another three races.

“Within a month, I’m going to run like 12, 13, 14 races. Everybody else will have like two races. I will be at a disadvantage. I will be tired. I won’t be able to give it my all,” Lendore said. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

BARBADOS: Levi Cadogan, the schoolboy sprint king of Barbados, created history Tuesday when he signed a contract with the international shoe company Adidas at the office of the Barbados Olympic Centre, Wildey, St Michael.

Addressing a press conference after the signing, Joseph Codrington of Codrington Elite Performance who negotiated the contract with Adidas on the young sprinter’s behalf, disclosed that this was the first time a young Barbadian athlete had been signed to an inter-

national company while still being at school.

“This is a historic day for athletics in Barbados; no other schoolboy has ever turned professional and received sponsorship from an international company while still being at school. Levi has broken new grounds,” Codrington said.

He added that the contract between the budding star and the international brand would end in 2016.

Codrington described Cadogan as an emerging talent and disclosed that he decided to sign up the young Barbadian before another agency added

him to their register.

“The contract between Levi and Adidas will end at the end of August 2016. Included in it is a sum of money which I will not disclose. In addition, Levi is contracted to wear the sponsor’s gear at all track meets he is competing at. This does not apply when he is competing for Barbados when he must wear the gear of the sponsors of the national team. But he must wear his sponsors’ shoes at all times,” Codrington, himself a former highquality athlete in the 1970s and 1980s, said. (Barbados Today)

TT’s Warriors get ready for Argentina friendly

TRINIDAD: England-based duo Andre Boucaud and Justin Hoyte were among the first players to join Trinidad and Tobago’s national team camp Tuesday as head coach Stephen Hart began training at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Portof-Spain, ahead of the upcoming friendly international against Argentina. Also joining were captain Kenwyne Jones and former England U-20 player Gavin Hoyte, who arrived from London Monday evening. Europe-based trio Radanfah Abu Bakr, Khaleem Hyland and Lester Peltier along with North America-based Carlyle Mitchell and Kevan George are all scheduled in later this week while Orlando City midfielder Kevin Molino will join the team in Buenos Aires.

The other players present from the start of the training camp were goalkeepers Jan Michael Williams and his Central FC teammates Willis Plaza, Yohance Marshall, Ataullah Guerra and Rundell Winchester; Defence Force’s Curtis Gonzales, and W Connection midfielder Joevin Jones. The likes of Marvin Phillip, Marcus Joseph, Trevin Caesar and Densill Theobald were all missing due to the schedule of Pro League matches on Tuesday.

Boucaud, coming off the English season with Notts County, said he was focused on the task ahead.

“It’s obviously two huge matches for us,” Boucaud said, adding, “it’s important for us to come together at least a week before. We haven’t been together as a team since last November

when we played Jamaica, but I’m pretty sure all the boys are eager to give their best and to get everything in place for the game.”

“We as players always live for occasions like this. It’s going to be a mighty challenge because Argentina is Argentina so there’s no other incentive needed for you to be ready for this kind of game, and then we have the second game against Iran which is also a quality side,” said the 29-year-old who has 15 appearances for TT.

“I’ve had a good season. I have a couple options with clubs that are interested in me but right now the focus is on international football and putting my best foot forward for Trinidad and Tobago. All the boys are set on that at the moment,” he added. (TT Guardian)

Fourteen-year-old wins Jamaica’s National Chess title

JAMAICA:

History was created at the 2014 Digicel National Chess Championships in Jamaica last weekend when 14-year-old Rachel Miller became the youngest to win the women's title.

Miller finished on 5.5 points, a full point ahead of her nearest rival, Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Melisha Smith.

With a win in the last round, Smith could have finished tied with Miller, but she faltered against WCM Ariel Barrett and finished on 4.5 points.

Third place went to the dethroned champion Annesha Smith on 4 points and fourth and fifth went to Krishna Gray on 3.5 points and Ariel Barrett on 2.5 points, respectively.

Joseph outclasses Mekdeci to win junior squash title in Guyana

GUYANA: Nyron Joseph made a brilliant comeback to take the 2014 under-19 junior squash title when the Guyana Squash Association/Digicel / Woodpecker Products squash tourney concluded on Sunday evening at the Georgetown Club.

Joseph asserted himself quickly in the match, utilising his shot-making ability to corral the efforts of Ben Mekdeci by taking the first set 11-9.

However, Mekdeci, who earlier in the evening won the under-17 category, won the next two sets at 11-6 and 11-9 to go 2-1 up in the match as Joseph seemed to be suffering from fatigue.

After the slight break heading into the fourth set, Joseph calmed himself to outclass Mekdeci, taking the fourth set 11-3 to even the match at 2-2, forcing a fifth and fi-

Antigua’s

Anal set.

Joseph then showcased his creative skills that threw Mekdeci on the backfoot, falling to Joseph in the final set that finished 11-7.

In the under-15 category, two headed in undefeated and Shemane Griffith remained undefeated against Shomari Wiltshire in three straight sets at 11-8, 11-8 and 11-3 to win the under-15 boys’ title.

Taylor Fernandes and Larissa Wiltshire renewed their rivalry in the girls’ under-17 final, as Wiltshire proved the superior player on the day to be crowned champion in three straight sets that went the distance and ended 11-8, 11-9 and 11-6.

The under-15 girls’ category saw Rebecca Low being crowned champion with a 3-0 victory of Sarah Lewis that

ended 11-8, 11-3and 117.

The girls’ under-13 saw Makeda Harding defeating Maya Collins to win the title in a 3-1 encounter that ended 11-4, 11-7, 3-11 and 11-9.

Winning the boys’ under-11 novices crown was James Mekdeci, while Shomari Wiltshire was the winner of the boys’ under-11 category.

Shomari Wiltshire also took the boys’ under-13 title as Madison Fernades won the girls’ under-11 title in the day’s final proceedings.

The most outstanding male award went to Shomari Wiltshire, while the most improved male award went to Ben Mekdeci.

Harding took both the most outstanding and most improved female award when the tournament ended. (Guyana Times)

‘Bakka’ clocks personal best

NTIGUA AND BARUBDA:

Senior national track athlete of Antigua and Barbuda Daniel “Bakka” Bailey clocked a personal best of 20.50 seconds, as he dominated the 200 metres event at the All-Comers Meet put on by the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association on Saturday.

The sprinter’s new best comes as he continues to prepare for Commonwealth Games 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 3.

“As Mr Carl Casey always said to me that the 200 is my best race, but I don’t really like to run the open distance which is anything over 100. The 200m is the first international medal I had ever gotten and that’s the Carifta Games 200m in Trinidad,” the athlete stated.

“For this season and for the Commonwealth Games, I will be doubling, I will be running the 100 and 200 metres and for Nationals, I will be running the 100 and 200 as well, and I will be running a couple of 200m on the circuit as well this

year,” he added.

Bailey, who came close to medalling at the 2009 World Championships with a fourth place finish in Berlin, Germany, said his aim this year is to break the national record over the 200m distance.

“I am confident I am going to run way faster than 20.50 because I am aiming to break the national record in the 200m which is 20.12. So that is my aim–to break the national record–and I have the ability to do it,” he said.

“I have put out the training and it’s all about just going out there, exe-

cuting and doing what I have to do. As for where I am in the 100, that’s why I am running a lot of 200s, so I can get a lot stronger over the 100,” the athlete further indicated.

“I have to run a 100 this weekend at the same meet and see what is what. I have been working on my first 30 meters because that has been a bit off,” he continued.

Antigua and Barbuda’s former national athlete Brendon Christian holds the national record of 20.12 seconds over 200m. (Antigua Observer)

TT’s Ross-Kydd voted Best Middle-Blocker

CUBA: Trinidad and Tobago’s Jalicia RossKydd was voted as one of two Best MiddleBlockers when the Norceca Women’s World Championship Third Round Group Q Tournament Qualifier to the FIVB World Championship ended at the Palacio De Los Deportes, Ciudad Deportiva, La Habana, Cuba, on Saturday night.

The award for RossKydd, a seven-year veteran of the national volleyball team was a consolation after the “Calypso Spikers” came up short in their bid to qualify for the FIVB World Championship scheduled for Italy in September after losing to host Cuba 18-25, 20-25, 13-25 in the gold medal match.

Leading the way for the youthful Cubans was 14-year-old sensation Melissa Vargas who was voted as the fourteam tournament’s Most

tt’s Jalicia ross-Kydd is a seven-year veteran of the national volleyball team (TT’s Women Volleyball Team FB photo)

Valuable Player. The lanky Vargas was also the Best Opposite Spiker and the Best Outside Hitter, along with her teammate Jennifer Álvarez in the latter position.

Also included in the All-Star were Lianne Jamanika (Curacao) as the Best MiddleBlocker; Cubans Yamila Hernández Best Setter; and Emily Borrell as Best Libero, Best Receiver and

Best Digger; Curacao’s Christine Anthony as Best Scorer with 70 points and Cuban Alena Rojas as Best Server.

Several players of the famous generation of the players known as Morenas del Caribe who were Olympic Champions in Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 19996´and Sydney 2000 and World Champions in 1978, 1994 and 1998, attended the ceremony. (TT Guardian)

Sarwan signals return with half-century

LEICESTER:

Former West Indies captain

Ramnaresh Sarwan stroked a half-century in his first innings of the county season as Leicestershire made a strong reply against Hampshire on the second day of the Division Two encounter Monday.

The elegant righthander, who is the Leicestershire captain, top scored with an attractive 60, an innings which carried the hosts to 296 for nine in their first innings at the close, in reply to Hampshire’s 332.

Leicestershire enter the third day of the game needing a further 37 runs to overhaul their target.

Sarwan, who has been sidelined by a back injury, showed little effects from the layoff as he strung together a couple

of partnerships to keep Leicestershire in the hunt early in the innings at Grace Road.

The Guyanese built on Leicestershire’s foundation of 92 for two, adding 37 for the third wicket with Ned Eckersley (34) and a further 58 for the fourth wicket with Josh Cobb (37).

Sarwan faced 81 balls in 92 minutes at the crease and struck nine fours and a six, playing some crisp strokes as Leicestershire scored briskly. He hammered seamer Matt Coles over cover for four to raise the 100 and then drove to

the mid-on boundary off the very next ball.

He took a particular liking to Coles, driving and cutting the 23-yearold for two more boundaries and picked up another four when he cut left-arm spinner Danny Briggs to the ropes.

In the penultimate over before the tea break, Sarwan cleared the ropes at mid-wicket with James Vince to go to break unbeaten on 60, with Leicestershire on 187 for three.

He failed to add after the break, however, skying the first ball on resumption to Coles at midwicket off South Africa seamer Kyle Abbott. Rob Taylor then propped up the innings with 53 from 71 balls.

Earlier, Hampshire added just 11 runs after they resumed on 321 for eight. (CMC)

Jamaica’s Stephenie McPherson withdrawn from World Relays

JAMAICA: Quarter-miler Stephenie McPherson has withdrawn from Jamaica's team to the IAAF World Relays under advice from her medical team, while Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Christine Day and Natasha Morrison are all still set to travel after injury concerns over the weekend.

Fraser-Pryce was pulled from the 200m at Sunday's IAAF Diamond League meeting in Shanghai, China, because of a recurring pain in her leg, while Day and Morrison pulled up while competing at the Great City Games in Manchester, England, and the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association All-Comers meet inside the National Stadium a day earlier. However, according to Bruce

Blake plans career change, eyes 100 world record

LONDON, ENGLAND:

Yohan Blake said he plans to make a career change when he retires from the track in another six years.

The former world 100 metres champion from Jamaica said English county side Yorkshire has offered him a chance to fulfil a childhood dream of playing cricket at a high level.

“Cricket is my first love,” said Blake in an interview with the BBC. “I’ve wanted to play for Yorkshire or in England for a long time.”

Blake said he wants to follow in the footsteps of legendary West Indies captain and current manager Richie Richardson and play for the club in the north of England.

The 24-year-old Blake is a decent fastmedium bowler and decent middle to lower order batsman and has turned out regularly for Kingston Cricket Club in Jamaican club championship.

Getting down to business, Blake said he has overcome the hamstring injury that prevented him from defending his world 100m crown at last year’s World Championships in Russia.

He said his eyes are also firmly set on establishing a new mark for the 100 and toppling compatriot Usain Bolt from the top of the pedestal. “This is a good year to return to top form,” he said. “When I came on the scene in 2009, I’ve been leaving personal bests every end of the year, so you might see one this year.

“If I break the world record, it’s my time. Usain’s had his time, and is still having it. Whatever I do this season I just want to give a surprise to the world. My potential is far greater than what I’m running now.”

Compatriot Bolt established the world record of 9.58 seconds

five years ago at the World Championships in Berlin—but Blake is unfazed by challenging his Racers Track Club teammate. “I wouldn’t say Usain’s record is untouchable,” said Blake.

“Scientists have proven that the human body couldn’t go faster than 9.7 secs, but we have raised the bar. I think it’s touchable.”

In recent weeks, the sport has been rocked by a number of leading athletes from Jamaica including former world 100 record holder Asafa Powell, as well as American star Tyson Gay being suspended for the use of banned substances.

Blake, who served a three-month ban five years ago after testing positive for methylxanthine, a substance that was not initially on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list, brushed aside concerns about the impact the use of performance-enhancing drugs could have on the sport.

“It’s bad, but I close my mind from it because I don’t want to hear nothing about it,” he said.

“There’s always a little bit of concern in your mind (what people think about all sprinters), but you know what you can do and how strong and positive you are on the track, so you don’t worry about it. Of course you can believe what you’re seeing on the track.” Blake could run at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, although he remains undecided as to whether he will take part in the event for the first time.

(CMC)

James, president of the MVP Track Club--to which all four women are attached--Olympic and World Championships gold medallist Fraser-Pryce, who is entered in both the 4x100m and 4x200m at the World Relays, is still expected to compete at the May 24-25 relay carnival set for Nassau's Thomas A Robinson Stadium. Day, who is a member of the 4x400m team, as well as Morrison, who is also listed as a member of the 4x100m unit, were expected to leave with the team Thursday.

"The only MVP athlete who has been withdrawn from the 2014 IAAF World Relays is Stephenie McPherson," James replied to questions from Jamaican media. (Jamaica Gleaner)

JAMAICA:

Jamaica and West Indies star batsman Christopher Henry Gayle is set to be the toast of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)/ West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) Annual Players Awards Ceremony, which will take place on June 5 at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

The 34-year-old hardhitting left-hand opener is expected to make his 100th Test appearance in Jamaica against New Zealand, who will tour the Caribbean from June 8 to July 6.

The 11th staging of the awards ceremony is being hosted jointly by

both associations for the second time, and was of-

ficially launched at Eden Gardens Tuesday.

President of the WICB Whycliffe 'Dave' Cameron explained that the WICB is once again proud to be partners with WIPA as they aim for partnerships at all levels, with a mandate to place great emphasis on the players who are their greatest assets.

cricket has had a fair year, and the awards ceremony will highlight some of the top performances from the men and women who have participated in the game last year.

"We would like to congratulate all the nominees and the eventual winners and we look forward to a better year

emony to Jamaica after an eight-year absence.

Former prime minister of Jamaica Percival James Patterson will be the guest speaker at the event, which will also be attended by the touring New Zealand team.

The 2014 ceremony will see 12 awards being presented to those cricketers who have dis-

"The partnership is intended to go beyond the awards as there are several other initiatives, which have started, and we plan to work together on these for the overall benefit of our cricket," said Cameron.

Cameron went on to add that the region's

in 2015 and beyond," he said.

WIPA President Wavell Hinds shared the sentiments of his counterpart.

Along with his thrill to collaborate with the WICB, Hinds also expressed joy about the return of the awards cer-

tinguished themselves regionally and internationally last year. Two Lifetime Achievement Awards will also be specially presented separately by both associations.

The awards to be presented are: West Indies player of the year, West Indies Women's player of the year, West Indies One day International (ODI) player of the year, West Indies Test Match player of the year, West Indies Twenty20 player of the year, Emerging player of the year, Firstclass Four-day player of the year, First-class Limited Overs player of the year, First-class team of the year, Under-19 player of the year, Under-19 team of the year, and the Caribbean Twenty20 player of the year. (Jamaica Observer)