Caribbean Times International

Turks airline to pump millions into Jamaica-Latin Caribbean routes

InterCaribbean Airways will invest millions to execute its regional expansion that includes offering airlinks between Jamaica and the Latin Caribbean, according to management.

It is aimed at driving demand between Jamaica, Dominica Republic and Puerto Rico in

addition to tapping into existing business and tourism linkages.

"In order for business to take place between [the islands] and for new opportunities to exist between these markets, air service is essential," asserted Trevor Sadler chief executive at

InterCaribbean in a telephone interview Monday. The airline formerly Air Turks & Caicos, the nation's national carrier, will offer a direct route from Jamaica to the Dominican Republic and also Puerto Rico starting this month.

Caricom worried over Guyana’s failure to approve anti-money laundering legislation

Just mere hours before the February 13 deadline for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to meet and decide whether to impose a global blacklist on Guyana for its failure to implement recommendations to address deficiencies in its anti-money laundering regime, Caricom expressed deep concern about the situation facing Guyana and its likely impact on the country and Caribbean region as a whole.

Caricom, in a statement issued from its Liliendaal-based secretariat Tuesday, called “on all parties involved in the process to take all necessary actions without further delay to have the necessary reforms implemented.”

The Community’s call came just one day after the Organisation of American States (OAS) also urged Guyanese legislators to pass the amended Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill as the country faces further sanctions internationally.

The France-headquartered FATF was set to meet in Paris from February 12 to 14 to consider among other agenda items a review of the implementa-

tion of measures taken by a number of countries to address deficiencies identified in the last round of mutual evaluation report, identification of jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies in their AML/CFT system and a review of the progress made by jurisdictions that had been identified at the October 2013 Plenary.

With Guyana likely to be blacklisted, Caricom noted the adverse impact on the Guyanese economy and by extension, the Caricom region.

“Any action that reduces the ease or increases the cost of processing international financial or trade transactions will adversely affect trade and financial flows in the region, retard the regional integration enterprise, limit the opportunities for growth in Guyana and the region, and result in hardship for the people of Guyana. Caricom, therefore, urges that this matter be speedily resolved, by enacting the relevant legislation, in the interest of the people of Guyana and the community,” the statement read.

OAS

OAS secretary general, José Miguel Insulza, in his statement on Monday also offered the cooperation and the support of the OAS, through the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), to the process that is currently under way in Guyana’s Parliament.

Critical amendments to the current AML/CFT Act are needed to make Guyana compliant with its international obligations. However, with the country’s blacklisting looming, the bill is said to be “on pause”.

Government’s chief whip, Gail Teixeira, who chairs the parliamentary special select committee considering the amendments, said the government’s best efforts to bring the substantive amendments, to which no objections were raised, for consideration were rejected on Monday.

“We are now on pause for 24 hours or 48 hours,” she said Tuesday afternoon. She explained that the opposition voted down a motion proposed by the government to ensure that the February 13 deadline of CFATF is met. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Heightened security still in place at Guyana’s airport after threats

The Trinidadbased Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) said on Monday there were only 13 cancellations of flights in and out of Guyana following a warning by the United States of “unconfirmed threat information” relating to its flights destined for America.

“This is to confirm all our flights out of Guyana and into Guyana are operating on schedule. Our flight this morning (Monday) to JFK Airport (New York) has already operated as scheduled,” said CAL Communication Manager Clint Williams.

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) had said on Sunday that it has “adopted the highest security posture to protect passengers, crew, aircraft

od Monday, February 10 through Wednesday, February 12, 2014.

However, Williams said Monday there might have been three to four ticket cancellations which probably resulted from persons wanting to extend their visits and then there were some who did not show up. Williams maintained that there were no interruptions in scheduling for flights of TT to various Caribbean territories and North America.

The CAL spokesman confirmed that the threat was received last Friday and the authorities in Trinidad, Guyana, and the U.S. were immediately contacted resulting in a boost in security. The call, he said, originated out of Barbados and while he was not sure if it was a hoax or a ploy, the company

reaching the minister revealed that the threat emanated from a Trinidadian who hung up immediately.

As a result, strategic locations at the CJIA were screened and scrubbed to ensure that

and airport employees and to ensure the continued smooth and safe operations at the airport”.

The U.S. embassy in Guyana Sunday said it had received unconfirmed threat information relating to CAL flights destined for the U.S. departing on Monday, February 10, 2014. The embassy thus cautioned U.S. citizens in Guyana travelling on CAL to the U.S. to make alternate travel arrangements during the peri-

has taken precautionary measures in order to keep its passengers safe. An investigation has been launched into the issue and involves the U.S., Trinidad, and Guyana.

Heightened security

Guyana’s Transport Minister Robeson Benn said the telephone threat was made to the Caribbean Airline offices in Barbados and directed to BW Flight 584 travelling out of Guyana on Monday. Information

no sabotage occurred with respect to the targeted airline and any other flight that was scheduled to depart the country.

The minister reported that as a result of the heightened security arrangements, the targeted flight was delayed, but landed successfully at Miami. Benn said heightened security will remain in place for a number of days to ensure full protection.

(Excerpted from Guyana Times)

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EDITORIAL

Drugs at Davos

Every year, the rich and the powerful of the world gather at Davos, a ritzy resort in the Swiss Alps. This year, the meeting was held between January 22-25. The theme was neither modest nor bashful, but given their clout, it was realistic: “The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Society, Politics and Business”. Participating were over 2500 leaders from nearly 100 countries, including 300 public figures, 1500 business leaders, and representatives from civil society, academia, the media and arts.

In a sharp departure from their usually conservative agenda, a panel that included former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, Texas Governor Rick Perry and the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch Ken Roth, gave fellow attendees a whiff at the heady topic of decriminalisation of drugs.

The same topic has also recently engaged Caricom and it might be useful for them to consider how the “big ones” weighed in on the subject. Santos and Perry represented the present halfcentury old “war on drugs” line, while the others brought new evolving perspectives to the discussion. One summary identified five proposals from the panel:

“First, focus on the destructive and devastating effects of misguided (drug) policy on people. The former UN secretary general spoke passionately about the ruinous impacts of the global war on drugs. He called for an updated approach based on promoting public health and education.

The criminalisation of small-time users, particularly poor African Americans and Latinos, is intolerable. Annan described how lives are destroyed, families are impoverished, prisons are packed to bursting point, and development is denied by wrongheaded efforts to crack down on drugs.

Second, make science central to debate and action on drugs. The lone dissenter on the Davos panel was the Texas governor. While signalling his staunch opposition to the legalisation of drugs, he seemed open to sensible decriminalisation. The governor also stressed the central place of evidence and data-driven approaches to dealing with narco-trafficking and consumption. His emphasis on evidence-based approaches was a surprising but welcome contribution.

Third, follow the money and crack down heavily on the illegal profits generated by drug cartels. One of the most articulate panelists was the executive director of Human Rights Watch, which only recently waded into the drug policy debate. A seasoned prosecutor in his own right, he admonished banks for not being more forthcoming in disclosing laundered assets. Along with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, Roth also set out a reasoned case for regulating drugs, much like alcohol and tobacco, in order to eviscerate the hefty margins of drug traffickers.

Fourth, beware the “balloon effect” when seeking to curb the supply of illegal drugs. President Santos repeatedly highlighted the value of global and collaborative approaches. At Davos, he drew attention to the ways in which seemingly ‘successful’ efforts to reduce the supply and trafficking of cocaine from Colombia have yielded disastrous outcomes in Central America and Mexico.

Fifth, start discriminating between different drugs when debating decriminalisation and regulation. The panelists made clear that the (false) prohibition-legalisation dichotomy invoked by anti-drug warriors is crumbling under the weight of public scrutiny. People everywhere are starting to recognise the nuances of the drug policy debate and the many options between these two extremes. But while almost everyone seems prepared to consider regulating marijuana, there are still lingering doubts when it comes to managing harder drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine or heroin.

There is a rare consensus emerging about the future direction of drug policy reform. Virtually everyone agrees that one size cannot and should not fit all. The Global Commission on Drug Policy raised all of these points in their seminal 2011 report. Back then, the commissioners’ views were considered heretical by the international elite.

Yet in Davos, their views were looking decidedly mainstream.”

Over 800 young Guyanese men and women recently submitted applications to join the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). In this Guyana Times photo, army officials screen some of the persons who have expressed interest in becoming soldiers.

Caribbean students not ready for workplace – new UWI study

Caribbean employers are complaining that far too many University of the West Indies’ (UWI) graduates are leaving the classroom not entirely ready for the workplace.

And some of the students themselves are joining the chorus, asserting that the classroom training was excellent, but the practical aspects of their preparation for the job market are insufficient.

In other words, the theoretical side of classroom training can’t be faulted, but the problem comes when graduates seek to apply what they were taught in school to actual job situations.

That’s when they run into trouble, underscoring the need for more internships and work experience before they leave the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados and the Open Campus.

Actually, that’s what employers and students have told the UWI in some recent surveys conducted by the university. The findings are now being tabulated for internal and external evaluation before distribution.

Survey

“We surveyed employers and they continue to complain. There are positives about the students, but they continue to complain about their practical knowledge, their work readi-

ness and so on,” said Professor Nigel Harris, UWI vice-chancellor.

“In the surveys we have been doing, we have been polling our graduates, recent graduates of the university, asking them what skills they valued and what did we give them that was positive. There was a consensus that there needs to be more practical training, more internships and so on.”

Harris, who was in New York for the annual fundraising gala of the American Foundation for UWI, was quick to point out that the university had taken steps to remedy the situation.

“In the last five years, a number of the departments have undertaken an exercise to restructure their curriculum and their programmes to enable more practical experience for students so they would not only be theoretically prepared but wherever possible, would have some work experience,” said the vice-chancellor.

“I think that process is taking hold.”

He explained that survey results also showed the need to bring more private sector executives into UWI classrooms to help train students.

Real world

“The need to bring people from the outside and the real world into the teaching setting is something that is gaining currency,” he said. “The busi-

ness schools are most frequently doing it. We know that is an area that continually needs addressing.”

The bottom line for employers was straightforward: students were coming to the workplace with sound knowledge and leadership skills – “they were the strong points” – but “their work skills” were coming up short. “They weren’t always ready in terms of practical work skills,” asserted Harris. When graduate and post-graduate students were asked about their experiences away from the classroom and on the job, many of them agreed they “weren’t always ready” for the workplace.

Among the surveys’ findings, according to the vicechancellor, students listed entrepreneurship and innovation as areas that would do with heightened attention; in the main, employers didn’t believe the students were leaving school “expecting too much” once on the job; Trinidadian graduates gave the UWI high marks for innovation. “The majority felt they were the strong points along with leadership skills.”

Students wanted more career guidance before leaving UWI. “I am glad we are surveying employers and students because I believe more and more organisations should be doing surveys and utilising their findings,” Harris said. (Nation News)

TCCF hosts another successful Valentine fundraising event in Toronto

Despite the huge piles of snow that accumulated in the parking spaces in Toronto and the severe February winter weather, approximately 450 supporters of The Caribbean Children Foundation (TCCF) gathered at the Empire Banquet Hall for the annual Valentine dinner and dance over the weekend.

were being treated at the SickKids hospital in Toronto, also funded by TCCF.

In this regard, she conveyed gratitude to sponsors and supporters on behalf of the recipients, who have received life-saving treatment over the years.

10 more are currently in training.

Additionally, Nationwide Children’s Hospital in collaboration with GHTK and Guyana’s Health Ministry have developed a one-year neonatal nursing program at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

ed to some spectacular tassa drumming by the Riddim Crew Tassa Band, a Valentine serenade by Calypso artiste, Guney, known as the “Man with the Golden Voice” and a youth Bollywood dance presentation by the Chris Badree Dance Academy.

In keeping with the event’s theme, “Roses, Chocolates & Diamonds”, roses were provided to the ladies, and for the raffle, chocolate baskets were donated by Watt A Gift Basket with the Signature diamond courtesy of Lall’s Jewellery of Scarborough.

The evening ended early in the morning with the guests dancing to music by DJ Arjune and D.A.G.

Also in attendance was President of GHTK and Chief of Pediatrics at Humber River Hospital Dr. Narendra Singh, who briefly outlined the overall objective of his charity, which is to reduce infant mortality in Guyana by implementing sustain-

It was highlighted too that Dr. Lorna Fitzpatrick, a pediatric oncology and pediatric hematology specialist and Dr. Amanda Persaud, a Guyanese-born paediatrician, both of whom are from Buffalo, New York,

After a well organized Caribbean dinner, TCCF’s President Jay Brijpaul of RE/MAX WEST REALTY INC. addressed the audience, giving a brief history of the organisation, which is currently one of the most successful Caribbean charities dedicated to helping the less fortunate children of the region.

‘Jay’, as he is popularly known, assured that all of the funds collected go directly to the charity. As of last year, the TCCF had collected more than Cdn$1.1 million and helped more than 55 kids that needed advanced medical care not yet available in the Caribbean.

He also reported that TCCF has formed a strategic alliance with Guyana Help The Kids (GHTK) charity, a partnership that would allow for more efficient use of donations. Just recently, the TCCF funded 11 kids from Guyana who travelled for advanced cardiac intervention in the Dominican Republic where they were treated by U.S. doctors.

TCCF’s Vice President Jankie Dolaram, in her address, highlighted that in addition to the Guyanese children, three kids from Trinidad

able changes through education and technology.

Dr. Singh and his colleagues from Calgary, Dr. Kishan Narine and Prof. Debra Isaac along with the help of pediatricians from Guyana, Dr. Seepersaud Chatterdeo and Dr. Clive Bowman, were responsible for diagnosing, selecting and coordinating the kids that were sent to the DR.

To date, five of the kids have recovered from their operations, while another five will be having surgery next week. Unfortunately, one child passed away because of the advance stage of the condition.

Further, Dr. Singh informed the audience that faculty members from the University of Toronto, McMasters University and other universities in North America have been travelling monthly to provide training in Guyana, in accordance with a unique curriculum developed by the worldrenowned SickKids. Two Guyanese doctors graduated last year as consultant pediatricians while

had travelled to Guyana to help with setting up a Pediatric Cancer Program at GPHC.

After the official ceremony, guests were treat-

Guyana’s long-awaited local gov’t polls to be held by August 1

Guyana’s long overdue Local Government Elections will now have to be staged by August 1 this year after the opposition used its one-seat majority in the National Assembly to amend a bill tabled by the executive, which originally sought a year-long postponement of the critical elections.

Acting Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker said the postponement was necessary to facilitate the ongoing preparatory work for the elections which were still incomplete.

Whittaker argued that the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was committed to the hosting of these elections, which were critical towards returning democracy to local communities.

He underscored the importance of these elections towards ensuring that the concerns of grassroots people are addressed across the length and breadth of the coun-

The Local Authorities (Elections Amendment) Bill 2014 was tabled back in January by former Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud. It sought a postponement of the elections for members of the local democratic organs, scheduled to be held before December 1 this year. This would have been the 17th year that elections were postponed.

try, regardless of their political affiliation.

He insisted that the ruling party has not been wasting any time in terms of working with all the existing Regional Democratic Councils to address the burning concerns of citizens.

“I want to ensure that every Guyanese enjoy a good life” – APNU’s newest MP

Opposition Leader

David Granger said Medical Doctor Karen Cummings’ expertise and commitment will compensate for the absence of Debra Backer, who resigned as a parliamentarian after falling ill.

Backer submitted her resignation to the National Assembly last Friday, February 7. “We are confident that even though the shoe of Debra John Backer is hard to fill, the expertise and the commitment of which we are aware will more than compensate.” Those were the words of the opposition leader as he welcomed Dr Cummings to the National Assembly as an A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP).

“She comes with considerable experience in the medical field,” he added, noting too that Dr Cummings has done a lot of work on the East Coast of Demerara. He expressed optimism that, in a similar fashion, the

medical doctor will contribute significantly to the National Assembly and by extension, the people of Guyana.

Dr Cummings, a longstanding member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), was sworn in as an APNU MP when the National Assembly convened on Monday. In accordance with Article 167 of the Constitution of Guyana, Dr Cummings took the oath in the National Assembly.

Shortly after her installation, she expressed optimism that she would be able to make significant contributions to the National Assembly.

“Well, I just thought that I can make an input. I want good governance and I just want to ensure that Guyanese can enjoy a good life, at an individual level and at a national level,” Dr Cummings said. She will also be pursuing issues of gender equity and women empowerment. As she takes up this new portfolio, Dr Cummings has re-

ceived the support of her family members.

Significant contributions

In welcoming the new MP, the Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman posited that Backer would be greatly missed, noting that she has made significant contributions to the House and by extension, the people of Guyana. It is the hope of the National Assembly that Backer soon recovers from her illness.

Trotman stated that on Monday he received a letter from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) stating that Dr Cummings would have been the replacement for Backer.

Dr Cummings received a warm welcome from both sides of the House with loud applause as she took her seat. In addition to the leader of the opposition, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds also used the opportunity to welcome the new MP.

Meanwhile, APNU front bencher Basil Williams was nominat-

Guyana sets new sugar production target for 2014

Anew sugar production target has been set for Guyana’s sugar industry, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will be working to meet an annual target of 216,000 tonnes of sugar by year-end.

Dr Ramsammy told Guyanese media last Friday that despite the challenges which still prevail over the industry’s performance, GuySuCo is hoping to rake in a good year’s production.

Cultivation has been pushed back, based on the weather pattern experienced over the past few days.

GuySuCo late last year introduced a new five-year strategic plan aimed

He justified the ministry’s establishment of interim management committees (IMCs) in various communities after coming under severe criticism from members of the opposition who had accused the government of “watering down democracy” at the local level.

Minister Whittaker rejected the notion that the ruling party was unwilling to host Local Government Elections because defeat awaited it or because it lacked political will to operationalise the suite of legislation, which was passed by parliament and assented to by President Donald Ramotar.

Allegations

He made a concert-

ed attempt to upbraid the members of the opposition, particularly A Partnership for National Unity’s newly-promoted frontbencher Ronald Bulkan who had made several damning allegations against the government’s stewardship of the local government system.

Bulkan made no bones in hurling allegations of mismanagement against the government while quoting a number of newspaper reports, which, he said, painted a grim picture of the state of affairs in specific regions where the ruling party was hard pressed to secure electoral support.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Anil Nandlall said the Guyana Elections Commission was not pre-

pared to host the elections and that this was an undisputed fact. He believed that the matter was simple and should not have evoked all of the controversy that it did in Parliament.

Nandlall was adamant that while it is possible for the constitutional entity which is responsible for the staging of the elections to host general elections if needs be this year, this was not the case for local and regional elections.

He maintained that the PPP/C-nominated commissioners of the elections commission have all explained that it was not ready for the elections unless a number of undertakings occur. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

ed and subsequently elected to fill the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly post left vacant by Backer. He was nominated by opposition Chief Whip Amna Ally and seconded by her colleague Dr Rupert Roopnaraine. Though loud heckling was heard from the government side of the House, there was no other nomina-

tion, hence Williams was confirmed as the Deputy Speaker.

Backer’s resignation also caused major shifts on the opposition side of the House. Backbencher shadow local government minister Ronald Bulkan was promoted to the front row while Vanessa Kissoon has been placed on the back bench. Dr Cummings has replaced

her in the middle row. On the government side of the House, Human Services Minister Jenifer Webster has been promoted to the front row, replacing the former Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud. It is unclear when the former local government minister will return to the House. (Guyana Times)

at improving its overall performance, thereby creating more opportunities for sustained growth and development for Guyana.

The new GuySuCo strategic plan stipulates that there will be a 100,000 tonne deduction in the estimated annual output, rather than what was outlined in the 2009 plan, which projected a yearly output of 450,000 tonnes.

Sugar production in Guyana has been declining since 2005. During 2002 and 2004, production averaged 315,000 tonnes per year. The sugar industry is a pillar of the Guyanese economy, employing some 18,000 persons and accounting for a major proportion of the country’s annual foreign exchange earnings. (Guyana Times)

Trinidad’s Police using high-tech cameras to monitor crime hotspots in east Port-of-Spain

The TT$2 million Duncan Street

Police Post in Portof-Spain officially began functioning Monday, equipped with 36 hightech surveillance cameras monitoring citizens’ every move.

According to an article in TT’s Express newspaper, the cameras, some bullet-proof, follow a moving object and keep the target in full view, allowing police to track the exact location of the offender in excess of a 200-metre span along Duncan and Nelson Streets in east Port-of-Spain.

Sources told the newspaper that the cameras, which have been placed at strategic locations throughout the police post, are being fed footage from a mega rotating Thermal PTZ camera that is being dubbed the “monster” The Thermal

PTZ was specifically selected for the high-risk crime-ridden area.

TT’s acting

Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams had once labelled the area the “most violent” in terms of

the high murder rate.

The newspaper reported that while the solar-lit police post, a project of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), was opened on October 17, 2013, the Police Service had requested additional specifications for the three-storey building before opening its doors to the public.

Surveillance equipment has been installed on each level of the police post, including the dormitory, allowing officers to monitor the building and surrounding areas.

Surveillance equipment has also been placed in the offices of each superior officer, giving them a first-hand look of activities in the area.

The police post is

equipped with two bulletproof rooms.

A total of 138 murders have been recorded in the area over a four-year period.

And in a first of its kind, the police post is also equipped with a mediation and computerised homework centre catering for children in the area.

The homework centre is expected to be built in other police stations.

Police stations are also expected to be built at Besson Street in Portof-Spain, Manzanilla, Maracas St Joseph, St Clair, Matelot and Matura.

Two stations are to be constructed in Tobago at Old Grange and Roxborough.

Two million Euros grant-fund available for local Guyanese businesses

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali has announced that under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), some two million euros in grant funds is available for Guyanese businesses to expand and raise the quality of services they offer.

The minister, who was at the time speaking at a press briefing at his ministry’s South Road, Georgetown office, called on eligible businesspersons to apply and take advantage of the opportunity.

Businesses eligible for the grant must meet the criteria, which includes being an individual or company legally registered and operating in a CARIFORUM member state.

They must also be trading for at least two years and exporting or demonstrate their potential to export goods and services.

The minister added that the progamme has

The funds are made accessible to persons and companies who are already in businesses. These companies, the minister said, will have to match the amounts taken from the grant fund, dollar for dollar.

immense scope for economic tourism companies.

Grants awarded under the programme are at a minimum, $6000 euros and a maximum, 30,000 euros. The period to execute the project may not exceed six months from the signing of the grant contract and no extensions will be granted to beneficiaries. All proposed project activities must be completed within the six-month period. Companies eligible to apply

The types of companies eligible include equipment modernisation, food safety standard, research, development

and innovation, advisory services, product and service development,

training programmes, implementation of information technology solutions (example website, e-commerce and multimedia), market research and testing, packaging, design and intellectual property activities.

Ali added that a number of other Caribbean countries have already benefited immensely from the grant fund, including Barbados and Jamaica while in Guyana, only six companies have applied and benefitted. These companies included the Brass Aluminum and Cast Iron Foundry and TCL Guyana Limited.

Businesses applying must meet the requirements which include financial and operational capacity and must be relevant to the scheme, that is, the objectives of the regional private sector development programme and the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme.

Private Sector Commission Chairman Ronald Webster said the project is one that is welcomed by the private sector, and also echoed the call for businesspersons to take full advantage of the opportunity to expand their businesses. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Jamaican-born sociologist Stuart Hall is dead

Jamaican-born cultural theorist and sociologist Stuart Hall is dead.

According to the UK’s Guardian newspaper, the "godfather of multiculturalism" passed away at age 82 following ill-health.

He is revered by many as one of Britain's leading intellectuals.

Hall was born in 1932 and won a scholarship to Oxford University in 1951.

"What can I really say about this man? I am very sad to hear of his

According to news agency, Hall's "writing on race, gender, sexuality and identity, and the links between racial prejudice and the media in the 1970s, was considered groundbreaking".

death,” Jamaican High Commissioner Aloun Ndombet-Assamba is quoted in UK media as saying.

"His work and observations in the areas of cultural identity and society in the UK speaks for itself.

"At the time Hall came to Britain, most Jamaicans came to take up menial work. He came as a scholar. He offered Britain a different view of Jamaica, the learned side of Jamaica. He is a great loss to the Jamaican academic community."

The Guardian said that a documentary about his life by the film-maker John Akomfrah, called The Stuart Hall Project, was shown in cinemas in September.

Caricom takes steps to improve trade performance under bilateral agreements

The establishment of effective trade facilitation offices, both at national and regional levels has been recommended as a key to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) taking greater advantage of trade agreements with third countries.

Recommendations are contained in a draft report from a study commissioned “to identify and assess the underlying reasons affecting Caricom weak trade per-

formance under the existing bilateral trade agreements with the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Colombia, Cuba and Venezuela.”

The Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) mandated that the study be conducted. It was commissioned by the Caricom Secretariat, with technical assistance provided by the government of Spain through the Caricom-Spain Joint Fund.

This study, launched last year, is seen as a first and important step for further decision making and action to address an area critical to the region’s economic development. It aims to enhance the region’s understanding of the constraints and problems affecting Caricom’s export performance under the specific bilateral trade agreements (BTAs).

Once finalized, it will inform policy recommendations from COTED

which would benefit the private sector in Caricom member states, allowing them to take advantage of the opportunities for the expansion of exports to those countries.

Over the past eight months, Dr Derk Bienen of BKP Development Research and Consulting of Germany, lead consultant on the study, conducted extensive data collection field missions to 11 member states and to three partner countries. The draft report

of the consultant’s findings and analyses has been submitted to the Caricom Secretariat and will be presented to senior regional trade officials for review and validation in mid-February.

The draft report notes summarily that “the key challenge to overcome is the divergence in interests between Caricom members, which is the result of vast differences in their economic structures.” The recommendations contain both spe-

cific and general actions that can be taken to address issues relating to ratification, implementation and further development of the agreements as well as critical supply-side constraints affecting regional exports. In particular the consultant highlights the need for improved communication with and assistance for regional exporters, to be facilitated by trade facilitation offices. (Caribbean News)

Antigua and Barbuda sells it first passport under citizenship by investment initiative

Antigua and Barbuda citizenship has become a reality for George Georges and his family under a programme which makes people eligible to receive Antigua and Barbuda passports for a price.

The Syrian national, who has business interests in Dubai, received his passport Monday in a brief ceremony.

Earlier Georges was administered the Oath of Allegiance by Minister of National Security and Labour Dr Errol Cort.

In welcoming the newest citizen, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer said on State Media, Georges will be working closely with gov-

ernment to transform the country’s tourism product.

“He will be looking at important investments, particularly in the tourism sector. He operates out of Dubai where a lot of things have been happening in that country and a lot of opportunities do exist,” Spencer said.

He added that Georges interest will be “to ensure we get airlift out of that part of the world into Antigua.”

On January 15, Finance Minister Harold Lovell said The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) had approved six projects and was in the process of evaluating three others.

He is on record say-

ing, “These projects represent a total investment of US$614.8 million…, it is estimated that about $60 million will be generated in the Fund in 2014.”

Georges gained citizenship through his contribution to the National Development Fund. Georges expressed gratitude to the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda.

Funds generated from CIP will go into a national development fund. The money is to be used to improve domestic infrastructure, support small businesses, and encourage entrepreneurship–particularly among the youth. (Antigua Observer)

Positive outlook for Caribbean tourism

Despite slower arrival growth in the Caribbean tourism sector last year, visitors to the region spent an estimated US$28.1 billion, a 2.3 per cent increase over the 2012 figures.

Beverly NicholsonDoty, chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), said it was the first time in three years that expenditure had outpaced visitor arrivals in the Caribbean, which she described as a positive sign that the tourism sector was in recovery.

The Caribbean welcomed more than 25 million stay-over visitors in 2013, a 1.8 per cent increase in tourist arrivals, compared to a robust 4.9 per cent increase experienced in 2012 when 24.6 million tourists travelled to the 30 CTO member countries.

Forecasting a rise of between two to three per cent in 2014, NicholsonDoty said the “atmosphere of despair has lifted” and that the Caribbean expects improved performance despite the many challenges it continues to face. “We have to fight to boost arrivals, both from the

traditional markets and new and emerging markets. The figures suggest that South America has immense potential,” she said at a CTO State of the Industry Report in St Thomas, USVI, on Monday.

Demand

Nicholson-Doty said global economies are expected to perform better in 2014, with the IMF predicting a one per cent growth across Europe and 2.8 per cent in the U.S. and that demand for travel should remain buoyant. The CTO predicts that cruise passenger arrivals to the Caribbean will increase by about three per cent in 2014.

Cruise passenger visits in 2013 were up 2.7 per cent to 21.8 million. The hotel sector in 2013 also performed well, recording a rise of over 7.5 per cent in room revenues. During this period all the performance indicators remained positive. Statistics also indicated a rise in Caribbean intra-travel and visitors from South America.

An estimated 1.5 million tourists from South America visited the Caribbean last year, up 13 per cent over 2012

Guyana’s draft hire purchase legislation in final stages

Acting Tourism and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali said when the hire purchase legislation comes into effect, consumers will no longer be at the mercy of hire purchase schemes, noting that the current system that prevails is disadvantageous to consumers.

Speaking at a recent press briefing at his ministry’s South Road, Georgetown office, the minister said, “we are working on having the hire purchase legislation laid in Parliament before the recess,” adding: “I know we have been having a lot of problems with the repossession in the automobile industry and now also with the gold miners…we have persons paying as much as 80 per cent and just because of the remainder not being paid they lose the items and the money they would have already paid.”

Ali added that the bill is not only being drafted with the protection of the consumer in mind, but also that of the companies that offer hire purchase plans.

Currently, consumers who would have failed to complete payments on products bought on hire purchase would have their items repossessed by the stores, even though they have paid a large part of the sum owed.

Meanwhile, Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall had disclosed that the hire purchase legislation is in its final stages. He explained that the bill is one of tremendous importance, since a key percentage of the populace uses such agreements to purchase automobiles, household appliances and furni-

and 70 per cent higher than the 859,000 who visited in 2009.

Travel among Caribbean destinations grew by 2.1 per cent in 2013, with estimated 1.6 million Caribbean people travelling for tourism purposes.

The U.S. market continued its recovery, with arrivals up nearly three per cent, but Canada was flat with a marginal rise of 0.7 per cent, the lowest year-over-year growth in this market since 1997. The UK and Europe were sluggish, with arrivals from the UK down to under a million visitors—a 1.4 per cent drop—and Europe overall down 3.75 per cent.

Looking at new and emerging source markets, Winfield Griffith, CTO’s director of Research and IT, said the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) hold potential for the region.

Russians were also very active in 2013 with outbound travelers climbing by 14 per cent with increased spending of nearly 26 per cent by September. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

ture and can only claim ownership of their goods after they have paid the total value.

The minister further stated that the bill is directed to protect a vast majority of Guyanese who remain vulnerable to hire purchase schemes. “These legislative interventions are all intended and designed to bring more balance to the relationship and to offer a network of protection to both parties, but more particularly the vulnerable hirer.” Free to sell property

One of the clauses in the proposed bill states that if at any point in time a hirer defaults in the payment of an installment, the owner is entitled to repossess the hired goods, forfeit all payments made and is free to sell to a third party. Hence, persons would no longer be charged after attempting to sell a vehicle or items bought on hire purchase.

Zoning in on hire purchase agreements between auto dealers and consumers, the minister pointed out that although registration and licences of insurance are all issued in the name of the buyer, the lawful ownership of the motor vehicle remains with the auto dealer.

Miners have long complained of great losses, saying that after paying more than 50 per cent of the value of the items, they are repossessed without regard for the sometimes unavoidable spontaneous hardships the industry faces. They pleaded for urgent interventions to bring some reprieve, principally for the small and medium scale miners. (Guyana Times)

Uproar in Jamaica’s Parliament

- as PM Portia reveals Ja$117 million spent on overseas trips

Anasty episode of name-calling, jeers and shouts of abuse characterised most of the approximately hourlong interlude during which Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller answered questions about her frequent overseas trips in the House of Representatives Tuesday.

House Speaker Michael Peart fought to keep order during most of the period as Opposition Leader Andrew Holness posed some follow-up questions emanating from the 61-page document tabled by Simpson Miller with her answers to his original questions.

There were only a few copies of the document available. The opposition had to make do with two copies, and the government members with probably two more. No copies were available for the press.

The prime minister's answers said that full cost of overseas visits by members of her government, including junior ministers, was Ja$117.8 million. The cost of trips paid for by the Office of the Prime Minister was Ja$25 million for staff, and Ja$15 million for the prime minister alone on her 25 trips.

Holness was greeted with laughter and derision when he rose to ask additional questions.

Leader of Opposition

Business Derrick Smith

suggested that the Speaker ensure that the opposition leader was protected by the chair, but Peart said the jeers were not confined to one side.

Jeers

When the opposition demanded that the government show the opposition leader some respect, junior minister Luther Buchanan said, "him doan deserve that yet".

"No amount of noise and distraction is going to prevent me, or the members on this side from bringing out the truth about the operations of this government. So they can make as much noise as they want," Holness responded.

"I take a stand on this side, that when the prime minister rises on her feet, and all my members here are aware of the stand I take, that the Office of the Prime Minister must be respected. I take that stand and I am not here begging respect from anyone," he added.

Holness said that it was understood that prime ministers must travel, however, the debate was not about "whether or not prime ministers should travel, or are entitled to travel, but that when prime ministers travel they must report to Parliament".

"And they must exercise the entitlement of travel with discretion

and frugality," the opposition leader said.

The most expensive trip listed by the prime minister's document was the Ja$6.5 million spent on a seven-day visit Ethiopia in May 2013 for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Organisation of African States (OAS)/ African Union.

But Holness came under some heavy bombardment from government members when he asked about the outcome of the expensive Addis Ababa trip.

The prime minister said that she was surprised at the question being asked about an African nation. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Guyanese rice industry pioneer Kayman Sankar dies

Popular Essequibobased Guyanese businessman and rice farmer Kayman Sankar died on Tuesday evening after years of prolonged illness. His death was confirmed by his daughter Sattie Ramlall. Sankar was 87 years old at the time, and according to Ramlall, he passed away around 18:30h at his Hamilton Court, Essequibo Coast home.

According to the grieving woman, her father had been bed-ridden due to old age; however, she did not divulge any further information on his condition.

Ramlall said while her family is deeply saddened by her father’s death, it is something they knew would have happened.

“We are coming to grip with his passing, we knew this would happen eventually, but it’s a little hard knowing now that he is actually gone,” she told Guyanese media a few hours after his death.

The woman said the family is holding on to

their religious faith to guide them through, adding that the support of well-wishers has been overwhelming.

Ramlall said that there could never be enough words to describe her father. She alluded to the fact that within hours of his death, con-

10,000 abortions in TT each year – PNM Senator

PNM Senator Faris Al Rawi Tuesday stated there are 10,000 cases of abortions and still births involving teenagers per year, as he called for tougher penalties to punish persons found guilty of selling intoxicating liquor to minors.

“That is a societal issue we are all grappling with,” Al Rawi said, speaking during debate of the Miscellaneous Provisions (Licensing Committee) Bill, 2014.

Asked where he got the figure from, the Senator said he got the information from Minister of Health Dr Fuad Khan and Minister of Education Dr Tim Gopeesingh (who were not in the Senate Tuesday).

Al Rawi called for a beefing-up of the laws banning the sale of alcohol to minors.

Section 60 of the Liquor Licences Act makes it an offence for a person to sell “intoxicating liquour to a child under the age of eighteen years, whether for the child’s own use or not”.

dolences began pouring in from persons all across Guyana.

“My father was a great soul, just ask anyone in Essequibo and they will tell you how their existence is only because of Kayman Sankar. He did a lot for his people,” she said.

Sankar was born in June 1924 at Cornelia Ida, West Coast of Demerara, and was the eldest of five siblings. He married his wife Seraji when he was 17 and she was a mere 13 years old.

Their lasting union bore three children, two daughters and a son. The man leaves to mourn his 84-year-old wife, children, eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and many well-wishers. (Guyana Times)

Under the current law, the penalty for this is a fine of TT$2,000 (first conviction) or TT$5,000 (second conviction) or TT$7,500 (third

conviction). A liquor licence is also suspended for a year.

The legislation proposes to increase these fines to TT$7,500; TT$10,000 and TT$15,000 respectively.

Additionally, a proprietor will be stripped of their liqour licence if they are found guilty of the offence for a third time.

“There is currently no jail sentence for this offence and my proposal is that we add a jail sentence,” he said, adding that, “We really ought to be looking at our children and their protection.”

Al Rawi also critcised several aspects of the bill, including its set up of new lisencing committees–led by clerks of the peace–to do the work of magistrates.

He said while the committees would comprise stakeholders such as members of local business groups, this would be a difficult matter because there could be competing claims from different interest groups in the same area.

He also criticised the phrasing of a provision meant to penalise persons for failing to declare conflicts of interest. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

Kartel case in Jamaica to end next week

ustice Lennox

JCampbell Tuesday afternoon indicated to the 11-member jury panel in the Vybz Kartel murder trial in Jamaica that the case will be handed over for their verdict next week.

"We are close to the end, perhaps it's safe to say that we are at the beginning of the end," Campbell told the jurors before dismissing them for the afternoon.

Tuesday morning, no case submissions were filed before the court for

Andre ‘Mad Puss’ St John and Shane Williams by attorneys Tamika Harris and Everton Dewar, respectively.

Lead prosecutor Jeremy Taylor has been rebutting the no-case submissions. At the end of his rebuttal, Justice Campbell will review the arguments and hand over his ruling.

Kartel and five co-accused are currently being tried for the alleged murder of Clive 'Lizard' Willams. (Jamaica Observer)

70 trained to detect fraudulent documents in Guyana - with support from Canadian initiative

Guyana is now better poised to counter the production and use of fraudulent documents as it has trained 70 persons and has received 200 fraudulent document detection kits.

Last Friday, two batches of 35 persons each concluded training under the Fraudulent Document Detection Programme.

At the Guyana Police Force Training Centre, Young and Camp streets, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee received the kits from Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles, courtesy of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). The kits consist of portable magnifiers and hand-held black lights.

Training, which started in October 2013, comprised theoretical sessions which were followed up by a four-day intense

practical training from February 04 and concluded Friday. Officials from the Guyana Police Force, Customs and Immigration and the General Register Office all participated.

Minister Rohee noted that this training programme must be seen in context of the government’s fight against

transnational organised crimes, and an effort in building capacity to be able to be part of the fight. He said that while fraudulent documents are not a new threat, the techniques used to develop them have become more modern and sophisticated, therefore the counter that is used in the fight against it should be developed in order to be effective.

Modernisation

The minister sees this training programme as a part of the effort to modernise the Guyana Police Force.

“The training programme which has been offered by the Canadian authorities in this particular area is aimed at enhancing the awareness, efficiency and capacity of the persons that were trained to detect fraudulent documents,” the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported him as saying. He expressed gratitude on behalf on the government towards the Canadian authorities, noting that the training will go a long way in enhancing Guyana’s fight

against transnational crimes.

Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell, who opened the training in October 2013, highlighted that the force was grateful for the opportunity presented to them by the CFLI, and assured that what was learnt would be implemented to the fullest extent in order to combat the use of fake documents.

High Commissioner Giles noted that transnational criminal threats cannot be faced in isolation, but international threats need international attention. “It is for

this reason Canada and Guyana have chosen to co-operate and tackle the threat posed by the use of fraudulent documents, through the implementation of the Fraudulent Document Detection Programme,” she stated. Guyana now stands in a better position to restrict the use of falsified documents on a largescale basis, create a level of competency of on-thespot detection of fraudulent documents, and improve the level of investigative skills in cases involving such documents.

PNM leadership race heats up in TT - Beckles-Robinson to contest Dr Rowley

For the first time in its 58-year history, a woman is set to contest the leadership of the People’s National Movement (PNM) in TT. She is Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, an attorney and longstanding PNM member, whom some party insiders say, could give incumbent political leader Dr Keith Rowley a run for his money in the upcoming internal election on May 18.

After weeks of speculation, BecklesRobinson, 53, announced her bid to contest the top post during a meeting of the Arima constituency executive last Tuesday evening at Guanapo Street, Arima.

Last Friday, she officially informed Rowley of her decision.

Sources said BecklesRobinson is also hoping to launch her campaign at Balisier House in Port-of-Spain, the PNM’s headquarters, soon.

While it is still unclear as to the extent of support BecklesRobinson is receiving from the party’s membership, there is a school of thought that believes the PNM’s status quo, at least at this point, should be retained.

According to PNM founding member, Ferdie Ferreira, any attempt to replace Rowley at this time will be tantamount to political suicide for the party.

Referring to the two occasions in which the PNM’s leadership announced its decision to call general elections prematurely, Ferreira said:

“The PNM, within re-

cent times, has a history of political suicide because they did it in 1995 when they called elections 14 months before it was due and in 2010, two-and-half years before it was due,” he said in an interview last Wednesday.

“On both occasions, I warned both the leader (former Prime Minister Patrick Manning) and party about what they were doing and I am sending a warning again on this occasion that any attempt to replace Rowley at this time will be political suicide.”

Insisting that he was poised to take the party into the future, Ferreira noted that Rowley has taken the PNM to victory in three of the last

four elections held in the country within recent times: the Tobago House of Assembly election; the St Joseph byelection; and the Local Government Election.

Ferreira argued that Rowley also has a proven track record.

“He is the most experienced leader of the PNM, including (Dr Eric) Williams (TT’s first prime minister). Williams was never in the Senate and Opposition. No previous minister has the experience that he has acquired,” he said.

Ferreira also believes that the PNM could face the ire of Tobagonians if Rowley is not retained as leader following the May 18 poll. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

Turks airline to pump millions into Jamaica-Latin Caribbean routes

The new service will obviate the circuitous travel via ¬Miami, USA or Panama on legacy carriers.

"You will invest your entire day travelling in the other direction (to the Americas) to get to the islands. Business can't happen in that environment," he said.

Carriers rarely venture to link the Anglophone and Latin Caribbean.

For instance Jamaica Air Shuttle and Skylan Air in recent times offered similar service between Jamaica and Dominica Republic, but are now inoperative. But links to Puerto Rico are less explored.

"There has never really been connectivity as far as I know between Jamaica and Puerto Rico," he reasoned.

The company aims to operate an efficient route by linking multiple nations to keep passenger load factor high on its 30-seat aircraft.

InterCaribbean based in Turks has secured bilateral agreements with Jamaica, Dominica Republic and Peurto Rico. The company continues to negotiate with Cuba. It also flies to Bahamas and Haiti.

"From a regulatory point of view we have to drive some of the traffic through Providenciales, Turks & Caicos. We do have traffic rights afforded to us both from Jamaica and the Dominican Republic which allows us to fly seats between Jamaica and Dominica Republic or Jamaica to San Juan, Puerto Rico," he said.

The airline announced its name change last November to become a

"neutrally recognised brand" and also to expand its footprint.

"For Jamaica it's much easier to embrace an InterCaribbean name rather than Air Turks & Caicos."

To extend the footprint the company was infused with a capital injection by owner and chairman, Lyndon Gardiner.

"As we are a private company we do not sort of disclose financials but it is not unreasonable to say that the investment is in the tens of millions to build out where we are going," he said adding that the financing will come from private capital.

Currently six of the company's 12 Embraer turbo-props are operational. Sadler aims to roll out additional ones during the year.

"We have a plan to take it a step further that goes beyond simply staying with 30 seat airline. We are currently examining the next size up airline--50 to 110 seats. It would likely be a jet," he said.

Currently some 18 pilots are in the fleet which includes Jamaicans. The airline recently celebrated 22 years of existence.

"We will be close to doubling our flying in the coming months. So by virtue of that the people, manpower hardware of the airline and additional airplanes are coming online," he stated. "It is expensive [rebranding the airline] but there is a belief that there is a market that we need to embrace, and the time to do it is with a new brand that speaks to each country in which we operate," he said. (Jamaica Observer)

Fourteen sex charges for Tobago principal

ATobago primary school principal who is also a Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) pastor and a father of five was Monday granted TT$400,000 bail with a surety to be approved by a Clerk of the Peace when he appeared in the Scarborough Magistrates’ Court charged with several sexual offences involving pupils under his charge.

David Smith of Goodwood, east Tobago appeared in the First Court before Magistrate Glen Mahabir. Smith, the principal of Scarborough SDA Primary School, who is currently on suspension by the Tobago SDA Mission, is facing 14 charges including ten counts of indecent assault and four counts of serious indecency, against pupils of the school.

The offences were allegedly committed during a period of a year.

The alleged victims are between 10 and 12 years of age.

of goodwood, east tobago appeared in the First court before magistrate glen mahabir on monday. (TT Guardian photo)

reading of the charges.

Smith, according to court sources, was not called on to plead to any of the charges which were all laid indictably and thus requires trial before a Judge in the High Court if so ordered by the magistrate, at the end of a preliminary inquiry to test.

In granting bail, Mahabir set out several conditions which must be adhered to by the accused.

Calgary University team in Guyana to discuss kidney transplant services

Ateam of health care providers from the University of Calgary is on a visit to Guyana with a main focus on chronic kidney diseases and transplant services.

The visiting team will be meeting with officials from the Health Ministry and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to discuss the implementation of chronic kidney diseases and transplant services in Guyana.

The team consists of highly qualified health practitioners. These include Serdar Yilmaz, MD, PhD, Southern Alberta

Transplant Programme; Nairne Scott-Douglas MD PhD, medical director, Southern Alberta Renal; Judy Dean RN, clinical nurse, Educator, Southern Alberta Renal and Transplant Programme; Janice James RN, modality/peritoneal dialysis nurse clinician, Southern Alberta Renal Programme; and Genevieve Mc Michael BSP, nephrology and transplant pharmacist, Southern Alberta Renal and Transplant Programme.

A series of CMEs has also been organised through a collaborative effort between the

GPHC, and the Institute of Health Science Education Department, that will be open to all doctors and other medical practitioners. The lectures will be held at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, and will focus on various topics surrounding chronic kidney diseases. The topics include patient at risk for chronic kidney diseases, kidney transplant, patient care in the 21 century, screening, and treatment of end stage kidney diseases and management of patients with the disease. The team will be in Guyana until February 20. (Guyana Times)

Opposition leader calls for dismissal of Barbados' finance minister

The main opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) has renewed calls for the dismissal of Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Chris Sinckler even as Prime Minister Freundel Stuart says the economic policies of his administration will help the country deal with its ailing economy.

Opposition Leader Mia Mottley, addressing supporters at the party’s ninth People’s Assembly on Monday night, also gave Prime Minister Stuart a one week deadline for sending home Sinckler.

nior minister, Dr. David Estwick, the agriculture minister, who said the government was using the “wrong medicine” to deal with the economic problems facing the island.

Not a ‘blind man’s bluff’

Charges in the matter were laid by WPC Parks of Scarborough Police Station and detective WPC Moore of Scarborough CID. When the matter was called at about 11.05 am, persons seated in the court’s public gallery as well as members of the media were ordered to leave the courtroom by Mahabir, after Prosecutor Ag Sgt Marvin Campbell informed the magistrate that Smith was charged under the Sexual Offences Act.

The magistrate ordered that Smith must report to the Roxborough Police Station, in east Tobago once a week.

The accused was also ordered not to establish any contact with the alleged victims and/ or their relatives and he must not communicate or attempt to communicate with the alleged victims.

Police sources indicated this instruction by the court was done according to provisions of the Sexual Offences Act, in order to protect the identity of alleged victims whose names would have been called out in open court during the

When bail was secured just after 2 pm, Smith was greeted by a crowd of his supporters including several members of the SDA Church, some of whom cheered loudly as he emerged from the courthouse. He is to reappear in court on March 10. (TT Newsday)

“For this economy to grow, Chris Sinckler must go. And I say to Freundel Stuart that if by next Sunday Chris Sinckler is still Minister of Finance…then Freundel too must go,” she said, adding “he has one week to move Chris Sinckler as Minister of Finance”.

Over the last weekend, Prime Minister Stuart defended the economic policies of his administration saying that he was certain that the “route” being pursued would yield the success the island wants in the future.

The government has begun laying off employees as part of a programme to revive the ailing economy and has also indicated that it would not be rushing to fill vacancies within the public service.

The government’s policy has come in for criticism from the trade unions and even one se-

But as he addressed supporters of the ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) at a constituency branch meeting on Sunday night, Prime Minister Stuart said his administration was not playing “blind man’s bluff” with the local economy and would also not be derailed from its fiscal programme.

But Mottley told BLP supporters that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would soon be conducting a review of the local economy and she was confident it would give Barbados a failing grade.

“He (Prime Minister Stuart) can avoid this woman [Mottley), any time so. He can

avoid the IDB (Inter American Development Bank), avoid the CDB, (Caribbean Development Bank) he can avoid everybody. But when the IMF tells you tomorrow what I suspect they will tell them, for Chris Sinckler to remain in charge of this economy will be the biggest act of contempt by a leader of Barbados since Independence,” Mottley said without elaborating on what steps the BLP would take if Sinckler remains in office.

“Tomorrow marks a new judgment on the Barbados economy, and if as I suspect it (IMF) will say what everybody else has said, the people of Barbados must now go to a higher level and a firm purpose to recognise that the crisis is now not only upon us but confirmed in the judgment in the international community,” the opposition leader stated. (Excerpted from CMC)

Guyana establishes SWAT unit

After years of talk, members of Guyana’s first Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) unit have been identified and training is expected to commence soon.

The first batch of 27 ranks from the Guyana Police Force was introduced as the training programme was launched last Thursday at the Police Officers’ Training Centre. The establishment of the SWAT unit is a collaborative effort between the government of Guyana and the U.S.-based security and justice reform consultancy firm, The Emergence Group (TEG). In October last, a contract was signed, finalising the agreement between the two.

Addressing the gathering of senior police ranks, heads of related security agencies, and other stakeholders, Home Affairs Minister

Clement Rohee said the establishment of the SWAT team will strengthen the technical capacity of the Guyana Police Force.

“Beefing up security, for the administration to which I belong, is utmost priority…this SWAT team, as far as I’m aware, is not being

established to oppress or suppress members of the public, it is not being established to oppress or suppress members of the opposition, people who oppose the government, it is not being established to be used as a political tool to accomplish political objectives, it is being established to fulfil cer-

tain professional responsibilities based on established SOPs [Standard Operating Procedures],” the minister said.

However, he noted, that the establishment of the SWAT unit came after much controversy surrounding its importance. He pointed out that government thought

that it was necessary as part of the whole modernising process of the police force to establish the unit.

Public’s interest

“I have absolutely no doubt in my mind, as a citizen of this country, that any move in the direction we are going in right now, the establishment of a SWAT team, will be helpful and will be useful. The people will ultimately be the beneficiaries, they must be the beneficiaries,” the minister stated.

TEG Director, Ambassador Dennis Hays said with a welltrained and dedicated SWAT team, any society will be better protected. He noted that such a unit will be able to anticipate and act in emergency situations, while reducing the level of violence used to maintain that safety.

Hays added that SWAT is about anticipating issues and prob-

lems that may arise and about rigorous training, which will enable officers to act and think as a team while resolving problems.

The ambassador noted that Guyana should be proud of the group selected for the SWAT team, noting that they will impact the police force positively. He stated that SWAT members undergo a continuous training process which never stops.

Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell said that SWAT units have evolved the art of crime-fighting around the world and so there is no less expectation of this local team. He noted that such a unit requires serious discipline and training, coordination, precision, professionalism, and most importantly, the ability to make positive decisions in any eventuality.

(Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Some 120 incest cases reported in TT during 2011/2012

There were 120 reported cases of incest with minors between 2011 and 2012, according to statistics released by the Police Service last Thursday.

According to a press release on teenage pregnancies, issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the Police Service, in 2011 there were 95 reports of the offence, which is defined as sex between blood relations. In 2012

there were 25 reports.

The Police Service said there was a “100 percent detection rate” in relation to the offence, meaning all reported cases resulted in charges.

The Police Service also gave statistics on reports of cases of sex with minors. It said between 2011 and 2013, there were 331 reports of sexual intercourse with minors. Of these, 189, or 57 percent, resulted in charges.

In relation to sex with minors between the ages 14 to 16, there were 488 reports between 2011 and 2013. Of these, 243 resulted in charges.

Meanwhile, the Family Planning Association (FPA) last Thursday weighed in on the ongoing discussion on the problem of teenage pregnancies in the wake of disclosure of statistics by Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh that on

average there are 2,500 such pregnancies per year.

The FPA actually give its own statistics which indicated the figure could actually be higher. It said in the year 2000, 2,638 children, representing 15 percent of all live births in Trinidad and Tobago, gave birth. It said in 2013, the rate was 14.7 percent.

“Pregnancy in adolescence places an insurmountable barrier in the

young woman’s path to competent adulthood,” it noted. The association linked the problem to attitudes about gender roles.

The FPA, which offers family planning services, continued, “We see teenagers living in poverty and overcrowding. We see many adolescents for whom sex is linked with coercion, violence and abuse. We see girls as well as boys, raised in a climate of domestic vio-

lence, child abuse and neglect, with little opportunity for acquiring positive self-esteem; indeed in situations where there is no love.”

In a press release, FPA also indicated that research suggests that the average age of first sexual intercourse is now 14. The body called for increased funding to combat teenage pregnancy. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

Jamaica gets two multi-million dollar IDB loans

The Inter American Development Bank (IDB) says it is providing Jamaica with US$140 million in loans for various projects to sustain the island’s future socio-economic growth.

It said the first loan of US$60 million would finance the third phase of a programme to support Jamaica’s macroeconomic sustainability, continue implementation of a national competitiveness framework, simplify tax administration, reduce the government’s budget support for state-owned enterprises, improve the private sector’s access to financial markets, and strengthen land property rights.

“The objective of the loan program is to im-

prove competitiveness by promoting reforms that expand access to credit and reduce distortions in Jamaica’s tax system, reduce Jamaican government participation in inefficient enterprises and projects, and lower business costs through more efficient land titling and registration,” the IDB said.

It added that the programme’s direct beneficiaries would include private sector companies, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are the most adversely affected by the current framework for doing business and accessing finance,

The programme would also benefit the informal sector that lacks incentives for participation in Jamaica’s formal economy; and individual entrepreneurs that will benefit with direct access to finance.

The IDB loan of US$80 million will help Jamaica

strengthen its fiscal sustainability path and promote higher economic growth.

Economic challenges

The bank noted that Jamaica faces a significant challenge in terms of achieving economic growth and fiscal sustainability. It is important to modernize a tax system that is complex, discretionary and outdated.

“A more effective tax administration will improve the efficiency and transparency of Jamaica’s public sector institutions,” it said, noting that the programme’s goal would be achieved by reducing tax distortions, which hinder private investment, employment and competitiveness; strengthening revenue collection through broadening tax bases and reducing tax rates; enhancing the government’s control over budgetary expenditures; improving the fiscal sustainability of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS); and

strengthening Jamaica’s Fiscal Responsibility Framework (FRF). The operation will include the simplification of the tariff structure by reducing tariff dispersion, increase tax revenues by establishing a cap of 50 per cent on claims for deduction of tax losses, and reduce economic distortions and promote economic growth by lowering the corporate income tax rate from 30 percent to 25 per cent for unregulated companies.

The IDB indicated that the Jamaica government would improve its efficiency and lower its wage bill as a percentage of its gross domestic product, thereby allowing greater investment in activities that promote economic growth. These tax reforms will reduce the fiscal drain and contingent liabilities by rationalizing their structure and improve accounting practices. (Jamaica Observer)

Banks DIH Linden branch posts Gy$850 million in sales

Banks DIH’s Linden branch achieved close to Gy$900 million in sales last year, the company’s manager in the mining town, Shondell Easton, said.

Easton made the comments at the company’s recent shareholders’ meeting at its Mackenzie, Linden branch. In an update on the performance of the company’s Linden operations for the financial year ending September 30, 2013, Easton said the branch, which has been in operation for 50 years, achieved a total of Gy$850.9 million in sales, a 3.6 per cent increase compared to the previous year’s figures, selling an overall 66,095 units/cases, a 1.9 per cent increase. She extended heartfelt thanks

to customers and the Linden team.

Banks DIH Chairman Clifford Reis said the figure of Gy$850 million was an increase of Gy$30 million, as compared to the previous year, while the total revenue increased by Gy$32 million. He congratulated Easton on a job well done, noting that in looking at the profit-and-loss statement, control of expenses was cited.

Pleased

In his report on the company’s overall performance, Reis told shareholders, “I am pleased to advise you that as a result of our comprehensive planning and management of resources, the overall performance of the group improved by achieving an operational profit before taxes of Gy$5.340

billion compared to Gy$4.966 billion in the previous year, an increase of Gy$374 million, and the profit after taxes for the group was improved, [that] attributable to shareholders would have increased from Gy$2.812 billion to Gy$2.930 billion, showing an increase of Gy$118 million. The company’s profit before taxes was Gy$3.862 billion, as compared to Gy$3.700 billion [last year], an increase of Gy$163 million.”

He said this year’s financial report mirrors the slow global economic recovery as well as tensions which continue to affect many smaller countries such as Guyana and around the world. He said the company is determined to move to the next level

Clico-Trinidad makes

Clico, the insurance company that the TT government saved from collapse four years ago, recorded a 2012 after-tax profit of close to TT$3.8 billion, which was more than five times greater than the TT$702 million it declared in 2011. Clico declared profits of TT$6.2 billion from its investing activities for the financial year, which eclipsed the TT$2.2 billion loss from insurance activities.

The most significant contributor to Clico’s

investment profits was the TT$3.8 billion gain the company booked on the disposal of some 40 million Republic Bank shares in November 2012. Those bank shares, which were then worth about TT$4.3 billion, constituted 84 per cent of the underlying investment in the Clico Investment Fund— which converted the 11 to 20-year zero-coupon bonds into units in the CIF.

But while the insurance company, which was once TT’s largest

despite challenges, and create a new frontier for its products.

Reis related that the results for the second half of the financial year were disappointing. Reasons for such were varied and many, the chairman continued, citing the slowing up of the

and most powerful, is generating profits, the KPMG-conducted audit indicates that Clico had a negative net worth of TT$6.5 billion. This means that the company’s liabilities, which were recorded at TT$29 billion, dwarfed its assets, which were valued at TT$22.4 billion at the end of 2012.

The financial statement reveals that “the company’s board, together with the Central Bank and the government are working to eliminate the current capital efficiency

TT’s foreign investment up to TT$16 billion

Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign direct investment rose to almost TT$16.1 billion in 2012, up from TT$3.5 billion in 2010, according to Minister of Energy Kevin Ramnarine.

In a written response to a question filed in the Senate by Independent Senator David Small, Ramnarine linked fiscal incentives in the energy sector to increased foreign spending in the country.

“These fiscal incentives that the government has given directly or indirectly also benefits the local energy service sector, through the foreign direct investment which increased from US$549 million (TT$3.5 billion) in 2010 to US$2.5 billion (TT$16.1 billion) in 2012,” Ramnarine said last week.

He noted that the State provides for “local content” via provisions in production sharing contracts and exploration and production licences that are signed with upstream oil and gas companies.

The minister did not give specifics or break

down the investment figures.

On the question of local content, Ramnarine stated, “The current Local Content Policy provides guidelines for local oil and gas industry participants to develop the indigenous human resource base, endow the country with high quality technology and improve the industrial capability in the country in a sustainable manner.”

Ramnarine noted ongoing projects proposed, such as the US$850 million (TT$5.5 billion) methanol project with Mitsubishi Corporation Consortium and Neal and Massy Limited and a $200 million (no currency specified) “integrated facility to produce paraformaldehyde”, put forward by a firm identified as Chemtech. (TT Newsday)

national economy, which has resulted in limited spending power.

Banks DIH, he further explained, was not exempted from this reality. Sharpening its focus on what more needs to be done, finding newer and innovative ways of reducing expenditures, and increasing revenue are ways of tackling this situation, Reis told the gathering.

Expansion programme

He said the manufacturing environment has become competitive and related that value must be achieved for money.

The company continues its expansion programme, according to Reis, in an effort to become more competitive and modernised.

In highlighting some of the group’s achievements, the chairman

reported that Citizens Bank, a subsidiary of Banks DIH, has done very well in increasing its revenue. The assets of the bank have increased by Gy$3 billion, Reis stated.

Gold medals were also awarded for D’Aguiar’s cream liqueur, as well as other medals for beverages branded under the company, he related.

Making reference to the GT Beer, which was launched by the company last December, the chairman said the beer is being sold too expensively by some retailers. Meanwhile, a monetary contribution was also made on the behalf of the company to two schools in Region 10–Coomacka Nursery and Bamia Primary. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

TT$3.8 billion profits

where the company has excess liabilities to assets.”

Clico’s liabilities of TT$29 billion include about TT$16 billion in taxpayers’ money, comprising TT$4.9 billion in preference shares and close to TT$11 billion

in Executive Flexible Premium Annuities (EFPA’s) that Clico policyholders have ceded to the State in exchange for cash, zero-coupon bonds and units in the Clico Investment Fund.

Following the insurance company’s dramatic

collapse, which was announced at a news conference at the Central Bank on January 30, 2009, the TT government pumped TT$5 billion into Clico by acquiring TT$4.99 billion in preference shares and TT$7.24 million in ordinary shares. That transaction resulted in government owning 49 per cent of the share capital of the company, leaving Clico’s parent, the Lawrence Dupreyfounded CL Financial, with 51 per cent. In 2009, the TT government was advised not to acquire more than 49 per cent of Clico, because to have done so would have triggered the pre-emption rights clauses in the Methanol Holdings (Trinidad) Ltd (MHTL) shareholders’ agreement. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

President Ramotar boasts of Guyana’s religious diversity

Over 28 leaders representing Islamic cultural centres and associations from around the Caribbean and Latin America congregated at the Guyana International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, earlier this week to participate in a three-day conference for Islamic leaders in the region.

It was the first time for Guyana; the only English-speaking country in South America, to host the auspicious event.

The conference aimed at the promotion of the initiative of the two Holy Mosques in Dialogue between different faiths and cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean. It considered the reports of the Islamic cultural centres and the implementation of strategies for Islamic cultures outside the faith.

Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar and his wife; Prime Minster

Samuel Hinds; Culture Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony; and Opposition Leader David Granger were among the officials who attended the opening ceremony on Monday.

Delivering the feature address to a packed audience of Muslim believers and other invitees, President Ramotar noted that Guyana is among the few countries in the region that is diverse in culture and reli-

gious practices.

He said that the country’s three main religions have positively impacted the Guyanese population, pointing out that there is a special connection between culture and religion.

He expressed delight over the Islamic body choosing Guyana as the host country for the conference; pointing out that it will open new avenues for dialogue among leaders. Ramotar said the occasion can be used

as an instrument to foster peace and solidarity among national leaders.

Muslims comprise a mere 12 per cent of Guyana’s population, and according to Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) President Fazeel Ferouz, the organisation has been at the forefront in promoting religious harmony and dialogue among the different faith-based groups. He said he hoped that the congress would foster

more passionate efforts to promote religious unity across the world.

The Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO) Director General, Dr Abdul-Aziz Othman Altwarjiri in his address outlined the organisation’s ties to regional and international bodies around the world.

He said the organisation has been engaging in the promotion of a culture of peace and jus-

tice based on the values of dialogue, mutual understanding and mutual respect, through its programmes, activities and strategies.

He pointed out that ISESCO has been involved in building channels of cooperation with parties sharing common interests. This, he continued will help assist in countering all forms of incitement to hatred, racism, violence and terrorism. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Barbados’ Drug Court opens doors St Elizabeth in Jamaica gets first female custos

Barbados’ first ever Drug Treatment Court opened Tuesday and with it a promise of a similar setup for domestic violence.

Decades after it was first recommended, the court was launched by Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson at the Supreme Court Complex on Whitepark Road, St Michael.

“Nowadays courts are in problem-solving mode…We are not just about writing decisions,” he said.

The court, a pilot project, is expected to be in operation by monthend, sitting in the afternoon, one day a week in Supreme Court No. 3. Chief Magistrate Pamela Beckles will be presiding over the court, which is expected to be fully implemented by May.

The court is expected to offer an alterna-

tive to non-violent offenders, whose drug-addiction was a factor in the commission of the crimes.

However, persons charged with committing any offence involving drug-trafficking, the use of violence, a weapon or any indictable offence cannot be part of the programme.

Additionally, Barbados should also soon be seeing an “integrated domestic violence court”, the Chief Justice said.

“We don’t need to have women going from pillow to post,” he said.

His plans for the judicial system also include a single court to take care of issues such as maintenance, divorce and domestic violence complaints. The Drug Treatment Court will be working in conjunction with drugtreatment agencies such as the National Council

on Substance Abuse (NCSA), the police, health services, defence attorneys, Probation Department and other relevant authorities.

On completion of the programme, persons will receive a participation certificate and will have no conviction recorded against them.

Speaking after the ceremony, Sir Marston said that confidentiality would have to play a major role in the success of the court. Since the aim was to help rehabilitate participants, it would not be in their best interest to have information made public.

He praised members of the court’s steering committee, which is chaired by Justice Randall Worrell and included Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite and Chief Magistrate Beckles. (Nation News)

Noted St Elizabeth community worker and humanitarian, Beryl Rochester, was on Monday sworn in as the new Custos Rotulorum for the parish, becoming the first woman in Jamaica’s St Elizabeth to hold that office.

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen presided over the ceremony, which was held at King's House.

In his remarks, the governor general urged Rochester to use her office to safeguard the procedures and processes by which Justices of the Peace (JPs) carry out their roles, while influencing development within the parish.

He encouraged her to execute her duties with

wisdom, reminding her that residents look to their custos, as the first citizen of the parish, for leadership and guidance without fear, favour or ill-will.

"Work with the various communities and interest groups to ensure that peace, justice, unity, voluntarism are the hallmarks of your parish," he said.

Paying tribute to the outgoing and acting custodes, the governor general praised them for the invaluable service and leadership they have rendered during their tenure.

He commended Rochester on being the first female Custos for St Elizabeth, and called on the residents to support her vision and efforts to

create a better parish. In her remarks, Rochester said she is humbled and grateful for the trust and honour bestowed on her.

She pledged to strive to ensure that all the citizens of the parish are respected and treated equally, adding that she will also make every effort to emulate the sterling work of her predecessors.

"As I assume this office, I will be taking the early lessons and values learnt…such as honesty, hard work, fair play, tolerance and loyalty. Through my service to God, my community and others, over the years, I have added the tempering qualities of humility and discipline. I will take them all," she said. (JIS)

UWI students to attend Harvard UN forum

Ten University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona students, from the UWI Mona Model United Nations (UWIMUN), will represent the University at the annual Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) forum in Boston, Massachusetts, this week.

The forum will be held from February 13-16 and the delegation will be led by the president of UWIMUN, Donavan Johnson, who says that, collectively, they will be seeking to reclaim the ac-

colade of ‘Best University in Latin America and the Caribbean’ for the UWI.

According to Johnson, who will be accompanied by UWI’s Department of Government lecturer, Dr Omar Hawthorne, in addition to portraying the very best that UWI Mona has to offer, it is hoped that the delegates will come to appreciate the complexities of international cooperation and diplomacy.

“The practical experience that the conference offers will better enable the delegates to ‘think

globally while acting locally’, which sums up the motto of UWIMUN,” he said.

“The delegation of students is drawn from different faculties, more specifically; Social Sciences, Medical Sciences, Law, Science and Technology & Humanities and Education, which not only embodies the diversity of the UWIMUN Club, but is also reflective of the plethora of areas within the United Nations,” Dr Hawthorne explained. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Porn addiction rising among youth in Jamaica

Aleading sexu-

al health agency has expressed distress over what it says is a mounting addiction to pornography in the 12 to 14 age group in Jamaica.

According to Chairman of the National Family Planning Board Dr Sandra Knight, the addiction is increasing and more so among boys.

"It's going up yearly. Teenagers are addicted to pornography and we know from research that pornography inhibits the proper development of certain parts of a child's brain to consolidate healthy relationships as adults. So we are having even more problems there," Dr Knight told the Jamaica Observer Press Club last Thursday.

She said that tackling the issue was even more complex, given the fact that there was fierce competition from so many different influences.

Guyanese

Popular Essequibo businessman and rice miller

Roopan Ramator, also known as “Foul Cock”, has invested approximately Gy$15 million in the establishment of a plantain factory that will soon produce Rooster plantain chips.

Ramotar, who is the largest rice farmer on the Essequibo Coast, has over two hundred acres of farm at Hackney Canal, Lower Pomeroon River, where he cultivates thousands of plantain plants.

The farmer, who cultivates plantain on a large scale, said he intends to make full use in terms of getting added value from his farm.

The chips will be cir -

Entertainment industry

"We are competing with other things that are happening but compete we must. In addition to us competing we have to reach out to the entertainment indus-

try for example and say to them, look, what is it that you are doing? Look at the message you are putting out there," Dr Knight said.

She also registered disgust with the productions of some female

members of the entertainment industry.

"I look at some of our female entertainers and I say look at how long and hard you have worked to be recognised and this is the explicit sexual crap you are

putting out there. You have the opportunity to positively influence the young people in Jamaica and you are spewing crap," she said.

Commenting on a seeming trend whereby teens have been featured in locally-made sexually explicit 'videos' making the rounds on social media, she said that the activities that are now being shown in videos "have been happening a long time".

Incest

"It's not now, it's just that they are being recorded because everybody's phone now has a camera. I cannot imagine why a father having sex with his daughter is putting that on camera," she said in reference to one of the most recent incidents where a father was reportedly filmed frolicking with his daughter and other underaged girls.

"I am a little alarmed at how person's ability to

discern between a right decision and a wrong decision is so diminished. It's troubling, it's very troubling," Dr Knight said.

Addressing the issue Marion Scott, acting director of Outreach and Prevention with the Board, said that it has brought parenting to the forefront.

"This is where parenting comes in, parents are not talking to their children about sex. They think if they don't talk about it, it won't happen, which is the complete opposite. If you don't talk about it, they are curious, they will get the information somewhere and it is often inappropriate or incorrect information from the wrong source. So we definitely have to work on the parents and the dialogue," she said, noting that sex is taboo in many households. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

businessman to launch Rooster brand plantain chips

culating on the shelves of the local markets in Georgetown, Parika and the Essequibo Coast.

Ramotar said the name Rooster is linked to his popular call name Fowl Cock.

He said the project is expected to commence in two months at his Land of Plenty complex on the Essequibo Coast. The business -

man also disclosed that plantain flour will also be produced under the Rooster brand.

Ramotar said his vision is to have the best plantain chips on the local market, pointing out that the factory is being set up by two Canadian volunteers Yvon Bertrand and John Mc Donald, who are both food processing experts.

The businessman said all the factory equipment is at the business’ location and will soon be installed. He said he decided to enter the chips business to change people’s eating habits.

The factory will create jobs for scores of persons in the Pomeroon River and the Essequibo Coast. (Guyana Times)

Canadian medical student killed in St Lucia car crash

A25-year-old medical student lost his life and his schoolmate is in stable condition following a motor vehicle accident on the St Jude’s Highway in the southern town of Vieux Fort on Saturday.

Dead is Omotayo ‘Tayo’ Morrison of Toronto, Canada. Maninder ‘Mani’ Kaur, 24, a U.S. citizen, has been admitted to hospital with serious head injuries.

Both were student doctors at Spartan

Health Sciences University in Vieux Fort where they also resided. The police reported that the two were walking along the St Jude’s Highway on Saturday morning when they were hit by a vehicle driven by Caleb Antoine, 26, of La Ressource, Vieux Fort. Morrison succumbed to head injuries on Saturday, while Kaur remains in stable condition.

The driver of the vehicle has been detained for questioning. (CMC)

Trinidadian man held for allegedly raping daughter

Trinidadian Police arrested a 49-yearold man Sunday who allegedly had sexual intercourse with his nineyear-old daughter multiple times in Rio Claro last November. The businessman of Ecclesville, Rio Claro was expected

to be charged with six counts of incest.

A police report stated that last Friday while at her primary school in Rio Claro, the schoolgirl told her teacher about the incident. Officers of the Rio Claro Police Station were contacted and a

medical report confirmed that the child had been sexually assaulted. The man was later arrested. After medical tests confirmed the child was assaulted, WPC Gadar was instructed to lay the incest charges. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

Jamaican police intensifies search for missing

Canadian national - reward offered for his location

St James Police in Jamaica have intensified their search for Gregory Ashodian, the Canadian national who went missing on December 26, last year.

"We have stepped up our investigation into the matter, but he has still not been located," Sergeant Peter Salkey told Jamaica media Sunday.

The Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) reported that Ashodian, of a Vancouver address, ar-

rived on the island at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James, on Boxing Day. He has not been seen or heard from since. His mode of dress is unknown.

The 43-year-old is of Caucasian, slim build, is about 180 centimetres (5 feet 11 inches) tall, and has tattoos on his right arm, chest and left calf.

A newspaper advertisement offering a reward for his location over the weekend, stated that Ashodian, 43-yearold, was last seen at the Rick's Café with a French-Canadian girl.

A posting by a relative on social media Facebook said that Ashodian was supposed to have returned to Canada on New Year's Eve and that "his brother called police in Jamaica on January 3, saying he hadn't returned".

Calls to a phone number in the ad went to voicemail. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Jagdeo urges global framework for energy, food security at New Deli forum

Former President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo recently joined several high level officials, including former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan at the opening of the 14th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) in the Indian capital, New Delhi.

The occasion was held under the theme, “Attaining Energy, Water and Food Security for All”.

Guyana was invited for a fourth year to participate by Nobel Prize Laureate and The Energy and Research Institute (TERI) Director General, Dr RK Pachauri. The DSDS 2014 provided an

important forum to discuss the critical issues of energy, water and food security for all.

The timing was key as there is a mounting call for greater action to address climate change and for the global community to move towards higher efficiency in the use of resources.

Jagdeo participated in the first leadership panel which discussed the “Demographic Challenge”. The panel was chaired by TERI Distinguished Fellow Nitin Desai and included former Finland President Tarja Halonen, former Sweden Prime Minister Goran Persson and former British Deputy Prime Minister Lord

Petrotrin fires six workers over oil spills

Petrotrin Saturday fired six of 12 employees who were suspended last month as a result of a series of oil spills in the Gulf of Paria.

Petrotrin’s president Khalid Hassanali said the six fired employees were found to have “high degrees of culpability” into the spill. The State-owned company issued the letters of termination Saturday morning. The six other employees, who were on suspension, were reinstated.

Hassanali called a press conference to announce the firings which were done following completion of an investigation and a report on the oil spills.

He said the 12 employees were directly associated with the operations and the investigations into their actions relating to the oil spill were completed last Friday in its fullness. The 12 individuals were interviewed at least three times, he added.

“We also had a review of the results and it was not until this morning (Saturday) that we arrived at the firm conclusion in terms of culpability,” Hassanali said.

Leaks

The president recalled that the leak started on December 17, 2013, at Tank 68 in Pointe-aPierre which is located on a hill. From the tank, oil goes to the pump house then to the No. 10 Sea Line which has two branches namely the Main Viaducts and the Lube Oil Jetty.

He charged that from 2.10 am on the said date pumping began, a

process which happens almost everyday, however, crew members on the badge said they were not receiving anything.

As such, the employees began checking the line.

“By 3 am it was very clear that something was manifestly wrong. But, they continued pumping until about 5.20 am, when they eventually stopped pumping. Around 6 am, security and a fisherman called to say there was oil at sea,” Hassanali said.

He noted in such situations, it was odd to start pumping for a second time, as the employees did. With the aid of a chart, Hassanali explained that the Main Viaduct

was not isolated so oil went in two directions. He said further investigations will take place on that issue.

“There were a number of failures—failure to isolate the line on the viaduct, failure to shut down the system when after 30 minutes it was clear this was not normal. This is done almost on a daily basis,” Hassanali said.

On the issue of the investigations into the six staff members, Hassanali explained that anytime the company has asset integrity concerns, it became a management issue which was a shared responsibility.

Management’s responsibility

Management, he said, was responsible for maintenance of Petrotrin’s assets, inspections of the assets as well as for corrective actions to be taken of the maintenance.

“The preliminary findings suggest that there was maintenance, but we are not stopping there. We need to be accountable for not only those who have contributed to the spill, but also the asset failing as well...It is regrettable but, it is part of the process and accountability that six members of management were issued letters of investigations,” Hassanali added.

The oil spill affected various communities in La Brea to the point where residents were not allowed to light their stoves or fish at sea. Many residents had complained of the fumes from the spills and many had to seek medical care. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

John Prescott.

In his presentation, Jagdeo outlined the need to have a global framework to address the challenges of energy, water and food security.

He emphasised the need to cost the services that are provided from natural capital, citing the example of hydrological and other services forests provide and which do not factor in economic considerations.

Jagdeo suggested that the time has come for societies to utilise available technology and innovation to use less and achieve more, while at the same time pursuing incentives to align profit with sustainable practices.

He also used the opportunity to reflect on the difficulties being faced in getting global agreement on climate change, citing the lack of urgency by developed countries in meeting their commitments.

The DSDS, organised annually by TERI since 2001, is an international undertaking that provides a platform for knowledge exchange and debate on all aspects of sustainable development.

Over the past 10 years, it has emerged as one of the most important forums on global sustainability issues, with a focus on developing world solutions.

(Guyana Times)

Jamaica’s Police arrest 14 in latest anti-human trafficking operation

Fourteen persons were arrested in Jamaica by investigators attached to Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID) as part of an operation to clampdown on human trafficking on that island.

The police say the accused were held over the weekend in a series of anti-human trafficking raids under its 'Operation Fix it' initiative.

They said that over the three days, OCID, with the support of the Mobile Reserve, carried out raids across the Corporate Area, including several businesses operating as brothels.

According to the police, several documents and cash were seized during the operation.

The police stated too that following investigations the accused were charged with a range of offences including breaches of the Dangerous Drugs, Sexual Offences

and the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression and Punishment) acts. Those charged were offered bail and are scheduled to appear in court on Monday, February 24.

Head of OCID Senior Superintendent Clifford Chambers has since appealed to victims of human trafficking or anyone with information about these cases to make a report to the police so the matter can be investigated.

SSP Chambers lamented that modern day slavery is a crime and persons who continue to sexually exploit persons, especially females and young children will be facing the courts to answer to this heinous crime.

In the meantime, the police have named Micheal Davis otherwise called ‘Sniper’ as a person of interest in relation to breaches of the Sexual Offences Act. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Continuing a legacy of spicing up foods, Shari

Rodrigues is focused on creating a name for herself while immortalizing

her late father’s passion for spices.

In an interview, Shari said her late father was the owner of Guyana’s popular spice business, Ricks and Sari. Now, her aim is to continue that legacy by making the spice business her own.

“I have my own line of spices, Spice It Up. I try not to create a competition with Ricks and Sari, but to carry on the legacy my father left. Since I was small, I was always helping out at the factory or with the business. Now the business is managed by my stepmom and brothers. My stepmom is my inspiration because she was determined to keep our business going and even developed it over the years. She also motivated me to follow my dream of creating my own line of spices,” Shari explained.

The spice girl stated that her grandfather started the business selling coffee, curry powder

and black pepper under a tree. The business flourished and moved from vending under a tree to a massive factory, which was eventually managed by Shari’s father.

“Now I have my own factory in Canada, which my uncle helps

world, Shari’s love for Guyana made her quit her job to return to carry on her father’s business.

“I was one of the passengers in the Caribbean Airlines plane which crashed in 2011. For some reason, I viewed it as a sign to stay in Guyana, and the experience really motivated me to follow my dreams. The crash happened in July 2011, and in August I started my spice business,” Shari recalled.

The entrepreneur, who now has a food business and a line of spices, mentioned that achieving her goals required determination, dedication and resilience.

me with. He has the biggest West Indian market in Canada, selling Jamaican-inspired spices and sauces. My uncle is my mentor, as I look to him on how to be a successful entrepreneur. I know my father is proud of me for carrying on the business,” she expressed.

Shari was 18 when she lost her father. After his death she decided to migrate to the U.S., where she is a citizen, to explore career opportunities available to her. At age 21, she landed a job as a flight attendant, strictly for military flights. Although she enjoyed travelling the

“Yes I had certain props in life, but that did not mean I had everything on a silver platter. I had to work really hard and tough it out to achieve my goals. Now I have a food business, operated with my fiancé, and I am now revamping the labelling of my spices to get it on the international market. I also want to expand and prepare more health conscious meals especially for diabetics. I love the spice business, a passion my father shared, and now I am determined to carry on my family’s legacy,” she declared. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

True champion

it was hard and heavy rain made it worse. However, 85 year-old roy thomas, 'mass roy', refused to give up. thomas, who organisers say has participated in most High mountain coffee 10k road races since the annual event started in 1983, battled to the finish line in the latest edition of the event in rain and fading light, to the great delight of spectators who had patiently waited for him at Williamsfield. Proceeds of the High mountain coffee 10k road race festival goes to the dialysis unit of the mandeville regional Hospital in Jamaica. (Gregory

Black caimans are charismatic and fascinating creatures because of their impressive size and cryptic nature. They are also an important species in many of Guyana’s freshwater ecosystems because they are the top predators. This means they eat different kinds of animals, which help to maintain the balance of nature.

The research team at Caiman House in Yupukari, North Rupununi, has been studying black caimans since 2005 in an effort to better understand their behaviours and ecological roles in the

Rupununi.

The research team has caught, measured, tagged and released hundreds of black caiman to assess the size and health of the population, and they have studied black caiman nesting habits and preferred habitats.

Now, Caiman House is proud to announce a new research, conducted with permission from the Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with Dr Adam Rosenblatt, an American scientist, and his local Guyanese counterpart, Leanna Kalicharan, who would teach the team new research techniques

and expand the scope of the project.

who re-

years studying American alligators,

Sagicor Life Jamaica Limited plans to start building a water park for the Jewel Runaway Bay Beach and Golf Resort before June.

Already, the company received an environmental permit with stipulated conditions from the National Environmental and Planning Agency (NEPA) and hopes to complete construction of the park next year.

Sagicor disclosed that as much as US$5 million (Ja$537 million) will be invested in the park, from the Ja$1.5 billion raised from the initial public offering of the Sagicor Real Estate X Fund, which was listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) last year. The remaining portion of the proceeds will

position the company for future investment opportunities.

The company's holdings are primarily com-

prised of tourism, industrial/warehouse and office/retail properties.

Profit projections for the Jewel Runway Bay

close cousins of the black caiman.

In an interview, Rosenblatt stated that he was prompted to begin this new research project in Guyana because of his interest in how large predators and the humans, who live with them, are able to coexist. He visited Guyana for the first time in 2011 and was captivated by the generosity and hospitality of the Guyanese people and the virtually untouched wilderness that Guyana has preserved so well.

His colleague, Kalicharan, is a recent graduate of the University of Guyana and an aspiring scientist who has previously worked with the Shedd Aquarium of Chicago, Conservation International and the World Wildlife Fund in assessing fish biodiversity in the Rupununi.

Rosenblatt re-

vealed that during this new phase of research, which will take place in February and early March, Kalicharan, himself and the Caiman House research team will use a stomach pumping procedure to flush the stomachs of a number of black caiman adults to find out what they eat in the Rupununi during the dry season.

The researchers suspect that the black caiman are eating mainly fish, but they also likely eat mammals, birds, and reptiles. The study of black caiman stomach contents will enable the research team to actually quantify the proportions of different kinds of prey that make up the adult black caiman diet – at least over short time periods.

The ultimate goal of the research is to learn about the diets of black caimans so that they, and the animal species they depend on for food, can be properly protected in the Rupununi, enabling Guyana’s freshwater ecosystems to remain healthy and thriving for the benefit of many future generations of Guyanese and foreign visitors.

The researchers’ plans include studying the diets of black caiman during the wet season as well as the dry season, and tracking the movements of black caiman using radio telemetry. (Photos by Rupununi Learners)

property is US$4.8 million in 2017 on projected revenues of US$21.2 million, Sagicor said in its prospectus last year.

Sagicor X Fund's prospectus estimated that net income from its three hotel properties-which include Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort and Spa and Jewel Paradise Cove in St Ann--would grow from US$2.6 million in 2012 to US$15 million in 2017.

In 2017, the three hotels are projected to earn US$14.6 million in net profit from US$59.4 million in revenues.

Comparatively,

Sagicor Jamaica earned some Ja$5.9 billion (roughly US$59 million) in its 2012-year end on Ja$19.5 billion in revenues.

Other properties are the R Danny Williams building in New Kingston; Sagicor Industrial Park Norman

Road; Sagicor Industrial Park Freeport; Sagicor Industrial Park Marcus Garvey Drive; Sagicor Montego Bay Commercial Centre; the Sagicor Sigma building on Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston; 78A Hagley Park Road, Kingston; Spanish Town Shopping Centre; and a vacant lot on Seymour Avenue in Kingston. Jewel Runaway Bay—a 266-room hotel— was purchased in June 2012 by Sagicor Sigma acting through the Sigma Real Estate Portfolio. The property, a low-rise beachfront resort was first opened in 1962. In 1977 it was purchased by the government, acting through National Hotel and Properties Ltd. (Jamaica Observer)

Guyanese cops Commonwealth Youth Worker Award

Guyanese community worker of Berbice Alex Foster has received his seventh international award when he copped the 2013

1999 was selected from thousands of applicants the world over as the 60th most influential young social entrepreneur in the world.

in Guyana, the Youth of the Year award.

Foster, who received his awards for his service to youths and the fight against

Commonwealth Youth Worker Award for the Caribbean region, joining other winners from Africa, Asia, the Pacific Region and the United Kingdom.

Foster recently received the award in London. It was his third Commonwealth Youth Service Award, having previously won the award in 1993 and 1995.

In addition to those awards, Foster also received an award from the Commonwealth for youth service in 1991, and in

In 2006, Foster headed the St Francis Community Developers, which was named the most successful, sustainable and influential group in the Commonwealth.

However, before these international awards, Foster was also recognised both in Guyana and the Caribbean. In 1989, he was the Caribbean and Commonwealth Youth of the Year.

The year before, the community worker received his first and only national award

community underdevelopment, expressed disappointment that the government has failed to recognise his contribution to rural communities.

However, he said that it is quite unfortunate that most young males are blamed for not acting in a manner that is conducive for their personal development and the development of their communities.

Lack of male role models

“Their role models from a very young age are females. If we look at the nursery schools,

the teachers are females; in the primary schools, there are few male teachers; and in the secondary schools, the male teachers are getting even fewer. In society, the male species seems to be endangered species as it relates to excellence.

If we take a simple survey at the University of Guyana and all the higher learning institutions, the largest percentages of persons attending those institutions are females.”

Young males, he added, hardly have role models. “It is therefore a privilege to ask males to join community development.”

He said community development is no longer charitable work, but a force to be reckoned with. “It is a most prestigious career one can choose.”

According to him, Oprah Winfrey, the late Nelson Mandela and President Bill Clinton, all did community development work before moving on to another career.

He said persons involved in community development have to love what they do.

“You have to work 24 hours a day. Even in your sleep, you have to be thinking about it. If you are going to do this work, your vision must be very clear,” Foster said.

Speaking of his accomplishments, the community worker noted that it is not the number

of buildings built or amount of money acquired internationally for development of Berbice, but the differences he was able to make in people’s lives.

He noted when he started community development, the biggest projects were the painting of road crossings, feeding groups and organising training workshops.

“Today, in community development, when you are executing a project, not only is it impacting on the persons who are directly evolved in it but the entire community.” (Guyana Times)

India’s Vineet Singh to team up with TT’s Raymond for upcoming show in Port-of-Spain

Jamaica's Bob Marley Museum designated GRAMMY Museum affiliate the

to bob marley museum in kingston. (Photo: things-to-do-in-jamaica.com)

The GRAMMY Museum, last Thursday announced its first ever affiliate, the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, according to NBC Southern California.

"As a GRAMMY Museum affiliate, the Bob Marley Museum will have access to Grammy Museum exhibitions, educational initiatives, research programme (s), internship opportunities, collaborative marketing and promotions, technical support for interactive displays and more," NBC Southern California reported last Friday.

The news agency also said that more affiliates will be announced in coming months.

According to www.grammymuseum.org, "the GRAMMY Museum ex-

plores and celebrates the enduring legacies of all forms of music; the creative process; the art and technology of the recording process; and the history of the GRAMMY Awards, the premier recognition of recorded music accomplishment."

Located in downtown Los Angeles, the website says the museum is "four floors of cutting-edge exhibits, interactive experiences and films" which provide a "one-of-a-kind visitor experience—engaging, educational, celebratory and inspirational".

The website also says that the GRAMMY Museum debuted in December 2008, in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Grammy Awards. (Jamaica Observer)

Fresh out of India’s biggest singing competition, Saregamapa, Vineet Singh is preparing to perform in TT alongside Chutney Soca

Monarch Raymond Ramnarine.

Singh’s Bollywood romantic songs, ‘Tirat Meri Tu’ and ‘Jhoom Barabar Jhoom’ is now popular among the followers of Bollywood films in the western countries.

The two singers will perform at the Guardian Group of Companies Everybody Loves Raymond on March 22 at the Centre-of- Excellence.

Raymond who is known for singing evergreen immortal hits from yesteryear, will team up with this star to do many of the love songs that was created in India.

This annual event is produced by Rafi Mohammed and is known for attracting huge audiences each year.

Mohammed said, “This is the time for Raymond to switch gears to pre-

senting a concert that is traditional yet exciting with all the stage showmanship and singing skills associated with this heartthrob.”

Singh joined the ranks of Bollywood playback singers, doing songs for the movies, 'Policegiri', 'Son Of Sardar', 'Milenge Milenge' and 'Khiladi 786'.

His song ‘Hookar Bar’ is still considered the youth anthem of 2013. He is just 24 years old and started his singing career at the age of five. His mentor is Music Director Himesh Reshamiya. He is currently the lead singer for

Millions to boost chutney, soca competitions this year

Two million dollars will be the first prize of the Lotto Plus Chutney Soca Monarch final now that TT government has... allocated TT$4.5 million to the competition.

Pleased with the funding announced by Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Dr Lincoln Douglas, the show’s promoter George Singh declared last Thursday, “In the event that this is the reality, then the first prize in this year’s competition will be TT$2 million.”

Earlier in the Carnival season, Singh disclosed he had asked for TT$5 million and complained that the government had yet to come forward with the money, threatening to put the show on hold before proceeding with the semi-finals held last Saturday at Rienzi Complex, Couva.

However, there will be a new monarch when the finals takes place on

February 15 at Skinner Park, San Fernando as last year’s winner Raymond Ramnarine announced he would not defend the crown since he was still owed TT$200,000 from the TT$1 million first prize. In 2011, the prize was TT$2 million, then TT$1 million in 2012 and 2013.

Prizes Singh last Thursday said, as sponsors, government pays the prizes to the artistes.

“I am still lobbying for the payments of TT$200,000 for Ramnarine and I am hoping that this department can be settled in due course,” Singh said.

However, while Singh is pleased that the government has come through for his show, Peter Scoon, chairman of Caribbean Prestige Foundation (CPF), promoter of the NLCB International Soca Monarch competition, believes the country’s culture is being placed on the back burner.

This was his response to the TT$7 million allocation CPF will receive for its show, whose semi-finals takes place at Arima Velodrome, Arima on Sunday, with the finals on February 28 at Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain.

Scoon said CPF received almost the same amount last year, but it was not sufficient to run the organisation properly, as the minimum

“Inspire Guyana”, a new magazine aimed at helping students to ascertain what they want to be by providing career information and professionals’ profiles, was launched on Saturday evening in

past 10 years, students are not sure of what they want to become, so I thought of ways of informing them.” Captain Charles continued that the initial idea was to produce a handout, but it grew and the idea for the magazine was

needed was an estimated TT$10 million. Even so, the first prize is expected to remain TT$2 million.

Scoon said he and

the entertainment industry and to the country’s culture.

He said the event provides employment for many people.

a team met Douglas to discuss what financial assistance they needed, but he said they have never been able to convince government of the importance of the International Soca Monarch competition to

Education Certificate (CSEC) exams.”

Interactive

She further explained that the magazine has an interactive page whereby readers can provide feedback and give information on what

Georgetown.

“I never went overseas to live; I have a heart for the children of Guyana and I am committed to staying here and working with them, developing them,” those were the words of Captain Orlando Charles, the owner of the new magazine.

Charles said the magazine is aimed at informing young people of the opportunities they would have available when they finish school. He said: “I realised, over the

conceived.

Tricia Azaire, production coordinator of the magazine, said after observing some of the career days held for students, they found that they left much to be desired, hence they identified the areas that were lacking. She said, “Students were very receptive to the idea, because, in retrospect, it would have been ideal for them to decide what subjects they were going to write at Caribbean Secondary

they would like to see published in the magazine.

Azaire further stated that the magazine will be published bi-monthly and would be available for the low cost of Gy$400. She added that they are looking to work with the ministries that conduct training programmes, so the magazines could be made available to their students also.

“For people to aspire to greatness they need two things, which are access and

this year the CPF will have international celebrities on the commentary panel including reality star and model Tahiry Jose, actors Anthony Anderson, Boris Kodjoe and actress Nicole Ari Parker. He said they will have international music producers from SONY music visiting as well for the competition.

“We are also in negotiations with Fuse TV, which serves 70 million households to bring a team down here, not only to videotape the Soca Monarch, but the flora and fauna of Trinidad and Tobago and for that we have no support,” he said.

“If they were to do their research, every single international festival like Soca Monarch though privately owned is funded by the government, anywhere in the world,” Scoon said.

He pointed out that

opportunity, which we are looking to do,” she declared.

Culture, Youth, and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, who briefly addressed the gathering, said he sees the magazine as a way for youths to get role models, since it features personality profiles.

“This magazine is aptly named “Inspire Guyana”…it is an extremely good way for youths to get role models.”

He added that he welcomes the initiative and his ministry looks forward to working with the team in their endeavour to enhance the lives of Guyana’s youth.

Also addressing the gathering was 2013 top CSEC student Zimeena Rasheed, who was also featured in the magazine. She noted that the magazine was an excellent initiative and an extremely great thing for its intended audience. “Young people will now be able to explore and choose from the opportunities offered to them in Guyana.”

Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Senior Assistant Registrar Verieux Mourillon has endorsed the publication. Verieux said: "Inspire Guyana" will connect the dots from the career information, the study path and meeting financial requirements to the continued building of a prosperous and peaceful Guyana.”

The publisher noted that the magazine will be made available in schools next week and readers will also be given the opportunity to win prizes. (Guyana Times)

It is noted that the NLCB, the body that runs State lotteries, is a sponsor of the Chutney Soca and International Soca Monarch competitions, so too are the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism and the Office of the Prime Minister. (TT Newsday)

Jamaica's programme to reintegrate teen mothers recognised as model by UNFPA

Jamaica’s adolescent mothers programme at the Women's Centre of Jamaica Foundation has been recognised as a "good practice programme and a model for other countries grappling with the issue of teen pregnancy".

This is according to the 2013 United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) State of the World Population publication-'Motherhood in Childhood: Facing the Challenge of Adolescent Pregnancy.'

Commenting on the UNFPA recognition, Sandrea Falconer, Jamaica’s minister with responsibility for information in the Office of the Prime Minister said it is an important recognition of the work being done by the Women's Centre Foundation in reintegrating young mothers into the formal education system, which will serve to further encourage the efforts of the government and the Women's Centre in ensuring teen mothers have an opportunity to better their lives through continued education, counselling and training.

The UNFPA report noted that during the 2011-2012 school year, the Women's Centre facilitated the continuing education to 1,402 adolescent mothers and was effective in helping students complete their secondary education as more than half were successfully reintegrated in the formal education system.

The UNFPA report was launched globally late last year. (Jamaica Observer)

Jamaican primary school boosts numeracy with revolutionary Tabtor app Red

With Jamaica's 2013 Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) mathematics mean scores below 63 per cent, the highachieving Barracks Road Primary School in St James has added another tool to its instructional arsenal to do its part in boosting this figure.

For this purpose, students at the institution have started using the revolutionary Tabtor app that is designed to provide teachers with "a pair of digital eyes over the shoulders of each child in every classroom," thanks to the Elsie Foster-Dublin led Barracks Road Apps Project.

Although there are others on the market, the Tabtor programme sets itself apart as it provides a point of learning analysis tool that assesses students' responses to every single question tackled. This means that a report is provided on the time spent, the number of attempts made, the steps taken to arrive at each response and more, on every worksheet a student attempts. Hence, the app is both a diagnostic and a teaching tool and teachers are able to immediately assess students' strengths and weaknesses and make the necessary adjustments.

Only two weeks into the initial run, the school is already seeing positive results.

Enthused

Davion Reid, a teacher at the school, shared that "since the introduction of Tabtor, the students have become more enthused about mathematics. They see it as a learning game and I view it as a teacher's assistant."

Top scoring Tabtor student Angel Jackson added that, "Tabtor teaches me other aspects

of mathematics that I am not used to such as fractions and percentages". Within the fortnight, Angel grossed 10,700 Tabtor points, by completing 16 worksheets with increasing accuracy. Completing the same number of worksheets manually would have required approximately six weeks.

Barracks Road Primary was recently

presented with a total of 10 i-Pad tablets to be used for Tabtor instruction and 12 teachers were trained in the use of Tabtor as an instructional tool by Micheal Silva, head of sales, Tabtor. This, the third tranche of support is valued at Ja$500,000.00.

Success

Alanzo Jones, the principal at the school stated that he was especially appreciative of the attention the school is receiving from the project, as the school is sometimes a victim of its own success.

"There is the notion that schools that do very well are ok. But, having students do well in the grade 4 literacy test and GSAT is not enough. We also want to push our students beyond the basics and this project provides us with the resources to move forward," he argued.

Janet Madden, chairman of the Barracks Road School Board added that she was "truly excited about the presentation," because "it allows teachers to more adequately assist students for whom numeracy competency is a challenge".

The project is spearheaded by Elsie Foster Dublin, deputy mayor of Highland Park, New Jersey, and is funded by Elsie's Home Stays and Madden's Funeral Home. (Jamaica Observer)

Trini innovator develops app for masqueraders

Carnival is the biggest national event for Trinidad and Tobago attracting approximately 40,000 visitors each year. As foreigners and nationals plan for the Carnival action and revelling on the street, they may want to know about the best costumes, prices, fetes and even accessories.

An easy solution is just a click away. Fifteen months ago, local entrepreneur Angel Stewart developed an online portal that would allow Carnival participants to choose their bands and packages through a one-stop shop.

MyCarnivalBands.com delivers the mas camp to computers, tablets or mobile devices. Masqueraders can browse costumes with large full colour pictures and choose their size and accessories. The portal has six Carnival bands, including Tribe and Yuma, and support businesses to commit to use it. It went live online on November 7, 2013. Customers using the site can see all the costume options for the bands, the offerings for

Monday-Wear and fete designs from other suppliers.

Carnival band lead- ers are also able to better tar- get and track customer in- terest, man- age their inven- tory, production

and customer service. The associated Facebook area generated a lot of interest and had 11,000 followers within eight weeks of launching. The site comprises of costumes from major bands such as Tribe, Yuma, Legacy, Paparazzi, Utopia Mas, Titivate, Fantasies Jourvert, Caesar’s Army and J Angelique just to name a few. Visitors have the option to buy costume outright or make a down payment using MyCarnivalBands’ easy to use shopping cart. Site users can also pay with credit cards backed by Scotia Internet security. It was a bold step and in just over 15 months Angel Stewart and MyCarinvalBands.com has been able to penetrate a very viable market and close a gap that potentially drives the business of Carnival in TT.

For Angel, it is about achieving which requires strong belief in your offer and yourself and requires a high degree of adaptability. Without these three things success is almost impossible. (TT Guardian)

By Anu Dev

The first Friday of every February is designated “National Wear Red Day” in the U.S. Heart disease is actually the number one killer of women in America. Attention has been brought to this since 2003 by wearing red to raise awareness about heart disease.

There are so many decisions we can all make (not just women) about our lifestyle to reduce our risk of developing heart disease. Things like checking your cholesterol levels regularly and getting in a bit of exercise can go a long way in keeping you healthy.

This semester, for our first block (of courses), we’re covering digestion and metabolism–all the chemical reactions that goes on inside us to keep us alive. As a part of that, we’ve had to cover nutrition extensively. In addition to the “food” that comes to mind, our classes really emphasised how important the micronutrients like vitamins and minerals are, even though they’re required in much smaller quantities than rice and dhall–carbohydrates and proteins

Eating well is vital to staying healthy. And while that may sound like common sense, you might be surprised by how many people actually don’t eat that healthily. Eating well doesn’t just mean eating your three meals a day; it’s what you eat that’s really important. In primary school, I learnt about the different food groups, the food pyramid and the importance of a balanced diet. Remember “Go” food, “Glow” food? and “Grow” food?!

And now I’m in med school learning even more about all of that. So one would assume that with all of this knowledge about how I should be eating, that I’ve been taking the time to plan and eat balanced meals. But in truth, it took a horrible flu, and my mother flying in and stocking my room with fresh fruits for me to finally start eating fruits regularly. And I’ve finally started taking my multivitamins againsome of those pictures on our lecture slides of what vitamin-deficiencies can look like definitely scared me into keeping up with my vitamins. (Yes, Mom!)

What we need to eat varies according to our gender, our age, our occupations and other such factors. So take the time to do some reading, or visit a nutritionist to discuss what nutrients are particularly important for you. Girls for example, need a lot of iron in their diet.

It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of the foods that you’re choosing to include in your diet for particular nutrients. Lots of people eat liver for its high iron content, but liver also has a really high cholesterol content and that’s not good for keeping your heart healthy. If you already have high cholesterol levels, it might be better for you to eat other iron-rich foods instead of liver.

Technology is also quickly advancing to make it easier for us to stay healthy. There are so many fitness apps that keep track of your meals to let you know whether you’ve eaten enough of each particular nutrient. There are apps that you can use to keep track of whether you’re drinking enough water.

Heart diseases are very serious. The heart is responsible for pumping blood all over your body. If the heart is affected, the rest of your body gets affected as well. Ease up on the fast food that’s flooding our shores, now that the U.S. has declared them unhealthy. Trinidad is one of the most obese societies in the world. They’ve had the fast food joints longer.

So let’s all try to live better, healthier lives. There’s so much useful information at our fingertips via the Internet, that we really can’t cite ignorance as an excuse for not knowing what constitutes a balanced meal.

Remember, prevention is better than cure

‘All is well between Salman and me’ - Sonakshi Sinha

Fed up with the rumours about her tiff with Khan brothers---Salman and Arbaaz, actress Sonakshi Sinha has cleared the air

Actor Ajay Devgn, who has been married to actress Kajol for 15 years, says there is no secret mantra to a successful marriage.

The couple tied the knot in 1999 and is parents to daughter Nysa and son Yug.

"I think one just needs to be happy and keep the other person happy. There is no secret mantra to a successful marriage, you just have to give other person as much importance and respect all your life. One just has to believe in commitment and things go right," Ajay told Indian media.

Ajay does not believe

and confirmed that nothing is wrong between them.

If rumours are to be believed, Salman was miffed with the actress

when she refused to do two of his upcoming movies---‘Dolly ki Doli’ and ‘Kick’. Though Salman replaced Sonakshi later with Sonam Kapoor and Jacqueline Fernandes, the relationship between them strained.

However, Sonakshi has recently tweeted about her cordial relations with Salman. She tweeted, "Guys, pls dont take these miss malini type gossip mongers seriously...All is well with @arbaazskhan and @beingsalmankhan. keep calm :)" (TOI)

Bollywood is a difficult place for marriages. "It happens everywhere not just in this in-

dustry. I think it depends on people to people (how they work towards marriage)," he added. (TOI)

‘Woman should have an identity beyond just the way she looks’ - Katrina

Be it her flawless skin or well worked-out body, Katrina Kaif has always been known for her beauty. But the actress feels "there is more to beauty than just the physical appearance".

"I feel it is important not to get overly obsessed and overly carried away with just the physical aspect. There is more to beauty than just the physical appearance. You are also a complete person, and a woman should have an identity beyond just the way she looks," Katrina told IANS.

Media appearances and film shoots are regular in the actress’ life, which require her to look perfect at all times. This can be "tough", said Katrina. (TOI)

Arshad addicted to online shopping

Actor Arshad Warsi says he is an online shopping addict as he ordered 12 pairs of shoes from a shopping portal.

"I am 100 percent convinced that I am a net shopping addict. I just received my order of 12 pairs of shoes that I don't need at all," the 45-yearold posted on Twitter Sunday.

Arshad started 2014 with two movies ‘Mr Joe B. Carvalho’ and ‘Dedh Ishqiya’, and he will next be seen in ‘The Legend of Michael Mishra’. (TOI)

Actress Anushka Sharma has remained in the news either for rumours of her lip surgery or her alleged relationship with cricketer Virat Kohli. However, focusing on the latter at the moment, the actress was reportedly snapped at the Mumbai airport after her quick trip to New Zealand.

According to a news report in Mid-

Day, Anushka was snapped by their photographer at the Mumbai airport. The report further mentioned that Anushka had come back from New Zealand after spending time with her rumoured boyfriend and cricketer Virat.

A few days back, a picture of Virat and a girl holding hands and walking on the streets of New Zealand were doing the rounds online. It was reportedly believed that the girl in question was Bollywood hottie Anushka.

Virat has gone to New Zealand along with the rest of the Indian cricket team for a Test series.

Virat and Anushka's alleged relationship was highlighted on the show ‘Koffee With Karan’ that was aired Sunday. Filmmaker and host Karan Johar was seen teasing Anushka and her 'boyfriend' Virat while the actress blushed. (TOI)

Five Bollywood actresses who never graduated

Kareena Kapoor: Unlike the junior Nawab of Pataudi, Kareena had never been a bright student. From a very tender age, glamour and glitz impressed her more than anything else. One of the highest paid actresses of the decade, Kareena made her film debut at the age of 20. After studying commerce for two years at Mithibai Colege, Kareena later developed an interest towards law. She then enrolled at the Government Law College, but left it after the first year to join Bollywood.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: One of the

the world, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a college

dropout too. Aishwarya had always been an average student. She went to Jai Hind college for a year, but later switched to some other college to pursue architecture. Soon she was offered many high end modelling assignments and film offers. Thus she left her studies mid way to join the Bollywood bandwagon.

Deepika Padukone:

While Deepika played a college girl in one of the highest earners of the year, ‘Ýeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’, very few know that Deepika did not complete her graduation in real life. For Deeepika, Bollywood had always been her first calling. Deepika had joined Mount Carmel in Bangalore, but never completed her studies there. She also enrolled for a short term course in IGNOU for further studies, but could never complete it. Deepika, who has been tagged as the highest earner of Bollywood, definitely paid a huge price for reaching where she is today.

Priyanka Chopra: One of the most sought after actresses of the decade, Priyanka never finished her graduation. The beauty queen has done her schooling from a number of places like USA and India.

She wanted to be a criminal psychologist and joined Jai Hind college in Mumbai. But modelling and beauty assignments came her way too soon.

Karisma Kapoor: One of the first to break the Kapoor stereotype, Karisma not only entered showbiz but also made it big there. Her passion and scintillating looks made her one of the most prominent stars of the 90s. However, very few of us are aware of the price she paid for this. Karisma allegedly dropped out of school soon after she entered sixth standard to pursue acting. Her first film was 'Prem Qaidi'and when she was just sixteen then. (TOI)

Apicture of Ryan Gosling has been stamped onto a plush pillow.

The 5-foot pillow, created by Caitie Noble, is being sold online for

73 dollars, TMZ.com reported.

Noble said she created the pillow for anyone who wants to cuddle up to Ryan in bed. (TOI)

Julia Roberts's halfsister left 'suicide note'

Julia Roberts' half-sister Nancy Motes, who died recently, left a suicide note, it has been revealed.

The Los Angeles County Department of Coroner has confirmed

that the ‘Pretty Woman’ star's sibling left a suicide note at her Malibu residence where her body was discovered, however, they refused to reveal more, Us Weekly reported.

Sources stated that Motes was found dead in a bathtub by her fiancé and several prescription and nonprescription drugs found at the scene.

According to the Mirror, the 37-year-old daughter of Betty Lou and Michael Motes left a five-page suicide letter of which three pages were directed at her sister, one was to her mum and the other was an apology to her fiancé.

Motes family had released a statement expressing their sadness over her death due to "an apparent drug overdose" and added that they are "both shocked and devastated". (TOI)

Actress Meg Ryan says she dreamt of becoming a journalist in her teens and turned to acting only to finance her college fees.

The 52-year-old actress has hit films like ‘When Harry Met Sally’, ‘Sleepless in Seattle’, ‘City of Angels’, ‘You've Got Mail’ and ‘Kate & Leopold’ to her credit, reported Contactmusic.

"My main aim, at 18, was to become a journalist. I only started acting---in commercials---to pay my way through college in New York," Ryan said. (TOI)

The 24-year-old, who will feature on the front page of Elle's latest issue, says her interest in the project is beyond the sexual intimacy between her character Anastasia Steele and Jamie Dornan's Christian Grey, reported aceshowbiz.com.

"I don't have any problem doing anything. The secret is I have no shame," Johnson said.

"Reading the book, I found myself more interested in the ways they were breaking each other down emotionally than the sex scenes. I think there's a part of a woman that wants to be the thing that breaks a man down," she added.

In the cover photo, Johnson can be seen donning an embellished cottonblend coat with her lace sheer thighhighs peeking out, and in another one

If everything goes well, Delhi could see Nicolas Cage shooting for a movie called ‘Saffron Skies’ in

March-April. The crew will be in India in a couple of weeks, to do the groundwork.

"Right now, permissions are being sought, and the best way to shoot is being discussed. Once the crew comes in, along with their line producer, things will begin to fall into place. They have slotted one month of recce, post which the shooting will begin," a source said.

The movie is a cross-production of sorts, with a Bollywood star essaying the lead role of a hotshot NRI who discovers he's suffering from cancer, and then wants to come back to India, and discover his motherland on a bike, leading to a soul transformation. And the Hollywood star will be someone who influences how this NRI begins to think and view India. (TOI)

‘I'm fat and happy’ - Channing Tatum

TChanning Tatum, and you

Well it turns out the actor thinks he has let himself go lately-and he doesn't care.

"I'm very fat and happy right now," he told Ellen Degeneres on her talk show when she told him that every-

‘I have no shame’ - Dakota Johnson

she is showing some skin in a

brassiere top and a wool

Nicolas Cage to shoot in Delhi? Miranda Kerr's family haven't seen her in a year Meg Ryan wanted to be a journalist

Miranda Kerr's family, who have not seen the supermodel or her son Flynn in over a year, have made an emotional public plea for her to

body wants to see him shirtless.

"No, no. You definitely don't want that right now," he laughed. "Right now, what me and my wife [Jenna DewanTatum] like to call it, I am very 'fappy'."

But before you worry about never seeing Channing's rippling muscles again, fear not. He's only avoiding the gym temporarily, and for one very cute reason-he wants to spend time with his wife and adorable baby: "I've been working for two straight years, and now it's some really needed downtime with the family."

(Glamour)

come home.

In a "love letter" from Kerr's mother Therese, father John, brother Matthew and nanna Ann, the clan used an episode of an Australian

docudrama series, ‘Family Confidential’, to expose cracks in their relationship with the catwalk star, the New York Post reported. Therese was sacked by her daughter in her role as the managing director of Miranda's Kora skincare range last year. Miranda's father John and nanna Ann both despair at the growing distance between the fashionista and their grandchild Flynn, now 3, who they fear is "missing out" on being close to his Australian family. (TOI)

Robin Wright says divorce was ‘devastating’

Robin Wright admits her divorce from Sean Penn was ''devastating.''

The ‘House of Cards’ star, who recently got engaged to her boyfriend of two years, Ben Foster, revealed she and the ‘Milk’ star tried to save their marriage several times for their children, Dylan, 22, and Hopper, 20, before they finally split for good in 2010.

The 47-year-old actress told the UK's Sunday Telegraph: ''Divorce in and of itself, and with children, is devastating. Worse than that. One of the reasons why we got back together and broke up so much was trying to keep the family together…and we did that for a long time.''

Robin, who has her new fiancé’s initial tattooed on her wrist and admitted she gets Botox, hinted that she and her 53-year-old ex-husband, who recently started dating Charlize Theron, are no longer on speaking terms. (TOI)

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED

Guyana’s 2009 soca queen Shellon “Shelly G” Garraway stormed into this year’s finals with an outstanding performance at the New Amsterdam Stelling Road Saturday night, leading 12 others into this year’s soca monarch billed for the National Park this weekend.

Outperforming most of her competitors with her raunchy lyrics, Garraway also added spice to her performance with her eye-catching outfit.

Forced to recreate the party atmosphere after “G Money” poured cold water on it with his lacklustre performance, Garraway, who won the title

move was well executed, but she might have spent a little over her allotted five minutes.

Meanwhile, Berbicians turned out in their numbers to witness an evening of intense rivalry among the contenders in the 10th Annual Carib Soca Monarch, as they battled to secure a place into the finals slated for this Saturday at the National Park tarmac in Georgetown.

Performances

First to take to the stage Saturday was Clifton “Passion” Adolphus, belting out “Cost Of Living” followed by Latoya London with “Mass” and Colbert “Magga Man” Dublin, who sang “Log On Pon a Bumpa”.

“Designated Winer.”

The next performer, Orlando “Bones Man” Johashen was full of energy and undoubtedly had the audience enjoying every bit of it.

Following suit was Berbician Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts, who dished out “Yada Yada”.

Also creating some vibes was Jonathan “Lil Red” King with his tune “Who Are We?” which was seen as the best entry in the Carib Soca Monarch, but he did not perform to his fans expectations.

He was followed by Timeka “Lady T” Sinclair, who exploded with energy and charm as she captivated the attention of the audience with “Hit The

back in 2009 with “Daggering”, stormed the stage to dish out her piece “Party Animal”.

She had the crowd in the palm of her hands as she delivered to perfection. Her every

For Trinidadians and Tobagonians, Grenada is no ordinary holiday destination. Familial, political and social connections run deep and a growing number of Trinis have been setting up business and even relocating to the country over recent years.

Just a 35-minute flight away, the Grenada mainland—the country is actually an archipelagic state also comprising Carriacou and Petite Martinique and a number of other small islets— has been able to shake off the tragic images of 1983 and 2004 when storms of two different types shook island resolve to the core. In 1983, a U.S.-led invasion put an end to the bloody takeover of a revolutionary government under assassinated leader, Maurice Bishop and in 2004, Hurricane Ivan wreaked havoc causing overwhelming infrastructural loss.

Today, Trinis account for the lion’s share of Caribbean arrivals (close

A hyped Roger “Roger B” Bowen performed “Love”, denouncing hate and crime. He was followed by a stiff Kemmyanna “Kemmy” Garnette, who performed

to 50 per cent) and some facilities are arranging things to make life easier for this close neighbour.

Grenada’s Foreign Minister, Nicholas Steele, said in an interview with TT media that there has been a strengthening of the “friendship” and “bond” between the two countries. “We do have issues…all neighbours have issues,” he said, “whatever issues that we have we (will) quickly settle them.”

Grenada/TT relationship

“I see Grenada’s relationship with Trinidad and Tobago in particular moving forward at an accelerated rate,” he add-

Do With You Bumpa” and “Ridiculous Winning” respectively. As the competition winds down, National Communications Network’s (NCN) Quacy “Avalanche” Coates hit the stage with “Spartan.”

Levar “Ahzula” Gittens was also not too impressive as he appeared on stage in dark shades and a bandana tied around his head as he performed “De Bouncing Stop”. Favourites

At last year’s competition, he performed “Same Thing”, a version of Bunge Garlin’s

“Ready For The Road”.

This year, with something saucier, Kwesi “Ace” Edmondson dished out “Still In The Game.” He was superb as he took to the stage as one of the favourites to win the competition.

The last two performances for the evening were from Compton “Mysterious” Boyce who did “Spin Them” and Ivelaw Maxwell who belted out “Iron Supplier”.

After 30 minutes of deliberation by the judges; the final 13 were announced by Lashley and Nigel Worrell of ANSA McAL. They include Shelly G, Passion, Roger B, Kemmy, Bones Man, Vanilla, Lil Red, Lady T, AJ, Avalanche, Ace and Mysterious.

The 13 finalists will be competing for Gy$1.5million on Saturday next and the chance to win the coveted title of Carib Soca Monarch 2014.

The winner will represent Guyana at the International Soca Monarch in Trinidad and Tobago in 2015. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Road”.

Abigail ‘AJ’ James and Ernesta Nelson also performed well with Ernesta getting the edge of James. They performed “What Can You

ed.

Front Desk

Supervisor at the Kalinago Beach Resort, Ginelle Nelson, a Diego Martin-bred Trini, said she is a first-hand witness to deepened relations between the two countries in recent years. In fact, Nelson made her way to Grenada, fresh out of the John Donaldson Technical Institute with qualifications as a chef, 13 years ago, eventually landing a job in the hotel industry.

Trinidadians, she stated are the resort’s biggest Caribbean client base. “I think it is because of the peacefulness of the area,” she related. The resort is located in the somewhat remote Morne Rouge area, one hilltop away from the famous Grand Anse Beach. Nearby Gem Beach Resort is a longstanding Trini favourite not only for nearby Club Fantazia, but for the fact that the BBC Beach is up front as a national treasure alongside Grand Anse.

Gem becomes a virtual Trini village at Trinidad Carnival time and during the Easter and August vacations. Over at Kalinago, there is little evidence of the marginally more frenetic pace at Gem’s. The access road is a challenging, winding 70 degree

Caribbean scale of seafood offerings.

Visitors

“Our strongest clients are direct persons coming in from Trinidad, Barbados and locals. Our biggest market so far is the immediate Caribbean…especially Trinidad,” stated

tration, which returned to power a year ago, was now placing “a very strong focus on new tourism” targeting dive tourism, yachting and cruise ships. However, from all accounts, word of mouth across the water in TT appears to be providing one of the country’s

drive.

“We don’t have a gym,” Nelson said, “but we have a hill…which is good exercise.” At the bottom of the hill is the 29-room resort, including a breezy restaurant where the curry conch ranks high on the

Nelson. As for marketing: “The most efficient way has been word of mouth,” she added.

Economic advisor to the government of Grenada, Dr Patrick Antoine has been quoted as saying that the Keith Mitchell adminis-

more durable tourism streams. Service at the immigration and customs counters appear starkly aware of the vital connection and, at Kalinago, which is only three years old, the

Reputed calypso king of the world, the Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco), 78, returned home to Trinidad Monday, after being in a coma in New York, to do Carnival performances and visit his family.

Singing his calypso, ‘Sparrow Dead’, he appeared in good spirits and health as he spoke with members of the media at a news conference at Piarco International Airport. Sparrow arrived on a Caribbean Airlines flight around 1 pm. His wife, Margaret, daughter, Karen and baby grandson were with him.

He said he may perform at tents and at the Mas Camp Pub. “I am ready for whatever happens,” he added. Sparrow said he was also hoping to raise some funds to pay for expenses incurred over the past few months.

Describing his illness, he said he was at death’s door. “I was in a coma

and I come back. A coma is near death. I went through the wrong door and they send me back. They want to kill me now. When I was behav-

ing bad, they didn’t want to kill me,” he joked.

Sparrow said he can now walk and “dance a little bit” and was the happiest man alive. He said he was glad to be back home because there was no snow in Trinidad.

New York has been hit by severe snow storms. “I ain’t able with the kind of snow they have up there,” he related.

He added that he would return to New York just after Carnival to see his doctors and replenish his medication which he has to take twice a day. He said he believed he could perform around the schedule, since an alarm on his medicine kit tells him when it’s time to take it. After he came out of the coma at Queen’s Hospital in New York last September, Sparrow was taken to a therapy facility where he had

been steadily recovering. Meanwhile, creative arts lecturer/director Rawle Gibbons of Canboulay Productions was on hand to welcome Sparrow.

“We welcome the king, the bird, Dr Sparrow home. You know, Birdie, prime ministers come and go, presidents come and go. But there is only one king— the monarch himself, Sparrow,” he said. He continued, “And Sparrow if you know the outpouring of love that has come out of this situation, out of this occasion for your return. Every appeal that we have made people have responded to.”

Gibbons noted his company decided to do a series of five lecture performances in appreciation of Sparrow. (Excerpted from TT Guardian and TT Newsday)

Star of the Week

Aresilient athlete, Gabriella Xavier is noted as one of the Guyana National Women's Hockey Team’s most instrumental players. The hockey star started playing at age 13. Growing up among friends and family who were already playing hockey, Gabriella was drawn to the sport. The 23-year-old loves everything about hockey, especially because it is a team sport and she can share every moment on the field with her teammates. To be a good athlete, Gabriella invests her time, effort and passion. Her hockey skills have helped her to compete in various countries, including Trinidad, Barbados, Canada, Brazil and Argentina. She plans to represent Guyana at the CAC games in Mexico later this year. Gabriella and her team are aiming to make it to the top two spots and to bring back home the winner’s trophy. While hockey is a significant part of her life, Gabriella knows that an education is equally important. She is currently completing a finance degree at the Florida International University in Miami. Her advice to youths is to have a balanced life, remain focused regardless of obstacles, and to never let anything get in the way of achieving their goals.

American flavour for Sandy Lane Gold Cup

The stars and stripes could be draped all over the Garrison Savannah next month.

Once all goes well, the 2014 Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup–the 33rd edition–will have some American flavour as racing tycoons Kenneth L. and Sarah Ramsey, winners of the 2004 Eclipse Award for outstanding owners, are among three owners who have paid a penalty at the second and final subscription stage.

‘Major Marvel’ will represent the United States, while the other two are Trinidad and Tobago’s ‘Nominee’, owned by Antonio Navarro, and local horse ‘Daga’ from Blue Diamond Racing.

Those three horses are among ten others that were nominated at the offices of the Barbados Turf Club when the February 7 subscription date and time had passed.

The Ramseys’ claim to fame in the sport of kings stems from ‘Kitten’s Joy’, winner of

the 2004 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Male Turf horse, and ‘Roses In May’, who was second in the 2004 Breeders Cup Classic.

‘Major Marvel’ is an eight-year-old Kentuckybred gelding by Bernstein out of Ms Isadorable and has won 22 races from 53 starts, earning US$698 328. This includes winning eight of nine starts in 2013.

This turf specialist, conditioned by Michael Maker, is well travelled, having campaigned at such tracks as Prax Racing, Louisiana Downs, Church Hill Downs, Saratoga, Belmont and Gulfstream Park.

Early in his career he won the West Virginia House Of Delegates Speakers Cup Stakes at Mountaineer race track.

His two stakes victories last year came at Louisiana Downs where he captured the Unbridled Stakes and at Gulfstream Park where he won the US$125 000 Starters Stakes over one mile and a sixteenth.

Guyana Boxing Association launches Goodwill Tournament

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) in conjunction with the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) launched their Goodwill International Tournament on Saturday at the GOA headquarters.

The tournament will feature four nations, inclusive of Guyana, as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and St Lucia will be flying in to participate in the box off.

‘Nominee’ is an American-bred five-yearold chestnut stayer by Awesome Again out of La Porta. The Kenneth DaSilva trainee won the Grade I Champagne Stakes on the turf over 1 600 metres at Santa Rosa Park. He was also second in the Independence Cup over 1 800 metres and third in the 2 000 metre Republic Bank Gold Cup.

‘Daga’ has rightfully taken her place in this prestigious event. She finished second in last year’s race and her connections will be looking for her to go one better this time around.

The other ten nominated are defending Gold Cup champion ‘Aristodemus’, three Derby winners, ‘Areutalkintome’, 2009; ‘Kendal Moon’, 2011; ‘Knight Rider’, 2013; ‘Shared Adventure’, winner of last year’s Spa Sprint Stakes; 2014 Coolmore Home Of Champions Stakes winner ‘Jakesam’, ‘Dashing David’, ‘Discretwon’ and ‘Indian Officer’. (Nation News)

Jamaica’s Special Olympics swimming meet a 'huge success'

Eager participants converged on the University of Technology pool on Saturday to make the first-ever Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) stand-alone swimming competition a "huge success".

Gabriel Heron, the sports director for swimming, said he was pleased with the athletes' effort and level of competitiveness under the watchful eyes of board members of the SOJ as well as other spectators.

"I would say the event was a huge success. It's a first time we've had a stand-alone Special Olympics swimming competition and

it really went smoothly. The schedule was managed well and there were all smiles at the end.

"The athletes clearly enjoyed themselves and the level of interaction was high. Because of the excitement of the competition they (the participants) kept coming to ask me when would be the next race. It spoke to their spirit, but it was also about the effort they wanted to put in, and in Special Olympics that is important," he said following the event staged for persons with intellectual disabilities.

Heron praised the support that SOJ received from those within and outside of the local body.

"We got a lot of support from parents, volunteers, time keepers, coaches, Minister [Natalie] Neita-Headley, who came to speak, and others. There was so much support, not only from within Special Olympics but outside as well," the swimming director said, while thanking telecommunications firm Digicel for providing tents and UTech for being hosts.

He said the meet provided valuable preparation for swimmers and has laid the platform for the SOJ's plans for the 2015 World Summer Games to be held in Los Angeles, United States. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

President of the GOA K A Juman Yassin noted that the boxing calendar will be a full one, providing the boxers work hard and are successful, as he hopes the Goodwill Tournament can resuscitate the Caribbean Championships.

“I recall the Caribbean Amateur Boxing Association (CABA) championships, in which most of the English-speaking Caribbean countries participated and basically Guyana was on top, but that association is no more and I sincerely hope that this tournament will be a stepping

stone for that association to be born again,” Yassin stated.

Meanwhile, President of the GBA Steve Ninvalle, who admitted that the tournament will be used as a means to start discussions with their Caribbean counterparts, indicated that the tournament will also be a testing ground for their boxers.

“We have already signalled our intention to have some discussions to develop boxing in Guyana and the Caribbean. Our elite fighters for the first time will have to fight without headgear, which will be new, and we hope

that the public come out and support.

“It is something that will test us, and we are putting our shoulders to the wheel, as it is part of our preparation for the South American Games in Chile and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow,” Ninvalle said.

Guyana will also be using the new computerized system of scoring as Trinidadian referee/ judge James Beckles, will be here for a two-day refresher workshop on the new system for the tournament that begins on February 14. (Guyana Times)

TT’s quarter-miler Gordon runs leading 400M

Double Olympic bronze medallist Lalonde Gordon signalled his intention for next month’s World Indoor Championships when he sped to a world leading time of 45.17 in the men’s 400m in winning the event at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston, USA on Saturday.

Gordon completed the two lap indoor event in a new personal best time and also improved the previous world best time of 45.47 by compatriot Deon Lendore on February 1. Gordon finished 0.02 seconds short of Lendore’s national mark of 45.15 which was a massive improvement of his previous best time

of 46.43 from 2012.

Gordon is now at 11th on the all-time indoor performance list just behind Lendore who is at tenth. The race is the second 400m for the 25- year-old who clocked 46.67 in his first 400m race for the year one week earlier. The New York-based Nike sponsored quarter-miler had double success in Boston taking the 200m in 20.70, the second fastest of the year. Earlier in the day, Lendore was also in fantastic form blazing to victory in the men’s 200m in 20.68 at the Aggie Invitational hosted by his Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Lendore’s run equalled the world leading time

held jointly by American Wallace Spearmon and Jamaica’s Jermaine Browne.

The time is also a personal best for the Olympic bronze medallist and the 2010 World Junior bronze medallist. Shermund Allsop who was sixth behind Lendore in 21.22 also competed in the 60m, but was eliminated in the heats after he was 14th overall in 6.90.

Gordon and Lendore’s performances stood out among several victories by TT athletes on the U.S. Collegiate circuit. Another Texas A and M/ TT student Wayne Davis 11, Jarrin Solomon and Steve Waithe also recorded wins.

Davis sped to gold in the men’s 60m hurdles finals at the Aggies Invitational in 7.81 after topping the prelims in 7.85. The reigning NCAA Division One outdoor 110m hurdles champion was slower than his season’s best of 7.75, but recorded his third victory for the 2013 season. Jamol James was second in the men’s long jump with a personal best of 7.43. The 2010 World Junior bronze medallist was also sixth in the men’s 60m finals in 6.76. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

30 sport

Former Windies under-19 cricketer

elected CSCA president

By RavendRa Madholall

His representation for Guyana and Canada has persistently given Hemnarine Chattergoon greater motivation to return something to the game. His dedication has paid off and he strongly recommends that young, aspiring cricketers train hard, which will make the game easier for them, both mentally and physically.

Chattergoon was recently elected President of the Canadian Softball Cricket Association (CSCA) and is already aiming for more success in 2014. He was the vicepresident of the association for the past two consecutive years.

He is an active player for Jaguar in the CSCA competition and also represents Vikings Cricket Club in the annual Toronto and District Cricket Association Elite League.

During an exclusive interview with this publication on Monday from his Mississauga home in the Greater Toronto Area, the right-hander noted that softball has grown tremendously over the years.

He now wants to see the association pull off another good year, given the fact that 2013 had over 20 teams involved–a manifestation of the

continued support and players’ willingness to participate.

“We at the CSCA will continue to work hard over the next 12 months; I know the cricket season [is[ very short in Canada, but it was wonderful to see the large number of players coming and playing on a regular basis,” Chattergoon stated.

Sunshine Cricket Club emerged as champion last year and again a plethora of seasoned players featured, much to the delight of the association. Some of those players were Royston Crandon, Damodar Daesrath, Rajindra Chandrika, Krishna Deosaran, Wasim Haslim, Garvin Singh, Mahendranauth ‘Bobby’ Parasnauth and Troy Gobin, among others.

“It was very pleasing to watch the players come out and be a part

of the action; the guys wanted to play and they seemed to have also enjoyed themselves. That is one of our objectives again this year–to have players who can make a big contribution to the game,” the 36-year-old occasional off-spinner said.

Apart from Hemnarine and Sewnarine, Ramnarine and Harrynarine are also siblings and would have donned Guyana’s colours at the youth level.

Hemnarine stated that “it was a great privilege” to represent his native country and then Canada, and that has inspired him to coach at the club level.

Additionally, Hemnarine praised his fellow executives for their efforts last year and is very optimistic that they will return with the same level of solid commitment and dynamism. He feels the players and the association are keeping softball cricket on a steady growth and was very thankful to the sponsors, whose input he said must be recognised.

Meanwhile, Hemnarine plans to be in Guyana later this year to take part in the annual Guyana Cup softball Mini World Cup tournament, which is being run under the auspices of the Guyana Softball Floodlights Association.

TT v-baller Stewart signs

French contract

TT senior men’s volleyballer Ryan Stewart is currently in Amiens, France after signing for Division Elite club, Amiens Metropole Volleyball Club last month.

The 23-year-old Stewart, who played locally for Glamorgan, has signed with the club for the second-half of the season. The league resumes on February 22 before concluding on May 5.

Amiens Metropole is the defending champions of the Division Elite and according to Stewart, the club is looking for a repeat but is currently sixth on the table. Stewart has been added with the hope of improving the club’s fortunes.

Should Stewart impress during this first of his professional career, his short-stint could well turn into a longer stay. Stewart said his deal was made possible through Team Sport Agency and the help of Sherma Aaron, the mother of TT women’s team professional Sinead Jack, who is based in Russia.

He said: “After the Pan American Cup in Mexico last year, I signed with the agency and that’s how I got a contract in France”.

Looking ahead to the season, the Princes Town-born Stewart said: “I feel really excited. It’s my first contract and

Jumbo’s New Year’s “Sweet Stakes” set for Sunday in Guyana

The Port Mourant Turf Club (PMTC) will come alive on Sunday when Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, in collaboration with the PMTC, stages what is being dubbed the New Year’s “Sweet Stakes” horse race meet.

The one-day activity has already attracted over 100 of the country’s top thoroughbreds, which will be competing for millions of dollars in cash and trophies, beginning at noon.

Seven highly anticipated races are carded for the day, with the feature D1 and Lower fetching the highest first prize of Gy$1 mil -

lion.

That race will be run over 1500 meters.

The main supporting race is for 3-year-old Guyana and West Indies bred animals, competing at 1200 meters for a top prize of Gy$600,000.

The winner of the 4-year-old Guyana and West Indies bred horses event (1500 meters) is guaranteed Gy$500,000, while the same cash prize is at stake for the champion horse in the E1 and Lower (1200 meters).

Other races on the agenda are the G1 and Lower (1200 meters/ Gy$400,000 first prize), I and Lower (1000 me-

ters/Gy$250,000 first prize), and the I and Lower (1200 meters/ Gy$200,000 first prize).

According to information emanating from the organising team, all systems are in place for a highly competitive day of racing, featuring the leading horses, jockeys and stables.

Reports out of Berbice are that the track is in excellent condition and participating stables from that part of the country have been working tirelessly over the past few weeks to get their animals in top shape for Sunday’s highly anticipated showdown. (Guyana Times)

Jamaican Norman Malcolm quits umpiring at the regional level

Jamaican cricket umpire Norman Malcolm has announced his retirement at the regional level.

Malcolm has severed the game in this capacity since 1993. He informed the WICB of his decision in December last year.

A veteran of over 30 years of service to the game of cricket, he rose to the level of the ICC International Panel and stood in 27 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) between 2008 and 2011.

God willing, it will not be my last.”

He added, “I plan to do my best, train hard and play harder and let the world see what TT volleyball has to offer, while paving a way for other players at the next level professionally. This will all benefit TT volleyball.” (TT Guardian)

matches at the ICC level. Meanwhile, the retiring official was on Sunday re-elected president of the Jamaica Cricket Umpires' Association at its 68th Annual General Meeting held at the Rex Nettleford Hall at the University of the West Indies.

It was during his address to the membership that Malcolm informed his colleagues of his decision to retire from the WICB Senior Panel of Umpires.

Malcolm has also stood in seven T20

His debut ODI match was in June 2008 when he officiated in the second match of the ODI series between West Indies and Australia in St Georges, Grenada. His last ODI match was in North Sound Antigua in 2011 between West Indies and India.

He will continue to serve as an umpire at the local level. (Jamaica Observer)

JustBet offers betting on Jamaica's bobsleigh team

With just a few days to go before the Jamaica bobsleigh team bows into action at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Supreme Ventures---through its JustBet sports betting brand---has released odds on Jamaica's team for the two-man bobsleigh event at the Games.

JustBet has listed Jamaica at odds of US$150 (149/1) to win gold, odds of US$100 (99/1) to win silver or bronze, odds of US$50 (49/1) to finish from fourth to 10th, odds of US$4 (3/1) to finish from 11th-20th, odds of US$1.40 (2/5) to finish from 21st-25th and odds of US$1.65 (13/20) to finish 26th or lower. The final of the two-man bobsleigh event takes place on Monday, February 17. Betting on the event is available as of now, right up to the day of the final. Betting will also be available at select JustBet locations on the Sunday prior to the finals.

"Supreme Ventures joins with the Jamaican public in throwing its full support behind the Jamaica bobsleigh team, as

we wish them all the best in the two-man event at the Winter Olympics," said Andrei Roper, senior marketing officer for sports betting at Supreme Ventures. "Through our JustBet brand, we are offering Jamaicans another way in which they can enjoy the Olympic experience and possibly win money, based on how the Jamaican team performs.

"Additionally, our JustBet locations within designated gaming and betting lounges are now open on Sundays, which will facilitate persons wishing to place bets on our amazing bobsleigh team, on the day before the finals." Jamaica first qualified for the Winter Olympics in 1988 in Calgary, Canada, before going on to compete at the 1992, 1994 and 1998 Games. Jamaica last competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Jamaica's best performance at any Winter Olympics was their 14th place finish at the 1994 Games in Norway. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Guyanese proudly flying country’s colours in U.S. golf championships

Guyanese Crisendat

Guyadeen, originally from Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, but who migrated to the U.S.A., has been playing golf for the past 14 years, proudly flying Guyana’s colours along the way.

Guyadeen is a member of the West Indian American Golf Association (WIAGA), which is made up of Guyanese, Trinidadian and Barbadian golfers. He is also a member of the Golf Channel Amateur Tour (GCAT), having played in several tournaments at the club level.

So far he has won the GOPIO Championship, the Memorial Yournament and the Phoneix Challenge Trophy. These wins were at the club level for 2013.

At the GCAT tour level, Guyadeen played in the Palmer Flight, which

is for players whose handicap is 0-6 (some professional players are within that category). In the Golf Channel Tour, Guyadeen had six second place finishes. He was tied twice for first place, but lost in a sudden death play-off on one occasion.

However, Guyadeen managed to win outright in the final GCAT New York/Long Island Championship two-day major by shooting even par the first day and +5 on the second day to beat the complete field in his flight, which consisted of players from Britain, U.S. and Denmark. Guyana took the first place for that tournament to climax the GCAT New York/ Long Island season for 2013.

In 2014 so far, Guyadeen played at the GCAT U.S.A. national level, which is a major two-day tournament with golfers from all

Barbados hosting World Dressage Challenge

The Barbados Equestrian Association rolls into high gear for the 2014 season by hosting the FEI World Dressage Challenge on February 25 and 26 at the Congo Road Equestrian Centre, St Philip.

A Barbados team of three riders will be named prior to the competition, which is sponsored by BRC and Southern Palms Hotel. Their final scores will be entered in the World Dressage Challenge which consists of over 50 countries.

There will also be individual placements for local riders at the international level.

The two FEI international judges slated to visit Barbados for the Dressage Challenge are Anders Sucksdorff of Finland and Elke Ebert of Germany. Recently, Victoire Mandel of Austria, another FEI international judge, was in Barbados to help the riders prepare for the competition by conducting training clinics and judging two warm-up shows that were held at Congo Road and Whitehall Equestrian Centre, respectively.

It was the first time a dressage event was staged at Whitehall, which is well known as a venue for showjumping.

Roberta Foster, astride her beautiful mare ‘Chichic’ took the top score on both days among the FEI candidates, with over 70 per cent in the medium test. Michelle Elliott and 'Vivaldi' were second on both days.

Gina Hunte on ‘Man in Black’, and Akoele Shorey on her locallybred stallion ‘Galantino’, also performed exceptionally well, each winning the highest Prix St George category over the two days.

McKenzie Manning, one of Barbados’ leading junior dressage riders, shone in the elementary and preliminary children’s category with scores of over 69 per cent in each test over the two days on her handsome horse ‘Sisco’.

Erin Stephany, a junior better known for her show jumping victories, took top honours in the preliminary test at the Congo Road show with an exceptional performance astride ‘Stella Blue’.

The World Dressage Challenge is a qualifier for the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Mexico in November.

Shorey, Hunte and Foster are also hopefuls for that event. (Nation News)

over the United States, Britain, Canada and Germany, held at the TPC Sawgrass Open in Jacksonville, Florida–the home of the PGA Players Tournament.

There, Guyadeen defeated the field with 77 on the second day to win, including sinking a massive 30-foot birdie on the 17th hole, the Island Green, which is considered the most feared par 3 in the world. This Island Green is about 30 feet in diameter and surrounded by water and golfers have to tee off from about 156 yards in heavy wind.

With this win, Guyadeen has qualifed to play in the U.S.A. Nationals in September this year in TPC Scottsdale, Arizona. However his next tournament is the GCAT Florida Masters to be held in Orlando, Florida at the Magnolia and Palms Course–a two time PGA Championship

venue.

Although Guyadeen has never played in Guyana, he recently made contact with a senior official of the Lusignan Golf Course to indicate his interest to start an academy of golf for children and teenagers who are interested in learning the game.

Guyadeen said he would like to further represent Guyana at the Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC) to be held in Argentina in 2015, if he is allowed to, given that Guyana is not a member of the LAAC.

Guyadeen is urging that Guyana join the LAAC. “The formation of the LAAC is the best thing that could happen for golf in the Caribbean and Latin America–all aspiring golfers can make strides to get to that level where they can represent their country,” he said.

(Guyana Times)

TT’s Jonathan Ramkissoon shines in Ontario

Centre of Excellence

Sea Hawks Swim Club athlete

Jonathan Ramkissoon scored three personal best swims and won a silver medal at the Ontario University Short Course Swimming Championships on the weekend.

The 18-year-old Trinidadian national re-

cord holder swam the 50, 100 and 200 metres breaststroke for his University of Waterloo Warriors and impressed with one silver and two fifth placed finishes. Firstly in the 200m breaststroke, Ramkissoon touched the wall in 2:17.11 to place fifth in the final. His previous personal best was

2:27.32. Also in the race was fellow TT national record holder University of Toronto athlete Ross Phillips who placed 12th in 2:22.62. He then mounted the prize rostrum in the 100 metre breaststroke in another personal best 1:02.46 to win silver.

Late last year, he achieved a 15-17 new national record of 1:03.39, but he has since progressed to the 18 and over category. Phillips was 11th in this event in 1:05.21.

Ramkissoon's third personal best came in the 50 metre breaststroke where he touched the wall in 29.10 seconds to place fifth. His previous Pb was 29.63. Phillips earned seventh place in this event in 29.58. Ramkissoon left Trinidad last July to train for the World Junior Swimming Championships, and then proceeded to compete in Dubai where he performed creditably. Immediately following Dubai he proceeded to the University of Waterloo to pursue a BSc in Mathematics. In November he was named his school's athlete of the week for his 1:03.39 100m breaststroke swim which was a 15-17 national record. (TT Guardian)

Guyana’s synthetic track to be ready for use before year-end

By TreisTon Joseph

The Leonora synthetic track in Guyana is on its way to being functional by the third quarter of this year, said Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Sport Ministry Steve Ninvalle, following a visit to site on Saturday.

After many delays, the rubber-based surface is completely laid, but will need a week

of full sunshine for the colour and lane markings to be sprayed onto the black surface by German company BSW Regopul.

In the meantime, developmental works around the site are moving at a pace the Sport Ministry is a bit peeved about.

“One of the major developments is the construction of the eastern stands, I think it’s about 65-70 percent complet-

ed.

“We are concerned with the pace that the contractor are going at, but nevertheless there is development, but development at a pace we are not comfortable with, so every day we are urging them,” Ninvalle noted.

Managing Director of Innovative Engineering Consultancy Services Deoraj Dalchand, who explained some

of the work that has been ongoing, gave the new deadlines for specific sections of the track.

“The stands (Eastern) are expected to be finished in March, the roads are expected to be done in April, the club house is expected to be finished in July, and overall we are looking at this project being functional, providing we can get the track laid and we get some good weather, proba-

bly in the third quarter of the year,” Dalchand said. Meanwhile, the ticketing boots are almost completed, according to Dalchand, while the base for all the field events has been installed. The material for the spraying and finishing of the synthetic surface is already in Guyana and waiting for the one week window to be completed. (Guyana Times)

Switzerland among big games to face Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz in friendly matches

Despite having failed in its bid to qualify for this summer's World Cup, Jamaica's senior men's national team is poised for a lot of action prior to football's biggest showpiece.

The Reggae Boyz's latest confirmed opponent are FIFA eighth-ranked team and World Cup qualifiers Switzerland, with the game to be played on Friday, May 30 in that country's north-central city, Lucerne. Match time is set for 8:30 p.m. (2:30 p.m. Jamaica time).

The match comes a mere nine days before the Winfried Schäfer-led Boyz tackle world number 20-ranked France at the Stade Pierre Maury in Lille, France.

"It is now confirmed that the Reggae Boyz will take on another of the big European nations that have qualified for the World Cup in Brazil, and it is Switzerland," Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President, Captain Horace

Burrell revealed to Jamaican media. "Switzerland will be playing their full-strength team, as their players will be aiming to make the final cut for their

World Cup squad. It is not easy to be able to get to play against these elite teams, but personal connections and the good relationships that I have developed over the years with my fellow presidents made it easier," he added.

The 81st-ranked Reggae Boyz will have a busy March, during which they will face Caribbean neighbours Barbados (2nd) and Grenada (5th) in Bridgetown and St George's, respectively.

"We have been inactive for a while, and in keeping with Coach Schäfer and the JFF's vision to start our campaign now, we are getting in shape for the Caribbean Cup, which will be later this year (November)," Burrell commented.

"It is very important for Jamaica to play against our Caribbean neighbours, as these are the countries we are going to play against in the Caribbean Cup, which will form the qualifier to the Gold Cup," he indicated. (Jamaica Gleaner)