Caribbean Times International

'He was a national treasure'

- Former TT president and prime minister Arthur NR Robinson dies at 87

Former Trinidad and Tobago president and prime minister, Arthur NR Robinson, who had been ailing for several months, passed away at the St Clair medical Centre at around 6 a.m. on Wednesday. He was 87. His passing was confirmed by National Security Minister Gary Griffith who said a State funeral was being planned.

Born in Tobago in 1926, he became T&T's third president, serving from 19 March, 1997 to 17 March, 2003. He was also Trinidad and Tobago's third prime minister, serving in that capacity from 18 December, 1986 to 17 December, 1991. Robinson held the distinction of being the first active politician to be elected president.

Flashback: Accompanied by his granddaughter Anushka, former president and prime minister ANR Robinson presents a copy of his autobiography ‘In the Midst of it’ to Giselle Thompson, Vice-President Communications and External Affairs, bpTT. BP Trinidad and Tobago fully funded the book's publication and launch. (TT Newsday photo)

Witness protection, whistle-blower legislation coming for Guyana

Amid calls for adequate protection of witnesses in criminal matters in Guyana, the nation’s government on Monday announced that it will be tabling bills to deal with the issues this year.

Protection for state witnesses in criminal matters has come into sharper focus following the collapse of several high profile murder cases owing to the lack of witnesses. Also the state’s decision to use a man who confessed to being in the “Fineman” gang that executed 11 people at Lusignan back in 2008 as a witness had also sparked debate in the public.

Speaking during his budget debate presentation on Monday, Guyana’s Attorney General Anil Nandlall said government will table approximately six bills before the National Assembly for 2014; being the Justice Protection Bill and the Whistle-blowers Protection Bill.

In addition, he said the administration will table the Juvenile Justice Bill, the Bail Act Bill, the Anti-gang Bill and the

the High court in Georgetown

Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Bill. It was explained that the Juvenile Justice Bill is being crafted to repeal the Juvenile Officer’s Act Chapter 10:03 and the Training Schools Act, Chapter 11:06. This bill is expected to clarify the law as it relates to juveniles who commit offences, combining all related laws in one accessible statutory instrument and regulating procedures

and processes in that document.

The Whistle-blowers Protection Bill will also provide for the procedure by which individuals in both the private and public sector, may in the public interest disclose information that relates to irregular, illegal or corrupt practices; to provide for the protection against victimisation of persons who make such disclosures.

(Guyana Times)

Jamaican gangsters using young boys in deadly feud

Criminals locked in a bloody feud in West Kingston, Jamaica are using boys as young as 12 to carry out their deadly attacks in the area, the police have confirmed.

“We have had reports that the men involved in this feud are using youth as young as 12, 13 and upwards to carry out these deadly attacks,” Senior Superintendent Steve McGregor told the Jamaica Observer, adding that the boy killers were fearless and had no respect for age or gender.

The information was first passed to the Observer on Monday by a resident of Tivoli Gardens, one of the communities in the constituency.

“The man dem who a do the killings nuh have nuh respect for law and order or people; dem even a use some young boys as young as 12 and over to carry out their attacks,” the resident said.

According to the res-

ident, the latest victim of such an attack was Edward Black, a senior member of the community, who was gunned down in broad daylight along Chestnut Lane.

On Monday, during an operation that resulted in the recovery of one firearm and several rounds of ammunition, Senior Superintendent McGregor pointed out that the attacks are not confined to one side.

He also confirmed that the actions of the criminals have left members of the religious community in fear, especially after a Christian man was shot dead by gunmen when he told them that he was on Jesus’ side in response to their demand that he state which side he was supporting in the feud.

Monday’s police operation was staged two days after a 12-year-old boy and a 28-year-old man were shot dead and 10 other people shot and injured by gunmen who

attacked a group of people in Denham Town. Since that incident last Friday night, the police have released the names of several suspects who are also believed to be involved in several other incidents in the area.

Tuesday, police said nine persons on the list turned themselves over to the police. Police said they would also continue to maintain a presence in West Kingston as tensions are still high, especially in Tivoli Gardens where residents staged a protest and burned several T-shirts with the image of Member of Parliament Desmond McKenzie on Sunday. The residents accused McKenzie of taking sides in the ongoing feud. But the MP has dismissed the residents’ claim as nonsense, saying that his position was that every act of criminality committed in the constituency must be dealt with. (Jamaica Observer)

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EDITORIAL

Undermining Parliament

Parliament is one of the key institutions of our system of governance. Nowadays, people seem to have forgotten the distinction and difference between an “institution” and an “organisation” and maybe because of that lapse of collective memory, there is not a greater public outcry in the steady undermining of the institution of Parliament by the Opposition.

Even an elementary definition of “institution” such as provided by Wikipedia advises:

“An institution is any structure or mechanism of social order governing the behaviour of a set of individuals within a given community… Institutions are identified with a social purpose, transcending individuals and intentions by mediating the rules that govern living behaviour.” Institutions, then are characterised by the rules or regime that govern the behaviour of the organisation (people) or the larger collective, as the case may be, towards fulfilling a “social purpose”.

The rules, then, are larger than the individuals that occupy the institution for the moment and if those individuals desecrate those rules, they are destroying the institution’s capacity to achieve its social purpose. The “social purpose” of Parliament was to create an effective forum for the representatives of the country to deliberate on the affairs of the country to as to further the collective “good”.

The rules of Parliament were designed so as to facilitate that deliberation. For instance, Members of Parliament (MP’s) cannot be sued for slander for words uttered during debates. This rule obviously allows the MP’s to “speak their minds” without fear or favour.

On the other hand, there are also rules to ensure that the remarks by speakers do not get too “personal”, since this would lead to loss of objectivity as recipients of barbs seek to defend their “honour”.

But what we are witnessing unfolding in Guyana’s Parliament traduces the rules of Parliament and insidiously undermines them. What are the undisputed facts? Education Minister Manickchand spontaneously made a retort alluding to a point made by an Opposition speaker.

This falls under the rubric of “heckling”, which covered a wide list of insults, some of which were covered by the authoritative Erskine May: “pharisee, swine, jackass, hooligan, blackguard, cad, ruffian and insulting dog”.

Since the Opposition member was speaking of “rapists”, Minister Manickchand’s repartee, which in the judgment of the Speaker unacceptably maligned a sitting member, was ruled out of order and an apology was demanded by him.

However, the following day, when it was clarified that in point of fact the minister was referring to the aggrieved Opposition member’s father, who was before the courts charged with statutory rape, the Speaker withdrew his gag order. And this is where we arrive at the Opposition stepping over the boundaries of civilised parliamentary behaviour and threatening Guyana’s descent into anarchy.

After the ruling by the Speaker, the minister attempted to deliver her comments on the budget but was prevented from doing so by the Opposition which precipitated a cacophony of noise by banging their desks. Rather than sanctioning the Opposition en bloc for denying the minister her fundamental guaranteed right to speech in Parliament, the Speaker adjourned the body for the weekend.

We believe this was an error on the Speaker’s part, because just as he imposed a sanction when he thought the minister had violated a convention, he should have done the same when the Opposition broke an even graver rule on Parliament’s “social purpose”.

Monday, the Opposition walked out of Parliament when the minister made her speech. This is their right but we wish to inform the Speaker that he is on the edge of a slippery slope. Soon he will have to decide whether he will allow the Opposition to go against the ruling of the courts, which forbade them from imposing cuts on the budget.

This will not just undermine the institution of Parliament but the entire edifice of government that has been empowered by the Constitution to steer our ship of state. The Speaker should thread carefully.

Small enterprises key to a sustainable Caribbean economy

On March 26 - 27, 2014, the Commonwealth Secretariat co-hosted, in collaboration with the government of Saint Lucia, the third global biennial conference on small states. This year’s conference theme was “Building resilience in Small States”, with government officials in attendance from 31 Caribbean, African, Pacific and the Indian Ocean small states.

Representatives from academic institutions, regional and international organisations such as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the World Bank, were also in attendance. The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI), as well as the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC) and representatives from non-governmental organisations from Mauritius and Samoa, were there from civil society.

Dr Kenny Anthony, prime minister of Saint Lucia, in his opening remarks to the conference, pointed to some of the key issues that were going to be discussed at this gathering of small state representatives.

The conference drew on work by the Commonwealth’s Technical Working Group (TWG) on building resilience in small states, in particular the five key pillars of resilience building: macro-economic stability; micro-economic market efficiency; good governance; social development and cohesion, and sound environmental management. Potential opportunities for

building resilience through transitioning to a new and inclusive model of economic development were discussed during the session titled “A civil society view of the priorities for the post-2015 agenda: building economic resilience through the green economy”.

The session was chaired by Cletus Springer, director, Department of Sustainable Development at the Organisation of American States (OAS), and was attended by representatives from CARICOM, the International Trade Centre, the governments of Saint Lucia, Grenada, as well as civil society representatives from Samoa, Mauritius, and the Caribbean.

Loïza Rauzduel, CANARI technical officer, provided an overview of CANARI’s involvement in the post-2015 development agenda processes as a member of the International Research Forum, a collaboration of research institutes from across the globe that provides an independent source of critical thinking, integrated analysis and awareness-raising on the post-2015 sustainable development agenda.

As an IRF member, CANARI is contributing an independent analysis of what are regional priorities for CARICOM member states, including perspectives from Caribbean civil society. This will support strong negotiation positions in the post-2015 agenda process and help to ensure that this global agenda is relevant to the needs and opportunities in the Caribbean.

Discussions at the confer-

ence reflected consensus on the need for the post-2015 development agenda to focus on accelerating the development of the region. The ongoing regional dialogue on green economy, led by CANARI, has recommended that there also needs to be a shift towards an alternative form of development that would achieve human well-being within climate and ecological boundaries, thus ensuring social equity and environmental sustainability.

While discussions pointed out that economic growth is still central for the sustainable development of the region, and as noted in the outcome statement of the conference, the use of GDP alone as a development measure has proved inadequate for small states. Therefore, and as the session’s chair noted, the notion of growth certainly needs to be deconstructed, and tailored to our specificities and needs.

In light of this, CANARI recommended that small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), including those based on the sustainable use of the natural resources, should be at the centre of an economic growth strategy for Caribbean states. Indeed, since SMMEs contribute significantly to the workforce and GDP of CARICOM states, regulatory frameworks and policies should be designed to foster SMMEs’ competitiveness, while improving their contribution to the social and environmental benefits they already generate, and therefore to the greening of the economy. (Caribbean News Now)

Funding to enhance Caribbean states’ responses to disaster

The funding received by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), under the ACP-EU Natural Disaster Risk Management Programme, will enhance the response of nations to their specific community needs through the innovative Country-directed Fund.

Each nation will be empowered as they will determine how best to enhance their disaster response and risk management locally. This was revealed by the Deputy Executive Director, CDEMA, J. Elizabeth Riley when speaking to The Barbados Advocate at the Signing Ceremony held at the European Union (EU) Delegation Office earlier this week.

She said, “Under this programme, we are going to be very focused on supporting national level priority.

“We have been able to negotiate with the EU, a feature into the programme called a Country-directed Fund.”

Explaining further, she said that this innovative feature, which has been incorporated in CDEMA programming for the past half a decade now, “allows countries to be able to access funds within the envelope in support of their own national priorities within their work programme”.

Therefore, “A country which may identify strengthening of the National Emergency Operations Centre, or strengthening of their community disaster ar-

rangements, or, for example, strengthening of the District Emergency Organisations as here in Barbados, the countries are able to frame a programme within the confines of the resources available, of course, and target the resources to that particular area,” she stated.

However, as she reiterated the benefits, she added that the advantages of the Countrydirected Fund is twofold, “…so it really allows us to be able to treat the priority needs of a country, and for us it is a very important feature of the programme, because in previous programmes, what we would have seen was that many of the results would have been predefined in a way, and it really empowers, I think, the national disaster offices, like the Department of Emergency Management, a lot more, because you can now determine and allocate”.

Speaking specifically to the benefits in store for Barbados, she said, “Barbados would similarly benefit. We have 18 participating states at CDEMA, and Barbados is one of those beneficiary states.

“The specific allocations per state... we are still in the process of working that out. As you heard, we are planning to move to work out those details by the end of the second quarter of this year, to move into implementation, so by that time we would be able to better define the actual financial allocations for each country.”

(Barbados Advocate)

Jamaica’s Police to get four new forensic labs

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is to receive four forensic laboratories this financial year.

An allocation of Ja$60 million has been made to purchase the units, as outlined in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, over 700 police personnel have been trained in leadership, accountability, and capacity-building.

This project is being implemented by the

Guyana’s anti-drug agencies to clamp down on drug trafficking

- “wherever they hide it, we will find it,” says home affairs minister

The principal anti-drug agencies in Guyana have a new mantra – “Wherever they hide it, we’ll find it”. This was disclosed by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee when he made his contributions to this year’s budget debate in the National Assembly on Monday.

Known for his oft off-the-cuff comments, Rohee faced a barrage of heckling from the Opposition during his hour-long presentation. And although at times he appeared ruffled, he maintained his composure and attacked the Opposition of past atrocities he accused them of committing.

In a swift reaction, Leader of the Opposition David Granger said the minister “refused to address the critical issues of crime and lack of public confidence in the security sector” but instead engaged in a “tirade that had no relevance to the sector”. According to Granger, Rohee’s speech was short on policy and administrative projections and long on hyperbole and political slander.

But Rohee in his address said that the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Police Narcotics Branch have consistently proven their worth through impressive results and drug busts.

At this point, he was heckled by Opposition parliamentarians about the various methods drug dealers have been employing to traffic cocaine. “Rather than referring mockingly to CANU and the Narcotics Branch of the Guyana Police Force, we should give credit to the fact that they continue to detect and intercept drugs,” he stated while adding passionately “wherever they hide it, we will find it and that is the mantra that I have given to both CANU and the Police Narcotics Branch”.

Rohee noted that

public safety and security is more than just crime, saying that some MPs may choose to focus on crime since it may be their debate stronghold.

He also spoke about the Guyana Prison Service and Fire Serve, referring to the fact that the Opposition opposed the name changes to them while highlighting the advancements made to these agencies.

In addition, the minister told the House that it is unfortunate that Opposition parliamentarian Winston Felix, who happens to be a former Police

Commissioner, would argue against the $413 million allocation to the Community Policing Group (CPG).

He explained that CPGs are voluntary and without their cooperation, the police would not be successful. “The honourable member must know that we have 282 Community Policing Groups across the country with a membership of 4542 and going… I believe that we must respect these people. You know why, because they give voluntary time,” the minister stated.

Rohee also told the National Assembly that the long awaited Forensic Laboratory is expected to be completed soon. He said that due to several technical delays, the lab was unable to be completed by late last year as was set. However, he noted that the laboratory is expected to be commissioned by the end of this month. The completion date of the Gy$840 million laboratory was pushed back several times due to its contractor, Courtney Benn Contracting Services, experiencing several setbacks. The equipment and furnishing for the building, which is located in the University of Guyana’s compound at Turkeyen, has been already procured and installed. (Guyana Times)

Ministry of National Security with funding from the Department for International Development. It originally lasted from April 2009 to March 2012, with a subsequent extension from March 2012 to March 2015.

Achievements under the project, up to March 2014, included the procurement of crime fighting equipment, such as computers, crime scene tents, fingerprint processing equipment, projectors, and mobile police stations. (JIS)

Gunmen spare girl, kill 3 men in TT

Gunmen spared the life of an 18-yearold girl who was told to ‘duck’, before they began firing on a group of men at Pond Street, La Romaine, on Sunday night.

The girl escaped unharmed but three men were shot dead.

They were identified as Kwasi Vincent, 29, a painter, Randy Dillon Leshmore, 22, a labourer, and his brother Maurice “Boyo” Leshmore, 26, a painter.

The three died along a track leading from Pond Street.

Police were told that around 10:30 p.m. three masked men entered the track and as they walked past an 18-year-old girl, they told her to “duck down”.

Maurice Leshmore was shot first in the back of the head. The killers then began firing at the other men, who were hit multiple times.

Another resident, shopkeeper Kevin Williams, 46, was shot in the foot.

Vincent’s family complained Monday that he might have survived if the ambulance service turned up to take him to

the hospital.

The deceased’s brother, Kennetta Vincent, said: “I want to know why the ambulance never arrived to carry him to the hospital. People kept calling over and over for them to come, but up to now they haven’t reached. He was still breathing for about 15 minutes after he got shot. He was breathing hard, but he was not talking. He didn’t have to die without a chance.”

Vincent was married for nine years and was the father of two, his family said.

His wife, Candice, said: “Kwasi used to do all kinds of jobs including painting and con-

struction. The last conversation we had, he said he was coming home for lunch but ended up falling asleep while washing clothes by his friend. Next thing I know, I hearing they kill him. As far as I know he have no enemies, Kwasi was a humble, simple person. Very loving and very caring”.

Police described the area as a “drug block”, and said one of the strongest leads they are exploring in the triple homicide was the fight over illegal drug turf in the area.

Insp Don Gajadhar of the San Fernando Police Station is currently investigating. (TT Express)

Kidnapped Guyanese businessman found dead

The body of kidnapped Guyanese businessman Rajendra Singh was found in the Le Repentir Cemetery on Wednesday April 09, with a gunshot wound to the head and his hands tied behind his back. The man was positively identified by relatives, who were on the scene.

According to reports, there was a cloth around the man’s neck which suggests that he was blind folded.

Investigators are of the view that the man might have been shot Tuesday night since his body had not yet started to decompose.

Singh was kidnapped by two gunmen from his Foulis, East Coast Demerara business place on Saturday, April 05.

Investigations revealed that Singh was in his motor car in front of his business place when his wife observed two men entering the vehicle which then

drove off. His abductors had initially called the man’s wife and demanded GY$50M, but then reduced it to GY$25M.

The businessman’s car, PFF 982, was found by members of the Cummings Lodge Community Policing Group along the Goedverwagting Railway Embankment, ECD and was handed over to the Sparendaam Police Station. Investigations are ongoing. (www.inewsguyana.com)

Firearm, ammo seized in Westmoreland, Jamaica

One 9mm Beretta pistol and a magazine containing nine 9mm rounds were seized in Frome district, Westmoreland on Tuesday.

'He was a

national treasure'

- Former TT president and prime minister Arthur NR Robinson dies at 87

Former Trinidad and Tobago president and prime minister, Arthur NR Robinson, who had been ailing for several months, passed away at the St Clair medical Centre at around 6 a.m. on Wednesday. He was 87. His passing was confirmed by National Security Minister Gary Griffith who said a State funeral was being planned.

Born in Tobago in 1926, he became T&T's third president, serving from 19 March, 1997 to 17 March, 2003. He was also Trinidad and Tobago's third prime minister, serving in that capacity from 18 December, 1986 to 17 December, 1991.

Robinson held the distinction of being the first active politician to be elected president.

His life was punctuated with numerous accolades, gaining international recognition for his proposal that eventually led to the founding of the International Criminal Court.

His first stint in politics came in 1958 when he was elected to the Federal Parliament of the defunct Caribbean Federation. He would go on to serve as a representative for Tobago in the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament in 1961 and later as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Robinson broke ranks with the People's National Movement (PNM) following the

‘Black Power’ disturbances in 1970. He formed his own political party, the Democratic Action Congress (DAC) after the 1971 general elections.

The DAC won the two Tobago seats in both the 1976 and 1981 general elections.

In 1981 Robinson joined forces with the United Labour Front (ULF) under the leadership of Basdeo Panday and the Tapia House Movement under the leadership of Lloyd Best to form the National Alliance. This group entered an Accommodation with the Organisation for National Reconstruction under the leadership of Karl Hudson-Phillips to fight (and win) the Local Government elections of 1983. Building on this victory the four parties combined to form the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) which won the 1986 elec-

tions by a margin of 33-3 and Robinson was appointed the first nonPNM prime minister.

Prior to the 1986 elections Robinson was instrumental in setting up the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and was its chairman for a sixyear period, December 1980 to December 1986. The DAC controlled the THA from1980 until the PNM gained control of it in 2001.

His life in politics did not come without its fair share of controversy. He was the sitting prime minister during the 1990 attempted coup by the ‘Jamaat al Muslimeen’ where he and many members of his Cabinet were held hostage for six days. Despite being shot in his leg during this trying time he will be remembered for instructing the armed services to "Attack with full force", in response to the insurrectionists.

He also sparked a bit of controversy during his presidential term when he bypassed Basdeo Panday and appointed Opposition Leader Patrick Manning as prime minister following the tied 2001 general elections.

Robinson was honoured with the Trinity Cross, the then highest national award. He was also the recipient of the Order of the Caribbean Community and the Tobago Medal of Honour, Tobago's highest honour. (TT Express)

Information received is that about 2:30 pm, police were summoned to a school in the area after reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, two men were seen fleeing the scene. The police pursued the men, but reportedly came under gunfire. One man managed to elude the officers; however, the other was accosted and is in custody. The firearm and ammunition were found on his person.

Investigations continue. (Jamaica Observer)

Guyana’s IDB US$22M Citizens’ Security Programme ends

The Home Affairs Ministry, the Guyana Police Force, and the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) on Monday brought their sevenyear Citizens’ Security Programme (CSP) to an end with the holding of an exit workshop at the Grand Coastal Inn, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, Guyana.

Present were officials from the IDB, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, Acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud and other stakeholders.

The programme was launched some seven years ago with the aim of affording citizens the opportunity to have an input in the welfare and development of the Police Force while developing themselves and their communities. The programme employed a multi-dimensional approach aimed at preventing, reducing, and fighting crime. It targeted disadvantaged neighbourhoods of Regions

Four and Six, catering for capacity-building of the Police Force and the Home Affairs Ministry and the Force’s modernisation.

Rohee, speaking at the event, noted that even though the programme has ended, it was not the final chapter of the book, since it was filled with successes.

Reducing crime

He related that the programme was one of the many plans which were launched to reform the security sector.

The objective of the programme was to enhance citizens’ security and co-existence by contributing to the reduction in levels of crime, violence, and insecurity.

Since its launch, a remarkable 308 instructors of the Guyana Police Force have been trained in crime investigation and detection, information management, recruitment training, case management, ethnic and human rights, and strengthening of internal and external account-

DNA tests confirm burnt body that of TT kidnap victim

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing has confirmed that the charred remains found near Princes Town last month are those of Freeport kidnap victim Devindar Siewdass.

The results of the DNA tests were returned to Trinidad from a laboratory in the United Kingdom on Friday, a senior homicide investigator told the Trinidad Express.

Police had suspected the human remains found on March 22 in a forested area in Princes Town were those of Siewdass, who had been kidnapped three days earlier.

However, there needs to be legally satisfying proof that it is that of Siewdass before the family could be given the body.

The remains were discovered by police officers who had

mounted a massive foot and aerial search in forested terrain off Matriste Road, Nagee Road, Hindustan.

Police made the discovery beneath a burning heap of tyres found more than 450 metres from a house. Police immediately arrested six persons, among them three women, who were in a house near to the burning heap.

Investigators searched other houses in the area and seized a bloody mattress and cutlass from an unfinished house, and a pair of sunglasses believed to belong to Siewdass.

Investigators also arrested a police constable and detained him for several days.

The police officer and the other six were released from custody pending the DNA test result.

Siewdass, 29, of Rudy Avenue, Siewdass Road, Freeport, was last seen on the evening of March 20 as he left his home driving a black Libero PBL 396.

The vehicle was recovered by police, abandoned in Forres Park, Claxton Bay the next day.

Police were told he did not inform anyone where he was headed.

According to police, his father, Annarood Siewdass, received a phone call hours later demanding TT$2 million for his return. (TT Express)

ability mechanisms, and a strategic plan has been developed.

Additionally, some 1,000 youths have been trained in personal development, youth violence prevention and youth life skills, while 1,000 adults benefitted from training programmes on intimate partner violence prevention, youth violence prevention, and child abuse prevention.

Several Crime Observatory systems have been developed and

residents taught in various communities across the country; eight new crime strategies and an institutional modernisation plan have been implemented. One hundred percent of the GPF has been trained in crime prevention, human rights protection, conflict resolution, handling domestic violence and child abuse; 12 police stations rehabilitated, with that of six currently in progress; a police training facility built; eight violence reduction programmes implemented; 20 socio-cognitive skills programmes implemented; and 61 percent of citizens in Regions Five and Six trained in anger management.

Second phase

The Citizens’ Security Programme was supported by the IDB, which provided financial support to the tune of US$19.8 million, while counterpart funding of US$2.2 million was provided by the Government of Guyana.

Community Action

Assistant Sydartha Anandjit noted that the project was sub-divided into three stages. Stage one saw the training of school dropouts between the ages of 14 and 25 to have them acquire a skill which can make them employable or possibly lead to youth entrepreneurship among themselves. The skills taught included masonry, carpentry, cosmetology, and catering.

Stage two saw community residents who wanted to become involved in the reformation process being given resources, training and guidance to upgrade several police stations and outposts around the country, to enable efficiency, with the third stage leading to the construction by the same citizens of a forensic lab at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

The lab is slated to be opened later this year after which a second phase of the programme is expected to be launched.

(Guyana Times)

Ja$1 billion upgrade for Jamaica’s health facilities

More than Ja$1 billion will be spent this fiscal year to upgrade health facilities across the island.

The upgrading project, outlined in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure currently before the House of Representatives, is being funded by the National Health Fund (NHF) and will be implemented by regional health authorities.

Major project components include sewage treatment, child and adolescent mental health facilities; medical waste management enhancement; primary healthcare renewal; and piped medical gases infrastructure.

the Jamaican government has allocated Ja$1billion to upgrade health facilities in the country in 2014

Targets for this year include the installation of five sewerage treatment facilities to serve 14 health facilities; purchase of vital equipment for four primary care centres of excellence; procurement of five new medical waste trucks; installation of four cold storage facilities; installation of piped medical gas systems at major hospitals; completion of new child and adolescent mental health facility at Bustamante Hospital or an alternate site; as well as completion of the design phase for a child and adolescent health hospital.

There are also plans to provide Internet services at all hospitals and the installation of a cold storage facility in all regions. (Jamaica Observer)

TT, Bahamas leaders discuss CARICOM

TT's President Anthony Carmona this week held discussions with visiting Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie.

Carmona and his wife Reema met with Christie and two of his Cabinet ministers— Frederick Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Callis Rollie, Minister of State for Investment in the Office of The Prime Minister. Also present was Dr E Monica Davis, honorary consul for the Bahamas in Trinidad and Tobago. A release from the Office of the President in Trinidad and Tobago stated that Carmona discussed with Christie a wide range of regional and international matters including the

Guyana’s gov’t will be responsible if budget is not approved – AFC party

The Alliance For Change is appealing to the Guyanese government to come to the negotiating table on the 2014 National Budget before the detailed examination of the estimates in the Committee of Supply began on Wednesday.

In a statement, the AFC warned that the government, though fully aware that the AFC would not give its support to a few of its “pet projects and ‘ragtag’ ventures”, has sought to lump the allocations for these projects with projects that the AFC would be inclined to support.

“One example of this is the allocations for NCN and GINA being lumped with allocations for security at the Office of the President. This sort of budgeting is deceitful; it is trickery and an attempt by the government to foster bad spending by hiding it under layers of good spending. The government will not be allowed to get away with such underhand budgeting practices,” the AFC said.

Last-minute appeal for dialogue

When the examination of the estimates starts in the Committee of Supply today, the AFC said it will be asking serious questions and will be expecting serious and detailed answers. “At this stage,

Jamaica’s NCDA supports ganja decriminalisation

Jamaica's plan to decriminalise ganja has won support from the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA). But the agency's blessing is on condition that the proposed policy will ensure that young people between the ages of 15 and 25 are fully protected.

"The National Council on Drug Abuse has got to be a responsible agency, and we do recognise that marijuana can have detrimental effects on young people," NCDA Chairman Professor Wendel Abel told the weekly Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange.

"Certainly, studies have indicated that young people, especially adolescents between the ages of 15 and 25, are very vulnerable to the effects of marijuana," added Abel.

the party would make strong recommendations for the Finance Minister to amend his estimates or face the likelihood of not having the estimates approved.”

“At the end of the day, it is up to the Minister of Finance to bring to the National Assembly, a budget that the House can approve. At this late stage he must stand guided by what transpires in the Committee of Supply. The ball is in the minister’s court,” the AFC said.

It said it wanted to make it clear “that we have no desire to deprive any person of their job or their wages or any community of real development. Neither is it our desire to ‘shut down’ this government. However, it is the duty of a responsible government to separate bona fide, legitimate and reasonable spending from the areas of ‘slush and sleaze’. Should the government attempt to force on the Opposition a budget riddled with pet projects, it would be to their detriment and they would have to answer to the people. While the AFC fully supports the vast majority of the allocations in the 2014 Budget, the party would be hard pressed to support a few allocations and it is in this context that the party has made a lastminute appeal for dialogue.” (Guyana Times)

the United states-based strains of Hope; and Kasia malinowska-sempruch,

Society Foundations and

He said the studies have shown that marijuana use can cause cognisant impairment and can affect adolescents' intellectual development.

According to Josh Stanley, founder of Strains of Hope — a nonprofit organisation located in Colorado, United States geared at helping people across the region to access cannabis — there are, in fact, side effects to the use to marijuana.

"It is not all rainbows," Stanley, who was also a guest at the Monday Exchange, said.

"Smoking of anything is not going to be healthy. A child's brain develops during the adolescent years from 15, which is when they start getting interested in the stuff, and 25 when brain development ends, so some early studies have shown that it impairs brain development in adolescents. And it also impairs you, should you be driving. So it's not all rainbows."

In 2001, the Government of Jamaica appointed a ganja commission which consulted extensively over a period of time and made several recommendations, including that the drug should be decriminalised

for private personal use, for religious sacramental purposes, and for medical purposes. However, no decision has been taken by the government.

"The position of the National Council on Drug Abuse is that, given the reality on the ground, the historical use, and certainly for medical purposes, [and the fact that] the majority of the country feel that it should be decriminalised, we certainly support the approval of medicinal marijuana in Jamaica. We also think that we should consider looking at decriminalising for private personal use and also for religious purposes," Abel said.

The regulation surrounding the legalisation, he said, should not only ensure that young people are protected, but that resources are channelled into public education, especially directed towards this particular group, so that the population at large is able to make informed decisions.

The NCDA chairman is also advocating strongly that resources be channelled into treatment and support services such as a drug court, guidance and counselling units and other agencies and entities that work with young people on the ground. (Jamaica Observer)

Bail for TT couple charged with raping daughter

ATrinidad woman and her husband who allegedly had sex with their teenage daughter over a four-year period were granted bail totalling TT$225,000 Monday. As a condition of their bail, the married couple has to stay 100 metres from the 18-year-old girl and have no contact with her. When the matter was called before Senior Magistrate Gillian David-Scotland in the Chaguanas Magistrates Court, members of the public, including the media, were asked to leave the court. The mother, a housewife, and father, an assistant supervisor, stood sideby- side as the magistrate read the charges to them. Both mother and daughter began crying during the proceedings.

The mother and father are jointly charged with having sexual intercourse with the girl between January 1, 2010 and February 28, 2014. The mother was slapped with a separate charge of committing grievous sexual assault on her child on December 24, 2013. The girl, who lived with her parents and six other siblings, said her parents performed the sex acts on her at their home. It also is alleged a sex toy was used. The parents were arrested at their home

on Friday after the girl made a report to the Chaguanas police. They were subsequently charged by WPC Mohan.

Court prosecutor Sgt Shiva Boodoo did not object to bail. He said the teenager had moved out of the house and was living with her aunt. However, he said the girl complained that her brother had threatened her. When the brother was called before the magistrate he denied the allegation. Several relatives were at the

court lending support to the parents.

In an application for bail, the couple’s attorney Taradath Singh said they had no other matters in court. He said the father was responsible for the welfare of seven children and neither of them owned a valid T&T passport.

The father was granted TT$100,000 bail, while the mother was granted TT$125,000 bail. The case was adjourned to May 5. (TT Guardian)

Guyana’s 2014 BudGet deBate...

Opposition backbenchers give budget thumbs down

APartnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) backbenchers, Joan Baveghems and Pastor Renis Morian last Friday told the National Assembly that the budget presented by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh leaves much to be desired by the Guyanese population.

Making her contribution to the debate on the 2014 National Budget, Baveghems took her first shot at the allocation made for the elderly, citing it as one of gross disrespect for old age pensioners in the country.

Comfort and dignity

“Mr Speaker, I would love to see the minister of finance treat the pensioners as if they were his parents. What can Gy$600 do for them? The pensioners have to pay for proper medical care; they have to purchase medication, drinking water and personal products. This is not cheap, I assure you. Pensioners and our senior citizens need assisted living facilities. They have worked hard and given their services to this country and it is only fitting that we show our appreciation to them by having them spend the remainder of their lives in some degree of comfort and dignity,” the APNU MP said.

Turning to the education sector, Baveghems wasted no time in blasting the education minister and her ministry for the conditions in which teachers and educators have to perform their duties, with no provisions being made for them in the budget.

“Every year we hear about the billions of dollars that is allocated to the education sector, But, Mr Speaker, I wonder who benefits. Teachers are major stakeholders in the delivery of education but we do not hear anything in the budget to improve the welfare of teachers. I still hear of teachers having to work under conditions that the Honorable Minister and her officials would absolutely refuse to work under,” the MP related.

Morian for his part, told the House that the indigenous people of Guyana are tired of being their “rent a crowd” to cheer their ministers when they visit the hinterland regions, noting that better opportunities should be afforded to them.

Speaking on the matter, Morian noted that Amerindians were only being used by the administration as election statistics and crowds for their own agenda, but were not considered in the developmental plans of the government.

According to Morian, there is no proper roadmap for the indigenous

people which will place them on the same level as coastlanders.

Framework

On this note, he suggested the establishment a National Amerindian Development Programme where broad objectives for holistic development, strategies for success, impacts, measurable indicators, programme framework, etcetera can be identified.

Further, he disclosed that the programme’s output can and should include measures for poverty alleviation, access to easy credit and venture capital and food security, which are all crucial to the development of Amerindians and their villages, so that the residents can enjoy the same living standards as coastlanders.

He opined that it was not too late to implement strategies for the improvement of the lives of Amerindians since it will ease the burden of the communities and benefit the many youths who are being pressured to leave their traditional homes at a tender age and venture to other regions to find employment opportunities. (Guyana Times)

St Lucia government challenged on continued Japanese aid

Following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling prohibiting Japan from whaling in the Antarctic Ocean, the Lucian People’s Movement (LPM) has called on the government of Saint Lucia to apprise the nation of whether it has received any assurances from the Japanese government that it will continue the high level of mutual cooperation that has existed between the two countries for the last 20 years.

Last Monday, the court concluded that “the special permits granted to Japan for the killing, taking and treating of whales in connection with ‘Jarpa II’ are not for the purposes of scientific research,” and instead sided with the Australian government, which had argued for years that Japan was conducting commercial whaling under the guise of “scientific research”.

The LPM said that it is very important to highlight this major international development given Saint Lucia’s consis-

Discrimination to disabled Barbadians frowned upon

The major issue the disabled community faces is that of discrimination.

Addressing a workshop of the Barbados National Organisation of the Disabled, Queen’s Counsel Hal Gollop said it is discrimination that must be addressed through the implementation of laws against such a practice.

He told those BARNOD members gathered at the auditorium of the National Union of Public Workers that in many cases their abilities could not be judged on the basis of their disability.

“Sometimes you look different, sometimes you sound different, sometimes you act differently from normal persons, but that does not deny the fact that you have the capacity to make a worthwhile contribution,” he stressed.

Gollop emphasised therefore the need for anti-discrimination laws to be put in place.

“If you have the ability to think, then you have the ability to contribute to society, even though

that contribution may be limited somewhat. So it is the responsibility of the state to allow you a chance to use your natural abilities, however limited, for the total development of the society. So that laws against discrimination of persons in the workplace, and areas where you would have an opportunity to insist that certain strategic buildings have accommodation for persons with disabilities, even if it means having ramps and proper work stations and things of that nature, has to be the thrust,” Gollop added.

Therefore, he noted, that such laws would prevent institutions from discriminating against persons with disabilities, “So once there are these anti-discrimination laws then institutions would be forced to acknowledge the rights of disabled persons or suffer the sanctions which may follow from any such discrimination or from any such discriminatory practice.”

“This is where I will suggest to you, that you must agitate. It is where you must place your greatest energies,” he advised. (JMB)

Trinidad gov’t announces new unit to tackle crime

The Trinidad and Tobago government has announced the establishment of a National Security Special Operations Group to deal with criminal activities in the country.

But National Security Minister Gary Griffith made it clear that the new unit, comprising highly trained and specialised people capable of dealing with hostage negotiation, counterterrorist activities and gang warfare, was different from the Special AntiCrime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT) that the coalition government disbanded soon after coming to office in 2010.

tent support for Japanese whaling at past conferences of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and its possible implications for the island’s fisheries sector.

The party points to the enormous technical and economic contribution that Japan has made to fisheries development in Saint Lucia, including a recent agreement (signed last February) to improve the distribution and management of fishery resources by upgrading all machinery, equipment and other facilities throughout the island.

However, in spite of the recent agreement that is currently in place between Saint Lucia and Japan, the LPM said it is worried that the court’s ruling could impact the overall profitability of Japanese whaling, thereby prompting the Japanese government to drastically scale back its financial contribution to and technical cooperation with nations such as Saint Lucia.

(Caribbean News Now)

Griffith, speaking in the Senate on Tuesday, said that rather than have a special task force “what we are having now is a National Security Special Operations Group” which is necessary in the battle to deal with crime in the country.

Griffith, a former senior official of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, defended the establishment of the unit, noting that the government was aware that there were concerns that there might be certain elements in the police service who may be “on the take” at certain stations.

He said in some instances, law enforcement authorities were denied in carrying out their tasks because “when you get a tip-off they (the criminal element) are already aware of what has happened...I lived it in my 15 years with the military where when we about to make a raid with the police.”

“So we are putting a type of operation unit to ensure that there would be no breach in security as well as building back confidence and trust in the

tt’s national security Minister Gary Griffith

same police service to weed out those rogue elements in the Police Service so we cannot have the problem where certain stations are being controlled and manipulated by individuals in gangs.”

He said the unit will comprise several different arms of law enforcement: Army, Coast Guard, Immigration, Customs, the Police Service and Prisons among others.

“This is not a covert unit and I think this was the concern with SAUTT... where you didn’t know what they were doing. This is not a clandestine unit, this is not a Flying Squad. This is something that is very open and transparent ...but will deal with the concept of major criminal activities ... in the 21st century,” he said. (Jamaica Observer)

TT minister says Guyanese was not denied medical care

TT’s Health Minister, Dr Fuad Khan said Guyanese national Jeetindra Sookram was never denied medical care at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC), Mt Hope last Thursday.

Sookram, a 35-year-old farmer on holiday in Trinidad, died while en route to another medical institution. Khan has ordered North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) chairman Shehenaz Mohammed to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sookram’s death. The minister made the comments on Sunday at a press conference at the country’s Health Ministry, Park Street, Port-of-Spain.

Khan also said “pink forms” were not necessary in emergency situations, but they were

mandatory for chronic situations like cancer treatment.

In light of Sookram’s passing, Khan said he asked the regional health authorities to cease the requirement of the filling out of the financial obligation statement at the time of accessing emergency care.

Ernie Ross, honorary consul for Guyana in Trinidad and Tobago, has requested Khan investigate the incident. In a prepared speech, Khan said: “The circumstances and events leading to his passing were tragic and rendered more painful considering the fact they were holidaying here (Trinidad and Tobago). I want to express my condolences. It is material to note that at no time was the relative advised a failure to pay would result in a denial of further treatment of the patient. Consequently, since 2004, all

foreign nationals who are accessing care at EWMSC were asked to sign the financial obligation statement known as the ‘pink form’.

“I have directed the chairman (Mohammed) to immediately conduct an investigation

into the incident and urgently submit a report on the same. Upon receipt of this report, any further action deemed necessary will be taken.”

Khan then outlined the information he had received from the head consultant at the Accident and Emergency Department. “He said during the triage process, Sookram’s vitals were checked, blood was taken and dispatched to the lab for testing and an electrocardiogram (ECG) was requested for the patient.

“While the patient was receiving care and awaiting the ECG, Sookram’s wife Vidya Baichu was asked to register the patient at the registration area. She presented a Guyanese passport to the clerk in the registration area. “The relative was asked to fill in the ‘pink form’, which is a finan-

25 receive Jamaica’s ‘PM Youth Award for Excellence’

Twenty-three outstanding young Jamaicans and two youth groups are the 2013 recipients of the Prime Minister’s Youth Awards for Excellence.

The two youth groups are the ‘Youth Organisation for Upliftment’ and the ‘National Interschool Brigade’.

The award ceremony was held on the east lawns of Jamaica House, Kingston, on April 6, under the theme: ‘Celebrating Jamaican Youth…the Courage of Perseverance’.

Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, who was joined on stage by the Minister of Youth and Culture, Lisa Hanna, presented the awards.

In her address to the large gathering, the prime minister said that she was inspired by the successes and achieve-

ments of the young awardees and nominees.

“This evening, I celebrate your triumph and successes, and remind you of your awesome possibilities and potential,” she said.

Simpson Miller noted that poverty, age, or health factors are not obstacles to the achievements of the nominees and awardees.

“Those of you who have demonstrated that growing up materially poor does not mean that you are poor in ambition or courage, are living examples, and I commend you,” she said.

Citing the goals of the National Development Plan -- Vision 2030

Jamaica -- the prime minister said the nominees “serve as fitting ex-

amples of what we hope will be common place among our young people by 2030”.

“In our awardees, we find some of the finest examples of what all our young people can become when they apply themselves with courage, discipline and dedication to the achievement of their God-given potential,” said Simpson Miller.

Meanwhile, Hanna said that the 41 nominees only represented a “tiny fraction” of the large number of successful young people in Jamaica.

“You are all symbols of hope and shining examples of what is possible when ambition meets determination. As your minister, I am proud to celebrate your achievement,” she said.

Among the awardees was 18-year-old Javon Francis, who won a silver medal in the 4 x 400 relay at the 2013 World Championships in Russia, where he ran an anchor leg of 44.00 seconds.

Other recipients of the award who excelled in sports and other fields were: Martin Manley, Yvonne Foster, Yanique Thompson,Thristina Harwood, Everett Moseley, Nicholas Wright, Shoyea Gaye Grant, Abigail Allen, Kadeem Wilson, Christena Williams, Theo Smith, Kyisha “Kai” Newman, Farley Artwell, Gavin Samuels, John Powell, Tijani Christian, Amorkard Brown, Terral Christian, Kadesha Croney, Lamar Rowe, Seidg Rowe, and Jamilia Crooks. (JIS)

cial obligation statement. The relative enquired the cost of the procedure and the clerk advised she could not give the cost at the time. She refused to sign and left, indicating to the clerk she would come back later.

“From the information received, the patient was attended to and treatment commenced in accordance with our established policy and procedures regarding the treatment of people presenting themselves with chest pains,” said Khan. In keeping with international standards, Khan said: “Any person, whether resident or non-resident, who presents himself before an Accident and Emergency Department in any public healthcare institution locally, will be treated. There is no policy denying emergency medical treatment to visitors to our shores.” (Trinidad Express)

US-bound Guyanese nabbed with cocaine in pastries

AUS-bound passenger was on Sunday evening nabbed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) while attempting to smuggle out 7.5 kilograms of cocaine in pastries.

Nicholas Harinand, 37, of Canje, Berbice was intercepted by ranks of the Custom Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU). He was due to board a BW 526 Flight to John F Kennedy Airport (JFK).

According to information received, the man was taken into custody about 20:30h with a quantity of cheese rolls, pine tarts and mithais in his suitcase.

The amount drew some suspicions, resulting in members of the drug enforcement unit requesting additional searches to be conducted.

It was while the pastries were inspected, the cocaine was unearthed. The illegal substance was reportedly baked within them. Individual pieces were broken and checked carefully by CANU ranks, who cautioned the passenger and took him into custody.

The cocaine was extracted and weighed amounting to 7.5 kilograms. Harinand is expected to be charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking when he makes an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Only last week, a shipper and a customs broker were arrested as they attempted to ship six kilogrammes of cocaine in fake awaras at the CJIA.

They were subsequently released as CANU hunts for a third person who might have been the mastermind in the matter. The cocaine was wrapped in plastic in the shape of awaras and sprayed with a similar colour as the fruit. Stems were then glued on to the fake awaras to make them look real.

CANU ranks made the discovery as they were checking the fruits at CAMEX, a shipping company. As they searched the awaras, the ranks reportedly felt a difference in texture; thus, a decision was taken to examine the fruits thoroughly. As they examined them, they realised that the fake awaras were placed among the real ones with the intention of shipping the cocaine. CANU’s head James Singh told this newspaper that the drug was destined for Canada and was supposed to be loaded onto a Caribbean Airlines flight.

He added that during the examination of the awaras, one was ripped open and a whitish substance was seen. The shipper and the broker were questioned about the cargo which was registered in the shipper’s name. In the past, there have been many instances where drugs were intercepted by CANU hidden in pepper sauce, achar, star apple, pumpkin, cabbage and chowmein, among other items. In 2013, CANU seized in excess of 90 kilograms of cocaine, with most of them being intercepted at the CJIA. (Guyana Times)

New TV series to inspire Caribbean youth

The belief is that the new ‘YouthINSPIRE’ television series to be aired from June, 2014, will inspire the region’s youth to either become positive or to be more positive, and to act to create positive changes in their islands.

President of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), Shida Bolai told the Barbados Advocate at the Letter Agreement Signing Ceremony with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), held at UN House, “It [the series] will help them [the youth of the Caribbean] to take stock of where they are right now and know that they can start right now to make that difference, that positive difference in their lives.”

She said, “I think it [Youth-INSPIRE] will encourage positive peer pressure because the youth, you have to remember, once they see themselves in a positive light, I think it has a ricocheting effect, because it encourages others to want to emulate them.”

Bolai also proposed that through the programme, the region’s young people will recognise that they are not facing challenges alone in their territories.

“Yes, because there is a commonality of the

challenges that the youth face, not only at the regional and local level, internationally. We in the Caribbean, I think one of the positive things about CBU’s involvement is to be able to share those [their challenges] and let them know that these are the challenges,; [these] are real challenges that are experienced by their peers in the region as well, and how they deal with it is very important,” she stated.

Therefore as the show is broadcasted and transmitted to the CBU’s total cable and broadcast viewership of 1.5 million with CaribVision available in 22 Caribbean markets, Bolai affirmed, “So the positive role models in this show, I think will go a long way to highlight that here (the Caribbean), there is a positive side.”

Secretary General of the CBU Sonia Gill added that at present the show is approved for one season containing six to eight episodes, but she said to their partner UNDP, that they are “open to other seasons”.

Additionally, the hosting of the series will see CBU working with students of the Barbados Community College (BCC)’s Mass Communication Department through an internship. (Barbados Advocate)

Anna Regina Town Day set for August in Guyana

The much-anticipated Anna Regina Town Day is set for the month of August in Guyana. This was confirmed by the Interim Management Committee of the Anna Regina Town Council.

According to Chairman Toolsie Narine, the Committee is all set and is presently in preparation for the mega event.

Narine said a meeting is scheduled with major stakeholders in an effort to solicit their input. He said this year’s Anna Regina Town Day will be much bigger than last year’s, with many activities planned.

In 2013, the Council celebrated the first-ever Town Day and it was deemed a success. Narine said it drew thousands of persons together to celebrate the town’s achievements.

A Councillor from the IMC also raised the idea for a massive cleanup campaign to be held in the town before the activity. Rajendra Prabhulall said the clean-up campaign should be done by the business community under the banner “Pick It Up Essequibo”. According to the Councillor, the activity should be used as a springboard to the Anna Regina Town Day. He called for the business community; the Regional Democratic Council; police, army, and fire officers; schoolchildren; rice farmers; public servants; market vendors/ stall holders; fishermen; health workers; teachers; housewives; and other residents of the town to come out on the special day and support the clean-up campaign.

Anna Regina became a town on August 1, 1990. The first Mayor was the late Etwaria Kumar. (Guyana Times)

Reduction in Cuban scholarships for Guyanese ‘med’ students

Guyana’s government will be reducing the number of scholarships for studies in medicine under the Cuban Scholarship Programme this year, Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran has said.

According to Ramsaran, Guyana’s health sector is now saturated with medical doctors, hence the scaling down of the programme. Many young potential Guyanese doctors between the ages of 16 and 25 may not get the opportunity to capitalise on the Government of Guyana/Cuba Scholarship Programme.

Each year, close to 500 students receive scholarships to study in Cuba; this year the figure will be reduced to about 250. When the programme first started, the health sector was understaffed with doctors and nurses, Ramsaran said “but now we have ample amount of specialised

doctors in the health sector so there is not a need for so many scholarships this year”. He added that the main objective of the ministry at the moment is to have these doctors specialise in specific fields such as kidney and heart transplant, plastic surgery.

He further stated that the ministry is working with the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Public Service Commission with Cuban cooperation to finalise this year’s

agreement. In 2013, a number of Cuba-trained doctors returned home to serve. A majority of those doctors were dispatched to public health centres and hospitals across the country.

The Governments of Guyana/Cuba Specialist Awards Scholarship Programme was established following a visit to the sister Caribbean state by then President Bharrat Jagdeo in 2001.

President Jagdeo secured the scholarships in various disciplines, after meeting with the then President Fidel Castro. The scholarships are offered in Medicine, Engineering, Technology, Telecommunications, Agriculture, Sport and Culture.

The government feels that there is need to place greater emphasis on specialised training in these areas, to enhance Guyana’s developmental thrust. The scholarships are advertised early in the year in the national

newspapers and interested applicants are invited to submit completed application forms to the Office of the President.

The president had specified that every batch of students must include Amerindians, since the scholarships are for all Guyanese students who qualify. Under the scholarship programme, the students sent by the Government of Guyana are given a stipend of Cdn$50 per month. They also have the guidance of a Students Affairs Officer in Cuba appointed by the government. The students are expected to serve the government for five years on their return. Many young people have become qualified for scholarships given improved performances at both the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level.(Guyana Times)

Jamaica :Vybz's crony rejects offer for guilty plea

Entertainer Shawn Campbell reportedly refused an offer from the prosecution to plead guilty to accessory before or after the fact of murder.

This was confirmed by his attorney Miguel Lorne and Director of Public Prosecution Paula Llewellyn.

Lorne said his client, known by the stage name 'Shawn Storm', was not asked to give any evidence against his co-accused but refused the deal because he was

not part of any common design to kill Clive 'Lizard' Williams.

"I was approached by the prosecutor who made the offer. I discussed it with my client and he said there was no fact. He was not part of any plan to kill anybody so he refused. He said there was no fact. As an attorney I have to follow my client's instructions," Lorne told the Jamaica Observer.

Llewellyn confirmed the story. "I was told about it by the prosecu-

tor, Jeremy Taylor. He said he approached his attorney with the offer," the DPP said.

If he had accepted the offer, Campbell would have served a three-year prison sentence.

Campbell, who is also called 'Sivva', was last Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Lennox Campbell for the murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams. He must serve 25 years before he can be considered for early release.

All the others were

given life sentences, with Vybz Kartel (real name Adidja Palmer) being eligible for parole after he has served 35 years, while André St John and Kahira Jones will be eligible for parole after they have served 30 years and 25 years in prison, respectively.

"He refused because he maintains that he was never involved in any murder and to take that offer would have signalled that he was guilty of participating in murder. I even discussed

it with his mother and she said she was glad he refused," Lorne said.

The four convicts were taken to the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre, popularly known as GP, after the sentencing on Thursday, where they were processed. They were then taken back to the Horizon Adult Correctional Centre, where they had been held before and during the trial, and will be assigned to maximum security correctional fa-

cilities later on, which will likely be either that at Tower Street, or the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre in Spanish Town. They are expected to appeal the verdict on several grounds; including claims that the evidence was tampered with by police and that they were victims of a plot to sink Vybz Kartel, who is not well liked by some sections of society for his outlandish lyrics and gangster image. (Jamaica Observer)

Finance Bill passed in Trinidad

Legislation implementing sweeping changes to the laws governing the gaming industry as well as several other key Budget measures was passed in the House of Representatives Saturday morning, after yet another stormy sitting.

The Finance Bill 2014 was passed at 3:25am by a simple majority.

In wrapping up the debate, Finance and Economy Minister Larry Howai stated energy prices have remained “relatively stable” over the past three to four years, but the economy had moved from a negative position in 2011 to “a growth path in 2013”.

The legislation introduces a stricter scheme of regulating the gaming industry, including an

increase in licensing fees as well as an expansion of the net of taxation to include amusement machines.

Stiffer penalties to regulate the quarrying industry and to tackle the practice of illegal diesel sales are also to be introduced.

Additionally, other provisions include a TT$1,000 duty allowance for municipal police offi-

Guyana’s National Science Fair 2014 slated for month-end

The Education Ministry in Guyana, in keeping with its drive to improve science and technology education, has rolled out a packed agenda for the National Science Fair 2014, to be held this month-end in Region Two.

The fair provides an opportunity for students to bring science out of the classroom as they are given a challenge this year to use Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to create solutions for a problem facing their school or community. This initiative was taken from the Sagicor Visionaries Challenge competition that was held last year in the Caribbean.

Theme

This year’s science fair will be held under the theme “Science, Mathematics and Technology: Providing Solutions for the 21st century” at the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School, Region Two, Guyana from April 22 to 25.

During the fair, there will be exciting and educational activities planned for the

students and teachers who visiting the region. Tours will be arranged to Charity, a coconut oil factory, the market area, the New Opportunity Corp and Lake Mainstay.

In addition, several workshops have been planned to cover various areas such as the use of the microscience kits; inquiry-based science and mathematics education for teachers and students, and mangrove awareness, which will be done in collaboration with the Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project.

The fair is organised to popularise science, mathematics and technology in schools

and society while at the same time encouraging them to focus on solving regional-based problems.

It is also geared at building confidence in students to apply science and technology to bring about social and behavioural changes.

Further, the fair serves as a platform for students to discuss and display their exhibits as they work to foster regional integration.

A national committee was set up to oversee the preparations for the fair, which is being coordinated through the office of the Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary). Regional science fairs were held

in all 11 educational districts, over the past few weeks and the schools with the most outstanding projects were selected from each region to be a part of the fair.

Additionally, the Guyana Police Force, the Region Two Department of Education, the Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project, the University of Guyana, Conservation International, Brass Aluminum and Cast Iron Foundry, the Geology and Mines Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Health Ministry will be participating in the fair.

cers; TT$1 billion in energy sector incentives; validation of electronic transactions for government business; construction sector incentives and customs reforms.

Passage of the bill came after a sitting which saw Speaker Wade Mark tell PNM Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West MP Patricia McIntosh to sit.

The incident hap-

pened on Friday evening (the sitting had started earlier on that day at 1:30pm) at about 10:37pm, Mc Intosh was in the process of stating that ministers in the current government had been fired for immorality and made reference to three ministers who quit: Glenn Ramadharsingh; Chandresh Sharma and Jack Warner. (TT Newsday)

Jamaican teacher for Arctic science expedition

Head of the Science Department at Porus High School in Jamaica, Luke McKenzie has been awarded an ‘Earthwatch Fellowship’ by the ‘Teach Earth USA Programme’, according to a news release from bauxite/alumina company Jamalco.

Funded by the Alcoa Foundation, the fellowship will allow McKenzie to participate in a one-week scientific expedition called ‘Climate Change at Arctic Edge’ from July 10-20.

The exercise will involve scientific field research and education.

McKenzie, who also teaches mathematics, is elated at being the first participant from Jamaica. He expressed gratitude to Jamalco for providing the opportunity for teachers from areas in which it operates to apply for the fellowship, adding that it promises to be a beneficial experience.

"I know that the first-hand information which will be gained from the trip will help me to be an agent for attitude change regarding the effects of global warming. It will also help me to educate my colleagues, students and community about how their actions impact the environment," he stated in the essay accompanying his application.

Principal of Porus High Michael Stewart also thanked Jamalco. He said the possibility of being selected for such fellowships has helped to boost staff morale.

This is the first year that Alcoa Foundation and Earthwatch have partnered on the Kevin Anton Community Educators Grant to provide educators from Alcoa communities the opportunity to participate in an Earthwatch Expedition through the Teach Earth USA Programme. (Jamaica Observer)

Former TT minister denies sex allegation

Former Trinidad People and Social Development minister Glenn Ramadharsingh Sunday night denied sex allegations levelled against him by a Central woman, saying they were baseless and without any merit. Ramadharsingh was responding to an article in which Patricia Singh claimed she had made an official police complaint that he forced her perform sexual acts in order to fast track a Housing Development Corporation house for her family.

In a brief response to the article Sunday night, Ramadharsingh “categorically and equivocally” denied all allegations made, saying the report was “misleading, baseless and without any merit whatsoever”.

Ramadharsingh, who was sacked as a Cabinet minister last month for alleged abuse of a Caribbean Airlines flight attendant on a trip from Tobago to Trinidad, said because of the “gravity of the matter, and the personal hurt, pain and psychological suffering it has brought to me and my family, I have now referred this matter to my legal counsel/attorneys for their immediate attention”.

He said he had given

the legal team instructions “to take all necessary steps to stop the publication of any further article, electronic, printed, or otherwise, which may be injurious to my reputation, and in addition to restore my personal and that of my family's identity and reputation”. Several of Ramadharsingh’s colleagues refused comment when contacted Sunday.

Former People’s National Movement senator and attorney Pennelope BecklesRobinson insisted Sunday night that Persad-Bissessar has questions to answer to the public in the wake of the allegation against the former minister.

Beckles-Robinson said Persad-Bissessar must tell the nation if she was aware of the complaint, as alleged by Singh, since there was also the

claim that it may have influenced her firing of Ramadharsingh.

“The information now coming to hand indicates that the prime minister was aware of that complaint,” BecklesRobinson said, noting that Singh alleged she had informed someone in the Office of the Prime Minister, an attorney, church elder and a former government minister of her complaint.

She added that such complaint may not be singular either, since other Cabinet ministers may have such allegations against them. She said she expects “other persons will now come forward and indicate that they have made complaints to her (PM) before as it relates to other cabinet ministers and she had not acted on them.” Beckles-Robinson said the PM must also tell the nation if she initiated any investigation in the matter, adding she must make a categorical statement on the matter.

Former national security minister Jack Warner said there was much more to be said, but insisted that six months ago the PM was made aware of all the allegations of misconduct against one of their colleagues but failed to act on it. (TT Guardian)

Commonwealth Games baton lands in Jamaica

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller received The Queen’s Baton for this year’s Commonwealth Games, scheduled for Glasgow, Scotland, following its arrival in Jamaica at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on Saturday.

The baton, which arrived from the British Virgin Islands on its

Commonwealth world tour, contains The Queen’s Message for the 20th Games, to be held from for July 23 to August 3.

The baton is being taken on a relay tour of the 71 participating nations and territories of the Commonwealth. It is scheduled to be taken to the Cayman Islands on April 11 after it leaves Jamaica. (Jamaica Observer)

Barbados is still a safe destination, says country's tourism minister

This is the assurance given by Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy, who was responding to recent bouts in criminal activity on the island.

“Those incidents are far and few in between. We don’t like to see it and I think we do an excellent job at preventing it and on those rare occasions that they occur, the Royal Barbados Police Force solves them fairly quickly, so we are a very safe place, visit and we need to continue push that fact when we market Barbados,” he said.

He was at the time giving the media a brief update on the tourism season, noting that Barbados stands to benefit from a late Easter this year. It is actually the third week so that will help us in terms of more business particularly out of the United Kingdom which has rebounded nicely.

“Arrivals are still quite strong, like I said particularly the UK. We are having challenges in North America but we are working feverishly on that and overall the winter has been up on last year. Cruise has been through the season, doing extremely well,” he said.

As it relates to low visitor spend from cruise passengers, he noted that concern is not new. “Cruise passengers stay much shorter periods and generally don’t leave the kind of spend that a long-stay person would. Having said that, where we have seen increases is in home porting and home porters are the ones that will do cruise and stay so you will still get some spend from them. I think that as we develop cruise we have to see ourselves as a home

porting point and not simply as part of an itinerary,” he said.

He assured that tourism officials will continue to focus on source markets where the spend tends to be greatest, such as continental Europe, Brazil and getting back into the UK “in a big way”. “We are conscious of the value added we want from tourism and to that extent we have succeeded in that regard.”

“Because even thought the numbers were down in 2013 based on the evidence we have seen there was greater spend. So we are conscious of not only the activity in Bridgetown but generally commercial activity across Barbados and we would like to see it increase and that is what we have been focusing on in tourism, not just numbers but spend,” he said. (JH)

80 killed in road crashes this year in Jamaica

The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) says it will be stepping up its efforts to help reduce road fatalities and crashes, in light of a spike which has seen 80 deaths up to April 3.

Thirty-five of the road deaths occurred in March, a 30 percent increase over February, according to a release Friday from the NRSC.

The St Catherine North Police Division accounted for most fatalities with 10 deaths, followed by Westmoreland which accounted for eight. Manchester, St Andrew South and St Ann each accounted for five fatalities, while Clarendon recorded seven fatalities and St Andrew Central six.

The 20 to 24 age group has accounted for the most deaths this year, followed by the 40 to 44 age group. In 2013, the age group 25 to 29 accounted for most of the road crash fatalities, the NRSC said.

Speeding was cited as the main cause of 22 of the 80 deaths this year, followed by 'pedestri-

an error' which accounted for 14 cases. Drivers who failed to keep left accounted for 11, while drivers who followed too closely; inattention of drivers; drivers overtaking improperly and swerving, each accounted for three fatal crashes. Twenty-six of the dead were pedestrians.

"We are intensifying our efforts along with our various partner agencies to ensure road fatalities are kept under 240 this year. Already there are discussions taking place and measures to step up the public education campaign for pedestrians are already in

train," Dr Lucien Jones, vice-chairman and convener of the NRSC said at a meeting of the council Thursday. Measures to be taken by the NRSC to help reduce crashes are:

* Cancellation of licences of drivers with multiple outstanding traffic tickets;

* Provision of additional resources for the Police Traffic Department; and

* The repainting of pedestrian crossings and repairing of lights and signage across the island by the National Works Agency. (Jamaica Observer)

Plans moving apace for Guyana’s Linden Town Week

Linden Town Week (LTW) Coordinator

Keeran Williams said plans are moving apace for the staging of the annual week of activities, which will be held from April 26 to May 4.

This year’s activities will be celebrated under the theme “With cultural stability, we’ll build our economy”.

Williams said the committee is focused on providing an enabling environment where everyone can participate, regardless of age, culture, or preference. Transparency and accountability, in terms of accumulated funds, are among the major focus of the committee heading this year’s events, according to the LTW coordinator.

“Linden Town Week 2014 is one that promises to be one of a major difference as it relates to the management and structuring. We are committed to ensuring that we provide educational and organisational strengthening to the Linden Town Week concept.

Linden Town Week Secretariat

“One of the things we

have focused on for this year is to have the Linden Town Week not be a committee as what it would have been in the previous times, but we have the blessings of the municipality and the stakeholders in Linden to transform what would have been a committee into the Linden Town Week Secretariat. With the aim of ensuring that continuity and sustainability is focused on,” he related.

Williams added that the week of activities will, therefore, no longer be planned within a couple of months, but will be a year-round event. In addition, the Secretariat

will also be planning and executing activities throughout the year. He said another focus is to allow for the Secretariat to contribute to the beautification and enhancement of the Linden community. Initiatives such as a Linden magazine; a continuous community clean-up campaign, which has already begun; and the establishment of a website are all on the agenda of the committee.

Community-based initiatives

Other communitybased initiatives planned include Retrieve Family Night, Upper and Lower Half Mile Days as well as a Kara Kara Day. Williams explained that it is the hope of the committee to expand these activities to be as much of a draw as the Poker street night, which forms part of the annual LTW calendar of events.

Additionally, persons in the community are expected to be awarded prizes in the ‘best yard’ competition set for April 29. “A view from the sky”, a view of the Linden community is another event planned.

Added to the list are

an essay competition organised by the Linden Dream Team (LDT) and a job and career fair to be held at the Linden Constabulary Hall on April 28 and 29, then at the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) on April 30. LTW Welfare Committee Head Collina Johnson said agencies from Georgetown and Berbice will be in attendance at the fairs providing information for technical and office jobs.

A jet ski competition and culture village will also be held. The “Big and Bold” pageant, however, will not be staged this year, while the LTW pageant will be the first event on the calendar, scheduled for April 26, one day before the official launch of the week of activities on April 27.

LTW is a fusion of expo, culture and fetes which aims to promote social cohesion, economic stimulation and culture. During the annual week of activities, events in the areas of tourism, entertainment, sport, education, health and welfare are executed.

(Guyana Times)

200 Jamaicans get jobs in Hunts Bay Power Plant upgrade

The Jamaica Public Service says more than 200 people have been given jobs at its Hunts Bay Power Plant, also known as the B6 Generating Unit, which is being overhauled.

Labourers, technicians, mechanics, project managers, and engineers are among those employed.

"The project covers a two-month period, concluding in early May 2014, and comes as part of the company's ongoing efforts to improve reliability of service to its customers," the JPS said.

It said that since 2009 the company's reliability has shown signif-

icant improvement, with most customers experiencing a decrease in outages over the past five years.

According to the JPS, the B6 unit, considered to be the backbone of the Hunts Bay Power Station, is a 68.5MW unit, which in 2013, powered the equivalent of 100,000 households. The generating unit, said the JPS, is also essential to providing critical voltage stabilisation to the grid in the Corporate Area. In addition to improving the unit's efficiency, the project is expected to reduce the risk of extended forced outages, said the JPS. (Jamaica Observer)

Guyana, Venezuela to meet in two months on border issue

Guyana's Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett on Monday told the National Assembly during her budget debate presentation that she is expected to meet with her Venezuelan counterpart within the next two months to discuss the controversial issue of maritime boundaries.

According to the minister, she was supposed to meet with Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Elías Jaua; however, due to events arising in that country, the meeting was pushed back. Nevertheless, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett noted that her Venezuelan counterpart has indicated that they are working to arrange a meeting within the next two months during which the technical team from both countries will discuss

maritime boundaries issues.

Exclusive Economic Zone

The meeting was prompted by an incident last year where a research vessel RC Teknik Perdana was intercepted by the Venezuela Navy, which claimed that it was in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

However, Guyana has maintained that the vessel was in its own EEZ since it was conducting a multi-beam survey of its seafloor.

Continuing her budget presentation, the Foreign Affairs Minister went on to say that the Guyana-Venezuela relationship has remained strong in other areas, including the PetroCaribe arrangement under which Guyana continues to purchase oil from the neighbouring country. However, she noted

that efforts are being undertaken to explore other markets to acquire oil.

She added that the countries have enjoyed many benefits from trade. “Venezuela has remained a very good trade partner and we want to preserve that relationship even as we look at

other countries to sell our rice and purchase fuel, because our needs are expanding in terms of the fuel we need. With the development in Guyana and even as we explore for oil, we have to look at other parties for us to purchase oil from as well,” she said.

The minister highlighted the excellent relationship shared with other neighbouring countries such as Brazil and Suriname. With regard to Brazil, she stressed that the bilateral relationship is being strengthened through several cooperation programmes, with emphasis being placed more recently on major infrastructural projects.

As it relates to Suriname, the Foreign Affairs Minister pointed out that since Guyana and Suriname are the only CARICOM countries to share contiguous borders, it further strengthens the relationship between them.

Sunshine and 20plus knot breeze welcomed participants to the final day of the 2014 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival in Tortola.

Three consecutive days of great racing made for an exciting weekend for competitors and the week-long festival drew more than 3,500 visitors to Nanny Cay.

"It gets really emotional by Sunday night because it takes an amazing amount of energy, time and patience each year, and so many people do so much to make it happen," said Judy Petz, regatta director. "I was really happy coming into this year's event with many new things in place. We built it so everyone - participants, visitors and lo-

cals - would have a great time, and I'm really confident that we succeeded in making that happen."

On the race course, Tonnerre de Breskens 3 (Ker 46) ran away with the Racing 1 division securing wins in all seven races: "The conditions were really good and you can't ask for better sailing," said Tonnerre de Breskens 3 helmsman Paul Wilcox. "The max wind we saw racing Saturday was probably 23 knots. So, you're not really on the edge, but if you do something a little bit wrong, your problems escalate quickly."

Team McFly/ Quokka's Grand Soleil 43 held on for the win in the Racing 2 fleet. It was a narrow victory for Windemon (Tarton 10) on the SOL Course. The

now Tortola-based yacht finished one point ahead of Boogaloo (Melges 32) to win the Racing 3 division.

Spirit of Venus (Beneteau First 40.7) cruised to victory in the Performance Cruising 1 division on the SOL Course. Doug Baker and crew were first across the line in all six races of the regatta. The J/95 Shamrock VII secured the regatta win in the Performance Cruising 2 division.

Smile and Wave, one of three Melges 32s from Puerto Rico racing on the One Design Course, was consistently strong throughout the week and won the division. Also on the One Design Course, Tortola Express took two bullets in the final two of 12 races in the

Regional integration Minister RodriguesBirkett then spoke about Guyana’s CARICOM relationships, specifically focusing on regional integration movements, a commitment that she said Guyana continues to honour. She further highlighted that Guyana is chairing the Intergovernmental Task Force which is tasked with the responsibility of examining issues related to the Revised Draft Protocol on Contingent Rights.

On this note, the Foreign Affairs Minister referred to an article published in the local media in which the Trinidadian Health Minister is reported to be saying that they should consider implementing a rule for persons to present their medical insurance upon entry in the country. This, according to Rodrigues-Birkett, will have to be clarified, since it will have serious implications on the whole Caribbean Single Market and Economy agreement. (Guyana Times)

Winners awarded at 2014 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival

regatta to move ahead and secure the win in the IC 24 fleet.

The Whalers/Tortola Moon (Sunsail 4153) secured first in every race of the regatta in the Bareboat 2 division. FerryTale /Mary Jewell (Sunsail 515) nearly did the same in the Bareboat 1 division, with first in all but their sixth and final race of the weekend.

British Virgin Islands Premier Dr Orlando Smith and Governor Boyd McCleary honored

winners at the sunset awards ceremony on the beach at Nanny Cay.

Youth Instructor, skippered by Andrew Waters, was unveiled as the winner of the Tortola Sloop Spring Challenge sponsored by VP Bank.

The International Yacht Club Challenge award went to John Pinheiro from the New Bedford Yacht Club.

Pinheiro received a full week's charter provided by Sunsail.

Bob Beltrano's Swan

53 Nai'a was recognized with the Best Overall Swan award, presented by O'Neal Webster. The Chief Minister's Cup for the Best BVI Boat was presented to Tortola Express. Monique Putley was honored with the Guy Eldgridge Spirit and Enthusiasm Award. Dates are set for the 2015 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival. The regatta returns to Nanny Cay March 30-April 5, 2015. (Caribbean News Now)

Jamaican government presents US$4.95 billion budget

The Jamaican government has presented a budget of Ja$539.35 billion (US$4.95 billion) for 2014/15, with Ja$404.654 billion earmarked for recurrent (housekeeping) expenses and Ja$134.698 billion for capital (development) spending.

This represents an increase of Ja$39 billion over the revised estimates for 2013/14, which were tabled as the first supplementary estimates in February.

Details of the projections are contained in the estimates of expenditure, which were tabled in the House of Representatives last Thursday by minister of finance and planning, Dr Peter Phillips.

The ministry of finance and planning has been allocated the largest sum, with Ja$197.65 billion for recurrent expenses and Ja$102.3 billion for capital expenditure. A large portion of the sum will go towards meeting Jamaica’s debt obligations.

The ministry of education gets the second largest sum, with Ja$78.29 billion for recurrent expenses and Ja$2.1 billion for capital spending.

The ministry of national security has received Ja$47.17 billion for recurrent expenditure and Ja$3.20 billion for capital, while the ministry of health gets Ja$35.97 billion for recurrent expenses and Ja$903 million for capital projects.

For the ministry of justice, Ja$4.62 billion has been allocated for recurrent and Ja$800 million for capital; Office of the Prime Minister, Ja$2.92 billion recurrent, Ja$1.65 billion capital; ministry of science, technology, energy and mining, Ja$4.46 billion recurrent, Ja$1.08 billion capital; and the ministry of transport, works and housing, Ja$3.36 billion

Guyana gov't rescinds mining company’s concession

An ambitious plan by Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Incorporated (BMGGI) to invest approximately US$40 million to mine additional ore in an area called “Block 37” has been cancelled, with the Guyanese government withdrawing the concession from the firm.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud made this disclosure during his budget debate presentation in the country’s National Assembly last week.

recurrent and Ja$13.6 billion capital.

Allocations to other ministries are: agriculture and fisheries, Ja$3.52 billion recurrent, Ja$2.36 billion capital; industry, investment and commerce, Ja$1.76 billion recurrent, Ja$3.8 million capital; water, land, environment and climate change, Ja$2.68 billion recurrent, Ja$279 million capital; foreign affairs and foreign trade, Ja$3 billion recurrent, Ja$75 million capital; labour and social security, Ja$2.26 billion recurrent, Ja$5.5 billion capital; ministry of tourism and entertainment, Ja$1.53 billion for recurrent, Ja$14 million capital; ministry of youth and culture, Ja$3.64 billion recurrent, Ja$173 million capital; and ministry of local government and community development, Ja$8.8 billion recurrent, Ja$131 million capital.

The Office of the Cabinet has received Ja$483 million for recurrent spending, and Ja$278.9 million for capital expenditure.

The auditor general has received Ja$528.4 million recurrent; Office of the Services Commissions, Ja$179.5 million recurrent; the governor-general and staff, Ja$170.31 million recurrent; Office of the Public Defender, Ja$75.4 million recurrent; Office of the Contractor General, Ja$229.18 million recurrent; Office of the Children’s Advocate, Ja$99.30 million recurrent; Houses of Parliament Ja$761.3 million recurrent; and Independent Commission of Investigations Ja$334.2 million.

The standing finance committee of the house will consider the estimates of expenditure from April 8-10, and Phillips will open the Budget Debate on Thursday, April 17.

He told the National Assembly that both Bosai and the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) have had cause to adjust their original multimillion-dollar original plans due to the challenges faced on the international scene, explaining that the adjustments were dictated by the international market conditions.

Given the current situation on the international market, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has decided not to allocate the Block 37 Concession to Bosai.

In March 2012,

BMGGI announced that it would have soon undergone massive expansion which would have led to hundreds of persons being employed. The bauxite company’s mega plans had included securing Block 37 and developing it at the cost of US$40 million. Additionally, the company had indicated that a third kiln would have been constructed at the cost of US$57 million; a total of US100 million. To date, the company has remained tightlipped on the construction of the third kiln. It was BMGGI’s intention to expand its market to include two new prod-

ucts: multite and proppants; products which have the ability to increase the company’s revenues.

Nevertheless, during his budget presentation on Friday, the Natural Resources Minister told the House that Bosai, despite challenges, remains committed to the local industry, arguing that the prospects for bauxite are good.

Persaud said the natural resources sector continues to significantly contribute to economic growth and social stability amid challenges. Singling out gold, he reminded his colleagues on both sides that small and medium scale min-

ers created history in Guyana; they collectively made a declaration of in excess of 481,000 ounces of gold.

He boasted also of the generation of diamond which increased by 55 percent in 2013. Quarry production is no exception, Persaud told the House, explaining that production increased by 40 percent.

“This speaks not only to the public works projects that are taking place, but it also speaks to the dynamic thriving construction sector that is taken place in our economy.”

Giving his overarching view of the 2014 Budget, Persaud said Guyana has outpaced many countries in the Caribbean region, as it continues to experience consistent growth and development.

“It’s all about equity,” he stressed. This multibillion-dollar budget has been designed to further transform the country’s economy, Persaud argued, contending that it will help Guyana to be a resilient nation in the case of national or international circumstances.

(Guyana Times)

Murders up 36 percent in Bahamas

Murders in The Bahamas increased by 36 percent between January 1 and April 5, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013.

There were 22 murders recorded during this period last year compared to the 30 murders recorded this year so far, according to The Nassau Guardian’s records.

A closer look at the figures show that 11 people were murdered in January; eight in February; eight in March and three so far this month.

The murder count does not include several matters that have yet to be classified, including four bodies found last Thursday on Anguilla Cay. The bodies had tires placed on top of them and were burnt beyond recognition, according to authorities.

There have been seven murders in the country since last Saturday. The most recent killings took place over the weekend.

Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade said last week violent crimes with the exception of murder have trended downward.

He was unable to pro-

vide the percentage representing that decrease and to date has not released crime statistics for 2014.

Asked about the crimes on Grand Bahama after three murders occurred in fewer than 48-hours, Greenslade said there were “no concerns”.

“Grand Bahama has recorded murders in recent times,” he told reporters at Police Headquarters. “Two people have been arrested in two of those separate murder cases.

“In one case the weap-

on was recovered. There is an outstanding retaliatory matter that is being pursued where another person has lost his life.

[But] I am satisfied that good work is being done in Grand Bahama, and we will see if we can sort those things out as soon as we can.” Following a spate of murders late last month, Prime Minister Perry Christie said the Bahamian government will dedicate more resources to law enforcement and social intervention programs.

“I am continuing to dedicate resources to

the police force because I intend to smother, to smother and suffocate this bad behaviour,” he said.

“At the same time [I will] continue to dedicate resources to holistic programmes of Urban Renewal where in the big sense of the word we are able to deal with kids in their environment as we find them.”

That pledge has been made several times since the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) took office in May 2012, which was the bloodiest month on record with 21 murders.

Last month, the government announced plans to introduce two initiatives -- violence breakers and a programme called shock treatment -- to its Operation Ceasefire plan in a bid to lower crime.

However, opposition Free National Movement (FNM) leader Dr Hubert Minnis said last week that crime is “smothering” the nation despite the prime minister’s repeated statements that his government will arrest the problem.

Minnis said the PLP is “long on talk but short on action” when it comes to crime. (Nassau Guardian)

Press freedom in Haiti shows progress, says IAPA

In one of a number of in-depth reviews of major press freedom developments in the past six months in each of the countries of the Americas, the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) said freedom of the press in Haiti during this period has shown some progress, particularly in the judiciary sector.

IAPA has reported that Haiti has shown progress in press freedom, particularly in the judiciary sector

Last January a judge indicted nine suspects for the murder of radio journalist Jean Leopold Dominique in 2000. This judicial action occurred after dozens of investigations, despite the fear of retaliation.

Dominique, who owned 'Radio Haïti Inter' and was one of the first to broadcast in Haitian Creole, was killed in front of the station on April 3, 2000. A station employee, Jean-Claude Louissaint, was also killed during the attack.

The defendants’ names are Mirelande

CARICOM

Libérus (alleged mastermind), Harold Severe, Annette Auguste, Franco Camille, Merité Milien, Dimsley Milien, Toussaint Mercidieu, Jeudi Jean Daniel and Markington Michel.

On October 17, Jean Monard Métellus, the host of the radio programme ‘Ramase’ on Caraibes FM, received death threats and a tip regarding a plot that was being organised against him. The justice minister stated during a press release that he was reliably informed that Métellus was to be murdered by two men on a motorcycle for the price of 10,000 dollars.

Also in October, two police officers, working as secret service agents

at the Presidential Security Unit, violently hit -- for no apparent reason -Radio Kiskeya’s reporter Rodrigue Lalane while trying to interview President Michel Martelly. The appointed judge presented the police officers the opportunity to answer questions, but in face of their nonresponse, the judge issued an arrest warrant against them; however, the arrest has never been executed.

Regarding progress in the justice system and human rights, in February the Court of Appeals of Portau-Prince reinstated crimes against humanity charges in the prosecution of former dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, for accusations of torture, extrajudicial killings, and forced disappearances under his 15 years rule from 1971 to 1986. (Caribbean News Now)

agencies to convene regional symposium on dengue and chikungunya virus

Monday was World Health Day, the theme of which is "small bites, big threats: protect yourself and your environment from vector-borne diseases". With this in mind, the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) have announced their convening of a one-day symposium, focusing on dengue fever and chikungunya virus to be held on June 12 in Trinidad and Tobago.

The symposium is designed for clinicians, researchers and network engineers to share experiences tackling and managing dengue fever and the chikungunya virus in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Importantly, the practitioners will learn how the dedicated, high bandwidth research and education (R&E) networks in the region -- C@ ribNET and RedCLARA -- can support and facilitate the collaborative work among the various health-related communities and health-related researchers.

The primary outcome of the Caribbean symposium is to initiate the establishment of a medical/ health related community with a focus on dengue fever and chikungunya and which uses the R&E networks available

Dengue and chikungunya are both spread by mosquitoes

in the Caribbean and Latin America and their global connections.

The symposium demonstrates synergies and functional cooperation, one of the core values in CARICOM. It provides an ideal opportunity for healthcare professionals as well as network engineers to meet and discuss not only the current status of the infections in the region, but to also explore how using R&E networks can support greater collaborative work and research in addressing this health issue that affects Caribbean citizenry.

The incidence of dengue has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades. Over 2.5 billion people -- more than 40% of the world's population -- are now at risk from dengue. Not only is the number of cases increasing, but explosive outbreaks are

GRA seizes over GY$30M in illegal goods in 2014 first quarter

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Friday disclosed that it has seized in excess of Gy$30 million in illegal goods during the first quarter of this year.

The regulatory agency made this disclosure in a statement in which it said that a large number of businesses continue to engage in smuggling activities.

The Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) officers, the GRA said is working diligently to address this challenge.

The GRA disclosed that as a result of a tipoff, several exercises were conducted around Georgetown, East Coast Demerara and Berbice areas during which goods such as cooking oil, cigarettes, foreign chicken, alcoholic and non-alcoholic energy drinks and mosquito

coils were confiscated.

In addition, frequently smuggled items including electrical items, clothing, footwear and accessories, cellphones, digital cameras, wristwatches and heavy-duty machinery, among others, were also seized.

Evading duties

The agency further stated that the police had recently confiscated two boats which it suspected were evading duties. The vessels were subsequently handed over to GRA, which was able to recoup over GY$4 million in applicable Customs Duty and Taxes.

In February last, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by key law enforcement agencies for a floating patrol base to be operated at the mouth of the Pomeroon River.

also occurring as the disease spreads to new areas.

According to Dr Karen Polson-Edwards, senior technical officer, vector borne diseases and neglected tropical diseases at CARPHA, the symposium is extremely timely as dengue and chikungunya are of concern for the entire Caribbean basin and many coastal and interior countries in South America.

"We need to come together to discuss and share what each other is doing, what is being done in other regions and to explore how we can collaborate to be even more effective in combatting these diseases in endemic countries and to prevent its spread," she said.

support of the Trinidad and Tobago research and education network, TTRENT, the face-to-face participation at Caribbean symposium will take place at the University of the West Indies Open Campus in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, with virtual participation from individuals in the region and elsewhere unable to attend in person. They will join by videoconference, using research and education networks such as C@ribNET, RedCLARA, Internet 2, GÉANT and TEIN. (Caribbean News Now)

“S

Meanwhile, GRA has pledged that it will continue to put systems in place to ensure its enforcement activities are enhanced.

However, the authority noted that it can only be effective in this aim only if the public fully cooperates as it relates to sharing information on incidents of corruption and illegal activities that are geared at depriving the state of revenue or results in unfair competition with the local manufacturing sector and legitimate importers.

The MoU was signed by the former Guyana Police Force Commissioner Leroy Brumell; GDF Deputy Chief-of-Staff, Colonel Kemraj Persaud; Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit head James Singh; GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur; and Guyana Energy Agency head, Dr Mahender Sharma.

(Guyana Times)

HIV/AIDS book launched at Guyana Consulate in NY

tigma and lack of knowledge about HIV & AIDS” was the topic of a compelling presentation by University of Guyana(UG) Pro-Chancellor, Professor Prem Misir, who launched his first health book in front of expatriates at the Consulate General of Guyana in New York City, recently.

The former associate public health epidemiologist of the Bureau of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control of NY City was motivated to write “HIV&AIDS Knowledge and Stigma in Guyana” after conducting interviews with NY residents where discrimination and stigma among all races were evident.

Misir, a Professor in Public Health at the University of Central Lancaster in England, said his interest in how the disease is transmitted and how stigma impacts awareness, peaked his interest and led him to publish this fundamental tool that will be used by health professionals, educators and policymakers throughout the Caribbean region.

An author of eight books, Misir who has written extensively in peer reviewed journals, and was instrumental in gaining a grant from the CDC to study the pandemic, did a cross-sectional look at 379 high school students in urban Guyana and assessed their knowledge of the disease, and stigmarelated attitudes.

“What is evident is that 40 percent of the world’s incident rate is among adolescent,” said Misir, a former visiting Professor of the University of the West Indies, St Augustine.

His findings show that people graduate from HIV to AIDS status in their twenties and noted that Guyana was not isolated in this regard since studies around the world also show that the incubation period is eight to 10 years.

Critical

“This is the reason it is very critical for the youth in Guyana to be educated about the disease during their high

school years – a period when they are sexually active,” said Misir.

The recently elected Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health in England, named non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the National AIDS Programme Secretariat, and the Global Fund that are working to stem the spread of the disease through education and services.

However, Misir, a consultant with Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO), pointed to stigma as a contributing factor and said the book aims to give agencies intervention knowledge to reduce the high rate of sexual behaviours among teens.

Misir, a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Consultant to the National Tripartite Committee on HIV/AIDS, credits the free distribution of antiretroviral medications as a cause for the decrease in deaths.

“People could live a normal life and no one has to know they are affected with the disease if they take the drugs,” added Misir, who said despite the belief by some, there is no cure for AIDS. (Guyana Times)

Love is the cure for all illnesses – Miss Guyana Universe

Miss Guyana Universe and Miss India

Guyana 2013 Katherina Roshana said children suffering from autism are among the most beautiful in the world and need love as this is their best medicine.

Roshana is advocating for service and education for these children who are often misunderstood by family, friends and society in general.

According to a release, the beauty queen is particularly proud that she is able to highlight to the nation and the Caribbean that autism is merely a neurological disorder, which affects behaviour and creates a slow assimilation and processing of information.

“It saddens her that people; in Guyana, particularly the country areas, in which some families consider this as a mental disorder, and sometimes such children are chained to beds, or pens, sometimes beaten, as some sectors of our society think that the children are possessed by evil, which needs to be beaten out.”

Katherina stresses that these children with the neurological impairment, at times, their speech may not be as clear as others. But when one gets close to them, and gives them the love and attention they deserve, they become positive and react

with enormous affection. Love, she emphasised, is the cure for all illnesses.

Roshana is ambassador and spokesperson of the ‘Step by Step School’ for autistic children in Guyana, but she works for all children and per-

sons who face this and other difficulties.

Miss India Guyana 2013 was a special guest at the 2014 Miss India French Guyana Pageant held on Saturday.

Miss India Guyana delegates every year continue to be guests, judges and special invitees to different events and functions overseas.

Meanwhile, after a historic win in 2012 at the Miss India Worldwide Pageant, with Guyana’s delightful Alana Seebarran taking top honours, coordinator and franchise holder of the Guyana leg, Chandani Rambalak is poised yet again with

her sights set on bringing home another prestigious crown and title.

With plans in the making for the hosting of a ‘selection’ for this year’s ambassador to the pageant, Rambalak will of course shortlist that special girl who must possess prior stage experience and that rare attribute that allows for ‘easy training’.

“Rambalak wishes to advise that due to time constraints, a pageant or auditions will not be hosted, but that the final delegate will be pinpointed from a panel of most distinguished and pageant-oriented judges.”

(Guyana Times)

- By Guyanese Sonia Noel

To create her irresistible collection, ‘First Resort’, designer Sonia Noel has infused her signature latticing, kaftan silhouettes and versatile wraps.

The chic collection has over 100 sophisticated and comfortable designs, which keeps expanding as more stylish pieces are added.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Noel stated that the collection depicts the easy, carefree, uninhibited nature of Caribbean lifestyle presented in breathing, ecofriendly, caressing textiles, which captures the attitude of comfort and leisure.

“These outfits are definitely perfect for a weekend at one of our beautiful resorts in Guyana, Bartica Regatta or rodeo. These kaftan tops are made from cotton, chiffon and cotton jersey fabric, and can be worn as a swimsuit, cover-up or with shorts, skirts, leggings or jeans,” Noel explained.

For this week’s photo shoot, the models are Meleesa Payne, Raquel Thomas and Steffi Bynoe. This collection is presently available at Noel’s fashion studio located at 176 Barr Street, Kitty. Call 226-3099 for more information. (Photos by Shiv Dindyal) (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Autism and its effects were highlighted Sunday morning in Guyana when the country’s President Donald Ramotar, First lady Deolatchmie Ramotar, Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster and other ministers joined hundreds of stakeholders in the annual autism walk in the nation’s capital city.

Speaking at the culmination of the walk, which began at the Bank of Guyana and ended at the Children’s Monument in the

TT

National Park, President Ramotar said good health is important to the nation’s development, and as such, it is important to take away the stigma associated with autism.

“I believe that if these things are recognised and the earlier they are detected, the quicker it is and the better it is for treating them and helping them to live a more useful and healthier life, in many, many cases,” the president said. Those who worked with children with disabilities were praised by the president, as he

also expressed his pleasure at the fact that the government is able to assist the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre towards supporting those affected.

Social sector spending is the largest in the national budget, as government places a priority on human capital development. A better performing economy will see even more funds being allocated to address issues such as the one highlighted, Ramotar noted. Everyone must play their part, the president added, to raise awareness and minimise

autism.

Eventually more facilities will be set up across the country, in various communities to help those affected, said the president. The efforts of First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar were lauded by Minister Webster.

“Our first lady has taken the lead through her foundation, to set aside her time, to dedicate towards working to promote families and to make our populace more aware about what affect

members of our society.”

Minister Webster also called on persons to offer support to those afflicted and the families of those affected, as she also pledged government’s and the Human Services Ministry’s assistance in doing the same.

Autism is a severely incapacitating, lifelong developmental disability, which usually appears during the first three years of a child’s life. It affects boys, four times more than girls,

occurring in five out of every 10,000 births throughout the world, in all races and social backgrounds.

In Guyana, assistance is available through the ‘Step by Step School’ in Bagotstown, the Guyana Greenheart Autistic Society, the ‘Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre’, ‘Gifted Hands’ in Parade Street, Kingston and the Human Services Ministry, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported. (Guyana Times)

is 47th most socially advanced country in the world - Canada is the best performing G8 country according to SPI

Trinidad and Tobago is the 47th most socially advanced nation in the world according to a major new global index published April 3, 2014.

The Social Progress Index (SPI) was released at the Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship. According to the Index, the majority of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean “exceed expectations” by over-performing on social progress compared to their relative economic strength. Despite belonging to the group of countries with higher social progress score in the region, Trinidad and Tobago is the largest underperformer country relative to its GDP, meaning that the country can foster its social progress level by investing its economic resources wisely.

The working definition of social progress is “the capacity of a society to meet the basic human needs of its citizens, establish the building blocks that allow citizens and communities to

enhance and sustain the quality of their lives, and create the conditions for all individuals to reach their full potential. The index, an aggregate of 57 social and environmental indicators that ranks 132 countries based on their social and environmental performance, measures strictly outcomes of success related to:

1. Does a country provide for its people’s most essential needs?

2. Are the building blocks in place for individuals and communities to enhance and sustain wellbeing?

3. Is there opportunity for all individuals to reach their full potential?

The 2014 Index identifies strengths and weaknesses in Trinidad and Tobago compared

to countries with a comparable GDP per capita. Trinidad and Tobago scored strongly on Tolerance and inclusion, (ranking 22th globally) but scores poorly on Personal Safety, with a ranking of 117th and Ecosystem Sustainability, ranking 95th globally.

The Index also finds that countries in Latin America and the Caribbean score poorly across a number of measures. Personal safety is described as an “acute problem” for many citizens across the region. The Social Progress Index also highlights that the region is also performing poorly on access to higher education.

The Index also identifies New Zealand as this year’s top per-

forming country, The Netherlands as the best performing country in European Union and Canada is the best performing G8 country.

The Social Progress Index was created by the US-based non-profit organisation Social Progress Imperative in collaboration with a team of scholars from Harvard led by Professor Michael E. Porter of Harvard Business School, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as leading international organisations in social entrepreneurship, business and philanthropy including Cisco, Compartamos Banco, Deloitte Global and its member firms (Deloitte), Fundación Avina, and the Skoll Foundation. (TT Newsday)

‘Dream

Big Conference’

slated for May 1-3 in Trinidad

Trinidad and Tobago is bursting at the seams with talent in every facet of its entertainment industry - music, television or film, theatre, arts or gaming - so much so that Republic Bank Limited and Question Mark Entertainment have collaborated to host the ‘Republic Bank RS Teen DeciBel Dream Big Conference and Expo 2014’.

This was announced last Friday, at a press conference held at the Republic Bank Hospitality Suite, Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain. The Expo, which will run from May 1 to May 3, 2014, will target young adults between the ages of 16-25 and industry personnel from 18-40 years of age.

Republic Bank is the Platinum Sponsor of this event in conjunction with Question Mark Entertainment, as part of its commitment to youth development through education; a focus of the Bank’s Power to Make a Difference programme.

Delivering the sponsor’s remarks, Republic Bank’s General Manager, Group Marketing and Communications, Michelle Palmer-Kezier, said as a socially responsible organisation, Republic Bank seeks out methods of helping young people realise their true potential.

“It is no secret that Trinidad and Tobago has been blessed with an abundance of talent. This may be due to our unique ethno-cultural mix or any number of factors, but one thing of which I am certain, is that much of our talent, specifically our young talent, is still untapped,” Palmer-Kezier said. The event will provide conferences, workshops, one-on-one networking sessions, which aims at showcasing an exhibition area that will facilitate many of the top thriving businesses in the entertainment trade today. All interested persons can log onto the www.decibelexpo.com for more information on the expo. (TT Newsday)

‘Tobago 1677’ deemed a trite portrayal of the island’s history

C‘Tonservation International (CI), in collaboration with Iwokrama Rainforest in Guyana, has partnered with the “Maira and the Jaguar People” Film Project with the aim of making it a reality.

The film, written by Dr Michael Gilkes, a leading Guyanese filmmaker, writer, playwright, director, actor and professor, will be filmed on location close to and involving the Surama community and other virgin forested locations within that region in Guyana’s interior.

It is the story of Maira, a young girl who loves birdsong, and her brother, Mairun, who dreams of being a hunter. As a result of a terrifying encounter with a jaguar, they discover for themselves the practical wisdom behind the traditions and beliefs of their community and way of life.

They learn to listen to

Dr Basil

what the Shaman calls “the advice of the birds” and understand that the jaguar holds a special place in the interconnected web of life and death in the rainforest: that there is a kind of mutual respect between humans and jaguars, now a protected species in South America.

In this film, the rainforest will be more than just a beautiful backdrop. The music of its trees, waterfalls, rivers and birdsong will play a very important part in the story. Landscape is more than land. It is the most valuable resource for living. The rainforests are the lungs of the globe. So is the musical language of the Makushi tribe (with subtitles) which will also be featured. The project will, therefore, also help to promote the restoration and preservation of their language and cultural heritage, already in grave danger of being lost through the pull of the urban communities

on their young people. Surama to benefit directly

The Makushi people of Surama will benefit directly from the making of this film, both in terms of their close involvement in the technical and casting areas of the production, but also because a replica of a Makushi village from the 1950s for the set for the film will be built and the structures will not be torn down after filming, but will remain in the care of the Makushi community. This was according to the Project Manager Gem Madhoo-Nascimento.

A trail and bivouac for overnighting will be built at Kayanperu, to be developed as a heritage site. These structures could then be used as living or guest spaces for the community and their visitors, or serve as a museum site, for example. All these facilities will remain after the film team has left, for the use of the Makushi community. (Guyana Times)

launches new book on

Jamaican Diaspora

The book ‘The Jamaicans - Children of God in the Promised Land’ highlights Dr Bryan's compelling personal stories and the strength and indomitable spirit of Jamaicans as immigrants in the United States and other lands.

A compelling and well-documented historian and avid sportsman, Dr Bryan served as consul general to New York and 38 other states from 1998 to 2007, and as deputy chief of mission.

As deputy ambassador in the Jamaican Embassy in Washington DC, Dr Bryan has been honoured and recognised repeatedly in the Diaspora for his work in forging many beneficial relationships, and treaties between the Jamaican and Caribbean communities and the African American people.

The event also highlighted the book ‘Reasons to Believe’ written by Marcia A Harris MD. Proceeds from both books will benefit "The I

obago 1677’, a docudrama about the 17thcentury tussle between the Netherlands and France for control of the island, got its Trinidad premiere this month, following its world premiere in Tobago in December.

But the film received a mixed reception at the private screening at the Hyatt hosted by the Trinidad Hotels Restaurants and Tourism Association (THRTA).

It had been talked up as an important project for the country, but the view shared by members of the T&T film industry was that the film turned out to be a demeaning, Eurocentric account of Caribbean history which neglected local expertise.

The film was split into two sections. The first half is a present-day documentary about the archaeology of the historic battles fought in the port of Scarborough between the two European colonial naval fleets. The second is a dramatisation of the events of 1677 when France twice attempted to wrest the island from the Dutch by land and sea—successfully destroying the Dutch fort at the second attempt.

The drama used Tobagonian actors in non-speaking roles playing black French mercenary soldiers acquired from already conquered islands and from Africa. The camera crew was mostly local and the animations were done by Brett Lewis’ Eye Scream Animation company

based in Diego Martin.

The two producers (and scuba divers) are from Germany, Rick Haupt and Sylvia Krueger. They own a company called ‘Oceans Discovery’, which has produced similar historical programmes for the Discovery channel.

The company is poised to be the biggest beneficiary of the project, as well as an unnamed local company that cofunded the project. The film has been bought up by Sky Vision, the UKbased global television giant, which owns the licensing rights to hawk it around the world to cable TV channels like National Geographic.

It is hoped that the Tobago tourism industry might also benefit. That was one of three objectives set out by Kevin Kenny, vice president of the THRTA, who initiated the project ten years ago after seeing Haupt and Krueger’s documentary about Captain Henry Morgan’s wrecks in Haiti.

Speaking to the T&T Guardian, Kenny (who has a small role in the film) said if the film got a global audience, Tobago would be put on the world map and receive more tourists.

Kenny says there were three reasons for making the film. Firstly, to promote Tobago. Secondly, “because it was a stage missing entirely from the history books. An event nobody knew about, including myself, until Jerry Besson showed me a paper on the battle.” Thirdly, “It might encourage the state-building of a quality history museum in Tobago.”

The film panders to the image of the Caribbean the world wants to see, a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’-style adventure-book colonial storytelling, with men in silly wigs and tights blowing each other’s ships out of the water with cannonballs.

It’s narrated by the only surviving Dutch commander, who sits writing his account with quill and ink on parchment in the prison hold of a French ship. All of his compatriots are dead or maimed, he says sombrely, whilst chomping noisily on bread and cheese.

The film ends with an ominous warning that “the third battle of Tobago is about to be waged—to wrest history from the waves.” (TT Guardian)

Haitian Wyclef Jean to perform official anthem at FIFA World Cup final

World renowned Haitian hiphop superstar, Wyclef Jean, alongside other global stars including music legend, Carlos Santana, will perform the 2014 Soccer World Cup official anthem at the closing ceremony of a competition that is arguably the most watched live sporting event in the world.

The world soccer governing body, known as FIFA, and Sony Music Entertainment announced over the weekend that the official anthem of this year's World Cup was entitled "Dar um Jeito", in Portuguese, meaning in English “We Will Find a Way”, featuring Wyclef Jean, Carlos Santana, Swedish top DJ/producer Avicii and Brazilian Grammy award-winning singer,

Alexandre Pires.

"Despite the fact that I was born in a place where darkness at times steals the sunshine, where rain often turns to floods and children often cannot be found, I have always found a way to sing with joy....," Wyclef Jean said after the announcement.

"Dar um Jeito is dedi-

cated to all those searching for the light… knowing that they too, shall soon find a way," Jean added.

The World Cup will take place in Brazil from June 12 to July 13, 2014, with the participation of 32 national sides that made it to the final phase, after a series of qualifying matches in different countries around the world. It will be for the second time the Haitian multi Grammy awardwinning musician will be performing at the FIFA World Cup final, which is held every four years. Jean, alongside global Colombian-American superstar Shakira performed the ‘Hips Don't Lie Bamboo’ version at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. (Caribbean News Now)

Barbados’ ‘Joukanal’ set to explode

The dust has not yet settled on the first ‘Joukanal Carnival’, but organisers are already talking about expanding.

Chetwin Stewart, managing director of ‘Power X 4’ which took over the carnival usually held by the University of the West Indies, told the SUNDAY SUN they were so blown away by the response to the ‘J’ouvert Party’ on Friday night and Saturday’s jumpup, that they are looking to expand it to include students from outside of Barbados.

“Since we’re having such a good response, we’re looking to turn this into the first ever Spring Break Carnival. We’re already talking to some of the hotels and stuff, in terms of putting up people and the airlines are willing to work with us as long as we get over 25 people booking a flight. So we’re looking to bring girls out of California,

people from all over . . . not only the Caribbean,” Stewart explained.

Social media will be the primary mode of getting the word out about the festival that is to be billed the ‘Joukanal Spring Break Carnival’, Stewart said.

“That is what took me by surprise with these young people [UWI students]. When they first approached me, and they told me to go and look at their websites and look at the photos and stuff I was really impressed, because coming out of the age of Congaline all we used to do is run a few ads and stuff like that. But when you go online now, they’re doing video shoots and photo shoots and all kinda stuff. So I think it’s going to be very easy to market overseas. What we’re actually going to do is maintain it as a student’s carnival and the bands in Barbados will produce the costumes and the students

overseas will register online to jump in their favourite costumes in Barbados,” he said.

Power X 4 is already planning to include some videos showing would-be revellers how to dance and ‘wuk-up’ Bajan style.

“We’re going to throw some Spring Break parties. I’ve always been one to promote that Barbados has some of the loveliest beaches in the world and we should do something on the beach that is why I did the beach at Kensington. But this time we’re looking to bring in a lot of young students and have a climax on the beach,” he said of the initial plans that have been made.

A time has not yet been identified and all Stewart would say is that the Joukanal Spring Break Carnival will be held earlier than this year’s inaugural event in order to tap into that large demographic. (Nation News)

‘Takaaful T&T’ makes land ownership affordable to members

“This product provides an opportunity for members to save towards purchasing real estate and own land via instalment purchases from or through the Society,” said Zafir Ali, Secretary of the Board of Management and Chairman of the Investment Committee of ‘Takaaful T&T Friendly Society’ at the launch of the Society’s Property Ownership Fund (POF). He added that both the members and the organisation are expected to benefit from this new venture.

Addressing the small gathering of members and supporters on April 2 , Ali (Z) explained that through the POF, property ownership becomes more affordable to members, the transaction is interest-free, members are not only encouraged to save but also collect dividends in the process. This product is expected to generate new capital and increased business and income. It will also expand the operations of the Society by facilitating further diversification of its real estate portfolio.

Speaking at the launch at the Offices of the Society in Valsayn,

US-based Guyanese receives top award

Robin Dinnanauth, a US-based Guyanese native, last week received a Golden Rule Award from Ambassador Clyde Rivers, representative for the Interfaith PeaceBuilding Initiative to the United Nations in New York and the African Union.

The nomination recognises Dinnanauth for his compassion toward humankind and his active efforts to empower communities with trust, dignity and improved living conditions.

Dinnanauth has been inspiring lives both locally and internationally through humanitarian leadership and creative initiatives such as “Josiah’s House of Hope for Children”.

His outreach has become a model for impacting families and fostering successful community collaboration between corporate, government and non-profit organisations.

“I believe that we can help people from all walks of life realise their dreams and live to their

full potential, regardless of background or current situation. Everyone has the capacity to be more and go farther than they ever thought possible.”

The Golden Rule Awards took place April 4 (The Golden Rule Day) at the Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Dinnanauth now joins a list of other goodwill ambassadors and Golden Rule International Alumni, whose proclamation has been submitted to the United Nations to implement the golden rule as a policy of peace.

Dinnanauth is an educator, mentor, leader, pastor, entrepreneur, author of several books, and sought-after conference speaker. His past is rich with many compelling life experiences which give him a platform to address critical issues that affect an individual’s social and spiritual development.

The Golden Rule International is affiliated with the Interfaith Peace-Building Initiative Organisation, Department of Public Information of United Nations, the African Union, the United Nations and the United Religions Initiative (URI). It seeks out top achievers who live the Golden Rule in their everyday lives. This new global ethic has been embraced by 120 nations of the world and is being promoted globally by the leadership of the Golden Rule International Award, patron, current Ethiopian President Girma Wolde and Ambassador Mussie Hailu. (Guyana Times)

‘Rastafari Village’ to boost tourism in Jamaica

President of the Society Manwar Ali gave a brief overview of product development within the Society. He stated that in 1999 the Society had begun operating with just two (2) products- the Funeral Benefit Scheme (FBS) and an Investment Fund. In 2003, two (2) new products were added i.e. the ‘Hajj Fund’ and the ‘Waqf Fund’. Between the years 2003 to 2013, eight (8) Waqf products were added, the latest being the ‘Specific Purpose Waqf’ which was launched in 2013.

The president announced that in the year 2014, the FBS was restructured, resulting in more than a 100 percent increase in participation by its members.

Both Nalini Persad-Salick (Registrar of Friendly Societies) and Management Consultant Virgil Patrick had complimented the Society on its growth and development and its leadership role among Friendly Societies in T&T.

Now in its sixteenth year of operations, Takaaful T&T has an active membership of 1,115 members. (TT Newsday)

Cultural tourism in St James, Jamaica is expected to be significantly boosted with the opening of the newly developed a Ja$23 million Rastafari Indigenous Village, situated at Irwin in the parish.

The attraction, which was officially opened on April 4, is a joint undertaking between the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), which provided Ja$19.5 million in funding through the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), and the Rastafari Africa Hall Benevolent Society, which contributed Ja$4 million.

Inputs were also provided by other stake-

holders, including the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).

Tours of the Village will form a significant feature of the parish’s cultural offerings to both locals and visitors from overseas.

The project was officially opened by State Minister for Industry, Investment, and Commerce, and Member of Parliament for West Central St James, where the attraction is situated, Sharon FfolkesAbrahams.

Ffolkes-Abrahams welcomed the project’s opening and thanked all of the stakeholders contributing to its development.

The state minister described the Village’s

concept as “a great vision of how we can do community tourism projects”, while highlighting the use of indigenous materials, particularly bamboo. Noting the government’s focus on using bamboo to develop and advance Jamaica’s craft and creative industries, Ffolkes-Abrahams contended that this is “a way forward for rural development”.

She said, in keeping with this, the ministry is currently developing a special bamboo project. She further advised that a mini-conference, focusing on bamboo is slated to be held in Jamaica involving representatives of the governments of Jamaica, and People’s Republic of China.

Guyanese-born US businessman scores big

When the dot.com boom crashed in 2001 and the easy money dried up, Guyana native Jonathan Brassington and two colleagues quit their venture capital-backed Philadelphia firm and set up their own small company: LiquidHub.

They designed it to be self-funding – with cash from clients, not bets from investors – and went to work upgrading Internet services for some of the region’s biggest companies.

Today, LiquidHub is big enough, profitable enough, and growing fast enough to welcome investment from around the world.

Last week, it con-

firmed a US$53 million investment led by ChrysCapital, a multinational firm that has invested more than US$2 billion for Ivy League universities and other clients since 1999.

With 1400 employees –half in the U.S., at its Wayne headquarters and in Boston and San Francisco satellite offices, the rest in India –and a client list including Vanguard Group, SEI Corp, Novartis, Independence Blue Cross, Subaru and Comcast, among others, Brassington’s company doubled annual sales in the last three years, to US$125 million.

LiquidHub’s engineers and programmers work side-by-side with clients’ information tech workers. The goal is to adapt computer systems, so companies can assemble and analyse data for employees and customers, through

- a Jamaican discovers his true calling

smartphones and iPads and remote “cloud” servers.

Along with rival “digital integrators” such as Sapient, Accenture Digital and Globant, LiquidHub does not replace big business software systems built by such providers as SAP, Microsoft or IBM, but adapts them into handheld devices and other everyday applications.

LiquidHub’s ability to hook companies into popular and “disruptive” technologies makes it a promising platform for global growth, ChrysCapital managing director Sanjay Kukreja said in a statement.

Excited

“We’re excited. We

For 11 years Rayon

Dyer practised freelance journalism from his base in Black River, St. Elizabeth.

He wrote for The Gleaner newspaper and also became a broadcaster channelling sponsored radio programmes focused on what he described as "positive happenings" via established radio networks.

But the way he tells it, he was always nagged by the need to go his own way and be, in a real sense, his own boss. That need became an imperative in 2009 when The Gleaner dispensed with his services and the tightening economic crisis rendered his radio enterprise increasingly uncompetitive.

But it was his radio interviews with people practising alternative medicines, including medical doctor Tony Vendreyes, that have taken Dyer down a path he now considers his true calling.

Today, Dyer has put journalism behind him, and through his company ‘Randan's Detox Clinic’, is practising herbal and alterna-

tive medicine. He claims to be making a positive difference for many lives.

He recalls that the process happened gradually. To begin with, he became very health conscious.

"I started reading up a lot about herbs... and I started to change... like eating less meat...," he said.

"Having seen a lot of people suffering various ailments, including lifestyle-related and cholesterol issues, you realise the value of having less animal protein," he said.

The way Dyer remembers it, somewhere along the way he learnt about the "marvels" of the Moringa plant. Further research brought him to an understanding of an electrolyte detoxification process for the body using an aqua chi footbath machine which would be complemented by the intake of herbal products from plants such as Moringa and Guinea Hen Weed.

More intense research followed alongside long-distance training from overseas in the use of the detoxification ma-

look at ourselves as helping to develop a vibrant technology economy in Philadelphia. We have a lot of opportunities ahead of us,” said Brassington, 39, last week, while on vacation in The Dominican Republic. He added that he and his family wanted “to experience the Caribbean culture I grew up with”.

His road from Guyana to Pennsylvania was traced by his father’s sister, a nun in the order of the Sisters of Mercy, who recommended Brassington to her Catholic order’s college, Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa.

After finishing grad school at Penn, he went

to work at the seminal digital advisory firm Broadreach Consulting from 1995-2001, then joined colleagues Robert Kelley and Leighton Yohannan to start LiquidHub.

“Jonathan’s brilliant, and very positive. He started this in a tough time, and his financial customers spent [the late 2000s] knee deep in tough times, but LiquidHub grew through it,” said Michael DiPiano, whose Radnorbased firm, NewSpring Capital, led an earlier US$20 million investment in the firm in 2007, and has more than doubled its money as LiquidHub grew. (philly. com)

Fchine.

Dyer credits the St Elizabeth Credit Union for providing capital start-up and loan refinancing; as well as friends and "partners" who have provided support.

Dyer takes pride in being able to advise people on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as diet. He also makes it his duty to point clients to the dangers of alcohol overuse and tobacco smoking.

In some cases, he says, clients have been weaned from long-term dependence on prescription drugs.

In addition, he says, he now has clients overseas "who have found what we do here to be very helpful and will send from time to time to get locally grown herbs".

But while extolling the virtues of "natural" treatment, Dyer worries that the growing trade in herbal remedies remains disorganised and unregulated. It's a situation that he says can prove dangerous since knowledge and integrity should always be central to the dispensation of medicine. (Jamaica Observer)

our Antiguan students have been awarded scholarships for their exceptional academic performance at UWI, Cave Hill, Barbados.

The recipients were Blair Rose, Priscilla Whyte, Trevor Smith, and Latrishka Thomas.

Rose and Whyte, final year accounting and finance students, received the CIBC FirstCaribbean Scholarship valued at US$2,500.

Smith, also a final year accounting and finance student, received the Richard Cheltenham QC Scholarship worth BDS$3,500.

Thomas, a first year student of sociology and psychology, is the recipient of the Sir Arthur Lewis Award which covers tuition and economic cost for up to three years.

The awardees were former students of the Antigua Girls High School, Jennings Secondary School, Antigua Grammar School and the Princess Margaret Secondary respectively, as well as the Antigua State College.

Apart from their academic qualifications, the scholarship recipients hold executive positions in clubs and associations on campus.

Rose is currently the pres-

ident of the Antigua and Barbuda Student Association, Public Relations Officer of the Cave Hill Debating Society, and member of both the Rotaract Club of Cave Hill and Anglican Students at UWI.

Whyte is currently the vice president of the Rotaract Club of Cave Hill and secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Student Association.

Smith currently holds the treasurer position in the Antigua & Barbuda Student Association and is also a student assistant at the school library, working up to 18 hours per week.

Thomas was a worker in the past guild elections.

Speaking of her award, Rose said: “I felt gratified … you’re actually getting a physical award, even though you do feel good in getting good grades. But to get an actual reward solidifies the good feeling you get after working hard, and it also gives encouragement to continue working hard.”

The awardees are encouraging all incoming and current students to visit the university website and apply for as many scholarships as eligible.

(Antigua Observer)

Salman Khan grows his own vegetables

The Mumbai Mirror recently reported how Salman Khan is off alcohol and cigarettes for the past three years (March 29, 2014). Now, it seems that the star has taken another step towards healthy living.

A regular at Salman's Panvel retreat informed us how impressed he was after getting a tour of the farm. Revealed the source, "Salman has been growing potatoes, tomatoes and pump-

kins without using any kind of artificial fertilisers. He proudly feeds his guests dishes cooked with the vegetables grown in his kitchen garden." The star has turned to gardening as he believes that the vegetables in the market today are laced with chemicals and can trigger serious health problems. Healthy eating is the way to a healthy lifestyle, according to the new and improved Salman Khan. But if you are thinking that the actor intends to make a quick buck out of his fresh produce, then you are mistaken. The veggies are strictly for domestic use.

"Much of what he grows is consumed at his Bandra home and in the farmhouse, with the surplus going to guests and other close friends," the source said. When contacted, Salman's father, Salim Khan confirmed the news.

He said, "I've never seen Salman so passionate about anything. He's really given his heart and soul to the farm," while adding, "He loves spending time there, being at one with nature. And yes, we have no plans to sell the output commercially. It's just an initiative towards a healthy life." (Times of India)

Sunny Leone loves to cook

Calling herself a typical Punjabi ‘kudi’, actor Sunny Leone, who was in Lucknow sometime back, says she loves food. Another thing that Sunny enjoys is cooking. "I cook a lot. Actually I cook all the unhealthy food at home. My husband Daniel is the one who does all the healthy cooking. When I am allowed to cook all the unhealthy food, I do. Actually when Daniel and I are together at home, we enjoy cooking together a lot. Our favourite is the

morning time when we can cook together and eat breakfast when it's nice and quiet. That's our time when it's just him and me and we sip our coffee and so it's our favourite meal of the day."

And before she can continue further, Daniel decides to answer the question about how good a cook Sunny is. "She's not going to like my answer," getting punched by Sunny who screams, "Don't you remember my Thanksgiving dinner? I have to remind you of my cooking skills. How can you forget, it was so good and I made it all!" to which Daniel says, "Well, Thanksgiving is just about once in a year. But regularly what she makes well is eggs, instant pasta, instant noodles, omelet's, all stuff that we shouldn't be eating."

“With Daniel around it's as if I have the food FBI behind me telling me what not to eat because I have to remain in shape and diet and work out. But as actors we have too remain slender and perhaps not look normal at times just to look attractive and suffer in return," she adds with a sigh. (Times of India)

Australian designer creates sari for Vidya Balan

Actress Vidya Balan has become Bollywood's quintessential ambassador of the sari, and when an Australian designer was asked to create an ensemble for her, she couldn't think beyond the six-yard wonder either, according to IANS.

As part of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2014, festival ambassador Vidya did a photoshoot with celebrated Australian designer Susan Dimasi.

Dimasi presented Vidya in a special sari, the fabric of which was specially designed by her. The sari was the result of handweaving a textile with silk ribbon through a rubber net.

The handwoven textile was exhibited at the prestigious Melbourne Now arts exhibition at the iconic National Gallery of Victoria and then draped on Vidya as a sari, said a statement.

Apart from Dimasi, Akira Isogawa, a prominent contemporary designer, was given a chance to dress the acclaimed actress.

Isogawa, who has even dressed Cate Blanchett in the past, created a special dress for Vidya. It was a fusion of his Japanese roots and Australian chic.

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne runs from May 1 to May 11, screening over 45 films with over 30 Australian premieres. The festival will be opened by the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. (Times of India)

Actress Kalki Koechlin spoke to NDTV about being sexually abused as a child, according to TNN reports.

Kalki revealed that she didn't want to talk about it on a public platform. She said that a revelation like that just becomes like a "shocking headline" but somebody "who has gone through CSA (child sexual abuse) is not a headline."

Without giving out details of her own experience, Kalki said, "The reason you haven't heard about it is that I don't like to talk about it. For me, it's not a one day headline, it's something that's a reality I have lived with for a long time. Many of us have gone through it and most of the people that I know, especially close friends of mine who are women, have gone through some form of CSA (child sexual abuse). It's just so out there, so much of it that I think it's not something that should be ignored."

Earlier, Kalki spoke at a conference on child sexual abuse organised by actor Rahul Bose's NGO ‘H.E.A.L.’ Kalki, had made headlines some time back for her spectacular monologue on Women's Day. Kalki has been one of the few celebrities who have been vocal about women's issues and had also starred in a satirical video about violence against women.

Kalki was last seen in the film 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani'. (Times of India)

Waheeda Rehman 'not okay' with biopic

Veteran actress Waheeda Rehman, who recently unveiled Nasreen Munni Kabir's book ‘Conversations with Waheeda Rehman’, says she is "not okay" if a film is made on her life.

The 76-year-old has featured in several Bollywood classics like ‘Solvaa Saal’, ‘Pyasa’, ‘Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam’,

‘Bees Saal Baad’ and ‘Guide’, and she has regaled audiences with her graceful dancing skills over the years.

Biopics are a new trend in the Hindi film industry. So, asked if she would be fine with a film on her journey, she said, "I am (over) 75. Now it's a long journey...it has to be made in four parts. But personally, I am not okay with it."

"I am not fine with it and there is no reason (for it) as such."

In the last decade itself, the actress featured in movies like ‘Rang De Basanti’ and ‘Delhi-6’. Now she is happy away from the screen.

"How much to work? We should give a chance to others as well. I don't miss anything...I am happy with myself. I travel a lot, read a lot, meet my friends, like to cook occasionally. I am satisfied with my life," said the veteran actress in an interaction at Sofitel, Mumbai.

She recently launched ‘Conversations with Waheeda Rehman’, a longish interview exploring several aspects of her life and career.

(Times of India)

Honey Singh tries to emulate Pran in 'The Xpose'

Indian Rapper-composer Yo Yo Honey Singh, who is making his acting debut with the film ‘The Xpose’, says he has a small negative role in the movie and that he has tried to copy legendary actor Pran in it, according to IANS.

"My role in this film is like a cameo, I am coming as a debutant actor. It's a very short role with only three to four scenes and it is a negative character," the 29-year-old said at the Miss India 2014 contest. "This film is based in the 1960s and I love the way Pran-ji used to act. So I have tried to do what he did," he said.

Honey Singh says acting is the toughest of all performing arts.

"I think acting is the most difficult one among all the performing arts. Writing songs, making music and singing is important to me and I do all three," he said.

He wanted to have a brush with act-

ing.

"You play someone you are not...So I wanted to learn it. Anant Mahadevan is a senior actor and filmmaker and Himesh (Reshammiya) asked me if I would do a small role and I said yes," Honey Singh said.

‘The Xpose’ stars composer-actor Himesh Reshammiya in the lead. It is a detective thriller, and besides some new faces, the film also stars Irrfan Khan.

The movie will hit theatres May 23. (Times of India)

Mickey Rooney dies at 93

Actor Mickey Rooney, the pintsized screen dynamo of the 1930s and 1940s best known for his boy-next-door role in the Andy Hardy movies, died on Sunday at 93, the TMZ celebrity website reported.

Rooney, who was one of the biggest box office stars of the movies' studio era, had been ill for some time, TMZ said. It did not give a cause of death and a spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

Rooney, who spent almost his entire life in

show business, teamed up with Judy Garland in the 1939 movie mus-

cial ‘Babes in Arms’. He also starred with Elizabeth Taylor in 1944's ‘National Velvet’, which launched Taylor's career.

Rooney was best known for his role as Andy Hardy, the popular all-American teenager, which he portrayed in about 20 movies.

Rooney was married eight times, the first time to screen beauty Ava Gardner. Asked once if he would marry all his eight wives again, he said, "Absolutely. I loved every one of them."

(Times of India)

Gerard Butler barred from doing stunts in 'Point Break' remake

Gerard Butler has been banned from performing heavy duty stunts in his upcoming remake of 1991 film 'Point Break', it has been revealed.

Guinness World Record holder Garrett McNamara, who has surfed the largest wave ever, and Jeb Corliss, who famously leapt off the Eiffel Tower, have been brought on board to perform the 44-year-old ac-

tor's stunts, the Daily Star reported.

But it seems like the producers want to elevate the thrill, and are going to bring in sports professionals as doubles for the film, which involves sky diving and surf riding exploits, considered risky even for professional stunt men.

'The Ugly Truth' star has been cast as Bodhi along with 24-year-old Luke Bracey, who'll be playing Utah. (ANI)

Hollywood celebs pay tribute to Peaches Geldof on Twitter

Many Hollywood celebrities recently took to Twitter to pay tribute to late Peaches Geldof, the second daughter of Irish singer Bob Geldof, whose cause of death is not yet known, according to ANI reports.

While Lily Allen said

that her thoughts were with the late TV personality's family, fellow singer Ellie Goulding wrote that even if you think you've got it all figured out, some things still can't be explained or understood.

Colleen Rooney said that she couldn't believe

the news and Michelle Keegan asserted that she was devastated after hearing that Peaches had passed away.

TV chef Jamie Oliver wrote that it was very sad to hear about the loss of Peaches aged 25 and sent his love to her whole family.

Amongst the list of celebrities was Sharon Osbourne, who said that it is unimaginable what Peaches' family must be going through right now.

Peaches leaves behind two young sons Astala Dylan Willow and Phaedra Bloom Forever. (ANI)

Miranda Kerr feels 'lucky' to have 'great dad' to son

Miranda Kerr has admitted that estranged husband Orlando Bloom is a "great dad" to their 3-year-old son Flynn, and she feels lucky to have him in her life.

During an appearance on 'Good Morning America', the 30-year-old Aussie model, who has split from the 37-year-old actor, said that it's really important to have two happy parents and they both are really happy now, E! Online reported.

Meanwhile, Bloom too had acknowledged Kerr by thanking her for giving him the best gift ever, his son, while receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last week. (ANI)

Russian movie theatres fined for screening ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’

Bosses at movie theatres in Novosibirsk, Russia have been fined for screening Martin Scorsese's Oscar-nominated movie ‘The Wolf Of Wall Street’, according to reports.

Local officials accused the cinema owners of drug-use propaganda by showing the film and ordered them to pay the equivalent of $113,000, Contactmusic reported.

The ruling follows a complaint from officers at Siberia's Federal Service for Narcotics Control, who felt that the movie "reflected a subculture of drug abusers" and idealised the use of illegal drugs, according to Russian news agency Itar-Tass.

The film features Leonardo DiCaprio as real-life con artist, stockbroker and wild man Jordan Belfort and features scenes of debauchery, sex and drug-taking. DiCaprio was nominated for an Oscar for the film. (ANI)

MGM sues Universal over ‘James Bond’ knock-off

MGM is looking to block the making of 'Section 6', a historical spy movie which is expected to depict the origins of MI6, the British intelligence agency founded during World War I.

The studio has filed a lawsuit against Universal, claiming that the thriller is too similar to ‘James Bond’ story, reported Variety.

The thriller has Joe Cornish ('Attack the Block') as the director and actors Jack O'Connell & Hugh Jackman eying the lead role.

It will focus on MI6's

first director, Sir George Mansfield Cummings, who served as the inspiration for Bond's boss M.

"This lawsuit concerns a motion picture project, in active development, featuring a daring, tuxedo-clad British secret agent, employed by His Majesty's Secret Service, with a 'license to kill', and a ‘00’ secret agent number on a mis-

sion to save England from the diabolical plot of a megalomaniacal villain," the lawsuit reads.

"Most moviegoers would assume from that description alone that this lawsuit concerns the next James Bond picture. It does not."

'Section 6' is scripted by Aaron Berg. MGM and James Bond's producer Danjaq claim they tried to settle the dispute without involving a judge. They asked to see the screenplay to make sure it's not too similar to ‘007’, but Universal refused their request. (Times of India)

Anne Hathaway has a ‘daredevil side’

Anne Hathaway has revealed that she enjoys doing her own stunts in the movies, since it brings out her "daredevil side".

The 'Les Miserables' star told HELLO! Magazine that she was a real tomboy when she was a little girl and she grew up with two brothers and loved to climb trees and jump off things that were way too high for her.

The 31-year-old actress added that she loves to do anything physical that excites her, although her mother wishes she doesn't. (ANI)

Russell Crowe 'vows to stay single'

Russell Crowe has revealed that he will remain single as he doesn't think it is fair on his two boys to see him with another woman.

The 50-year-old actor asserted on the Graham Norton Show that he doesn't want his young sons to see him in another relationship with someone not their mother and it was not something he needed or wanted them to have to deal with at the moment, the Daily Express reported.

The 'Noah' star said that he has the responsibility of his two boys and the actor doesn't want them to think anyone other than their mum was the most perfect woman in the world. (ANI)

- Guyanese-Jamaican inducted into Caribbean Hall of fame

Dr Jean Small is a Caribbean Hall of Fame inductee on a mission to promote literacy through theatre

Dr Jean Small is a Guyanese-Jamaican who graduated from the University of the West Indies in Foreign Languages – French, Spanish and Latin. Her profession all her life has been as an educator, which she passionately pursues.

She was born in Guyana but has been living in Jamaica since 1954. Small has worked in Guyana, Trinidad, Nigeria, Australia and Jamaica as a French teacher at both secondary and university levels. Her love since school days has been theatre. She considers herself first as an actress and secondly as a director and playwright, using theatre tools as a vehicle for understanding life, language, culture and interpersonal relationships. As a foreign language lecturer, she uses theatre to teach

French and Literature at the university level. Her publications include a series of textbooks in French and Spanish for schools; the play ‘A Black Woman’s Tale’; and articles on the empowerment of theatre.

Small has participated in theatre internationally and is the only person in Jamaica who uses theatre as a tool for teaching French and Literature. For 13 years, Small led a team of ex-

Caribbean star power for opening of Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival

Hosted once more at ‘The People’s Auditorium’, Mindoo Phillip Park, the official opening of the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival continues its legacy of thrilling audiences with a lineup featuring an all-star cast of Caribbean powerhouses designed to jump start the festival.

From Trinidad and Tobago, the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival welcomes 2014 Groovy Soca Monarch Kerwin Dubois back to its shores. Fresh off the heels of his victorious performance at the International Soca Monarch competition, Dubois will rock the stage alongside fellow competitors and Soca favorites Mr Killa from Grenada of “Rolly Polly” fame, and frequent Saint Lucian Soca collaborator Skinny Fabulous from St Vincent and the Grenadines.

From New York City by way of Haiti, Kompas fusion trio Carimi will bring their unique flavour to the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival Opening stage. Home grown musical heavyweights Superman HD, reigning Power and Road March champion Ricky T, Mongstar and EvaLucian featuring Arthur Allain add local flavour to the opening stage.

Headlining the official opening of the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival is Jamaican dancehall superstar Popcaan and the Ruff Kuff Band. Once the protégé of one of dancehall’s most revered and controversial heralds, Vybz Kartel, Popcaan’s “Freshman Class” of dancehall has revolutionised the genre, incorporating fresh synths and rhythms beneath infectiously catchy hooks. With hits like “When You Wine Like That”, “Unruly Rave” and “Only Man She Want” Popcaan is set to invigorate crowds.

The musical talent abounds and the party atmosphere is palpable with the announcement of these stellar acts. The official opening of the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival is slated for April 30 at the Mindoo Phillip Park. (Caribbean News Now)

perts from across the Caribbean to formulate the curriculum in French and Spanish for the Caribbean Examinations Council. Notably, she participated in writing the syllabus for Theatre Arts for CXC. She was the External Examiner for Theatre at the Edna Manley College and External Examiner of French for the Joint Board of Teacher Education.

The prolific educator

Omari Harrigan of Chosen Sounds has – with collaborators Neil Cochrane and Kevin Hosam – put together a star-studded line-up for the upcoming Nautical Festival in Antigua.

Introduced last year as a Sailing Week after-after party at Abracadabra, Harrigan said, “It came off so well (as) a climax to the whole season,” it has been expanded into a two-day event.

Fresh from ‘The Voice’ and more recently the White House, powerhouse Jamaican vocalist Tessanne Chin is in the mix, Reggae artistes Barrington Levy and Christopher Martin, and Jillionaire and Walshy Fire of Major Lazer.

The latter, Harrigan said, “bend the genres of music …soca and dancehall with electronic” and, he added, “fill stadiums all over the world”.

The events are scheduled for Friday, May 2, at Abracadabra and Saturday, May 3, at Splash.

“Two days, one awesome experience,” Harrigan said.

The May 2nd event is an all DJ affair, much like last year, with the likes of Jime, Miks, Merchy, and from Major

of the Fine Arts Board of the University Council of Jamaica, member of the Alliance Française (an organisation that promotes French language and culture worldwide), and past president of the Jamaica Association of French Teachers.

has been decorated twice by the French government for distinguished teaching of French and Literature. (The first in 1985 with the Academic Palms at the level of Chevalier, and in June 2004 at the Level of Officer.)

Small is presently retired from the University of the West Indies where she last headed the Philip Sherlock Centre For the Creative Arts. She is currently the Convenor

In 2001, Small was inducted into the Caribbean Hall Of Fame in Jamaica. In 2003, Small joined the Toastmasters International, which is an organisation that sees communication and leadership as essential to personal and societal development. Through her performance in her club, the Dynamic Speakers, she gained the designation as Distinguished Toastmaster in 2012. In 2004, she placed third in the Jamaica National Speech Competition.

In May 2005, she won the Jamaica National Humourous Speech Competition, and in November of the same year she won the Humourous Speech Competition held in St.

Croix, which made Small the 2005 Caribbean Toastmasters Champion of Humourous Speeches. In 2006, she won the evaluation contest at the Area Level, and in 2007 she became the Caribbean Champion of Public Speaking. Small is also the director of her own company, TALA (Theatre Arts Learning Aids), which promotes the use of theatre as a teaching tool. Through TALA, she teaches values and attitudes using the art of puppetry and storytelling. Her puppetry troupe is called Puppets For Peace, which presents puppet plays for children and workshops for early childhood educators and Sunday school teachers on the effective use of puppetry as a teaching tool. TALA offers a course in Public Speaking. Small also conducts drama classes with the children of the Portmore Missionary Preparatory School. (First published on www. guyanesegirlsrock.com)

Lazer, Walshy Fire.

The following night, meanwhile, will be jampacked with talent, including, from Antigua, Kutting Edge, Jamal Gordon, Tian Winter, and ‘Logiq’; and the named regional and international artistes.

‘Logiq’ has been making moves on the local hip-hop scene for 10 years or more and is currently making waves with international outfit Sweetbox, most recently the hot duet with Asher Otto, All 4 Love; and no doubt anticipation will be high as it always is for new music from popular soca star Tian Winter.

Then there is Jamal, being groomed and managed by Dr Noel Howell for international success, and the soulful combo Kutting Edge, which brings some steel pan to the stage.

As was the case last year, when a companion CD of music with an international flavour by local artists set sail in the ASW post-season and the festival’s wake, fans can expect new music with featured artistes available as singles for download.

In this digital age, these kinds of collaborations are not limited by geographic boundar-

ies, Harrigan reminded, hinting that new music is in fact already in the works.

A hot topic during our chat with Harrigan was Chin, who recently signed a major deal on the heels of her success as the first artiste from the Caribbean to use the top rated American show to cross over.

They managed to get her for Nautical just before she became impossible to get, as she is likely to be in demand going forward.

Harrigan, who described Chin as the Caribbean’s sweetheart, a reference no doubt to the way the Caribbean rallied behind her win and to the grace she demonstrated throughout the competition’s run and since, said since her last performance in Antigua during her Hideaway phase, “her voice and personality have matured so much”.

The producer/promoter continues to prove that for his part, he has what it takes to put on quite the show, at least the promising line-up raises hopes that the two-night affair will deliver an entertaining time. And it’s his feeling that it will also add value to the season.

(Antigua Observer)

Standing proudly in spacious surroundings on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, Guyana, Castellani House, named in honour of its designer Cesar Castellani, houses Guyana’s most valuable art.

Castellani House is one of the many outstanding buildings designed by Cesar Castellani. Construction began in 1879 and ended in 1882 as a residence for then government botanist George Samuel Jenman. Jenman was transferred from Jamaica to British Guiana to supervise the conversion of the area into a botanical garden as well as beautifying Georgetown through landscaping. After his death, Sir John Birchmore Harrison, the Director of Science and Agriculture became the building’s next resident.

Castellani House -Safeguarding Guyana’s art history

The last agriculture officer to live there was Gavin Kennard.

The most notable resident was Forbes Burnham, former prime minister and president of Guyana. He resided there from December 1964 until his death in August 1985. During his residency, the building became popularly known as ‘The Residence’. The current administration brought the building back to its original glory, making it available to house the National Art Collection. At an inaugural exhibition on 24 May 1993 it was officially named

Architecture

The building is made from mainly timber, both local greenheart and imported pine, and originally had two floors only, which were ground and first, with high gable roofs. The main body of the house had a centrally-placed entrance tower on the west side, with galleries along the north and east sides at first floor level, and an open porch below the northern gallery. In its original form, Castellani House would have represented colonial architecture with its

steep-pitched gable roofs, dormer windows, dominant front tower, twelve-paned Georgian sash window and Demerara windows.

In 1965, Guyanese architect Hugh McGregor Reid also made additional alterations to produce the building which appears today. Pictures of the building over the years show how immensely the building has been altered and extended, but it was able to keep its original splendour.

The gallery possesses paintings and sculptures by eminent Guyanese artists such as Denis Williams, founder of the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology in 1977, whose 1950 painting ‘Human World’ was the first piece purchased for the collection. It also features artist and art teacher Edward R. Burrowes, founder of the Burrowes School of Art in 1975, a painter and sculptor who taught many now famous Guyanese artists; and Philip Moore, creator of the famous 1763 monument and a series of

tributes to Guyana's cricketers, among others.

The collection itself, of some 700 pieces, includes 19th century colonial art and Guyanese art spanning the decades of the 20th century.

The catalogue of the National Gallery includes paintings, sculptures, ceramics, prints and drawings by notable Guyanese and a few foreign artists.

Castellani, an Italiantrained Maltese architect, came to British Guiana in 1860 with a group of Italian priests, and was responsible for a variety of architectural works for a local Catholic church. According to researchers, he was an accomplished architect, his work reflecting solid professional training and familiarity with contemporary European architecture and architectural writings. He contributed vastly to Georgetown’s 19th century architecture, as well as designing the Public Hospital in New Amsterdam. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Star of the Week

Vying for the Miss World Guyana crown, transcendent beauty Ayana Whitehead is poised to not only win the crown but to use the forum she is given for the greater good. Hailing from East Berbice, Corentyne, the 19-yearold’s pageantry history includes being in the top ten placements in the Miss Caraibes Hibiscus Pageant (20132014); second runner-up and awards for Miss Congeniality and Best Dressed in the Miss Universe Guyana Pageant (2013); first place winner at the Miss London Elite Saint Lucia Pageant (2012).

Ayana decided she will compete in the Miss World Guyana pageant because of its ‘Beauty With A Purpose’ project.

Though she would like to represent Guyana as an international ambassador, Ayana is more concerned with the humanitarian aspect, rather than the crown/ title. Focused on her platform, “Using Publicity For Good; Knowledge Is Power”.

Being involved in a pageant is significant to Ayana because it allows her “to do something extra”. If crowned queen, Ayana plans to expand her Beauty With A Purpose project, and to include other contestants and their platforms as well.

CONCACAF, UEFA sign cooperation agreement

CONCACAF and UEFA have forged a closer cooperation through the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

The confederation, the governing body for football in the North, Central American and Caribbean regions, said Saturday that the new agreement with UEFA would provide for technical assistance and support.

In addition, the MOU is geared towards creating dialogue on football development in CONCACAF, as well as

building "a strong legacy with sporting, social, cultural and educational benefits".

"This is another important step as part of CONCACAF's new vision of integration, which aims at gathering the best know-how from each global football community to be able to customise it for the good of the development of our game," said CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb. UEFA president Michel Platini, who was on his first visit to the Caribbean, said such al-

liances were important to the overall development of the game.

"It is the duty of us who are in the daily business of the game to join forces for the development of global football," said the former France international, who is now one of the most powerful figures in world football.

The MOU with UEFA follows on the heels of a similar one signed between CONCACAF and Confederation of African Football (CAF) in April last year. (Jamaica Observer)

NSC annual badminton tourney concludes in Guyana

The respective winners in the various categories of the National Sports Commission’s annual age group singles badminton tournament were recently rewarded for their efforts during the presentation ceremony held at Queen’s College, Georgetown, Guyana. In addressing the winners, president of the Guyana Badminton Association and national coach, Gokarn Ramdhani, congratulated them on their achievements. He also encouraged the players to continue working hard on their game.

Elan Rahaman, Vikash Mootoo and

Omar Samad finished 1-2-3 in the Under-11 Boys’ competition, while Sarah Samad won the Under-11 Girls from Jayde DaSilva and Reanna Persaud.

Elan Rahaman and Priyanna Ramdhani were the Under-13 Boys and Girls champions respectively, while Hemraj Beharry won the Under-15 Boys and Priyanna Ramdhani took the Under-15 Girls title.

Narayan Ramdhani emerged champion of the Under-17 Boys division, while his sister Priyanna won on the distaff side in the Under-17 category.

Narayan Ramdhani also claimed top honours in the Under-19 seg-

LIMACOL CPL 2014…

‘To be selected by my country is something special,’ says Guyana’s Leon Johnson

One of five newcomers in the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ line-up for the upcoming Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL), batsman Leon Johnson, said it is something special to be selected in the league, moreso by his home country.

The left-handed middle-order batsman, who played three One Day Internationals for the West Indies against Canada in August 2008, has joined the hardhitting New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson, fast bowler Ronsford Beaton, opening batsman Robin Bacchus and all-rounder Navin Stewart in the 15-member squad selected by the franchise at last Thursday’s draft in Jamaica.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport from Antigua where he is leading Guyana’s team in the sixth round West Indies Cricket Board’s Regional Four-day game against the Leeward Islands, the 26-year-old Johnson related his enthusiasm upon being selected for the league, which is set for July/August at venues across the region.

“Well, I’m very happy to have been selected. I was looking forward to gaining selection, but to be picked up by the franchise based in Guyana is something special,” the West Indies ‘A’ team player stated.

Johnson reasoned that the Guyana Amazon Warriors have a “great combination” of play-

ers, and is optimistic the team will do well again. In the highly successful inaugural tournament in 2013, the Warriors finished runners-up to the Jamaica Tallawahs, losing the final by seven wickets at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

“The combination of the squad is great, since 10 players from last year’s runners-up side have been selected again,” Johnson opined.

He added, “I think it’s a bit too early to be making assumptions on chances, but with the quality of players in the squad I’m optimistic about [us] doing well this year again.”

Second edition

Apart from the 15 players chosen by the six franchises at Thursday’s draft, four Under-19 players will be added to the squads and will be chosen by the respective

territorial boards.

The Limacol CPL, which was played in front of sold- out crowds at all the venues in the Caribbean, will be hosted during July/August with Chris Gayle’s Jamaica Tallawahs set to defend their title against last-year runners-up Guyana Amazon Warriors, Antigua Hawksbills, Barbados Tridents, St Lucia Zouks and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel. Guyana Amazon Warriors squad is: Sunil Narine, Mohammad Hafeez, Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin, Martin Guptill, Krishmar Santokie, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Ronsford Beaton, Navin Stewart, Steven Jacobs, Leon Johnson, Robin Bacchus, Corey Anderson and Trevon Griffith. (Guyana Times)

Jamaica’s Olympic medallist Sherone Simpson gets 18-month ban

ment, leaving Jonathan Mangra to occupy second and Omar Abdelbari and Noel Shewjattan to share third spot. Meanwhile, the Guyana Badminton Association has announced that it will be sending a team to the Suriname International Easter tournament during the Easter weekend.

The Guyanese will participate in the Under-15 and Under-19 Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles, with some senior players competing in the Invitational Singles.

At last year’s championships, the Guyanese copped eight medals.

(Guyana Times)

Olympic 100m silver medallist Sherone Simpson on Tuesday received an 18 month ban following her positive drug test last June at the National Trials.

Simpson will be eligible to compete in

December 2014 as her suspension is calculated from the time she returned the positive test for oxilofrine at the Trials in June 2013. The supplement Epiphany D1 was identified as the product that triggered her ad-

verse analytical finding. Simpson argued that she did thorough research on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned list. A hearing that should've lasted two days was extended as the Jamaica Antidoping Commission (JADCO) three-member disciplinary panel, comprising chairman Lennox Gayle, Dr Jephthah Ford, and former FIFA referee Peter Prendergast, awaited a report from a lab in Kentucky, USA, which Simpson’s defence said proved that the Epiphany D1 supplement contained the banned substance oxilofrine. (Jamaica Observer)

CARIFTA Games selectees dominate Youth/Junior Championships in Guyana

Asmooth curve and strong finish have made talented sprinter Jevina Sampson a strong medal favourite at the CARIFTA Games after her performance at the National Youth and Junior Championships held on Sunday at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary.

Sampson exploded out of the blocks to take command of the race curve before finishing strong to record an impressive time of 24.6s in the female under-18 200 metres.

Club mate Avon

Samuels was dipping under the 25s barrier with 24.9s, while Ruth Sanmoogan was third in 25.90s.

Sampson also double in the female under-18 400 metres, clocking 58.10s, while Samuels again took second in 58.30s and Natricia Hooper finished third in 58.90s.

CARIFTA bronze medallist Jason Yaw fell off a bit from his impressive showing at the CARIFTA trials two weeks ago to clock a time of 51.00s in the male under-18 400 metres; he however outran Kwesi Blair, who clocked 53.60s.

Yaw was also the winner of the male 200 metres with a time of 21.60s while Linton Mentis was second in 22.20s. Akeem Johnson was third with 22.80s.

Ramblings will oc-

cur after a disappointing showing by CARIFTA selectee Kade Pearce, who not only failed to win the triple jump he was selected for but fell to third place.

Damon Williams not only defeated Pearce, but won the event in a better distance than that which Pearce qualified for the games with.

Williams jumped 12.94 metres to win the event, while Clarence Green was second with 12.52 metres. Pearce was way off his CARIFTA performance of 12.87s metres jumping 12.07 metres for third at the junior championships.

Junior sprinter Kevin Abbensetts continued to rule the roost, winning both the male under-20 100 and 200 metres. He clocked 10.7s

to win the 100 metres, which was slower than his CARIFTA trials time of 10.4s, while clocking 21.8s which was also slower than his CARIFTA performance of 21.5s.

CARIFTA selectee Natricia Hooper continued her dominance in the triple jump, winning the event in a distance of 10.96 metres to outjump Kalanie Griffith who jumped 9.66 metres.

Shannon Griffith also dominated, winning four events in the female under-20 category. Griffith won the female 100 metres in 12.30s, while winning the 200 in 25.70s.

The talented Lindener also won the long jump in 4.54 metres while going on to win the triple jump in 10.17 metres. (Guyana Times)

‘Jamaican invasion’ boxing card in guyana… ‘The Kid’ blunts ‘Cutting Edge’

Cheered on by a partisan home crowd, Dexter “The Kid” Marques turned out a clinical performance to oust Jamaican Rudolph “Cutting Edge” Hedge and retain his WBC/ CABOFE Flyweight belt on the “Jamaican Invasion” boxing card on Saturday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Georgetown, Guyana.

While Marques would have no doubt welcomed the support offered by the boisterous crowd, he would argue he needn’t any as his superb boxing skills put paid to any chances Hedge had of wresting the coveted belt from him.

The fact that Hedge required the intervention of the medical team-

in rounds eight and 10- provided a clear indication of Marques’s dominance over the challenger.

With blood oozing from the nose in round eight, followed by a cut above the left eye two rounds later, Hedge was a battered man as Marques continued to deliver punches with expert precision.

The judges scored the contest 119-101, 117111, 117-111, all in favour of Marques, who remains in power as the Flyweight champion.

In the other fights, Jamaica’s Devon “Concrete” Moncrieffe emerged with a unanimous decision win over Guyanese Mark Austin in a Light Middleweight bout.

The scores read 7982, 80-72, 79-73 in favour of Moncrieffe.

In an all-Guyanese Super Featherweight clash, Richard Williamson knocked out David Thomas 1:32 in the fourth and final round, while in a lightweight contest Guyanese Quincy Gomes prevailed over fellow debutant Toriano Nicholas via a majority decision.

Jamaican Kemahl Russell was so dominant in his contest against Guyanese Romeo Norville, that the latter refused to return to the centre at the end of round two, thereby handing victory to Russell. The card was the Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s first event for 2014. (Guyana Times)

‘Latin’ bronze for TT’s Chung

Rheann Chung captured a bronze medal in singles when the curtain fell on the ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) Latin American Championships over the weekend in the Dominican Republic.

The Trinidad and Tobago player was beaten in four straight games in the semi-finals, while step-father Dexter St Louis failed to get into the medal round when he went under in the quarter-finals.

The 29-year-old Chung began the day with a convincing 115, 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5 triumph over Caribbean Under-21 champion Eva Brito of the Dominican Republic in the quarters to be assured of a medal.

The victory was sweet revenge for the Francebased player, who had whipped Brito in straight games in the team events of last year’s Caribbean Championships but then lost in six when they clashed in the singles final a few days later.

However Chung, who won four matches in the main draw after two victories to top her roundrobin group, then came up against Ligia Slva and was beaten 11-4, 11-6, 11-8, 11-9 by the Brazilian.

St Louis, who like Chung is a five-time Caribbean singles champ, took a close first game of his quarter-final encounter, but then lost three straight and eventually went down 11-13, 11-6, 11-4, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8 against Mexican Marcos Madrid in the last eight.

St Louis and Chung were crowned Caribbean

mixed doubles champs for the seventh time last year, but they went out in the second round in this tournament.

The left-handed St Louis and Curtis Humphreys reached the round of 16 in doubles and 16-year-old two-time Tobago Open champ Aaron Wilson also exited at this stage in the Under-21 draw.

Wilson, Humphreys, the country’s top-ranked locally-based player, and the France-based St Louis failed to advance from the group stage in the team event, along with the women’s squad – Chung, Aleena Edwards and Linda Partap-Boodhan.

Ten-time national champ Edwards, Boodhan, Wilson and Humphreys all failed to move forward from the group stage in the singles. Edwards lost in the first round of doubles alongside Boodhan, who also went out at the first hurdle in mixed doubles, with Wilson. (TT Express)

Guyanese Atwell lands world...

Atwell, by comparision, is now building what has been a fantastic career to date, with 12 wins (seven knockouts) and a draw from 13 trips to the “square jungle”.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Georgetown, the eloquent Atwell seemed unfazed by the challenge ahead and the status of the opponent, portraying a calm and collective persona.

“If I can condition the mind and the body, I don’t see myself getting into any problems. I just need to do the basics. Boxing is basics, and using the mind to do the basics effectively,” Atwell opined.

The classy fighter, who has been a revelation since turning pro in January 2010 after losing just four of his 76 fights as an amateur, said he is not at all intimidated by Gonzalez’s outstanding record.

“I’m not intimidated because it’s boxing; I come to win, you come to win! We both have two hands; we both have to fight according to the rules and regulations, so there is nothing intimidating about my opponent,” Atwell boasted.

Interestingly, this will be Atwell’s first fight as a professional outside of Guyana, as all 13 bouts have been under the Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s

from back page

mexican Jhonny Gonzalez has a tremendous record

(GBBC) Friday Night Fights boxing card.

A huge part of Atwell’s preparations will have to focus on getting him ready to deal with the high-altitude conditions in Mexico. The outspoken boxer has vowed to work overtime to get himself in peak condition for the biggest fight of his life.

According to the contract, Atwell is expected to be in Mexico seven days prior to the fight, but his camp, which also includes boxer Leon “Hurry Up” Moore, is contemplating travelling earlier so that the boxer can become familiar with conditions there.

As of now, the prospective world champion will be utilising the Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis gym, named after Guyana’s first world champion, to get in shape for what is expected to be a gruelling showdown.

(Guyana Times)

Jamaica’s FraserPryce expects exciting Commonwealth Games

The United States is not a part of the Commonwealth Games, but Jamaica's female sprint dynamo Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce believes there will be plenty of stiff opposition from other athletes looking to knock her off her perch as the world's current best.

Fraser-Pryce is the back-to-back Olympic Games gold medallist

with 100-metre victories in 2008 and 2012, and the first female to lay claim to the 100m, 200m and 60m World Championship titles at the same time.

But the 27-year-old said the rival pair of Ivorian Murielle Ahoure, 26, and Nigerian Blessing Okagbare, 25, among others, are expected to push her to the hilt.

"I know it will be one that is very difficult and hard because you have the African nations... Ahoure, Blessing Okagbare and a lot of athletes who are doing tremendously well and will be at the Commonwealth Games," the sprint great said during Sunday's tour of the Queen's Baton Relay through Waterhouse, the neighbourhood in which

she grew up.

Fraser-Pryce, who has committed to compete at her first Commonwealth Games, scheduled for Glasgow, Scotland, this summer, said holding the Baton was the start of things to come.

While declaring that she was not yet certain what events she will compete in, she explained that the recent win over 60 metres at the World Indoor Games in Sopot is an indication of how well her early season preparation has gone.

She has personal best times of 6.98s in the 60m, 10.70s in the 100m and 22.09s in the 200m. Fraser-Pryce, a UNICEF ambassador, has been highlighting the importance of caring for children, as part of the organisation's partnership with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CFG).

She said she wants to see how best she can use her image to positively influence young people. UNICEF has been active alongside the CFG in the journey of the Queen's Baton Relay -- a symbol of the Commonwealth Games -- across member countries. (Jamaica Observer)

Francis leads three other J’cans on top of IAAF list

Rising Jamaican stars Javon Francis, Roxroy Cato, Fedrick Dacres, and Stephanie McPherson are currently on top of the IAAF list with world-leading performances four months into the new year.

Francis, 19, lowered Usain Bolt's 400m high school record of 45.35 to 45.00 seconds flat which is the fastest time this year, just ahead of the Brazilian pair of Anderson Henrique (45.03) and Hugo de Sousa (45.09) done in Chile on March 14. Jamaica's Edino Steele with 45.44 seconds was listed as the eighth fastest with Allodin Fothergill 18th quickest, with 45.94 seconds.

McPherson, 26, is the quickest among the women in the 400m with 51.23 seconds done in February, and is just ahead of another Jamaican Kaliese Spencer with 51.39 seconds. Young 20-yearold American Robin

Reynolds clocked 51.57 last Friday to be third fastest. Anneisha McLaughlin (52.22) was sixth overall with Ristananna Tracey 12th on the list with 52.50. Jamaican schoolgirls Dawnalee Loney with 52.87 and Yanique McNeil with 52.88 are 25th and 26th, respectively. Cato, 27, stopped the

clock at 48.67 seconds and has the world leading time in the men's 400m hurdles, while schoolboy sensation Jaheel Hyde's national junior record of 49.49 seconds placed him fourth on the list.

Jeffrey Gibson (48.95) of the Bahamas and Eric Alejandro (49.12) of Puerto Rico are third and fourth overall. Former Calabar High

standout, Dacres is the only Jamaican on top in any field event, as his 66.75m is the leading mark in the men's discus throw done in Texas on March 29. Benn Harradine of Australia has the second best throw with 65.94m ahead of Cuba's Lois Martinez with 65.13m. Jamaica's Chad Wright (63.47m) and Jason Morgan (61.23m) are 10th and 19th overall.

Meanwhile, other performances emanating from the ISSA/ GraceKennedy Boys' and Girls' Championships have placed sprinters Christana Williams of Edwin Allen and Bog Walk's Javaughn Minzie in the top five of the 100m.

The injury plagued Williams, 19, returned to top form and ran a blistering 11.19 seconds, and just missed Veronica Campbell Brown's Class One record of 11.13 seconds done in 2001. Williams' time placed her third on

the list behind America's Joanna Atkins with 11.09 done last Friday and Australian Melissa Breen's 11.11 seconds in February.

Aleen Bailey (11.29) and Wolmer's Jonielle Smith (11.32) done at Champs are eighth and 11th overall.

Eighteen year-old Minzie's 10.16 second place finish at Champs placed him fifth behind 18-year-old American Travyon Bromell who has the two fastest times of 10.01 and 10.02 seconds done on March 28, and 29 in Texas.

Kingston College's Anguillan Zharnel Hughes, who broke the Champs record with 10.12 seconds, was third overall ahead of his Racers teammate Daniel Bailey of Antigua with 10.15 seconds. Former Wolmer's standout Odeen Skeen is 10th with 10.18 seconds done on March 22 in Texas.

Minzie is also the fastest Jamaican over 200m to date with his

20.37 seconds placing him seventh overall behind Dedric Dukes of the USA with 19.97 seconds. Canadian Aaron Brown with 20.19 seconds was fastest ahead of American Brandon Byram with 20.27. Hughes' 20.32 done in the semi-final at Champs was fourth overall.

Jamaica's Yohan Blake's 20.49 has him at 12th with 17-year-old St Jago student Martin Manley 15th with his 20.57 seconds.

Odayne Richards, with a throw of 20.38m, is seventh on the shot put list behind American Ryan Crouser's 21.27 mark. Russia's Alexandr Lesnoi is second with 21.23m. Jamaicans Raymond Brown (20.17) and Ramone Baker ((19.82) are ninth and 13th overall.

Wolmer's boys' Christoff Bryan's record breaking 2.23m placed him fifth in the high jump behind France's Mickael Hanany's 2.34m. (Jamaica Observer)

Guyanese Atwell lands world title fight

Guyanese Clive

“The Punisher” Atwell will face the toughest battle of his promising career next month when he takes on Mexican Jhonny Gonzalez for the WBC Featherweight title in Mexico City.

The fight was sealed by Atwell’s camp, Dog Pound, on Monday, thereby affording the Guyanese a golden opportunity to become the

country’s next world champion.

The 25-year-old Atwell, who has long been touted as a future world champion, is currently the holder of three titles- the World Boxing Council (WBC)/ Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) Light Welterweight, the WBC/CABOFE Featherweight and the national Lightweight title in Guyana.

Based on their records and experience however, one would definitely be tempted to give Gonzalez the favourite tag, along with the fact that he will have home crowd support on May 24.

The 32-year-old Mexican is vastly experienced with a total of 63 fights, 55 of which he has won with 47 knockouts and eight defeats.

Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Omar Khan, believes the squad selected for the upcoming second edition of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League is capable of facing the challenges ahead, adding that the squad is a well-balanced unit comprising the maximum number of match-winners.

Speaking to this Guyana Times Sport on Saturday from Trinidad and Tobago, Khan, who served in the same capacity in the inaugural tournament last year, said “I think the squad is well balanced, I think it’s a good squad in terms when you put it together, and it’s a squad capable of winning.”

He added, “What we are looking to do is to continue the team building, and I thought to have a squad that understand and appreciate each other and that is why we retained most of the players from last year so to have some continuity. What I was impressed last year with is the team unity, togetherness among the guys and everybody respected each other and they play as professionals.”

The former West Indies team manager also believes the team’s flexibility provided by the presence of batting and bowling all-rounders will be a major asset in the tournament, singling out Corey Anderson as the foremost asset to the team.

“He is a fabulous young player and a well established player as well, and he is willing to explore in the Caribbean,” Khan declared.

The hard-hitting Anderson, who is among New Zealand’s top bracket T20 players, also bowls left-arm seam. He rose to prominence on New Year’s Day 2014 when he blasted the fastest ODI hundred off 36 balls against West Indies.

Structure

Further, according to Khan, the structure this year is different, whereas the team to win its respective league will automatically reach the final.

“Unlike last year, we won our league but had to still play in the

semi-final, so this time once you win the league you reach straight to the final,” Khan said.

During the draft at Chris Gayle’s Triple Century Bar in Jamaica on Thursday, the Guyana Amazon Warriors retained the services of 10 players from last year’s tournament, namely Pakistan’s all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, New Zealander Martin Guptill, Trinidadians offspinner Sunil Narine, opening batsman Lendl Simmons and wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, Jamaican Krishmar Santokie and Guyanese Christopher Barnwell, Steven Jacobs, Veerasammy Permaul and Trevon Griffith.

The newcomers are Guyanese Leon Johnson, Ronsford Beaton and Robin Bacchus and Trinidad and Tobago fast-bowling all-rounder, Navin Stewart.

Apart from the 15 players chosen by the six franchises at Thursday’s draft, four Under-19 players will be added to the squads and will be chosen by the respective territorial boards.

This year’s tournament will commence on July 5 and end on August 10. (Guyana Times)