Caribbean Times International

Fire guts Guyana’s historic Umana Yana in Georgetown

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANA: After standing at the corner of High Street and Seawall Road in Guyana for just over 42 years, the Umana Yana, a the iconic cone-shaped benab, was completely destroyed when a fire of unknown origin swept through it Tuesday afternoon. Onlookers looked on in shock as one of Georgetown’s most prestigious landmarks was reduced to mere ashes.

The Umana Yana, which was built in 1972, was a historical structure and one of Guyana’s most famous landmarks having appeared on the cover of several magazines and publications. The fire, which started

at approximately 15:00h, quickly engulfed the building and by the time, the Guyana Fire Service arrived on the scene, all was lost. According to reports, no one was injured in the fire, but, a severe blow was dealt to the Amerindian populace. Investigators at the scene believe that the fire was electrical in origin.

At the scene, Culture Minister Dr Frank Anthony, said it was a devastating incident and even more devastating was the fact that it happened during Amerindian Heritage Month given its significance to Guyana’s indigenous people. The Culture Ministry is re-

sponsible for the day-today management of the Umana Yana.

He noted, however, that allocations will be made in budget 2015 for the structure to be rebuilt, since it was too important not to be reconstructed.

The Umana Yana was erected for the Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers Conference in Georgetown. Thereafter, it served as a VIP Lounge and recreation centre. It was a permanent and much admired part of Georgetown’s scenery, and in constant use as an exhibition and conference centre.

Fashioned like the Wai Wai benabs or shelters which are found deep in Guyana’s interior, it occupies an area of 460 square metres. This makes the benab the largest structure of its kind in Guyana. It stood about 55 feet (16.78 metres) high and was made from thatched allibanna and manicole palm leaves, and wallaba posts lashed together with mukru, turu and nibbi vines, all of which are found in Guyana’s interior. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

U.S. palm reader shot dead in Trinidad

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

A gunman shot and killed United States (U.S.) citizen, Mahadeo Jerrybandhan, a palm reader, at his family’s home in San Fernando on Monday night, six days after he returned to Trinidad following a short vacation in Guyana.

Relatives found Jerrybandhan, 75, in his bedroom with a single gunshot wound to his forehead at about 9.45 pm, on Tuesday.

Jerrybandahan, a retired Mathematics teacher at the then Penal Junior Secondary School, migrated to the U.S. several years ago but frequently visited Trinidad. He was residing in Florida.

His daughter-in-law

Sharlene Mootoo, speaking at the family home on Cooper Street, San Fernando Tuesday, recalled she and a female relative were inside the

house when they heard a loud noise.

Unaware that it was a gunshot, Mootoo said she went outside to see what caused the noise and also called out to Jerrybandhan whom she had seen moments earlier.

Police investigators are yet to establish a motive, however relatives believe he was killed in a robbery.

“The front door was opened and we think it is robbery. He never received any death threats as far as we know. He was just going to bathe and brush his teeth. As far as I know nothing was missing from the bedroom,” Mootoo said. Jerrybandhan was a father of three and grandfather of six. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

Louis Farrakhan for Jamaica's 'Million Man March'

KINGSTON,

JAMAICA: Nation of Islam Leader Louis Farrakhan will be attending Jamaica's 'Million Man March', to be held on October 19.

Details of Farrakhan's participation were announced Wednesday at a press conference held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

The ‘Million Man March’—the brainchild of Farrakhan—was first held in 1995 and was dubbed "one of the most historic organising and mobilising events in the history of Black people in the United States".

Jamaica will be hosting the event for the first time.

In a press release Tuesday, the Nation of Islam said its main ob-

jective is to see more than one million black men heed the call to declare their right to justice, as well as to atone for their failure to accept responsibility as heads of their families.

Formerly known as Louis X, Farrakhan was mentored by Malcolm X and was appointed national representative of the Nation of Islam by its long-time spiritual leader Elijah Muhammad. Farrakhan was preceded by Warith Deen Mohammed as leader of the Nation Of Islam. He has made several visits to Jamaica over the years, including attendance at the funeral services of late former Prime Minister Michael Manley and former minister of national security Ambassador Dudley Thompson. (Jamaica Observer)

Drastic decline in enrolment at Cave Hill UWI campus

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS:

The Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies has confirmed a drastic decline in the number of Barbadian students enrolling at the tertiary institution this academic year as the government’s austerity measures begin to take effect.

Campus Registrar, Ken Walters said that overall, there had been a total of 1,468 students registering this academic year, as compared with 2,240 at the start

of the last academic year in 2013.

Last year, Finance Minister Chris Sinckler in his 2013-14 budget presentation, said that effective 2014, Barbadian students pursuing studies at the university’s three campuses will be required to pay their own tuition fees, while the government continues to fund economic costs.

Sinckler said the tuition fees range from Bds$5,625 to Bds$65,000 and that the new policy would reduce the transfer to UWI by

an estimated Bds$42 million a year. The faculties most affected by the decline in student population were Humanities and Education, and that a high percentage decline in medical science and post graduate students.

Walter said that the decline in post graduate students could also have further effect for the future socio-economic development of Barbados given that management studies were developed in collaboration with the public and private sectors. (Jamaica Observer)

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EDITORIAL

Preventing suicide

More than 800,000 people die by suicide every year–around one person every 40 seconds, with 20 times that number attempting suicide, according to the World Health Organisation’s “Preventing Suicide: A Global Imperative”, the first global report on suicide prevention.

And Guyana had the ignominious distinction of being the most suicide-prone country in the world, based on 2012 data. The high point or, more accurately, the low point of a year-long trend the country has suffered–thousands of lives snuffed out in a moment of despair and hopelessness.

Globally, suicides account for 50 percent of all violent deaths in men and 71 percent in women. Unfortunately, suicide has not been prioritised in many countries as a major public health problem.

In Guyana, there seems to be no end in sight, as the year 2014 started off with three suicides within seven days and has seen 30 lives lost so far, although reams of paper have been devoted to the subject and well-meaning persons, both expert and non-expert, have spoken at length about the scourge and possible remedies, and equally well-meaning programmes to tackle the problem have sputtered and sparked but never flared to life.

As the world observed World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, the need for a systemic, effective response is even more urgent. And in keeping with the theme of this year’s observance, “Suicide Prevention: One World Connected”, all of us, particularly policymakers, must recognise that connections are important at all levels if we are to reduce the number of suicides.

Implicit in the theme is the recognition that persons who attempt and commit suicide are hurting, in deep emotional turmoil, and to combat suicide, we must alleviate that pain, whether the source is mental problems; abuse; substance abuse problems; chronic physical pain; debilitating stress–financial, relational, etc; a family history of suicide, by building connections across communities and sectors.

Suicide is an emotional response–in a moment of hopelessness or despair, caught in the grasp of the feeling that it would be better if they were dead or no one cares if they were dead–someone acted. In a country where many Guyanese live deeply unhappy, unsecure lives filled with want, where the alcoholism problem is among the world’s worst and the rate of domestic abuse staggering, coupled with almost non-existent infrastructure to deal with mental health issues, a high rate of suicide seems almost inevitable.

The taboo and stigma surrounding suicide, the fact that people fail to seek help or are left alone, and the willy-nilly sale and storage of pesticides, a favoured method of suicide in Guyana, add fuel to the blazing fire.

So where do we go from here to building an effective national prevention strategy? As the report noted, “Key elements in developing a national suicide prevention strategy are to make prevention a multisectoral priority that involves not only the health sector but also education, employment, social welfare, the judiciary and others…in a comprehensive manner, bringing together the different sectors and stakeholders most relevant to each context.”

A first step should be taking stock of the suicide prevention activities we have in place and the gaps that need to be filled. The Health Ministry must provide leadership on the issue and bring together stakeholders in developing a comprehensive strategy.

Its efforts to restrict access to pesticides, the most common means in Guyana, must be strengthened, while health-care services need to incorporate suicide prevention as a core component, and communities empowered to play a critical role in suicide prevention, providing social support and follow-up care to vulnerable individuals, and fighting stigma.

We must bear in mind the WHO report’s advice: “The strategy should be tailored to each country’s cultural and social context, establishing best practices and evidence-based interventions in a comprehensive approach.

“Resources should be allocated for achieving both short-to-medium and long-term objectives, there should be effective planning, and the strategy should be regularly evaluated, with evaluation findings feeding into future planning…

“With timely and effective evidence-based interventions, treatment and support, both suicides and suicide attempts can be prevented.”

Like WHO Director Margaret Chan said: “Every single life lost to suicide is one too many. The way forward is to act together, and the time to act is now.”

nursery school students in Jamaica listen as their teacher reads to them during world literacy Day observed internationally on monday under the theme “literacy and sustainable Development” (JIS

Caribbean politicians win in Democratic Party Primaries

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: A Haitian American candidate has created history by becoming the first politician of Haitian descent to win the Democratic Party Primary election for a seat in the New York State Legislature.

Rodneyse Bichotte, who was born and raised in Brooklyn to Haitian immigrants, handsomely defeated Jamaican-born economist and accountant Rickie Tullock by 20 percentage points to win the Primary in the 42nd State Assembly District in Brooklyn, according to the preliminary figures released Tuesday night.

Since New York is heavily Democratic, winners in the Primary elections are considered shoo-ins to win the general elections in November.

With 100 percent of the Polling Precincts reported, Bischotte, who was the District Leader of the 42nd State Assembly District, received 47.4 percent, or 2,669 votes, to Tulloch’s 29.7 percent, or 1,592 votes.

The other candidates in the race were Haitian Michele Adolphe, who received 800 voters, or 14 percent and Guyanese Victor Jordan, who received 306 votes, or 5.7 percent.

Confidence

“We did it!,” exclaimed Bichotte to jubilant supporters at her campaign headquarters.

“I am humbled and exceedingly grateful to have received the confidence of the people of the 42nd Assembly District to serve as their next Assemblywoman in the New York State Assembly. Our success…at the polls would not be possible without the support and effort of a dedicated team of volunteers, campaign staff, and supporters who came together to make (the) victory possible,” she added.

Bichotte said her campaign was able to put together a widespread coalition of elected officials, unions, clergy and non-profits, “who believe that our community is in dire need of leadership in the State Assembly that will put their best interests at heart”.

Tulloch had received the endorsement of the retiring Assemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs, whose 42nd Assembly District comprises, among other Brooklyn neighbourhoods, Flatbush, East Flatbush and Midwood.

But while Bichotte was successful at the polls, another Haitian American candidate was unsuccessful.

Lawyer and educator Rubain Dorancy lost soundly to another lawyer, African American Jesse Hamilton, for the 20th Senatorial District in Brooklyn.

Hamilton, the former legal counsel for Eric Adams, who vacated the seat to become Brooklyn Borough President, received 9,090

votes or 64.9 percent to Dorancy’s 4,189 votes, or 29.9 percent. The other candidate, Haitian Guillermo Philpotts received 728 votes, or 5.2 percent.

Campaign

“I’m glad that I ran on an issues-driven campaign,” Dorancy told Caribbean media at his campaign headquarters on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn on Tuesday night.

“The most important thing is that the community’s voices were heard. At the end of the day, the voters carried out the vote. I feel relieved.”

Hamilton, on the other hand, said he was “humbled and honoured by the trust voters have placed in me tonight, and I’ll spend every day in Albany (the state’s capital) working to live up to it.”

“I have big shoes to fill, but with the help of supporters, residents, and community leaders like Rubain Dorancy, I look forward to making progress on all the issues working families care about as our next State Senator,” she continued.

Two other Caribbean American candidates were also successful in the Primary Elections.

New York State Senator John L. Sampson, whose father is Guyanese, survived a challenge as three other candidates split votes for the 19th Senatorial District in Brooklyn. (CMC)

Trinidad procuring fleet of battle vehicles

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Armoured vehicles similar to the ones seen in clashes between law enforcement and hostile crowds in some of the world’s trouble spots will soon be a feature of the assets of the police and army in Trinidad and Tobago.

Following the publication of local newspaper advertisements Tuesday in which the Ministry of National Security signalled its intention to acquire the vehicles, TT media reported that the government will buy a mix of armoured person-

nel carriers and other armoured vehicles: 32 for the Defence Force and 20 for the Police Service. They are expected to cost approximately TT$63 million.

The ministry states that the armoured personnel carriers “will protect the troops from today’s high-powered rifles, grenades and explosives in hostile and potentially hazardous conditions, and allow them to reach their objectives on time and ready to perform their operation.”

Indicating that “we are taking our fight to the next level,” the min-

istry’s advertisement indicated, “our defences are only as good as our personnel defending you,” adding that

it will supplement “our Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force fleet with these types of vehicles for use by our Protective

Services.”

It also states it is “protecting you (citizens) in times of unrest” and is “taking our fight to the next level”.

Confirming the planned purchase, National Security Minister Gary Griffith told reporters that the armoured vehicles, which are different from the armoured personnel carriers, are bullet-proof vehicles which will look like normal SUVs, and they will be used for specific elements of law enforcement agencies.

“In changing times it is important that the law enforcement officials

have the necessary tools. It shows that they are properly protected when they go out there to protect the citizens of our country,” he pointed out.

Griffith said further, “Based on what we have seen now with the enemy, that there are individuals who may try to affect the stability of the country, or that they may be involved in specific criminal activity, this is the gang warfare and so forth. It is important that we have the proper tools for law enforcement officers when they go out there in that battle.” (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

Opposition Leader issues ultimatum for date to be set

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

Against a background of trenchant criticisms from other Guyanese Opposition elements that he has been too docile, Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) and the Opposition David Granger has threatened to mobilise international

and domestic action if the government does not announce the date of Local Government elections by September 15. Local Government Elections (LGEs) have not been held in Guyana for over 20 years and in recent time, government has come under pressure from the international community as well as political parties and civil society.

In a letter to President Donald Ramotar, Granger said: “We remind you that the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill, at its second reading on 2014.02.10, was debated and passed ‘As amended,’ directing that elections be held on or before 1st August, 2014.” He told the President that, in accordance with the Constitution of the

Cooperative Republic of Guyana, “Local government is a vital aspect of democracy.”

“Local Government Elections, last held in 1994, are a constitutional obligation and a democratic entitlement of the Guyanese people. It is not an option of the Executive branch of government,” Granger emphasised.

“We call on you, therefore, on or before Monday

2014.09.15, to announce the date for Local Government Elections to be held countrywide; to issue the ‘Commencement Order’ to operationalise the Local Government Commission and to initiate a process by which the Local Government (Amendment) Bill could be returned for your assent,” Granger asserted. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Guyana’s health authorities probe another maternal death

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANA: The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in Guyana has launched an investigation into the death of Evita Singh, 34, of Lot 13 Lathan Street, Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, who died during childbirth on Saturday last.

After the woman’s passing, her relatives blamed an immature staff at the medical facility for her demise. GPHC Chief Executive Officer Michael Khan, when contacted on Monday afternoon, told Guyanese media that he was meeting with a team about the incident and the hospital will release a statement shortly.

According to reports, the mother of two was taken to the hospital two Mondays ago after she experienced high fever. Upon her admittance to the medical facility, she

was placed in the maternity ward where she was treated for the high temperature which was brought under control by last Tuesday.

Last Wednesday, the nurses reportedly induced labour by inserting a tablet called ‘Cytotec’ into Singh. This newspaper was told that the nurses reportedly inserted about six of the pills between last Wednesday and Thursday, since they claimed Singh was not

responding to the tablets and there was no movement from the foetus.

Last Wednesday evening, the dead woman’s mother, Chandra Ramjit, said her daughter started to bleed and by last Thursday, the pain had become intense. Also last Thursday, the young mother related that she was having strong contractions, but at this time, it was understood that they had to perform a Caesarean Section. Singh was taken to the labour room where the nurses attempted to deliver the child, but in the process, the bleeding became excessive. Eventually, a decision was taken to perform the C-Section, but, by the time it was done, the baby was already dead.

In the meantime, Singh lost a significant amount of blood and her heart rate started to decline. She never regained consciousness.

Caribbean stakeholders to discuss marijuana tourism

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS:

Richard Kildare, the deputy chief executive officer of Jamaica’s first medical marijuana company, will lead off debate on the notion or reality of marijuana tourism during the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s (CTO) State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) later this month.

The September 17-19 conference will be held in the United States Virgin Islands and apart from Kildare, presentations will also come from Dr James Hospedales, the executive director of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), and Josef Woodman, the chief executive officer and founder of Patients Beyond Borders.

Rory Johnston, a PhD student at the faculty of health sciences at Simon Fraser University in Canada, will present on the ethical and legal implications, as well as the risks associated with medical tourism.

“This presentation will provide an overview of the key challenges that medical tourism poses to the operation of equitable health systems--those that are accessible to local populations and responsive to their needs.

“Examples will be drawn from both estab-

lished medical tourism destinations and projects being pursued in the Caribbean to explore how negative health equity impacts can emerge and ways in which they might be anticipated and minimised,” Johnston said.

The CTO stated that the debate surrounding marijuana tourism has taken a sharper focus in recent months following its legalisation for recreational use by two U.S. states, including Colorado.

Uruguay has also become the first country in the world to make it legal to grow, sell and consume cannabis. Since it became legal to smoke marijuana in Colorado at the start of the year, there have

Education takes major chunk of Trinidad’s TT$64.6

billion

budget

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Senior citizens’ pension increases, a minimum wage of TT$15 an hour, another tax amnesty, mortage concessions for homeowners and compensation for protective services officers killed in the line of duty. These and other concessions were part of the 20142015 budget sweeteners presented by Finance Minister Larry Howai Monday, a year away from the general election.

With the theme “Empowering our People through Sustained Economic Growth and Prosperity,” the TT$64.6 billion budget was the largest to date—TT$3 billion more than last year’s TT$61.3 billion package—but carries a reduced deficit of 2.3 percent of GDP. It was also the final leg of People’s Partnership (PP) budget themes over the last four years of the term, starting with former Minister Winston Dookeran’s TT$49 billion pack-

been several reports of a boom in arrivals from both within and outside the United States.

The Colorado office of state planning and budgeting reported US$19 million in tax revenue from recreational marijuana during the first half of the year, although it didn’t say how much of that was from tourism versus local buyers.

“The Caribbean has an interest in this subject, the Caribbean has an interest in attracting visitors to our shores, and so medical tourism, including the discussion about marijuana, is going to be one of the parts of the debate that we have,” said CTO secretary general, Hugh Riley. (Jamaica Observer)

age in 2010/11, “Facing the Issues: Turning the Economy Around.”

Monday, Howai started and ended his twohour-and-ten-minute presentation by lauding Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s leadership as transformational. Howai added: “This administration has traversed a very challenging period over the past four years but we have remained resilient and strong. As we have systematically overcome the several challenges which had confronted us, we are progressing with confidence and optimism to a renewed mandate in 2015.

“The welfare of our state is being safeguarded and we are convinced this budget will continue to consolidate our vision of a stronger, fairer and smarter TT. We have delivered on our commitments made in May 2010 and done so within a coherent, cohesive framework and in the context of fiscal prudence.”

Education got the

largest portion of budgetary allocation— TT$10.1 billion—with National Security second. Last year Howai said he was working towards balanced budgets by 2016. Monday, he stated that the plan was on course to meet the 2016 objective. He gave a glowing account of the economy, saying: “As a nation we are better off today than we were four years ago.” He said the medium-term outlook was for an excellent economic performance, although there are underlying issues that need to be addressed if TT was to sustain growth. Howai’s announcements involved a number of positive changes which will have an impact on a large cross-section of the population in the coming year. Persad-Bissessar has said elections are constitutionally due by September 2015 and will be held when they are due, not before. The budget debate begins at 10 am on Friday with the Opposition’s reply. (TT Guardian)

‘Spiritual’ healer in Trinidad on rape charge

PORT-OFSPAIN,

TRINIDAD: A self- described “spiritual” healer in Trinidad Monday appeared before a Chaguanas magistrate charged with the rape of a 31-year old-woman at his Chaguanas home last Thursday evening.

Sahadeo Bajan, 62, of Savannah Height, Charleville, Chaguanas was granted bail in the sum of TT$75,000 by senior magistrate Gillian David-Scotland in the Chaguanas First Magistrates Court.

Bajan was arrested and taken to the Chaguanas Police Station where he was charged following the alleged incident.

The charge read to the accused man by the magistrate alleged that on September 4, he did have sex with a female without her consent. The charge was laid indictably under the Sexual Offences Act and Bajan was not called upon to plead.

The accused man was represented by attorney Sunil Seecharan. In his application for bail

sahadeo bajan, 62, of savannah Height, charleville, chaguanas was granted bail in the sum of tt$75,000

Seecharan told the magistrate that his client was a “spiritual healer” for the past ten years. Bajan, the court heard had a fixed place of abode at the corner of Brian Lara Street, Savannah Heights Charleville, Chaguanas.

Seecharan also said that in his years of religious practice, Bajan had helped a lot of persons with their personal problems. Seecharan also told the magistrate that some of those persons Bajan assisted were outside the court willing to vouch on his (Bajan’s) behalf. The court also heard that the accused

man had no previous convictions, or pending matters before any court.

The allegations stemmed from an incident where a woman went to a Charleville house to seek the assistance of a man claiming to be a spiritual healer when she was given a concoction to drink before she was sexually assaulted.

The magistrate in attaching conditions to the bail also ordered that the accused man have no contact with the victim, and he should stay 100 feet from the victim. The case was adjourned to October 6. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

Extra security at Portof-Spain prison

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Security at the Port-of-Spain State Prison in Trinidad has been ramped up following reports of a planned mass prison break by inmates at the facility. Senior prison sources said Monday that the Prison Service’s executive began implementing the measures in early August, after receiving information that some of the inmates were planning a breakout as part of the ongoing protest against their lengthy detentions due to delays in the criminal justice system.

TT media reported that the new measures

include the posting of armed prison officers in marked vehicles in front the gates of the prison at nights to quickly apprehend prisoners in the event of an escape. Frequent searches of cells for surplus clothing, which prisoners often to tie together to create a makeshift ladder to scale the high prison walls, are also being carried out.

Prison officers are also periodically testing the structural integrity of the outdated cell gates at the over 200-year-old facility, and looking for signs of damage from hacksaw blades which are often smuggled into the prison.

TT reporters were also told that the over

Duo charged for murder of Lusignan teen in Guyana

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: In a Guyana courtroom filled with relatives of slain teenager Ashmini Harriram of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, two men were arraigned for her murder when they appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Lennox Wayne, 32, of Lot 1308 Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara and Melroy Doris, 26, of Lot N Bent Street, Worthmanville, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate

Zamilla Ally and were not required to plead to the indictable charge.

The charges, which were read separately, stated that on July 10 at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, they murdered Harriram. None of the men were legally represented.

The men were taken to the courtroom under heavy police guard.

As the matter was called, both men stood but the Magistrate ruled that the matter was indictable; hence, they were not required to plea. They were asked to remain silent as she read the charges, one after the other.

Wayne, upon interrogation by the Magistrate, claimed the he had severed 10 years in prison after he was convicted for an offence of robbery under arms.

Nicknamed “Two Colours,” the suspect once resided at Leopold Street and was a music instructor.

Doris claimed that he is a taxi driver by profession.

Prosecutor, Lance Corporal King asked for a date for statements and reports, which was subsequently given as October 3 at the same

court. As the men left the courtroom, Wayne was heard threatening Doris whom he claimed implicated him wrongfully. He said that he was “no killer” and did not have any knowledge of the shooting, which is contrary to his confession in the form of a cautionary statement to the police, bearing his signature.

He had reportedly confessed to collecting Gy$2.5 million to execute the young woman on July 10, along the Lusignan Railway Embankment. Doris had confessed to being contracted to drive Wayne to the location and leave immediately after the job was completed.

The teenager was shot once to her neck moments after she disembarked a minibus along the Lusignan Railway Embankment. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Jamaican businessman, media worker found dead in St Andrew

measures

500 inmates currently housed at the facility were recently taken to the open air area, where the prison’s supervisors informed them of their knowledge of the plan and warned them to forget about executing it.

“People may not take this seriously but they should. Many of these prisoners are in there for violent crimes and if they succeed it will be mayhem out here,” a source was quoted in TT media as saying.

However, the source said they are adequately prepared to deal with any threat. “If they (prisoners) try something, we will be ready.” (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Homicide investigators in Jamaica are probing the circumstances under which a 52-year-old Kingston businessman and 25-year-old sales executive employed to the RJR Communications Group were killed.

The police say the decomposing bodies of Darol Lodge and Felicia Sutherland were found

tied up Monday at the house of the businessman off Red Hills Road, St Andrew.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Unit report that relatives of Lodge went to visit him about 8:00 am after days had passed without them hearing from him.

Lodge’s relatives gained entry to the house, where they discovered the bodies with hands and feet bound, lying face down. They said that the house appeared to have been ransacked.

The police Monday morning said that the cause of death of the two is still unknown and no motive has been established for the killing. Investigations are ongoing. (Jamaica Observer)

Major house lot scam unearthed in Guyana

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

Police in Guyana have been called in to investigate a major housing scam where persons have been collecting money to expedite delivery of house lots to citizens, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) said in a statement.

According to the CH&PA, information was received that the various players in the scam could not deliver on their promise and moreover, various persons who have been defrauded, have since responded to the ministry’s recent public notice.

The scam saw persons alleging that they are relatives and associates of Housing Ministry personnel, including Minister Irfaan Ali.

Some even operated as staff of the ministry, taking people to various housing areas and identifying plots of land that are vacant.

The CH&PA said de-

spite numerous warnings by the ministry against entering into these transactions, persons continue to fall prey to this disease.

“The ministry is adopting a no-nonsense approach in dealing with these fraudsters and impersonators. Nevertheless, the public has a responsibility of safeguarding themselves.”

The ministry noted that some of the parties to this scam are recent applicants who are lured to the promise of expediting the processing of their land application.

Last week, the Housing Ministry had warned against the illegal sale of land. According to the Housing Ministry, several scams have been unearthed in recent days, positing that investigations are currently being conducted. It warned that persons who are involved in scams of this nature are equally culpable, since they have willingly participated in these illegal activities and must have known that the transactions could not have been authentic.

(Excerpted from Guyana Times)

TT’s budget proposes special fund for family of slain law men

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Finance and

Economy Minister Larry Howai Monday announced that a new fund for the family members of law enforcement personnel killed in the line of duty in TT will be established.

“I propose to introduce a new Fund from which could be drawn the sum of TT$1 million which will be placed in the estate of a member of the State protective services killed in the line of duty,” Howai said during the budget 20142015 presentation at the International Waterfront Centre, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain.

It is unclear whether the fund will be retroactive or how it will relate to the Protective Services Compensation

Committee and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.

There have been several instances of officers being killed in the line of duty recently. The murder of Lance Corporal Kayode Thomas on June 29, triggered a series of events and outcry. Last year, police sergeant Hayden Manwaring was murdered in the line of duty.

Former head of the Protective Services Compensation Committee Israel Khan SC Monday said the measure is long overdue given restrictions on how much the Committee can allocate.

Khan suggested the initiative should also go further.

“I hope they will put in place an insurance package to take care of

Dr Carl Williams appointed Jamaica’s new top cop

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Dr Carl Williams, who now holds the post of deputy commissioner of police in charge of the crime portfolio, has been appointed Jamaica's 28th police chief. His appointment follows the sudden retirement of Owen Ellington who had been serving in the post since 2010.

National Security Minister Peter Bunting, who made the announcement Monday after being advised of the selection of the new commissioner by the Police Service Commission, said Williams will take up his appointment next Monday, September 15.

the dependents at university,” the lawyer said. “They should look at the Canadian authorities that should guide them.”

Chief of Defence Staff Major General Kenrick Maharaj said he is “truly pleased to hear of the announcement in the 20142015 budget presentation of the allocation of one million dollars to the estate of any serviceman who is killed in the line of duty”.

In a statement issued by Civil Military Affairs Officer of the Defence Force, Major Al Alexander, Maharaj commended government for acknowledging the magnitude of the contribution and the level of sacrifice made by members of the Defence Force and State protective services.

“The government’s proposal to offer compensation to the value of TT$1 million to the estate of members of the Defence Force and arms of the Protective Services underscores the State’s recognition of the risks faced daily and the ultimate sacrifice men and women of the Defence Force and the Protective Services are called upon to make and have made to protect and ensure the safety of each citizen of this country,” Maharaj said. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

"Commissionerdesignate Carl Williams comes to the post with a track record of innovation and performance in a wide variety of command roles in the Jamaica Constabulary Force. He is highly qualified academically, with a PhD in criminal justice. A proven strategic thinker, Williams is the founding director of MOCA (Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption

Agency) and the innovator responsible for conceptualising and developing the Anti-Lottery Scam Task Force. He led Jamaica's anti-narcotics campaign from 2000 to 2004 with the successful prosecution and/or extradition of a number of major narcotics traffickers," Bunting said in a press release.

"Given the track record of Mr Williams, the JCF is expected to continue making significant progress in the fight against organised crime and corruption under his leadership," indicated the press release.

"Commissionerdesignate Williams takes office with the full support of the ministry and the government as he embarks upon the important national responsibility of leading the Jamaica Constabulary Force," reported Bunting. Williams, 50, is a 30year veteran of the force. He was appointed to the rank of deputy commissioner, with responsibility for the crime portfolio, in June 2013.

As an assistant commissioner, he held several supervisory and command positions at the station, division, and area levels.

Williams has also been published in a number of academic journals and has lectured on various topics in criminology and criminal justice. (Jamaica Observer)

Bunting, meanwhile, noted that Williams will be mandated to continue the process of the professionalisation of the constabulary, with special emphasis on respecting human rights.

Jamaica ends active search operation for missing plane

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has been conducting search operations for the single engine aircraft that crashed in Jamaican waters last Friday and assets from both the JDF Coast Guard and the JDF Air Wing were deployed in the search area. However, a decision has been made to suspend the search operation.

The decision was

made based on continual re-assessment of the situation noting the reduced probability of finding the passengers or aircraft, which crashed in an area with depths of 1,500 to 2,000 metres.

The United States Coast Guard has also suspended its participation in the search and rescue efforts as the probability of success or the likelihood of any survivors is minimal.

Last Friday, the JDF and U.S. authorities

tracked the TBM900 aircraft into Jamaican airspace, before it went off radar and crashed approximately 24 nautical miles north of Port Antonio. Since then, a joint search and rescue effort had been underway in an area where an oil slick and small debris consistent with an aircraft crash had been spotted.

Aboard the plan were American real estate developer Larry Glazer and his wife, Jane. (JIS)

Guyana embarks on rigorous surveillance plan to guard against Ebola

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANA: Amid warnings about the possible spread of the deadly Ebola virus in the Caribbean, the Guyana government says it will soon unveil an action plan that includes heightened surveillance at ports of entry and beefed up training for hospital staff to deal with the disease.

The Ebola virus has been rampant in West Africa and according to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, Guyana is establishing an action plan to deal with the virus. A wide cross-section of stakeholders met last Thursday to establish the measures included in the plan.

Participants were drawn from the Health Ministry, various hos-

pitals, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Civil Defence Commission, Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Ministry, Guyana Revenue Authority, Veterinary Public Health Department, Agriculture Ministry, and the Civil Aviation Department among others.

The plan covers five areas. The first deals with coordination and control, which will see the activation of the National Health Emergency Committee. This body will establish communication systems and develop targeted communication materials, and will also be responsible for the imple-

mentation of WHO’s International Health Regulations (IHR) plan, including a Situation Room.

The second aspect will be surveillance of Point Of Entry (POE). The POEs will concentrate on the Cheddi Jagan International and Ogle Airports; the Lethem and Moleson

Creek crossings and the various sea ports such as Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Bartica, and Charity.

The POEs will also seek to have personnel ensure that all arrival procedures are in place. This will include aircraft and ship sanitation, general flight declarations, including the health sections and the training of flight attendants.

The POE personnel will also ensure the examination of flight manifests to identify any possible traveller from infected areas and maintain a register of such travellers.

Preparedness

The third area is clinical preparedness. This will ensure that personnel follow the standard precautionary guidelines and implement the infec-

tion control plan.

They will also meet with hospitals to identify isolation units and train health workers on infection control. Workers will also be trained in clinical management of Ebola.

The fourth area regards laboratory work and will involve testing to ensure that all differential diagnostic testing takes place with feedback transferred to physicians.

The fifth area deals with epidemiology, public health and prevention. This will strengthen the surveillance for febrile illness accompanied by analysis and reports, which includes a case definition. Personnel will also define the target audience and conduct briefings for all health workers.

Jamaicans promised hundreds of jobs at Manchester ICT centre TSTT expands Tobago operations

MANCHESTER, JAMAICA: Central

Manchester Member of Parliament Peter Bunting says "hundreds, if not thousands" could be employed in the parish by next year in an Information Communication and Technology (ICT) project now being developed.

The MP told supporters at a Central Manchester constituency conference recently that preparatory work is in progress at a Black Brothers Incorporatedowned property on Ward

Avenue.

Bunting, who is also Minister of National Security, said the project is being funded through the facilitation of a loan by the Development Bank of Jamaica.

"Work is underway; Tank-Weld is the main contractor. It is due for completion by December and I anticipate that hundreds, if not thousands could be employed there by 2015," Bunting told his audience at Manchester High School.

He added that completion of the project would

be fulfilment of a 2011 election promise made by the ruling People's National Party (PNP) that Mandeville would be targeted for ICT growth.

Mandeville's promotion as a potential ICT hub has gathered momentum since the downturn of the bauxite/alumina industry which, for decades, had spurred economic growth.

Bunting said that through a possible negotiation with bauxite company Windalco, the government could take over up to 30 acres of land in the Williamsfield area and set up diverse ICTrelated businesses making the area a "hub in and of itself".

The designation of Mandeville as a university town is another area in which political representatives, business leaders and academics see potential for economic development in Manchester. (Jamaica Observer)

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) is nearing the completion of what will be the company’s largest customer experience store in Trinidad and Tobago.

The blink/ bmobile retail offices at Gulf City Mall in Lowlands Tobago will be completed in a few weeks to complement the other two major mall locations in Trincity Mall and West Mall, Trinidad.

The company’s investment in the blink | bmobile Experience Store in Tobago is part of TSTT’s expanded scope of activities in the sister isle to modernise its operations and customer service there, a statement from TSTT said.

TSTT has completed significant infrastructure works in Tobago that include a new fibre optic network that encircles the island and expanding fibre op-

tic access and wireless broadband access to more communities. These projects are part of the goal for achieving 95 percent broadband coverage of Trinidad and Tobago.

In addition to relocating its customer service operations to Gulf City Mall Lowlands, the company will also open a payment centre at its Scarborough Exchange on Main Street that will continue to serve customers Monday to Friday between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm.

TSTT also said it has continued to keep the representing workers’ union, Communication Workers Union (CWU), fully informed of its progress in the relocation exercise. Management and CWU representatives have visited the experience store and the Scarborough Exchange Payment Centre and the company continues to receive the CWU’s feedback on provisions to be made for staff and customers at these locations, TSTT said. (TT Newsday)

U.S. jails Caribbean-based investment advisor for money laundering

WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES:

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) says a Caribbeanbased investment advisor has been jailed for 30 months for using offshore accounts to launder funds.

Last Friday, the DOJ said Joshua Vandyk conspired to launder monetary instruments.

Vandyk, a U.S. citizen, and Eric St-Cyr and Patrick Poulin, Canadian citizens, were

indicted by a grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on March 6.

The indictment was unsealed March 12 after the defendants were arrested in Miami.

Vandyk, 34, pleaded guilty on June 12, StCyr, 50, pleaded guilty on June 27, and Poulin, 41, pleaded guilty on July 11 while St-Cyr and Poulin are scheduled to be sentenced on October 3. According to the plea agreements and state-

last Friday, the United states Department of Justice said Joshua Vandyk conspired to launder monetary instruments

ments of facts, Vandyk, St-Cyr and Poulin conspired to conceal and dis-

guise the nature, location, source, ownership and control of property

believed to be the proceeds of bank fraud, specifically US$2 million.

Vandyk and St-Cyr lived in the Cayman Islands and worked for an investment firm based there.

St-Cyr was the founder and head of the investment firm, whose clientele included numerous U.S. citizens.

Poulin, an attorney at a law firm based in Turks and Caicos, worked and resided in Canada, as well as the Turks and Caicos, court documents

say. His clientele also included numerous U.S. citizens.

Vandyk, St-Cyr and Poulin solicited U.S. citizens to use their services to hide assets from the U.S. government, including the IRS.

The IRS said Vandyk and St-Cyr directed the undercover agents to create an offshore corporation with the assistance of Poulin and others because they and the investment firm did not want to appear to deal with U.S. clients. (CMC)

Prime Minister Stuart visits New Zealand

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS:

Prime Minister

Freundel Stuart recently paid a two-day visit to New Zealand at the invitation of its government.

The visit provided him with an opportunity to tour the Rotokawa Geothermal Plant, via the Aratiatia Hydro Dam.

The Barbados delegation also visited the Plenty Flora GNS Science Joint Venture Company, which uses geothermal energy to heat glasshouses for commercial production of gerberas.

Special Envoy for Renewable Energy, Mike Allen, accompanied the Caribbean and African delegations

making the official visit to New Zealand at the conclusion of the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), in Samoa.

Stuart also held discussions with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key. In addition, he paid a courtesy call on the Governor General of New Zealand, Lieutenant General Sir Jeremiah Mateparae, with whom he discussed bilateral relations, SIDS issues, and international affairs.

One of the highlights of the visit was a ceremony at the Te Puia Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, which provided an insight into Maori culture in New Zealand. (BGIS)

Guyana law enforcement still probing narco-sub

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

Some three weeks after the self-propelled semisubmersible (SPSS) vessel was discovered in the Waini River, Region One, Guyana, there have been no leads yet linking the vessel to any groups or drug cartel.

This is according to Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh. The vessel was transported to Georgetown and is at the Guyana Defence Force’s Coast Guard wharf in Ruimveldt, where the media was invited for a viewing on Monday.

Singh said CANU is working with its overseas counterparts to find the link between the vessel and drug trafficking groups.

He noted that the vessel was built for the sole purpose of transporting narcotics from Guyana across the Atlantic Ocean.

“We are currently speaking with our counterparts overseas, including the [U.S. Drug Enforcement Authority] DEA and the

Columbians, in terms of identifying the particular group, because there are several groups that have used the semi-submersibles in the past to move narcotics. What is different in this case is that it is the first time a submarine has been found in the Atlantic region which clearly demonstrates that they are now capable or [are] in the process of taking drugs across the Atlantic Ocean,” he said.

The CANU Head emphasised that this is not just the discovery of a narcotic submersible vessel, but the discovery of one in Guyana, which is so close to the Atlantic

Ocean.

“In the past, most of the submarines we have found are going to North America from the South American region or Andean region directly into Mexico or to the United States. This (vessel) is capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean, so again when we talk about transshipment and we talk about new markets, this is now going to Europe or Africa.”

Singh highlighted that the continent of Africa is also a transshipment point. He further disclosed that CANU has questioned about seven persons locally and is continuing its investiga-

tions.

According to the CANU boss, investigators believe that the vessel has been at the North West location for about five months given the condition of the camp and the construction works. He explained that while no narcotics were found at the site, there were suspicious that the vessel was built to transport drugs, particularly cocaine. He revealed that based upon intelligence gathered in collaboration with overseas agencies, the capacity of such a semi-submersible vessel is approximately four to six tonnes of cocaine.

(Guyana Times)

GGuyana gov’t yanks specialty hospital contract from Indian firm Former Jamaican gang leader killed in Montego Bay

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: Citing instances of alleged fraud and delays, the Donald Ramotar administration on Tuesday announced that it was terminating the US$18 million contract of Indiabased company Surendra Engineering to build and design the controversial Specialty Hospital in Guyana.

“The government of Guyana has today (Tuesday) written Surendra Engineering Company Limited (SECL) about its deep concerns about its execution of the contract for the design and construction of the Specialty Hospital,” the administration said in a statement released Tuesday evening.

Government noted that since late June 2014, it had been engaging SECL on a number of issues regarding allegations of fraud and financial irregularities.

“Initially, the government’s concerns related to delayed milestones and inadequate accountability by SECL for public funds the company had received on signing the contract with

the Ministry of Health.

Subsequently, the government of Guyana discovered that SECL’s representative in Guyana had submitted a fraudulent document purporting to emanate from the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Legal action

According to the government, since the fraudulent act by SECL was confirmed by TT’s Central Bank, it wrote SECL informing the company of its intention to: terminate the contract; pursue legal action against the company for fraud and recover public funds from SECL for which it has failed to account fully.

Last week, local construction company BK International Incorporated announced that it was moving to the courts in India in

an effort to recoup outstanding monies owed by Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited.

The move by BK International had come after the Commercial Court in Guyana lifted an Interim Injunction restraining Brijen Parikh, Managing Director of SECL, from leaving Guyana without settling the debt. Prior to the decision to take legal action in India, BK International sought the intervention of the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, but saw no progress.

In a statement, BK International had said that as a subcontractor, it is owed Gy$180,100,242 for work done in the months of May, June, and July 2014. Three Invoices dated May 12, June 4, and July 1 were dispatched to

Surendra Engineering’s Managing Director and certified by the engineer on site. However, Parikh indicated that BK International Inc cannot be paid, citing the project’s budget cut as the reason.

BK International and SECL entered into a written agreement for BK International to supply and drive 2000 pieces of 65-foot greenheart piles at Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara. The agreed sum for the execution of the contract by BK International is Gy$673,978,328.

SECL agreed to pay BK International for work done and certified by the engineer on site. Payment was to be made within two weeks of submission of the invoices by BK International. This was not done. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA:

Eldon Calvert, once Jamaica's most wanted man and notorious Stone Crusher gangster, has been shot dead by gunmen.

Senior Superintendent Egbert Parkins, the head of the St James Police Division, told Jamaican media Tuesday night that Calvert was killed in Salt Spring, St James, earlier in the day.

He could not, however, outline the circumstances of his death.

Calvert attracted attention in February 2012 after he was freed of a murder charge when the court held that the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Michael Sirjue, fabricated the evidence.

When the murder case against Calvert and two other men had to be thrown out, Senior

Puisne judge Gloria Smith had remarked that it was "a very sad day in the history of justice".

Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn had said she could not proceed with the case because handwriting experts for the defence and the Crown confirmed the witness statement was written and signed by Sirjue. Llewellyn said she was told that Sirjue had fled the island.

Calvert was on trial along with his brother, music band operator Gleason Calvert, and Michael Heron for the 2006 murder of cookshop operator Robert Green of Mount Salem, St James. The prosecution was relying on the statement of Artley Campbell to prove its case against the three men. Campbell was shot and killed on November 13, 2006. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Guyanese farmers benefit from Jamaican protected agri practices - under Canadian initiative

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Six farmers from Guyana recently toured farms and establishments in Manchester and other areas of Jamaica to increase their knowledge of protected agriculture, including greenhouse farming, as part of a Cdn$20 million six-year agriculture project being implemented by the nonprofit Canadian Hunger Foundation.

The aim of the eight-country project, called Promotion of Regional Opportunities for Produce through Enterprises and Linkages (PROPEL), is to significantly reduce the Caribbean's food imports and increase farmers and processors access to markets within the Region and externally, through measures

ProPel country coordinator in Jamaica alvin murray (5th left) and vice president of the Greenhouse Growers association and owner of a greenhouse farm, Jervis rowe (1st left), on tour with the Guyanese farmers (Jamaica Observer photo)

including the provision of technical training of farmers, access to disease-free planting material and activities designed to improve and expand farm operations.

Khemraj Tulsie, agriculture coordinator for the PROPEL project

in Guyana and who accompanied the visiting farmers explained that the trip to Jamaica was funded by the Canadian government through the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. He noted that Guyana was clos-

er to the starting point where protected agriculture was concerned and there were a range of applications being used in Jamaica from which the farmers could learn.

Knowledge-sharing Tulsie added that many of the farmers had challenges to access finances to grow their business and the best approach was to introduce them to the protected method of farming in-

crementally and let them choose the point at which they want to expand. The knowledge would then be passed on to other farmers in Guyana.

The Jamaican experience for the Guyanese who were in the island from August 2430, 2014, started with a classroom session at the Mandeville-based Canadian Hunger Foundation Caribbean.

Former general man-

ager at the Christiana Potato Growers' Cooperative Association Alvin Murray, who is country coordinator for PROPEL in Jamaica, said work had been ongoing for a seed programme for mainly irish potato, ginger and selected greenhouse crops such as sweet pepper, lettuce and tomato.

He stated also that working in tandem with Bodles Research Station in St Catherine, efforts were being made to provide farmers with relevant information.

The 52-year-old Canadian Hunger Foundation reportedly has a strong history of developing the capacity of producer groups and institutions in the Caribbean. Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago are other participants in the PROPEL project slated to continue until 2018.

(Jamaica Observer)

Trinidad gov’t denies spyware in school computers

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Following media reports last week that that laptop computers supplied by the Trinidad and Tobago government to local schoolchildren have been found to contain “spyware”, Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh said the government has not installed any spyware devices on the 75,000 laptops it has issued to Form One students over the past four years.

“There has never been any time that we have ever installed any area close to anything like spyware or malware,” Gopeesingh said late last week at a postCabinet news conference.

However, he also dismissed suggestions something may be wrong with the computers, claiming it is only one reported case. He also expressed surprise the report was made to the media and not to the

tt’s education minister Dr tim Gopeesingh (TT Newsday photo)

ministry as was required with any irregularity and that unauthorised installation of software to the state’s property was undertaken.

Gopeesingh said they intended to retrieve the laptop and conduct their own investigation as each unit was equipped with firewall, anti-virus and anti-theft devices.

Although the existence of potential security issues in relation to computers supplied or donated by foreign governments has been reported on a number of

previous occasions, the first indication that something specific had been discovered through testing came last weekend in a letter to the editor from Julien Dedier, the chairman of the board of directors of the Trinidad and Tobago Amateur Radio League (TTARL).

Dedier said he discovered the spyware while investigating a problem on his daughter’s government-issued laptop.

Gopeesingh went on to say in his remarks, “The Ministry of Education has taken note of the alleged discovery of this spyware on the government-issued laptops. We also take note of the non-reporting of this incident to the Ministry of Education as is required of any student who finds such an issue and we also take note of the admission by the individual of the installation of software on the said laptop by the individual.” (Excerpt from Caribbean News)

Jamaican fisherman dies after struck by lightning at sea

CLARENDON, JAMAICA:

Fifty-threeyear-old Clarendon fisherman Louwerton

Vidal was struck by lightning at sea last Saturday while, also in Clarendon, 18-yearold Alex Morgan of Savannah Cross was electrocuted at a business place in Lionel Town.

Reports from the Hayes police are that about 9:20 pm Morgan was allegedly trying

to remove copper from a utility pole and was electrocuted.

Meanwhile the Lionel Town Police said that Vidal was brought to shore about 9:30 pm where he was observed with severe burns on his upper body reportedly from a lightning strike. He was taken to hospital where he succumbed to the injuries.

Investigations into both incidents are ongoing, the police say. (Jamaica Observer)

TT looks to establish energy links with Guyana

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Trinidad and Tobago’s (TT) first energy port, which was officially opened last Friday at Point Galeota, Guayaguayare, advances government’s plans to form a regional link with energy companies in Suriname, Guyana and north Brazil.

So said Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine, who added that the US$85 million port was opened to facilitate South-South cooperation, an initiative recommended by PersadBissessar in the People’s Partnership 2010 manifesto.

Port of Galeota comprises 1.2 kilometres of new access road, an energy port with five berths and eight hectares of backland with 78.6 metres dredge depth.

Ramnarine said construction of the second phase of the port will begin next year at a cost of TT$110 million once detailed designs are completed.

“It will accommodate an additional seven berths which will enable TT to participate in logis-

tics activity in the wider Caribbean Region,” the minister indicated.

He added that it has already become a “dedicated berth for the TT Coast Guard” and will benefit energy companies.

“The port will facilitate the efficiency of upstream operators as well as facilitate our companies to do business in Suriname, Guyana and North Brazil.”

Ramnarine said Galeota was the first port to be opened in TT in 17

years.

Mayaro Member of Parliament Winston Gypsy Peters explained that 80 percent of the labour for construction of the facility came from the Guayaguayare region, but when the project started “disruptive elements” tried to stymie the work.

“This is the only energy port in TT and I am glad that these disruptive elements did not get the opportunity to disrupt this project. I want to say to those peo-

ple that they must qualify themselves and then come to look for work,” Peters said.

National Energy Chairman Roop Chan Chadeesingh said the South American mainland had vast potential for TT’s energy industries.

“The Guyana/ Suriname basin is considered to be one of the Region’s emerging energy markets.

As part of the national energy’s mandate to promote TT, a delegation recently visited Suriname for discussions on areas of co-operation in the development of their mining, energy and petroleum industries,” he said. Chadeesingh noted that Suriname’s extractive industries are diverse, unexploited and full of potential for investors.

“It is anticipated that NE’s recent mission to Suriname will serve as a spring board for future partnerships and interventions with stakeholders in their energy industry and that port will be integral to some of those initiatives.”(TT Guardian)

Guyana, Suriname among countries with World's highest suicide rates

WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES:

Two Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries have some of the highest suicide rates in the world, according to figures released by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

It said that in the Americas, the average estimated suicide rate is 7.3 per 100,000 inhabitants, which is lower than in other WHO regions and lower than the global average of 11.4 per 100,000.

“However, Guyana has the highest estimated suicide rate for 2012 in the world, and Suriname has the sixthhighest.”

The WHO said that data from the Americas show that suicide rates first peak among young people, remain at the same level for other age groups, and rise again among older men.

According to the WHO first global report on suicide prevention published last Thursday, more than 800,000 people around the world die from suicide every year–around one person every 40 seconds.

The WHO report titled “Preventing suicide: a global imperative” seeks to make suicide a top priority on the global public health agenda.

Factors

Meanwhile, the Guyana Foundation has announced the findings of a research study into the underlying economic

and social factors driving the high prevalence of suicide and suicidal behaviour in Guyana.

This qualitative study was conducted by Serena Coultress, a researcher in the Global Health programme at Maastricht University in The Netherlands, who was hosted by the Guyana Foundation earlier this year.

During her time in Guyana, Coultress gathered data from three selected groups of stakeholders: suicide attempters; religious leaders, and; mental health professionals.

Her findings indicate that suicide in Guyana is interconnected to poor coping skills associated with a cycle of violence that includes murdersuicide, interpersonal violence, corporal punishment, and child sexual abuse.

These are inextricably linked, fuelling one another, and are amplified by predominant notions of masculinity, family dysfunction, sexual inequality and alco-

hol abuse–all of which are major catalysts for the poor coping strategies found across ethnic groups.

Crisis

These findings are significant, as they offer insight and perspective into what is viewed as a “suicide crisis” in Guyana.

The WHO report last week indicated Guyana’s suicide rate in 2012 at 44.2 cases of suicide per 100,000 individuals.

The increased ranking for Guyana comes even though there has been an 8.5 percent decline in the country’s suicide rate between 2000 and 2012.

The WHO report also highlights the disproportionate number of suicides that are committed by male Guyanese–the suicide rate was higher for males than for females across all age groups. In 2012, the overall suicide rate for males was 70.8 per 100,000, while that for females was 22.1 per 100,000. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

TRINIDAD: Popular Piarco businessman commits suicide

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: A well known businessman of Piarco shot and killed himself early last Friday morning in Trinidad.

According to police reports, Benny Bridgelal, owner of Aeromart Supermarket, was last seen by his family at 4 am last Friday in the

bedroom of his home at St Helena Village, Piarco.

Hours later, at 6 am, they again checked on him. On this second occasion they found him lying on his bed in a pool of blood, with his licenced firearm in his right hand.

Police sources said the man was suffering from an entry wound at the side of his head, and an

exit wound to the left. No foul play was suspected. Sources revealed Bridgelal, whose supermarket has been in operation for more than 20 years, was suffering from diabetes and hypertension. He recently became depressed, because of the complications of the two ailments. (TT Newsday)

Dominica police recapture convicted murderer after four years on the run

ROSEAU, DOMINICA:

Dominica police say they have recaptured a prisoner who had been serving a 40 year jail sentence for murder.

They said Steven Alphonse had escaped on January 27, 2010 when prisoners were engaged in removing coal from a pit.

Alphonse had been sentenced to death in 1993 for the brutal mur-

der of a young woman, but he appealed the case in 2007 and the sentence was commuted to 40 years in jail.

Alphonse had escaped lawful custody on two previous occasions, making his way to the neighbouring French island of Guadeloupe during one of these escapes from prison.

Prior to his arrest, police had described Alphonse as “dangerous”. He is due to appear in court later this week on charges related to his prison escape. (Caribbean News)

Physically challenged Jamaican on drug charges released from Trinidad jail

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: A wheelchair-bound Jamaican, who was arrested close to three years ago at Piarco International Airport with seven kilograms of marijuana hidden in the chair, was ordered released from prison by an Arima magistrate after he pleaded guilty to the offence of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Defence attorney Delicia Helwig made a plea in mitigation before Senior Magistrate Indrani Cedeno last Friday, asking that her client, Kevon Francis, 33, of Kingston, Jamaica, be freed on the basis that prison authorities could not properly care for him.

Despite being released, however, Francis was fined TT$20,000 on two additional charges under the Customs Act, for importing an illegal substance and failing to declare the drugs on his customs declaration form. For the trafficking offence, he was placed on a bond to keep

the peace for two years.

In her mitigation plea, Helwig said Francis, who is paralysed from the neck down following a traffic accident six years ago, had the intention of pleading guilty to the offence when he first appeared in court in December 2011, but was unable to do so as the matter was required to be heard before a High Court judge and jury.

She said it was not until last Friday that Francis was able to enter the guilty plea after the prosecution requested that the matter be heard summarily.

The attorney added that Francis was remorseful for the act committed but only decided to carry out the crime as he was desperate for money to assist his family members who care for him in his home country.

Francis admitted that he was paid US$2,000 by a drug smuggler to carry out the job, Helwig said. (Caribbean News)

Jamaica embarks on commercial bamboo production

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Houses made from bamboo? Farfetched? Not at all, for Jamaica is to embark on large-scale production of bamboo for the construction of low-cost houses and value-added products such as furniture and charcoal. This, however, is for the export market.

The aim is to tap into the lucrative global market for bamboo products, which is estimated at US$10 billion, with the potential to reach US$20 billion by next year.

The project is being spearheaded by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), and involves collaboration with the Bamboo and Indigenous Materials Advisory Council (BIMAC), a national committee with public-

and private-sector involvement, the Jamaica Information Service has reported.

It quoted special projects director at the BSJ, Gladstone Rose, as saying that technologies provided by international partners will help Jamaica in maximising the potential of bamboo.

"These technologies will help us to make bamboo plywood, bamboo wood. The board can be used to make students' desk and chairs; just about any product that can be made from trees," he stated.

Local architects, engineers and builders who were trained in building techniques in Colombia have constructed a 260-squarefoot bamboo-framed house, which was on display at the Denbigh Agricultural and Food

Show last month in Clarendon.

This demo house, which is earthquake resistant, can last for at least 100 years, and can be sold for half the current cost of low-income houses.

In explaining the building process, Rose said that the bamboo is used to "replace the steel that would occur in a block and steel house. Steel is only used in the joining of the house… During an earthquake, it would have the necessary resistance to crumbling,"

He added that a concrete mixture is then applied to the bamboo frame, and then rendered on both sides, giving the appearance of a block and steel house. "But, it is a bambooreinforced house. The technique can also be used so that the bamboo is revealed, depending on the taste of the buyer," he pointed out.

Rose said the BSJ was conducting training of persons to be employed in the industry, which will last until the end of November, and was setting up three bamboo factories across the island.

The agency is also ensuring that persons can grow, preserve and harvest the bamboo for its various uses. (JIS)

Human trafficking case against Trinidad cop begins

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Security was heightened at the San Fernando Magistrate’s Court in Trinidad last Thursday after two alleged victims of human trafficking were brought to give evidence against PC Valentine Eastman. The State began the case against Eastman, through paper committal proceedings, on ten human-trafficking charges involving three Colombian women.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington told mem-

bers of the public and the media to leave the courtroom as the law said the case must be heard in camera. Eastman, 53, who was last assigned to the Mon Repos Police Station, was the first person to be charged under TT’s Trafficking in Persons Act of 2011.

The charges allege that he brought the women into the country and harboured them for the purpose of prostitution. The charges were laid last year by PC Ramlogan after investigations by the AntiHuman Trafficking Unit.

State attorney Trevor

Jones has filed over 20 witness statements. The three Colombian women are expected to give evidence. Only two of the women, who are in police protection, were in court. Only one of the women gave evidence, which lasted for an hour. She is expected to continue later this week.

Spanish interpreter Doris Milan assisted because the witness does not speak English. Eastman, who is on TT$350,000 bail, was represented by attorney Subhas Panday. (TT Guardian)

Guyana to ship 10,000 tonnes of rice monthly to Africa

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: With Guyana’s rice industry set to begin its peak harvesting season by the end of September, another large crop is expected, according to Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, and there are arrangements being made to ship about 10,000 tonnes monthly to Africa, through a trade group.

Briefing Guyanese media last Saturday, the minister said that initiatives have been put in place to address the challenges faced by farmers.

The focus is currently on premium markets and as production increases, the regular priced market will be tapped into, he said. There is also a renewed focus on valueadded products such as cereals and even paddy husk, formerly discarded as waste, will be utilised to see maximum use of all products and by-products.

As part of this effort, the Agriculture Ministry is in partnership with the Energy and Research Institute of India and the Institute of Applied Science and Technology, locally. Attention is be-

ing particularly paid to low yielding fields.

Addressing the issue of payments to rice farmers, the Agriculture Minister revealed that the first crop for 2014 realised in excess of Gy$23 billion in paddy being sold. He made it clear that no farmer was owed money from the 2013 crops.

The minister estimates that less than Gy$250 million is owed to a small number of farmers for 2014.

The Agriculture Ministry is working to ensure that small farmers are paid off before the peak harvesting season begins.

With regard to markets for rice, Dr Ramsammy said the local market consumes 120,000 tonnes, annually, the bulk of which is returned to the fields as seed material, while some is also used in stock feed and beverage production. The high crop production means that there must be markets found for 500,000 tonnes of rice.

The first shipment of

packaged rice to Panama is being prepared and the company that does 120kg packaging has been contracted to do this, with the Central American country mak-

ing its own shipping arrangements, according to the minister. He explianed that four shipments are contractually due to Panama this year and

the private sector is also shipping separately to the country, with more than 25,000 tonnes in total expected to be shipped. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Canadian firm secures US$185 million for Guyana gold project

TORONTO, CANADA:

Guyana

Goldfields Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, AGM Inc. recently announced the signing of a common terms agreement with International Finance Corporation, Export Development Canada, ING Capital LLC, Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation and The Bank of Nova Scotia.

The other definitive documentation with respect to its previously announced credit approval for a US$185 million project finance facility to fund the development and construction of, and general matters relating to, the 100 percent owned Aurora Gold Project located in Guyana.

With the completion of the facility, the development of the project is now fully financed, subject to the terms and conditions of the facility.

The Project Loan Facility will consist of two tranches: a Tranche One facility of US$160 million and a Tranche Two cost overrun facility of US$25 million.

The maximum term of the facility is eight years and advances under the facility bear a weighted average interest rate of three-month LIBOR

plus 5.11 percent for Tranche One facility, and advances under the Tranche Two facility would bear interest at the same average range of rates plus 0.5 percent (if drawn). There will be no gold hedging requirements or other similar provisions associated with the facility.

As a condition of first disbursement, the company is obligated to fund an additional US$33 million which has been satisfied through a fully-subscribed, non-brokered private placement offering. Management currently expects to obtain first drawdown of the facility in September of this year.

Guyana’s Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud said, “The government of Guyana congratulates Guyana Goldfields Inc in securing full financing for the wholly owned Aurora Gold Project. This level of investment from a large-scale mining operation is important to the growth and development of the Guyanese economy. The government of Guyana through the Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry has been working with Guyana Goldfields to ensure that their undertaking is realised and will

continue to work with this company throughout the lifetime of this project.

Benefits

The benefits for Guyana from this project such as local employment, contribution to national wealth, training and community development cannot be over-emphasised. In addition, Guyana’s level of gold declaration is expected to double with the anticipated output from the Aurora project.”

Scott A Caldwell, President and Chief Executive Officer stated, “We have been aggressively working on the construction of the Aurora Gold Project, which remains on schedule to achieve commercial production in mid-2015, and recently completed the largest single concrete pour for the SAG Mill base foundation. We would like to thank all parties involved throughout the facility transaction.”

Guyana Goldfields Inc. is a Canada-based company, focused on the exploration and development of gold deposits in Guyana, South America. GGI is focused on the construction and development of the Aurora Gold Project scheduled for commercial production in mid2015.

Private sector urges Cabinet shuffle in Jamaica

KINGSTON,

JAMAICA: Christopher Zacca, president of the powerful Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), has urged Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to shuffle her Cabinet.

Zacca, who gave the keynote address at the 12th anniversary meeting of the Kiwanis Club last Thursday evening at Meadowvale, held at the Altamont Court Hotel in New Kingston, said it was time for the prime minister to "reshape and refresh" the executive.

The PSOJ president, however, singled out four Cabinet ministers for their performance--Prime Minister

Portia Simpson Miller; Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips; Minister of Justice Senator Mark Golding; and the late Minister of Agriculture Roger Clarke, who died in Florida recently.

"Tough and necessary measures are having a positive effect on our image and our macroeconomic indicators, but something seems to be missing," Zacca told Kiwanians and guests.

He said that, despite the reports of "good fiscal and financial progress" that the government has been making, public speakers, like himself, were still forced to ask questions about the progress of the country.

"Where is the huge

surge in business confidence? Why aren't all business people standing up and saying, hooray?" he asked.

He said that the hand of government that is in charge of the fiscal and financial affairs could try as hard as it could to clap and make a loud sound, but "we won't hear any sound or feel the strong positive effects that the reform programme is attempting to produce" unless the other hand that deals with improving international competitiveness tries just as hard.

Zacca said that Jamaica was going through extremely tough times, brought on by years of mismanagement and debt accumulation.

"I would, therefore, like to recommend to the prime minister that at this juncture it is time that, she reshapes and refreshes the structure and composition of her Cabinet, and make the necessary changes that would create the best possible structure and team available to guide us into international competitiveness, growth and development," Zacca told the meeting. (Jamaica Observer)

Senior cop’s son shot dead in Trinidad

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

The youngest son of TT’s acting Senior Superintendent of Police Michael Roban, was killed in a hail of bullets in full view of a six-year-old boy in broad daylight last Saturday by two gunmen on La Pena Drive, Laventille.

Ironically, the shooting took place in the Port-of-Spain Division of which Roban was in charge until a few weeks ago, and where crime had dropped by 50 percent under his watch.

Magdiel Roban, 25, formerly of Bon Air, Arouca, was shot a few metres from where he had made his home in recent weeks. At the time he was shot a sixyear-old boy was in his company. The boy recounted to police the events prior to the shooting.

The six-year old related that as they were going up the road to their home and Magdiel

had just finished talking on the cellphone, two men came out from the nearby bush and asked “Who is he?”

On turning around, they opened fire on him killing him instantly. The boy was not physically harmed. Magdiel and the six-year-old had apparently been on the road to obtain rubber bands to make a slingshot.

Magdiel had recently moved in with his common-law wife Aisha Steele and their three-month old daughter in the hills of Laventille. The sixyear-old was Steele’s

nephew.

A tearful Steele told TT media that at the time of the shooting she had gone to the hardware store in town to do some shopping for materials to build their own home.

She had finished talking to Magdiel for just a minute or two on the cellphone when a relative telephoned her to say that he had been gunned down on the road leading to their home. He received multiple bullet wounds about his body. The shooting occurred about 9.10 am. He was the last of eight siblings—four boys and four girls.

Roban told reporters at the scene of the shooting he was not surprised his son had been killed because of the increase in homicides in recent times. Fairly composed for most of the time, Roban choked up on saying, “but when it reaches home, it is a different thing.” (Excerpt from TT Newsday)

Elections fever heats up in Guyana

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

Internally, leading candidates are being identified. On the outskirts, the stage is being set for General and Regional Elections in Guyana.

PPP/C

In its quest to regain the majority in the National Assembly, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is campaigning for the establishment of a “Broad National Democratic Front”, in addition to the staging of several “bottom house meetings”. According to General Secretary Clement Rohee, the party has met a number of stakeholders. The response, he said, is overwhelming.

In addition to consulting with members, regular citizens and stakeholders, the party has been conducting exten-

sive field work to ensure that the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) produced by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is credible. Thus far, it has unearthed a series of discrepancies from fake addresses to fabricated names.

APNU

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said it is continuing a process that commenced since last year when its Local Government Campaign was launched. APNU Campaign Director Winston Felix last Friday stated that currently it is ensuring that all members and supporters are registered. During walkabouts in the various districts, Felix said citizens are brought up to date on current issues facing Guyana. Additionally, citizens have been called upon to put their votes “solidly behind the APNU”.

Communications Department Head Mark Archer said that APNU’s Local Government Campaign meetings were conducted in the 10 Administrative Regions and Constituency Committees established in all of the 71 Local Authority areas. Given the intricacy of the Local Government Elections, Archer said the party

had the honour of meeting and understanding the issues affecting the grassroots. As General Election looms, he said: “We are retooling for a nationwide elections or whatever elections are called.”

AFC

The Alliance For Change (AFC) General Secretary David Patterson indicated that the par-

ty has already conducted town hall and public meetings in Regions Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), Five (Mahaica-Berbic) and Seven (CuyuniMazaruni). This weekend, the AFC met with residents of Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). According to Patterson, crime, unemployment and good gov-

ernance were the issues that were placed on top of the agenda when the meetings were called. Questioned about residents’ response thus far, he said, “We are heartened and truly encouraged by the response. Residents have a good understanding why the motion was submitted and we sense that there is a commitment to cause.”

On August 7, the AFC submitted the noconfidence motion to the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs. It is expected that the motion against the PPP/C government would come up for debate in the National Assembly in October. With the APNU signalling its intention to endorse the motion, Guyana could see President Donald Ramotar being forced to dissolve Parliament, paving the way for General Elections within 90 days. (Guyana Times)

Grenada remembers Ivan ten years on

ST GEORGE’S, GRENADA:

Sunday marked the ten-year anniversary of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan, which passed directly over Grenada on September 7, 2004, as a category three storm, killing 39 people.

The capital, St George's, was severely damaged and several notable buildings were destroyed, including the residence of the prime minister. Ivan also caused extensive damage to a local prison, allowing most of the inmates to escape.

The island, in the words of a Caribbean disaster official, suffered "total devastation."

According to a member of the Grenadian parliament, at least 85 percent of the small island was devastated. Extensive looting was reported. In all, damage on the island totalled US$815 million.

Caribbean News Now senior correspon-

dent based in Trinidad, Grenadian Marcia Braveboy, was the first journalist to arrive on the ground from outside the island and filed one of the first reports of what she saw and experienced: Special Report from Grenada: ‘Indescribable

Sir Hilary Beckles to serve as next Vice-Chancellor of the UWI

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS:

Principal of the Cave Hill (Barbados) campus of the University of the West Indies, Sir Hilary Beckles is expected to serve as the next Vice Chancellor of the university from May 1, 2015.

A statement from the UWI indicated that Beckles was the preferred candidate for the post of Vice Chancellor at the Extraordinary Meeting of University Council held recently.

Advertisement for the post attracted in excess of 50 applicants

from all over the world and the council’s Search Committee short-listed seven candidates which

was eventually whittled down to three candidates who were invited to be interviewed.

“As a result of the interview and subsequent discussions, the Committee arrived at a consensus on Sir Hilary as the preferred candidate,” the statement said.

The University’s Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne, in congratulating Sir Hilary noted that he would be the seventh Vice-Chancellor.

Sir Hilary is currently the longest serving campus Principal. (TT Newsday)

Ivan’ “As the first journalist on the ground at the time, it was a heartbreaking experience. One

could have cut the sense of trauma with a knife, so palpable was the shock and fear people exuded,” she recalled.

“Grenada's culture, some of its ways of doing things was gone with the vicious winds of Hurricane Ivan. Fishermen from Gouyave launched their boats out to sea and boarded the cargo boats coming into the country with aid and raided them of some of their goods. No one bothered to stop them.

“And as the people had no money, they took the

opportunity to make some with the raided goods, selling a tin of corned beef and other canned foods for EC1 each. The few who had working generators charged EC$5 to charge a cell phone. So desperate were the times. When the storm had fully passed and the dust settled, one could find Grenadians at the side of the road or in makeshift shelters talking and drinking their nights away for weeks following the hurricane,” Braveboy recounted. (Caribbean News)

World Bank says Caribbean beaches disappearing due to rising sea levels, storms

WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES: The World Bank says due to rising sea levels and recurring storms, the beaches in most Caribbean nations have started to disappear.

In a new report, the Washington-based financial institution said, in some areas of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, for instance, an estimated 18-30 meters of beach have been lost over the last nine years.

“The highly vulnerable coastal strand and adjacent towns are fighting against increased flood risk from rainfall and storm surge,” said the bank, noting that the issue of challenges faced by small islands around the world was at the center of the just-concluded Third Small Island Developing States (SIDS) conference in Samoa.

The bank noted that the theme of the conference was sustainable development in view of these states’ unique and particular vulnerabilities.

The World Bank indicated that beaches are not the only concern, stating that Caribbean ports are also at risk from rising sea levels.

“In island states, ports are

the world bank has made some recommendations to improve the caribbean’s ability to resist and adapt to the effects of climate change

the economic heart of the country, typically the capital and the island center of commerce,” stated the bank, adding that airports are also affected.

To improve the Caribbean’s ability to resist and adapt to the effects of climate change, the World Bank has made some recommendations.

With the poor and vulnerable being most affected by a global sea level rise, the bank urged that land planning be incorporat-

ed more into social programs to tackle how exposed people are to risk.

It also recommended the implementation of a preventive system to establish an economic recovery and diversification plan following a disaster, as well as increased investment in scientific data collection and flood controls.

The other recommendations include land planning and watershed management. (Caribbean News)

Record tourist arrivals for St. Lucia

– with increase in Canadian visitors

at 208,117, visitor arrivals are seven percent higher than the same period last year

CASTRIES, ST. LUCIA:

The St. Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB) says significant growth in visitor arrivals has been recorded for the island in the first seven months of the year.

Tourist officials announced that total stay over arrivals by air and ferry at the end of July 2014, have surpassed all numbers previously recorded in the island’s history.

At 208,117, visitor arrivals are seven percent higher than the same period last year–a difference of more than 13,000 arrivals.

It says to further emphasise the significance of this year’s performance, increases were recorded every month so far, with July recording both the highest percentage (13 percent) as well as actual growth (3672).

In addition, the figures recorded in the months of February, March, April and June, were the highest number of arrivals ever recorded in these respective months in the island’s history.

The expansion of the sector is fuelled by growth in particular markets, namely the U.S. and UK, the island’s two largest markets, which increased by 14 percent and eight percent respectively, during the

seven month period. Growth was also experienced in the Canadian and European markets, both of which increased by double digit percentages over last year.

Director of Tourism Louis Lewis acknowledged the boost in the sector and attributed its growth to the strategic marketing efforts targeted at key sectors of the source markets, most notably being the airlift expansion strategy and fostering closer relationships with the travel trade.

“The outstanding performance recorded this year is testimony to the work that the Tourist Board engages in to market the destination, and can be translated into a greater awareness of the destination in our key source markets. We are very pleased to announce the sector’s performance for the year thus far.”

The success also extends into the Cruise and Yachting sectors, which also recorded major increases in the last seven months.

The island recorded a five percent increase in cruise arrivals stemming from the 14 percent increase in calls, whilst arrivals by yacht increased 16 percent over the same time period. (Caribbean News)

Glamorous red carpet World film premiere at Movie Towne in Trinidad

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Shot entirely in Trinidad, U.S. film director Roger Bobb’s latest work, ‘Girlfriends Getaway’ had its world premiere last Tuesday night at the Movie Towne Complex, Trinidad.

It was a grand red carpet event reminiscent of the Hollywood type movie premieres of major motion pictures.

Leading cast and crew (both local and foreign) arrived at Movie Towne in stretch limousines before making their way along the red

carpet entrance to cinema’s entrance. The event caused quite a stir at Movie Towne with huge crowd gathering to get a glimpse of the actors and to snap photos with their cellphones. Onlookers got a chance to see wellknown U.S. actresses Malinda Williams (‘Soul Food’ series, ‘The Wood’) and Essence Atkins (‘Are We There Yet’, ‘A Haunted House’, ‘House of Payne’ tv series), two of the leading ladies in the film, make their way down the red carpet.

Among the specially invited guests were well-known local per-

sonalities such as Penelope Spencer and Darren Ganga who had roles in the film, as well as, prominent members of parliament, the business community and the local film community. In the foyer, guests were treated to wine and finger food before making their way into the theatre for the movie’s screening.

Addressing the large audience before the start of the film, Bobb praised the local cast and crew, as well as, the TT Film Company and the various sponsors for their work in facilitating the making of the mov-

ie in Trinidad. In stating that the film was the very first U.S. television movie to be shot 100 percent in Trinidad, Bobb urged the various sponsors of the film to support the local filmmakers because, as he said, “I truly want Trinidad to be the Hollywood of the Caribbean. That’s why we’re here.”

At the end of the screening, the highly appreciative audience members were given a chance to pose questions to the cast and crew and even give their comments on the film. It was evident from those in the audience that ‘Girlfriends Getaway’ is must see movie. (TT Newsday)

Guyanese soca artiste enjoying new found fame in U.S.

NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES:

Marlon Webster is from Guyana, South America and known for his soca music. Marlon is now in the USA releasing ‘Train Wreck’ his first pop single. Slowly crooning from the speakers, ‘Train Wreck’ eases into itself with sweet, albeit high octane vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and rapturous passion that’s infectious as it is catchy.

If you’re looking for an addictive track for long summer drives, look no further.

‘Train Wreck’ is impacting radio nationwide and is Number Nine on the BDS Top 40 Radio Indicator!

Marlon has opened for Ne-yo, Akon, and R Kelly.

Growing up in Guyana, chances are you spent a lot of time listening to Soca music, an offshoot of Calypso. Singer/ songwriter Marlon had

already spent many years hanging out with friends in his neighbourhood, dancing till dark, when he was asked to try out, at the age of 14, for a popular local band called Pinnacle.

Pinnacle played at some of the biggest clubs and Marlon was invited to Barbados to try and further his career. While he was introduced to music industry folks, and got the chance to sing with two very popular Caribbean

artistes–Krossfyah and For the People–Marlon went back to Guyana after two years, where he promptly took over as lead singer for Mingles Sound Machine, the most popular cover band in Guyana. They toured all over Barbados and Guyana, played at huge festivals and even performed for the President of Guyana. Marlon’s star was on the rise.

As his status grew, so did his desire to start writing and performing

his own music. Marlon decided to enter the very popular Carib Soca Monarch competition, a massive music event in the Caribbean where 15 singers compete against each other. Winning became his sole focus.

At the same time, Digicel, a cell phone company that was looking to make a big splash in Guyana, approached several well-known musical artistes, including Marlon. They signed Marlon as a Brand

Ambassador, and he began performing at their events, appearing in radio and televisions ads, on prints adverts and more. By the time Carib Soca Monarch rolled around in 2007, Marlon had three songs on the charts and was doing daily interviews to promote himself. His win was a triumph, and something he had worked very, very hard to achieve.

“King” of Soca He spent the next year working as both the “King” of Soca and with Digicel. He opened for acts that came to Guyana including Ne-yo, Akon and R Kelly. Despite the fame at home, Marlon realised that his career was not growing in a way he had hoped; he wanted to see what else was available to him. As luck would have it, he received interest from a cruise ship and was invited to sing on a ship sailing to Australia. He

loved it, but performing three to four shows a night was taking its toll. He told the ship that he would do one more cruise with them. It was on this final cruise that Marlon met people who wanted to invest in, and work with, a talented pop singer. As soon as they heard Marlon sing, they knew they found their guy. The first step was to bring Marlon to Canada, and then New Jersey, to work with Producer Ced Solo (Ariana Grande, Ginuine, Anthony Hamilton). The two hit it off right away. In addition to Ced, Marlon hooked up with Grammy Award winning Producer/Engineer Zach Ziskin. Ziskin took a few tracks Marlon has written and they are working together on a pop sound reminiscent of two artistes Marlon is constantly compared to, Usher and Taio Cruz. (Broken Records Magazine)

Caribbean fashion on show in New York

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: New York Fashion Week is having a Caribbean flavour as designers from more than eight islands are showcasing their brands and collection.

Caribbean New York Fashion Week (CNYFW) 2014 Fashion Event started Sunday and runs through Wednesday at THE OUT NYC, 510 West 42nd Street, NYC (between 10th & 11th Avenue).

CNYFW is produced by Face Of Fashion (FOF), a fashion modelling and fashion design management company located in New York City, under the direction of Carla Hazel.

This premier fashion event takes place during September New York Fashion Week 2014, targeting mainly Caribbean fashion designers and models. CNYFW fashion events pro-

vide the platform for all talents to showcase their inspirations in creative fashion designs for

brand launching, as well as, the forum for fashion buyers and investors.

Caribbean New York Fashion Week 2014 fuels the business of fashion for Caribbean designers and models to take their skills and talent to the next level.

Participating Caribbean Islands include Antigua and Barbuda--Daniel Shem Henri; Barbados--Andrew Harris Jr; Dominica--Glenda Jones; Guyana--Carol Fraser, Myrna Patterson, Patricia Jonas and Sonia Noel; Haiti--Prajje JeanBaptiste; Jamaica--Gillian Francis aka Minka; St. Lucia-Lisa Barton-Volney; Trinidad and Tobago--Athaliah Samuel and The Bahamas--Apryl Burrows.

Caribbean models will be from Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and The Bahamas. (Nation News)

Ruqayyah Boyer to represent Guyana at Miss International Pageant in Japan

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: On November 12, Miss Guyana World 2013, Ruqayyah Boyer will be competing with 90 other beauties around the world for the prestigious title of Miss International 2014 in Toyko, Japan.

The Miss International Pageant is the fourth largest pageant in the world. The others are Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Earth. Presently, the Guyanese delegate is in the Philippines undergoing intense training leading up to the pageant.

She is expected to arrive in Toyko, Japan on October 26 where she will participate in another training session and preliminary competitions.

She is being trained by the Gouldian Team that is known for their suc-

cesses in pageantry over the past year.

Boyer, along with Miss Guyana World Rafieya Hussein, is in training from 09:00h to 18:00h every day in various areas including makeup, hair style, wardrobe, pageant walk and others. Hussein is slated to represent Guyana at the Miss World Pageant in December.

However, during an online interview with Boyer, she stated “I am being trained on pageant walk for Miss International since our trainer indicated that for each pageant it is different…the requirements change in Miss Universe where I might have needed a more fiercer catwalk…such does not apply for Miss World or Miss International.”

She noted, howev-

er, there are certain elements of the training that are a bit unorthodox, but admitted they are to help with her walk, posture and leg muscles.

In the next few days, the two delegates will have a fitness session and photo shoots along with speech training with respect to “what to say and what not to say”, she grinned.

Boyer also noted that the training is of a high quality and she was honoured to have been able to meet the reigning Miss International, who is from the Philippines.

“It so happens that the reigning Miss International is from the Philippines so I am learning the secrets to get her crown…”

With less than three weeks before she wings off to Japan for the final,

Chronixx, Sean Paul and Major Lazer lead IRAWMA awards

KINGSTON, JAMAICA : International recording artiste Sean Paul, reggae sensation Chronixx and EDM outfit Major Lazer lead the field with four nominations in the 33rd International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) scheduled to take place at the Coral Spring Center for The Arts in Florida, on Saturday, October 4.

Sean Paul — who, along with Enrique Iglesias, performed on the finale of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ on Fox recently — received the nods in the categories entertainer of the year, best crossover song, and best music video. Mavado, Busy Signal and Shaggy received three nominations each.

The event will see several artistes receiving special recognition from the organiser. Singer

she remains optimistic that she will do well as she represents Guyana on the international stage. She recalled competing with more than 130 delegates in the Miss World Pageant and she promises to use her experience in the upcoming pageant.

Boyer was contacted by the Miss International Committee to participate in the pageant and after realising that Guyana has never been represented on that stage, she agreed almost immediately.

“I wasn’t going to do another beauty pageant contest after Miss World, but I was asked to consider and I did, but I figured if I were going to do this again…I will need a different approach, hence the training for the first time.” (Guyana Times)

Bobby Aitkens, Mykal ‘Grammy’ Rose—formerly of Black Uhuru, and Dr Audley Rollens will be inducted in Hall of Fame. IRAWMA Award of Honour will be given to St. Vincent-born Kevin Lyttle. Jimmy Cliff, Chronixx, Tessanne Chin, Sean Paul and Soja are nominated for the Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of the Year; Christopher Martin, Tarrus Riley, Chronixx, Luciano, Romain Virgo for Best Male Vocalist; Etana, Marcia Griffiths, Tessanne Chin, Ce’Cile, Patrice Roberts for Best Female Vocalist and; ‘Smile Jamaica’— Chronixx ‘Differentology’— Bunji Garlin ‘Easy Love’— Maxi Priest ‘Fight The Feeling’ — Beres Hammond and Shaggy for Best Song. (Jamaica Observer)

Jamaican comedians for U.S. show

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: A strong cast of Jamaican comedians are slated for ‘Come Laugh Till You Drop’ at United Banquet Hall in Hartford, Connecticut, on Sunday, October 5.

The acts include Boasy Boy Floyd (formerly Pretty Boy Floyd), Rohan Gunter, Lemon and Christopher 'Johnny' Daley.

For promoter Junior Wellington, there seems to be a steady appreciation for this form of entertainment in the U.S.

"Comedy is alive and well in Hartford. It's natural as a lot of Jamaicans populate this area," he told the

Jamaican media. Wellington believes the popularity of local comedians is pinned to the fact that they keep the 'link' between Jamaica and the United States. And when they perform, people can forget their problems and have a good laugh.

"Boasy Boy Floyd has been here lots of times, but each time they see him, he manages to get them cracking up the same," he continued.

For Boasy Boy Floyd, whose given name is Ludlow Peynado, it's all about being spontaneous.

"I'm a build-on-spot kinda person," he said. (Jamaica Observer)

Phoenix Recovery Project….

Reconstructing the lives of hopeless drug addicts in Guyana

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

Imagine roaming the streets for 17 long years, enduring derision, taunts and harsh criticisms. Imagine being beat down by the elements of the weather while living among the dead.

But, after years of heartache and confusion, you are able to reunite with the people you treasure most in the world.

Shredded to pieces

That was the experience of “Sandra” (only name given), also known as “Granny”, of Albouystown, Georgetown, whose life had been shredded to pieces by the misuse of ‘crack’cocaine.

For 17 years, Sandra felt the brunt of the effects of the most debilitating substance, which has left many persons, battered and unchanging.

“It was terrible,” she told Caribbean Times during an interview last Friday.

A 62-year-old mother to five girls and one boy, Sandra began smoking cocaine at the “matured” age of 40.

Her venturing into such a lifestyle was simply out of curiosity, she related, as she was already smoking cigarettes.

“I was sitting on a

bench opposite a church with my friend. The man she was living with came up and told her he had something to send to Suriname, but needed to sample it first.”

The content of the packages Sandra later leant were cocaine and marijuana.

She explained that the man wrapped the marijuana, after which he rubbed on some cocaine and handed it to the woman, who “took a pull and then turn to me and say try it”.

Sandra said she accepted and that night be-

came the beginning of a dangerous road she had to travel. She said she spent the remainder of that night smoking out all the money she had for her family.

She continued with the practice, selling out the little things from the home.

It had come to a point when she could not handle it and just packed up and leave. Her young children were left to fend for themselves.

The Phoenix Recovery Project located at Mon Repos was a life-saver for

the now drug addiction Counsellor.

Sandra said with all that she has endured, when the programme was launched in 2008, she was among the first set of persons to benefit. She revealed that she has been clean for six years now.

This publication also met with 37-year-old “Sonia”, a U.S.-based Guyanese who was deported back in 2007. Sonia said her cocaine lifestyle has robbed her of family and friends.

She related that she used to sell the substance

in the U.S., after it was introduced to her by her boyfriend.

Heart-rending

But the most heartrending experience for Sonia was losing her children who were all taken by child services and placed into foster care. She recalled leaving her now 12-year-old son, in the hospital when he was born, all because of her addiction to the substance.

After being caught up with the law in the U.S. and serving two of a four-year sentence, Sonia said she was deported to Guyana, where she became homeless.

After a few years of continuous drug abuse in Guyana she said she was introduced to the Phoenix Recovery Project, where she was given hope.

Although she has had two relapses since joining the programme in 2008, she said she remains committed to doing the right thing, since she wants to be a part of the life of her daughter, who is 23-months-old.

Another client at the Phoenix Recovery Project is bubbly 30-yearold Canadian-based Guyanese Natasha, who was also deported because of addiction to co-

caine.

Natasha took a pull at her first cigarette at the tender age of five and this was all due to seeing her mother doing it. She continued on and off and by the time she was in her early teens, smoking cigarette had become a habitual thing.

She said she first smoked cocaine at age 19, not because she wanted to, but as a form of rebellion against her mother, who refused to lend an ear to her complaints of sexual abuse.

Recovery Since joining the recovery last October, Natasha has escaped seven times. Her escape would often lead her to downtown Georgetown, where she said she would endure severe pressure, including sexual abuse.

She said she is thankful for the persistence of the staff of the institution, especially Administrator Clarence Younge in getting her back. She noted that she has no intention of leaving without receiving treatment.

The Phoenix Recovery Project since its inception in 2008 has interacted with just over 65 female drug addicts.

Special programme targets underage drinkers in Jamaica

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: As the countdown to the WE I.D. programme by Red Stripe gets ready to take effect later this month, the company believes that the initiative can be successful as long as all participants work together.

The legal age for drinking in Jamaica is 18, but studies have shown that access to alcohol in Jamaica is not properly monitored, resulting in many underage partygoers having easy access to alcohol. It was with this in mind that the beer company sought to launch the WE I.D. programme, which will seek to involve the participation of retailers (supermarkets, wholesalers, community bars and sports bars) by asking retailers to request that consumers present a valid ID in order to purchase alcohol.

Though the beer company has good intentions by launching this new initiative, many believe that the programme will not yield much results.

In an interview with Jamaican media, head of corporate relations, Red Stripe, Dianne AshtonSmith, said the company believes in its success and is looking to its retailers for support. "We share the view with public-health experts that it is essential to involve retailers in efforts to promote safe drinking environments and prevent

harmful use of alcohol."

Worthy endeavour

While stating that they are aware of the problem the programme faces, she explained that the company believes the possibility of it being suc-

cessful is worth the try. "Underage drinking is a societal challenge that is only possible to prevent through expanded cooperation among government, enforcement agencies, retailers, parents, educators and others in

the community."

She went on to reveal that already, there are 115 retail outlets on board who are committed to supporting the need for enforcing legal purchaseage regulations and ensuring the reduction of underage consumption in Jamaica. She also believes that no one group has all the answers or the ability to implement all the measures needed to tackle the issue, but believes that if everyone plays their part, the effect will be lessened. "It requires all stakeholders, including retailers and the industry working together," she said. Ashton-Smith also believes that the campaign will not affect the company's sales in any way. Although the company has to consider the bottom line as a business, she doesn't anticipate that the new programme will have an effect on sales. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Guyanese entertainer on a mission to help the fatherless

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: Many people would know the handsome and talented Mr Guyana International Pageant contender Curt Junior Walcott, as an exceptional and powerful singer. But this local entertainer is about to embark on a journey to help those, who like himself, were raised without a father.

Curt is no stranger to the public eye, especially after making several appearances on the popular singing contest, the GT&T Jingle and Song Competition. But before we get into his upcoming venture, let us get to know this talented individual a little better.

Life without a father

Curt was born on September 10, 1989 at

the Georgetown Public Hospital. Being the eldest of four siblings, Curt said that he never had the opportunity, like many children, to know his biological father.

In addition to being fatherless, Walcott’s biological mother, being young and inexperienced, placed him in the care of his Godparents, Mr and Mrs Edmond Benjamin who raised, loved and nurtured him, with a Christian upbringing.

The 24-year-old said that he started out his early years of education at Pavilion Nursery, before moving on to Central Primary to complete his primary education. He continued his secondary school education at Dolphin Secondary School.

Walcott explained

that because he suffered rejection at birth from his biological father, the feeling of being rebuffed

began to negatively impact most of his adolescent years. Due to unforeseen circumstances,

Jamaican Folk Singers ready for exciting 2014 Concert Season

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: The focus of the 2014 Concert Season is on community--the significance and importance of sharing and respecting each other, helping each other and the essence of cooperation. The 'one community' message is showcased in the sections: One Community 'At Home', 'At Work', 'Marketing', 'In Worship' and in 'Celebration'.

As has occurred in the last few years, the Jamaican Folk Singers is incorporating children in its concert season, partly in fulfillment of that part of its mission which relates to the group being "a bridge between the senior citizens who have nurtured the values and lore of old Jamaica, and the

youths who are the hope and architects of tomorrow." The experience of the group over the years continues to support the importance of maintaining contact with the children to help educate them on aspects of Jamaica's folk music culture, including the vital life lessons and their relevance to the present day.

The Jamaican Folk Singers, which was founded in 1967 by Dr Olive Lewin, has strived through the years to remain true to its mission, which includes unearthing and exposing the beauty and artistic worth of Jamaica's folk music heritage. It has been 47 years of overcoming challenges and helping to keep alive the folk foundations of Jamaica's mu-

sic.

The Jamaican Folk Singers began as a group of friends who were invited by Lewin to share her enthusiasm for Jamaica's folk music, which developed with her experience in collecting and researching Jamaica's folk music. From the group's first public performance until now, there is focus on maintaining respect for traditions and for the people who have kept them alive.

With a repertoire of more than 200 songs arranged by Lewin, the group has sung to enthusiastic audiences in Jamaica and several other countries, including Martinique, Barbados, Cuba, Mexico, the United States, Germany, Canada, Great Britain, South

Curt also was unable to complete his secondary education.

He, however, went into the world of work and became independent. But this experience was short-lived when the only man he knew as a father passed away; especially at that time when he really needed a male father figure in his life.

His musical career

After the death of his Godfather, Walcott received moral support from his church circle and friends. With his passion for music, especially in the Gospel genre, he was influenced and encouraged to push forward, despite of life’s setbacks.

He later travelled to the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago

in 2013 and got the opportunity to record his first single with VOG Records, before he returned to Guyana to continue his goal of becoming an established gospel artiste. He is currently working on his album with Producer William Harper at Extreme Studios.

The young man said that being part of such a competition as the Mr Guyana International Pageant would allow him to interact with youths, like himself, who are fatherless and he has hopes of making a difference in their lives.

He will be competing with 10 other young men for the inaugural title and hopes to put his best foot forward, noting that he is ready for the challenge. (Guyana Times)

Jamaican films get podium finish in regional contest

Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and Argentina.

Over the years, the group has arranged island tours-giving free performances in markets, schools, church halls, and town centres across the island. These tours have been referred to by members as some of the most rewarding experiences-being welcomed by Jamaicans in every nook and cranny of the island. In the week following the concert season, the group will be travelling to Portland, St Mary, and St Ann to continue its island tour.

The 2014 Concert Season is scheduled for September 13-14 at the Little Theatre, with shows on Saturday at 4 p.m., and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 6 p.m. (Jamaica Gleaner)

‘Breadfruit

Versatile’, a video project, placed second in the second annual Caribbean Science and Agriculture Film and Video Competition held at the Carlton Savannah Hotel in Trinidad on August 27-29. The five-minute production, edited by Brian Johnson, was produced by creative social enterprise Articulet.

Randy McLaren, founder of Articulet, was elated. He explained the idea for the film.

"I have a dub poem called 'Mi Love Mi Breadfruit' that I have been performing since my high school days, so when I saw the information about the competition I said we should enter. I am known by many as the Breadfruit Man, so we decided to highlight the ver-

satility of the breadfruit under the theme 'Adding Value to Local Foods'. Third place went to another Jamaican entry 'Captain V', while St. Lucia's ‘Tree of Life’ topped the competition. The competition was launched in October 2013 in Guyana by the Technical Centre for Agricultural Cooperation, in collaboration with Caribbean Council for Science and Technology, the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, the University of the West Indies, Columbus Communications and Trinidad and Tobago Film Company. Eighty-four were initially received which were narrowed to 60 teams then to 40. (Jamaica Observer)

Parineeti Chopra: I find it disrespectful when people call me bubbly

Actress Parineeti Chopra, who is often known as one of the most ‘bubbly’ actresses in Bollywood, says she finds the title 'bubbly' very disrespectful. "When people call me bubbly, I find it very disrespectful. I have done four films and there was nothing similar between 'Hasee Toh Phasee', 'Ishaqzaade', 'Shuddh Desi Romance' and 'Ladies vs Ricky Bahl'," Parineeti told IANS.

"There was nothing similar about them and

there was nothing bubbly about them at all. I find it ridiculous and I would like them (people) to see my films again so that they can change

Sonam Kapoor: People don't take me seriously as an actor

their opinion," she added.

Parineeti is currently busy promoting her forthcoming film ‘Daawat-e-Ishq’. (TOI)

My wife is not insecure about me: Fawad Khan

His good looks and romantic roles have won a huge female fan following in India for Pakistani singer-actor Fawad Khan,

who is making his debut in Bollywood with 'Khoobsurat'. But all this doesn't affect his wife of eight years.

Known for his perfor-

mance in hit Pakistani show ‘Humsafar and Zindagi Gulzar Hai’, the 32-year-old tied the knot with Sadaf in 2005. The happily married couple has a son.

"My wife is not insecure at all. She is one of the most sensible persons I have ever come across," Fawad told the media.

"She is so supportive of me. We have had a very long relationship and that comes with a lot of trust. I have given her enough time to test me. I do discuss my projects with her. I do take feedback from her," he added.

(TOI)

Juhi Chawla: I don’t need to go out and ask for work

Her last outing in Bollywood not only won her many accolades for a strong portrayal of a corrupt politician alongside Madhuri Dixit, but also won her an award.

Juhi Chawla, who was recently awarded the coveted Dada Saheb Phalke Award, was in

Ahmedabad to inaugurate an event, opened up with Ahmedabad Times about her new innings into the contemporary Bollywood, regional films and more.

When asked if she is only doing selected films, she replied: “I am in a phase of my career where I am being very

selective about the kind of work I do.”

She however added: “But I am open to doing films that will excite me and give me something new to do. I don't need to go out and ask for work, but I do wait for filmmakers to offer me a role that's something new.”

(TOI)

Amitabh Bachchan grieves over staff member's death

Megastar Amitabh

Bachchan, who has been down with fever, was left upset after he heard that a staff member who had been serving his family for 30 years and taking care of his Delhi house, died suddenly.

Big B took to his blog last Friday night and shared that he was in "deepest grief and shock".

"Just lost one of our

most sincere staff member-suddenly! Been with us for 30 years managing our Delhi home and office! Spoke to him this morning approving his request for a week's leave to attend to some family matter, and now...gone," the 71-yearold posted.

The thespian said that the man brought up both his children Abhishek and Shweta from when they were almost toddlers. (TOI)

‘Khoobsurat’ actress Sonam Kapoor feels her fashionista image and off-screen personality sometimes overshadow her identity as an actor.

"People have forgotten that I am an actress, they don't take me seriously. First it was my dressing sense then my opinionated nature, both have overshadowed my identity of a performer.

I can't change both the things, they are part of me," Sonam said. The actress, known for grabbing headlines for her candid nature, says she is proud that unlike other actors, she does not shy away from making her opinions public.

"I will always speak my mind, in fact, I feel many in our industry don't say what they want to, which is sad. But I can't be like them," said the actress, who feels she is underrated in the industry. (TOI)

Shah Rukh Khan: I can be

in a

tub full of rose petals with ladies

‘H

appy New Year’ is a genre bender, India's first heist and dance film. While most actors take pride in showing and talking about their bodies, the otherwise great showman Shah Rukh Khan is shy of not just showing it, but even talking about it.

TOI tried recently to get Shah Rukh to talk about his 10 pack, but all he said was: “I can be in a tub full of rose petals with ladies and in a 10 pack for a woman director like Farah Khan.

The guy who has done it is Prashant from Body Sculptor. My idea of fitness is that you have to be regularly fit. If at any given time if I am called to show my body, I take

a month of training to get into this shape. But you are basically fit if you are fit with your food and do just half an hour of exercises everyday.” (TOI)

Priyanka Chopra makes Shilpa Shetty cry

APriyanka Chopra is responsible for making Shilpa Shetty cry! And

no, it's not because the former hurt the latter in anyway. The National Award

winning actress' moving and power-packed performance in ‘Mary Kom’, directed by first timer Omung Kumar, moved Shilpa to tears. "Jus Saw #MaryKom all actors performed so well but @priyankachopra u rocked it. Omung's done a fab job. Cried my eyeballs out. Must watch tweetos," Shilpa tweeted Sunday. Even her husband and businessman Raj Kundra, who has always supported Shilpa in her entrepreneurial pursuits, tweeted: "The real star of #marykom in her real life is Onler. Family support is all you need! And in Reel life @priyankachopra u made my wife cry." (TOI)

Blake Lively reveals she wears perfume even in pajamas

Blake Lively has revealed that she wears perfume even when she walks around in her pajamas.

The 27-year-old actress, who thinks fragrance is a big part of one's identity, said that putting on fragrance was one of the very few things she did every day, People Magazine reported.

The face of Gucci Premiere fragrances, who put on her perfume after brushing, continued that she always has fragrance on even when she is not wearing makeup or her hair is not done. (TOI)

Keanu Reeves lands role in `Daughter of God´'

Keanu Reeves will star in 'Daughter of God' opposite Cuban actress Ana de Armas that will be directed by Gee Malik Linton.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Linton has penned the script that revolves around a young Latino woman (de Armas) who

experiences strange happenings as a police detective played by Reeves searches for the truth behind his partner's death.

The 50-year-old actor, Linton and Robin Gurland are producing the movie, where Cassian Elwes and Daniel Grodnik will executive produce the movie. (TOI)

'X-men: apocalypse'

returns to Montreal for filming

'X-Men: Apocalypse' is returning to a familiar setting for the filming next year.

The movie is scheduled to begin rolling the camera in April 2015, taking place at the Mel's Cite du Cinema in Montreal where "X-Men: Days of Future Past" was previously shot, reported Ace Showbiz.

Set construction will begin this December. Bryan Singer is set to return behind the lens. The

eighth installment of the 'X-Men' saga is planned to be released in theaters on May 27, 2016.

James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender,

Nicholas Hoult, Jennifer Lawrence, Hugh Jackman and Evan Peters are expected to reprise their respective roles. (TOI)

Morgan Freeman safely lands malfunctioning plane

Veteran actor Morgan Freeman safely landed an aircraft he was flying after it malfunctioned on his way to the Toronto Film Festival.

The 77-year-old actor was piloting the jet from his home in Mississippi to attend the world premiere of his film 'Ruth & Alex', co-starring Diane Keaton, Speaking at a pre-premiere party, which he arrived at 90 minutes later than scheduled, Freeman blamed the malfunction on the "slats" of his plane. (TOI)

Only 60 guests to attend George Clooney-Amal Alamuddin wedding

George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin will invite only 60 close family and guests at their private Island wedding ceremony in Venice, it has been reported.

Human rights barrister's paternal aunt, May Salman, and her children Ramzi and Makram are apparently integral to proceedings, the Mirror reported.

The 53-year-old's best man has still not been disclosed, but newlywed Brad Pitt,

Bragelina learning self-defence

Newly married couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are practising Krav Maga, a militarystyle self defence art in preparation for their roles in ‘By The Sea’. Pitt, 50, has only recently adopted the discipline, which the couple now practices several days a week, while Jolie started learning the self-defence to train for her ‘Tomb Raider’ role in 2001, reports dailymail.co.uk.

"Angelina previously learnt Krav Maga when she was doing ‘Tomb

Raider’ and loved it," said a source.

The couple, who has six children together, Maddox, 13, Pax, 11, nine-year-old Zahara,

eight-year-old Shiloh and six-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne, are impressed with the fitness properties of the combat classes. (TOI)

Kelly Brook slammed for laughing off after punching ex-beau

Kelly Brook has been slammed for laughing off punching her former boyfriends in the face.

While discussing her upcoming autobiography on the 'This Morning' show, the 34-year-old model claimed that her former lovers, "mar-

tial arts expert" Jason Statham and Danny Cipriwere both "bigger than her", the Daily Star reported.

Viewers took it to their twitter accounts to question if the topic would have been dealt with differently had it been a man hitting a

woman. According to one fan, Brook was a "disgrace" and another tweeted "Shame on you Kelly Brook" as it was not ok to hit people just because someone "was a martial arts expert and bigger than you".

(TOI)

Pierce Brosnan emotional about losing wife, daughter to cancer

Actor Pierce Brosnan says losing his daughter and first wife to ovarian cancer, is an "indelible part" of his psyche.

He shared his thoughts at the Stand Up to Cancer fundraiser last Friday, reports eonline.com.

Following a true story of an ovarian cancer survivor, the actor began telling his unfortunate experience of losing his first wife Cassandra Harris and daughter Charlotte Brosnan.

He said: "To watch someone you love have his or her life eaten away bit by bit by this insidious

disease, that part of your sorrow becomes an indelible part of your psyche.” (TOI)

Rafieya Husain’s ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ project gets underway

With the acquisition of a land and building, the reigning Miss World Guyana is one step closer to fulfilling her dream

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA:

The ethos of ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ has been brought to Guyana, with reigning Miss World Guyana Rafieya Husain diligently pursuing her goal in alleviating the suffering for victims of domestic violence.

The latest developments include the acquisition of a suitable building and its surrounding land for the creation of an outreach centre in Essequibo, which would provide advocacy, education and preventative measures to help families and communities live in harmony, and ultimately end domestic abuse.

Regional Chairman Parmanand Persaud and Regional Executive Officer Sunil Singh were in attendance at a presentation of the building, with renovation work already underway to prepare the centre for its opening. Also present at the presentation of the land were Denesh Mohan, Supt of Works, Region Two, Nandranie Coonjah, RDC Councillor, Keshana Dyal, Counsellor and Portia Jacobs, Expenditure Planning & Management Analyst for the Regional Office.

Domestic Violence Outreach Centre’s objectives

The centre will tirelessly advocate for all affected by domestic violence as it relates to ending and preventing it; it will seek every opportunity to ensure it has the inner strength to be sustainable; also seek to establish and provide useful resources to mitigate all of the circumstances that lead to violent outcomes; and will offer a wide variety of programmes, events and ways to learn how to end the cycle of violence.

The centre’s policy will prohibit discrimination in all its programmes and activities on the basis of race, colour, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income and/or status.

The Inclusiveness Initiative will distinguish the centre as a one of the leaders in supporting underprivileged populations of violence victims and those living in rural ar-

eas.

Husain’s inspiration

Husain’s passion for improving lives and making a difference started from an early age, which was inspired by her late grandfather, Shaffeek Khan. His philanthropic work for the community, building schools for children, is one of the reasons she is so inspired. Additionally, she is inspired by her personal experience with domestic violence as a teen to build an outreach centre in Essequibo for abused victims and survivors.

Before being crowned Miss World Guyana, Husain explained in an interview that her platform is very close to her heart.

“My platform is domestic violence and to find steps towards spreading awareness and educating people. I believe violence against women, men and children results from the use of force or threat to achieve and maintain control over others in intimate relationships and from societal abuse of power. I would like to work with foundations to design and fund innovative programmes to eradicate domestic violence and to foster development of safe alternatives within local communities.”

In the interview she also mentioned that she volunteered for the Jeanie Schmidt

Free Clinic, in the U.S., which offers free health services to the area of residents who have no health insurance and have a household income that is less than the poverty level. She also worked with ACT - now a non-profit organisation- which focuses on the prevention and elimination of child trafficking and domestic violence.

When asked what she would do if she won the Miss World crown, Husain declared: “I will work with the Miss World organisation’s goals and would use this platform to address corporate and public leaders, community service groups, organisations, the media and others about issues to generate awareness for a variety of causes, including poverty, domestic violence, diabetes awareness, education, literacy and so on. I would like to be more hands-on with people, sharing my experiences, listening to their challenges and finding support and alternative solutions for a better life.”

The reigning Miss World Guyana is pleading with all Guyanese to join in her campaign to stop domestic violence and bring awareness to the early signs of it. She believes that this will in turn create a better future for families by donating and supporting this cause. (Information from www.beautywithapurpose.com)

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaican actor Andre Morris is lead actor in the short film ‘Silver Roll’ which premiered in Panama last Tuesday.

Directed by Panamanian Carolina Borrero, ‘Silver Roll’ is one of the five short films making up the Historias del Canal festival which explores five different fictional storylines, located during five significant moments in the history of Panama. The event is under the theme "100 years and thousands of stories around the Panama Canal".

"The experience was great. I was not only involved in a film being shot in Panama but I was involved in recreating a part of Jamaican history that has never been told. A lot of Jamaicans came to Panama to work on the canal and died in the process. Marcus Garvey played an important role in defending the rights of the workers building the canal. The movie helps to tell this story, of how we (Jamaicans) contributed to the building of this engineering masterpiece," said Morris.

‘Silver Roll’ looks at the sacrifice of immigrants trying to find a better future for them-

selves and their families. It is a tragic love story about a young Jamaican couple Phillip and Clarisse, played by Morris and American actress Lakisha May (Broadwalk Empire) respectively, set against the backdrop of the first wedding held under West Indian traditions in Panama. Morris, comes from a theatre background, having discovered live performance through an elective while attending University of Technology (UTech), and continued his training with the JAMBIZ Centerstage Workshop before being cast in a number of local plays including Robin Baston's ‘A Soh It Goh’ and ‘What Is Fi Yuh’, ‘Amba Chavannes' Season Rice’ and Dahlia Harris's ‘Judgement’.

The only Jamaican actor to make the final cut, Morris hopes that this film is just the beginning of many more international and local roles and is looking forward to being back on the Jamaican theatre scene. (Jamaica Observer)

TT’s talented pan twins from Laventille

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Twin brother and sister Dejean and Deja Cain are young, timid and small in size; but don’t let that fool you.

These youngsters already have a talent that can rival that of their adult counterparts. At just 11 years of age, this musical duo from Success Village, Laventille, has mastered the pan, winning hearts and titles across the country.

As the children of WITCO Desperadoes frontman Martin Cain and panwoman Patrice Charles, it is not surprising that the siblings followed in their parents’ footsteps and developed an interest in the national instrument at a very early age.

“They started playing at around three years old,” a proud

Charles said. “From the time they could hold sticks, they’ve been playing pan.”

So intrigued were they by the instrument, that by the time they were four years old, they could already play the national anthem.

It takes them just two or three days to learn to play a new song, said their mother.

The pair has participated in various competitions and talent shows, taking home the winner’s prize in MovieTowne’s

Trinbago Kids Got Talent competition in 2013, with their energetic performance of Will Smith’s “Just The Two Of Us”.

Dejean made it as far as the finals in the Prime Minister’s Best Village competition last year.

The twins’ love of pan has taken them around the world, to cities like London and New York, where they played with the New York D’Radoes Steel Orchestra.

Locally, they play with the Invaders Youth Steel Orchestra and also played with the Desperadoes for the last two years.

While other people featured in the “From Laventille With Love” series have said that being from the stigmatised community has hampered them in some way or subjected them to unfair treatment, Charles said it is the exact opposite for her children.

Being from Laventille, she said, is a “wow factor”.

Specifically for the Trinbago Kids Got Talent competition, Charles said, people were stunned to learn

where the children were from.

“They played and captivated the audience, and when people heard that these children were from Laventille, they were like ‘wow!’.”

Charles said she is proud that her children can prompt such a reaction and that they represent something positive in the area.

A well-spoken Dejean said that pan is not just a hobby for him and he practises regularly because he hopes to one day have a career in music.

“I love everything about pan,” the youngster said. “I like the sounds of the notes.”

Deja is not yet sure what she wants to pursue as a career, but said playing pan makes her feel happy and she enjoys performing with her brother. (Excerpted from TT Express)

Star of the Week

Alexander Noel Fiedtkou

Alexander Noel Fiedtkou, 20-years-old, was born to

famous cyclist Noel

and wife Marcia Fiedtkou. Alexander is the oldest of three children. He attended Mae’s Primary then St. John’s College for two years and moved back to Mae’s Secondary where he graduated with six CXC subjects. Subsequently, he attended Global Technology and graduated with certified A’s in Advance Desktop Publishing. Additionally, he graduated from Spectrum Airways, located in Canada, as a Private Pilot for Aircrafts. He is now pursuing his Commercial License at Aerial World Services in Trinidad and Tobago. Alexander is a very skilled individual, who has played and succeeded in numerous sports. At the age of nine, Alexander was Guyana’s under nine table tennis champion. This streak continued until he was 13. Later, he moved on to school sports where he participated in cycling, swimming track and field, cricket and football. After having a taste of sports, he then started squash, which ended after his first competition with a third-place trophy. He then moved on to the field of motor racing as a junior karter and became one of the fastest on the South Dakota Circuit. Alexander was chosen to participate in the Guyana National Men’s Squad for a chance to try out for the Pan American Games held in Mexico in 2011. But his calling of becoming a pilot propelled him to start his journey in Ontario, Canada. After becoming a private pilot, Alexander moved to Trinidad and Tobago to become a commercial pilot and gain experience internationally in different islands in the Caribbean. The pilot is now a contestant of the Mr. Guyana International 2014 competition and his platform is ‘Crime and Unemployment’. One of his many passions is to be a role model for children and to show them that if they set their hearts to something it can be achieved. Furthermore, he will help them to realise that everything they do can make a difference and make them a better person of tomorrow.

Former TT midfielder returns to AIA

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Former Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Hayden Tinto has returned to Caledonia AIA–the club where he kicked off his career at nine years ago.

But how the skilful 29-year-old adjusts on his return to the Pro League, is left up to him, explained Caledonia coach Jamaal Shabazz.

“Tinto is Cale’,” said Shabazz. “He has been insisting since last season that he wanted to return to the club.

“Being a father and a family man, he has matured and is now a more stable and calculated individual. He brings a lot of confidence on the ball and that little extra technical ability that we need in our attack. However, how he adjusts after missing a season in the Pro League remains to be seen.”

Tinto joined Caledonia in 2006 and after two seasons at the Morvant/Laventille

club he joined rivals Joe Public in 2009. The talented midfielder, scorer of a superb goal against Mexico in 2009 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, had a stint at Central FC and last represented Super League outfit Malabar FC.

In the club’s bid for a top-two finish in the 2014-15 TT Pro League season to qualify for the 2016 Caribbean Club Championship (which

Caledonia won in 2012), Shabazz made a number of foreign signings--Haiti’s 34-year-old veteran defender Pierre Hithner, 22-year-old midfielder Cristoper Joet Mejia Aguilar of Honduras, 23-year-old central defender/midfielder Rogello Robinson of Panama, 24-year-old defender Taylor Benjamin of Canada, 21-yearold Jamaica goalkeeper Rashaun Petterson, and 25-year-old defender Teriq Highland from Barbados.

Highland, who initially arrived in Trinidad for trial at W Connection, but failed to impress coach Stuart CharlesFevrier, has been granted a one-year hiatus by the Barbados Defence Force, according to Shabazz.

“Highland is very athletic and he comes in to fill the left side of defence with Marcus Ambrose (presently on the waiting list along with midfielder Abdullah Phillip for knee surgery).” (TT Newsday)

Guyanese launches two books on history of berbice cricket

BERBICE, GUYANA: Two books on the history of Berbice cricket have been released. The books were released last Sunday as the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) honoured past Berbice Test players and administrators as part of the its Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The books cover a period of more than a quarter of a century of Berbice cricket. They were written by former Secretary of the then Berbice Cricket Board

of Control (BCBC)

Mortimer George. George, who served from the age of 21, holds the record as the youngest Secretary of the cricket board.

His first book on Berbice cricket was written in 2012 and his second in 2013.

“And in 2014, I thought it would again be appropriate for me to right about Berbice cricket. My feeling is that every adult or child must know something about the history of our national past time,” he

Young Jamaican stakes a Reggae Boyz claim

TORONTO, CANADA: He's inches taller, with pounds packed on broader shoulders. Omar Holness is no longer the baby-faced high school teen who led Jamaica into the baptism of the 2011 Under-17 World Cup finals.

A second-year economics student and starting midfielder at the University of North Carolina (UNC), the maturity of the former Wolmer's High standout appears to have grown as well.

Now six-foot tall and 178 pounds, more than 20 above his Under-17 days, Holness is relishing his first call-up to Jamaica's senior Reggae Boyz.

The boy has morphed into a man and believes he's primed to take the steps towards his goal of playing professional football and representing Jamaica at the highest level.

"Mentally, I think I'm ready," said the 20-yearold Monday.

National coach Winfried Schafer, disappointed that more of the Under-17s from the Mexico World Cup haven't made the transition to the senior team--only Alvas Powell has actually played at that level---agrees.

"(Holness) was the captain (at the World Cup)," said Schafer. "He was a good player."

In Mexico, Holness faced Japan, Argentina and France, teams laced with professionals from some of world football's biggest clubs.

"It was quality opposition," he admitted.

Workload

Holness has been prepping for his own rise. He has trained at English clubs Sunderland and Bolton Wanderers, played in Costa Rica and was a part of Jamaica's Under-20 programme. Holness also learned to battle adversity, following 2011 surgery to repair a ligament tear in his right knee.

"It kind of made me backtrack," he said. "I had to sit back and recover. I was out for about

11, 12 months. Just had to say to myself 'Do I really want this?'"

Turns out he did. Holness accepted a scholarship to UNC, where he has become a midfield mainstay at one of the traditional powerhouses in United States college football.

Holness has benefited, giving him confidence he can comfortably transition to the national senior team.

"What college football has taught me is just maturity, you know, making that step up to the senior programme," said the player noted for his passing and wicked shots.

"Yeah, it's a big step, but at the same time I don't feel over burdened by it. I'm more than prepared for it, not overly nervous about it."

(Jamaica Gleaner)

Australian University conducts marketing study on Guyanese athletes

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: A research Study on Guyanese pre-elite athletes is currently being conducted in Guyana in collaboration with the Griffith University of Australia.

said, adding that this motivated him to write his third and fourth books.

George’s fourth book on Berbice cricket captures events which led to some of the great Berbicians being called up for trials with the Guyana team and some of the struggles that Berbicians had to endure.

It also focuses on some of the work administrators did to ensure that Berbice had a voice in the affairs of Guyana’s cricket. (Guyana Times)

The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has collaborated with Griffith University of Australia to conduct the study as part of requirements for Nicholas Fraser of the HeadPhysical Education in the Unit of Allied Arts (Ministry of Education) who is currently pursuing a Master of Business with Honours Degree (Sport Management).

The study will analyse the relationship between specific facial features and brand match-up as the GOA has assisted Fraser in acquiring 68 photographs of pre-elite athletes after which two male and two female athletes were randomly selected.

The next step in the

study is to make the survey available to the Guyanese public to make their opinions heard while the report will be drawn up and submitted to the GOA as the final step in the study by early December.

According to a press release by the GOA, the use of pre-elite athletes in marketing strategies is not as popular as the use of elite athletes in the current marketing activities of business en-

tities although it is well documented that preelite athletes require more resources.

Further, the current strategies targeting elite athletes have proven to be high risk since success is linked to fluctuating athletic performances. This study will provide marketers with another tool which could reduce the risks associated with relying solely on performance as the element of athlete selection and to include a possibly more reliable element – facial features.

The Australiabased research team is comprised of Dr Brad Hill (Lecturer of Sports Marketing at Griffith University) and Nicholas Fraser (Master of Business Administration honour student specialising in Sport Management) who are being supported locally by Dr Karen Pilgrim and Shanomae Blackmore of the GOA. (Guyana Times)

Guyanese team crowned ORSCA 2014 T10 champion

By RavendRa Madholall

TORONTO, CANADA:

Guyanese team Fuzion surged to an efficient seven-wicket victory over Sunrisers in the 2014 Ontario Roundarm Softball Cricket Association (ORSCA) T10 final played Sunday at Firgrove ground.

Sunrisers appeared first at the crease after winning the toss and rattled up a challenging 108-3 from the allocation of 10-overs while Fuzion, in response, achieved the target in 9.1 overs losing only three wickets in the process.

Watched by a vocal crowd in glorious sunshine, Fuzion was indebted to Kumar Doodnauth’s aggressive 37 and their Most Valuable Player Sanjeev Ramnarine’s cameo, unbeaten 29.

Doodnauth struck five massive sixes while Ramnarine clobbered three of them and sealed the deal to spark celebra-

tions among his teammates.

Davindra Sukhdeo also played an important innings by scoring 18 to support the rampant Doodnauth and Ramnarine.

Earlier, Sunrisers’ innings were built around

a handsome, undefeated 38 from Rajesh Diaram, who cleared the boundary on four occasions while veteran batsman Jaimini Singh and Safraz Wahab chipped in with 25 and 24 respectively.

Vijay Prashad

proved his batting capability too by making a quick-fire 17 as Azeez Baksh captured two wickets for 16 runs from his maximum two overs.

Meanwhile, at the presentation session, the victorious side was

Michael Callender crowned TT bodybuilding king

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Michael Callender emerged as TT’s top bodybuilder at last Saturday’s National Senior Bodybuilding Championships conceptualised and produced by the TT Body Builders and Fitness Federation, held at the ballroom at the Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre in St Ann’s, Port-of-Spain.

Originally entered in the heavyweight category where he easily got the better of Lawrence Marlon Belfon, Callender returned to the spotlight in the men’s overall category

and met a field of star class athletes, many of whom were no strangers to winners’ row.

They were Dennis Jagessar, winner of the Bantamweight category; Kelton Thomas (Light heavyweight and masters open); William Dexter Littrean (Welterweight) Jamaul Sanderson (Light middle weight) Adrian Amsterdam (middle weight) Fidel Sankar (Light heavyweight) Michael Callender (heavy weight) Cecil Augustus (super heavyweight).

Judging from the exhaustive period it took the judges to preside

over this segment of the competition, it was clear that the panel of fitness experts were at odds in arriving at a unanimous decision.

The athletes were called centre-stage, asked to face the judges and audience for a little over five minutes, before the master of ceremonies then directed them to exit. They had not executed the mandatory poses.

They were again invited to take the spotlight. But not much happened after that. This scene had some members of the audience uneasy, while for others, it added to the drama and

suspense they desired when on choosing the fitness event at their activity of choice for the event.

When tournament commissioner Perry Jereau called on athletes to begin executing their mandatories all gathered breathed a sigh of relief.

Callender emerged the winner.

Fiona Branker’s win in the women’s physique open was a clear, even though she was the lone competitor. The fitness educator was in fine form, to the satisfaction of all whose eyes rest on her remarkable definition and enviable cuts.

In the men’s physique open, Rocky Kewley was returned as the champion, while Abeni Procope won the bikini fitness tall class.

But the audience challenged this verdict. Jamie Lee Phillips, who was slotted in third, was the crowd favourite.

The audience, however, got their revenge, it seemed, when Vanessa Hill, winner of the bikini fitness short class, beat Procope for the bikini fitness overall title.

T’Chelle Harris was declared the body fitness open champion over veterans Monisa Aleong and Andrea Mohess. (TT Guardian)

display, he is currently the Vice-President of the Association serving in the capacity for the first time.

He expressed delight with his team’s showing and congratulated the runners-up side while he reserved special mention to his fellow executives for running off another satisfactory T10 tournament.

“I [am] definitely delighted with my performance which eventually helped my team to win. I think the guys played a ‘big’ part and we are the deserving champion,” Ramnarine declared.

presented with a trophy for their outstanding effort while skipper Ramnarine also received an award for his sterling, match-winning performance.

Apart from Ramnarine’s on-field

“As an executive, I am also pleased to see another great tournament; thanks to the participating teams, an indication of the roundarm bowling making good progress.”

He also took the opportunity to announce that the regular 20over final is slated for September 20th at a venue to be named soon.

Female Jamaica players defy odds to qualify for cac Games

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Jamaica's female table tennis team defied the odds to qualify for the XXII Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico.

The team of seventime national champion, Yvonne Foster, current national women's champion Dadrian Lewis and Shenique Clare are now buoyant about their qualification which at one point seemed improbable due to a lack of sponsorship.

The players, along with a lone female sponsor, had to foot the expenses to get to the qualifying tournament, which was held in El Salvador recently.

"It is a mission accomplished," Clare told Jamaican media Monday.

"We earned our spot to the CAC despite uncertainties, and knowing that we backed ourselves to achieve this goal, makes it even more rewarding for us as a team," she added.

The 25-year-old and her teammates secured their spot in Mexico despite their semi-final round elimination.

She declared that the

team members are in high spirits as they intend to be formidable opponents.

"The team has been performing exceptionally well against our regional and international opponents and we have been improving at every tournament.

"Our presence in Mexico will see us continuing this trend and we will be playing at the highest level possible to showcase our skills," said the Glenmuir old girl.

Clare, along with 13-year-old Lewis, will be making their first appearance at the games, while Foster, who travelled with a junior team back in 2010, will be competing at the games for the first time as a senior player.

The 21-year-old also expressed disappointment about the lack of support, stating that enough is not being done to fund the female team in particular.

The male team of Michael Hyatt, Kane Watson and Simon Tomlinson also progressed to the games scheduled for November 15-30. (Jamaica Observer)

Guyana’s synthetic track gets IAAF certification

LEONORA, GUYANA: The Leonora Synthetic Track in Guyana has officially been certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) as a class two track.

At a visit to the track last Thursday, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and the President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson displayed the certification of Guyana’s lone synthetic facility.

Dr Anthony was particularly in high spirits with the certification of the track, “This now would be the first certified facility that we have in Guyana for athletics so while it looks like a simple thing it is really a big deal.

“We are extremely pleased because now allows our athletes to race on a surface and if they break any records it will be accepted and I think that’s a remarkable stride…prior to that many of our athletes would have to go to other certified facilities, now you can be right here so

Jamaicans Asafa, Russell, McPherson win in Rieti

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Jamaican athletes Carrie Russell and Stephenie Ann McPherson were winners at Sunday's IAAF World Challenge meeting in Rieti, Italy, as former World Record holder Asafa Powell continued his return to form in the men's 100m.

Russell, a member of the gold medal winning women's 4x100m relay team at last year's World Championships in Moscow, Russia, ran a season's best 11.10 seconds (0.5m/s).

American Jessica Young was second in a lifetime best 11.13 seconds, while Bulgaria's Ivet Lalova was third in 11.29 seconds.

Powell was second on time in the men's 100m, winning his heat in 9.90 seconds (0.7m/s), while American Justin Gatlin won the second heat in 9.83 seconds (0.7m/s). It was Powell's third run under 10.00 seconds since he returned to competition in July. Meanwhile, Nesta Carter ran 10.07 seconds to be second to Gatlin, Jacques Harvey was fourth in that heat in 10.17 seconds and 200m specialist Rasheed Dwyer ran 10.21 seconds. Commonwealth Games champion McPherson and Christine Day made it a Jamaican 1-2 in the women's 400m. McPherson won in 50.38 seconds with Day second in 51.08 seconds ahead of Ukraine's Olha Zemlyak (51.26 seconds). (Jamaica Observer)

I see it as a good thing for competition,” Dr Anthony stated.

Hutson noted that the certification of the track will bode well for the development of the sport. “The AAG is on a constant drive to improve athletics and in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, we are really heartened that we have got a certified track.

“We are hoping that through our development we will be able to bring track and field out here and get the kind of results that we are looking for so that we can really and truly perform

and compete internationally,” Hutson said.

With the Northern stands still under construction, Dr Anthony noted that no official date for the opening has officially been set at the moment.

“We still have a number of things that we have to do at the track, so for now once we complete these Northern Stands and have them all painted and the rooms below ready and the VIP area then we will do a soft launch but we will have to see how our contractors are working.”

Looking at the possibility of athletes using the track, Dr Antony noted that there will have be a structured talk with the way forward as professional persons both from the ministry and the AAG will have to be in place in order to have supervision on the usage of the track. (Guyana Times)

Windies keeper Devon Thomas recuperating after motor vehicle crash

ST JOHN’S

ANTIGUA: West Indies wicket keeper Devon Thomas has been discharged from hospital after a vehicular accident in Antigua last Thursday.

Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association president, Zorol Barthley, has said that the injuries were not life-threatening and Thomas should recover quickly.

He had lost control of his car which went off the road outside Pares Village in Antigua.

"I was driving up the road, going at good speed. I tried to overtake and think I steered

away a bit too hard and I slid across the road just above Pares,” Thomas told Antiguan media.

“They (doctors) say they are going to check first and then they can adjust but at the moment I can't say if I am going to be out of cricket and for how long."

Thomas has 445 runs from six first-class matches and was the top-scorer for Leeward Islands this year. He had also turned out for Antigua Hawksbills in the Caribbean Premier League and last played for West Indies in February 2013. (Antigua Observer)

TT’s Renny Quow wins gold in Belgium

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Trinidad and Tobago’s Renny Quow sprinted to victory last Friday in the Men’s 400m final at the final IAAF Diamond League Meeting in Brussels, Belgium.

Quow, finding a bit of form late in the season, held on for the win, stopping the clock in 45.37 while his closest challenger Kevin Borlee from Belgium settled for second in 45.44. They were followed by Anderson Freitas Henruques of Brazil in 45.52 who took the bronze.

Last Tuesday, Quow was in winners row after topping the 400m

event at the 50th Palio Citta della Quercia meet in Rovereto, Italy, which was his first outing since the 2014 Commonwealth Games held in August. He crossed the line in a comfortable 45.13 seconds then.

Meanwhile, na-

tional female shot putter Cleopatra Borel had cause to celebrate despite not winning a medal as she ended her Diamond League campaign with a season’s best throw of 19.13m. Borel bettered her previous season’s best of 19.10 set in La Habana, Cuba, earlier this year, in her third attempt last Friday. She did not cross 19m again, though, on her other five throws all exceeded 18m.

New Zealand powerhouse Valerie Adams demolished the field with a monstrous world leading and meet record heave of 20.59m that easily clinched the gold.

Germany’s Christina Schwanitz (19.86) and American Michelle Carter 19.73) followed respectively.

National 100m record holder and second fastest man in the world this year Richard Thompson finished a disappointing eighth in the men’s 100m final, crossing the line in a disappointing 10.10 seconds. American Justin Gatlin dominated the field, stopping the clock in 9.77, setting a new world leading time while his teammate Mike Rodgers was second in 9.93 followed by former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica (9.95). (TT Newsday)

Goal squandering Jamaica lose to Canada

TORONTO, CANADA: Jamaica took an early lead, but succumbed to a disjointed performance against a better-organised Canada to lose 3-1 in their friendly football international in Toronto Tuesday night.

Two second-half goals from Canada sealed the Reggae Boyz' fate in front of a sparse crowd after Jamaica started and ended shakily on a cool evening, with winds rippling the national flags of both nations and temperatures dipping just below the 70 mark.

Playing out of a 3-5-2 formation, the Reggae Boyz, who were erroneously listed as 'Germany' on a later-corrected team sheet, looked nothing like world-beaters. The team was plagued throughout the 90 minutes by inconsistent passing and lack of fluency.

But with former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson watching at BMO Field, Jamaica counter punched against the run of play. Simon Dawkins was brought down 25 yards out, and Kemar Lawrence's curling

Canada's goal, giving Jamaica the lead in the 30th minute.

However, the home team hit back almost immediately in the 31st. Patrice Bernier's long corner was met with a thunderous right-foot volley by David Edgar, which gave goalkeeper André Blake no chance.

Miscued effort

Jamaica didn't create many chances before the half, although the statistic sheet showed the Boyz with five shots, compared to Canada's four, including a neat combination between Dawkins and Je-Vaughn Watson, which resulted in a miscued effort from the latter. Later, Deshorn Brown ended a long dribble with a shot straight to Borjan.

Jamar Loza replaced an ineffective Jermaine Anderson after the break and immediately sparked Jamaica. Loza almost rewarded coach Winfried Schäfer with a goal, heading Lawrence's cross just past the upright in the 53rd.

Five minutes later, he broke free, but his shot was saved by Borjan. In the 60th, the lively Loza was at it again, but after beating the 'keeper, he was unable to finish from a tight angle. Ten minutes later, he latched onto another Watson peach pass, but couldn't convert.

Watson then produced another gem, but barely missed the overlapping wing back Alvas Powell in front of goal.

But it was Canada which landed the sucker punch that knocked the wind out of Jamaica. Marcel De Jong, from almost the identical spot to Lawrence, sent a beautiful free kick into the top corner, with Blake grounded in the 67th minute.

Loza squandered another opportunity in the 71st, but Blake could blame no one but himself a minute later, spilling a simple shot into the path of Tosaint Ricketts to widen Canada's lead and seal a disappointing night for the visitors. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Two Guyanese in Windies Women’s squad to face New Zealand

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: The selection panel of the West Indies Cricket Board announced on Tuesday, a 13-member West Indies Women’s squad for their opening series in the ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) against New Zealand Women on home soil.

The squad includes two Guyanese all-rounder Shemaine Campbelle and fast bowler Tremayne Smartt - and Hayley Matthews, the lone newcomer. The 16-yearold Matthews bats right-handed and bowls off-spin.

All-rounder Britney Cooper makes a return to the squad. Her previous ODI was against India Women three years ago at the same venue for the upcoming matches.

Talismanic batter Deandra Dottin also makes a return, af-

ter missing the previous ODI series against the White Ferns last February in New Zealand.

The inaugural edition of the IWC will see the top eight sides in the women’s game lock horns in a multi-year, bilateral qualifying competition that will lead into the pinnacle event in women’s cricket, the ICC Women’s World Cup.

Developed in order to create a more extensive and meaningful bilateral playing programme for women’s cricket, the IWC will see the eight sides play each other in three One-Day Internationals, either at home or away, between 2014 and 2016.

Points will be awarded for each game, with the top four sides at the conclusion of the ICC Women’s Championship gaining automatic qualification to the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, to be host-

ed by the England & Wales Cricket Board.

The bottom four sides will have a second chance to qualify for the marquee event through the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017, details of which will be announced in due course.

The bottom four will join six regional qualifiers and face off for the final four positions at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017.

In this forthcoming series, West Indies Women and New Zealand Women will play four One-day Internationals –the results of the first three matches counting towards their IWC tally–all at Warner Park in St. Kitts.

This will be followed by three Twenty20 Internationals – all at the Arnos Vale Multiplex in St. Vincent.