Caribbean Times International

Berserk businessman kills four including two policemen in Guyana

- shot dead after hours-long standoff with police

AGuyanese busi-

nessman was shot dead after going berserk on Tuesday and slaying four persons, including two policemen and two staff of a taxi service, in a midafternoon standoff, during which police were forced to use tear gas in attempts to flush him out of his Middle Street, Georgetown home.

Gold miner Deryck Kanhai, 52, died after police stormed his home.

Before this, Kanhai murdered 24-year-old Lance Corporal Michael Forde and his colleague, 35-year-old Constable Sherwin Pantlitz, who both had responded to the shooting. The businessman also slew Crown Taxi Service dispatcher Vanessa Williams and one of the drivers, Bonny Paul.

Another taxi driver of the service, Paul Raman, of Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara, was injured during the mayhem.

Police have since recovered two pistols–a .32 and a .22 from Kanhai’s home, along with a shotgun.

Pacing around

This newspaper understands that the man was spotted earlier in the day pacing and making rounds around the building, which he owns that houses the Crown Cabs Taxi Service and one other business in the lower flat. A Crown Taxi driver who requested anonymity said he and some other drivers were hav-

ing a conversation near the base around 13:15h when Kanhai walked up to them and grabbed him by his neck. “He hold on to my neck and Paulie knock he hand way and ask him what happen to him...I say this man going crazy or something and de man turn and look at Paulie and mek Bam! Bam and shoot Fat Man to de ground,” the man explained.

He said the drivers pushed away Kanhai and his gun fell after which they attempted to assist “Paulie” while running for cover. At this time, the other workers in the taxi service and the nearby businesses heard the gunshots and ran for cover.

The taxi driver reported that the man

she and knock on the door and shoot she dead, dead all over she body,” another eyewitness disclosed.

The police were summoned by nearby businesses and onlookers as the man continued to fire rounds into the air indiscriminately.

The lawmen were greeted with the bodies of Williams and Paul, which were lying on Middle Street by the time they arrived. Kanhai had retreated to his home above the taxi service after he saw the police approaching.

Chaos

walked calmly into the taxi service and continued to shoot rounds into the building.

In an effort to flush out the businessman, police released several cans of tear smoke into Kanhai’s home, adding to the drama that saw several nearby schools dismissing classes pre-

shopping complexes, and restaurants.

The patients in the nearby Georgetown Public Hospital were also affected by the gunplay between the lawmen and the lone gunman, who appeared to have had a seemingly never-ending supply of ammunition.

Speaking with Guyanese media shortly after the incident, the businessman’s brother, Aubrey, said he was told that a shootout was taking place while he was transacting business elsewhere.

He confirmed that his brother was the owner of “a pistol and shotgun”. He explained that he last saw his brother alive on Tuesday morning and nothing appeared “off” or “wrong” with him.

Asked whether his brother had a mental is-

The lone dispatcher on duty ran into the bathroom.

“The man walk straight in deh behind

maturely. There was also panic in the adjoining streets which house active business places including pharmacies,

sue or would often “trip” as was reported by several persons, Kanhai said, “Who say so...Well, I don’t know”.

Gay Jamaican lawyer challenges TT, Belize immigration laws

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has started hearing applications for special leave to commence proceedings in a case in which a Jamaican is challenging the immigration laws of Trinidad and Tobago and Belize.

Maurice Tomlinson, who is homosexual, claims that the Immigration Act in these two Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries violates his freedom of movement as a national within the 15-member grouping.

He is arguing that

both countries are contracting parties to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the regional integration movement and that the Immigration Act includes homosexuals "as a class of persons who are prohibited from entering their jurisdiction".

The two applications were filed on May 31 and July 31 this year, but have since been consolidated. Amended applications were filed on August 5 this year with the court's permission.

Written submissions from the applicant

and the respondents were received between September and October and further written submissions were filed with the leave of the Court on October 28 by the applicant and Trinidad and Tobago to address the ramifications of the case of Shanique Myrie and the State of Barbados.

Last month, the CCJ ordered Barbados to pay Myrie Bd$75,000 in compensation after it found that Bridgetown had breached the rights of the Jamaican when she sought entry into the country in 2011.

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EDITORIAL

Fighting HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean

World AIDS Day, which will be observed on December 1, brings together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in face of the pandemic. Countries pledged in 2011 to take specific steps to achieve ambitious goals by 2015 as it relates to the HIV/AIDS fight.

While some have already made measurable progress and are closer to achieving the targets agreed to, there is still much work for others to do before they can get the desired results.

According to a report by UNAIDS, 34 million people around the world are now thought to have the virus that causes AIDS. It should also be noted that the number of new infections in adults has stayed broadly stable for the past four years–at about 2.5 million new cases a year.

We here in the Caribbean region can boast of several successes in relation to our HIV response and perhaps other countries can use our experiences as a model to design and implement critical HIV/AIDS programmes.

Regional health officials have confirmed recently that there has been a reduction in the number of new HIV infections annually in the Caribbean. A recent high level Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) meeting of National AIDS Programme managers, senior health officials and HIV and AIDS regional partners held in Port-of-Spain, outlined several accomplishments.

These include improved access to HIV treatment and care and a high likelihood of eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV in the Caribbean.

It was further noted that significant progress had been made in reducing HIV stigma throughout the region.

Participants were, however, concerned that recent studies showed that stigma and discrimination within the health sector still remained and needed to be systematically addressed and the practice of confidentiality reinforced.

Of interest too is that the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting noted that the region could benefit from more open acknowledgement and discussion of sex and sexuality so that more accurate information flows to youths and maturing adults could be fostered. It was also observed that the current approach to youth sexuality was impaired by personal discomfort and outmoded norms.

The importance of achieving universal access to HIV treatment and the value of providing earlier lifelong treatment for persons living with HIV, while ensuring that the quality of care and adherence to medication were maintained was also emphasised.

Additionally, it was agreed at the meeting that through the PANCAP Justice for All Programme, the region had an opportunity to accelerate its HIV response and include persons at higher risk who continued to face real discrimination in their daily lives.

UNAIDS Caribbean Regional Support Team Director, Dr Ernest Massiah, said that more needs to be done to address the prejudice and social inequities that operate to make some people, both more vulnerable to HIV infection and less likely to access prevention, testing, treatment and care services.

He was quoted as saying that young people, men who have sex with men and sex workers are among the populations that need targeted investments and more protective environments through a combination of social dialogue, increased tolerance and law reform.

We applaud the efforts made by the Caribbean in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and urge that no room is left for complacency. While we have noted the challenge of funding for crucial HIV/AIDS programmes in the region, we believe that in order to sustain the advances made, governments and international donor partners need to put more money and effort towards ensuring that their HIV programmes can be sustained. The region cannot afford to take chances in dealing with this dreaded disease.

UN launches Philippines aid appeal

the Un has launched an appeal for Us$301 million (£190 million) to help relief efforts in typhoon-hit areas of the Philippines. thousands of people are feared to have been killed by typhoon Haiyan, which struck the central Philippines last Friday. the Un says more than 11 million people are believed to have been affected by the storm, and some 673,000 displaced. the relief operation is being stepped up, but food, water and shelter are still badly needed, aid officials say.

Caricom, UNESCO sign revised agreement

Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque and UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova on Monday committed to strengthening relations between the two organisations with the signing of a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The signing ceremony took place in Paris, France, at the 37th General Conference of UNESCO, during a session between Caricom and the UNESCO director general, 10 years after the last MOU was signed.

“The signing of this MOU today will certainly take our cooperation further, as we implement the programmes so critical to the development of our countries and societies and to the quality of life of the people of the Caribbean Community,” LaRocque said.

The revised MOU would build on the existing relationship between the two bodies, and would address some of the emerging issues that now underpin the community’s development in more fundamental ways, LaRocque added. Those issues include building inclusive knowledge societies, fostering innovation, inculcating appropriate life skills, and addressing inter- connected issues that affect the region’s development needs.

The secretary general noted that some of those issues would feature prominently in the post- 2015 development agenda and sustainable development goals. He added that the cultural component of the agreement also addressed capacity building for cultural industries–this is of specific relevance to Caricom, par-

ticularly with regard to the recently- approved Caricom Cultural Industry Strategy, which is being rolled out. Mutually- beneficial relationship

Acknowledging the mutually beneficial relationship, the secretary general expressed deep appreciation to the director general and to UNESCO for their cooperation and collaboration, and looked forward to a deepening of the engagement in coming years.

LaRocque said Caricom was known and respected internationally for its many traditional, as well as contemporary, cultural offerings in areas such as music, art, craft, theatre, literature, food, fashion, and festivals.

Over the past biennium, the increased efforts by UNESCO with regard to awareness building and the importance of preservation of intangible cultural heritage have been of significant benefit to the region. The community’s many traditions, indigenous medicines, beliefs, stories, symbols and songs, which constitute a vital part of our peoples’ rich cultural heritage, “make us distinct and unique”, he said.

“Caricom member states, therefore, have a deeplyvested interest in the preservation, protection, and promotion of this rich cultural heritage.

This commitment is based on the belief in the importance of safeguarding our cultural heritage for our next generation, to preserve the rich knowledge and skills of our societies, and ensure that these are transferred from generation to generation.

This contributes to social cohesion, and engenders a sense of our Caribbean identity and a sense of belonging.

“We are also keenly aware of the need to improve the preservation of our architectural heritage, and in this regard, we welcomed with enthusiasm in 2011, the addition of Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison to the list of World Heritage Sites. We look forward to the assistance of UNESCO in capacity building for preparing our community to have further sites listed,” the secretary general added. Cooperation

Among the issues discussed during the meeting between Caricom and UNESCO’s officials were the representation of Caricom nationals in UNESCO’s Secretariat; cooperation with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission; reparations for Native Genocide and Slavery; and cooperation with UNESCO in education.

Jamaica’s Culture Minister Lisa Hanna also led a lobby for support of Jamaica’s candidacy for membership of the World Heritage Committee. Jamaica has been hoping to represent the interests of Small Island Developing States on the committee, which decides whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Jamaica has applied for the Blue and John Crow Mountains to be inscribed on the World Heritage List and will begin preparing a dossier for Port Royal’s nomination to the List. Jamaica also put forward a case for Reggae music to be inscribed on the Intangible Heritage List

New faces in Jamaica’s Shadow Cabinet

Two new faces were added to a list of more familiar ones in Jamaica’s Shadow Cabinet.

The newcomers include Alex Williams, who has been appointed opposition spokesman on justice, an indication that he is headed back to the Upper House. The other new addition is Andrew Wheatley, who vociferously supported Andrew Holness in the leadership campaign. He takes on science, ICT, digital society development, and the environment.

Former minister of national security, Derrick Smith, has been assigned to shadow that portfolio as well as leader of opposition business and is the opposition parliamentarian with responsibility for electoral matters.

Holness, a former minister of education, takes back that portfolio responsibility in addition to leader of the opposition, development, and defence.

Dr Horace Chang, Karl Samuda, Dr Kenneth Baugh, Pearnel Charles, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange,

Shahine Robinson, J.C. Hutchinson, and Desmond McKenzie retained their shadow positions.

Shaw and Edmund Bartlett, the only two members selected to sit on the Shadow Cabinet from the losing side, refused to accept Holness's offers.

Holness said Shaw was asked to retain responsibility for shadowing the challenging finance ministry, and Bartlett was ushered from the tourism portfolio to shadow foreign affairs, but Bartlett demurred.

Christopher Tufton, the former industry and commerce minister, has been scratched from the list of opposition spokespersons. Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, the former spokesperson on education; and Gregory Mair, who shadowed energy and mining, are also out and there is no sign of Daryl Vaz.

Delroy Chuck, who shadowed national security and justice, has asked not to be considered.

However, Tufton said

Wednesday that he has no intention of resigning from the Senate.

He said he stepped aside from the Shadow Cabinet to give Holness a free hand to assemble his council of spokespersons. However, he maintained that is the farthest he will be going.

Holness and Tufton met Tuesday to discuss the matter.

The opposition Senator declined to divulge details of the talks, however, he said he remained open and willing to work with the party leader.

Defeated JLP leadership challenger Shaw, has raised concerns about what he claimed are steps by the party leader to get all Senators to resign.

Shaw claimed that this is a ploy by Holness to exclude Tufton and others who did not support him in the leadership race.

However, speaking at a press conference Tuesday, Holness said he did not ask opposition senators to resign. (Excerpted from Jamaica Gleaner)

Guyana participates in UN seminar on gold, sustainability

Adelegation from Guyana, led by Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud, consisting of both private and public sector representatives, participated in the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the World Gold Council (WGC) Seminar on Gold and Sustainability held from November 7-8, at the United Nations Secretariat, New York, U.S.A.

During the two-day meeting, the government of Guyana, through the natural resources and environment ministry and the Guyana Gold Board, held discussions with various representatives to formally establish a working relationship with UNITAR and the World Gold Council.

Moreover, the meeting was based on lectures and panel discussions led by experts from the World Gold Council,

the United Nations, and other specialists from international organisations.

The meeting took a participatory approach, with presentations and discussions on the various topics on the sustainability of gold.

The representatives from Guyana included Guyana Gold Board (GGB) Chairman, Dr Gobind Ganga; GGB member Dabria Marcus; Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) President Patrick Harding; and GGDMA executive member Azeem Baksh took part in discussions on the unique qualities of gold from its supply and many sources of demand; the socioeconomic impact that gold mining can contribute to developing economies and the challenges inherent in responsible natural resource management and the role for governments, development organisations,

communities and civil society organisations and the private sector.

Persaud, during his interaction with participants, made calls to reduce the cost for producing gold, and at the same time minimise environmental degradation, including respecting the rights of indigenous people.

The Guyanese minister also highlighted that gold mining and related activities can play an important role in achieving sustainable socio-economic development in all countries where gold is found.

He pointed out that gold produced in conformance with high safety, environmental and social standards has the benefit of being an important source of development and opportunities for many countries and communities in the form of jobs skills, improved infrastructure and tax revenues.

(Guyana Times)

Guyana enters alert mode for rainy season

Guyana’s agriculture ministry has been “upping the ante” with respect to preparation for the December/January rainy season, as plans are apace to have measures in place to safeguard possible impacts the season can incur. Recently, 14 pumps have been installed by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) at critical areas along coastal regions, so as to ensure maximum drainage capacity.

This move, according to Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, is to further improve the country’s Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) system.

“Our D& I system is presently prepared for different weather patterns. I say that because it is important to have effective drainage to with-

stand the rainy period and proper irrigation especially for rice and cash crop farmers, and looking at those areas, we are prepared,” he said.

Thus far, the NDIA has move some of its machines to several areas prone to flooding to assist in de-silting of secondary and primary canals, especially in Region Five and along the coast.

The NDIA is currently 90 per cent complete in clearing of primary canals.

“With respect to secondary canals, the NDIA has been mandated to assist the RDC and water users associations, by having excavators deployed to have the canals de-silted and ready for the rainy season,” Ramsammy said.

He remains confident that once the rainy period steps in, the NDIA

New York Court rules trial necessary in libel case brought by New GPC against KN

In a libel case brought by the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (New GPC) in New York against Kaieteur News, the presiding judge, Hon. Joan M. Kenney, has ruled that there are triable issues of fact concerning whether Kaieteur News acted with knowledge of the falsity of the statements it made, or was reckless or grossly irresponsible in making them.

New GPC had asked the Court to rule summarily in its favor, on the ground that the news articles were false and defamatory. Kaieteur News, in responding to the motion, did not dispute New GPC’s claims that the articles were both false and defamatory.

Kaieteur News’s sole defense was that as a media defendant writing about a matter of public interest, it was entitled to invoke the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, which meant that it was protected by privilege and could only be found liable, even if the statements are in fact false and defamatory, if (a) it knew the statements it had made were false, or (b) it had acted grossly irresponsibly and/or recklessly.

The Court agreed that Kaieteur News was a media defendant entitled to claim privilege since the articles were about a matter that

will be ready.

However, challenges still exist with respect to internal drains in the city as it remains in dire need of maintenance.

The internal drains are controlled by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

“These drains remain an overwhelming responsibility for the NDIA, as it is severely neglected, despite not falling under the purview of the NDIA...we had little rain yesterday (Monday) and some parts of the city have been flooded. That is because the internal drains are clogged up,” he said.

Some of the pumps in the city are non-functional and the NDIA is now in the process of working with the M&CC to ensure that the situation is remedied. (Guyana Times)

was of public interest to the Guyanese community in New York, and that therefore New GPC was required to make an additional showing of knowledge of the falsity, or recklessness or gross irresponsibility, before it could collect damages.

The court scheduled a “preliminary conference” for January 9th, 2014, at which a schedule will be set for the completion of pre-trial discovery, and for a trial date, further summary judgment motions, and other similar litigation events.

Canadian company to recycle Guyana’s solid waste

AMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) was on Monday signed between the local government and regional development ministry and Canadabased Natural Globe Incorporated, which will see Guyana’s first solid waste recycling plant being installed in Region Four, to ensure improved solid waste management.

Over the years, the Guyana government has been working assiduously with the local democratic organs to address the issue of solid waste management across the country.

This Gy$30 million investment will seek to address that issue and will see five transfer stations being installed in the region, three on the East Coast of Demerara, and two on the East Bank of Demerara. Every household will also be provided with differently coloured containers to recycle their waste.

During brief remarks at the signing which was held at the ministry’s boardroom, Local Government and Regional Development

Minister Ganga Persaud said he was pleased to be part of such a significant event which addresses the issue of solid waste. He said over the years, government has ensured that immense regard and respect was given to the laws of Guyana in terms of solid waste disposal.

Support was given to the entities responsible for solid waste to execute their mandate and provide the services necessary to ensure a clean environment.

Unfortunately, Persaud said, there were some challenges and government had to intervene by implementing several projects to deal with the issue.

He added that the Region Four project complements what has already been done, and highlighted that once completed, the project will assist in reducing clogged drains in the city that result in flooding. This, he said, is still a work in progress.

Countrywide programme

The minister was optimistic that with the proper public awareness and citizen educa-

tion with regards to recycling, waste will be placed in the containers provided, after which the bins will be cleared, taken to the transfer stations, and eventually reach the recycling plant. He said this approach will ultimately be rolled out across the country. The ministry is currently seeking appropriate land and once approved by Cabinet, work will start immediately.

Meanwhile Minister in the Local Government Ministry, Norman Whittaker expressed satisfaction with the company’s proposal and stated that the ministry was looking forward to working and using some of the company’s experience to further deal with solid waste management.

He urged the company to deliver in a timely manner.

This project was also supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the ministries of finance, housing, agriculture and public works, among others, the Government News Agency (GINA) reported.

Cable & Wireless cuts 650 staff in the Caribbean

Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) cut 650 staff, or 18 per cent of its employees, in the Caribbean over the last year.

The company, which operates as LIME in Jamaica and which had 3,028 full-time staff in the Caribbean at the end of September, saved US$18 million during the six months to September 30, but it says it plans to intensify cost cutting measures over the next 18 months.

"The Caribbean has been the focus with operating costs reducing by US$18 million in the first half and we expect to step up the pace in order to meet our US$100million target," said Tony Rice, CWC's outgoing CEO.

The telecommunications firm is targeting the multimillion cost reduction across the group—which also operates in Panama and Monaco—on a run-rate basis within two years, in light of declining revenues.

"Operating costs at US$272 million reduced by six per cent compared with the prior period as we began to realise the benefits of the ongoing cost reduction initia-

tives," added Rice. "We have now successfully outsourced our field services teams in Jamaica and Barbados."

Redundancy and restructuring costs predominantly related to the outsourcing of support services in the Caribbean cost CWC US$43 million during the six months to September 30. Targets

But CWC also has another target in mind— achieving a Caribbean earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) margin in excess of 30 per cent in the medium term.

EBITDA grew by one per cent year on year to US$138 million during the six months to September 30, but revenue dipped by US$32 million, or by six per cent year on year to US$521 million during the first six months of the current financial year, which runs to next March.

All revenue streams, except mobile, declined as the drop in average revenue per user (ARPU) outpaced the growth in usage of high-speed data services and exacerbated the reduction in fixed line subscribers.

The telecommunications firm recorded

UNC’s Boodhan is Chaguanas Mayor

Almost three weeks after TT’s October 21 Local Government Elections resulted in a three-way tie in the Chaguanas Borough Corporation (CBC), the deadlock was finally broken last Friday with the election of United National Congress (UNC) alderman, Gopaul Boodhan, 56, as the new mayor of Chaguanas by a slim majority.

cal parties with each securing four members.

for Felicity/ Endeavour, was then declared the deputy mayor.

US$130 million in fixed line revenue for the sixmonth review period, reflecting a 13 per cent decline in income as the number of fixed line subscribers fell from 713,000 at the end of September 2012 to 696,000 as at September 30, while ARPU dropped by 11 per cent, from US$34.90 per month to US$31.10.

Broadband (and TV) revenue fell by two per cent year on year to US$59 million, despite registering five per cent more subscribers at the end of September this year compared to yearearlier levels. ARPU fell from US$42.10 per month to US$40.50.

For mobile, the two per cent growth in subscriber base over the 12 months to September 30—led by a "23 per cent rise in Jamaica subscribers"—translated into higher revenue, despite lower ARPU of US$27.50 month, compared to US$28 a year earlier.

"Mobile revenue rose one per cent in the first half to US$264 million as demand for mobile data continued to increase with (mobile) data revenue growing 18 per cent)," said CWC's interim management report.

(Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Boodhan had five votes, while the People’s National Movement (PNM) nominee, alderman Ronald Heera, received four votes and the Independent Liberal Party’s (ILP) nominee, alderman Indrawatee Maraj got two votes. One ballot was deemed spoilt after someone voted for ILP councillor, Simeon Mahabir, who was not nominated as a mayoral candidate. The 12-member council was divided between the three politi-

Also, in an unexpected twist, expelled ILP councillor, Faaiq Mohammed, was elected as chairman of the Physical Infrastructure Committee after he was nominated by Maraj and seconded by UNC councillor, Vandana Mohit. Mohammed received five votes while Heera received four votes and three ballots were deemed void after being returned blank.

Then came the election of a deputy mayor and the two nominees were PNM alderman Aben Phillips and UNC councillor, Debideen Manick. The ILP did not nominate any candidate. Voting was again conducted by secret ballot and during the counting of the ballots, Manick received five votes, Phillips received four and there were three blank ballots.

Manick, councillor

Later, when asked about the three blank ballots, ILP interim political leader Jack Warner said the party had abstained from voting as its way of protest over the method used for the election of mayor and deputy mayor. In his farewell address, outgoing Mayor Orlando Nagessar said the Local Government Elections had been filled with too much “venom and animosity” and called on the council to move past the electoral politics and focus on the people’s business.

He even suggested that in the future, mayors and deputy mayors should be elected by constituents and not the councils of municipal corporations. He also made a plea for an increase in manpower at the CBC, saying there were only eight municipal police officers to service the sprawling districts under its management.

In his first address, Boodhan, who has 20 years of service at the local government level, pledged to address infrastructure problems plaguing the borough as well as address the needs of the vendors’ market saying one of his first duties would be to tour that facility. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

Three hundred Jamaican business owners complete training programme

Three hundred Jamaican women business owners have completed a threeyear training programme aimed at strengthening and promoting entrepreneurship among females in Jamaica.

The programme was organised by the Women Business Owners (Ja) Limited (WBO), with financial support from the Inter American Development Bank (IDB).

Speaking at a closing ceremony held recently at the WBO office, IDB country representative in Jamaica, Therese Turner Jones pointed to the Economist Intelligence Unit's Women's Entrepreneurial Venture Scope Study 2013, which ranked Jamaica last among 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, based on the principal factors influencing the environment for women entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses.

Jones noted that the Scope Index looked at

such areas as businessoperating risks including economics, corruption and security; the entrepreneurial business environment as it relates to support for SMEs, regulatory issues and costs related to starting a new business; access to financing for women; affordability of education for women; non-traditional training for women in such areas as computer science and engineering and social services, including support for families such as health care, paternity and maternity

leave and day care. The study showed that most entrepreneurs in the Caribbean region were trapped in the micro-enterprise sector, unable to access larger business loans to grow their businesses and to expand beyond the SME level, she said.

Jones added that the Women's Entrepreneurial Venture Scope 2013 identified some of the challenges affecting Jamaican womenowned SMEs as being repeatedly denied access to financing, which is a major constraint to start or grow women's businesses, especially because traditional lending models place women at a disadvantage.

The ceremony also featured testimonies from participant Cathy Radlein, who spoke of the benefits of the programme and the positive impact on the way she now does business, as well as one of the trainers, Ann Marie Rodriquez. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Guyanese stakeholders denounce Opposition’s blockage of anti-money laundering bill

As public concern continues to mount over the recent non-passage of Guyana’s AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, President Donald Ramotar met numerous civil society stakeholders on Monday at the Office of the President.

Among them were members of the private sector, bankers and trade unionists, the majority of whom will be directly or indirectly affected by the opposition’s rejection of the bill that sought to upgrade Guyana’s laws against financial crimes.

The non-passage of the bill had evoked public concerns from several stakeholders, given the impact it could have

on the smooth transfer of money from local to external banks, and remittances from money transfer agencies and insurance services.

An offshore bank has already severed ties with Guyana following what Ramotar described as the worst form of economic sabotage the political opposition has so far undertaken.

The absence of legislative support had resulted in the country missing an August deadline and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) granting an extension to November.

Private sector disgusted Meanwhile, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) said it is disgusted at the treatment by the com-

bined opposition of its petition to Parliament on the Amendment Bill, and the bill itself. The PSC said it represents those industries that drive the Guyana economy forward while providing the bulk of the employment opportunities and include, as outlined in the petition, Guyana’s business community across

Gonsalves wants DR suspended from CARIFORUM for court ruling on Haitians

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, has called for the suspension of The Dominican Republic from the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) as the fall out continues from the constitutional court ruling that could render stateless, thousands of people of Haitian descent living in the Spanish-speaking country.

In a November 11 letter to President Danilo

Medina, Dr Gonsalves said he had also written to Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro recommending that The Dominican Republic be suspended from the Caracas-led PetroCaribe initiative.

The Caribbean Community (Caricom), as well as the Washingtonbased Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), have criticised the ruling made on September 23. Dr Gonsalves in the let-

ter to Medina said the court’s decision was “unacceptable in any civilised community”.

The international human rights group, Amnesty International and the Organisation of American States (OAS) have also expressed concern over the ruling and the U.S.-based Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA) said the ruling had turned The Dominican Republic into a “ticking time bomb”. (Caribbean News)

Republic Bank makes TT$1.17 billion profit

Republic Bank has recorded a profit of TT$1.17 billion for its financial year ending September 30, 2013.

In a statement last week, TT’s biggest commercial bank said this was a TT$11 million, or one per cent, increase over the previous year 2012.

Republic chairman Ronald Harford said he was particularly encouraged by the increase in loans and advances of TT$1.9 billion or 8.2 per cent, following an increase of 6.6 per cent in 2012.

Harford said he remained optimistic that growth will continue in 2014.

Total assets stood at TT$57.6 billion at September 30, 2013, an increase of TT$6 billion or 11.6 per cent over the previous year.

The board of directors has declared a final dividend of TT$3

(2012:TT$3) payable to shareholders on December 2.

This brings the total dividend for the fiscal year to TT$4.25, in line with 2012.

Harford noted that difficult economic conditions persisted in tourism-dependent countries in which the bank operates, with profitability in Barbados declining by TT$23.3 million or 29.6 per cent and losses being recorded in the Eastern Caribbean.

The group recorded a loss of TT$75.7 million on its investment in Eastern Caribbean Financial Holdings Ltd, the parent company of the Bank of St Lucia, while impairment expenses of TT$53 million were booked as a result of the government of Grenada defaulting on its indebtedness.

This default contributed to the bank’s subsidiary in Grenada re-

cording a loss of TT$18.2 million (Republic’s share is TT$9.3 million).

Improved performance in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana offset this decline, leading to a marginal increase in the group’s overall profitability.

Harford added that commodity-exporting economies like Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana are expected to drive the bank’s performance in the coming year, while tourism-dependent economies of Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean are expected to face ongoing challenges “with little or no growth”.

He expressed confidence that the group’s current level of profitability will remain robust.

This year, Republic also acquired a 40 per cent stake in HFC Bank (Ghana) Ltd in which the group holds a 40 per cent stake.

the country, rice, mining (gold and bauxite), banking and insurance, construction, telecommunications and associated services, domestic aviation, manufacturing, fishing, tourism and forestry.

“The private sector collectively is one of the most important stakeholders in this coun-

try with a legitimate and irrefutable interest in preserving the health and stability of the domestic economy and it is for this reason–to protect against further economic slippage–that the Private Sector Commission petitioned Parliament.” The PSC said the combined opposition saw it fit, despite the economic importance of this stakeholder, to deny the presentation and reading in Parliament of a petition from the private sector, thereby denying a voice to the very people who drive the economy and employ a high percentage of the nation’s citizens.

Inexplicable contempt

“This action reveals an inexplicable contempt for the stakehold-

ers of this country and/ or a lack of understanding of how the economy functions. In a civilised world, on critical matters of economic and national importance, it is mandatory for leaders to rise above this petty and often retrogressive tit for tat disposition.

We expect nothing less from our elected representatives, who must understand that merit is the most important factor for the people of this country.”

The commission said it records its deep disappointment over the actions of Parliament and holds this 10th Parliament accountable for any damage that may accrue to the Guyana economy going forward. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

St Lucia government calls for revamp of LIAT

St Lucia government has called for a shakeup of the financially-strapped regional airline, LIAT, as it agreed to guarantee an EC$3 million loan for the airline now undergoing a modernisation of its aging fleet.

"It’s not just a matter of changing the chief executive officer, but dealing decisively with a problem in management that has been inherited over the years," said Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony.

The airline, which last week had been forced to cancel many of its flights because of a strike by pilots, has been without a chief executive officer since Trinidadian Ian Brunton resigned in September.

Anthony, who is also the finance minister, said that there was also

a need for a complete overhaul of the airline’s business model in order to ensure its long term sustainability and recommended a revision of operations and logistics.

Anthony said that LIAT, which flies to more than 21 destinations daily, must stop operating in a traditional manner believing that the only two bases it can have in the region are Antigua

and Barbados.

"It has to rethink for example where is it in its best interest to have its maintenance facility, these are questions that loom very large and it can't any longer be a question of historic entitlements where governments are putting money," Anthony said of the airline, whose shareholder governments are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Castries has now become the fifth regional court to have a stake in the airline that in September signed a US$65 million loan with the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to finance the purchase of aircraft in the context of a fleet modernisation project. (Jamaica Observer)

Four killed in Bahamas plane crash

Four people were killed when their aircraft crashed in "low waters" while on a sightseeing tour on Sunday, the Civil Aviation Department's Flight Standard Inspectorate has announced.

It said that the nationalities of the four people—two men and two women—were not known.

According to a brief statement issued by the Civil Aviation Department's Flight Standard Inspectorate, the United States regis-

tered single engine aircraft, a Cirrus SR22, was on a visual flight rule (VFR) "while conducting a local sightseeing flight in the area of Freeport, Grand Bahama.

"The aircraft apparently ditched in low waters approximately seven miles north of the Freeport Control Tower," the statement said.

It said the unnamed pilot, who apparently survived the crash, held a valid private pilot licence for single engine aircraft and was also a valid third-class medical certificate.

"... The weather at the time of the accident was reportedly visual meteorological conditions with light winds out of the north-east, broken clouds at 10,000 feet and visibility greater than 10 miles," the Civil Aviation Department's Flight Standard Inspectorate said. The statement said that investigators from the Civil Aviation Department's Air Accident Investigation & Prevention Unit would be conducting an onsite field investigation. (Jamaica Observer)

Canada-based Guyanese doctor assisting GPHC

ACanada-based Guyanese doctor has returned home to give support to various departments and clinics at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Dr Peter Akai is on a 10-day visit to Guyana and is assisting various departments within the corporation. The doctor, who specialises in infection and skin care, said he will be touring different clinics within the next few days.

The medical practitioner plans to make recommendations to the GPHC on the purchasing of drugs and medical equipment to improve cost effectiveness.

He told this newspaper on Monday that, during his stint, he would be working with local practitioners to see how best to improve the delivery of health care. He also plans to share his experience as a medical practitioner in Canada with the many doctors attached to the various units. According to him, while his stay is short and he will not be able to do all that he would like to, he hopes to give of his best. The doctor has already held lectures at the GPHC with nurses and doctors and in-

dr Peter akai

tends to do another session with another batch of health practitioners. Overseas training

Lauding the work being done at the GPHC, Dr Akai said the mixture of doctors within the corporation is good, as this is necessary for any medical institution that wants to provide topquality medical service to a population. He also praised the government for exposing local doctors to overseas training, which will also help to boost medical care at the hospital.

According to him, while there has been some criticism about the long waiting hours at the hospital, one must consider that it is the largest facility in the country to which health clinics and other small hospitals refer patients.

Dr Akai plans to vis-

Caricom urges

it Guyana on an annual basis, to provide support to the GPHC and other medical institutions in the future.

The GPHC has had the benefit of the experience and knowledge of many overseas-based Guyanese doctors who came on short stints, to assist in improving the various units and provide extra training for staff. Recently, a 21-member team of medical specialists from the George Washington University Hospital in the United States was in Guyana for a seven-day outreach that included complex surgeries and training.

The team conducted continuing screening, with at least 20 surgeries of the most complicated cases in urology, and approximately 40 general surgeries. The team consisted of urologists, an aesthesiologists, general surgeons, and nurses.

The health ministry has launched an initiative to forge new strategic partnerships with the international community to boost Guyana’s health services.

Under Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran’s stewardship, similar outreaches have been done with Calgary University, among others. (Guyana Times)

review of

CSME implementation

Caricom Secretary

General Irwin LaRocque has called for a review of the implementation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) and whether the approach to it was adequate to address the immediate concerns of member states. “Just as we have agreed that the revised treaty must now be reviewed in order to advance our integration arrangements, we have to examine the role of the CSME in addressing the economic challenges of member states. I remain convinced, however, that the CSME is our best option for addressing our economic challenges,” LaRocque said during the opening of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) at the Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara last Friday.

He said deliberations at the special session on the strategic direction of COTED should be informed by the re-

Construction to begin on diagnostic centres for children with special needs

Jamaica’s Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites says work will begin next month on the establishment of three diagnostic and care centres to cater for students with special education needs in rural Jamaica.

"Construction is starting in December at Sam Sharpe (Teachers' College in St James) for the construction of the centre there, and we have existing space at Church Teachers' College (in Manchester) and we expect to have space also at CASE (College of Agriculture, Science and Education in Portland) and so we are now sourcing equipment for all three centres," he said.

The minister was speaking to journalists last week at the eighth staging of the Caribbean Child Research Conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston.

The centres will alleviate the need for parents to take their children to Kingston for assessment at the Mico Child Assessment and Research in Education

Centre (CARE), which is currently the only such facility in the island.

"We are using the kind of enablement that MICO Care has had as a template for the other centres; and so we hope that by the end of the first quarter in 2014, they will be up and running," Thwaites said.

The facilities are estimated to cost the government some Ja$40 million.

Thwaites said the ministry will be partnering with universities to ensure the centres will be appropriately staffed with professionals in the area of special education.

"We are going to be asking the universities

in Jamaica

to assist us with people in particular skills areas that we need--speech therapy, guidance counseling---and schools should be able to send children who they can't handle to these institutions for diagnosis and for therapy," he stated.

He noted that the ministry will be increasing the training of teachers and principals in the schools so that they can recognise the children who have particular challenges.

The education minister said there are also plans to source additional funding for the establishment of a similar centre in Old Harbour to serve the regions of Clarendon and St Catherine.

He said the move to establish the facilities is in keeping with government's plans to revitalise and transform the education system with special emphasis on early childhood and special education.

He said approximately 20 per cent of children in the education system can be categorised as special needs cases. (Jamaica Observer)

Caribbean countries to benefit from new health initiative with Canada

Dcent judgement by the Caribbean Court of Justice which has cemented the community’s rules-based system. According to LaRocque, the judgement has farreaching implications for decision-making and implementation, the nature and effects of community law, obligations of member states and the rights of community nationals. The judgement, he added, engendered confidence in community arrangements.

“Each and every

member state party to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas has agreed to certain rights and obligations, and if the community is to deepen its integration process, we all have a responsibility to ensure that we meet our obligations to each other. However, we must equally be aware of the constraints which may hinder our member states from fulfilling those obligations and responsibilities,” the secretary general said.

In recognition of the challenges and limitations that faced member states, the secretary general said that the region had to collectively endeavour to put all member states on a sound footing to tackle the hard economic realities. For the community, he said, enhancing competitiveness and expanding trade were crucial elements to propel growth and improve the welfare of the region.

(Excerpted from Guyana Times)

octors treating children with cancer in Barbados and other Caribbean countries will now benefit from continuing education and expertise from overseas medical specialists, following the opening of the Shaw Family Telemedicine Room at the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Clinical Skills Building, Jemmotts Lane, St. Michael.

The facility will house the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative, launched in Toronto, Canada, earlier this year and which works with stakeholders across the Englishspeaking Caribbean to improve the outcomes and quality of life for children with cancer and blood disorders, as well as their families.

It is a collaborative effort between UWI, The Hospital for Sick Children in Canada, and the Centre for Global Child Health.

Barbados’ Health Minister John Boyce, speaking at the launch of the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative, said that due to the specialised nature of childhood cancer, Caribbean countries were limited in the care that they offered.

“Our shortcomings include limited paediat-

ric pathological expertise to assist in diagnosis, staging and treatment modules; availability of specific drugs which may be imported to treat particular cancers which require interventions; and the lack of a targeted linear accelerator which will reduce the side effects of radiation therapy. The establishment of the Shaw Family Telemedicine Room, therefore, addresses some of our limitations,” the minister related.

He added that the initiative provide the delivery of clinical care to persons who would otherwise require transfer overseas for consultation.

“The health profile of children in the Englishspeaking Caribbean reflects a picture of overall good health. This is supported by the child health programmes which support the healthy growth and development of children under five years of age and aim to protect them from vaccinepreventable diseases through immunization.

“Unfortunately, there are some medical conditions to which children and adolescents may be susceptible which cannot be prevented, treated or cured by vaccines or other low

cost interventions.

“These may result from genetic predisposition and autoimmune response, environmental factors and in many cases, unknown causes. Amongst such diseases are diabetes, respiratory illnesses… mental and physical disabilities, lupus, sickle cell disease and cancer,” he said.

Boyce noted that there was an average of eight to 10 childhood cancer cases annually in Barbados.

“The average survival rate is 75 per cent and this represents the cases that are cured,” Boyce related, noting that each case of childhood cancer was “a very personal tragedy that can strike any family with children at anytime and anywhere.”

However, he underscored that “this facility offers connectivity with overseas medical specialists that will assist doctors resident here in Barbados, with continuing education and offer support to parents and doctors managing sick children.”

He pointed out that family and medical staff would have access to a team of medical experts in the diagnosis and treatment options that are available.

Guyana and Canada pledge to strengthen bilateral relations

The relationship between the governments of Guyana and Canada was highlighted last week during a welcome reception for the new Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles at her Bel Air residence.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, after extending greetings from President Donald Ramotar, wished the new high commissioner well during her sojourn in Guyana. He spoke of the thou-

sands of Guyanese and their children who are happy to make Canada their home. “I can sense your eagerness to maintain the momentum of our programme of cooperation, and to seek out new initiatives upon which we can embark.

There will be many more opportunities for us to elaborate on these, and so I just like to reiterate, on this occasion, the importance with which we view our relations with Canada,

as well as the commitment of the government of Guyana to work with you to strengthen these, during your tour of duty,” the prime minister said.

People-to-people links

Dr Giles said the Canada-Guyana bilateral relationship is grounded in robust people-to-people links, shared economic and trade interests, and strong diplomatic and development cooperation, the Government

guyana’s

Information Agency (GINA) reported.

“Guyana has incredible potential and is one of the strongest economies in the Caribbean. This is especially true given the rich mineral deposits and prospective discovery of oil.

Canada has sought to develop a partnership with Guyana to support the maximisation of its potential.

I intend to build on the successful collaboration that Canada and Guyana have already established and to seek new areas that are mutually beneficial to our

countries,” she stated.

The high commissioner explained that Canada is keen on sharing its experiences in the development of the extractive sector.

“I believe that given Canada’s experience and investments in this sector, it is critical that we continue to support capacity building, and to offer solutions for challenges that we both face.

A key example is the area of training for the mining sector, where we support two distinct partnerships involving the Canadian College of North Atlantic: one

is with the ministry of natural resources and the Environment to establish the “mining school” in Guyana, the other is with the TVET Council and the Linden Technical Institute to strengthen training for heavy equipment operation and maintenance.”

Dr Giles added that the intention was to build on the successful collaboration that Canada and Guyana have already established, and to seek new areas that are mutually beneficial to both countries. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Guyanese-born Lionel Bedessee is an exemplary businessman

From No.59 village in Guyana, he grew a flourishing enterprise that has been serving the West Indian community in Canada and U.S. for over three decades

As Guyanese-born businessman

Lionel Bedessee celebrated his 80th birthday in Toronto over the weekend, family, friends and supporters reflected on his sterling achievements and contributions not only in his native homeland, but also in Canada and the U.S.

Bedessee, whose real birthday was observed Monday, has successfully established businesses in several major North American cities: Toronto, Montreal, New York, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida. This achievement is testament to his vision, exceptional business acumen and disciplined work ethic along with support from a loving family and dedicated staff.

Lionel as he is popularly known, entered into business in his younger days at No. 59 Village, Corentyne, Berbice in Guyana. In the late 50's and early 60's, he walked from village to village selling cricket and other sport goods. On the advice of his father, he invested in a bicycle that al-

lowed him to expand his territory and the items he sold, and by 1962 he had bought a truck.

However, one year later, the infamous 1963 80-day political strike resulted in severe disturbance to Guyana's economy, and Lionel had to renegotiate the terms of payment on the loan for his truck. This taught Lionel a very useful lesson about unforeseen risks.

From 1963 onwards, the business environment in Guyana began to deteriorate significantly, as the then government imposed severe restrictions on imported items. This forced Lionel to give up on what he had worked so hard to build in Guyana and in 1971, he took the courageous and visionary step to migrate to Canada, to seek new opportunities for himself and family. He was accompanied by his two sons, Verman and Ravi.

Business in Canada

After 22 years in business in Guyana that included both wholesaling and retailing along with

importation and distribution, Lionel found himself in a residential area of Waterloo, Ontario. This was not the best place to start a business. From a successful entrepreneur to working odd jobs was a challenging adjustment that he had to make. But, Lionel knew that nothing worthwhile comes easy, so he soldiered on. Being fully aware of the benefits of a sound education, Lionel pursued a three-year course in Appliance, Electronics,

Refrigeration Repair and Maintenance at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario.

All the while, he did not give up on his dream of establishing a business similar to the one he had left in Guyana, and was constantly looking for opportunities. After carefully analyzing what needs of the Caribbean community were not being met in Ontario, Lionel realised that the types of foods and other products that people

were accustomed to in the Caribbean, were simply not available in large sections of the Canadian community. Armed with this information, in 1977 Lionel opened a small store in Toronto, catering specifically to the need for ethnic foods and Indian religious items. During this time Lionel was traveling constantly between Waterloo and Toronto.

In late 1978, Lionel was joined in Toronto by the rest of his family; his wife Evelyn, daughters Pamela and Rose, and his three younger sons Rayman, Chubbie and Invor.

Expansion

Today, Lionel is not only an importer of the well-known brands such as Sanatogen and Dettol from England, Lalah's curry powder from England, Marshall sardines from Scotland etc., but also manufactures products such as chowmein, lowmein, vermicelli etc. His company also bottles the popular West Indian Queen Soda pop.

At this important juncture of Lionel’s life, he and his family are very grateful to all of their customers, friends and loyal employees, who over the years have contributed to the businesses’ success. The Bedessee family continues to be grateful to Lionel's older brother Dr. Manwel Bedessee, who was responsible for bringing them to Canada.

The family sponsored a religious work as well as an appreciation day for customers, friends and family over the weekend at their Stouffville home.

Being the astute businessman that he is, Lionel was always looking for an unfilled need in the community he served. It did not take him long to realize that in cricket, the sport that is almost a religion to some West Indians and indeed South Asians, there was tremendous potential in supplying cricket gear. Thus began the very popular and successful Bedessee Sporting Goods in 1981. Since then, the business has been one of the largest suppliers of cricket gear in Toronto.

Guyanese president to review relations with Opposition

President Donald Ramotar said he would be re-examining his government’s relationship with the opposition political parties, which he accused of carrying out a campaign aimed at crippling Guyana’s overall development by voting against critical projects and legislation.

“It is clear to me now that the opposition is not willing to help and I don’t have a partner in the opposition for the development of our country,” Ramotar told a news conference at his office last Friday.

The Guyanese leader vehemently protested the move by the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to vote down the amendments proposed as part of the new AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism

Bill, noting the farreaching repercussions.

“The action last night, November 7, will forever go down as the worst form of economic sabotage by the opposition. With last night’s development, all hope is lost that the opposition has any intention in being a partner to develop our country. It is in this context that I am forced to re-examine my government’s future relationship with the opposition political parties,” he said sternly.

The president’s comments are considered another blow to the already fragile relationship, which existed both inside and outside the 65seat legislature following the 2011 general and regional elections.

Ramotar said it was important to note that his government has exercised its ability to compromise when it was most pertinent while

advancing the interest of Guyanese above any other partisan considerations.

Unyielding

Asked what the process of re-examination entailed, Ramotar said several things would be considered. He expressed reservations about mentioning specific actions that he may take.

“We still have to go into details. What is obvious is that I have some constitutional responsibilities that I have to deal with the opposition on,” he reminded, referring to his obligations under the law to have meaningful consultations with the opposition leader on several constitutional appointments.

He did not deny that the process of re-examination could be government taking a different approach to the tripartite talks, which have broken down several times and yielded little.

Ramotar said his lack of confidence in the opposition to make sound and patriotic decisions to propel Guyana further stems from its continuous breach of agreements.

“The opposition parties are determined to damage the economy and the body politic,” he in-

sisted, pointing to what he deemed their “dictatorial” and “authoritarian” behaviour in Parliament.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall is expected to lead a team of representatives to the next round of review by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) on November 18 where he will update the regional officials on Guyana’s non- compliance with the basic provisions in the bill.

(Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Ja$230 million Chinese Garden donated to Jamaica

Jamaica’s Minister of Finance Dr Peter Phillips recently signed a construction agreement on behalf of the government of Jamaica, with Hongbao Li, board chairman/general manager of China Zhengjiang International Economic Co-operation Corp Limited, for the construction of a Chinese garden at the Hope Royal Botanical Gardens in Kingston. The signing took place at the ministry of finance in Jamaica on October 23, 2013.

The construction is estimated to cost Ja$230 million and implementation of the project will be done through the Nature Preservation Foundation, which is responsible for the management of Hope Gardens. Ground-breaking for the project is expected to take place by the end of this year, while construction will be over a 14-month period.

The Chinese Garden was originally intended to be handed over on the 50th anniversary of Jamaica's Independence in August 2012 and, to also mark the 40th anniversary of formalisation of diplomatic relations between the two countries. However, implementation was delayed due to the process of securing formal approval for the project from all local regulatory agencies, which have now been secured.

The main objectives of the gift will be to enhance the friendship between Jamaica and China, promote cultural exchange, and develop another major attraction for Jamaicans and the tourism industry. (Jamaica Observer)

The signing was observed by Liu Lei, economic and commercial counsellor at the Chinese Embassy; Chinese ambassador to Jamaica Dong Xiaojun; Leslie Chung, chairman of the Nature Preservation Foundation; Darlene Morrison, Deputy financial secretary; Custos of St Andrew, Marigold Harding (partially hidden); and Helen McIntosh, technical advisor to the minister of finance.

Holness outshines Shaw to remain JLP leader

- says his victory is a signal to the Jamaican gov’t

Andrew Holness

Sunday ended all speculation about his leadership of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), defeating challenger Audley Shaw by close to 700 votes and immediately declaring that his convincing win was a signal to the government that the JLP was ready to re-assume power whenever fresh elections are called.

"Let this be a signal to the People's National Party (PNP) that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is rebuilding; that the Jamaica Labour Party is renewing itself; that the Jamaica Labour Party is preparing to be the next government of Jamaica when the elections are called," Holness told a huge crowd of supporters in the National Stadium car park after the election results were announced.

gates, and the average ‘Labourite’. I think that they felt proud that the party could have conducted this landmark election incident-free, and I think that they sense that there is renewal in the offing for the Jamaica Labour Party," he said.

Holness said that the ‘Labourites’ also sensed that, with the settlement of the leadership argument, the party now stands an excellent chance of forming the next government.

that he has committed his entire political life to the process.

Later, after the results were revealed, showing that he had trounced Shaw by 692 votes, Holness congratulated his challenger, first for taking the loss in stride, and the delegates, supporters, the party machinery, and the Electoral Office of Jamaica for the success of the process, which was a first time for the JLP.

Waves of ‘Labourites’, mostly women and youths dressed in green T-shirts bearing Holness's image, created a sea of support right

Holness, who has been dubbed 'Prince Andrew' by supporters, polled 2,704 votes to Shaw's 2,012.

across the Stadium's huge car park. They sang and danced throughout the electoral process to loud music blaring from a greencoloured truck, which continually interjected Holness's dancehall favourite, ‘Nah Follow

Nobody’ by Chronixx, while the crowd chanted, "Ah Andrew wi seh".

After casting his vote, Holness told reporters that the day was a happy one for all ‘Labourites’.

"Coming through the crowd, I sensed the jubilation of the dele-

He said that the JLP delegates are looking to the future, and want to see a new paradigm emerge in Jamaican politics, adding that whether or not their view is influenced by intellectual assessment of the issues, or layman's intuitiveness, all Jamaicans should agree with them.

Asked whether he felt that he would be the leader to take on this mission, Holness said

He acknowledged that he knew that ‘Labourites’ were concerned about the chances of the party reuniting after the tense leadership campaign. However, he accepted that "unity starts with the leader".

"This leader commits to you, the delegates of the party, that I will do everything within my power to make sure that the party is united," he stated. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Canada attracting more Caribbean students

Canada seems to be the first choice among Barbadian students looking to pursue tertiary education overseas.

This is according to Beverly Holder, International College Fair Coordinator and Guidance Counsellor at Harrison College, who spoke with the Barbadian media last week at the fair which was held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC).

“You find that the Canadian universities are on a recruiting spree at this stage. They are trying to recruit more international students because it helps their campus to become richer and deeper,” Holder said.

She added that this year, they had a higher representation of educational institutions from Canada and she believes that this may have something to do with that country being more accessible.

“A lot of students are looking towards Canadian universities and that maybe…because you find that the fees may be a bit cheaper than the USA, and then you do not have to write SATs to go the Canadian universities. For some parents, they also believe that Canada would offer their children a safer environment so they tend to go that route.”

“In England, the fees are quite high and unless your parents are

planning for it, it is not going to be financially viable for some people. Canadian universities do offer some scholarships, but they offer them depending on what you present as your qualifications from secondary school so they are going to be looking at that and if you do well at in your CXCs and CAPE, they would offer you scholarships.”

She said that when parents opt to send their children to study in England, it usually is because there are specific courses that they want to do such as medicine, because in England you can go straight into medicine whereas in Canada and the United States, you have to do four years of pre-med before you can embark on medical studies.

Law is another area of study that students go to England for, because England and Barbados has the same legal system, which would allow students to study law there and then come back to Barbados and practise.

This is the 16th year that this fair was organized. There were 45 educational institutions at the two-day event. These ranged from high schools to universities drawn mainly from Canada, but also from the United States, the United Kingdom

the

For the first time, they also

Demerara Bank reports highest profit of Gy$1.957 billion

Demerara Bank Limited in Guyana has reported Gy$1.957 billion in before tax profits for the financial year that ended September 30, an increase of 34.5.1 per cent over the previous year.

In a release, the bank said it performed remarkably well in all areas of performance.

Net Profit rose by 24.1 per cent. These significant improvements are reflected in its deposit base, which is at its highest level, with Gy$41.5 billion, a rise of 18.4 per cent when com-

pared to the past year, while loans and advances grew by 20.5 per cent.

Assets for the financial year totalled Gy$50 billion, compared with Gy$42 billion at the end of September 2012.

Interest earned on income [loans, advances and investments] over the past year totalled Gy$ 2.7 billion, Gy$300 million more than the Gy$2.4 billion earned during the preceding year.

As a consequence of the bank’s solid performance over the past financial year, shareholders’ earnings per share

increased by 24.1 per cent, to Gy$2.88 per share.

The net worth of the bank has increased from Gy$5.6 billion to Gy$6.5

billion, an increase of 16.1 per cent.

The bank, the only 100 per cent Guyaneseowned and the youngest commercial financial

institution in the banking sector, has shown great fortitude over its 19 years of existence, the release said.

“The solid perfor-

Winter crisis possible, says LIAT’s Chairman

LIAT Chairman Dr Jean Holder has admitted a “winter crisis” at the Antiguabased airline is possible.

“I am saying there can be a crisis if we don’t sit down together and sort it out. We have the time to do it. We need not have a crisis,” he said.

Speaking on a radio programme in Antigua Sunday, Holder called for pilots and other key groups to help prevent a second dose of the extended travel chaos that gripped the Caribbean region for two months this summer.

“What happened in the summer could happen (again) if LIAT and its pilots and its engineers and its flight ops department and any other relevant department, does not sit down and say ‘we at LIAT are family, we cannot allow this to happen,’” said Holder.

President of the Leeward Islands Airline

Pilots Association (LIALPA) Carl Burke, less than two weeks ago, told Antiguan media that a second meltdown was brewing at the airline because of unsolved issues.

Asked about the comments, Holder said he wouldn’t say anything “that is going to annoy anybody in any union,” but suggested the airline needs to be united to stave off pending travel chaos.

“It’s not beyond LIAT’s management and LIAT’s pilots and the engineers and so on to sit behind a table and say ‘for God’s sake let us get this right’. Let us not talk about crisis to come…but let us sit around a table and prevent that crisis,” said Holder.

The chairman said the cash-strapped carrier could ill afford another meltdown, but did not reveal the extent of the financial blow suffered

from countless flight cancellations during the busy summer period.

“The price that we paid for the summer was expensive financially, it was also expensive in terms of the perception of LIAT as a service industry, it was expensive in terms of future business,” said Holder.

And although in many cases disappointed customers will not

have another option on the many routes that LIAT flies exclusively, Holder admitted customers would be keenly searching for other alternatives.

“When you disappoint people, what you do is you ensure that when they want to have a service again, they will be looking for alternatives to your service because you did not deliver

when they needed you.”

A key reason Burke argued a second meltdown is pending is because he believes the airline is facing a shortage of pilots, but Holder argued the fleet transition is simply creating short term issues.

“I would say there is no shortage of pilots in terms of our overall complement,” said Holder, adding that transition difficulties are made worse “when you throw in the pot the fact that the old planes (Dash-8s) continue to break down every other day.”

Holder admitted the airline underestimated the difficulty of transitioning from Dash-8 to ATR aircraft, but said, “LIAT was pressured by the reality that they were flying planes that were breaking down, and there was a real urgency to get those planes out and get the new planes in.” (Antigua Observer)

mance over the last financial year was also due to the commitment and dedication of the management and staff of the bank. Our major assets are our human resources.

We continue to provide training at all levels at the bank, which will take us to greater heights in the future with an expanded net work of branches.”

Demerara Bank, which was opened in November, 1994, has six branches across the country and has plans to expand its net work, with a new head office in 2014.

Policeman caught smuggling ganja, money into Jamaican jail

Apoliceman has been arrested on suspicion of possession of and dealing in ganja and breaches of the Corrections Act in Jamaica.

The incident took place at the Portmore police lock-up Monday morning. Reports are that about 12:30 a.m. police personnel at the Portmore police station got information that contraband was being smuggled into the cells.

During the search, a fellow policeman was found with Ja$30,000 along with ganja in his possession. It was revealed that a quantity was found cut and packaged in his barrack room on the station compound. He was subsequently placed in custody. A file has being compiled and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a ruling.

The policeman's name is being withheld pending the DPP's ruling.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

Worldwide petition launched for ban on Antiguan song in TT

Antiguan band Burning Flames’ contentious single ‘Kick ‘een’ She Back Door’ is causing commotion once more. This time, one of the world’s largest online campaigning community for human rights and change, avaaz.org, is calling for the total banning of the song from the airwaves in Trinidad and Tobago.

It has described the lyrical content of the song to be endorsing violence against women at best and sexual violence against women at worst. On its Web site, a petition has been set up asking individuals for their signature in support of the song being banned from local airwaves.

Last month, the petition was forwarded to the Telecommunications Authority (TATT), along with a letter outlining opposition to the song. However, when contacted on the matter last week, the TATT said it was not in receipt of any such information and

would have to look into it. So far, the petition has gained 1,263 signatures from across the globe and has a target goal of 5,000. Some locals who have signed the petition told TT media that the song is absolutely ridiculous.

Frontline singer Caleb Hart, of Canadabased gospel band Tazman Jude, said he signed the petition several times because he outrightly rejects the message in the song. “From a musician/songwriter/lyricist’s perspective, it not only shows utter lack of creativity, but most importantly, utmost disrespect to women,” he said.

The petition stated that accepting the song is akin to endorsing and welcoming its message as a part of TT’s social attitudes towards women. It further argued that signing the petition was important because according the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), domestic violence is en-

demic in TT.

Highlighting statistics from the TT Police Service, it said 933 rapes were reported in 2012 and 337 reported in the January-August period of 2013. It said it was important that the society of TT does what it can to ensure that attitudes encouraging violence, especially sexual violence towards women, are not tolerated, propagated or institutionalised through culture.

In June 2013, Guyanese women’s group Women and Gender Equality Commission spoke out strongly against the same song, calling it illicit and seeking to promote genderbased violence. A petition for the banning of the song was also circulated a few months ago by petition platform change. org. The controversial song, which won the Antiguan Road March in 2012, was subsequently banned there and also in Barbados. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

Caribbean urged to deepen trade relations with South America, ACP grouping

Caribbean Community (Caricom) trade ministers have been urged to energise the region’s external trade policy and explore opportunities in South America, as well as deepen trade and investment relations with the African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) Group.

Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, who assumed chairmanship of the Caricom Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), said it was also necessary for the region, which is not “short on visions, orators and great speeches”, to ensure it accelerates the implementations of decisions taken to deepen the regional integration movement.

“The only direction for the Caribbean Community is forward--in all respects of the Treaty’s declared promises and common goals. The Caribbean’s history is replete with instances of regional leadership in the global community. We must rediscover the region’s natural instinct to lead and not merely follow. We are small but not insignificant.”

She noted that last

week, Grenada hosted the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) Stakeholders Consultations on the Future Perspectives of the ACP, a grouping of former European colonies that was “birthed right in Guyana, the brainchild of the Caribbean, and now seeking to review, reform and reinvent itself in the face of global changes”.

She said given the importance of COTED in Caricom’s development mandate, “cannot afford, and should not be allowed, to operate as business as usual.

Guyana-Venezuela fertiliser deal generates positive competition for Guyanese farmers

By IndrawattIe natram

Thousands of Guyanese farmers from the various rice growing areas are reaping the benefits of the Venezuela fertiliser deal that was made possible by the agriculture ministry through the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Rice Producer’s Association (RPA). Farmers are thankful to the ministry and the major rice stakeholders for creating such a competitive market, one that has made the price for fertiliser dropped significantly in Guyana.

They expressed their gratitude at a farmers’ meeting last Friday in the GRDB boardroom at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast.

West Bury farmer John Goberdhan said the intervention was timely and has fostered much competition. He explained that fertilisers are now available cheaper than last year.

Another farmer from

“As trade ministers, let us take the tough decisions and commit to the follow through. We owe it to ourselves and the people. Let us deliver real value for the people’s investment in the one Caribbean project. In this regard, COTED can and should harness the ideas and input of the Caribbean public in its policymaking and implementation process.

“Let us engage our private sector–our engine of growth, jobs and innovation. We also ask our regional private sector bodies to organize themselves so that we interact with an umbrella body of the Caribbean private sector,” she said, adding it was necessary to “energize Caricom’s external trade policy and explore opportunities in our neighbourhood in South America”.

She said there was also need to “deepen our trade and investment relations with ACP partners”, telling the regional trade ministers “in order to achieve these goals, we have to make some needful adjustments to our mode of operation, to the structure of our meetings, and the prioritization of our agenda”. (Excerpted from Caribbean News)

Perservance, Prem Sukhai, said he is happy that an intervention has been made to address their problems. The farmers say often they are being ripped-off by local fertilisers’ suppliers and they now feel a comfort, receiving representation.

Meanwhile, GRDB General Manager Jagnarine Singh called for cooperation from farmers to ensure the smooth flow of fertiliser distribution in the various regions. He made it known that fertilisers are available at different locations throughout rice growing areas and at a reasonable price.

Same price Singh said farmers in Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice have to pay the same price, despite more transportation being involved. He explained to farmers that the intervention was made to help them reduce production cost.

RPA General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj said farmers are being supplied with urea

and fertiliser at a reduced cost for the current autumn crop. He urged farmers to make the most of the offer, and reminded them that their interest will always be protected. Seeraj, using a practical example, said farmers will be saving Gy$1500 per bag of fertiliser purchased, as compared to last year.

According to Region Two GRDB superintendent, Deoram Prahalad, farmers are entitled to one bag of urea/fertiliser for each acre sown for up to 30 acres, while farmers with acreages above will not receive an additional amount.

Each farmer is being charged Gy$5000 per bag for fertiliser/urea. The officer said the GRDB Extension Department will be responsible for facilitating the payment of fertiliser made by the farmers and the actual distribution.

The senior officer said the sale of fertiliser has a procedure which is transparent and aims to help farmers. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Canada-based foundation training Guyanese nurses in burn care

Several Guyanese nurses will be undergoing training in prenatal and burn care at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation starting later this week. The training will be facilitated by two Guyanaborn overseas-based medical professionals, Registered Nurse Vernie Ally, a certified instructor in neonatal resuscitation, and Dr Peter Akai, a specialist in wound care and infectious diseases.

The programme was organised by the Guyana Burns and Health Care Charitable Foundation, which will be celebrating its 12th anniversary on Monday.

Nurse Ally will be conducting classes for 24 nurses in the areas of foetal monitoring and resuscitation programmes, preparing them for the upcoming online examinations via which they will be given Canadian accreditation.

Ally has facilitated a number of training sessions in Guyana through the foundation, but this is Dr Akai’s first visit since his migration. He will be meeting with local doctors and nurses of the GPHC’s Burn Care Unit and also reviewing the needs assessments of the hospital.

Dr Akai will be conducting three sessions on the “10 commandments” of wound care for 18 nurses from the medicine programme and three from the Burns Care Unit.

Guyana Burns and Health Care Charitable Foundation President

Harry Harakh said the benefits of this training make it worthwhile for nurses, since it will enhance their job performances, saving lives and increasing the hospital’s capacity.

Ally has been a regular volunteer at the foundation, and Dr Akai has been pushing to do something for Guyana, Harakh noted.

He said he was satisfied with the performance of the local Burns Care Unit while acknowledging its shortcomings.

“…our commitment is not to the institution, but to the patients who are burnt. When we go in there, we have to know what our options are, we either do nothing or get something done,” he stated.

The foundation’s president pointed out that it would have to get things done, since it is aiming , one day, “be the best that can be done”, noting that they were not quite there yet.

“I’m comfortable with what we have done so far and happy that we are

continuing with our commitment to have the capacity and service of the Burn Unit to be more effective in the outcomes,” he said.

Enhance skills

GPHC Chief Executive Officer

Michael Khan expressed joy at the return of the team, noting that whenever they come, they always engage in work which benefits him and his hospital.

He urged the nurses who will be undergoing the foetal monitoring and resuscitation training to work hard and take advantage of the training.

“The only thing I worry about that is that she (Nurse Ally) is upgrading you and making it easier to get into Canada when the time comes, and that’s my only worry–we can’t afford to lose our nurses to the First World, but, at least, it will enhance your skills which will make you a better nurse,” the GPHC CEO told the nurses. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Six killed in road accidents within 24-hr in TT

In less than 24 hours, on the weekend, six people including a medical doctor, lost their lives on Trinidad and Tobago’s roads in separate accidents, bringing the country’s road fatality rate to 130 for the year so far.

The deceased have been identified as Andrew Edwards, 21, William Chai, 31, Dr Lyndon Chang, 33, Amit Sooknanan, 24, Jamie Stocklin, 26, and Clint Sookhan, 19.

Chai and Chang died in an accident in Diego Martin while Sooknanan and Stocklin were killed in an accident along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway near Maritime Plaza.

Edwards and Sookhan died in two unrelated incidents in Guapo, Point Fortin and along the Uriah Butler Highway near the Caroni bridge.

According to police reports, on Saturday at about 11.30 pm, Chang, a house doctor at the Scarborough General Hospital in Tobago, was the passenger of a vehicle driven by Chai. The men were proceeding on the westbound lane when they got into an accident causing the vehicle to flip several times and plunge

into the nearby Diego Martin River.

Fire officials who arrived on the scene had to use the hydraulic cutting device to cut through the wreckage to get to the bodies. The river was as high as six feet in some places, owing to constant heavy weekend showers.

Chang’s father Frederick said his son and Chai were childhood friends, and added that Chang came to Trinidad for 12 days to celebrate his birthday, which was on November 4. Frederick said his son received a call from Chai to go out and lime.

He said his son told them he (Chang) was going to visit his friend Chai at his home in Pt Cumana, Carenage. The Changs later found out that their son also went

to St James to purchase hamburgers and it was while they were on their way home, the accident occurred.

Meanwhile, Sooknanan and Stocklin died along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway near Maritime Plaza in Barataria. According to reports, Sooknanan was driving Stocklin’s beigecoloured Nissan Cefiro car after the two were returning from a party in Aranjuez. At about 6.20 am Sunday, the car veered off the highway and crashed into a Toyota Hilux van, which was parked at the side of the road. Sooknanan and Stocklin died at the scene. Investigations into all of the fatal accident are continuing. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

Dreamliner lands in MoBay, first for Caribbean

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner landed at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay last Thursday, making Jamaica the first Caribbean country to welcome the aircraft.

The inaugural flight, from London, Gatwick, brought 291 passengers to the island. The aircraft is expected to fly into Montego Bay once per week, bringing a similar number of passengers each trip, which will boost arrivals for the upcoming winter season.

This is being made possible through partnership with Thomson Airways and its parent company TUI Travel.

Addressing industry stakeholders at a reception held at the airport to welcome the Dreamliner, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Dr Wykeham McNeill, said that the arrival of the aircraft is a positive move for Jamaica’s tourism industry.

“We are really pleased that our partners, Thomson Airways and others, have determined that Jamaica is the first

country (in the region) that the Dreamliner would be flying to and we are pleased, as this means that they are confirming and emphasizing their confidence in Jamaica,” he said.

He said that the new flight, in addition to confirmations from the new Transaero aircraft from Moscow, the Air Canada Rouge from Toronto, the Condor from Munich, and Thomas Cook, which is scheduled to arrive from Stockholm later this month, represent significant increase in airlift of over 25,000 for the winter tourist season.

Fiona Jennings, TUI external communications director, said the London Olympics have resulted in a strong customer demand for Jamaica, resulting in her company

deciding to add another flight to the four they now operate to Jamaica.

"We saw the Olympics have a real effect on customer demand from the UK. During the first few weeks of the competition, searches to Jamaica were up 32 per cent; they then continued to surge while the athletics were taking place, peaking during your triple win in the 200m sprint final and when you smashed the 4 x 100m relay world record," Jennings said.

"Due to that demand, from 2014 we will add another weekly flight to our Jamaica programme for our beach customers, making a total of five weekly flights which will help to boost Jamaica as an important destination for us and one we continue to invest in," she said. (Jamaica Observer)

Legislators propose change to strengthen Jamaica’s anti-gang law

Members of the Joint Select Committee of Parliament reviewing Jamaica’s Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Act 2013 are at one in calling for an amendment to the proposed Bill to ensure that gangs, which hold communities or individuals hostage by way of threats, can be prosecuted on those grounds alone.

The issue came up during the examination of Section 2 (b) (i) and (ii) of the Bill, called the Anti-Gang Legislation, which defines what constitutes a criminal organisation under the Act

at Gordon House last Thursday.

Based on that definition, a “criminal organisation” means any gang, group, alliance, network, combination or other arrangement among three or more persons (whether formally or informally affiliated or organised and whether or not operating through one or more bodies, corporate or other associations) that— (a) has as one of its purposes the commission of one or more serious offences; and (b) in relation to which the persons who are a part thereof or participate therein (individually, jointly or collectively) —(i) have engaged in

unlawful activity in order to obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefit or to gain power or influence; or (ii) issue threats or en-

gage in conduct to create fear or to intimidate or to exert power or influence in communities, or over other persons.

However, Opposition committee member Delroy Chuck, who led the charge, was of the opinion that the subclause should stand on its own since the activity was serious enough to warrant action by the courts.

"Am I to be convinced that if in fact a person is doing any of b (i) and b (ii), unless we can demonstrate that they are engaged in a serious offence, they can't be charged under this Act? I would remove the 'and'

and put 'or' because, if we can demonstrate that they have joined the gang to engage in a serious offence, why do we have to do more? If we can demonstrate that they have issued threats or they are threatening a community to create fear and intimidation, unless they keep quiet, shouldn't that be enough?" Chuck, who is an attorney-at-law, wanted to know.

"We know how gangs operate and take over communities is to issue threats of silence and if, in fact, it can be so demonstrated, why do we have to go further and prove that it was formed to engage in robberies or

murders?" he queried. Committee chairman, National Security Minister Peter Bunting, said the clause might have been drafted that way as a "concession" to a point made by director of the Jamaica Civil Society Coalition (JCSC) Horace Levy in an earlier consultation. In a joint presentation with rights group Jamaicans For Justice, the JCSC argued that the Bill was too wide, leaving openings for police abuse and could criminalise corner crews which, they said, are not nearly as dangerous as established gangs. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

COP suspends Prakash’s brother over allegations of collusion with PNM

Political in-

trigue within the Congress of the People (COP) of Trinidad and Tobago deepened Sunday with news that the party’s executive had suspended three members including Kishore Ramadhar, brother of COP political leader Prakash Ramadhar.

And while he said he will always have love for his brother, Ramadhar (Prakash) led the call for a “full and thorough” investigation into the conduct of the suspended three, and if the allegations prove true, he would

call for the suspended three to be expelled from the party.

This latest situation comes less than three weeks after Kishore Ramadhar—the COP’s secretary for education and research-called on his brother Prakash to resign from the COP and for the party to remove itself from the People’s Partnership coalition.

Kishore laid the blame on his brother for the COP’s defeat at the local government elections, and for destroying the party and everything it stood for in terms

The World Bank has warned that a rise in sea level could have “catastrophic effects” for the Caribbean, and would affect the poorest and most vulnerable in the region. A new study by the Washington-based financial institution has urged Caribbean nations to link risk management with social, economic and environmental initiatives in order to increase their resilience to climate change.

“Salt-water erosion and coastal flooding will be just a couple

of the most serious consequences of this phenomenon,” warned the study, noting that 70 per cent of the Caribbean population lives on the coast. It noted that in all of the main cities in the Caribbean, millions of inhabitants are less than a mile from the coast—“including, obviously, highly vulnerable cities like Portau-Prince, Haiti and Havana, Cuba.”

The World Bank stated that if the sea continues to rise at the current rate, Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican

of principles. This follows an earlier attempt by Kishore to have his

brother removed as COP leader, via a motion laid in July, but which was defeated.

According to COP sources, the suspended three are Kishore, Rudy Hanamji, Chairman of the Diego Martin West Constituency and Satu Ann Ramcharan, a founding member of the COP.

The three, according to sources, were suspended over allegations of a letter being sent to People’s National Movement (PNM) general secretary Ashton Ford, regarding the status of several COP candidates

who contested the recent local government election.

For his part, the PNM’s Ford said the claim of a letter being sent by COP executives to him, was false and he called on the COP not to seek to involve the PNM in its bacchanal.

The decision to suspend the three COP members was made Saturday during a closed door meeting of the COP’s National Executive Council.

In a brief response Sunday night, aired on CNC 3’s newscast, Kishore Ramadhar said

the most blatant disregard for the democratic process was perpetrated by the COP executive. He added that defamatory comments had been made against him and he intends to take action against this. Meanwhile, Ramcharan in a telephone interview Sunday night, categorically denied writing any letter or communicating in any way with the PNM. “It is a blatant lie and I categorically deny it,” an angry sounding Ramcharan said. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

World Bank warns Caribbean on climate change

Republic, will be one of the five cities most affected at a global level by climate change in 2050—after Alexandria, Barranquilla, Naples and Sapporo. “The Dominican Republic is already taking action to face this great challenge, but there is still much to be done,” said Jerry Meier, an expert in climate change for the World Bank.

Noting that tourism and agriculture are “the root of many Caribbean economies,” the report cautioned that coastal erosion caused by rising sea levels is “a real threat for the tourist industry.” It said that coastal erosion is “already a reality” faced by St George’s, Grenada, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Castries, St Lucia, and “above all in Cane Field, Dominica, where the airport already floods.”

In addition, the report noted that the Caribbean faces the problem of saltwater infiltration into its

freshwater, noting that the region relies heavily on rain water to refresh its freshwater reserves, “which are threatened by a rise in global sea levels.

“If they don’t act quickly, many countries face the possibility of having to finance the costly process of desalination,” it add-

ed. To improve their climate resilience, the World Bank has produced a series of recommendations. It urged that land planning be incorporated more into social programmes “to tackle how exposed they are to risk.” The bank also recommended that an economic recovery and diversification plan be established following a disaster, and that there be more investment in flood controls and preparation for changes in rainfall volume and frequency. (Caribbean News)

Odane Polson, a Jamaican first year student of the University of Technology (UTech), has had to walk the streets of Papine, downtown Kingston and St Catherine, selling chocolate bars with the goal of raising over Ja$500,000 to finance his way through UTech this academic year.

"I have done the mathematics already. There are 365 days in the year and I need over Ja$1,000 to survive per day. So I have set a limit to raise at least Ja$1,500 in profits per day which will equate to over Ja$500,000 to get me through UTech this year," Polson explained.

The 22-year-old graduate of Vere Technical High School has eight Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) passes in mathematics, English language, physics, chemistry, in-

formation technology, building technology, technical drawing and social studies.

He also has two passes at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level in information technology and communication studies.

His single mother Hazel Kelly, a former accountant, has been unemployed since Polson was enrolled at Glenmuir High School. Given that his mother was unable to finance his tertiary education, Polson said he had to find a solution, which would finance him through UTech, and selling chocolate bars seemed to have been a viable option.

"I have seen the situation with my mother. I know she can't afford to send me to UTech and I don't want to pressure her. So in January I decided to start selling chocolates," the young entrepreneur proudly stated.

"I have been

scorned by some of my friends, but after I began to explain the mathematics and outline my ultimate plan from doing this, they began to encourage me," he added.

Challenges, he said, have always been part of his life since childhood, but he always overcomes them.

Polson said he has been seasoned into poverty, but is determined to rise above it.

"I am determined to complete my degree and get a job in the construction industry. I will not give up. I would love if I could get some assistance, but I won't wait, I'm trying to make profits from my chocolate sales, no matter how little it is, and finance some of my costs myself," Polson said.

He added: "I survive because of my determination. I am determined to get a better life and determined to make a better life for my mother." (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

President Donald Ramotar, accompanied by acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce

Minister Irfaan Ali and Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA) General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj Saturday evening livened up the inaugural Leguan Nite, singing two songs, one of which was “Leguan Baboo”.

Along the edges of the venue were booths to interest patrons while lucky ticket patrons won various prizes. The Shakti Strings Orchestra

entertained the crowd.

Leguan Nite is the brainchild of Ali, a native of the island whose idea it is to build a unique tourism product in an area that has made a significant contribution to Guyana’s economy in the productive sector.

A committee was subsequently formed comprising various stakeholders and planning of the event got underway.

Included on the agenda was a pageant contested by nine delegates, who appeared before the audience and a panel of judges, introducing

themselves, their platforms and proud sponsors.

Ramotar, who frequented the island in the company of his father on business ventures as a young boy, was pleased with the hosting of an event that is aimed at promoting communitybased tourism.

An almost identical event is hosted yearly on the nearby Wakenaam Island, attracting many over the years.

It is an initiative the government continues to encourage in rural areas, particularly those

birding and other adventures are enjoyed by many tourists.

In his address at the opening night, Ramotar explained the new course on which the economy is heading, and the role the tourism sector is already playing.

“The base of our economy is now much broader; not only do we depend on sugar, rice and

and the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project for cheaper and reliable electricity, the government is intending to expedite the process by which Guyana can further develop.

Residents were encouraged to look forward to a bright future and amid problems, be proud of the contribution the island has been making

with potential tourism hotspots to adopt, given its appeal to nature lovers from abroad who have grown too accustomed to sand and sea.

Model

The Rewa Eco Lodge in the north Rupununi is a model example of a community-based tourism product managed by residents of the area where fishing, hiking,

bauxite, but many other sectors have become important contributors… and have become new areas of growth and development in our society,” Ramotar said.

With the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the construction of the Marriott International Hotel in the making

in the agriculture sector.

Leguan Secondary School made it in the category of top performing schools at the last Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations with Alana Babulall copping 11 subjects, 10 of which were distinctions, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Canada-based Guyanese writer and educator Kennard Ramphal has announced the launch of a book ‘Imprints in Life's Journey’, which was written by him and two of his siblings. The publication, a collection of short stories, would be launched in Toronto on December 1, 2013 at the Windies Restaurant in Scarborough (3330 Lawrence Avenue East, Scarborough at Lawrence and Bellamy).

The book, according to a release from the authors, features stories written by Ken himself, the author of a short story collection ‘Teacher Ram's Fascination with Fire’ and contributor to the Caribbean poetry anthology ‘Roraima’; his sister Barbara Verasami, a retired teacher based in New York city, and his brother Dwarka Ramphal a college professor and Christian pastor in North

Carolina, USA.

“The majority of the stories are based on experiences in Toronto, New York, and North Carolina, with just one being the story of a young girl's triumph over adversity in Guyana,” the release indicated.

Noting the upcoming book launch, the authors stated that “interested members of the public are invited to at-

tend and hear excerpts from the book and comments by the authors, and of course get their signed copies of ‘Imprints in Life's Journey.’

“Ken considers this to a unique publication from the Caribbean community in North America, because it is one of the few occasions that siblings have contributed towards a work of literature, and because the focus

Based on popular U.S. talent competition, the local version of American Idol was staged in Trinidad for the first time and was a tremendous success.

Staged through last month at Carnival City Ultra Lounge, in Gulf City, La Romaine, IDOL showcased approximately 50 contestants, displaying a wide variety of talent including singing, dancing, drumming, acrobatics, and even football skills and flair technique.

On a night of singers, seven out of a dozen, each with an excellent voice, the judges selected drummer Javin

is on the immigrant experience in Canada and the United States rather than nostalgia about the life in the Caribbean many years ago,” the release went on to add.

Dwarka's observations as an Guyanese-born pastor working in mainstream North Carolina Christian church are also very unusual for Caribbean literature.

The stories in the book

Neptune and his troupe as winner of the inaugural IDOL competition and TT$10,000 first prize.

A vocalist, Roger Johnson, a veteran of the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition and Scouting for Talent, copped the first runner-up prize with a very dramatic and elaborate interpretation of ‘You Raise Me Up’. Costumed in traditional convict

Sdetail the often negative experiences of Caribbean immigrants in North America, even in the church. However, they are not stories of defeat, but tales of overcoming adversity in a strange new land, the authors related.

“They make no attempt to sugar coat the immigrant experience in Canada or the United States, with Barbara making stinging observations about hypocrisy in the USA, and Dwarka finding the administrators of the church to be not as Christian as he expected,” the authors emphaised.

“Ken himself produces a vivid story about a man with Alzheimer’s who is placed by his family in strange territory in a Canadian seniors' home, and a fabulous tale of a young Guyanese girl scorched by scandal, but yet able to rise above it through effort of will and heart,” they added.

stripes, dynamic dance duo Dren had to settle for third place.

Award winners included Dren (Best Dance); Cindy Edwards (Best Vocalist); Jarvin Neptune (Best Instrumentalist); and Ralva Baptiste (Most Unusual Act).

Other runnersup were Aleah Lewis, Ralva Baptiste, Cindy Edwards, Allison Delicia, Bertille Hunte, Akeisha Lewis, UBDC,

ome of the winners of the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) Culinary Arts Exhibition and Professional Cook-Off will gain further exposure for themselves and their work during the staging of the Food, Wine and Rum Festival later this month.

This was revealed by Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation, Cranston Browne as he gave remarks last Friday at the official launch of the 2013 NIFCA Culinary Arts Exhibition and Professional CookOff at Sky Mall.

“This year the top four professional chefs from the cook off will be a part of the line-up at the Food, Wine & Rum [Festival’s] Sizzle Street event at Queen’s Park on Saturday, November 23. In addition, some of the top winners exhibiting here will also have a chance to see their products and have some commercial activity at this same Sizzle Street event.”

Browne also noted that the partnership between the two festivals is a beneficial one.

“The Culinary Arts Exhibition, a staple on the NIFCA calendar, also makes November a time about celebrating our local chefs, their cre-

Miguel Rivello and Lesleyann Guy, respectively.

The final was judged by Stephen Marcelle, Moricia Cagan, Nigel O’Connor, Natasha Benjamin, Jerome Bissessar and celebrity judges Marvin Lewis and Ziggy Rankin. With emcee chores done by Emile Mr Voice, a surprise performance was done by Marvin Lewis and Ziggy Rankin. (TT Guardian)

barbados’ Food, wine and rum Festival will be staged at Queen’s Park on saturday, november 23

ations and local cuisine. This is also supported in November by the Food, Wine and Rum Festival which showcases Barbadian culinary talent during this month. We have partnered with the Food, Wine and Rum Festival for the first time this year to establish some linkages between the two…We believe that it would give our local professional chefs more opportunities to showcase their talents at both festivals, and turn the spotlight on the local culinary industry at a time when we are promoting all things ‘Bajan’. This could only be beneficial for the local chefs since they will get more exposure to an international market,” he further explained. (Barbados Advocate)

Canada-based Guyanese Kamil Ali is living his dreams of being a writer, and he encourages youths to persevere in making their dreams come true.

Kamil was born in Kingston, Georgetown in British Guiana. After attending high school and University of Guyana, he migrated to Canada in the early 80s, and now resides in Ontario with his family.

“I have always been a prolific reader and always kept a dictionary close at hand. I was fortunate to attend Saint Stanislaus College, which had a strong influence on my latent talent for writing and brought out the creativity in me. The environment was conducive to the arts. I recalled playing the Bishop in a house-play called ‘The Bishops Candlestick’. We also did elocution con-

Born and raised in Woodbrook at Hunter Street, Prof Dr Anthony Kalloo attended Woodbrook Presbyterian before moving on to Fatima College. He taught science, physics and chemistry for one year at St Joseph Convent in Port-of-Spain, but his heart was far from wanting to remain in that profession.

“There were many reasons why I became a doctor. The compassion for others I learned from my mother. Seeing sick relatives and how much they could not depend on the healthcare system. And me just wanting to add more meaning to my life through helping others,” he articulated. Kalloo said after teaching, he began engineering school at UWI St Augustine. After a few months, however, he realised it was not the ‘thing’ for him. He switched to medicine.

In medical school, he decided to become a gastroenterologist.

He graduated from UWI with a medical degree and later completed his residency in internal medicine at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC. Today, Kalloo, 68, is a professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University. He is also the director of the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at Johns Hopkins Hospital for the past nine years.

tests, which brought out the poet in me,” Ali related in a recent interview with Guyanese media.

“At UG, I was a biology major and chemistry

In his career which spans near 35 years, Kalloo has also been the recipient of many awards and accolades for his contribution to medicine. Among them were the distinguished educator of the year award from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Caribbean American Heritage Award (CARAH), which he received in 2009 for excellence in medicine.

Notes

He has multiple patents and ideas that are now in practice in gastroenterology and endoscopy, but to date he records his proudest accomplishment as his breakthrough discovery called Notes (Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery).

“This is the concept of doing surgery without incision. If you think about endoscopic surgery, the way it is practiced is by making incisions either into the abdominal or chest wall. What we found with lapa-

addition to Certification in Specialty fields of insurance,” he continued.

Kamil’s passion for writing started in high school due to his love for reading. As an ardent reader of mostly books on paranormal, Kamil was inspired to pen ‘The Appointed Collection’. He later published ‘Profound Vers-A Tales’ in which he shares his philosophical ideas.

“In December 2008, I published ‘Profound Vers-A Tales’. It contains 12 poems covering a variety of topics. There are storytelling poems dealing with morality and human tragedy and an assortment of philosophical topics,” Ali explained.

minor for two years before migrating to Canada. I am a financial planner/ broker and I have an insurance industry designation called CAIB, in

His second book ‘The Initiates’ was recently published by eTreasures Publishing as an e-book soon to become available in print.

“It is the first book of ‘The Appointed

Collection’ which will consist of five novels, and will encompass the genres of paranormal occult, fantasy, thriller, and indications are trending toward a young adult readership. The second novel of the series is called, ‘The Order of the Mirror’, which is completed and in the editing stages,” he disclosed.

Kamil believes he is a citizen of the world with universal beliefs. He is on an eternal quest for knowledge and feels an obligation to share his findings for the benefit of anyone willing to acknowledge his offerings.

“Writing is more a passion than a therapy. I do my writing between four and seven every morning. This is the time when my inspiration is at peak. I am in my zone, without distraction,” he indicated.

He is already plan-

ning his third piece of work, ‘Gateway to the Dark Site’, the third of the series of ‘The Appointed Collection’, which should be released about a year after ‘The Order of the Mirror’.

“I have also planned, at the recommendation of my wife, to convert ‘The Beggar’, a poem from “Profound VersA-Tales”, to a novel format,” he revealed.

The writer said his biggest inspiration has always been his father.

(Excerpted from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Students helping to improve UWI

roscopic surgeries was that if you made smaller incisions, patients recovered faster and they had less pain,” explained Kalloo. He said the idea of Notes is to do surgery without incision and to do surgery through the natural orifices.

“So as a gastroenterologist, I do a procedure called endoscopy where I put a tube with a light and I look inside the stomach and intestines, but the difference was that I used that scope to make an incision through the stomach and enter into the peritoneal cavity where you can do gall bladder removal, removal of the appendix or tubal ligation,” said Kalloo.

He stated for gastroenterologists or endoscopists to make a hole in the intestine was considered a major complication for the patient because an incision into the intestines can cause leakage of acid into the peritoneal cavity.

“No one thought my method was possible or feasible, and part of my early work I started about 15 years ago was to show that using certain techniques can actually make it feasible and better for the patient with regard to infections,” said Kalloo.

The procedure has since been performed on over 3,000 patients worldwide, and Kalloo published a textbook on Notes last year. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

The University of the West Indies (UWI) has been benefiting from a campaign run by students on its four campuses in the Caribbean.

The campaign, titled ‘Footprints: Students for Development’, is executed by the UWI Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) Vice Chancellor's Ambassador Corps programme.

UWI STAT ambassadors are the Vice Chancellor's student representatives at Cave Hill in Barbados, St Augustine in Trinidad, Mona in Kingston, and the Western Jamaica campus in Montego Bay.

Through the annual Footprints campaign, UWI STAT ambassadors raise money which is donated to worthy causes on the campuses.

At last Thursday's launch of the 2013/2014 Footprints campaign at Mona, the ambassador corps handed over a cheque for Ja$30,000 to the campus library.

UWI STAT ambassador Sherry Perrier said the Footprint campaign, which was established in 2005, has been one of the most significant in the history of the UWI.

"Footprint: Students for Development is currently the first

regional student-giving campaign in the history of UWI designed to encourage students' participation in campus development," she told guests at the launch.

She further explained that the Footprints campaign funds raised have gone toward student bursaries as well as improving the main library.

"For the 2013/2014 campaign students will choose any faculty, initiative or service that they would like to see improved and the top choice identified by the majority of the students then becomes the Footprints goal," she said.

Campus Librarian Leona BobbSemple said the initiative has helped the library over the years as this is the second such monetary donation, with the first being Ja$55,000 which, like this, was used to boost the library's book collection.

Bobb-Semple said it has since become a very popular area for students.

Vice-Chancellor Professor E Nigel Harris, in lauding the efforts of the Footprint campaign, said the Ja$30,000 donation is more than the alumni have contributed. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Anew reality show ‘Caribbean Wives of South Florida’ will premiere in New York on November 15.

The show, produced by Maxine Tulloch, president Florida-based Tulloch Media Communications, was influenced by the popularity of American reality TV shows such as ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’, ‘Real Housewives of New Jersey’, among others.

This new series boasts a cast featuring six successful women, three Jamaicans and the others from Grenada and Haiti--Kendra Parker (Jamaica), Carmel Moise (Haiti), Dale Forrester (Grenada), Bridgette Cadet-Young (Haiti), Jeneva Gordon (Jamaica) and Terryann Ramirez (Jamaica).

"The show looks at the triumphs, trials and tribulations of marriage, careers, raising their children and cultural challenges in America. With roots in Jamaica, Haiti, Grenada, the Dominican Republic, plus husbands linked to Trinidad, Grenada and America starring in the pilot, the show aims to join an ever-increasing number of reality shows already on the air," said a report from New York Daily News.

“Caribbean Wives is unique. It’s different because there is nothing like it—Hollywood wants the high drama, the fights, the ridiculous conflicts, shock behaviour—we bring none of that to the

production,” explained Tulloch.

“Yes, there are conflicts, but they are played out differently, the Caribbean way, with class and dignity; our culture dictates how we behave and it is shown in our production—we are different, America has never seen the Caribbean in its true form. In this production, we expressed the culture as best as possible.”

Tulloch, who is Jamaican, said her aim in producing this show was to achieve respect and recognition for the Caribbean and Caribbean nationals. She added that whenever Americans want to

cast or portray a Caribbean character, they turn to an American actor to play the part, and this should not be so.

"Caribbean people are talented in all areas of the arts, science, education, business, sports, military and government, and should be recognized for such… yet Caribbean-American people remain invisible and under-represented in the television entertainment industry,” Tulloch said.

‘The Caribbean Wives of South Florida’ pilot will screen at Hunter College's Kay Playhouse in New York. (Jamaica Observer)

The Caribbean joined the rest of the world in observing Remembrance Day (Armistice Day)

Sunday with various activities and events in each country, as they all paid tribute to World Wars I and II victims and other fallen soldiers.

In Guyana, President Donald Ramotar led a large gathering at the Cenotaph in Georgetown, where there was a wreath laying ceremony, two minutes of silence and a march past.

“On this Sunday of Remembrance Day, we meet again to remember all those gallant men and women who gave their lives in two world wars. We are forever in debted to them for their supreme sacrifice in the cause of peace and freedom,” Ramotar said in his Remembrance Day statement.

November

By Anu Dev

Well it’s November again, and apart from being the month of my birth, November is also chockfull of other such important events. It’s Remembrance Day on Monday and I remember at QC there’s the Remembrance Day Ceremony where the Youngest Boy and Girl have to march down the aisle to lay wreaths in honour of those who have died for our freedom.

All too often, we forget that nations are built on the sacrifices of the generations who preceded us. And it’s for this reason I’ve always been quite teed off by Guyanese, especially fellow students, who’ve benefited from those sacrifices, yet so casually emigrate and forget their native land.

In Guyana, November is also set aside as “Tourism Month”. Living all my life in Guyana, I guess I’ve never been as appreciative of all the natural beauty and fantastic sights that we have in Guyana as I probably should have been. But to be fair, it’s a little hard to walk around in perpetual awe over the beauty of your surroundings when the person walking right in front of you just dropped their empty Corn Curls bag right onto the street. We really need to cut down on littering – it really is pretty disgraceful – not to mention unhealthy. But nonetheless, we have a beautiful country. I remember on our fifth form geography trip down to Lethem, all of us were awestruck by the mountains, the freshness of the air and the all-round good feeling we had just being there. If the Kanuku Mountains left me speechless, then the sunrise in Lethem took my breath away completely. Sure we had to ‘rough it’ and toughen up a bit, but it was worthwhile – I couldn’t ask for a better set of people to endure the 18-hour trip with!

And on my flight back to Trinidad on Monday, looking out of the window, I was awed by how Guyana looked just spread out below us, with its rivers just winding through the forested land. But also how fragile the coast was, protected as it was from the tumultuous Atlantic just by mangrove and that sliver of sea wall.

He added too, “We also recall with gratitude those who, through the years, have made similar personal sacrifices in the continuing struggle for human dignity, social justice, and freedom from all forms of oppression, wherever these exist.”

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Trinidad, there was a Remembrance Day Parade at Memorial Park, Port-of-Spain. It was attended by acting President Timothy Hamel-Smith, Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar; Acting Chief Justice of Trinidad and

and

others.

Similar observances were held in Jamaica, Barbados and other Caribbean states.

Guyana has so many beautiful sights to see and places to be – the land itself has done half of the work, all we Guyanese have to do is to market the beauty! Every year my family takes a vacation in another part of Guyana.

Also, being abroad has given me a greater appreciation for Guyanese cooking. We really do have some of the best food in Guyana. And that’s something we really need to emphasise when persons visit Guyana. I do think we should stress our local foods much more – but surely our chefs can be a bit more creative.

We might have to pander a bit to some unadventurous taste buds, but I’m sure most tourists really want to experience authentic Guyanese culture. Then, of course, we’d be perking up our local farmers. Being away from home has made me miss it of course, and it also allowed me to view Guyana through new eyes when I visit. I’m looking for the changes, for the improvements, I’m more appreciative of this country that I grew up in. And imagine I’ve only been away for two months! I can only imagine what the feeling must be like for Guyanese that visit Guyana after living abroad for years.

After his first visit in seven years, my father kissed the ground on deplaning.

We have a glorious country, full of rich heritage and wonder. So let’s remember that this November, and this Tourism Month, maybe we can do a bit of touring and visit parts of our country that we’ve never visited before.

Happy November!

Shahrukh Khan, who is known for expressing his thoughts on Twitter, took to the micro blogging site to wish his son Aryan ‘happy birthday’.

Hollywood actors are no longer shying away from television shows. According to reports, the latest to join the brigade is actress/ MP Jaya Bachchan. Like her husband Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya will make her debut in a show co-produced by their production house.

A source said, “While the shooting for Big B's show is on, Jayaji's show is at a nascent stage. It's yet to be decided whether it will be a daily or a weekly one. The show is not a typical saas-bahu drama and she will be seen as a strong personality. The channel and the production house are fiercely guarded about the project.” (TOI)

Aryan turned 16 Tuesday, November 12, and about the same SRK tweeted, “My little son has turned 16 today & I hope he learns fast that tomorrow always comes and today is never yesterday.”

SRK has always been known as a possessive father and in the past, he had expressed concerns for his son. Shah Rukh Khan was worried that Aryan may not be able to ‘handle himself at a party’.

The worried father shared his woes on his Facebook page: “Is it normal to feel, my son won't be able to handle himself at a party & I should be there disguised as a fly on the wall to look after him.” (TOI)

Ranveer’s Johnny Depp obsession

Arjun Kapoor has a special nickname for Ranveer Singh and it happens to be Johnny Depp! Ranveer's fetish for hats seems to be the reason. The ‘Ram-Leela’ actor said, “Arjun keeps teasing me, ‘Baba, you

are the Johnny Depp of India’. He loves taking my case.”

About his obsession for fedoras, he added, “It happened accidentally. I have been collecting fedoras since I was a kid. I love hats. I love different sh*t. I dislike the preppy stuff—clean shaven, polo T-shirt, loafers etc. I like anything that's distinctive. Besides, I love Johnny Depp. I could count him as one of my favourites.”

Apparently, his most favourite actor happens to be Deepika Padukone. He joked, “Deepika is my favourite. Even in Hollywood, it's Deepika Depp or Johnny Padukone.” (TOI)

Kareena Kapoor's romance and marriage with Saif Ali Khan made headlines, but the actress says she prefers to stay away from the limelight.

The 33-year-old actress, who married long-time partner Saif, 43, last year, said she never concentrated on image building and gets completely foxed when people talk about public relation skills.

"I don't know why people feel that I am snooty. I am not a person who has ever given an interview on image building. I have never been that person as I am very confident of what I do. People do PR, but I get completely foxed. I don't know how to do it. I stay away from the limelight as I think my work should speak on my behalf," Kareena said in a recent interview.

Kareena has made a mark in Bollywood by starring in films like ‘Asoka’, ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’, ‘Chameli’, ‘Omkara’, ‘Jab We Met’ and ‘Talaash’.

The actress said she always nurtured the dream of becoming an actress and her parents, Randhir Kapoor and Babita, supported her decision. She

To lend authenticity to the plot of Singh Saab’s ‘The Great’, Sunny Deol shot some crucial scenes with real life criminals in actual lockups located in Daman and Bhopal. While this is not a first for the actor, he says the experience was unnerving.

“I've shot in real jails earlier too.

Turning to literature for stories will provide a breath of fresh air to Indian cinema, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan said.

“It is exciting to know that many young filmmakers in Bengal, with new ideas and new vision, are again turning to literature for inspiration. There is expectation for a breath of fresh air and exceptional stories once again, and that shall overwhelm cinema in India,” Bachchan said after inaugurating the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) recently.

He said young filmmakers, not just in Bengal, but all over the country may like to symbolically look upon those who make films based on

stories from literature.

Giving the example of late maverick filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh, he said Ghosh gave Bengali cinema a completely new ray of hope and often looked at literary works for motivation. “His ‘Chokher

Bali’ and ‘Naukadubi’ based on Tagore's fiction are very fine examples. Contemporary writers like Suchitra Bhattacharya and Shirshendu Mukherjee also became a source of inspiration for him,” Bachchan said. (TOI)

added that it was an old thought that women in the Kapoor clan were not allowed to act.

"My parents are very modern. My father is a cosmopolitan person. He always supported the fact that I will be an actress. There is nothing else I would do rather than be an actor. I am passionate about acting. Girls in our family are not allowed to act is quite an outdated thought to have. They did it till my mother, but now no more," she said. (TOI)

It's an eerie experience as there is pain and agony all around. This time, even though I knew that I was there temporarily for the shoot, it was still psychologically disturbing,” said Sunny, who plays an honest IAS officer fighting corruption in this film.

Getting permission to shoot at these locations was not easy. Director Anil Sharma said, “It was quite a process. Identity cards were given to the crew and they were thoroughly frisked before being allowed to enter the jail premises. We even shot in an 'anda' cell, which has very little space. It requires immense patience to shoot in such a cramped location.”

Interestingly, while Sunny did not interact with any of the inmates this time around, he said he did have a conversation with a criminal during a previous shoot. “He told me about how he had murdered a family member in a fit of rage. That moment of anger blinded him and landed him behind bars. He felt very guilty,” the actor related. (TOI)

‘I want everyone to be scared of me’

Indo-Canadian adult film star-turned-actress Sunny Leone is pretty excited about her film ‘Ragini MMS 2’ and hopes that the audience will be scared of her for the first time in the movie.

"I am very excited about ‘Ragini MMS 2’. It has been one year we have been shooting the film, the promo, doing different things to release a huge film coming next year in January 2014. I want everyone to be scared of me for the first time," the 32-yearold said.

- Sunny Leone

‘Press should be avoided like cancer’ - Alec Baldwin

Actor Alec Baldwin has spoken out against the press, insisting that it should be avoided like cancer.

The 55-year-old, who has made a documentary about the movie industry called 'Seduced and Abandoned,' said that it is more difficult now than ever to do deal with the media, reported Digital Spy.

“Now it's a lot harder to protect yourself. The shell you have to wear to get through this business-I go out the door everyday and I've got the New York Post and Fox News trying to destroy my reputation, making false accusations against me and things like that.

“You look at Leo [DiCaprio] or Russell Crowe or anybody who really is at the top of the pile; they avoid the press as much as possible. You avoid the press, you treat the press like cancer because the press's goal is out to illuminate,” he said in an interview with BBC.

Baldwin went on to explain how his relationship with the tabloids has changed since he first found fame.

“The tabloid press was like a little

section of seats in a theatre and the rest was legitimate press, and now it's divided in half. Half the press are malicious and out to destroy you. They want to trip you and when you fall down the stairs, they want to cheer,” he added.

“That's a very, very, very haunting reality for someone in my position to deal with. The way you survive is by avoiding the press. You don't see Leo DiCaprio go on Letterman-he does as much of that as he needs to. The press should be avoided like a disease.” (TOI)

Pamela Anderson says new look symbolises fresh start

Fstar Pamela Anderson wants to start a new chapter of her life after rekindling her relationship with her ex-hus-

band Rick Salomon.

The 46-year-old animal rights activist, who chopped off her long locks, unveiled her new pixie cut this week and admitted her dramatic makeover is symbolic of a fresh start, reported Femalefirst.

“I just thought, you know, my hair had had a life. And I wanted to kind of put that behind me and start fresh. And I thought it'd be good for the marathon. And it was,” she said.

The former Playboy model also proudly showed off the medal she got at ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’, she bagged after completing the New York City Marathon in Central Park last weekend.

“The last five miles were like giving birth. It was like giving birth and then being told to run as you're giving birth. It was so much pain. My hips! I don't know if women are meant to run, especially after giving birth.” (TOI)

Nicole Kidman befriends Katie Holmes

Nicole Kidman has become friends with Katie Holmes.

The actresses---both exwives of Hollywood star Tom Cruise--have reportedly been in contact by phone and enjoy gossiping with each other about their families and careers.

A source said: “[They had] a really nice conversation. They talked a little about what it was like being married to Tom and have stayed in touch ever since.

“'They haven't discussed intimate issues like sex, and mostly chit chat about their kids and what's going on in their lives.”'

Nicole has adopted Isabella, 20, and Connor, 18, with Tom and Sunday, five and Faith, two, with her present husband Keith Urban, while Katie-the ‘Top Gun’ star's third wife---has daughter Suri, seven, with the star, who she split from in June 2012.

The insider said that they would

even consider starring in the same movie together. They friend added to National Enquirer magazine: “It would blow people's minds to have two of Tom's exes in the same film.” (TOI)

Julia Roberts has opened up about her private life saying that it's her privilege and honour to cook three meals a day for her family.

The ‘Erin Brockovich’ star told director Ryan Muphy in an interview for Marie Claire, that it's a luxury on a level that she didn't even realize, as it can be relentless for her on some days, the New York Daily News reported.

Roberts said that one has pride in how they take care of their family.

The actress also revealed that she

Actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis are reportedly planning to give a royal touch to their

Actress-fashion designer Ashley Olsen chose to stay away from acting because she was unable to give “100 percent of her time” to the entertainment industry.

The 27-year-old star, who along with her twin sister Mary-Kate first appeared on the US TV aged just nine months in ‘Full House’, was last seen in 2004 movie ‘New York Minute’.

She admitted that she couldn't give her full commitment to the big screen because of her fashion business.

Ashley co-founded four successful lines----The Row, Elizabeth and James, Olsenboye and StyleMint--- with her sister.

“I was reading scripts, and ultimately I just said to the people who are representing me, ‘I need to do things

Bdoesn't feed too much into her fame, and chooses to stay away from Googling herself. (TOI)

wedding.

The couple, who is close to Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter Princess Beatrice and her boyfriend Dave Clark, are reportedly eager for a royal affair of their own, after falling in love with Britain, where Kunis recently filmed new movie ‘Jupiter Ascending’.

“They both adored Kate and William's wedding, and wanted to do something similar for themselves. They don't want a big flashy wedding, but they liked the idea of marrying somewhere historic like a castle,” contactmusic.com quoted a source as saying.

“But then Princess Beatrice suggested the Orangery at Kensington Palace and Mila and Ashton think it's the perfect setting. They want a small ceremony in front of just a few family and friends,” the source added. (TOI)

100 percent. I don't feel like I can give you 100 percent of my time,’” femalefirst.co.uk quoted Ashley as saying.

“There's a lot of compromise in the entertainment industry. I can't sit in this room and audition for this part.” (TOI)

is married to ‘The Proposal’ star Ryan Reynolds, was invited by U.S. first lady Michelle Obama to appear on a starstudded panel alongside film producer Harvey Weinstein, ‘The View’ host Whoppi Goldberg and ‘Skyfall’ star Naomie Harris for a 'Careers In Film Symposium' workshop.

The former ‘Gossip Girl’ star helped to educate a group of high school students visiting Washington D.C. from New York and Boston about what it is like to work in the movie industry, according to EOnline.com.

The blonde beauty looked stunning in an unusual black dress and minimal make-up.

Blake recently confessed she doesn't need to do much to look good and eats chocolate every day. (TOI)

Young blind Guyanese Leroy Phillips elated to represent his country and those with disabilities

Although living with a disability since he was six, Guyanese Leroy Phillips, a broadcaster at the State-owned NCN and a member of Guyana’s blind cricket team, continues to exude optimism and continues to amaze many with his conviction and dedication in never allowing his disability to deter him from doing great things.

One of his recent achievements was visiting Nairobi, Kenya. It was an unforgettable trip made possible by the Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Young Voices (LCD/YV), an international movement of more than 1,200 young people worldwide with disabilities. The organisation speaks out for the rights of people around the world living with disabilities.

In a recent interview with Guyanese media, the 23-year-old said he is fortunate and thankful to be given numerous

opportunities to travel around Guyana and internationally through the Young Voices (Guyana) group.

“My experience of being in Nairobi, Kenya,

deal of time understanding the language. The Nairobi experience was one to remember for a lifetime. Not very often I hear or know of opportunities like these being

Young Voices to continue its work because of the support and services it provides for those with disabilities.

He also mentioned that learning about the

for the four days or so was awesome. While in Nairobi I spent most of my time networking with people from the various parts of Africa and other continents.

I even spent a great

offered to people, particularly those living with disabilities,” he said.

Support for disabled

The Young Voices’ member said that it is important for the Leonard Cheshire Disability’s

Hamzad Mohammed’s dedication to his students over the years was recognised as he was named Teacher of the Year in Trinidad and Tobago Saturday night. Mohammed was bestowed with this honour during the Frank Seepersad Memorial Teacher of the Year award ceremony 2013 hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association at Cascadia Hotel, St Anns.

An emotional Mohammed accepted the award where he was among four other finalists. Clearly shaken, Mohammed a teacher, at San Fernando ASJA Primary School for the past 21 years said he was an advocate for TTUTA “to the bone.”

Feature speaker, teacher, lecturer and comedian, Peter Kelly called for teachers to be recognised, saying teachers should be proud of their calling to educate.

“When people are called to teach they should be proud and embrace that calling. Teaching is regarded as a highest calling,” Kelly said, adding that teachers should be paid tribute for what they do.

TTUTA President Devanand Sinanan said teachers must be recognised for the critical role they played as they were unsung heroes. “While we may never be able to truly compensate our teachers, we must pay tribute to teachers who make a difference despite having to make sacrifices.

“Teaching must be held as the premier occupation while one will be recognised as a hero, there are many oth-

ers who are labouring in the vineyards. Take time out to tell a fellow teacher, well done,” Sinanan said. He said the winner of the Teacher of the Year award must be prepared to be held up as a symbol of hope. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

strong conviction from all those who have disabilities.

One of the main purposes of being in Nairobi, Leroy recalled, was to formulate a plan that will sustain LCD/YV beyond its current funding.

“When I was six and had lost my sight, I didn’t think that I would get opportunities to travel and be able to represent my country at international forums.

Living his dreams

organisation’s development over the years and its significant achievements helped to cement the fact that Young Voices is not only being promoted by voices, but by pertinent ideas and

St Andrew’s Scots Kirk in downtown Kingston is celebrating its 200th anniversary this month and several activities have been planned to mark the occasion. Chief among them are a banquet on Friday, November 15, at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston, starting at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and entertainment by Fab 5, as well as the anniversary service and luncheon on Sunday, November 17, starting at 10 a.m. at the church, 43A Duke Street with alternative entrance on Mark Lane, facing Church Street.

St Andrew's Scots Kirk (United Church) has had a long and colourful history in the life of the city.

In the past 50-60 years, some prominent pastors---foreign and local---have ministered from its pulpit for extended periods. In the '50s and early '60s, the resident pastor was a Scotsman, Rev Mungo Garrick, and he was succeeded by another Scotsman, Rev Alistair McTavish. In later years, there was a shift to Jamaican-born pastors, including the Reverend Earl Thames, the Reverend Gordon Cowans and the current pastor, the Reverend Dr Ralph Hoyte, who has been at the helm

I’m happy and thankful to the Guyana Society for the Blind (GSB), Guyana Blind Cricket, and Young Voices for the work being done for persons with disabilities. These organisations have done a lot for me and others who have dis-

abilities. My encouragement for those with disabilities is to get yourself involved in organisations that will help you develop as an individual.

I have never allowed my disability to stop me from achieving my dreams.

I’m currently part of GSB’s CSEC project and will be sitting my exams next year, and then I want to go on to UG to do a degree in public communications.

The sky is the limit and with the support from the organisations I’m part of and from family and friends, there is no stopping me,” expressed a confident Leroy. (Excerpted from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

for the past 18 years.

In addition to various outreach programmes within the Central Kingston community over the years, Scots Kirk has been home to several uniform groups, including the Girl Guides and Boys' Brigade.

For many years, the 41st Jamaica Company of the Boys' Brigade was captained by Alvin Henry, who recently received a national honour for his long and dedicated service to the organisation.

The Boys' Brigade has shaped the lives of many young men from surrounding inner-city communities such as Southside, Tel Aviv and also West Kingston. One such ex-member is Winston Jones, who is visiting from Atlanta, Georgia, to join in the

celebration. He recalls:

"I grew up not far from Scots Kirk on Maiden Lane and as a young boy in the sixties, joined the 41st Jamaica along with my older brother.

"The Boys' Brigade had a positive effect on our young lives. It not only taught us Christian values, self-esteem, discipline, and the ability to get along with each other, but we also had fun growing up in that environment, especially when all the companies went on camping trips to places like Lucea, MoBay, and Port Antonio," he concluded.

Scots Kirk was also home to the distinguished organist and choir master, Lloyd Hall for many, many years. Hall died in November 2010. (Caribbean News)

Antigua and Barbuda was among hundreds of destinations showcased at the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) Expo at the Orlando Convention Center, last week. For the 7th consecutive year, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) partnered with The Women Divers Hall of Fame Annual Gala Auction, one of the premier events at DEMA.

Each year, this spectacular event dubbed 'Tropical Dreams and Paradise Sunsets,' elevates diving as a recreational sport and showcases Antigua and Barbuda as a premier diving destination in the Caribbean.

Emmy Award winning TV host, Johnathon Bird was emcee of the 2013 event that featured exciting dive and resort packages, high-end art work, jewelry and other rare finds. Bird is well recognized in the diving industry as a dynamic naturalist and underwater photographer, and his show ‘Johnathon Bird's Blue World’ is known for exciting marine research and underwater exploration. Bird engaged the large audience in a series of bids to capture more than US$50,000 worth of items on the auction block.

a 7-year partnership, Antigua and Barbuda is now recognized as a key stakeholder at this important event hosted by The Women Divers Hall of Fame and it provides a unique opportunity to showcase the destination to the international diving community. We are also grateful to the host Johnathon Bird, for helping to generate interest and excitement about attractions and accommodations that Antigua and Barbuda has to offer to divers."

Watkins Gilkes also used the opportunity at the gala, to announce Antigua and Barbuda's imminent intention to pass legislation to protect marine life by banning the capture or captivity of marine mammals. Antigua and Barbuda would become one of the first Caribbean destinations to take this strong public position on marine protection. The announcement was well received by diving enthusiasts and the media.

US Director of Tourism, Derede Samuel-Whitlock worked with Fund Raising Chair of The Women Divers Hall of Fame, Antiguan and Barbudan based, Martha Watkins Gilkes to coor-

The annual gala attracts a star studded audience and brings together key members of the diving industry to raise money for worthy causes such as the Women Divers Hall of Fame scholarships and training grants for young men and women entering marine education fields.

dinate the destination's participation in this important event.

Watkins Gilkes said, "I am extremely pleased about the level of publicity that the fundraising and overall promotion generates each year for the diving industry as well as the destination of Antigua and Barbuda."

Samuel Whitlock stated, "After

Another major highlight of the evening was steel pan music provided by the US Tourism office, which each year, helps to showcase the culture and attractions of Antigua and Barbuda and also create an authentic Caribbean atmosphere.

DEMA is the world’s leading dive show for professionals, where more than 10,000 industry leaders from around the globe converge each year to network and conduct business.

Mariah Alicea Low is a stunning Guyanese beauty who loves dancing. Recently graduated from Marian Academy High School, Mariah achieved some of the best results in the school this year. At her CSEC examinations, she gained 12 grade ones, 7 of which are distinctions. Not only does Mariah excel academically but also culturally. Since the tender age of 4, Mariah has been dancing. She started off doing ballet and later joined the Dharmic Nritya Sangh, which she has been with for the past ten years. Mariah has also excelled in the arts of many dance styles under the discipline of the very talented and dedicated Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud and her sister Trishala Simantini Persaud. With the support of her parents, instructors and dance colleagues, Mariah developed an undying love for the art form. Mariah views dance as an outlet and mean of expressing herself. It motivates her to constantly improve her skills and learn new ones. Through dancing, Mariah has met many genuine friends who share similar interests and encourage her to be better – both on and off the dance floor. Additionally, dance is a form of exercise for Mariah which helps her to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, dance gives Mariah a sense of identity and belonging. Other than dancing, Mariah enjoys playing the piano and has performed at a few local shows. Currently furthering her education at Nations Sixth Form College, Mariah aims to continue developing herself academically and hopes to pursue a career in medicine.

TT’s Bovell takes medal haul to 12

TT’s George Bovell carried his medal haul to 12 when he got bronze in the men’s 50m freestyle final on the second and final day of the seventh-leg of the FINA Short Course World Cup at the Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Centre, Tokyo, Japan, Monday.

Swimming from lane five, Bovell touched the wall in 21.21 seconds for the bronze medal behind Russian Vladimir Morozov (20.72) and USA’s Anthony Ervin, who touched the wall

in 21.10.

The medal won took his haul to 12 (one gold, four silver and seven bronze) so far this season while increasing his two-year haul at the World Cup, to 28 medals (ten gold, 11 silver and six bronze) from 31 finals. Last year, he won 16 medals, (nine gold and seven silver).

South African Roland Schoeman was fourth in 21.24 followed by Brazil’s Nicolas Santos (21.27), Kenta Ito (21.36), Poland’s Konrad Czerniak (21.50) and Japan’s Miguelen Ozeki (21.54)

In the morning session, Bovell won the sixth of eighth heat in 21.37 ahead of fellow finalist South African Roland Schoeman (21.40) while Australian Tomasso D’Orsogna (21.86) was third but did not qualify to the final.

South African Luke Penddock (21.98), Kenji Kobase (22.23), Hisayoshi Sato (22.39), USA’s Paul Power (22.48) were the other finishers in the heat.

Morozov won heat eight in 21.02 and was the top qualifier overall while USA’s Anthony Errive was second in 211.47 and Kenta Ito third in 21.66.

Oseki Miguelgen (21.66) topped heat four while Poland’s Konrad Czerniak (21.48) and Brazilian Nicolas Santos (21.79) qualified from heat seven. (TT Guardian)

Work ethic pays off for diligent Shivnarine...

orable match-winning centuries, but he was never as successful as Chanderpaul in stitching valuable partnerships with the tail. “I know we have had a lot of players in the past who played a lot of shots. But I have also looked at a lot of other players and tried to find a way you can fit in, and a way you can add value to the team. I figured out that might be the best way for me,” Chanderpaul said.

Perhaps the most unique characteristic

Chanderpaul has is that he has managed to absorb West Indies’ constant slide down the rankings table and never allowed the team’s downwards spiral to affect his own form.

“Especially not winning,” Chanderpaul said, when asked about the most challenging moment of his career.

“We started turning some corners. We started to move back up the rankings. We need to keep fighting.”

Personally for Chanderpaul, he would

More matches, venues for 2014 CPLT20

Cricket fans across the Caribbean, and possibly North America, could see more matches in the 2014 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 Tournament.

Commercial director of the CPL, Jamie Stewart said that given the extra time available for planning, the organisers want to increase the number of matches.

“We had three months to put together the 2013 event. We could have waited until 2014, but we wanted to put out what we had immediately to signal that we were here and will be here to stay for a very long time,” Stewart said.

“This short time, allowed only a certain number of matches, but with ten months to plan the 2014 event from the last day of the 2013 event, we decided to bring more parity to the event in terms of having each team play others the same number of times.”

He said that with extra matches being played, some of the other territories would now get a chance to bid for matches.

“If these countries feel that they can host three successive days of cricket, then they can make a bid to host matches.” He also added that matches being played outside the region could become a reality.

“We cannot rule out anything at this point in time. We have been having consultation with authorities in the US and it is possible that matches could be played there as well.”

“The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is the only full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in this half of the world and we see spreading the game to the other parts as important, although we remain the Caribbean Premier League.”

Stewart also added that the tournament may start earlier in 2014 to pre-

vent running into the rain. “We may be looking to start the 2014 tournament in mid-July, as opposed to the end of July as we did in 2013. This would allow for us to finish the tournament before the rain comes down. “We will be looking to attract some of the top players in the world, and around this time we have about five international teams that are idle; so we are hoping to get some top men coming to play in the CPL. So far, a number of players have expressed interest in coming to the region to play.”

Jamaica’s Tallawahs won the inaugural tournament when they defeated the Guyana Amazon Warriors by seven wickets in the final in Trinidad and Tobago on August 24. (TT Newsday)

Windies call five to one-day squad

West Indies selectors have called up five players to join the team for the One-Day series against India starting on November 21.

Johnson Charles, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul and Lendl Simmons will join teammates in India for the three-match series.

ideally like to overtake Lara as the highest runmaker in West Indies. Currently he trails his former teammate by 1015 Test runs and if possible also log the highest number of centuries in the remainder of his career.

The batsman remains optimistic. “I never thought I would get this far in the beginning, but who knows where we can go if we keep persisting,” he said, with a chuckle, when asked if he might aspire to play 200 Tests. (Cricinfo)

They will replace Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sheldon Cottrell, Kirk Edwards, Shane Shillingford and Chadwick Walton from the Test squad.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said that pacer Kieron Pollard was not considered for selection due to injury.

The Windies will play two day/night matches in Kochi and Visakhapatnam on November 21 and 24, respectively. They will wrap up the series on November 27 in Kanpur before flying out to New Zealand to play three Tests, five ODIs and two T20 matches from December 3 to January

15, 2014. Squad: Dwayne Bravo

Best, Darren

Trophy Stall, NY Better Hope are Guyana’s softball champs

AvenAsh RAmzAn

By

Local side Trophy Stall and the visiting New York Better Hope softball team emerged champions of the Open and Masters categories respectively on Sunday evening when the curtains came down on the Guyana Softball Cup III at the world famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda.

In the Open 20/20 final, which was contested by two GT&T 10/10 champions, Trophy Stall romped to a commanding nine-wicket win over West Demerara side Wolf’s Warriors, while in the Masters 20/20 championship game, New York Better Hope prevailed by five wickets over Industry Super Kings of Guyana.

Batting first in the Open final, Wolf’s Warriors managed what turned out to be a woefully inadequate 126 from 17.3 overs with Ameer Nizamudin hitting 29 (1x4, 2x6s), Greg Singh 28 (1x4) and Azad

Azeez 18 (1x6). Martin Dutchin (314) and Fazal Rafiek (3-15) were the leading wicket takers for Trophy Stall, who blazed to victory at 130- 1 from 15.4 overs.

Rafiek, who was later named MVP and received a gold bracelet compliments of Steve’s Jewellery, led the runchase with an attacking 59, which included five towering sixes and three boundaries.

Surujpaul Deosarran, who was named Manof-the-Match, was also in a destructive mood, hitting three fours and three maximums in a fluent 45 not out.

For the victory, Trophy Stall collected a huge trophy and Gy$800,000, while Wolf’s Warriors had to settle for Gy$200,000 and a trophy.

The finalists also received medals for their efforts.

Canada sweeps individual awards in CONCACAF Women's Under-17 Championship

Beaten finalists Canada swept the individual awards of the CONCACAF Women's Under-17 Championship that ended at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Saturday.

The USA beat Jamaica 8-0 in the third place play-off match in the first game of a double-header.

The Canadians won the Fair Play award while their captain Jessie Fleming was named Most Valuable Player. Rylee Foster took the award for the best goalkeeper, while Marie-Mychele Metivier, who was subbed in the final, won the golden boot award for the Top Scorer with seven goals. Meanwhile, Mexico defender Vanessa Flores was the only non-North American named in the all-tournament team fol-

lowing the finals.

Seven Canadians and three Americans were named by the technical committee.

The rest of the AllStar team is Canada's Foster, Rachel Jones, Bianca St Georges, Fleming, Metivier, Easther Mayi Kith, and Emily Borgmann, while the Americans are Elisabeth Jean, Marley Canales and Zoe Redei. (Jamaica Observer)

In the Masters final, Industry Super Kings took first strike and posted 117 from 19.3 overs with S.Persaud scoring 23. Ronald Evelyn and Rasheed Gafoor grabbed 3-15 and 2-19 respectively for New York Better Hope, who completed victory at 120-5 from 19.1 overs.

Gus Gordon clobbored four sixes in a topscore of 47, while K. Sanichar made 28 (1x4). Bowling for Industry

Super Kings, David Harper and Gerald Prashed picked up two wickets each.

New York Better Hope carted off the Gy$600,000 first prize and a massive trophy, while Industry Super Kings collected Gy$150,000 and a trophy. Like the Open category, the teams were also presented with medals, while Jagdesh Persaud of Industry Super Kings copped a gold bracelet for being the MVP of the Masters segment.

The female exhibition final was won by Trophy Stall Angels, who inflicted a ninewicket drubbing on Mike’s Wellwoman.

Mike’s Wellwoman were restricted to 85-5 from the allotment of 10 overs with Zola Telford hitting 37 and Amanda Bobb making 21, while Alana Allen (3-18) and Anisa Persaud (2-15) were among the wickets.

Trophy Stall Angels knocked off the target in eight overs with eventual MVP Kavita Yadram

hitting 40 (3x4s, 2x6s) and West Indies player June Ogle scoring 26.

Trophy Stall Angels received Gy$50,000 and Mike’s Wellwoman got Gy$25,000.

The tournament was organised by the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) for the third year in a row, and received tremendous corporate support from the private sector.

The sponsors were Top Brandz Distributors, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, Trophy Stall, Survival Supermarket, Mike’s Pharmacy, Nauth’s Motor Spares, Rohan Auto Spares, Clear Waters, Steve’s Jewellery, Guyana Beverage Company, Rubis (Bel Air), Metro Office and Computer Supplies and Motor Trend.

A total of 26 teams from Guyana, Canada and New York participated in the threeday competition, which bowled off last Friday. (Guyana Times)

TT qualifies for C’wealth Games Jamaica doping scandals tip of iceberg, Dr Paul Wright tells BBC

Alengthy drought for TT’s men’s sevens rugby team finally came to an end on Sunday, when it was crowned Caribbean champion of the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Sevens in the Cayman Islands, which earned the team its first ever spot in the Hong Kong and Commonwealth Sevens in 2014.

The Larry Mendezcoached men and Simone Andrews-Nero-led women’s teams were successful, both taking third spot in their respective Cup competition, with wins over Barbados (14–5) and Cayman Islands (14–7), in the last four stages. Regional powerhouse Canada took both the men and women’s events with one-sided wins. Canada defend-

ed its title with a 27–5 win over USA Falcons in the men’s final, while Canada’s women took the title with a 51–0 thrashing of Mexico, in their final.

For the TT men, their efforts also saw them qualify for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, alongside Canada. Both TT’s men and women’s teams also qualified for the 2014 Casco Games in Veracruz, Mexico. Guyana, the powerhouse of the Caribbean and three-time Nacra Sevens champion, previously represented the region at the Hong Kong Sevens and the Commonwealth Games, but the team failed to do so this time around after missing the Nacra Sevens tournament due to administrative issues.

TT’s men qualified for the knockout stage of the Nacra Cup competition after finishing second in Pool B, under USA Falcons, the eventual finalist.

The Calypso Warriors opened the group stage on Saturday with a 36–5 win over Curacao, followed by another one-sided victory over host, the Cayman Islands, 26–7.

The team then suffered its first loss, a heavy 31–0 defeat to USA. TT then went on to play Pool C runnerup Bermuda, then took a 17-12 win to go on to meet Canada Maple Leafs, in the first semifinal. TT lost the match 38–0.

The second semifinal was between Barbados and USA Falcons, which the latter team took 26–5. (TT Guardian)

Dr Paul Wright, one of Jamaica's most senior drug testers, told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that the island's anti-doping regime has been woefully short of the international standards required.

Dr Wright in an interview published Monday, said that the country's recent rash of failed tests might be the "tip of an iceberg".

According to the BBC, Dr Wright said that the sudden surge of Jamaican athletes failing tests at the country's national trials in June had left him fearing the worst.

His comments come a week after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) visited Jamaica to investigate claims that

dr Paul wright

the country's athletes were not being tested rigorously enough.

Dr Wright--a senior doping control officer with the Jamaican Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) who has 30 years experience drug testing in sport–said he is concerned that WADA's intervention will not lead to the sweeping changes required to give

the world confidence in Jamaican sport. Dr Wright’s position supports that of former JADCO executive director Renee Anne Shirley, whose comments sparked the crisis when she said the agency conducted just one out-ofcompetition test in the six months leading up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London. However the head of the Jamaican Olympic Association (JOA) Mike Fennell dismissed Dr Wright's concerns, saying he was "being dramatic", the BBC report said.

"I think that's massively overstating it. There's no evidence to suggest that it's the tip of the iceberg," the JOA chief is quoted as saying. (Jamaica Observer)

Over 70 riders confirmed for Guyana’s “Ride for Life”

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Over 70 local and overseas cyclists will compete in Guyana’s seventh annual five-stage cycling event under the theme “Ride for Life”, an initiative of the ministries of sport and health and the National AIDS Programme Secretariat.

Chief organiser, Hassan Mohamed said Tuesday, that 72 cyclists from Guyana, along with two Columbians and a Barbadian have confirmed their participation in the gruelling 226 miles, four-day event.

The three foreign riders, Columbians Jaime Ramirez, who is the de-

fending champion, along with fellow countryman Antonio Jose Alacon Gonzalez and Darren Matthews will represent Team Coco. The trio will be joined by local based riders Christopher Holder, Raynauth Jeffrey, Michael Anthony and Junior Niles as Team Coco’s representatives.

Mohamed said that while riders from Suriname and the French Guiana have indicated an interest in this year’s race, they are yet to confirm participation.

He also revealed that all the logistical arrangements are already in place for the event.

The opening stage on Thursday will start

from Corriverton to New Amsterdam (46.6 miles) from 07:30 hours; stage two will be on the same day from Rosignol to Georgetown (60.4 miles) from 14:00 hours. Stage three will take place on Friday from Wales to Parika (35 miles) from 09:00 hours, while the penultimate stage will be contested from 07:30 hours the following day from Supenaam to Suddie, covering a distance of 62 miles.

The fifth and final stage will commence in Linden at 08:30 hours and finish on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown on Sunday, covering a distance of 62 miles.

Jamaica wants to host a FIFA Youth WC

Jamaica’s chief football organiser, Captain Horace Burrell, says he will be spearheading the charge for his country to host a FIFA Youth World Cup in the near future.

Burrell, president of the Jamaica Football Federation, made the promise following reports of a successful hosting of the just ended Concacaf Under-17 Women's Championship in Jamaica.

"I will certainly be

putting in a bid to host a junior World Cup, male or female," declared Burrell after the final of the Concacaf U-17 Women's Championship at the Montego Bay Sports Complex over the weekend.

“…and I will be challenging all stakeholders in government and private sector to partner with the JFF on this”.

Burrell has outlined potential benefits of hosting a World Cup at any level, saying revenue in-

flows, exposure for brand Jamaica and the lasting legacy would catapult football and the country to a new plateau.

"Certainly one of the legacies would be the stadia that would have to be built, or developed where they already exist, and this would certainly aid the development of the overall game here," he told Jamaican media.

"I think we as a Federation and a country have done a good job in gaining the experience

in organising successful international tournaments, which I believe has positioned us to bid for bigger events”.

Only TT has hosted FIFA World Cups, having brought the Under-17 Women's and Men's tournaments to the twin-island republic.

Mexico won the U-17 tournament by beating Canada 4-2 on penalties at the Montego Bay Sports Complex while in the match to decide third place, the USA swamped

Coach Logie confident Canada will qualify for ICC T20 World Cup

By RavendRa Madholall

As Canada gets ready to face arch-rivals U.S.A. in the qualifier tournament, which bowls off this Friday in Dubai, Coach Gus Logie is highly confident that his Canadian team would qualify for next year’s International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.

Logie, a former Trinidad and Tobago, and West Indies batsman believes that once his cricketers play to their full potential, getting into the mega event will be easy. Canada began their trip to Dubai with four warm-up matches in Sri Lanka, where they won two games.

“The physical and mental aspects [are] always important and we have been preparing very hard and diligently for the qualifiers, and that has given me the confidence Canada will make it through to Bangladesh next year,” Logie said.

Canada has been placed in Group ‘A’

alongside Ireland, Namibia, Uganda, Italy, Hong Kong, UAE and the U.S.A. When the qualifying stage begins Friday, 16 sides will split into two groups of eight, a total of 72 matches will be played over 15 days and the sides that top the two groups at the conclusion of the group stage will automatically qualify for Bangladesh.

Six places available are also up for grabs in

the ICC World Twenty20 next year while the sides that finish second and third in each of the two groups will play crossover matches with the two winners also progressing to the global event.

The teams that finish fourth and fifth in each of the two groups will play cross-over matches, with the winners of these two matches playing the losers of the sec-

ond and third cross-over fixtures. The victors of these matches will then progress into the ICC World Cup T20.

“The challenge out there now, is with the amount of matches you have got to play, and that is why I believe in fitness both mentally and physically,” Logie indicated, adding that “the team has come together very well in re-

cent months, and we also believe that we have assembled a strong group of Canadian cricketers that will be very competitive in the World Cup T20 qualifiers.”

The Canadian players are also looking to make use of the tournament in Dubai as part of their preparations for the upcoming 50-over qualifier tournament to be held in New Zealand

early next year.

“Obviously it is a different format, but I just want the guys to focus on this T20 tournament first; of course that will be another big tournament in New Zealand, but in Dubai at least the selectors will have a look at the players, so we can have them prepared for the 50-over version as well,” the coach explained.

Work ethic pays

for diligent Shivnarine Chanderpaul

– discipline, rigour, hard work have been Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s pillars of success, attributes that have contributed to his longevity, as he prepares to join an elite club of Test cricketers to have played 150 Tests

Discipline, rigour, hard work have been Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s pillars of success, attributes that have contributed to his longevity. On Thursday, as India shed tears to celebrate the beginning of Sachin Tendulkar’s final match, people in Guyana will stay awake to proudly watch their own son walk in to his 150th Test. It is a milestone no one in the Caribbean has reached, and probably never would.

Even if Brian Lara remains the most popular West Indies player of this generation, Chanderpaul has quietly amassed his own set of records playing alongside, and after, Lara.

They are the only two batsmen to score more than 10000 Test runs for West Indies. Chanderpaul has six fewer centuries than Lara, who finished his career with 34 tons. However, if there is one statistic Chanderpaul will be proud of, it is this: from 2007, he has averaged 70.52 in 48 Tests. Among the

78 batsmen who have scored at least 1000 runs during this period, no one, including Tendulkar, has averaged more.

Chanderpaul remains a phenomenon; a machine whose expiry date might be drawing closer, but it nevertheless continues to run smoothly without any creaking noises.

“It takes a lot of work. You have to put in a lot of work,” Chanderpaul said, after training in Mumbai on Tuesday. “As an individual you have to pick yourself up to go to the nets, do a lot of work, practice the way you go bat in the game. There are so many things you have to do–training, keeping the fitness and everything that takes to get on the park and get your work done. And also maintain a standard you think will help you to succeed at the highest level.”

Like Tendulkar, Chanderpaul has made changes to his stance, his backlift and other subtle technical shifts, but the one constant has been his solid temperament.

As he showed against Australia at Bourda in 2003, when he hit a 69-ball century, he could shift gears, but he always knew that the best way he could help and guide the West Indies batting was by resisting any temptation and stonewalling the bowling.

Among contemporary batsmen, he has the lowest strike-rate in Test cricket.

No one bowler can confidently say that he ever had a hold over Chanderpaul.

Lara might have scored triumphant and mem-