Caribbean Star #24 vol.5

Caribbean First Interfaith Newspaper, Serving The Community

January 9-15, 2015

Caribbeanstarnews@gmail.com

Star

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KOHLI and RAHUL tons old off Australia

BAUXITE SHIP INTERCEPTED

with $800M in cocaine Some 192.4 kilos of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $800M, was yesterday unearthed in a container onboard a foreign bauxite ship destined for Europe after local authorities were tipped off by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC).

See More on Page 6

‘WE ’FRAID TOWN’

Shabana's body found in a hole

The two women who were victims of gunshot wounds in Port-of-Spain while tending to babies — one of whom was grazed dangerously by a bullet — are now afraid of the capital city.

A woman's body, believed to be that of missing 19-yearold Shabana Mohammed was found today near her home in Santa Cruz.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 9-15, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper CT scanner up and working this week

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AN Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) chief executive officer, Anil Gosine, has assured the public that the computerised tomography machine (CT scanner) at the institution would be repaired and working by later this week.

He said an additional CT scanner, which was purchased by the State at $4.2 million, was installed and is expected to be commissioned within the next two weeks.

Gosine said the existing CT scanner at the hospital broke down two weeks

ago. “The machine’s cooling system went down. But the cooling system is on warranty so the supplier was contacted and is flying in a cooling system to put it back up,” he said.

Gosine said the cooling system was being imported and the machine would be up and working this week.

He said within two weeks the second CT scanner would be ready for use.

“In two weeks time I am going to have my other CT scanner commissioned. So by the end of January I should have my two

January 9-15, 2015 CT scanners up and working, the new one that has been installed and the one that needs the cooling system. The new one is in the closing phase of having it commissioned. They are putting in the final works,” he said.

But as the CT scanners were being repaired and installed patients seeking treatment at the public health institution continue to be turned away. The patients were advised to visit private institutions for CT scans, or wait until the machine was repaired.

CT scans at private hospitals cost between $1,500 to $2,000 and involves the use of digital geometry processing to gen-

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erate a three-dimensional (3D) image of the inside of an object.

Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan said last week that he was suspicious about why equipment in the public health institutions continue to break down. CT scanners at the San Fernando General Hospital and Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex were reportedly out of service.

Khan admitted to receiving reports that machinery at the Port of Spain General Hospital was being sabotaged. “I am looking at whether we are paying new prices for refurbished machines because the breakdown rate is a little too high, compared to those internationally,” he said.

Age limit increased for Children’s Carnival

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he Red Cross Children’s Carnival is promising to be bigger and better this year with more attractive prizes up for grabs.

Upon request from several bandleaders, the age limit of competitors has been raised from 15 to 16 years old.

The Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society (TTRCS) officially launched the annual competition at the VIP Lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, yesterday.

The event is carded for Saturday February 7, from 11 a.m.

According to chairman of the Society’s Children’s Carnival committee, Vindra Amar, this year the German Embassy in collaboration with the Cropper Foundation has donated $40,000 in support of prizes for bands and individuals with an environmental theme.

While thanking the Ministry of the Arts and Multiculturalism for its support and the National Carnival Commission for providing infrastructure at the Queen’s Park Savannah which he said has saved the Society thousands of dollars, Amar said the committee is hoping for the support of Ministry of Tourism this year.

She said the proceeds from this year’s competition will go towards supporting the TTRCS’ Solar Lantern project, which has already provided solar-powered lanterns to 300 homes without electricity.

“I want to take this opportunity to ‘big up’ the children’s committee for raising the $145,000 in 2014 to fund most of this project,” Amar said.

Also speaking at the launch was patron of the Red Cross Children’s Carnival, Reema Carmona, who commended the Society for its 50 years of service.

“I firmly believe that this year’s Red Cross Children’s Carnival will usher in the start of another 50 years of unrivalled success and service by the Red Cross,” Carmona said.

Registration for the 2015 Red Cross Children’s Carnival begins today and closes on January 30, at the TTRCS’s headquarters, Fitzblackman Drive Port of Spain. Registration hours are between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. Tickets for the event go on sale from January 19.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper Husband charged with murdering Guard killed Crabwood Creek woman in Little Diamond accident January 9-15, 2015

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evendra Hansraj, who allegedly knifed his common-law wife to death at their Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice home last month, was read a murder charge yesterday, just days after being nabbed by police.

Hansraj, 43, of Lot 17 Grant 1780, Crabwood Creek, appeared before Magistrate Charlyn Artiga at the Mibicuri Magis-trate’s Court.

He was not required to plead to the charge that on December 18, 2014, he murdered Mohanranie Udaraj, also called ‘Sherry.’

Hansraj, who was unrepresented, was remanded to prison until February 5th, when the matter will be called at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.

Commander of ‘B’ Division Brian Joseph had told Stabroek News the police were able to ap-

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O

Mohanranie Udaraj

Devendra Hansraj

prehend Hansraj after following a lead. Officers went to Moleson Creek and arrested the man in a farm house last Friday afternoon.

Sandra Vasquez, the mother of the deceased, had said neighbours informed her that Hansraj,

who they heard fled to Nickerie, returned to the Crabwood Creek area and made it known that he had unfinished business.

Udaraj was found dead with stab wounds to her neck at the home she shared with Hansraj.

Cemetery Rd accident survivor says driver was speeding

naynasa Thorne, the young woman who survived the New Year’s morning accident that claimed the life of an elderly man and left another hospitalised in a serious condition, says the driver responsible was speeding at the time.

Thorne, 18, said she suffered several scratches about her body as a result of the accident, in which a car ploughed into the stall where she was standing along the eastern carriageway of Cemetery Road.

Also with her at the time were the now dead 61-year-old George Baker and the injured Brian Devine, 62.

An upset Thorne recalled that she was filling in for someone at the newspaper stall when the delivery vehicle pulled up to offload the papers. She also pointed out that the driver jumped out of the vehicle as it was about to collide with them, while Baker, the only fatality, was hesitant to run. She suggested that his hesitation contributed to his demise.

“I was taking out the papers out of the car and I look up and I see the car coming fast. …I didn’t take it for nothing. I continue doing me thing. Then, I hear de big man [Devine] say, “Is weh the jackass going with all this speed?” And when I look up I see the car swerve two times

and I holler, “Run!” And I see Baker looking for a direction to run and de driver jump out of the car. Next thing I know, I end up in the trench,” Thorne recounted.

The police, in a statement on the accident, reported that the driver of the car, which had licence plate PNN 7977, lost control of the vehicle after it sustained a punctured tyre. He is in police custody.

Devine is still a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation nursing broken legs, broken ribs, a broken hip, a fractured neck, head injuries and a damaged eye. He is expected to undergo surgery today.

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ne person died and seven others were injured after the driver of a Route 42 minibus BSS 9471 travelling to Georgetown lost control and smashed into a utility pole at Little Diamond Public Road, East Bank Demerara around 17:45 hrs January 6.

Dead is Lynette Joseph, a security guard of National Hardware who died on her way to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. Injured are Joylyn Barker of 244 Second Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), conductor, Mark Benjamin, 25, driver, Travis David, 28; along with four others.

The minibus was said to be transporting eight persons including the driver and conductor when the accident occurred.

Stabroek News understands that the driver of the minibus was heading to Georgetown when it made contact with another resulting in him losing control and smashing into the utility pole which was located on the right hand side of the road.

According to the husband of the injured Barker, Brian Barker, he had just arrived home from work when he received a call from his daughter saying that Joylyn was involved in an accident.

He added with that information he immediately rushed to the hospital where he moments after visited her while she was receiving treatment.

“I would just say her condition seems to be stable at the moment and I didn’t bother to question her any further since I didn’t want to traumatize her”, David said during his brief comment.

The mother of Benjamin, who was also present at the hospital said that he is doing quite well since luckily he only received a few bruises about his body.

Stabroek News also understands that David sustained broken legs. However, attempts to contact his relatives to confirm this prove futile.

The other injured persons were also patients at the hospital and were receiving treatment when Stabroek News visited. A source said they are all doing well and had suffered only minor in-

The badly damaged minibus that was involved in the accident

The body of Lynette Joseph being transported into a hearse juries.

The police today issued the following press release: Investigations are being conducted into a fatal accident that occurred at about 1750h. yesterday Tuesday January 06, 2015, at Little Diamond Public Road, EBD, and which resulted in the death of Yvette Stoll-Joseph, 51 years, of Golden Grove, ECD. Investigations have revealed that Yvette Stoll-Joseph was a passenger in a mini-bus being driven by Travis David, 27 years, of Agricola, allegedly at a fast rate, when the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a utility pole.

Yvette Stoll-Joseph, Travis David and three other passengers received injuries and were taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, EBD, where Yvette Stoll-Joseph was pronounced DOA. Travis David and two other passengers were treated and sent away, while Oswin Tappin, 59 years, of Zeskenderen, Mahaicony, ECD, has been admitted to the GPHC. The driver is in police custody assisting with the investigations.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 9-15, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 9-15, 2015

Bauxite ship intercepted with $800M in cocaine

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ome 192.4 kilos of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $800M, was yesterday unearthed in a container onboard a foreign bauxite ship destined for Europe after local authorities were tipped off by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC).

The drugs were in 185 packages or bricks, which were concealed under the pallets of a container on board the MV Delta Dies, a vessel registered in Cyprus, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) announced.

All 11 members of the crew were initially arrested, Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) head James Singh said, but seven were later released. The four remaining in custody were said to be assisting in the investigation.

Stabroek News was told the vessel arrived in Guyana over the weekend and proceeded to Linden, where it was loaded with bauxite. It was returning from the mining town when it was intercepted. It was directed to the John Fernandes Wharf, where investigators conducted a search and the cocaine was unearthed.

The ship had travelled from Suriname to Guyana and was scheduled to leave Guyana for Spain then to Holland and finally to Belgium.

The GRA, in a statement, said that its investigators were provided with intelligence from the UNODC, which indicated that cocaine was concealed in one of the

The ship on which the drugs were found containers on board the ship. It said that CANU was called in and it along with GRA’s Law Enforcement and Inves-tigation Division (LEID) and the Drug Examination Unit (DEU) conducted an examination of the container.

Singh told Stabroek News that port control officials in Suriname also assisted in the bust.

This bust is one of the largest in recent times by local authorities, who have faced severe criticisms for not effectively fighting the ongoing drug trade in Guyana. Observers have repeatedly pointed out that only small time players are arrested, while the major beneficiaries of the illegal trade go untouched.

Meanwhile, according to the GRA, it has long recognised the importance of forging

regional and international linkages in the ongoing efforts at addressing challenges of a global magnitude, such as drugs trafficking and the smuggling of goods, and partnerships have been successful on several fronts.

It reminded that in 2012 Guyana and Suriname joined the Container Control Programmes to improve port security and stop the use of containers for transnational criminal activities, including narcotics trafficking. A Memorandum of Under-standing with the UNODC, it added, paved the way for the establishment of joint port control units in Guyana and Suri-name at John Fernandes and Nieuwe Haven, respectively. “It allowed both countries to strengthen the control of inbound and outgoing containers, improve

Some of the cocaine found on board. real time exchange and analysis of information among other advantages,” it further said.

The last bust of a similar scale was made in February, 2013, when 792 pounds of cocaine were discovered by CANU and GRA secreted in timber at a Soesdyke lumberyard for export to Holland. Two employees of Guyana Tim-ber Products Inc, Raymon Ghani and Dominic Walsh, were later charged in connection with the bust, which was said to be the largest ever drug bust in the country’s history.

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January 9-15, 2015

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The Basics of Hinduism The Sacred Texts of the Hindus

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By Subhamoy Das Hinduism Expert

ccording to Swami Vivekananda, "the accumulated treasury of spiritual laws discovered by different persons in different times" constitutes the sacred Hindu texts. Collectively referred to as the Shastras, there are two types of sacred writings in the Hindu scriptures: Shruti (heard) and Smriti (memorized).

Sruti literature refers to the habit of ancient Hindu saints who led a solitary life in the woods, where they developed a consciousness that enabled them to 'hear' or cognize the truths of the universe. Sruti literatures are of two parts: the Vedas and the Upanishads.

There are 108 extant Upanishads , of which 10 are most important: Isa, Kena, Katha, Prashna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Taitiriya, Aitareya, Chandogya, Brihadaranyaka.There are four Vedas: • • • •

The Rig Veda -"Royal Knowledge" The Sama Veda - "Knowledge of Chants" The Yajur Veda - "Knowledge of Sacrificial Rituals" The Atharva Veda - "Knowledge of Incarnations"

• Smriti Literature refers to 'memorized' or 'remembered' poetry and epics. They are more popular with Hindus, because they are easy to understand, explains

universal truths through symbolism and mythology, and contain some of the most beautiful and exciting stories in the history of religion world literature. The three most important of Smriti literature are: •

The Bhagavad Gita - The most well known of the Hindu scriptures, called the "Song of the Adorable One", written about the 2nd centu-

•

ry BC and forms the sixth part of Mahabharata. It contains some of the most brilliant theological lessons about the nature of God and of life ever written.

The Mahabharata - The world's longest epic poem written about 9th century BC, and deals with the power struggle between the Pandava and the Kaurava families,

•

with an intertwining of numerous episodes that make up life.

The Ramayana - The most popular of Hindu epics, composed by Valmiki around 4th or 2nd centuries BC with later additions up to about 300 CE. It depicts the story of the royal couple of Ayodha - Ram and Sita and a host of other characters and their exploits.

The Main Tenets of Hinduism H induism lacks any unified system of beliefs and ideas. It is a phenomenon and represents a broad spectrum of beliefs and practices which on one hand are akin to paganism, pantheism and the like, and on the other very profound, abstract, metaphysical ideas.

Since religion and culture are nearly interchangeable terms in Hinduism, emotive expressions like 'bhakti' (devotion) or 'dharma' (what is right) and 'yoga' (discipline) are used to depict essential aspects of the religion.

Hinduism believes in idol worship, reincarnation, karma, dharma and moksha. Some moral ideals in Hinduism include non-violence, truthfulness, friendship, compassion, fortitude, self-control, purity and generosity.

Human life is divided into four stages, and there are defined rites and rituals for each stage from birth till death.

Traditional Hinduism has two lifelong dharmas that one can follow: ‘Grihastha Dharma’ (Domestic Religion) and ‘Sannyasin Dharma’ (Ascetic Religion).

The ‘Grihastha Dharma’ has four goals: ‘kama’ (sensual pleasure), ‘artha’ (wealth and prosperity), ‘dharma’ (the laws of life), and ‘moksha’ (liberation from the cycle of births). The ‘Sannyasin Dharma’ recognizes ‘moksha’ as its ultimate goal.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 9-15, 2015

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January 9-15, 2015

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GUYANA: Special Forces platoon Suspect charged over Old Year’s fatal stabbing deployed to search "area of T interest" for missing plane eril James, accused of stabbing another man to death at a shop where they were drinking at Aracru, North West District on Old Year’s night, was yesterday remanded to prison after being arraigned for murder.

The allegation against James is that on December 31, at Aracru, he murdered Augustine Samuels, 52, also known as “Jack.”

James, who was unrepre-

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t least 30 members of Guyana’s Special Forces are Thursday expected to inserted into “an area of interest” as part of their more than oneweek old search for a small plane that went missing over the country’s dense jungle and rugged terrain.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said the platoon of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers that travelled to Mahdia on Wednesday would be inserted by helicopters at sunrise barring no inclement weather.

A number of areas of interest have been developed by a Canadian survey plane that is here on behalf of the Canadian oil exploration company, CGX Energy.

The areas of interest have been collected from data that has been collected by the plane’s Passive Radiation Detector.

The twin-engine Britten Norman Islander, bearing registration number 8R-GHE, went missing shortly before midday on December 28 while on shuttle trip with construction materials from Mahdia to Karisparu in Region 8 – Pota-

A group of GDF soldiers and officials of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority . ro—Siparuni.

Aboard were Captain Nickey Persaud, 27, and Cargo Loader, 51-year old David Bisnauth.

The GCAA added that six villagers from Chenapau village joined the search party at Mahdia.

Over the past three days, Special Forces’ ranks, Guyana Forestry Commission officers and Line cutters have been extensively combing a large area between North Fork and Black Water rivers.

If the search proves futile, additional areas will be examined, said the aviation regulatory body that is part of the Rescue Coordination Centre.

sented by an attorney, was not required to plead to the charge after it was read to him by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Although no further details about the fatal stabbing were presented to the court by Prosecutor Michael Grant, police had previously reported that Samuels and another man were drinking at a shop when the

suspect became involved in an issue with the owner of the shop. The owner of the shop managed to escape and the suspect attacked Samuels and stabbed him about his body. Samuels was later pronounced dead on arrival at the Mabaruma Hospital.

The matter has been transferred to the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court, where it will be called on January 16.

Masked gunmen beat, rob group in Prashad Nagar home invasion

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asked gunmen invaded a Bel Air Promenade, Prashad Nagar residence on Sunday night, robbed a group of friends and then fled in a car belonging to one of their victims.

According to Louisa Mancey, who was the caretaker of the residence, she and five other friends

were “hanging out” watching a movie at around 10pm when three masked gunmen entered the living room.

After entering, she recalled, the men instructed that they lie on the floor while issuing death threats and making inquiries about money. Mancey said that she and her friends

cooperated since the men had guns. Nonetheless, she said two of her friends were gun-butted while another was kicked.

The men carted off about $150,000 in cash along with three laptop computers, five smartphones, an undisclosed amount of jewellery, a safe and cameras.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper President on official State visit to India - as ‘Chief Guest’ PPP denounces at world’s largest gathering of people of Indian origin killings in Paris January 9-15, 2015

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RESIDENT Donald Ramotar is expected to arrive today in India, where he is scheduled to be the Chief Guest at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), the world’s largest annual gathering of people of Indian origin.

He is on an official six-day State visit, and is expected to hold meetings with Indian Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi; External Affairs Minister, Ms Sushma Swaraj and a number of other senior leaders.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is being held in Gandhinagar in Gujarat, India.

“The visit will contribute to further strengthening and deepening the close bilateral relations between India and Guyana,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement in anticipation of the official visit.

India’s relations with Guyana are warm and cordial; the presence of a large Indian Diaspora in Guyana adds to the close relationship between the two countries, the Ministry added.

The visit is expected to contribute to further strengthening of close bilateral relations between India and Guyana, according to the Indian

President Donald Ramotar Government.

BILATERAL TRADE Presidents Ramotar and Modi had held a bilateral meeting in July last on the sidelines of the 6th BRICS-UNASUR (Union of South American Nations) meeting at Fortaleza in Brazil, in which they had reviewed bilateral relations.

Bilateral trade between India and Guyana in 2013 and 2014 stood at US$31.47M To connect India to its vast overseas Diaspora and bring their knowledge, expertise and skills on a common platform, the PBD Convention – the flagship event of Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), Government of India is organised from 7th to 9th January every year since 2003.

PBD CONVENTIONS PBD is celebrated on 9th January every year to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community in the development of India.

January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa, and led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.

PBD conventions are being held every year since 2003. The conventions provide a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities.

The conventions have also been hailed as very useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and to enable them to share their experiences in various fields.

During the event, individuals of exceptional merit are honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to appreciate their role in India’s growth. The event also provides a forum for discussing key issues concerning the Indian Diaspora.

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HE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) late yesterday issued a statement condemning what has been described as “the deadliest militant attack on French soil in decades.” The statement reads as follows: “The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) condemns the terrorist attack on the French satirical Newspaper, Charlie Hebdo, which left 12 people dead, including the editor and other staff members.

“This attack comes on the heels of similar such terrorist attacks in the United States and elsewhere by extremist elements.

“Regrettably, the war against terror unleashed by the George Bush Administration following the 2001 destruction of the World Trade Centre have done little, if anything, to halt the spread of terrorism as could be seen from the several acts of terrorism in the United States, Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and several other countries in which dozens of lives were lost including women and children.

“The PPP calls for greater tolerance and respect for cultural differences and condemns any attempt to use force and terror to silence those who share values and religious beliefs that are different from one another.

“The PPP takes this opportunity to extend its deep condolences to the bereaved relatives and friends of those who perished in the Paris terrorist attacks and other similar attacks.

“The Party also calls on the international community to do everything within their power to bring an end to terrorism and terrorist attacks and to find workable solutions to end tensions and conflicts which are the root cause of many of the attacks that are taking place globally.”

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 9-15, 2015

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January 9-15, 2015 13 Caribbean Star Newspaper Thursday, August 29,July 201 EqualityNews.ca Caribbean Star Newspaper Man, 22, sentenced 29 years to life for killing, burning Brooklyn girl, 14

Poli Wanted Trinidad polic PITBULL KILLS GRANNY

"Mimi" and they would never see her so upset after the sentencing she had to of her grieving family. be taken from the courthouse in a wheelThe family of Shaniesha Forbes, seen wear a Sweet 16 dress or go to college.

"He (Ferdinand) was 20 years old, the chair. at Ferdinand’s sentencing on Wednesday.

Ferdinand had no prior criminal record The family of Shaniesha Forbes, seen at age most people consider to be a man but Ferdinand’s sentencing on Wednesday. it's obvious he is no such thing," Thomas and possessed "positive qualities," said PreviousNextThe family of Shaniesha said. "What was he doing with a little girl, defense lawyer Jonathan Fink.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Forbes, seen at Ferdinand’s sentencing a baby, a child?

"He talked about his eyes and how he Walsh said the crime demanded the maxon Wednesday. A woman is wheeled out on a stretcher after Christian Forbes sen- had a hard time keeping girls off him. I imum penalty because of his lack of reRamlogan said there was An 84-year-old great edgeable when it came to incident occurred. hopeORT-OF-SPAIN, that works well for him inTrinidad, prison." morse and the inhuman treatment of theCM tencing.

July 9, 2014, an Wednesday undertaking within grandmother was yesterday the training of dogs and She said Shaniesha was known as The victim's mother, Sandra Price, was girl's body after killing her.

Bloody attack oncommits 84-year-old suicide woman caus afte at Maraval home on ‘Wall of S placed

mauled to death by a family pitbull.

Lillian Bunsee had never ventured close to the dogs as she had been attacked in the past, but yesterday morning one of the dogs escaped from its kennel and again attacked her, this time killing her.

Christian Ferdinand killed Shaniesha Forbes, who he initially met through Facebook, because he thought she was pregnant and she refused to get an abortion. The girl was killed in January 2013 and Ferdinand was Ferdinand was found Neighbours said the dog guilty of her murder late last year. was one of approximately

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wannabe baby killer was sentenced to 29 years to life in prison for murdering his 14-year-old Brooklyn girlfriend because he thought she was pregnant and wouldn’t get an abortion.

Christian Ferdinand, 22, who fancies himself as a lady-killer of a different kind, insisted he is innocent in the January 2013 slaying of Shaniesha Forbes, who he had hooked up with through Facebook.

After telling Ferdinand that she was pregnant and would not get an abortion, he smothered the teen with a pillow, sprayed the corpse with Axe body spray and ignited it.

Then he stuffed Shaniesha inside a suitcase and tossed it into Gerritsen Creek. Several days later she washed up on the beach.

An autopsy determined the victim was not pregnant.

The pipsqueak punk was in denial mode Wednesday.

Shaniesha Forbes, 14, was found dead in January 2013, having been killed and then burned.Shaniesha Forbes, 14, was found dead in January 2013, having been killed and then burned.PreviousNextShaniesha Forbes, 14, was found dead in January 2013, having been killed and then burned. Kerri-Ann Thomas speaks for the family of Shaniesha Forbes during Christian Ferdinand’s sentencing. Sandra Price, mother of the late Shaniesha Forbes, was taken from court in a wheelchair after the sentencing. Enlarge "I never put a hand on a female in an inappropriate manner," he told Supreme Court Justice Neil Firetog.

"I would never kill someone over an abortion," Ferdinand continued. "There's no reason to take someone’s life just because they said they was pregnant. These are all false things."

"My condolences to the family, but I didn't kill Shaniesha," he said.

Ferdinand confessed to detectives and asked them if he could get "some kind of community service" for his evil crime, authorities said.

Forbes' cousin Kerri-Ann Thomas read a blistering statement in court on behalf

ten which were bred and being given aggression training in preparation for sale by two of the woman’s relatives.

Never once did the residents hear Bunsee scream for help but only noticed she was being attacked as they walked along the roadway close to her home on La Seiva Road, Maraval.

Police said it was shortly after 9 a.m. that the residents saw the woman on the ground with the dog tearing away at her body. They tried throwing boulders at the animal in an attempt to stop it but their efforts were unsuccessful, said officers.

Investigators said several police officers who were on patrol nearby went to the scene after receiving a report and was only able to have the dog stop biting the woman after opening fire on the animal, shooting it six times.

Residents in the area said the officers had no other option but to kill the dog.

The other dogs were all locked away in their kennels, they said.

“After the first two shots the dog was still biting the woman, like the shots did nothing to it. The police had to shoot it four more times before it stopped,” said one man.

CPR

Training

The resident, who asked that his name not be published, said regardless of the type, he was always opposed to people giving aggression training to dogs within their own household which is shared with other family members.

He said he was also knowl-

of lo

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A former head o Parliamentofthat Azizul hours Rahaman after of thea photo disagreed with themitted deci- Dr suicide hisheappeared on a defunct state-ow sion of the dog’s owner to Jones Animal Clinic exam- would accommodate cerana Airwaysho C carry out the training at the ined the dog and confirmed tain amendments based has blamed g it was one of the danger- on suggestions from Indehouse. officials forlic th ous dogs referred to in the pendent Senators and also aviation woes “Aggression training within Dog Control Bill which was from members of the Opagr country. your own environment and passed in Parliament last position. training of dogs within your month but is yet to be pro- The Independent Senators Co Former GAC had already forwarded own household where you claimed, police said. wh Manager, Fazal have ageable people or fam- Rahaman removed some their suggestions to him, the adamant that ily members in your house of the animals and locked but he was still awaiting spite rather than the Opposition’s before the vice or operational Act is proclaimed by Presia q forced the dent Anthony Carmona. closure ofHis the airlinevisi “This bill is clearly needed. back in the I would like those perhos late nineties, sons who argue that there and it is one should be no legislation to of the ma-The control these dangerous jor reasonsme dogs, I would like them to G u y a n e s egra pay a visit to the relatives are payingMa of victims to explain their e x o r b i t a ntpro position and to offer some prices tosid condolence. I am calling travel upous upon them to go pay them North. a visit and to offer them 623 The formerbey some compensation,” said aviation ofRamlogan. info ficial is convinced thatlice Section 19 of the Dog Un Guyana’s curren Control Act: ed t affairs is one of have been avoi 19. (1) Where a class A and the continuanc dog injures a person, FAMILY PHOTO: 84-year-old Lillian Bunsee who “prosperous an without reasonable cause was mauled to death by a pitbull yesterday in her own oping” state-ow whether in a public place The home. rier being pres or on private premises, the oth prized for itsnox fu owner or keeper of the dog and importance is a no no. Aggression is not them away at the clinic yes- commits an offence and is han nese travelers. the type of training to do terday evening. He told the liable on summary convica b within that environment. Express the dogs were be- tion to a fine of $100,000 “They didn’tTrik High potency dog food and ing temporarily kept at the and to imprisonment for

WE ALSO OFFER! 1) EKG Technician 2) Phlebotomy Technician 3) State Board exam on Premises

aggression training in the home environment is creating a time bomb and it is just a matter of time before tragedy strikes,” he said.

animal hospital until the other owner makes a decision “on what he is going to do with them”.

Detectives from the Port of Spain Criminal Investigations Department (CID) led by ASP Ajith Persad went to the scene and detained the man who owned the dog.

“It was not for any legal reason or anything. Relatives and so on would be going to the house to give their condolences and what have you, so we are just keeping the dogs for a little while,” he said.

Up to yesterday evening he was in custody at the CID office along St Vincent Street, Port of Spain. Officers said they would be consulting with Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard SC to determine what charges could be laid against the man.

The other owner was not arrested as he did not live on the premises where the

The other owner said residents no longer wanted the dogs in the area, so he may have to “put them to sleep”.

Contacted via phone yesterday, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan said the Dog Control Bill was passed on the last day of the parliamentary session in order to prevent it from being “lapsed”.

With the passing of the bill,

five years.

(2) Where a class A dog kills a person or causes the death of a person, without reasonable cause, the owner or keeper of the dog commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $200,000 and to imprisonment for ten years.

89-44 162ND STREET JAMAICA NY 11432 SIDE OF APPLEBEE`S/VERIZON ON 162ND STREET CLASS A dogs are identified in the Bill as: 1. Pitbull Terrier or any dog bred from the Pitbull Terrier.

2. Fila Brasileiro or any dog bred from the Fila Brasileiro.

3. Japanese Tosa or any dog bred from the Japanese Tosa.

were making because theyMa d at derstand aviati told KaieteurinNe were totallyara clu had they know ed mistake, they w never done He it, b time they realiz TT already too late der in a recent inter Queenstownthe res oug Khan believes t Pat “pushed aside” of the GACwh fo ing his reservat said one political cub app According to in realized thatapp th forward-thinkin agement would “Th the GAC and fore gave theant th dri some eight mon sultp consider their removing him.

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January 9-15, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

ISLAM Peace / submission to the will of our creator.

Series - part 04

Our guiding Stars The companions of our noble Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)

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he world once revolved in darkness. The darkness of sin and deviant beliefs. Spiritual darkness.

Filled with chaos and corruption. Envy and hatred governed the day. Tribal war and petty conflict raged rampant in every society. Despicable customs and shameful practices prevailed. Modesty and morality dwindled away and human life was trivialized. It had been some time since a divine reminder had come, and mankind, in his forgetful nature, quickly digressed from the path of guidance. The future of humanity seemed very bleak and the cries of the rare reformers fell on deaf ears. This condition continued for some centuries. At this point our lord the most compassionate, looked upon us with a look of mercy, as He raised up from this darkness a shining light in the form of His messenger Muhammad (S.A.W). Guided by nothing more than divine instructions, Muhammad (S.A.W) extinguished the darkness of the world with his life and teachings as a brilliant example. His teachings illuminated the hearts of those around him and eradicated all falsehood from their lives. They wholeheartedly accepted the new teachings and instilled the pure belief into their souls, thus becoming people of firm faith and outstanding personalities. History has never witnessed such resolute conviction in any teaching, men who devoted their entire lives to a cause in such an extremely fearless manner, with personal sacrifice and exertion, as it has witnessed in these companions of prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). It was on the strength of this exemplary behavior that these individuals were raised from the pits of darkness to become guiding stars to success for humanity till the end of time.

MUS’AB IBN `UMAIR (May Allah be pleased with him) Mus’ab bin ‘Umair (Radhiyallaho anho) had been brought up with great love and

affection by his well- to-do parents. Before embracing Islam, he lived in luxury and comfort. It is said that he was the best dressed youth of Makkah. In fact his parents would buy a dress worth two hundred dirhams for him. He embraced Islam in its early days, without the knowledge of his parents. When, however, they came to know of it, they tied him with a rope and compelled him to stay at home.

He got an opportunity to escape and immigrated to Abyssinia. On return from Abyssinia, he emigrated again to Madinah. So a person like him, brought up in luxury and comfort, was now living a life of abstinence and austerity.

Once the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was sitting when Mus’ab (Radhiyallaho anho) passed in front of him. He had only one sheet of cloth to clothe his body, and this bore a number of patches, including one of leather. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) with tears in his eyes mentioned Mus’ab’s life of luxury before Islam.

The days and years passed by. The Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions emigrated to Al-Madinah, and the Quraish were raging with envy and their ungodly pursuit after the pious worshippers. So the Battle of Badr took place, in which they were taught a lesson and lost their strong hold. After that they prepared themselves for revenge, and thus came the Battle of Uhud. The Muslims mobilized themselves, and the Prophet (PBUH) stood in their midst to sort them out and to choose one to carry the Flag.

He then called for Mus`ab and he advanced and carried the flag.

The terrible battle was raging, the fighting furious. The archers disregarded the orders of the Prophet (PBUH) by leaving their positions on the mountain when they saw the polytheists withdrawing as if defeated. But this act of theirs soon turned the victory of the Muslims to defeat. The Muslims were

taken unaware by the cavalry of the Quraish.

When they saw the confusion and horror splitting the ranks of the Muslims, the polytheists concentrated on the Prophet of Allah to finish him off. Mus`ab saw the impending threat, so he raised the Flag high, shouting, “Allahu Akbar! Allah is the Greatest!” like the roar of a lion, he turned and jumped left and right, fighting and killing the foe. All he wanted was to draw the attention of the enemy to himself in order to turn their attention away from the Prophet (PBUH). He thus became a whole army by himself. Mus`ab went alone to fight, raising the flag in sanctity with one hand, striking with his sword with the other, but the enemies were multiplying on him.

They wanted to find the Prophet (PBUH).

Ibn Sa`d said: In the battle of Uhud, Musab (Radhiyallaho anho) held the flag of Islam. When the Muslims on meeting defeat were dispersing in confusion, he held the flag and stood at his post like a rock. An enemy came and cut his hand with a sword, so that the flag might fall and the defeat might be accomplished.

He at once took the flag in the other hand. The enemy then cut the other hand also. He held the flag to his bosom with the help of his bleeding arms. The enemy at last pierced his body with an arrow. He fell dead and, with him fell the flag that he had not allowed to fall while he was alive. Another Muslim ran and took over the flag.

The Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions came to inspect the scene of the battle and bid farewell to its martyrs.

Pausing at Mus`ab’s body, tears dripped from the Prophet’s eyes. Khabbaab lbn Al-Arat narrated: We emigrated with the Prophet (PBUH) for Allah’s cause, so our reward became due with Allah. Some of us passed away without enjoying anything in this life of his reward, and one of them was Mus`ab Ibn`Umair, who was martyred on the Day of Uhud. He did not leave behind anything except a sheet of shredded woolen cloth. If we covered his head with it, his feet were uncovered, and

if we covered his feet with it, his head was uncovered. The Prophet (PBUH) said to us, “Cover his head with it and put leaves over his feet.”

Despite the deep, sad pain which the Prophet (PBUH) suffered over the loss of his uncle Hamzah and the mutilation of his corpse by the polytheists in a manner that drew tears from the Prophet (PBUH) and broke his heart; despite the fact that the field of battle was littered with the corpses of his Companions, all of whom represented the peak of truth, piety and enlightenment; despite all this, he stood at the corpse of his first envoy, bidding him farewell and weeping bitterly. The Prophet (PBUH) stood at the remains of Mus`ab lbn `Umair saying, while his eyes were flowing with tears, “Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah” (33:23). Then he gave a sad look at the garment in which he was shrouded and said, “I saw you at Makkah, and there was not a more precious jewel, nor more distinguished one than you, and here you are in a single garment!” Then the Prophet (PBUH) looked at all the martyrs in the battlefield and said, “The Prophet of Allah witnesses that you are martyrs “Then he gathered his living Companions around him and said, “O people, visit them, come to them, and salute them. By Allah, no Muslim will salute them except that they will salute him in return.”

Such was the end of the youth who was brought up in luxury and comfort. The person who used to wear a dress worth two hundred dirhams does not have sufficient cloth to cover his dead body. Look!

With what valor he tried to keep the flag up, and did not allow it to fall till he was dead. This is the miracle of Imaan. Once Imaan gets into a person, it makes him forget everything else, whether wealth, luxury or life itself.

Shaky Abdullah Khan Al-Ihsan Academy Abdullah.khan@ihsanacademy.org

Caribbean Star Newspaper ‘WE ’FRAID TOWN’

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he two women who were victims of gunshot wounds in Port-of-Spain while tending to babies — one of whom was grazed dangerously by a bullet — are now afraid of the capital city.

Lichelle Francois, of Trou Macaque, Laventille, and her 18-month-old son Imani George, and Murlesha “Murtle” Mazid, of Penal, were wounded in separate incidents on Nelson Street and the Beetham Highway respectively.

Their injuries were caused by stray bullets in shootings on Monday and Tuesday that the police have not been able to uncover. Francois, 29, was shot in her right hand, and her infant son grazed at the back of the head. Mazid, 32, was shot in the upper left arm and chest.

“I am really afraid of Port-of-Spain,” a

traumatised Francois said yesterday. “It is a very scary place. I try not to linger there too long, because you just don’t know what would happen.”

So fearful was Mazid and her family that when Newsday visited relatives yesterday they did not wish to be photographed, lest they become identifiable to the criminals who did the shooting.

“If they (perpetrators) see our photos, they will come for us,” Mazid’s sister, Genesha Balgobin, told Newsday yesterday. “I cannot get the incident off my mind. I used to think that all shooting had motives like drugs.”

Balgobin, 38, was with Mazid when she was shot. The wounded woman remains warded at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope.

January 9-15, 2015 In the case of Francois, had the bullet that grazed her son Imani, gone an inch or two to the left or right, the toddler would have been dead.

Baby Imani is said to be in a stable and comfortable condition also at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. His mother was discharged from Port-of-Spain General Hospital after being treated for the bullet wound to her right arm.

Reinforcing her fear of going into the capital city, Francois told Newsday, “Too much crime happening in Port-of-Spain and the most set of police would be there.

It is very ridiculous. It is very sad.”

Speaking to reporters at the medical complex where she was visiting her son yesterday, Francois recounted the ordeal of the shooting which took place while she and Imani were in a taxi driving along Nelson Street in east Port-of-Spain on Tuesday.

“I had a rough day at work, a tiring day,

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and I said I was going home and sleep,” she said. “I realised that my son needed something, so I was going to get something for him, and there was real traffic in town, and the easiest way was down Nelson Street.

Basically that was a bad decision.”

Francois said when she first heard the noise, she thought that the driver had rolled over a bottle. When the second shot echoed she realised it was gunfire.

“With that now I saw my hand covered in blood and my son’s head was bleeding,” she continued. “I decided to ask the driver to let us go by the hospital, but the traffic was ridiculous. I couldn’t wait. I jumped out the vehicle and started running with my child. That was when I saw the police van and they assisted me by driving me to the hospital,” Francois said.

She praised the attention she and her baby received from medical personnel both at Port-of-Spain General Hospital and Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. Francois’ mother, Hazelyn Edwards, lamented the shootings and crime in the country in general and called on “black youths” to put down their guns.

“You are not serving any purpose,” she said. “You are just hurting people like you.”

Mazid’s ordeal came as she and her family were about to end an outing to Chaguaramas, on Monday afternoon.

Her sister told Newsday yesterday that their stop on the Beetham Highway was to do a diaper change for Mazid’s two-year-old nephew, Ishmael Balgobin, who had become testy after their long drive. The family rarely visits north Trinidad and were not aware that they were stopping in one of the crime hot spots of the country. Balgobin recalled that earlier in the day, Mazid visited her with a rented car to carry them wherever they wanted to go. Relatives decided to go on a trip to Chaguaramas and it was while they were returning home the incident occurred.

Recounting the incident, Balgobin told Newsday, “My husband (Rajpat Balgobin) pulled at the roadside into a spot that he thought was safe for us to stop so that we can change the diaper. We did not know it was a dangerous area until after the incident. We go north maybe twice for a year.

The baby was crying and Murtle (Mazid) had just bend down to kiss and comfort him because he was fussing.”

Also in the car was Balgobin’s 21-yearold daughter.

“Everything happened within a minute,” Balgobin recounted. “We heard what sounded as if someone pelted a bottle then saw three men standing and watching us.

Calmly she told my husband to drive because she got shot, and he eased his way back on the road,” Balgobin said.

Mazid told her, “It felt like a shocking pain. When I watched her, I saw blood over her chest. We had already changed the diaper.”

The bullet had entered Mazid’s left upper arm and exited the left side of her chest area and became lodged in the side the driver’s seat. During the drive to the hospital, Balgobin recalled Mazid remained calm as blood continued to flow from her upper body. But she began to panic when the driver, unfamiliar with the area, missed the turn off to get into the compound of the hospital.

“My husband panicked when he missed the turn and Murtle began to cry,” Balgobin related. “She began to tell us to take care of her children (Mazid is the mother of three children ages 11, ten and seven) because she thought that she was not going to make it to the hospital. We eventually reached and doctors attended to her one time. They say she is okay.”

Family members yesterday admitted that they were very traumatised and are fearful the perpetrators would attack them.

No one else was injured and officers of the Besson Street Police Station are continuing investigations.

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January 9-15, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

Call 347-759-3934 OR 347-661-9930

Caribbean Star Newspaper

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January 9-15, 2015

Ed Ahmad begins forfeiture payments as ordered by court

uyanese businessman Ed Ahmad, who pleaded guilty to criminal charges in a US court and is awaiting sentencing, has begun making forfeiture payments as ordered by the court last month with the deposit of US$28,662 into the Seized Asset Deposit Fund.

A court filing on Tuesday revealed this information and said it was in keeping with the December, 2014 order made by New York Judge Dora Irizarry following a request from the US State’s Attorney office.

Ahmad, who pleaded guilty to mortgage fraud conspiracy on October 10, 2012, has to make payments of forfeiture money to the tune of US$500,000.

He faces over 10 years in jail and US$15 million in restitution and fines.

Judge Irizarry had ordered that the money shall be paid not later than the date of the defendant’s sentencing which was only listed as the “Final Due Date”. If payment is not done before that date interest on the forfeiture money judgment shall accrue on any unpaid portion at the judgment rate of interest from that date.

Ahmad had made a US$40,000 payment to Rep Gregory Meeks (D-NY)

in 2007 that the Congressman failed to disclose on his Financial Disclosure Reports for 2007, 2008, and 2009. Meeks subsequently claimed the $40,000 payment was a loan, but there was no note or payments until several years after.

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) asked the House Ethics Committee to investigate the matter and noted

that Meeks “refused to cooperate with its investigation.”

Ahmad was eventually detained on charges that he operated a US$50 million mortgage-fraud scheme in Queens, New York. Ahmad’s case has attracted great interest in Guyana because of his close ties to former president Bharrat Jagdeo. Ahmad had shipped a container of goods to Jagdeo at State House and many questions were asked about this.

Ahmad also operates a hardware facility on the site of the former headquarters of the PPP-aligned Mirror newspaper at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt. The Mirror is no longer printed at this location.

He also co-owns a wood processing facility which was controversially transformed into a housing project. It was recently revealed that the company had quietly approached the Chief Justice’s court last year and secured an order to alter the conditions attached to the sale of the land to permit the housing estate.

It is believed that the Guyanese businessman may be cooperating with authorities hence the delay in his sentencing.

Dr. Ravideen Ramsamooj. Ph.D. Trained music teacher.

Alleged thief found dead after jumping into Mazaruni River

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t about 2300h, on Janaury 04, 2015, the police say that David Marks was allegedly seen breaking and entering a shop at Papi Show Landing, Mazaruni River, and was confronted by residents.

Marks is reported to have jumped into the river in order to escape and was not seen until today when his body was recovered in the river.

Investigations are in progress.

Bartica miner stabbed to death

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t about 2100h. last night, police say that miner Noel Clementson, 35 years, of Bartica, was involved in an argument with another man at Arimu Backdam, Cuyuni River, during which he was stabbed about his body. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Bartica Hospital.

The suspect has not yet been arrested as the investigations continue.

Pta. Bharati Ramsamooj B.A. Founder & Advisor

Registered :- October 21st 1998 Our Mission To promote East Indian Culture and Spiritual awareness through Music, Language, and other Art Forms.

We are committed to helping our students raise their level of ethical and moral consciousness so that they are better prepared to meet the challenges of the society in which they live.

Classes are available for Classical Vocal, Bhajans, Ghazals, Geets, Folk and other light vocal forms; Tabla, Harmonium, Violin, Flute, Sarangi, Sarod, Sitar and other Indian instruments. We offer courses in Hindi, Sanskrit and Moral education - teaching from the Vedas, Upnashidas, Bhagvat Gita, and Ramayan

Register now and get 50% OFF first two months Fees.

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Located at 126 - 10 111 Avenue, South Ozone Park. Ny 11420.

For further information call:www. eima.us

718 738 7836.

email: office @eima.us

Now affiliated with University of Massachusetts

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 9-15, 2015

In Loving Memory Of Our Beloved Patriarch

Deopersaud Mohabir Sunrise Sunset

May 15Th 1919 December 29Th 2014

May Lord Shiva Keep You In His Rose Garden You Will Be Deeply Miss By Your 10 Children (7 Girls,3 Boys) 4 Son In Laws 3 Daughter In Laws 29 Grandchildren 47 Great-Grandchildren & 1 Great-Great Granddaughter

May You Rest In Peace, We Love You Dearly You Are Forever In Our Hearts

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 9-15, 2015

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THE WONDERFUL BENEFITS OF PRAYER During the month of January every year, many churches conduct special times of Fasting and Prayers. This year, the Assemblies of God in New York with over 320 churches along with other Denominations have banded together for 21 Days of Hunger.

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he focus of prayer is a spiritual awakening in New York and peace in our City. This is a great time for God’s people to renew their prayer habits. Prayer is a vital part of our Christian lives. Prayer is our communication with Heaven and without it we would be like the branches separated from the Vine.

Remember Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:1-7)

PRAYER IS NOT MERELY A RITUAL EXERCISE. This is about a relationship with Jesus as well as our lifeline through which we receive life substance from Him who is the Source. If Satan can manage to cut you off from prayer, he can strangle your prayer lifeline and before long you lose your relationship with Christ. We must not be satisfied with mere church attendance. Our relationship with the living Savior is maintained through prayer.

Prayer is Stress Relief – The Bible says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall

keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Again the Word of God says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Pet. 5:7) We must take advantage of this wonderful privilege that God opens for us. Why would you not pray? Why would you allow the pressures of life to stress you? Why would you wait until things are unbearable before you start praying? Jesus cares for you and He wants to relieve you of pressures and make you stressfree. Learn the secret of laying down every burden at His feet.

Prayer is a Therapy – How many times we have things on our minds and we need someone to talk it over with, but we don’t know who to tell? The issues you deal with can make you feel like you are in a prison. You feel tense, anxious and nervous. You need relief before you break down. Well, your Heavenly Father wants to hear your story. You can pour it out on

Him in prayer. He is confidential and caring. Prayer time should include reading and meditating on the Word of God. People look for a counselor, but don’t know who to trust. Jesus is a wonderful Counselor. He is wise and strong. Prayer time should include reading and meditating on God’s Word. He can speak to you through His Word and give you direction. If we are honest, His Word will show us the way.

Get it off your chest; ease your nervousness and tensions. Spent time in prayer!

Prayer builds our character – He wants to improve our Christian character just the same as He wants to meet our needs. Jesus taught us to ask, seek and

knock. Why do we have to do so much follow up for our requests? Sometimes God knows we are not ready. Our hearts are not yet prepared. Some of us need to have our pride and carnal desires dealt with more than the thing we are asking for. Some of us can be hasty, impatient, snobbish, or driven by greed, lust or selfishness. So God teaches us some good lessons through delay. Whilst we wait for answers, we can have self-examination to bring our life and behavior in line with God’s Word. Are you willing to change some things in your life as you pray?

Prayer brings solutions – Jesus taught us, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these

things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:31-33) The Word of God promised “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14).We must be persistent. God will come through.

He never fails. When the early church prayed, significant things happened that can only be attributed to the power of God. It can happen for us today also. Acts 2:42-47 records: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

In an environment of prayer, the Presence of God brings a reverential fear upon people. The power of the Holy Spirit produces wonders and signs for the benefit of the people. There is genuine unity and support among the people as prayer works to melt their hearts and bring harmony. People are generous towards those with needs. There is joy in worship, fellowship and sharing. Souls are saved and the Church grows. Prayer still works because Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Take your family to church this weekend.

Pastor Haniff Bacchus Calvary Assembly

of God

102-07 Rockaway Blvd, Ozone Park, NY 11417 Tel. 718-659-4500 www.calvaryozone.org

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Caribbean Star Newspaper MTA bus and 2 cars involved in crash that injures at least 23 people in Brooklyn

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January 9-15, 2015

fficials said a BMW struck a Nissan Altima on Utica Ave. in East Flatbush. The impact knocked the BMW into the path of a B46 bus. Three people were clinging to life and more than 20 were treated at a hospital. Police were investigating the crash.

Three people were clinging to life and more than 20 were treated in Brooklyn Wednesday after a car slammed into a city bus, authorities said.

At least three people were in critical condition following the 3:55 p.m. crash at Utica Ave. and Clarendon Rd. in East Flatbush, officials said.

A BMW was heading southbound on

Utica Ave. when it struck a Nissan Altima coming out of a parking lot, officials said.

The BMW was knocked into an oncoming B46 bus, cops said. The entire front end of the BMW crumpled in the crash with the driver’s side corner of the bus.

Four men in the BMW were rushed to Kings County Hospital, where three were listed in critical condition. A woman in the Nissan Altima was also taken to Kings County Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The bus driver was also hospitalized with minor injuries.

About 16 bus passengers were treated at the scene, officials said.

Cops were investigating the crash.

Shabana's body found in a hole

A

woman's body, believed to be that of missing 19-year-old Shabana Mohammed was found today near her home in Santa Cruz.

Mohammed was last seen on January 3. Searches were drawn to a foul smell at around 10a.m. and discovered the body.

The body was found in a shallow grave.

Mohammed, a sales coordinator with a shipping company in Woodbrook, was last seen at around 7.30a.m. on Saturday, January 3, when she was left home alone.

Screams were heard coming from the house that day, but it was only later that relatives discovered she was missing, and was not answering her cellular phone.

Police found signs of a struggle in the house.

Police are at the crime scene, said to be located at the back of Mohammed's home.

Call 347-759-3934 FOR A FREE ESTIMATE!!

Police officers at the home of Shabana Mohammed at Akal Trace, Santa Cruz.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

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January 9-15, 2015

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January 9-15, 2015

25

Consider consolidation for a simpler retirement

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aving for retirement is something that many people have high on their priority list. The way people save for retirement can certainly vary a great deal, but one of the most common, and beneficial, ways is to participate in a company-sponsored retirement program, such as a 401(k) plan.

Today, most companies typically offer some sort of optional retirement program in which their employees can participate to save for retirement. These plans offer a convenient, and often tax advantaged, way to save.

While company-sponsored retirement plans make a lot of financial sense for employees, the rate at which people change jobs today may pose a problem in some cases.

Recent studies have found that people are changing jobs frequently these days. In fact,

Baby Boomers born between 1957 and 1964, on average, held 11 jobs between the ages of 18 and 441. Younger workers are also changing jobs as a way of advancing in their careers. A byproduct of all this job changing is that there may be a good deal of retirement money left behind at former employers.

When someone changes jobs and has been participating in an employer’s 401(k) plan, he/she has to make a decision regarding what to do with their retirement plan distribution. If he/she does nothing, it remains with the employer’s plan. If he/she has changed jobs a few times, that means he/she can potentially have several pots of retirement money spread around in numerous plans. This can be 1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 2012

cumbersome when trying to keep track of how much is saved and knowing how each account is performing.

While leaving money in a former employer’s plan may be an option, one way to gain more control of those assets is to consolidate the retirement funds into a single individual retirement account (IRA). By rolling over the assets and consolidating them into an IRA you can: • Develop a simplified strategy for your retirement assets that includes all your savings.

• More easily track your investment performance.

• Potentially reduce the cost of working with multiple companies.

• More easily plan for your retirement income and calculate your required

distributions when you retire.

• Simplify your tax reporting.

Of course, in some cases consolidating your retirement assets may not be appropriate, buy if it is, you may be able to simplify your retirement planning and gain more control over your assets in the long run through consolidation.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 9-15, 2015

D

ESPITE the country’s security forces being placed on heightened alert in the face of rampant murders, there has been no let up in the bloodshed, violence and wanton lawlessness In addition to the murder rate rising to 14 in six days, gun violence saw a woman and her baby son being shot in broad daylight, a woman being shot as she changed her baby’s diaper off the Beetham Highway (see both stories on Page 5) and a bandit being shot and killed by security officers in Barataria yesterday (see Page 7).

The murder rate jumped from 11 in five days to 14 in six days following the discovery of a man’s bullet-riddled body in Laventille, another man being gunned down in St Joseph yesterday and a man being chopped to death near the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court, also yesterday.

Murder over cocaine The 14th and latest murder in 2015 took place yesterday evening when a chopping incident over the ownership of $40 worth of cocaine ended the life of a street dweller, who collapsed and died a stone’s throw away from both the San Fernando Police Station and Magistrates’ Court.

Police identified the victim only as Brian also called Ali and up to last night were in search of the killer who is believed to also be a street dweller, who sources said is believed to have suffered injuries in the incident.

An eyewitness told Newsday that at about 4.35 pm yesterday, both men were engaged in a heated argument over the

NO LET UP

ownership of $40 worth of cocaine at an empty lot of land next to Ali’s Doubles along Harris Street in San Fernando.

The argument escalated into a fight during which the suspect dealt victim several chops with a cutlass. With blood flowing from his body, Brian ran a short distance away before collapsing on the pavement in full view of startled passers-by.

Minutes after the brutal chopping, officers of both the Southern Division Task Force and the San Fernando Municipal Police arrived on the scene, placed Brian in the tray of a police van and rushed him to the San Fernando General Hospital.

Although eyewitnesses told Newsday that the man died at the scene, police investigators said he was pronounced dead on arrival at the general hospital.

“He (the victim) usually fought other drug users over cocaine. They are accustomed to sleeping in the area where the fight broke out.

Sometimes they fight over $1 and $5 worth of drugs. The suspect left with the cutlass in his hand and he, too, appeared to be injured,” said an eyewitness who requested anonymity.

The body was removed to the hospital’s mortuary and will be sent to the Forensic Science Centre in St James for an autopsy which is expected to be done today.

Snr Supt Santana, Insp Don Gajadhar, Sgts Julien and Persad together with PC Sukram and WPC Coomansingh visited the scene and searched the area for the suspect who is believed to originally hail from Siparia and had been charged in the

past with shooting with intent and robbery.

Father of 2 gunned down Meanwhile, a father of two was gunned down while he was washing a car in St Augustine yesterday afternoon. According to police, at about 1.30 pm, Josh Nipper, 22, was washing a car at a carwash on Railway Road in St Augustine, when he was ambushed by a gunman wearing a track suit and cap. Nipper who was shot multiple times, died at the scene. An onlooker, police said, was also shot but survived. He was taken to hospital for treatment and subsequently discharged. Police did not divulge the name of this shooting victim.

Crime scene investigators recovered at least 13 spent shells as they processed the area where Nipper was gunned down. Several women, one of whom was said to be Nipper’s wife, arrived at the scene a short while later and the reputed wife fainted and was taken away by the other women to a car where she was given water. Police sources said while there is no motive for Nipper’s murder, his killing is believed to be gang-related. Relatives at the scene refused to speak with reporters. The gunman remains at large.

Bullet-riddled body found In an unrelated incident, the bullet-riddled body of Miguel “Croc” Gaskin, 23, was discovered on Monday at about 5.30 pm. According to reports, at that time, residents of Church Street in Laventille detected a foul stench coming from an abandoned house and on investigating, discovered Gaskin’s body riddled with bullets. Gaskin’s godmother Lisa Huggins, who raised him as a child after his mother died, described him as a boisterous and fun-loving person. He was last employed with a security firm and worked at a clothing store. As she awaited the autopsy report outside the Forensic Science Centre, Huggins revealed that Gaskin had been missing since Saturday.

“Someone called me and said his body was found. He went missing on Saturday gone. When I last saw him he was painting my neighbour’s house and I called him to come and collect a wall plaque for his grandmother. He wasn’t a troublesome person, the only thing was that he was loud. “He loved to work, he loved to dress and to my knowledge he was not involved in any crime. When I heard this all I wanted to know was who could possibly do this,” Huggins said. No arrest has been made. For the same period last year, 15 murders were committed.

JAN 1 Vernon Carter, fatally shot outside his Maloney Gardens Home. Later dies at Arima Health Centre. No arrest. It is believed he was struck in the leg by a stray bullet.

JAN 01 Sherwin Skeete, 40, of Punette Avenue, Pinto Road, Arima is shot while liming with his friend Simeon Bravo along Pinto Road.

Bravo was also shot but survives. No arrest.

JAN 1 Handyman Sheflan “Fingers” Rampersad shot dead near St Margaret’s Junction. His body was found at the side of the road by police. No arrest.

JAN 1

Petrotrin estate police officers on patrol, observed a white Nissan Almera car parked on the shoulder of Casserina Avenue on the Petrotrin compound. In the car was the body of 30-year-old Stephen Harrington in the back. Harrington, an ex-convict had been shot in the chest. No arrest made.

JAN 2 The first female to be murdered is that of 30-year-old Dorothy Rodrigo who was found dead at her home in Jokhan Trace, Carapo. She was found shot to death at 3.15 am, shortly after returning home from a party. No arrest made.

JAN 2 The life of 23-year-old Kevin Francis was ended by bullets fired into his head and chest. His body was found by police at about 1.30 am. It is believed that the murder may have stemmed from Francis taking a bottle of champagne from a party on New Year’s Day. No arrest made.

JAN 3 Sean Carrabayo, 18, is shot dead in Carenage shortly after leaving a card game when he received a call on his cellular phone. He was shot along Fitzallen Street in Carenage at about five o’clock in the evening. No arrest made.

JAN 3 At 9.45 pm, carpenter and father of three Krishendath Mahabir is fatally shot in the yard of his Kowlessar Trace, Biche home. He died later at the Rio Claro Health Centre. No arrests made.

JAN 3 Roger Frederic is shot dead outside the San Juan home of a female friend shortly after he left that house following a lime. He was shot dead at 11.32 pm and no arrests have been made.

JAN 4 Part time labourer and parlour owner Levi Snaggs is gunned down not too far from his home in Belle Vue Road, St James.

Like the nine murders committed earlier, no arrest has been made by police.

JAN 4 Burger vendor Khemraj Seerattan is gunned down near his burger cart in the vicinity of the Grand Bazaar at 11.20 pm.

After being shot several times, Seerattan stumbled in the direction of his nearby home but collapsed and bled out along the road. No arrest made.

JAN 5 The decomposing, bullet-riddled body of Miguel “Croc” Gaskin, 23, is found in an abandoned house in Laventille by residents who investigated a foul stench emanating from the structure. Gaskin who worked as a security guard was missing since Saturday. No arrest.

JAN 6 Father of two Josh Nipper is gunned down while washing a car at a car wash in St Augustine. No motive established and no arrest made.

JAN 6 A street dweller known only as “Brian” is chopped to death along Harris Street in San Fernando. It is believed that another street dweller chopped Brian during an argument over some cocaine. No arrest made.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 9-15, 2015

27

Voice Of The Youth M

y name is Shaw Ryan Khan. I am the son of Shaw M. Khan and Camille Zeena Khan and I am the grandson of Haji Ali Akbar Khan and Azeezan Khan from Canegrove, Guyana ,as well as Harry Singh and Lillian Ganpati Singh from Industry, Guyana. My respect to my parents and my grandparents always.

First off, I want to say happy New Year to all my wonderful friends and family!

It’s been a while since my last article but I have a reason for it! And coincidentally, my reason will lead to the topic for this article. First, we need to go back a few weeks; as the majority of you know, I am the president of the new non-profit organization, Beacon of Peace. Our first public event was Christmas with Santa. It was an amazing event and I must thank all those who came to support us!

We had multiple times in which Santa came to take photos with children and their family. But during the 2nd event, I ended up getting sick. I didn’t feel cold but apparently it was very cold! Because of this, I ended up getting very sick. It was at a point where I was so cold that wearing multiple layers of clothing while being covered up underneath 2 sheets were not enough to keep me warm.

It was a night I will never forget. I was so scared because I had a similar feeling before when I had pneumonia. The only thing different is that this time it was during the night and everyone but myself was asleep. I decided I couldn’t take it any longer and I went to my mom to wake her up and tell her what was wrong. I honestly thought she would get mad because she woke up that day very early and did not get a chance to rest or take a nap during the day. I was a moron to think my mother would get mad at me for waking her up. As soon as I told her what was wrong, she got up and started to do her best to make me feel better. It took about an hour before I started to feel warm again but there was another problem my mom noticed. My skin was hotter than a furnace! Now she had to spend another hour patting me down with cold compresses until finally my fever was over and I was able to sleep.

And I remember that day because my mother worked so hard throughout the day to help make sure the event was a success and those who volunteered to help were kept comfortable. She was on her feet all day and finally when she was able to go to bed, she had to get back up again to take care of me. But, my mom never complained about taking care of me, even if she is tired beyond compare.

I thought that I was better the next day but mom still forced me to go to the doctor. I had severe stomach pain and a persistent cough but I thought the stomach pain was from me doing too many stomach exercises and the cough as just a little side effect from the fever I had the previous night. But, I was wrong and

my mom was right; I apparently had a type of acid in my stomach which caused me to cough every so often because the acid was trying to come up. A mother’s instinct is quite powerful. As I took the antibiotics to get rid of the acid, I started to develop side effects of the medicine. Coincidentally, the side effects did not fully show up until New Year’s Eve! I had severe stomach pain and nausea.

We had a family get-together the same night. I was looking forward to this night for weeks because it was a chance for me to spend time with family, have fun, and dance! It turned out I could do none of that because the pain and the nausea was so bad that it kept me from dancing ,kept me from having fun, and kept me from spending quality time with my family. And I felt even worse because my mom had to sacrifice her chance to relax and have fun just so she could take care of me. I tried my best to keep my symptoms hidden from my mom so she wouldn’t worry but she knew me better than that. She kept making sure I took pain reliever and nausea relief tablets on time and kept making sure I was okay. It was even to a point where I was just sitting down in a dazed state of mind and mom just sat down next to me holding my arm so I knew she was there. The thing I remember the most is my family dancing on the dance floor and my mom sitting down all the time next to me, even when her favorite songs came on.

I don’t care what anyone says; no love can supersede the love of a mother for her child. No amount of care can supersede the care that a mother has for her child. A mother’s love is the first and greatest pure love that we encounter in this world. I remember a few weeks ago where I found my mother’s diary and, being the extremely nosey kid that I am, I decided to read a few pages. I ended up reading the pages that were dated a few months when I was born and I was touched. Even before my mom was able to hold me in her arms, she loved me.

She was going through a very hard time but she kept writing that she can’t wait until I am born so she can share laughter and happiness with me. A mother’s love begins even before we are born and doesn’t end no matter what.

It is with this in mind that I say, society is losing its touch with family. I remember my father telling me stories about his childhood life in Guyana. One of those stories included a story about one of the most significant holidays for Muslims, Eid. For my father, Eid is an annual tradition that was celebrated in his family ever since he was a child. He told me stories about Eid day which includes what he and his family would do after Eid prayer. After Eid prayer, all the family would walk together as a group and act as a “walking bus”, stopping at each family’s home and spending time there for a while before moving on to the other family’s home

where the same thing would be repeated. This day was the day where you were rarely home because you were too busy visiting family! But, for my dad, this was a normal thing. There were no phone calls, no text messages, no email, none of that.

It was person to person contact, it was pure and simple. As the years went by, many of us became more sophisticated with technology because it frankly makes the world easier. But does it really? Yes, it allows you to finish tasks quicker but what about family? Let’s take in particular the concept of Social Media; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I am fan of these tools but I am a fan to an extent. Yes, we can keep connected to one another via these social networks but do we really keep connected? It’s sad to see Facebook sending us text messages reminding us of own family member’s birthday. It’s even worse that Facebook gives the option to just reply to the message with the number “1” to send a generic “happy birthday” post to that person’s page. Are we that lazy that we can’t even take 5 seconds to write “Happy birthday”? Facebook, a tool originally made to connect to other family members has become a tool to keep us further apart. I won’t say I’m perfect because I’m not. Even for myself, I have tons of family on my Facebook. But, do I contact them as much as I should? Not really. Do you?

Let me ask this question; would you rather feel the water that falls from Niagara Falls or would you rather see it on a computer screen? Would you rather taste pasta from Italy, the place where supposedly Marco Polo introduced this famous cuisine that was perhaps originally from China, or would you rather watch a YouTube video of someone eating it in Italy? Would you rather hear your favorite artist while sitting in a front row seat or would you rather listen to a soundtrack of that artist on your phone?

Chances are, you answered these questions by choosing the first option rather than the 2nd. And that means you rather have the natural version of those items than the one transferred onto a device.

So why then don’t you choose the natural version of connecting with family?

Why choose to text a family member every once in a while, most likely only when Facebook reminds you to (perhaps because of a birthday or anniversary), when you can choose to pick up the phone and give a call; or even pick yourself up and go visit that family. The physical touch, the natural sound, and the emotional feeling you get from that type of interaction is one of the purest, simplest forms of wonders that this world has to offer. I would even dare to say it should be classified as one of the wonders of the world!

You might still be asking why I spoke earlier so much about my mother. For one, I love my mom and love to tell people about her! She is my idol and I’m her

biggest fan! But secondly, I wanted to show you how beautiful family, in my case my mother, can be. It’s said that you never miss the water until the well runs dry. And yes, it mostly pertains to our mother but it also can pertain to our family as well! I’ve seen so many individuals who mourn over their brother/ sister, cousin, aunty/uncle, etc… And of these individuals, I’ve seen so many of them say they wish that they could hold that person’s hand once more or hear that person’s voice once again.

And rightfully so…No amount of videos of that person or saved voice recordings of that person can suffice for the pure, unfiltered version of hearing/seeing it right in front of us. So why wait until we have to say we wish we could hear or touch that special person once more? Seize the opportunity, take the initiative, and capitalize on the moment.

What is here today is not promised to be here tomorrow.

Before I end my article, I just want to say this; may God continue to bless each and every one of you and I wish for you to achieve peace and serenity in your lives!

Lastly my readers, in your journey through life, I hope you heed my advice.

I want nothing except peace and serenity. And remember this; “Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter. So love your family. Spend time, be kind, and serve one another. Make no room for regrets. After all, Tomorrow is not promised to us and today is short.”

God bless you all and see you in two weeks!

(Like my articles? Want to give me feedback? Do you have a topic suggestion for my next article? Let me know! Add me via Facebook @ Facebook. com/ryankhan0721 or give me a call @ 646-269-8227 or 718-849-1006)

28

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 9-15, 2015

World News Highlights

men who killed 12 people at a French satirical weekly.

WASHINGTON – Facing tight budgets and a shrinking military, the United States said on Thursday it was ending operations at an air base in Britain and handing it and 14 other sites in Europe back to their home governments.

WASHINGTON – Facing budget pressures and a shrinking military, the Pentagon said on Thursday it would consolidate U.S. bases in Europe in the coming years and hand back 15 facilities to the host nation governments in a move projected to save $500 million annually.

CORCY, France – Heavily armed anti-terrorism police swooped on woodland villages northeast of Paris on Thursday in a manhunt for two brothers suspected of being the Islamist gun-

WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, the nation’s top law enforcement official, will travel to Paris on Sunday to discuss ways to counter violent extremism in the wake of the deadly attack on satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, a Justice Department official said on Thursday.

BERLIN – Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives are calling for a broader debate and changes to immigration law after criticism that her government has not done enough to explain to Germans the need for immigrants and let too many unskilled workers in.

PARIS – Serving at a juice bar at an unusually quiet central Saint-Lazare train station, 24-year-old Parisian student

Laura Stern admitted to being “a little bit scared” a day after the worst attack on the capital in decades.

N’DJAMENA – Chad’s prime minister has appealed for international aid for thousands of Nigerian refugees who fled attacks

by Islamist militant group Boko Haram across the border into the Lake Chad region.

WASHINGTON – The United States asked Saudi Arabian authorities on Thursday to cancel a sentence of 1,000 lashes given to a liberal activist.

T

any issues bands may have beforehand.

Bands must register with the NCC as well as the National Carnival Bands Association.

“We are under strict instructions from the Ministry of National Security and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), as the TTPS must be aware of all persons/organisations using the routes,” Pouchet explained after indicating that the NCC is working closely with the police to “devise a solution that maximises their presence, but also minimises any strain or hindrance to the proper discharge of their duties.”

According to the route options, junior bands have been separated into bands with the majority of children under six years of age and bands with the majority over six years of age.

The first band category is expected to assemble on the Drag at the Savannah and cross the stage from east to west. Bands are then expected to exit via Victoria Avenue, head east along Queen’s Park West, south along Dundonald Street, east along Tragarete Road, and then south along St Vincent Street to the Mayor’s Mas on the Move judging point at South Quay.

Bands in the second catego-

CAIRO – Egypt will hold a long-awaited parliamentary election in two phases starting on March 22-23, the election commission said on Thursday, something the government hopes will deliver political and economic stability after nearly four years of upheaval.

SANAA – Police in Yemen have arrested six people suspected of involvement in Wednesday’s bombing of a police college in Sanaa, the capital’s police chief told Yemeni television on Thursday.

CAIRO – After Egyptian cartoonist Andeel took to social media to condemn the slaughter of colleagues in Paris, he received expressions of sympathy – often not for the victims but for the suspected Islamist gunmen.

TRIPOLI – The United Nations

LONDON – Al Qaeda’s North

2 routes for Juniors, 3 for Seniors

wo route options for junior bands and three for seniors are what the National Carnival Commission (NCC) has announced for the 2015 Parade of the Bands on Carnival Saturday and Carnival Monday and Tuesday.

The organisation staged a media conference yesterday at the VIP Lounge of the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain to reveal these routes.

NCC chairman Lorraine Pouchet explained the organisation was still in consultation with stakeholders with regards to how the routes would be managed to deal with problems that may arise, including congestion.

This was the main issue plaguing the Carnival parade each year, and the NCC is yet to come up with a solution. Pouchet said the NCC has a “fairly clear idea of what they want to do,” but did not divulge any details.

Plans are also in place to ensure bands do not stray from the routes. This year, the NCC is inviting bands to have at least three members of their management team accredited with the NCC. These persons would then work with the NCC security manager to ensure they are aware of the route and to tackle

envoy to Libya on Thursday held talks with factions in the country’s conflict, including with a former army general carrying out a campaign against Islamist militants, Libyan officials said.

ry will assemble on St Vincent Street next to the Treasury Building then move south along St Vincent Street and then head east to the South Quay judging point. They would then proceed north on to Broadway, north on to Frederick Street and would enter the Savannah stage area from the east.

The three routes outlined for the senior parade on Carnival Monday and Tuesday are separated into a path, including the Piccadilly Greens judging point, one excluding this point and one for bands heading to the Socadrome at Hasely Crawford Stadium. Bands not heading to the Socadrome would move from Ana Street in Woodbrook and make a circuit, including judging points at Adam Smith Square, South Quay and the Queens Park Savannah. The second route allows bands to leave South Quay and proceed to Piccadilly Greens via Independence Square South then rejoin the route to the Savannah on Charlotte Street via Park Street.

Bands which did not want to go to the Savannah could continue west on Park Street to Tragarete Road.

The Socadrome would only be opened on Carnival Tuesday between 8 am and 4 pm.

African branch praised the gunmen behind this week’s killings at the Paris headquarters of the Charlie Hebdo weekly newspaper as “knight(s) of truth”, a monitoring group said on Thursday.

LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – More than one million people have been driven from their homes by the conflict in Ukraine, hampering aid efforts and leaving the country on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe, aid agencies said on Thursday.

BAUCHI, Nigeria – Boko Haram militants have killed dozens of people and burned down homes in the northeast Nigerian town of Baga in the past two days, in a second killing spree since seizing control there at the weekend, witnesses said on Thursday.

UK calls again for end of Parliament suspension

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he United Kingdom today maintained pressure on the Ramotar administration to recall Parliament saying it was concerned at its continuing suspension.

Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood in a statement said: “The UK Government views with concern the continued prorogation of Parliament by His Excellency President Ramotar and calls for its earliest possible resumption. Parliament is required by Guyana’s Constitution and the Commonwealth Charter, it provides the necessary checks and balances and enables citizens’ voices to be heard. The suspension of Parliament therefore means that an essential element of a functioning democracy has been put on hold.

“We also continue to have concerns that there have been no local elections for over 20 years, which is also contrary to the democratic principles of the Commonwealth Charter and Guyana’s own Constitution.

“The UK calls on all stakeholders to seek solutions to the political and socio-eco-

Tobias Ellwood nomic challenges facing Guyana so that the country can develop in a fair, democratic and equitable way.”

Parliament was suspended on November 10, 2014 and despite promises, President Donald Ramotar is yet to make a further announcement on when general elections will be held.

Caribbean Star Newspaper New Year. New Me? New Year. Better Me

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s 2014 drew to a close, many made promises to ourselves that we would change for the better, some of which were because of our own desires and some were due to other’s opinions. However, only being about 1 week into the 2015, many of us find ourselves challenged by our own goals, and some of us have already opted to abandon them altogether. Though these main goals we have set may have already failed, there are a variety of simpler tasks that can be completed in order to have a more productive and happier new year.

My name is Jagdesh Churaman, and I am an honored and blessed member of the Naujawaan Mandalee Youth Group of the Shaanti Bhavan Mandir, and this article will provide a little insight on how we can all make our new year a happier, and hopefully, more successful one.

One of the most important things we can do in this upcoming year is to be ambitious and persistent. Having the correct state of mind will definitely help you achieve your goals. Even Muhammad Ali, a widely known and respected boxer displayed his perseverance when commenting about his career, “I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’” We may not like the process we may need to go through to achieve our goals, but, like Ali, if we persist through everything, we can happily reap the rewards.

Another important thing we can do in the upcoming year to be happier and more successful, is to accept yourself for who you are, and accept the place we hold within reality. A couple things are for certain in life, we are each unique in our own way, we will not always succeed, and there will always be people who disagree and/or are jealous. Every human on the planet, although equal, differ in their own ways. No one is perfect, but some people excel in some categories where others slack off. The unique natures of each of us is what makes us individuals.

If you can be comfortable and confident in your own skin, and don’t allow others to harm your demeanor, it will help you drastically from being side tracked on making this year a successful one.

We must also accept that because we are not perfect, we will not always succeed. It is a given that failure must be present in order for success to be achieved. Though we fail, we can still get back up. That is the key. We can lament on our failure for a while, but we must get back up and try again until we finally succeed. It’s indeed the worst moments of our life that teach us lessons and mold us into the people we are today.

On another note, there are various physical things we can do that will enlighten our everyday lives. Smile! Smiling literally uses fewer muscles than frowning and is such a positive thing to do, and when you laugh, it’s even better!

Laughter is known as “the best medicine” to many, and it really takes no effort at

January 9-15, 2015

PUZZLE! Fill in the blanks so that each row, each column, and each of the nine 3x3 grids contain one instance of each of the numbers 1 through 9

1

9 4 1 7 2 6 3 5 8

2 8 3 5 1 4 6 7 9

6

5 6 7 8 3 9 2 4 1

1 9 4 3 6 7 5 8 2

6 4 2

8

8 7 5 1 4 2 9 3 6

4 2 9 6 7 3 8 1 5

3 1 6 9 5 8 4 2 7

9 3

2 1 4

7

2 4

7

7 3 8 2 9 5 1 6 4

5

1 6 3

6 5 2 4 8 1 7 9 3

4

8

all. Get together with friends or family and crack a good joke; it’s healthy and fun.

Personally, as a member of the Naujawaan Mandalee Youth Group of the Shaanti Bhavan Mandir, myself and other “Naujawaanies” perform various events of “Seva,” or “selfless service,” which can also be thought of as, “giving back.”

Whether it is serving food to the homeless, spending time with those at a senior center or nursing home, or even cleaning debris from a local beach, when we volunteer our time, we engage in activities with no hope of a reward in return.

Instead we achieve happiness and have tremendous amount of fun while doing so. We don’t need to be doing any sort of volunteer work, but we do it in hopes that we can make at least, one person’s day better. Seva doesn’t even need to be a great outing, either, a simple deed, such as helping someone with a bite to eat who does not have, can leave you feeling way better than you felt before.

2014 was a great year for many, and a perilous one for others. With the coming of 2015, we are granted a “new slate” where we are granted new opportunities to achieve everything we want.

Don’t waste these opportunities. Go out and get that job promotion, go and get your perfect average in school, and keep pushing yourself to go further and to accomplish more and more. The Dalai Lama once said, “The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” So why don’t we make 2015 the happiest year we’ve had yet?

Our lives will only be what we make of it, so get out there, and make something of it. The final tip on how to make 2015 a better year for all of us is to, “Be simple, Be a sample, be an example,” words of the late Guruji Shri Prakash Gossai.

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6

9 5

Mother of toddler killed by dogs remains in hospital

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T ANN, Jamaica -- The mother of a two-year-old boy mauled by dogs in Cardiff Hall, Runaway Bay, St Ann on Monday, January 5 is still in the hospital, OBSERVER ONLINE has learnt.

According to the St Ann police, the mother is in a state of shock and is receiving psychiatric treatment.

Young Maxi Millian Guscott was reportedly attacked by a bull mastiff and other dogs while at home.

Reports are that the toddler was rushed to the St Ann’s Bay Hospital on Monday at about 5:30 pm with severe dog bites over his body including his face.

He died shortly after 9:00 pm Monday while

being treated.

Guscott is said to be an American citizen and was visiting with his mother who was staying at a family home in Cardiff Hall where the inci-

dent occurred.

The police say investigations are ongoing but they have however been unable to speak to the child’s mother due to her medical state.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 9-15, 2015

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone. — Audrey Hepburn

WEEKLY HOROSCOPE

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Let technology work for you instead of vice-versa on Monday.

(Hint: Know when to turn off the phone or step away from the screen!) Home and your emotional center are of primary importance over the next few days. You’ll need to get sorted out in your surroundings and your heart before you can turn your energies outward again. And don’t delay – you won’t want to miss the activity and adventure that await around Thursday and Friday! Get outside – you don’t need a plan! And this weekend you might feel picky, but if you let it go a little, you’ll find a lot to love.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22)

Beware of the dreaded unintended ‘reply all’ and similar foot-in-mouth slip-ups on Monday. You can get your ideas (and innuendos, and invitations) across way better over the next few days, when you’re extra compelling – and extra hot! Don’t be scared to leave your shell behind, shed an inhibition (or two) and go after what you want. But you’re a little impaired in the decision-making department around Thursday and Friday – what seems like a fantastic idea now could make for problems later. Get some advice and reassess this weekend.

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

You may be of two minds about something (or someone) on Monday. Talk it over, and not just on the surface level – how do you really feel? Then things tend go off track over the next few days, but stressing isn’t gonna help matters. While you’re stuck waiting or wondering, you can still find fun. And when you do that, the other stuff seems to sort itself out! But you can (and should) take a more active role starting Thursday. Your life needs guidance now, and you’ll want to especially welcome and shape what’s new. If you want to just chill out, Sunday’s the day.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Figure out the emotional angle behind your reactions as the week gets going. Heart and mind are especially intertwined now, even if you think you’re being completely logical!

A friend who really gets you can shed some light on the situation – providing you explain it thoroughly. Then someone may be calling on you for some help around Thursday and Friday. You should absolutely engage empathetically and do what you can, but know when they’re asking too much, too. And your ideas for this weekend can turn out even better than you’d hoped.

Get your favorite people on board, have fun and bond!

The weekly horoscopes are updated on every week to gives you an in-depth insight into your family, your love life, any career opportunities, friends and money issues.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Build some variety into your day (or evening) on Monday. The same-old, same-old is gonna leave you cold now, but a little spice gives a big mental spark. If you wanna be a homebody, the next couple of days are perfect for that. Then seeing eye-to-eye with others could be tough around Thursday and Friday, whether at work or in your personal life. Concerted efforts toward listening – and understanding – are required.

Then it’s your heart that’s sending off sparks when the weekend comes. Whether you’re part of a couple or looking for romance, the way to heat things up is to say what’s on your mind!

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22)

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

The more, the merrier for you on Monday – the more people you meet, the more conversations you have, the more new stuff you find along the way to feed into the ol’ brain (which is working extra splendidly now, by the way). Then you might be feeling a little less than generous or a little bit jealous over the next few days. It’s not the greatest look on you, so find the real issue and address it promptly!

Then around Thursday, Friday and Saturday, lighten up and live life to the hilt – it’s party time, if the stars have their say. But Sunday requires a little more thinking things through.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

A little more conversation, a little less action pays off on Monday. Get input and get ready to make a more informed, more right-for-you move. And the cosmic energy facilitates this over the next few days, keeping you clear-headed and creative at the same time. Then your hottest days in a long time – maybe all year – are Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Roar! Old favorites, brand-spankingnew fun – anything goes now. And with you around, everything’s great! Don’t overlook the allure of a simple starlit evening! On Sunday, though, a practical matter needs your attention.

Double-check that ‘To’ line before you hit ‘Send’ on Monday! Even you might be a little disorganized now – avoid big flub-ups.

Getting things back in order is easier over the next few days, and don’t neglect your social calendar now, either.

Find the time for friends and do something new; it’ll all inspire you! At the end of the workweek, circumstances may be less than ideal in some area of life, but there’s another way. Entertain lots of options. And when the weekend comes, the stars are on your side, you fabulous thing! It’s time to get the most out of life – and even love!

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

You’ll need those amazing analytical powers of yours on Monday. Take all the info into account, then sort it out.

Over the next few days, though, get a little more touchyfeely – whether figuratively or literally! Things aren’t so concrete now, and if you can set expectations aside and just explore, you’ll free up the energy flow. Then while your spark is hot, you might try fitting in when it comes to a certain situation instead of standing out around Thursday or Friday. Consider it going undercover! This weekend’s perfect for friends, projects and fun plans – and you don’t have to think too big.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Your unique approach outshines others’ same old stuff on Monday. Show your spark! Then health and home need taking care of over the next few days. You might be crazy-busy, but fit in exercise and keep your abode in order, too – physical well-being and surroundings have lots of emotional and mental impact now. And starting Thursday and lasting through the weekend, relationships look very interesting. Figuring out where they’re coming from, where you’re at and how the two intersect – or when they don’t – might be a challenge, but it’s a super-rewarding one to undertake.

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Seeing things as they are – instead of according to preconceptions or others’ projections – keeps you plenty busy on Monday. This vision, though, gives you a real advantage with the questions coming up over the next few days. Get someone else in on looking for answers to make it more interesting, funnier and more fun.

Then around Thursday, Friday and Saturday, make the most of what life has to give – and that’s a lot right now! Don’t waste these beautiful days and hot nights.

There’s plenty of time starting Sunday for tidying up and chilling out.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20)

Practical stuff isn’t where your head’s at as the week gets going, not to mention your heart! Good thing you’re so persuasive – you can get help with the concrete stuff in exchange for your creative thinking or sheer entertainment value. With the right partner right now, there’s really nothing you can’t do! Follow your ideals until sometime Thursday, when, if you don’t get in touch with reality, it’s gonna give you a major wake-up call. Everything’s interconnected, and if you’ll only look from now through the weekend, the stars give you insight about how.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 9-15, 2015

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Entertainment News

Shamitabh trailer:

Taapsee Pannu: Sometimes when Dhanush plus Amitabh makes Shamitabh you're popular in the South, Bollywood may not work out and vice versa

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mitabh Bachchan has once again joined hands with R Balki to come up with the amazing 'Shamitabh'.

The makers had initially come up with an innovative audio trailer and now the launch of the official trailer looks impressive. The legendary thespian once again leaves an excellent impact on the audience with his brand new look. Shamitabh trailer seems to have increased the curiosity of the moviegoers without revealing anything about the storyline. ​​In Shamitabh, 'Sh' is actually the last two letters of Dhanush's name which is followed by Amitabh's name. Amitabh says in the promo, "It's not picture, it's mixture."

READ: Revealed: Akshara Haasan's look in Shamitabh

Shamitabh also marks the debut of Kamal Haasan's daughter, Akshara Haasan. In the past Balki and Bachchan have worked together on films like Cheeni Kum and Paa. The music of the film has been given by Ilaiyaraaja. Shamitabh is all set to release on February 6, 2015.

Cameron Diaz, Benji Madden marry in LA

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ctress Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden have married after seven months of dating.

The couple, who got engaged in December, "were married (Monday) evening in an intimate ceremony at their home in Los Angeles", their representative confirmed, reports people.com.

Over the weekend, the duo reportedly hosted an intimate rehearsal dinner at their home for family and friends, including Drew Barrymore, Joel Madden and Nicole Richie.

The pair was also spotted Jan 3 night at a restaurant where "they were with a small group and had a really romantic table setting with rose petals and candles", said a source.

Diaz, 42, also celebrated her impending nuptials with a bachelorette party over the weekend.

The wedding was held in front of over 90 guests, including Samantha Ronson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon and Robin Antin.

Jennifer Aniston tired of being targeted by tabloids

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ennifer Aniston, who has been a tabloid target since her marriage to Brad Pitt ended in 2005, has said that she has realized that tabloids need to sell

magazines, but it's really getting old.

The 'Friends' star continued that if she was given an opportunity to write a headline on her own then she would go for, "When I'm pregnant and married, I will let you know", E! Online reported.

Aniston continued that she would love to have fun of telling that story.

The 46-year-old actress said that what kills her is when friends send her pics they take at a newsstand where one magazine says, 'Desperate and alone' and the other one says, 'She's eloped!'.

Aniston is engaged to American actor Justin Theroux.

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ctress Taapsee Pannu considers herself "lucky" to have been unanimously accepted in southern filmdom as well as Bollywood in a short span of four years since her cinematic debut in Telugu film "Jhummandi Naadam".

Currently, Taapsee has four films - two each in Hindi and Tamil - in her kitty.

"I just feel I've been wholeheartedly accepted in both the industries. Sometimes when you're popular in the south, Bollywood may not work out and vice versa.

But I think I've been lucky," Taapsee told IANS. She admits her Bollywood career took off quickly, but she "never expected it".

"I also never expected my first Tamil film 'Aadukalam' to win six National awards. Bollywood has responded as well as the south did when I debuted four years ago. Post my Tamil film debut, I was flooded with offers. I think the same fate is repeating with Bollywood," she said.

Taapsee made her Hindi debut with 2013 hit "Chashme Baddoor". She currently has "Baby" and "Agra Ka Daabra" in her kitty. In Tamil filmdom, she's awaiting the release of "Vai Raja Vai" and "Muni 3".

The actress was busy working on four projects in 2014, but she didn't even manage to have a single release.

"The release of a film lies in the hands of a producer," she said, adding that the work she did last year was "creatively satisfying".

"I may not have had a release in 2014, but it was an eventful year because of the kind of work that was offered to me.

That's precisely why I didn't worry too much about the release of these films because I knew I had the best in hand. I also learnt that you need a lot of perseverance and patience in this profession," she added.

For Neeraj Pandey-directed "Baby", Taapsee underwent special training in the Krav Maga Israeli form of martial arts,

while for "Agra Ka Daabra", she plans to visit Uttar Pradesh to research her character.

With such diverse roles in her Hindi films, Taapsee agrees Bollywood has offered her meatier characters.

"Since I know Hindi, I've realised how easy and interesting it is to work in Bollywood. Not knowing the language becomes a bigger challenge and that's what I face in the south. This is one of the limitations why we (Hindi film actresses) don't get interesting characters there.

But all that is slowly changing. The roles I play in 'Vai Raja Vai' and 'Muni 3' are proof to it," she said.

Although she plays a brief role in "Vai Raja Vai", it has shades of grey, quite contrary to the bubbly roles she's played so far.

"Muni 3" took a toll on Taapsee, "physically as well as mentally".

"To spend nearly two years of my life on this project itself was very challenging. The role I play in the film required a lot of physical strength. And it doesn't necessarily have to be action, but the conditions we shot in and everything I had to do for this character," she said.

"I've done a lot of underwater sequences. During peak summer time, I was dragged along the sand and we shot under very strenuous conditions," she added.

But it's "Baby" that Taapsee is really excited about for it has given her an opportunity "to step into the shoes of a man".

"It's a privilege for female actors to perform stunts in a male-dominated industry, and to be doing it in a full-length action film is very special. I consider myself as one of the 'guys' in 'Baby'.

"This role made me do all that's expected out of a hero. It's one of the reasons why I wanted to be part of this project because it's not going to sideline me as a heroine," she said.

32

Caribbean Star Newspaper Mark Wahlberg wants Scorsese for 'Boardwalk Empire' movie

January 9-15, 2015

Liam Neeson faces his biggest challenge yet in Taken 3

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Liam Neeson in a still from the film

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aken 3Tadanobu Asano to play lead in Martin Scorsese's nextThe Equalizer: Twitter reactions''Ted 2'' first image releasedNouela/ Indie musician Liam Neeson returns as ex-covert operative Bryan Mills in Taken 3, whose reconciliation with his ex-wife is tragically cut short when she is brutally murdered.

The film will see Neeson aka Bryan face his biggest challenge ever as he gets to grips with the aftershocks of his ex-wife's murder, while also evading pursuit from several law enforcement agencies. Apart from hunting down the real killers, he has to protect his daughter Kim. Talking in terms of thrills, this third

instalment is the biggest Taken yet and includes tight fight sequences and a fast-paced freeway chase, in addition to the film's overall pace. In fact, the movie poses a do-or-die situation for Bryan, where he relies on every possible skill he has, including hand-to-hand combat, explosives and sharpshooting. He has to be able to think on his feet and be stealthy.

For Neeson, Taken 3 is the culmination of a film series that has both thrilled and moved audiences around the world. "I think moviegoers are in store for a cinematic joyride, many thrills and spills and certainly a lot of heart," he says. "And I'm a big believer in heart in the movies."

Taken 3 releases on January 9.

ollywood actor Mark Wahlberg has revealed he wants to make a film version of 'Boardwalk Empire'.

The 43-year-old actor was producer on the HBO series as well as on the network's 'In Treatment' and 'How To Make It In America'.

Wahlberg said he would be interested in hiring Martin Scorsese to direct, reported Digital Spy. "My next goal now is to get the movie made and start talking to Martin Scorsese about directing it," he said.

Scorsese directed the pilot episode of the series and acted as executive producer throughout its run.

When questioned about how the movie could be made given the death of main character Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) in the series' finale, Wahlberg said: "We can always go back."

The Amazing Spider-Man 3' casting begins

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he Amazing Spider-Man 3' is moving forward despite rumoured talks between Sony executives about replacing Andrew Garfield as the main lead.

A casting call for the movie has emerged on Bill Beckman Casting, hinting that the studio is moving forward with the project, reported Ace Showbiz.

The third 'Amazing Spider-Man' movie was pushed back from June 10, 2016 to an undetermined date in 2018 after 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' only brought in USD 709 million, the lowest of any Spider-Man movie ever.

The fourth installment, meanwhile, is no longer listed on the studio's schedule.

Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively welcome first child?

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ctors Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have reportedly welcomed their first child over the Christmas holidays.

Lively, 27, announced her pregnancy on her lifestyle website, Preserve, and she kicked off a series of stylish ensembles that showed off her growing belly, reported People magazine.

However, the famously private couple have yet to publicly announce the arrival of their firstborn, but reports suggest that Lively gave birth just before the New Year close to their home in Bedford.

The actress and her husband Reynolds tied the knot in September 2012.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 9-15, 2015

33

How 'Fifty Shades' helped evolve latest sex trends

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new study has listed down sex trends that will rule 2015 and includes dirty talk, sex toys and kinky bedroom antics to name a few.

According to the study, 'Fifty Shades of Grey' book has helped open up an international discussion about sex, the Daily Star reported.

A recent study, by sex toy designers LELO, discovered that over the past five years they have already become much more adventurous in their sexual endeavors.

The findings revealed that 83 per cent of women said that they are confident to tell their partner what they want in bed,

Scarlett Johansson to play lead in 'Ghost in the Shell'

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ctress Scarlett Johansson has been roped in to play the lead role in DreamWorks' "Ghost in the Shell".

The Black Widow of Marvel Cinematic Universe is cast to portray Major Kusanagi, a covert agent fighting tech crimes in a futuristic cyberpunk world, reported Ace Showbiz.

The live-action film is adapted from Masamune Shirow's manga of the same name.

Rupert Sanders ("Snow White and the Huntsman") is expected to sit behind the lens with the script by Bill Wheeler. Avi Arad and Steven Paul are among the producers.

In October 2013, Johansson, 30, was reportedly being offered USD 10 million to play the heroine. The role was originally planned for Margot Robbie, but "The Wolf of Wall Street" actress dropped out of negotiations as she's lined up for "Suicide Squad", Warner Bros' potential blockbuster centering on anti-heroes in DC Comic Universe.

whereas only 67 per cent felt they could in 2009.

Steve Thomson, LELO Head of Marketing said in the past 5 years, there has been a significant change in how they communicate about sex.

Thomson said that the taboo is finally dead and 'Fifty Shades' played a huge role in exposing the masses to a thriving subculture of vibrant sexuality, of embracing one's most secret desires.

Study also revealed that couple are also openly experimenting more with sex toys with 74 per cent of respondents opening admitting to owning a sex toy compared to just 38 per cent in 2011.

Jamie Dornan

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January 9-15, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

Caribbean Connections

A bloody day in Paris as… Hooded gunmen storm French magazine’s city office –leave 12 dead in deadliest attack on French soil in decades

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ARIS (Reuters) – Police are hunting three French nationals, including two brothers from the Paris region, after suspected Islamist gunmen killed 12 people at a satirical magazine on Wednesday, a police official and government source said. The hooded attackers stormed the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo, a weekly known for lampooning Islam and other religions, in the most deadly militant attack on French soil in decades.

French police staged a huge manhunt for the attackers who escaped by car after shooting dead some of France’s top cartoonists as well as two police officers.

About 800 soldiers were brought in to shore up security across the capital.

Police issued a document to Forces across the region saying the three men were being sought for murder in relation to the Charlie Hebdo attack. The document, reviewed by a Reuters correspondent, named them as Said Kouachi, born in 1980, Cherif Kouachi, born in 1982, and Hamyd Mourad, born in 1996.

The police source said one of them had been identified by his identity card which had been left in the getaway car.

The Kouachi brothers were from the Paris region, while Mourad was from the area of the northeastern city of Reims, the government source told Reuters.

Anti-terrorism police were preparing an operation in Reims, the police source said, declining to give more details.

The police source said one of the brothers had previously been tried on terrorism charges.

Cherif Kouachi was charged with criminal association related to a terrorist enterprise in 2005 after he had been arrested before leaving for Iraq to join Islamist militants. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2008, according to French media.

During the attack, one of the assailants was captured on video outside the building shouting “Allahu Akbar!”

(God is Greatest) as shots rang out. Another walked over to a police officer lying wounded on the street and shot him point-blank with an assault rifle, before the two calmly climbed into a black car and drove off.

A police union official said there were fears of further attacks, and described the scene in the offices as carnage, with a further four wounded fighting for their lives.

Tens of thousands joined impromptu rallies across France in memory of the victims and support for freedom of expression. The government declared the highest state of alert, tightening security at transport hubs, religious sites, media offices and department stores as the search for the assailants got underway.

Some Parisians expressed fears about the effect of the attack on community relations in France, which has

The scene last night at the Place de la Republique, in Paris (Photo courtesy NewYorker.com) Europe’s biggest Muslim population.

“This is bad for everyone – particularly for Muslims despite the fact that Islam is a fine religion. It risks making a bad situation worse,” Cecile Electon, an arts worker who described herself as an atheist, told Reuters at a vigil on Paris’s Place de la Republique attended by 35,000 people.

Charlie Hebdo (Charlie Weekly) is well known for courting controversy with satirical attacks on political and religious leaders of all faiths and has published numerous cartoons ridiculing the Prophet Mohammad.

Jihadists online repeatedly warned that the magazine would pay for its ridicule.

The last tweet on its account mocked Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the militant Islamic State, which has taken control of large swathes of Iraq and Syria and called for “lone wolf” attacks on French soil.

There was no claim of responsibility. However, a witness quoted by 20 Minutes daily newspaper said one of the assailants cried out before getting into his car: “Tell the media that it is al Qaeda in Yemen!”

Supporters of Islamic State and other jihadist groups hailed the attack on Internet sites. Governments throughout Europe have expressed fear that fighters returning from Iraq or Syria could launch attacks in their home countries and may now review their own security.

“Today the French Republic as a whole was the target,” President Francois Hollande said in a prime-time evening TV address, declaring a national day of mourning on Thursday.

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An amateur video broadcast by French television stations shows two hooded men all in black outside the building. One of them spots a wounded policeman lying on the ground, hurries over to him and shoots him dead at point-blank range with a rifle.

In another clip on Television station iTELE, the men are heard shouting in French: “We have killed Charlie Hebdo. We have avenged the Prophet Mohammad.”

EXECUTIONS Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said the assailants killed a man at the entrance of the building to force entry. They then headed to the second floor and opened fire on an editorial meeting attended by eight journalists, a policeman tasked with protecting the magazine’s editorial director and a guest.

“What we saw was a massacre. Many of the victims had been executed, most of them with wounds to the head and chest,” Patrick Hertgen, an emergencies services medic called out to treat the injured, told Reuters.

U.S. President Barack Obama described the attack as cowardly and evil, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel was among European leaders condemning the shooting.

The dead included co-founder Jean “Cabu” Cabut and editor-in-chief Stephane “Charb” Charbonnier. A firebomb attack had already gutted the old headquarters of Charlie Hebdo in November 2011 after it put an image of the Prophet Mohammad on its cover in what it described as a Shariah edition.

France last year reinforced its anti-terrorism laws and was on alert after calls from Islamist militants to attack its citizens and interests in reprisal for French military strikes on Islamist strongholds in the Middle East and Africa.

The last major attack in Paris was in the mid-1990s when the Algerian Armed Islamic Group (GIA) carried out a spate of attacks, including the bombing of a commuter train in 1995 which killed eight people and injured 150. A series of bombings of Parisian shops by Lebanese extremists in 1986 claimed 12 lives.

France’s deadliest attack was in 1961 after a French dissident paramilitary organization opposed to France’s withdrawal from Algeria blew up a train killing 28 people.

By John Irish and Alexandria Sage (Additional reporting By Brian Love, Sophie Louet, Ingrid Melander, Gerard Bon, Dominique Rodriguez and Ali Abdelaty in Cairo; Writing by John Irish and Mark John; Editing by Ralph Boulton and David )

January 9-15, 2015 35 Caribbean Star Newspaper Trinidad police on high alert following 11 murders in just four days

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Monday January 5, 2014, CMC – The Ministry of National Security has escalated the alerted state of all law enforcement agencies after Trinidad and Tobago recorded 11 murders within the first four days of 2015.

A statement from the Ministry of National Security warned citizens that among the measures to be used during the heightened alert state include increased visibility of joint police and army patrols; increased air patrols and surveillance; increased roadblocks and stop-and-search activities as well as increased intelligence and surveillance ex-

DR. FLORENCE D. GUILLAUME, MINISTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Haiti health officials deny reports of first Ebola case

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ORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Sunday January 4, 2015, CMC – Health officials have dismissed reports that the first case of Ebola has been detected in the country.

On Saturday, Dr. Florence D. Guillaume, Minister of Public Health, told the Haitian Caribbean News Network that the reports of Ebola being detected in the vicinity of Petite Riviere de l’Artibonite, in the northern region of the country are “totally false”.

“There are ill-intentioned people spreading such rumors,” stated Guillaume who is also acting Prime Minister.

According to Guillaume, the depoliticization of the health sector is “an essential principle for the restoration of trust and confidence in the response to provide to individuals who require care and services for prevention, maintaining or the restoration of their health in case of illness.”

The Ministry of Health has called on the population “to remain calm and to respect all disclosed prevention regulations while making the duty, if any were needed, to reassure everyone of the effectiveness of the vigilance system in place to reduce significantly the risk of contamination of our country.”

Ebola is an infectious and generally fatal disease marked by fever and severe internal bleeding, spread through contact with infected body fluids.

There is no known cure for the Ebola virus which has killed more than 7,000 people mainly in West Africa.

ercises, specifically in all crime hotspots and among persons of interest.

“The general public is kindly asked to comply with all instructions of law enforcement personnel, especially when stopped and questioned during this time,” the release said, noting however that the current alert state of readiness, which is led by the Police Service and the National Operations Centre (NOC), is not intended to curtail civil liberties but has become necessary to ensure the safety and security of citizens.

Over the last four days police confirmed that 11 murders were recorded including; Sean Carrabayo, 18; Krisen-

dath Mahabir, 54; Roger Frederick, 38; and Levi Snaggs, 33 were shot and killed.

Police said that the murders of Carrabayo and Snaggs were gang-related, while no motive was given for the other to killings.

Police said Carrabayo had just left a card game and walked across the road to answer the call when a car drove up and the occupants opened fire. He was shot about the upper body and died at the scene.

In the case of Mahabir, police said his body was found by his brother at his home with gunshot wounds while Frederick was about to enter his vehicle near

his home when occupants of another vehicle fired upon him.

Police said that Snaggs was standing on the roadway when he was shot and killed.

Police believe Snaggs was suspected of being a member of the a gang and may have been killed “because he crossed the borderline”.

The latest victim, a burger venor, “Kimraj Seerattan, 22, of Bamboo Village No. 3, died after he was shot multiple times according to the Trinidad Express.

Last year 403 people were murdered in Trinidad and Tobago, four less than the 2012 figure.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper Cuomo pardons Caribbean-born ex-cons with St Vincent government denies Iranian charges threatening immigration status national has passport, citizenship

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January 9-15, 2015

EW YORK, United States, Friday January 2, 2015, CMC – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has pardoned two Caribbean-born ex-convicts of robbery and drug charges that threatened their immigration status.

Cuomo,in exercising his seldom used pardon power, granted pardons to Cuban-born, Manhattan architect Antonio Argibay, 62, and Guyanese-born, Queens resident Alvaro Khalil Cumberbatch, 33, saying they’d been “active and engaged” in the community since their release and deserved a clean record.

The positive contributions to society by both of these individuals in the years since their release support the case for justice to be delivered through clemency,” Cuomo said.

Argibay served three years in prison after pleading guilty to drug charges in 1976.

He received his master’s degree from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn while still on parole, and has been a licensed architect in New York for more than 30 years.

Argibay is an active volunteer with Upwardly Global, a non-profit organization that assists immigrants.

“I’m very emotional right now,” said Argibay, a US permanent resident, who runs his own architectural firm in Manhattan. “I’ve

been seeking redemption for 39 years.”

Cumberbatch, who lives in Springfield Gardens in Queens, was convicted of robbery in 2003 and after his release in 2010, became involved with prison re-entry organizations and sits on the board of the Alternatives to Violence Project.

Cumberbatch is a married father of two young children and owns his own social media consulting business.

“If I tried to tell you who would be poster child for rehabilitation, it would be Khalil,” said JoAnne Page, president of the Fortune Society, which assists prisoners in re-entering society.

“He just did so much that you hope people would do against the usual odds, everything from working a job, building a consulting business, being there for his family, helping other people,” she said, adding that Cumberbatch, who migrated to the US from Guyana as a child, was taken into custody by US federal immigration authorities last year, and released in October.

“The positive contributions to society by both of these individuals in the years since their release support the case for justice to be delivered through clemency,” said Cuomo in a statement, noting that applications for clemency have dropped from a high of 1,269 in 2010 to 171 in 2014.

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INGSTOWN, St. Vincent, Wednesday January 7, 2014, CMC – The St. Vincent and the Grenadines government Wednesday denied a statement by the United States Department of Treasury that a former Iranian national whose activities are being closely monitored had acquired local citizenship. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves told a news conference that the Foreign Minister Camillo Gonsalves “has been advised by me to inform the US State and Treasury Departments of these facts”.

He told reporters that “the records of the citizenship and residency department of the Office of the Prime Minister showed there are four Iranians by birth who are granted citizenship of St. Vincent and the Grenadines” during the period 1997-1998. He said the citizenship granted in 1997 was to the 10-year-old son of a medical practitioner and his wife born in Bangladesh. Gonsalves said that the medical doctor was employed at the hospital here and that the son is now a medical doctor now residing overseas while the other three “Vincentians of Iranian birth” are a 47 year-old barber, a 43-year-old mother and a 20 year-old son.

“Each of these four applications for citizenship of St. Vincent and the Grenadines was supported by references from reputable professionals in this country. Of these four Iranian born citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, (the) one (who) is a medical practitioner…is the only one of the four who currently has a valid passport of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Earlier this week, the Treasury Department said that Hossein Zeidi, 49, is among nine individuals and entities under various Iran-related authorities under surveillance for their “support of Iranian government sanctions evasion efforts and human rights-related abusers, including those engaged in censorship”.

It said that Zeidi holds a St. Kitts and Nevis passport, number RE0003553 as well as St. Vincent and the Grenadines citizenship and he carries the alias Hosein Zeidi and Hossein Mansour Zeidi. He has a United Arab Emirate (UAE) national identification number 444169.

The US Treasury Department gave no details as to how Zeidi had in his possession a St. Kitts-Nevis passport, but the twin island Federation provides citizenship to foreigners who provide significant investments to the island.

The Treasury Department said Zeidi was “responsible for converting foreign currency

into US bank notes.

“The Iranian government contracted with Zeidi and Seyed Kamal Yasini to convert Iranian funds denominated in non-Iranian local currency into US dollars,” the Treasury Department said.

“To date, these individuals and their network have effected the delivery of hundreds of millions of dollars in US dollar bank notes to the Iranian government in violation of E.O. 13622,” it added.

But Prime Minister Gonsalves insisted that “none of these four Iranian-born citizens is the person who is referred to in a US Treasury Department bulletin as Hossein Zeidi otherwise known as Hossein Mansour Zeidi.

“None of them is this individual who it is alleged in the Treasury bulletin… to be an Iranian by birth, or who is an Iranian citizen and who holds citizenship from St. Kitts including a passport from St. Kitts which they have listed and the allegation that he is also a citizenship of St. Vincent and the Grenadines”.

Gonsalves said “our citizenship and passport record and data bases reveal that the allegation that he is a citizen of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is incorrect. He is also not a holder of a passport of St. Vincent and the Grenadines”.

Gonsalves said the alleged date of birth of Zeidi is the 11th September 1965 noting “this date of birth does not correspond to any of the dates of birth of the four Iranian born citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines”.

“The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines wishes to make it clear that it does not and cannot discriminate against any person in relation to the grant or withholding of citizenship of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the basis of nationality or place of origin.

“The universally acknowledged qualifications for citizenship are present in our laws and are laid out in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Citizenship Act,” Gonsalves said.

Prime Minister Gonsalves said that unlike St. Kitts-Nevis and other Caribbean countries, his island “does not grant economic citizenship by whatever name it is called”.

He said the former government had instituted an honorary economic citizenship programme and “as everyone knows very early in the life of our administration, the law in relation to this programme was repealed and the programme of honorary or economic citizenship was discontinued”.

CEO: Kevin Mohabir Chief Editor: Rhoda Mohabir Head Of Distribution: Shevin Mohabir Director/Sales Manager: Kevin Mohabir Distribution: William Despot, Sham Mohabir, & Shevin Mohabir Sports Editor: Darshan Chikery Layout & Design: Michelle Disclaimer: Caribbean Star Newspaper Inc. & Advertisers are not responsible for typographical errors on the published Ads. We accept articles, artwork, and photography which are in accordance with our Mission. We reserve the right to accept, reject, or edit any material we receive but do our best to honor the integrity of the author/artist. We do not endorse any particular writer or advertiser. We simply offer our readers information on various subject matters. It is expected that all material is submitted in “Good Faith” with no intent to mislead or harm others.

It is the readers responsibility to make intuitive decisions that are right for themselves.

January 9-15, 2015 37 Caribbean Star Newspaper Henry S. Fraser: Achieving equity in health care in Barbados

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RIDGETOWN, Barbados, Sunday January 4, 2015 - There have been a number of “watersheds” of health care in Barbados over the last 200 years, beginning with the period of amelioration in the late 18th century, when abolition of the slave trade was recognised to be imminent, and the plantation owners established hospitals for the slaves. It is believed that only one of these survives, without its roof, at the Grantley Adams Secondaray School, formerly Blackman’s Plantation. The next major advance came after emancipation, with the recognition in 1839 that a general hospital must be built near Bridgetown, to serve the newly freed majority of the population. The house and lands of Mr. Jemmott on Bay Street were purchased.

The Barbados General Hospital was built by public subscription with a modest contribution from government, and it opened on July 1, 1844. The parish vestries provided parish doctors and infirmaries for the indigent infirm.

The devastating cholera epidemic in 1854 killed some 20,000 people and awoke the authorities to the urgent need for a decent water supply. It took seven years for piped water from Newcastle to reach Bridgetown! This was a major health advance, and yet it was only in the late 20th century that almost all Barbadians received a domestic water supply.

But it wasn’t until the opening of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in 1964 that access to reliable secondary and tertiary care was freely available to all, while in the following decade the development of polyclinics replaced the vestries’ parish doctors and hugely broadened access to primary care. And the final major advance was the Barbados Drug Service, introduced in 1980, along with improved polyclinic services. Our health services are almost as comprehensive as those in

Former National Security Minister drowns at Tobago beach

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CARBOROUGH, Tobago, Monday January 5, 2014, CMC – Former national security minister Martin Joseph drowned Monday while swimming at a Tobago beach, police have confirmed.

However the police said they were not releasing any details as yet regarding the death of Joseph, who served as cabinet minister in the Patrick Manning government from 2001.

“I just got information that the body has been recovered and in fact it is the case he has indeed drowned earlier this morning and of course everybody is in shock and traumatized,” said the Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Orville London.

London, a deputy leader of the main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) speaking on radio, said that Joseph, who served as parliamentary representative for the St. Ann’s East Constituency from 1995-2002 and was appointed Minister of National Security in November 2003, was holidaying with a friend and was not in Tobago on party business. Joseph, who held a Masters Degree in Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park, in the United States, also graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Regional Science: Minor in Economics from the George Washington University, Washington D.C. and held an Associate Degree in Marine Sciences, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C. He was also a lecturer in Strategic Management at the Institute of Business of the University of the West Indies.

QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL Britain. In fact the per capita expenditure on health care in Barbados is many times that of our CARICOM neighbours, and is both the envy and the marvel of the rest of the Caribbean. The majority of the population opts for essentially free services, although private, fee-paying care is also widely used. Unfortunately the state of the economy will not allow our comprehensive health service to continue, and while government is committed to the greatest possible equity in health care, a new financial model is urgently needed to avoid increasing health inequities and further breakdown of services. And this precise problem is currently and urgently engaging the British government and health sector, because of their inability to sustain an essentially free health service.

Health inequities are differences in health status between population groups that are avoidable, not freely chosen, and thus considered unjust. They are, of course, dramatic between developed Western countries and the poorest nations of the world, but are often blatant in countries with serious income inequities, such as Sierra Leone, now the tragic victim of ebola. Health inequities dampen economic growth and the effect of such growth on poverty reduction. Level of education, job status and physical

access to care are all critical influences.

Addressing health inequities requires a multi-faceted approach of public health experts, health human resources, health administrators, and other stakeholders such as our own BARP (Barbados Association of Retired Persons) and other non-governmental organisations, such as the Diabetes Association and Hope Foundation.

A most timely event for us now, when the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and our health services in general are under severe stress, is the One Day Symposium at the Cave Hill Campus on January 14th, in the Henry Fraser Lecture Theatre, titled “Achieving Health Equity in Barbados: Setting Priorities for Change”. It’s the brain child of Professor Valorie Crooks of Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. Professor Crooks holds the Canada Research Chair in Health Service Geographies, and leads a research team studying the problem of health equity.

She is also the co-editor of an important new book – “Working Bodies: Chronic illness in the Canadian Workplace”.

The symposium will provide researchers, citizens, health care providers, administrators and other stakeholders with an opportunity to learn more about how health inequities are impacting Barbadians and our health care systems.

Everyone is invited to take part and join the discussion, with free registration (Register at the website: www.barbadoshealthequity.com. People wanting to attend must register by January 6th.)

The programme begins with a keynote lecture “Chronic diseases and inequalities: What are the facts for Barbados and the Caribbean?” by Professor Nigel Unwin and Dr. Natasha Sobers-Grannum. It will include the latest health inequities data from Barbados’ Health of the Nation study.

It will be followed by “Global dimensions of health equity: From emigre health workers to medical tourists” , a keynote by Dr. Ronald Labonte, who holds a Canada Research Chair in Globalization and Health Equity and is Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa.

The final keynote, after lunch, is “Working at the intersections of gender, race and mental health: Addressing difficult topics in the Caribbean”, a keynote presentation by Dr. Fatimah Jackson-Best (PhD).

In the concluding panel, chaired by Dr. Alafia Samuels, key people will offer a range of perspectives on key health equity challenges facing Barbados today, and the priorities for change. Panellists will be Senator Kerry Ann Ifill, President of the Senate; Ms. Gina Pitts, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation; Dr. Joy St. John, Chief Medical Officer; and Mr. Ryan Skeete, Deputy Director of Research at the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the region’s tourism development agency.

Hopefully this symposium will set the stage for the urgently needed debate on health care delivery in Barbados.

Bouquets: To Sir Austin Sealy, knighted in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List, for his contribution to sports administration, locally and internationally.

And to John and Rain Chandler, for the splendid transformation of Lancaster Great House into the “new Fisherpond”. Lancaster, recently the property of Sir Martin and Lady Arbib, was once the site of the Acting Governor’s Council Meetings – when it was the home of the Hon. Samuel Barwick, Acting Governor during the 1730s. He was in poor health and held meetings of The Council at his mansion at Lancaster. He died in 1733.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 9-15, 2015

CRICKET

& Sports Anthony: Faith in Phil Jackson

Binny makes India’s World Cup squad

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llrounders Stuart Binny and Akshar Patelhave been included in India’s squad for the 2015 World Cup. There were no major surprises among the 15 players in terms of either inclusions or exclusions after the selectors met in Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon to pick the team.

The squad has five batsmen, two wicketkeeper-batsmen, three allrounders two left-arm spinners, one medium-pacer - four seamers and one specialist spinner. In addition to the 15 selected for the World Cup, seamers Mohit Sharma and Dhawal Kulkarni were chosen to travel to Australia for the one-day tri-series that follows the Tests.

Ravindra Jadeja has been included despite leaving the tour of Australia with a shoulder injury, and Ishant Sharma, also selected, has a problem with his knee.

“Jadeja is at present going under a rehabilitation programme. He is doing wonderfully well,” BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said. “We had a detailed discus-

sion today with the BCCI physio [Nitin Patel] and we are quite hopeful he will be match-fit within the next ten days.

“Ishant has a temporary injury with which he is doing well. But he has been advised by our present [team] physio not to play the current Test [in Sydney].

He will be fit for the tri-series.”

When asked if Yuvraj Singh - who was not among the 30 probables for the World Cup - had been discussed at the meeting, Patel said: “Not only Yuvraj Singh, a lot of other players were also discussed apart from the 30, and after a lot of deliberation [the team was finalized] in the presence of all the five selectors as well as captain MS Dhoni and coach Duncan Fletcher, who were there on conference call.”

Squad MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Akshar Patel, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Stuart Binny

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wo days after team president Phil Jackson made a trade that essentially pulled the plug on the New York Knicks’ season, star forward Carmelo Anthony said that he trusts in Jackson’s plan to revamp the franchise.

“I’ve got to trust in what’s happening,” Anthony said Wednesday.

“I’ve got to trust in the plan that they’re trying to put in place.”

Entering the season, Anthony thought the Knicks would be a playoff team. That prediction now looks way off base.

New York hit a new low Wednesday with a 10191 loss to the Washington Wizards, setting a record for longest in-season losing streak in the proud franchise’s 69-year history.

Anthony said it’s hard to see the Knicks transition into a team that has essentially given up on the season in the wake of Monday’s trade.

New York traded J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert to Cleveland in a three-team deal that shed the money potentially owed to Smith in 201516 and created more cap space for the Knicks in the summer of 2015.

Jackson hopes to revamp the team via free agency this summer and the draft in June. As long as they continue to lose, the Knicks will have a chance to land one of the top picks in the draft.

Anthony said Wednesday that he expected the Knicks to be in a transition period under Jackson but that he never thought they would be 27 games under .500.

“I kind of knew that it was going to be kind of a rebuilding situation. But to be in the situation that we’re in now from a record standpoint, I couldn’t imagine this in a long time,” said Anthony, who is out with knee soreness but hopes to return to the court next week.

Anthony reiterated that one of the reasons he decided to re-sign with the Knicks as a free agent over the summer was his trust in Jackson’s vision for the team.

That trust hasn’t wavered, he says.

Knicks’ Potential Targets “When I first committed back to New York, that was something I always said: I had to trust that them guys know what they’re doing and believe in them guys. And that was one of the reasons I wanted to come back,” said Anthony, who signed a five-year, $124 million deal with the Knicks in July. “Here’s an opportunity with the trust. Everything starts now.”

Anthony, who missed his fourth straight game Wednesday, added that it was tough to see Shumpert and Smith traded. Anthony and Smith had played together for nine seasons in Denver and New York.

Malinga provisionally picked in Sri Lanka’s World Cup 15

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asith Malinga has been included in Sri Lanka’s World Cup fifteen subject to fitness. Sri Lanka named an almost identical squad to the one that will play an ODI series in New Zealand later this month - the exception is fast bowler Shaminda Eranga, who has been left out.

Malinga had undergone surgery on a troubled left ankle in September, and missed Sri Lanka’s one-dayers against India and England after that, before returning to the squad for the final two ODIs of the upcoming series against New Zealand. Chairman of selectors Sanath Jayasuriya said Malinga is still undergoing rehabilitation and might not be ready in time to play those games, but he will still be saved for the World Cup. “A player like Malinga, we have to take a gamble because he is a match-winner,” Jayasuriya said after announcing the squad. “We know and everyone knows what he can do. We

need him in the bowling department for it to be strong. At the moment he is undergoing a rehabilitation program. We are not very sure of playing him even in the last two ODIs against New Zealand. He might miss them because we want to make sure that he is fit for the World Cup.” There are no real surprises in the squad. In Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Rangana Herath Sri Lanka have a wealth of experience at their disposal, even without Malinga.

Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad Angelo Mathews (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga (subject to fitness), Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 9-15, 2015

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Kohli and Rahul tons hold off Australia

Assessing Yankees 2015 lineup

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t appears the Yankees are loading up on lefties, including Stephen Drew (left) and Didi Gregorius.

The price on Stephen Drew dropped far enough that the Yankees made a move -the two sides are close to finalizing a oneyear deal -- to at least share some of the at-bats at second base, platooning with either Rob Refsnyder or Jose Pirela, and serve as a safety net if young shortstop Didi Gregorius struggles as the first to follow Derek Jeter.

In an era when specialization is the rule rather than the exception, with defen-

sive shifts that are altered pitch to pitch and eight-man bullpens, the Yankees will have the ability to stack up nine hitters who can bat left-handed.

• C Brian McCann (bats left-handed) • 1B Mark Teixeira (switch hitter) • 2B Stephen Drew (left) • SS Didi Gregorius (left) • 3B Chase Headley (switch) • LF Brett Gardner (left) • CF Jacoby Ellsbury (left) • RF Carlos Beltran (switch) • DH Garrett Jones (left) That the Yankees value left-handed

hitting is hardly a revelation. With the exception of a few years in the middle of George Steinbrenner’s time as owner, the Yankees have always placed a premium on left-handed hitting, driven initially by the success of Babe Ruth and the construction of their home ballpark.

But the ability to stack up left-handed hitters might be especially relevant in 2015 in the AL East, which generally lacks left-handed pitching and, more to the point, elite left-handed pitching, such as David Price and Jon Lester, who were traded out of the division last season.

India 5 for 342 (Kohli 140*, Rahul 110, Rohit 53) trail Australia 7 for 572 dec by 230 runs t is hard to decide what was more predictable on a belter of a Sydney pitch, the Smith century that was raised on day two or the Virat Kohli hundred that arrived on day three. They now have four centuries each for the series, and are dueling for records. Much less expected was a maiden Test ton from KL Rahul, whose debut in Melbourne was memorable for all the wrong reasons.

The third day at the SCG was much the same as the first two, terrific for batting and full of toil and despondency for the bowling side. Australia managed four wickets for the day, including two in two balls from Shane Watson after tea, but India added 271 runs to their total and by stumps were 5 for 342.

Kohli was on 140, Wriddhiman Saha had 14, the deficit was 230, and a draw was the favorite.

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NZ complete turnaround Odell Beckham Jr. added to Pro Bowl with big win O

New Zealand 221 (Williamson 69, Pradeep 4-63) and 524 for 5 dec (Williamson 242*, Watling 142*) beat Sri Lanka 356 (Sangakkara 203*, Chandimal 67) and 196 (Thirimanne 62*, Craig 4-63) by 193 runs he way the fourth day had panned out - only one wicket - New Zealand would have known going through the Sri Lanka batting line-up was not going to be easy. The visitors had played out almost 11 hours in the second innings of the Christchurch Test without Kumar Sangakkara. The pitch was flatter in Wellington and Sangakkara was back in form. But once New Zealand picked up four wickets - including Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews for single-digit scores in the first session, the result was more or less decided.

Trent Boult and Doug Bracewell did the early damage before Mark Craig ran through the tail to complete one of New Zealand’s most remarkable Test wins. It was only the second time they had recovered from a deficit of more than 100 to win a game, the last instance being their five-wicket win against Pakistan almost 21 years ago. The situation in this Test had been bleak too, until Kane Williamson and BJ Watling turned the tables on Sri Lanka with a record 365-run sixth-wicket stand.

Batting had seemed easy then and it would have lent Sri Lanka the belief this match could be saved. But they suffered

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the big blow in the first half-hour of the day. Sangakkara had just clipped Tim Southee through square leg to pick up his first boundary. He was not troubled once during his brief stay, defending comfortably off the back foot and denying Kaushal Silva’s calls for dicey runs in loud and clear terms. He appeared every bit the fourth-innings saviour Sri Lanka needed. Moreover, neither Boult nor Southee managed any movement despite moisture in the air.

It was perhaps this lack of lateral movement or the assured strokeplay from Silva at the other end that coaxed Sangakkara into a loose shot. Boult pushed a length ball a bit wide outside off. Sangakkara had left a few, ducked under others that were not there to hit, and chose to chase this particular delivery, but it flew past the bat. There was not much support from behind the stumps for Boult’s appeal for caught behind, but as Brendon McCullum put it, “it was worth” a review.

With the edge in question - the under edge of the bat, hidden from the Hot Spot view - the third umpire overturned the on-field call on the basis of a faint spike on the Snickometer. New Zealand were buoyed and Sangakkara, who had appeared confident while waiting for the decision, was visibly disappointed as he walked back. It was the third time this series that Sangakkara had fallen to Boult.

With him went a fair chunk of Sri Lanka’s resistance.

dell Beckham Jr., the electrifying New York Giants rookie who packed a season’s worth of top-wide-receiver stats into three-quarters of a season, will be rewarded with a trip to the Pro Bowl.

Beckham was named to the Pro Bowl roster Wednesday in place of Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin, who will miss the game because of injury.

“It is definitely awesome,” Beckham said in a statement released by the Giants. “It is something that means a lot to me, and I am definitely going to cherish the moment. I’m very excited to be going to the Pro Bowl.

“The goal [entering the season] is to be either in the Pro Bowl or the Super Bowl.

That is every year. That is something you want to be able to build on and put that on your resume. [We] didn’t end up making it to the Super Bowl, but I did get the invite to the Pro Bowl, so I am very excited and blessed for the opportunity.”

Beckham exploded onto the national consciousness in November with a nationally televised one-handed touchdown catch in a Sunday night loss to the Dallas Cowboys. And he stayed there as he piled up ridiculous numbers in the season’s final weeks, helping deliver fantasy football championships around the world with his December performance. After missing all of training camp and the first four games of the season with a hamstring injury, Beckham finished with 91 catches for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in only 12 games. His nine straight games with at least 90 receiving yards tied an NFL re-

Giants rookie Odell Beckham Jr. burst onto the national scene with this onehanded catch against the Cowboys in Week 12. cord set by Michael Irvin in 1995.

The No. 12 overall pick in the 2014 draft, Beckham is the first Giants rookie to reach the Pro Bowl since tight end Jeremy Shockey in 2002 and the first Giants wide receiver since Victor Cruz in 2012.

This marks the 18th consecutive season in which the Giants have had at least one player in the Pro Bowl, although they needed Antrel Rolle to get in as an alternate last year and Beckham as an alternate this year in order to keep that streak alive.

The man Beckham is replacing, Johnson, caught Beckham’s signature catch earlier this season and called it “the craziest I’ve seen ever, probably.”

In 13 games this season, Johnson had 71 catches for 1,077 yards and eight touchdowns. He missed three games and was limited in two others with an ankle injury. He also missed last season’s Pro Bowl after needing surgery for knee and finger injuries.

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January 9-15, 2015

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Australia need to up their fielding game - Ponting When teams field well, their cricket is strong. Australia will be eager to prove that the mistakes in Melbourne were the exceptions that prove the rule

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f I ever missed a run-out or dropped a catch while playing for Australia, I would barely sleep that night. It was a worse feeling than not making runs because I was letting someone else down, not just myself. If a bowler was working his backside off in pursuit of a wicket, I wanted to make sure I made the most of every opportunity he produced.

A few Australian players will have been feeling that kind of aching sensation after Melbourne, where an unusually high number of chances went down.

There were some moments of brilliance. The catches Brad Haddin took at either end of day three were as good as you’re ever going to see. But there were also others that no one in the team would have been happy about. Brad put one down himself off Cheteshwar Pujara that looked like a chance he would normally have taken. Then there was the one that Virat Kohli offered that split Shane Watson and Brad down the middle after the confrontation that resulted from Mitchell Johnson hurling the ball at the stumps and hitting Kohli.

Had that chance been taken, following

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Brad Haddin misses a top-edge off Virat Kohli © Getty Images

the charged chatter between Kohli and the Australians, it would have been unbelievably uplifting for Steve Smith’s team.

But by going down it deflated everybody, and three hours later Kohli was still batting. The course of the game had changed completely.

It wasn’t just in the slips cordon that mistakes were made. Nathan Lyon missed a return catch off Ajinkya Rahane that he will still be wondering about, and Peter Siddle’s time on the field as a substitute was marred by a drop off KL Rahul (which was fortunately made less vital when Rahul was dismissed moments later). Runout chances were also missed.

Fielding, and preparing to field, are things that each player needs to take personal responsibility for. They must ensure they are as well prepared as they can be. If they feel underprepared or lacking confidence going into a game, it is imperative they tell someone on the coaching staff and have it seen to. Whether you are a young man playing your first or second Test, or someone who has played 100, if you feel something is not quite right, you should feel comfortable to stand up and address it.

Like a lot of elements of cricket training, fielding drills can often feel false relative to what actually goes on in the middle. As

Perry Fewell out as Giants’ Defensive Coordinator

fter a second straight losing season in which their defense ranked 29th in the NFL, the New York Giants have parted ways with defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.

The Giants announced Fewell’s ouster Wednesday as part of a “restructuring of their defensive coaching staff.” Defensive backs coach Peter Giunta also will not return next season, the team announced.

“These are two outstanding men and outstanding football coaches,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said in a statement released by the team. “It is very hard in this business to find people that are not only good football coaches but outstanding human beings who are trustworthy, loyal and honest. Perry and Peter are all that.”

Giants owner John Mara and general manager Jerry Reese said last week that it would be up to Coughlin to decide on his coaching staff for 2015.

At that time, Coughlin offered a somewhat spirited defense of Fewell, and as last week wound into this week, indications were that the Giants were planning to keep the defensive coordinator. But Coughlin also said last week that he was not finished evaluating his staff, leaving open the possibility that he could change his mind.

A source close to the situation told ESPN that Giants special-teams coordinator Tom Quinn also was still being evaluated this week and that his job status remained in question.

“No one person is responsible for what happened in this year,” Coughlin said in the statement. “That has to be loud and clear. If there is any one person responsible, it is me. It is not Perry Fewell. It is not Peter Giunta. Both of them are outstanding football coaches in their own way.

“The simple fact of the matter is in the circumstance that we find ourselves,

change is necessary. That may not be the most eloquent way of saying it, but that is what I am confronted with. The hope always is invigoration. You are going to stimulate. It is with great deliberation over a lengthy period of time throughout a thorough investigation and evaluation of what went on that I came to the conclusion that change was necessary. There are no hard feelings on my part about anything that anybody has done. The hard feelings are the six wins.

That is the reality. It is unfortunate, but it is true.”

Former Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith and former Oakland Raiders coach Dennis Allen are likely to be considered candidates to replace Fewell, and there are some in the Giants’ hierarchy who would like to pursue former defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo as Fewell’s replacement. Spagnuolo currently is a defensive assistant with Baltimore Ravens.

much as you try to mirror the game, it is impossible to replicate completely. Experience taught me that it was best to set the bar higher in training than in a game - aiming at one stump with your throws instead of three, or doing slip-catching drills as close to the bat as possible. The mental skill of being ready for that one ball at any point over five days is very different to spending 30 minutes knowing you are going to be honing your catching.

When you see teams fielding well, it invariably means their cricket in general is strong. That is why Australia will be eager to ensure that Melbourne is the exception that proves this rule.

Dhaka court jails Rubel Hossain

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angladesh cricketer Rubel Hossain has been sent to jail by a Dhaka court in a case filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. Dhaka Metropolitan magistrate Muhammad Anwar Sadat passed the order after Rubel surrendered before the court and pleaded for bail on Thursday morning.

Rubel had, on December 15, been granted four weeks of anticipatory bail in the case.

This came two days after the complainant, an actress, had filed the case against Rubel with Mirpur police station on charges of making false promises of marriage.

Rubel is in Bangladesh’s 15-member World Cup squad. But with his future uncertain, he could be replaced if he fails to join the flight to Australia on January 24.

BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said that it was too early to comment on the issue, but discussions were on. “We are discussing the matter, so it is quite early to say what we are planning to do,” Chowdhury said. “But he had been handling the matter personally so far. If he fails to join the squad in time, we have a contingency plan in place.”

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January 9-15, 2015

South Africa gamble on de Kock named to World Cup squad

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outh Africa will gamble on Quinton de Kock’s fitness at the World Cup, having named him in their final 15. De Kock is only expected to recover from his ankle ligament tear after South Africa’s first two games, which will leave AB de Villiers to keep wicket initially and a spare batsman to open with Hashim Amla.Rilee Rossouw and Farhaan Behardien were both included for that purpose.

There was no space for left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe, despite indications he would be considered for a recall, with Kyle Abbott and Wayne Parnell being the extra bowlers. Ryan McLaren, who took over the allrounder role following Jacques Kallis’ retirement, also lost his place.

JP Duminy, who has been nursing a knee injury and out of action since the

second week of November, also made the squad. He should be back in action for the first ODI against West Indies next Friday after “a long, hard period of rehab”.

Perhaps more notable than South Africa’s playing personnel inclusions and exclusions is the one absentee on their management staff. This time South Africa will travel without a mental motivator to help them work through the under-performances that have marred their World Cup history.

South Africa’s World Cup squad AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn

Dean Elgar punches the air as the winning runs are struck © Associated Press

South Africa maintains No. 1 test ranking South Africa 421 (de Villiers 148, du Plessis 68, Amla 63) and 124 for 2 (Elgar 60*) beat West Indies 329 (Blackwood 56, Johnson 54, Ramdin 53, Steyn 4-78) and 215 (Samuels 74, Chanderpaul 50, Harmer 4-82) by eight wickets

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outh Africa duly completed an eight-wicket victory against West Indies on the fifth day, but initially at least it was not quite the stroll in the park that the scorecard suggests. West Indies stuck to their task with spirit and it required an exacting half-century from Dean Elgar to shepherd them to the win that brought a 2-0 win in the series.

South Africa, who had lost Alviro Petersen in the three overs on the fourth evening in what was later confirmed as the last innings of his international career, needed another 115.

If they had been chasing 200, and West Indies - especially the left-arm

spinner Sulieman Benn - had enjoyed a break or two, it could have been much closer. As it was, the last 30 or 40 runs came quickly and the series result left South Africa›s status as No. 1 Test side in the world undiminished.

The winning runs came 10 minutes before lunch when Marlon Samuels dropped short and Hashim Amla, the serenest of captains, hammered him through the covers. Elgar remained unbeaten on 60 to follow up his century in the second Test in Port Elizabeth.

There will be no let-up for West Indies in Tests following the World Cup. They will complete series against the top three in the world when they face England and Australia later in the year. They have competed well at times only to fall away under pressure with both bat and ball and with such a formidable task awaiting them it will be a challenge to hold body and soul together. The World Cup might be a welcome interlude.

Caribbean Star Newspaper Report shows NFL never saw Ray Rice video

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he NFL was deemed to have never previously seen the Ray Rice in-elevator video, according to findings released Thursday by an independent investigation led by Robert Mueller.

“We found no evidence that anyone at the NFL had or saw the in-elevator video before it was publicly shown. We also found no evidence that a woman at the NFL acknowledged receipt of that video in a voicemail message on April 9, 2014,” the report said.

The Associated Press originally reported that a law enforcement official showed AP the video and played for them a 12-second voicemail dated April 9 in which a woman verifies receipt of the video.

While the findings supported commissioner Roger Goodell’s assertion that the league had not seen the video that shows Rice punching his now-wife in an Atlantic City elevator, the Mueller report did say the NFL could have done more to properly investigate the charges.

“We concluded there was substantial information about the incident -- even without the in-elevator video -- indicating the need for a more thorough investigation,” the report said. “The NFL should have done more with the information it had, and should have taken additional steps to obtain all available information about the February 15 incident.”

The report also said the NFL failed to: • Contact police officers who investigated the incident, the Atlantic City Prosecutor’s office or the hotel to obtain or view the in-elevator video.

• Ask Rice or his lawyer if they would make the tape available.

• Follow up with the Baltimore Ravens to determine if it had additional information, following the league’s initial contact with the team.

In response to the report’s findings, a joint statement was released by New York Giants president John Mara and Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II. “As owners, we are the first to agree that the NFL did not have a sufficient

Roger Goodell’s assertion that no one at the NFL’s league office had prior knowledge of the Ray Rice video was proven true by the Mueller report. policy in place to deal with players or other personnel accused of domestic violence,” the statement read in part. “...

We were slow to react, and in the case of Ray Rice, the original punishment was insufficient. In addition, the steps taken by the NFL to investigate this matter were inadequate. Since then, a new policy concerning domestic violence and other rules for conduct violations have been put into place. We believe these new policies are tough and appropriate.”

While acknowledging that the NFL has made strides to improve its personal conduct policy, the report offered additional suggestions including the creation of a specialized investigative team for domestic violence and sexual abuse cases.

According to the Mueller Report, the AP did not reveal the name of the official that showed them the video and voicemail, nor did the AP provide the official’s phone number to investigators. Mueller report investigators did not make contact with the man. He told the AP he took steps to avoid being found or identified by the NFL.

Pakistan pick Sohail Khan for World Cup

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akistan have picked 30-year old fast bowler Sohail Khan in their 15-man squad for the 2015 World Cup. Sohail had played the last of his five ODIs in Zimbabwe in 2011, but took ten wickets in two of his most recent List A games, and was the highest wicket-taker in this season’s Quaid-e-Azam Gold League - 64 at an average of 22.

Apart from Sohail, the other World Cup inclusions not part of the squad for the series against New Zealand in December 2014 - Pakistan’s previous ODI assignment - are batsman Sohaib Maqsood, and fast bowlers Junaid Khan and Ehsan Adil.

All three missed that series because of

injuries but have now recovered.

The players who were part of the New Zealand series but excluded from the World Cup squad are: Anwar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Nasir Jamshed, Sohail Tanvir and Zulfiqar Babar. Umar Gul and Bilawal Bhatti had been withdrawn from the New Zealand series because of injury and were also not included in the World Cup squad.

Squad Misbah-ul-Haq(captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmed, Younis Khan, Haris Sohail, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Shahid Afridi, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Ehsan Adil, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz

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