Caribbean Star #26 vol.4

Caribbean First Interfaith Newspaper, Serving The Community

January 23-29, 2015

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ALBERT BALDEO

RAHUL DRAVID

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CARIBBEAN AIRLINES suspends pilots pending investigation into JetBlue near collision

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DOC, NURSE HELP KILLER

A DOCTOR and nurse had been doing house visits to attend to the man who murdered 19-year-old Salma Chadee in Caroni last Saturday evening. These visits took place in the very house where the man shot the young mother of one to death.

See More on Page 9

GUYANA ELECTION

Airport cops TH charged over cocaine-inSee More on Page 28 rum conspiracy

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Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar literally kicked off the People’s Partnership’s 2015 election campaign on Tuesday evening, rallying her troops to understand that election time is upon them.

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Two special constables were yesterday charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine that was intercepted in rum bottles at the John F Kennedy airport in New York.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

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Albert Baldeo a no show for New York sentencing on obstruction charges

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s Seen On Stabroek News, former Guyana magistrate Albert Baldeo was yesterday a no show in a New York court where he was scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Paul A Crotty on seven counts of obstructing the course of justice.

According to court filings seen by this newspaper Baldeo, who was found guilty since last August but has been fighting his conviction, did not appear for sentencing “due to medical reasons.” Daniel Richenthal appeared for

the government while Henry Mazurek appeared for Baldeo.

“The Court will await further information on Mr Baldeo’s health before rescheduling the sentencing,” the court filing stated.

Early last December Baldeo had filed another motion seeking to have his conviction reconsidered but on Tuesday the judge threw out that motion and said sentencing would have gone ahead yesterday at 3.30 pm as was scheduled.

In a victim impact letter, prosecution witness, Davindranauth Sookai stated that he had testified against Baldeo and that he had worked with the convict’s brother’s medical and real estate office, had bought money orders from funds given to him by the former magistrate and in turn lied to the FBI when asked about it. He said he lied at the request of Baldeo.

The man said he was recommending maximum sentencing for Baldeo because he was a practising attorney

who used his knowledge of the law to “manipulate and put fear into my mind by telling me how I can get into serious trouble and be prosecuted if I tell the truth about what had happened.

“Mr Baldeo being an attorney I believed what he was saying because he had knowledge of the law and at the time I myself had 2 very young kids and the thought that I would not be there for them I did what Mr Baldeo told me to do,” Sookai said in the letter.

He concluded that Baldeo broke the law for his own financial gain and should be punished “to the fullest extent of the law.”

Baldeo, a former Queens, New York district leader, was found guilty in federal court of tampering with witnesses during the investigation of his alleged campaign fraud by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Baldeo, 55, was convicted on seven counts of obstruction of justice in a Manhattan federal court after a twoweek trial before US District Judge Crotty. He was acquitted of three fraud-related counts relating to approximately US$15,000 in claims for city matching funds. A release on August 11, 2014 on the conviction from the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York said that according to the Complaint, Indictment and Superseding Indict-ment and evidence presented at trial, in the fall of 2010, Baldeo, then a Queens district leader of a political party and attorney, took part in a scheme to defraud New York City which involved the funnelling of multiple illegal campaign contributions to his eventually unsuccessful campaign for City Council. The release said that on various occasions, Baldeo, and in at least one instance one of his employees, gave money orders or cash to individuals to contribute to the campaign in their own names, even though Baldeo had supplied the funds and these individuals did not provide any of their own money or reimburse him for these donations.

The release said that as part of this scheme, Baldeo gave each such donor, a campaign contribution card in which he or she wrote their particulars and the amount of money they supposedly donated to the Baldeo campaign.

After learning that the FBI was investigating the matter, the release said Baldeo obstructed the investigation by ordering some of the straw donors to provide false information to, or not cooperate with, the FBI agents.

In one case, the release said, after Baldeo learnt that one straw donor was going to refuse to lie, a threatening letter was faxed from Baldeo’s office to the office of this straw donor’s attorney. Further, a co-conspirator of Baldeo’s made false allegations to the New York City Administration for Children’s Services that this straw donor was abusing his grandchild.

Each of the counts Baldeo was convicted on carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

CAMPAIGN BEGINS

rime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar literally kicked off the People’s Partnership’s 2015 election campaign on Tuesday evening, rallying her troops to understand that election time is upon them.

“Let us understand the time that is upon us,” she told a large crowd of United National Congress (UNC) supporters as she formally opened the party’s south regional administrative building in San Fernando which she dubbed the “command centre.”

She added, “Whilst we are here in happiness, coming out of an already wonderful Christmas season, welcoming the New Year and going into the Carnival season, let us understand what time is upon us now, and that time, I say to you, the time has come for our re-election campaign to begin.”

Later in her address, she dispelled any notion of an early election as being called for by the Opposition, telling her audience that the election would be called when it was constitutionally due and she would not be “jumbied” into setting the date.

“Nobody will jumbie me,” she said. “I am a child of God, and I put God in front, and I walk behind. So no jumbie holding me down. And that is why I will not take their basket, I will not let them jumbie me to call early election, I does work within the law and within the Constitution, I will call election within the time frame of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.” The election is constitutionally due by September.

The large crowd gathered for the occasion spilled onto the nearby Harris Street, causing police officers to close the roadway for the duration of the function which was indeed a rally.

The building, which is painted in the party’s signature bright yellow colours and draped with yellow flags and streamers, is located at the corner of Harris and Sutton streets, San Fernando, which is a short distance from the San Fernando West constituency office of Congress of the People (COP) Member of Parliament, Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan located on

through the process and then we will declare candidates, so those persons who are very enthusiastic, I want to make it very clear, as political leader of the UNC, I have named no candidate, I have chosen no candidate.”

She then questioned the achievements of Opposition Leader, Dr Keith Rowley, saying he had not delivered any measurable achievements during his years as a former Housing Minister.

“What is the history of our opponent, what is their track record?” she asked.

“He (Rowley) has delivered nothing in the years he has been in Parliament. He built nothing in the HDC. Ask Dr (Roodal) Moonilal (Minister of Housing) how the the corner of Harris and Keate streets. houses we inherited (were from) when he Even so, COP political leader Prakash was Minister of Housing.”

Ramadhar attended the opening of the She said the Opposition party did not UNC office and stood with the Prime have any policies or programmes to manMinister as cut the ribbon. age the economy except for a reduction Persad-Bissessar told the crowd they on “transfers and subsidies” and she had to “understand the time” and “ride asked whether this meant a cut in old-age the wave” to an electoral victory in 2015. pensions and disabilities grants.

“Now you must understand that an “The Opposition Leader has a duty to election is different from re-election,” tell us,” she said. “Are you going to cut she explained just before pointing to a jobs, are you going to cut pensions, are platform backdrop which read, “Growing you going to cut child care grants and baby stronger, reaching higher.” grants? Tell us what you talking about cuts The Prime Minister added, “So whilst because you must have a plan and prowe were going into an election cam- gramme that will help you manage our paign in 2010, riding the wave, rising up, economy in this time of low oil prices.” in a re-election campaign you have to Becoming more personal, the Prime continue to ride the wave but you have Minister questioned the citizenship of to continue to both strengthen and to PNM Mayaro candidate, Clarence Ramreach higher.” She advised supporters to bharat, who reportedly had stated that communicate to the electorate the gains his family was resident in Canada while which had been achieved by her Govern- he was campaigning for the election. ment over the past four and a half years.

“I would like to know whether he has She said the south regional command citizenship of Canada,” she queried. “Can centre was “just the beginning of many he be a candidate? So let him answer us other command centres” and revealed because if he is living here and his family that the UNC would soon open its north- is living there, the law in Trinidad and Towest regional command centre and bago is clear: you cannot have somebody northeast command centre which would else citizenship. I would like to make sure be a hub for the neighbouring constitu- you have your citizenship of Trinidad and encies.

Tobago and you did not give it up to get a Persad-Bissessar added that contrary dual citizenship. Tell us, are you a squatto reports, no candidate had been select- ter in Trinidad and Tobago or a true citied to represent the UNC in the election zen of Trinidad and Tobago?” she asked. saying nominations had not yet been inThe Prime Minister also knocked Opvited by the screening committee. position claims of discrimination in the “The party has a screening pro- allocation of projects, pointing out that cess, nominations will be invited, we go several projects and schools had been constructed in Opposition-held constituencies including the Diego Martin Highway, the Chaguaramas boardwalk, the MIC centre in Diego Martin west, the Nursing Academy in El Dorado and the Carenage fishing depot.

“We are not like the PNM when they declared Trinidad and Tobago to be PNM country,” she said “This is not PNM country. This must never again become my phone number is PNM country, Trinidad and Tobago is for all of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

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US, UK, Canada welcome poll announcement, hope for improvements in elections arrangements

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he US, the UK and Canada this morning issued a joint release welcoming President Donald Ramotar’s announcement of May 11, 2015 as the poll date and called for improvements to be made to the electoral process including equitable access by all parties to the media.

The joint release was a further sign of the continued deep interest of western countries in Guyana’s elections and follows a flurry of direct statements from its diplomats here in recent weeks.

Abuse of the state media by the government had been one of the problems pointed out in several observer reports from the 2011 general elections. Political parties have again raised this issue in recent days.

The release follows: Joint Press Release Dr. Nicole Giles, High Commissioner, Canadian High Commission Andrew Ayre, High Commissioner, British High Commission Bryan Hunt, Charge d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy Georgetown, Guyana

JOINT STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT RAMOTAR’S ANNOUNCEMENT OF NATIONAL AND REGIONAL ELECTIONS EORGETOWN- The United States of America, Canada, and the United Kingdom welcome President Ramotar’s announcement that national and regional elections will be held in Guyana on May 11, 2015. Elections are a critical first-step towards the return of a fully functioning Parliament.

We note the great strides made by Guyana during the 2011 general and regional elections. The Organization of American States (OAS) Electoral Mission Final Report, which referenced the Mission with observers from 14 countries, applauded significant efforts made by the Guyanese Electoral Commission (GECOM) to execute an overall inclusive and clean electoral process. The report mentioned the “high level of training and dedication exhibited by GECOM staff in the polling centers.” These views were also endorsed by the Commonwealth observation team.

The report also noted areas of improvement to make subsequent elections more efficient and fair. We hope Guyana considers these recommendations, including: improving mechanisms that guarantee more equitable access to media and political financing, adherence to timely and standardized procedures for the electoral process, improving communications with all stakeholders in particular GECOM, and strengthening the promotion of gender balanced participation throughout the electoral process.

We are hopeful that the upcoming electoral process will allow the Guyanese people to debate the important issues that are facing the country. We are committed to working with GECOM, all political parties, and civil society to support free, fair and peaceful elections.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

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Gold Medal of Achievement Ceremony Calvary Assembly of God and Outpost 234 would like to congratulate Christopher Chan, Robert Lakhan, Joel Madray, Christopher Ramrup and Matthew Singh on achieving Royal Rangers highest award, the Gold Medal of Achievement. These Royal Rangers are some of our outstanding young men at Outpost 234. We are proud to be awarding them the Gold Medal of Achievement on Saturday January 31, 2015 at 10:00 am. These boys have exemplified in character and conduct what it means to “live by the Ranger’s Code”. Their achievements are of such that the entire community can feel a part of. We encourage our youths to strive for excellence and to uphold morals that would benefit not only them but our society.

We would like to cordially invite you to join us in this special Gold Medal of Achievement Ceremony.

Royal Rangers is a Bible based mentoring program for future men. We provide Christlike character formation and servant leadership for boys grades K-12.

For more information on the ceremony and on how to enlist your boys in Royal Rangers feel free to contact the church office using the information below.

Calvary Assembly of God

102-07 Rockaway Blvd. Ozone Park, NY 11417 718.659.4500 - www.calvaryozone.org

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Caribbean Star Newspaper Airport cops charged over cocaine-in-rum conspiracy January 23-29, 2015

wo special constables were yesterday charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine that was intercepted in rum bottles at the John F Kennedy airport in New York.

Jermain Bristol, 29, of Lot 2044 Stevedore Hous-ing Scheme, Georgetown and Margaret Jacobs, 53, of Prospect, East Bank Demeara, both special constables assigned to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri (CJIA), were refused bail when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on November 17, 2014, at the CJIA, Bristol and Jacobs conspired with other persons unknown to traffic in narcotics.

They both pleaded not guilty to the charge read to them

by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Bristol also faced a second conspiracy charge. It is being alleged that between August 1 and October 31, 2014, he conspired with other persons unknown to traffic in narcotics. He also pleaded not guilty to the second charge.

Prosecutor Bharat Mangru

Jermain Bristol

Margaret Jacobs

said that on November 17, 2014, an American citizen travelling with four bottles of rum was intercepted at the John F Kennedy airport, where it was discovered that two of the four bottles were laced with cocaine.

During investigations, Mangru noted, CCTV camera footage revealed that both Bristol and Jacobs were seen operating outside their normal functions at the CJIA. They were contacted and asked to explain. He said Bristol admitted that he was paid by the individual to traffic the cocaine, while Jacobs also admitted that she was paid in order to assist in carrying out the act.

However, attorney Gordon Gilhuys, who represented Bris-

tol, said the man knew nothing about the charges against him.

He added that Bristol was also beaten by the police and had to be rushed to the hospital on Friday.

While the court heard that Bristol was in custody since last Thursday and held without charge for more than 72 hours, he told the court that he was arrested on Wednesday. However, Mangru maintained that Bristol was arrested last Thursday and said yesterday’s was the earliest court date after the 72 hours elapsed.

Meanwhile, Jacobs’ attorney told the court she has been a constable for more than 20 years. The lawyer said she was

on duty yesterday when she received a called from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) informing her about the charge. The lawyer added that Jacobs also cooperated with the police and said she also lodged her passport since she has no intention of fleeing the jurisdiction and would return for her trial. An application for reasonable bail was made but it was later denied.

The court also heard that Jacobs was only recently promoted to corporal.

Mangru objected to bail since he said no special reason was provided to the court for bail to be granted. Both accused were remanded to prison and are expected to make their next court appearance on January 26.

In November, Wilton Sinclair was charged with possession of cocaine in the US Eastern District Court, after being found with 8.206 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden in bottles of rum at the John F Kennedy Airport.

According to court documents, Sinclair was a passenger on Caribbean Airlines Flight 525, which departed Georgetown and travelled to Trinidad and Toba-

go. He then boarded another Caribbean Airline Flight 524 and flew to the United States.

But on arrival at JFK Airport, he was selected for passenger screening by the US Customs and Border Protection officers.

Sinclair was carrying a shopping bag, which contained four 1.75 litre bottles of rum, which when inspected were found to contain a thick, syrup-like substance inconsistent with rum.

Further inspections revealed the presence of cocaine and Sinclair was arrested.

Sinclair later waived his rights and told law enforcement agents that he was paid US$6,000 to take the four bottles containing cocaine from Guyana to the United States.

The court documents said a preliminary hearing was waived and bail was set with surety sworn after Sinclair was advised of his bond obligations and conditions.

Another man, Raphael Armstrong, was subsequently held in December at JFK with almost 3 kilogrammes of cocaine in bottles of cream liqueur, which were purportedly sourced from a CJIA duty-free shop.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

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Why & How to Meditate?

Benefits & Techniques

By Nick Applebee

There are many motivations for meditating. For some it's to lower one's blood pressure, for others to reduce stress... some want to gain knowledge, others wish to use it to give up compulsive actions... and the list goes on. What happens if we are successful in acquiring what we strive for? Do we stop there? Are we satisfied?

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opefully, we will be wise in our understanding and choose a course that is progressive and does not impose limitations on us.

Meditation is a technique that is often referred to as medicine. So a wise question would be 'what is our real problem'?

Most of the responses from the spiritual community would be - we live in delusion, we are bound by darkness, our lives are spent in a state of ignorance.

Meditation teaches us many things, one is how to watch, when we refine this ability we are able to see things clearly.

If our attitudes are healthy, and we are courageous, we can begin to see and understand our ego in a new light. We are able to have glimpses of our awareness (pure mind) which is the essence of our inner self. If we see our problems in a realized sense of clarity, then we can start implementing solutions to changing and

becoming freer and by the same light, when we truly see our inner realities, we can merge with them and take refuge in our scared space.I hope we do not invest our time in secondary or superficial goals, but choose to put our sights on our true needs, which will bring us to a place of true nobility and the process of liberation. This path is endless and without boundaries. The only thing you have to do is give it everything.

So perhaps the question should be,"When will I meditate?"

If one wants to discover the truth of their own being and live in the experience of it, then this is a valid approach. There are many meditation techniques. It might be necessary for a person to try many before they find the right one. I think one should spend some time to learn one technique well; this will give one a foundation to compare other techniques

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper DOC, NURSE HELP KILLER

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DOCTOR and nurse had been doing house visits to attend to the man who murdered 19-year-old Salma Chadee in Caroni last Saturday evening.

These visits took place in the very house where the man shot the young mother of one to death.

This is the information police are saying they now have as they continue their manhunt for the suspect whom they have now dubbed the country’s most wanted. He has been nursing two broken legs which, it is said, he sustained in a vehicular accident last November.

The medical attention administered via the personal visits of the doctor and nurse to the Chadees’ residence was not restricted to his most recent refuge. Police are saying that following the accident last year the man was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) in Mt Hope where he was informed his legs were broken.

He was transferred to St Clair Medical Centre in Port-of-Spain, but by the time police found out that he was at that institution and went there, the suspect secretly discharged himself with the assistance of persons unknown and returned to Caroni where he was hiding out for the past few weeks. Head of the Northern Division Task Force Insp Roger Alexander went as

far yesterday as lambasting the murdered girl’s relatives who he alleged assisted her killer who was already wanted for the murder of another woman, Sherlene Mahangoo-Charles, on May 8 last year and for which he was on the run from police.

Alexander was emphatic: “The blood of that girl is on the hands of the suspect, the person who took him upstairs their home at Chadee Street, Caroni; the person who housed him all this time, the person who fed him, the doctor and nurse who visited him on location at Chadee Street, the man who threw him over the wall to get away, the driver of the getaway car and the neighbours of the dead woman at Chadee Street, who knew he was wanted for murder.”

The Inspector was also responding to claims by relatives of the murdered young woman that the police failed to respond to information that the wanted man was hiding in Caroni.

In fact, Alexander said persons who are making these allegations are simply not telling the truth and instead he turned the heat on all the persons who assisted and harboured the fugitive.

Alexander said the police have received information that the man stayed at Salma’s home for the past three months and both the young woman and members of

January 23-29, 2015

her family knew he was hiding from the police.

According to Alexander the police also received information that a doctor and nurse would visit the suspect at Chadee’s home to administer medication and attend to his broken limbs regularly.

He also added that one of Salma’s relatives had even recommended to the suspect that he eat a lot of garlic. That relative also cooked “soft food” for the suspect, because he was unable to eat food which was hard to chew.

“The man loved tomato choka with hot sada roti with little salt and no pepper,” Alexander said, adding, the wanted man used to be dipping the roti in the choka and eating heartily. “Those persons knew they were housing and feeding a killer, yet they continued to do so and we also understand they switched their surveillance camera at the house conveniently to conceal the faces of visitors to the man, I want to say, we have the information and are working towards finding the killer with or without their ssistance.”

Alexander revealed that on Saturday when Salma was shot and killed at about 9 pm, her relatives contacted EHS and not the police. He said there was hope that Salma would survive the shooting and everything could be concealed. The Inspec-

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tor said in their haste to do so, persons in the house forgot to conceal the surveillance camera which captured the killer crawling down the stairs and being assisted by a relative to escape in a waiting car.

Contacted for comment, Chief of Staff at the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) and chairman designate at this RHA Dr Andy Bhagwandass said all persons seeking medical assistance for gunshot and knife wounds at health institutions must be reported to the police.

“If we are aware that it is a wanted person, obviously we will inform the police at that point. That is a well recognised procedure.

If we suspect any sinister activity we are also duty bound to inform the police,” he said.

Regarding the police’s claim that a doctor and nurse visited and treated the wanted man at home, Dr Bhagwandass this would only be possible if the medics were doing private work for the killer.

Asked whether they could have known the man is wanted by the police, Bhagwandass said, “Well, I didn’t know. He could give a story that he fell from a mango tree and broke his two legs. We won’t expect a patient to lie about how or what has happened, unless of course we think he is hiding something,” he said.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper Guyana’s upstream oil and gas policy launched

January 23-29, 2015

HE Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment continues to work towards creating a viable oil and gas sector, but to have a feasible sector, there must be policy that caters for its development. Yesterday, the ministry launched its upstream oil and gas policy at a national stakeholders’ forum at the Herdmanston Lodge, Georgetown.Giving a comprehensive overview of the policy, Dr. Epken Omonbude, Economic Adviser, Commonwealth Secretariat, pointed out that the draft of this policy was discussed on October 2013 and accepted by Cabinet around the same time in 2014.

He noted that it is to ensure a transparent and effective upstream of oil and gas legislations and implementation in Guyana.

The strategy focuses on the broader picture of the upcoming sector, as this is the framework that provides the answers to what will and can be done, when and if oil is found in Guyana.

According to Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, this is to prepare the country for the eventuality of a significant amount of oil being found, more so, for com-

Dr. Epken Omonbude, Economic Adviser, Commonwealth Secretariat, presenting an overview of the Oil & Gas policy to the stakeholders at the forum Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud delivering his remarks to the gathering at the event mercial purposes.

He said that “in 2011, when the ministry was established, (it) had a review of how …“we oversee, manage and plan for the eventual development of an oil and gas sector. We recognised that we needed to be prepared for the eventuality, and I want to be an optimist, not a blind optimist … not an unreasonable optimist … but (I see) the eventuality of a significant commercial oil and gas discovery in our country.” This strategy is a step in preparing the

country for this eventuality.

The minister added that when they reviewed the existing framework and legislation, they tended to focus primarily on exploration and promotion of oil and did not efficiently deal with the issue of upstream.

He further noted that the reason for this is to prevent any consequences when this discovery is made, as a result of the country’s not being prepared for such a sector. He also pointed out that the ministry is working with a number of bilateral partners in order to improve other areas of this sector in “looking at how we can have the right environment, the right

framework, the system, the right arrangement, that will do justice to the people of Guyana in terms of how we manage the sector going forward.”

Much emphasis is also being placed on human resources; the mining school has offered and will continue to offer some training programmes in gearing and preparing Guyanese to work in the oil and gas sector.

The minister also acknowledged the fact that numerous employees are currently overseas, pursuing advanced training, some with support from oil companies themselves. A lot of work has also been done on transparency.

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Further, there are still some areas to be addressed, such as managing resources, in terms of what would accrue from the eventual development of such a sector, and ensuring its contribution to lasting prosperity, the minister pointed out.

This is to ensure that the sector be not only a viable one, but sustainable financially, and that it will take into account environmental, as well as social obligations.

This is the reason for developing a robust and forward-looking framework, such as this.

The minister also expressed gratitude to the Commonwealth Secretariat for aiding in this process.

Country Manager of Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd, Jeff Simon, was also given the opportunity to share some comments and suggestions on the policy, as the company Exxon Mobil will begin drilling for oil in March.

Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Samuel Hinds, who was also at the ceremony, said that he was “very pleased that this day has come…. and by the end of this quarter, to have some deep drilling.” (GINA)

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

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Cane harvester charged with murder of Edinburgh teen A Berbice cane harvester accused of stabbing a teenaged girl to death at Rosignol, West Berbice on Saturday after she reportedly ended a relationship with him, appeared in court yesterday charged with murder and was remanded to prison.

Shazam Kahlil, 22, of Lot 53 Shieldstown, West Bank Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Rhondel Weaver at the Blairmont Magistrate’s court charged with the murder of 19-year-old Sheniza Mohamed. It is alleged that the in-

cident occurred on January 17, 2015. Kahlil was not required to plead to the capital offence and was remanded to prison.

He will return to court on February 17th 2015.

An autopsy performed on Mohamed’s body on Tuesday

by Dr. Vivekanand Bridgemohan revealed that the teen, of Lot 53, Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice died from shock and haemorrhage due to multiple stab wounds.

Mohamed was fatally stabbed at Rosignol at around 7pm on Saturday after she re-

portedly ended a relationship with Khalil. In a statement, police said that investigations revealed that Mohamed was “involved in an argument with a man with whom she is reported to have ended a relationship and during which she was stabbed about her body.”

The teenager was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she later succumbed.

The suspect fled and was subsequently arrested.

An eyewitness Mitra Sukdeo, 18, had told Stabroek News that after Mohamed picked up a cel-

Shazam Kahlil

Sheniza Mohamed

lular phone, he along with his sister and Mohamed ventured to the “Yang Zi” Chinese restaurant where his sister purchased food. While she was eating inside the restaurant, he and Mo-

hamed were chatting outside.

A few moments later, his sister called him and he went into the restaurant.

Sukdeo had related that as he entered, he heard a scream and upon turning around to check, he saw Mohamed holding her stomach. The teen recalled that he rushed to Mohamed and after observing her bleeding profusely, caught a car and rushed her to the Fort Wellington Hospital. She was subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she succumbed.

THE FAMILY & FRIENDS ORGANIZATION Proudly invite the General Public to a fund-raising

Valentine DINNER & DANCE

New Yorkbound "frequent flyer" arrested with cocaine in food items

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Guyanese man, described as a “frequent flyer” was Tuesday afternoon arrested after a large quantity of cocaine was allegedly found in his suitcase, a senior official of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) said.

The identity of the 32-year old man from East Coast Demerara was not disclosed.

Investigators said he was carrying 12.5 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in flour and rice packets.

He was held at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport about 5 PM shortly before boarding a Dynamic Airways flight to New York A CANU agent said that the man gave addresses in Guyana and the United States (US).

Quite recently CANU and the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) intercepted more than 100 kilogrammes of cocaine aboard a Cyprus-registered ship that had come to take a consignment of bauxite from Linden, Upper Demerara River to Europe.

On Saturday Feb14th 2015 From 7:30pm until???

At the Golden Palace 123-08 Jamaica Ave.

Music by Popular DJ Special Artistes, Door Price, Raffle and much more Donation: $25 per person including Buffet, soft drink Reasonable Cash Bar All proceeds from this event go to The Children Orphanages of

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Please Support this Fund-Raising Event For Information, Tickets, Assisting & Donations please call: 718-736-4124; 917-207-3562; 646-703-2253 or 917-703-0646

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January 23-29, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

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Come clean -GHRA urges Ramotar on Parliament

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he Guyana Human Rights Association yesterday called on President Donald Ramotar to come clean and dissolve Parliament, a point which was also raised by commentators Christopher Ram and Alissa Trotz.

Without a proclamation being issued, the identification of May 11 as Elections Day by Ramotar has no legal effect, Ram and Trotz said yesterday and while Attorney-General Anil Nandlall said that a proclamation will be issued, he could not say when it will be done.

“The formal requirements of the announcement will be complied with,” Nandlall said when contacted by Stabroek News on the concerns expressed yesterday. “A date has been fixed, a proclamation will be issued to that effect.” He, however, said that he did not know when this would be done and it is within the prerogative of the president.

On Tuesday, Ramotar announced May 11th as the date for general and regional elections, ending two months of suspense after he prorogued the Parliament on November 10 last year.

However, Parliament remains suspended and sections of civil society including the GHRA have expressed concern that Ramotar’s announcement did not comply with the constitutional requirement for the naming of the date of elections. “It is of no constitutional validity,” attorney Ram told Stabroek News saying that the President has to do so by proclamation. “Until he follows the Constitution, the situation remains uncertain and fluid,” he said.

In a statement, the GHRA said that Ramotar’s announcement that he intends to hold elections on May 11th does not preclude the possibility of his changing his mind. “Proclamation of elections in Guyana is linked constitutionally to either prorogation or dissolution of Parliament, it is not decreed

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unilaterally by the President,” the organisation said.

The statement noted that Article 69 of Guyana’s Constitu-tion states that Parliament must assemble within six months of Parliament being prorogued or four months of it being dissolved.

“In the case of dissolution, elections must follow within three months (Art. 61), allowing a month for allocations of seats, resolving disputed results and other administrative matters before the new Parliament is convened,” the statement said.

Ramotar’s date of May 11th “would seem to be premised on the six months following prorogation, but he has retained the option of re-calling Parliament in the meantime,” the GHRA asserted.

Meantime, Ram and Trotz, in a letter to Stabroek News expressed concern that Ramotar’s announcement did not address the status of the Tenth Parliament which was prorogued on November 10, 2014 “nor did it comply with the constitutional requirement” for the naming of the date of elections.

“It is our view that the life of the Tenth Parliament can only come to an end by dissolution and the naming of the date for elections done by way of a proclamation,” the duo said.

They pointed out that prorogation of the Parliament is done under Article 70 by proclamation and “while the Constitution does not expressly so state, it is our opinion that a proclamation is required either to re-convene or to dissolve the Parliament.” They also pointed out that in relation to the naming of the date for elections, Article 61 of the Constitution explicitly requires a proclamation by the President.

Trotz and Ram noted that for the 2011 general elections, there were four proclamations: one on September 27, 2011 to dissolve Parliament and

another on the same day dissolving the ten Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs). On October 9, 2011 two other proclamations were issued: one setting November 28 as the date for parliamentary elections and the other setting November 28 as the date for election of members of RDCs. “It is our opinion that until similar proclamations are issued, the announcement made by the President on Tuesday January 21, naming May 11 as the date for elections has no legal or constitutional effect. As citizens we find it totally unacceptable that the President in his rather extensive address did not discuss the issue of the Tenth Parliament, leaving the country in continuing uncertainty in respect of the Parliament and to his intention to comply with the requirements of the Constitution,” Trotz and Ram said.

“The President needs to remove the uncertainty and take the logical steps which the Constitution requires,” they added.

CONFORM The GHRA also called on Ramotar to either dissolve Parliament at the earliest opportunity and adjust the election date to conform with the constitutional provision of three months or explain to the nation why he considers re-call of Parliament to be an option still available to him despite being in an electoral season.

“The manner in which the election date has been set, without reference to the life of Parliament, suggest it has been prompted by two considerations: dampening current pressure that the Government either return to Parliament or call new elections and secondly, the benefits which accrue to the ruling party from maintaining the Parliament in session,” the organisation said.

According to the GHRA, the electoral advantage of not dissolving Parliament derives from being able to continue to

enter into international agreements such as the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project or other vote-getting projects which official dissolution of Parliament would have precluded.

“The hints provided by Minister of Finance, Ashni Singh, to the effect that the Government may re-call Parliament to present Budget Estimates seem a flimsy attempt to rationalize not dissolving Parliament. In light of the relentless antagonism which characterized the life of the current Parliament, it is absurd to think that in the midst of electioneering, the Parliament is going to sit down and approve a budget,” the statement said.

“Continuing the farce that prorogation can still bring the parties into unofficial dialogue during an election season is equally bizarre,” the GHRA added.

Nandlall yesterday said that there is no obligation on the president at the time when he fixes a date for the elections, to, at the same time, dissolve Parliament but acknowledged that “the act of dissolution and a date for elections must comply with the constitutional timeframe of within three months.”

The Attorney-General said that the formal requirements of the announcement will be complied with but when asked, said that he did not know when the proclamation will be issued. He said that it is within the absolute prerogative of the president to name a date for the elections and assuming that a proclamation is issued, it will not change the date for elections. He noted that theoretically the Parliament can remain suspended until February 11.

Nandlall acknowledged that proclamations will have to be issued to dissolve Parliament and set the date for elections but when pressed on when these will be issued, he said that he would not be able to speak for the President on those matters. Those matters are within the prerogative of the president, the Attorney-General said.

Cruise ship returns in less than a month – seen as confidence in Destination Guyana

HE MS Hamburg Cruise Ship has returned to Guyana’s shores just short of a month after its previous visit, with 300 passengers on board.

Speaking briefly during a tour of the ship, Guyana Tourism Authority’s (GTA) Director, Indranauth Haralsingh relayed greetings to Captain Vokobyov on behalf of the Minister of Tourism (ag) Irfaan Ali. He thanked the captain and crew for visiting Destination Guyana again. “You were only here in December 2014 and have returned, and this we are very happy about since this is the shortest turn-around time for any vessel,” he said. Haralsingh noted that he is happy that

Staff preparing for dinner

MS Hamburg the cruise line has this much confidence in Destination Guyana to make the recommendation to revisit.

GTA’s Director, Indranauth Haralsingh presents Captain Vokobyov with a plaque

GTA’s Director, Indranauth Haralsingh presents Captain Vokobyov with a plaque Captain Vokobyov explained that the ship had encountered some difficulties in Venezuela and could not have docked there

so they decided to visit Guyana.

The captain said that the ship is carrying some 300 passengers and most of them disembarked the ship for some tours of Georgetown, Kaieteur Falls and to do some craft-shopping.

During a tour of the ship, media operatives were given the opportunity to view the different sections.

MS Hamburg is a 15,000-ton, 420- passenger, luxury cruise ship owned by the Conti Group and is now operated by PlantoursKreuzfahrten. The ship was built in 1997, in Wismar, Germany. The ship’s relative size allows her to transit the Great Lakes in North America, which she cruised seasonally between 1997 and 2011- one of the few modern cruise ships and the only German one able to do so.

However, she is flexible enough to cruise worldwide as well, for example travelling the Mediterranean for cultural cruises with Martin Randall Travel. Her crew complement consists of 170, and her top speed is 16 knots.

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January 23-29, 2015

ISLAM Peace / submission to the will of our creator.

Series - Special Edition

Guarding the Tongue “It is by shunning idle-talk that intelligence is perfected. Keeping quiet is better than uttering falsehood. The worst of all people is the one who is biased in his speech, deviated in his tongue and mischievous in his utterances”

Allah (s.w.t) says in Surah Qaf 49 v18: “Not a word does one utter, except that there is an (angel) Watching, Ready to record it.”

Abu Huraira (ra) reported that the Prophet of Allah (pbuh) said: “Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day then let him speak good or remain silent.” (Bukhari & Muslim) This hadith is a clear proof that one should not talk, unless one’s speech is good and beneficial to others. So if we have doubts as to whether or not our speech will be beneficial, then we should not speak. Imam Ash-Shafi (ra) said: “When one desires to talk, then it is upon him to think before he speaks. If there is good in what he will say, then he should speak. And if he has doubt about that, then he must not speak until he clears that doubt.”

Allah says in the beginning of Surah al-Muminoon 23:1-3, “Indeed successful are the Believers, those who in their prayer have Khushoo (modesty, humility, awareness of Allah) and those who refrain from vain talk.”

Here Allah mentions that refraining from vain talk is a sign of the successful believers. Allah also mentions refraining from vain talk after he mentions al-Khushoo. This is because too much talk makes the heart hard. It is not possible to reach the level of Khushoo (modesty, humility, awareness of Allah) unless one refrains from vain talk.

The Tongue Expresses what is in the Heart: If a person is good, it reflects in their speech. Allah has made it

very easy for the tongue to move and it is not difficult to realize that a person’s tongue moves much more compared to the limbs. So if a person is not careful about what he says, even a single remark can invalidate his actions. Abu Saeed Al-Khudri (ra) reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “When the Son of Adam wakes from his sleep, all of his body parts seek refuge from his tongue, saying: ‘Fear Allah with regard to us, for indeed we are part of you. So if you are correct, then we will be correct and if you are corrupted, then we shall be corrupted.”

(At-Tirmidhi) And at the same time, the tongue is a great blessing from Allah. The gratitude that we should show for this great blessing should include, using it for the obedience to Allah, for reading the Qur’an, for seeking Knowledge, to enjoin good and forbidding evil. The prohibitions of the tongue are that you do not lie, abuse, use foul language, backbite and slander.

Abu Musa Al-Ashari (ra) said: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah Which of the Muslims is best?’ He (pbuh) said: ‘He whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe from.”

(Al-Bukhari & Muslim) Sahal Ibn Saad (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “Whosoever can guarantee for me (that he will safeguard) what is between his jaws (tongue) and what is between his legs (private parts), I will guarantee for him Paradise.”

(Al-Bukhari) Abu Huraira (ra) reported that he heard the Prophet (pbuh) say: “Indeed, the servant will speak a word, while being unaware of (its consequences), and due to it, he will be cast into the Hellfire, farther than the distance between the east and the west.”

(Al-Bukhari & Muslim) he meaning of “while being un-

Caribbean Star Newspaper

aware” is that he does not stop to consider whether his speech is good or not.

Sufyaan Ibn ‘Abdullah (ra) reported that he asked: “O Messenger of Allah (pbuh), tell me of a matter that I may cling tightly onto.’ He (pbuh) said: ‘Say: I believe in Allah and then remain steadfast (upon that).’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah (pbuh, what is the most serious thing that I should fear for myself?’ So he (pbuh) took a hold of his tongue and said: ‘This.’ (At-Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah).

Uqbah Ibn Aamir (ra) reported: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah (pbuh), how does one attain salvation?’ He (pbuh) said: ‘Restrain your tongue, remain in your home and weep over your sins.’ (At-Tirmidhi) Al-Hasan Al-Basri (ra) said, “Whoever does not guard the slips of their tongue has not understood their Deen.”

Isa bin Uqbah (ra) said, that Abdullah Ibn Masood (ra) is reported to have said, ‘By Him Who alone is worthy of worship on earth, no sin deserves more severe and lengthier punishment than the sins committed by the tongue’ (Ibn Kathir) The earlier mentioned Qur’anic verses, ahadith of our noble Prophet (pbuh) and advices by the scholars of Islam are a guide for those searching for salvation against vain talk. So before we talk, we should ask ourselves....

Will my words please Allah?

Will my words bring me closer to Allah?

Are my words in accordance with the obedience of Allah?

If yes, then speak, otherwise one should keep quiet.

Suggested cure for this disease of the tongue: One: We should know that it is a major sin. In fact, a person may make a single statement – not paying any heed to it – by which he may slip into Hellfire.

Two: We must talk about things that are necessary to carry out the worldly affairs within the limits of sharia.

Three: We should distance ourselves from those long useless gatherings where nothing is done for hours except laughing and chatting about silly and frivolous matters. Instead, we should gather to remember Allah and cultivate good speech.

Four: We must glorify Allah in our hearts. If Allah says do not make fun of one another, our reply

should be nothing more than.

“We hear and we obey.”

Five: We should warn others of the sin of insulting other people and making fun of them, telling lies, slandering. Let us not allow ourselves to be a ‘silent Shaitan’ listening to others being insulted.

Let us speak up and say it clearly that this is not something loved by Allah and His Messenger. Proclaim that if Allah and His Messenger hate it, then so do you.

Six: If you feel the urge to insult someone, ask Allah to protect you from the Shaitan and this satanic act. As Allah swt says in surah Al-Araaf 7:v200: “And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Shaitan, then seek refuge in Allah.

Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing”.

Seven: And of course, if anyone of us should fall into this sin, we should be swift in turning back to Allah in repentance. Say, O Allah, I ask You to forgive me and I return to You. Allah (swt) says in surah Al-Hujrat 49:v11:” And whoever does not repent – then it is those who are the wrongdoers”.

In conclusion, it is by shunning idle-talk that intelligence is perfected. Keeping quiet is better than uttering falsehood. The worst of all people is the one who is biased in his speech, deviated in his tongue and mischievous in his utterances.

The worst of all speech is that which goes against the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (pbuh). The worst speech is also that which is disgusting in nature and abhorrent to the ear.

The good word is rewarded and the evil word is punished. Allah lays example in surah Ibrahim 14:v24-26: “See you not how Allah sets forth a parable? A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high). Giving its fruit at all times, by the Leave of its Lord, and Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember. And the parable of an evil word is that of an evil tree uprooted from the surface of earth having no stability.”

Therefore, let us pray to Allah (s.w.t) to protect us against sins of our tongues, guide us to righteous speech and keep us all on the path of obedience. Ameen

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

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Gas prices slashed at city GuyOil stations G asoline prices were slashed at Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil) gas stations around the city and along the East Bank yesterday, while privately-owned operations either made small reductions or none at all, while citing the cost incurred for fuel in stock.

On Monday Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh had announced 30% reductions at all GuyOil-branded petrol dealers for gasoline, diesel and kerosene, to reflect the fall in world market prices for oil.

When Stabroek News visited GuyOil’s Sheriff Street gas station at 2:45pm, drivers were seen waiting in a long line to

take advantage of the notable reduction at the pumps.

GuyOil’s Diamond, East Bank Demerara station was also busy, as vehicles arrived by the dozens. While this newspaper was there, some drivers expressed shock at the reduced price and others simply threw their thumbs up and smiled as they drove up to the pumps.

According to a supervisor there, when she started her shift at 2pm, “the station got “busy.”

In contrast, most privately-owned gas stations reflected a small reduction, citing the cost incurred for fuel from their

suppliers.

While the per litre price for gasoline at GuyOil stations was decreased by $66 to $152.9, the price for gasoline and diesel was reduced only by $8 at the Rubis gas station on Vlissengen Road, effective from yesterday morning. An employee noted that the marginal reduction did not see an increase from the normal traffic at the gas station. The gas price was listed at $219.9 per litre and diesel $216.9 per litre.

At the Shell gas station on Vlissengen Road, the gas price listed up to 3pm yesterday was $219.9 per litre and diesel

The reduced price on display at the Diamond, East Bank GuyOil gas station sold at $217 per litre. Manager of the gas station Robin Lowe told Stabroek News that the prices at the station had not been reduced owing to the fact that “SOL” had not directed that move. However, Lowe noted that that move is imminent.

N&A Service Station at Prospect dropped its price by $7 per litre on gasoline and by $15 per litre on diesel. A supervisor there said the station was running at a loss with the reduction, owing to the cost they paid for fuel. The price for gas was listed as $220 per litre while diesel was $200 per litre.

“We have dropped our prices as what we bought for,” said Ram Ross, the proprietor of Ross’ Gas Station at Ruimveldt, where prices were reduced by $9. He said the gas price at that station was listed at $219 and diesel was at $217 per litre.

Ross said that the gas station was forced to close its door a few weeks back when it had run out of gas. He added that the reduction would not trickle down to his gas station, because GuyOil does not always supply him.

However, Two Brothers gas station at Eccles, East Bank Demerara had not reduced the price for gas or diesel. A supervisor there said that the price paid for fuel had not reduced and therefore that gas station could not reduce its prices.

The gas price there was listed at $221 per litre and diesel was at $217 per litre.

At Monday’s press briefing, Singh noted that he could not make guarantees in relation to GuyOil’s abilities to fulfil demand. “It would be irresponsible of me to stand here and say to you that after GuyOil reduced they will not get a rush and they will not run out of fuel. I am not in a position to give that assurance,” Singh stated.

Vehicles drove up by the dozens for gas at the Diamond, East Bank GuyOil gas station

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January 23-29, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

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

Caribbean Star Newspaper Ship in $800M cocaine bust, crew left after fine paid

January 23-29, 2015

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he cargo ship on which a container with 192.4 kilos of cocaine was recently found recently left Guyana with its crew after a fine was paid to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), according to James Singh, head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).

CANU, Guyana’s main drug fighting body was instrumental in the multi-million-dollar cocaine haul. CANU has confiscated the drugs. It is believed that Guyana was used as a transshipment point to get the drugs which were carefully concealed in a container aboard the MV Delta Dies, to either Spain, Holland or Belgium. After departing Guyana, the ship was expected to dock in these three countries.

There was insufficient evidence to link the crew to the drugs and as such no charges were laid against them. The captain and two of his crew members had been held after the discovery of the narcotics and were confined to the ship.

James, when contacted yesterday, said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommended no charges. A file on the case was sent to the DPP’s Chambers last week. According to James, given the recommendation the crew were released. He said the ship subsequently departed Guyana after paying a fine to GRA. He stressed that the releasing of the vessel and the

payment of the fine were decisions taken by the GRA. Despite numerous efforts, Stabroek News could not ascertain when the vessel left or the sum of the fine. GRA head Khurshid Sattaur could not be contacted.

Sattaur had previously told this newspaper that while there was a number of things outlined in the Act as it relates to seizure and forfeiture of a vessel on which drugs are found, there are also provisions for the paying of a fine. He had said that revenue officials were in talks with the management of the vessel to reach a settlement, while noting that this decision was made after taking a number of things into consideration including the fact that the persons on the vessel had no knowledge that the drugs were there and the legal backlashes they might face.

Meanwhile, James indicated that the investigation is still ongoing in collaboration

with CANU’s counterparts in neighbouring Suriname, which was the vessel’s last stop before travelling to Guyana.

The vessel arrived in Guyana during the first weekend of the New Year and sailed to Linden, where bauxite was loaded. Since its arrival it had been under surveillance by local authorities, who were tipped off by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC). The drugs which were worth an estimated $800 million were packed in 185 packages or bricks, which were concealed under the pallets of a container aboard the vessel. The discovery was made by CANU investigators with assistance from GRA’s Law Enforcement and Investigation Division and the Drug Examination Unit.

The police also provided some assistance.

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

State-of-the-art facility will cater for merging of Brickdam Secondary and Central High

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INISTER of Education, Priya Manickchand last Friday clarified issues regarding the merging of the Brickdam Secondary School and Central High School and the establishment of a state-of-the-art facility. During a recent press conference, Minister Manickchand stated that she was displeased with the recent issues being highlighted by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU). She said further that since her time in office she has observed that the Ministry of Education (MOE), has over time, enjoyed a very good relationship with the GTU, in relation to the welfare of its members.

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January 23-29, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

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.

Before I begin my topic, I must say, the things I write in my articles are simply speaking from my experience as a member of the youths of today. I am a voice of the youth and I intend to have my voice heard.

Over the years, I have been taught that maturity, self-respect, dignity, honesty, and dedication would lead me to success. So far in my journey through life, I have been influenced to be the person I am today thanks to several individuals. And those several individuals have been there to help me and influence me so that I would make them all proud, and at the same time, make myself proud of my life whenever I look back at it. Because of their influence, I have been told that I am not my age.

And, I don’t mean that I don’t physically look my age. Rather, I mean I have been told that I act and behave like someone in their 40s. In other words, I believe they are saying that I act on a maturity level and mentality level of someone who has experienced life and learned that life is precious. I believe in being around people older than me rather than people my age. Why? Because, people who are older than you tend to have had much more experiences in life that they are willing to share, in hopes that you learn something in the process. Don’t believe me? The next time you are at an event, go sit and listen to older people talk to each other. Chances are, some part of what you hear will be something new you have learned about life.

In my time, I have learned so much from individuals and I will share with you some of what I have learned. Specifically, I will talk about what I have learned about love and faith.

Whatever the question, love is the answer. It is the most powerful force in the universe. To live a life you can look back at and have no regrets, you must keep love in mind, you must hold love in your heart, and you must add love to everything you make.

Do not get me wrong, I am not talking about romantic love. Rather, I am talking about loving God and your fellow human beings just as you love yourself. For example, as I look back in life, I realized that when I was 5 years of age, I already was in love with something. I loved and still love singing and giving lectures at very large crowds. Every part of the process excites me. I try to do my best because I feel that God is guiding me and helping me in any way I need in order to do what

I love best. Maybe this is why God put me on this planet. I measure my success with how many songs I sing and how many lectures I give. I just love what I do.

Money comes and goes, but love…Love lives on.

Let us talk a bit about faith now. Humans in every age and every part of the globe have been astonished of nature, of the miracle of birth, of the rotation of seasons and planets. If your foot slips, chances are, you sustain a fracture. And what if your tongue slips? Chances are, you fracture someone’s faith. Therefore, use your tongue with great care.

After all, there is a reason God gave us two ears and one mouth. We should listen twice as much as we talk.

God says, come to him with empty hands and I shall fill them with gifts and grace. If your hands are full, what is he going to fill them with? Bring to him all the evil in you, and leave it there so that you can take from him what he has; Love.

If you think about it, faith helps you replace negatives with positives. I believe the first evidence of faith occurs when you realize that there is goodness in this world. It later begins to manifest when you have confidence in yourself.

It is said that a heart without love is a cemetery. Love is the pure existence of the divine. It is the “2+2=4” for human unity. Only when selfishness and faith grows will you achieve this unity.

You might be saying, what does this 20 year old know about life? He has not even lived it yet! Well maybe if I tell you some guidelines I live by, you might reconsider. Life is full of beauty; we must take time to notice it. We must notice the butterfly, we must notice the small child, and notice their smiling faces. You don’t really understand human nature unless you know why a child on the merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around and why his parents will always wave back.

Think of this, we spend 1/3 of our life sleeping, we spend 1/3 of our life working or studying, and we have 1/3 of our life unused. It is up to us to decide how to utilize that remaining third. After all, we cannot recycle wasted time. Picture this; you have a bank account that credits you for $86,400 every morning! It carries over no balance from day to day.

Every evening it deletes whatever balance that you have failed to use. What would you do? I am pretty sure everyone would draw out every single penny!

Well, each of us actually has this bank.

It is called time. Every morning it credits you with 86,400 seconds. We must use them wisely because the clock is ticking. So live life to your fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.

It is said (and I have experienced this myself), that when you ask for certain things from God, you receive not exactly what you want. We can ask strength,

but God will give us difficulties that will make us strong. We can ask for wisdom, but God will give us problems to solve.

We can ask for prosperity, but God will give us brains and strength to work. We can ask for courage, but God will give us dangers that we must overcome. We can ask for patience, but God will place us in situations where we are forced to wait. We can ask for love, yet God will give us troubled people to help. We can ask for favors, but God will give us opportunities. If you think about it, God did not really give has what we WANTED. Rather, he gives us what we needed.

Therefore, isn’t our prayers answered?

I have heard that the wealthiest places on earth are not the oil fields in the Middle East, nor the gold and diamond fields in South Africa. Rather, the wealthiest places on earth are the cemeteries because in those graves are all kinds of dreams and desires that never will be fulfilled. Buried beneath the ground are books that will never be written, businesses that will never start.

Before you were born, God saw you and gifted you with talents and gifts uniquely designed for you. He gave you specific areas in which you excel. Yet, some people today feel unfulfilled in their lives. Why? They are not pursuing the dreams and desires God has place within their hearts. And I can’t think of anything more tragic than to come to the end of your life and realize…you have not really lived!

We all have gifts that no other person has. We did not show up on this earth by accident. Rather, we were all handpicked by God. He saw you, formed you, and placed you here for a reason. It is up to us to discover that treasure of a reason and to not let it die without it being discovered.

I have researched and found an interesting article whereby Neurologists have discovered that the average person uses less than 10 percent of his or her mind. That means that 90 percent of the minds capability lies dormant!

It never gets tapped into! We have to remember this; God deposited a part of himself in each and every one of us.

We were NEVER created to be average.

Rather, we were created to excel but, it all starts in our hearts and minds. We have to have faith in the fact that we have a treasure of a gift inside of us.

Yet, too many people do not have the confidence and self-esteem they should have because they hide beneath negative thoughts about themselves.

It is up to us to counter that. We must remind ourselves that we are creative, we are successful. God is always on our sides. We are a victor…not a victim.

Do you remember the story of Adam and Eve when they were in the Garden of Eden? Do you remember when they ate the forbidden fruit? After they did that, they sort of realized that they were

naked and decided to hide. When God came to them and asked them where they were. They replied that they are hiding because they are naked. I find the next part amusing in a good way.

God said, Adam and Eve, who told you that you were naked. If you think about it, it is God’s way of saying, who told you that something was wrong with you?

Who told you that you don’t have what it takes to succeed?

Guess what? God knew that you were not going to be perfect. He knew that you were going to have weaknesses, faults, and wrong desires. He knew all of that and yet he still loves you. So quit worrying, don’t look back in your life and be disappointed by the things you didn’t do. You still have time to do that.

And remember, God is there for you.

So as they say, throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore…

Dream…Discover.

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; “life isn’t about finding yourself; Life is about creating yourself...”

God bless you all and see you in two weeks!

(Be sure to check out beaconofpeace.org to learn about my new non-profit organization and find out how to become a member) (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 @ 646-2698227 or 718-849-1006)

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

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PRAYER OPENS DIVINE OPPORTUNITIES When people pray and wait on God in fasting and praying, He responds in several ways. He wants to change our circumstances and provide answers to our difficulties. However, more than sending blessings, He wants foremost to change us inwardly to make us more like His Son, Jesus Christ. He will also give us direction regarding what He wants us to do for Him. We will only be satisfied and fulfilled when we discover that purpose and walk in it. I want to encourage readers to hear from God. Remember, God has a special purpose for each of us.

PRAYER IS MOTIVATED BY LOVE FOR GOD. Prayer is all about communicating with God by faith.

We can talk to Him. When we read His Word, He talks back to us. We must not merely pray when we have needs. This should be a daily habit motivated by our love for our God. Prayer is a great spiritual exercise. It is needful and should be enjoyable if we love God. The Old Testament book of Nehemiah tells of the man Nehemiah who loved God and felt heartbroken over the destruction of Jerusalem. Now, Jerusalem meant the place of the Temple and God’s holy presence among the people. He felt hurt because the people were deprived of worship and were left desolate. His desire was for the presence of God to return and the people should be blessed. So Nehemiah prayed several prayers in the short book bearing his name. Neh. 1:3-4 “And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.”

The burden of prayer starts with a love for God. Why should we love God? Because He first loved us and gave His Son to redeem us unto Himself! The Bible says in John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” That display of divine love motivates us to communicate with Him in prayer. If you have been missing prayer time, start a new habit of spending time with Him so He knows you love Him.

PRAYER CAUSES THE BIRTH OF VISION. Nehemiah’s prayers caused his concern to grow into a vision of what God can do for His people. This vision energized a movement. This was not about any individual person; it was about God. God, in foresight and wisdom,

had set Nehemiah in the palace as the King’s cupbearer for this purpose. He has placed each one of us uniquely to act for His cause. Individuals who obey God will be outstanding. Daniel 11:32 says “the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” And, listen, if anyone of us fails, He will use someone else.

Nehemiah’s burden was the rebuilding of the city and temple. Our vision must be to take the message of Christ’s salvation to people who need to know His love.

Can we say we love Jesus if we don’t tell people He loves them and gave His life to redeem them? Can we stand by and watch people suffering, hooked on destroying habits or hurting and not care enough to point them to the Savior? If we love Christ, our hearts will be broken for the things that break His heart, that is, people who need to return to God. Jesus demonstrated love by His sacrifice. His death on the Cross included all people, of all cultures, all races, and all languages. When we reach out to them and point them to Him, we demonstrate our love for Him. PRAYER LEADS TO CLARITY. Nehemiah’s prayers revealed a clear plan. Neh. 2:4-5 “Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant

have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.” This man of God did not request that the army or someone else go and do the work. He felt God called him to go and he would be obedient to the vision. In our time, we need people who would hear from God and help us in His work. There are families that need to hear the gospel. There are kids we must bring off the streets and expose them to the gospel. Our community needs praying people and those who will obey God’s voice to reach the unchurched for Him.

PRAYER MAKES DIVINE OPPORTUNITIES BECOME AVAILABLE. The Bible speaks of people who became great for God because they were praying people. Nehemiah was a man of prayer who made historic accomplishments for God. Daniel, a man of prayer, was outstanding over 70 years as a leader among his people. What can God use you to do for Him? I would encourage Christians to consult with their Pastors and make new commitments regarding something God may be asking you to do for Him. We can all increase our praying, Bible study and activities in ministry. May I say, Nehemiah left the palace job and went among the rubble in Jerusalem to rebuild it.

Sometimes the call of God calls for sacrifice. If we invest ourselves and our resources for Christ, we will reap the rewards in due time according to His own promises.

NO TIME TO PRAY I knelt, but not for long; I had too much to do I had to hurry and get to work for bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer and jumped off my knees My Christian duty was now done; my soul could rest at ease.

All day long I had no time to spread a word of cheer.

No time to speak of Christ to friends; they’d laugh at me I’d fear.

No time, no time, too much to do; that was my constant cry.

No time to give souls in need, but at last the time, the time to die.

I went before the Lord; I came, I stood with downcast eyes.

For in His hands God held a book; it was the Book of Life.

God looked into His book and said, “Your name I cannot find.

I was once going to write it down, but never found the time.”

Anonymous 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 Cocaine in SSS tonic accused freed

January 23-29, 2015

eon Layne, the man charged over the cocaine-laced SSS multi-vitamin tonic that claimed the lives of four persons after they ingested it, is now free after a court found insufficient evidence to prove him guilty.

At yesterday’s ruling, the prosecution relied on its submissions presented last Friday that a prima facie case had been made out against Layne, 34, of HH Freeman Street, East La Penitence, who was charged with having 252 grammes of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking on May 2, 2014.

Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt contended that the evidence showed that Layne had possession, knowledge and control of the ille-

gal drug at the material time.

Additionally, Hunt noted that the witnesses were not discredited during the trial. Layne was well-known to those who testified against him, Hunt added, while noting that Candacy McGarrell positively identified him as the person who brought the cocaine-laced tonic to the East La Penitence residence where she was staying for her it to carry to his girlfriend in the United States.

However, in her ruling, Magistrate Judy Latchman emphasised that the court did not find enough evidence against Layne to prove him guilty of the charge.

The magistrate stated that McGarrell, in her testimony, observed that the bottle

containing the tonic was sealed. She further disputed the prosecution’s case that it proved that the defendant had knowledge and control of the item, since no evidence pointed clearly to him as the person responsible for putting the drugs in the bottle. Further, she noted that he did not return for the item after it was left at the East La Penitence residence, where the deceased would later consume it.

The magistrate also pointed out that there was no evidence in relation to the packaging of the items.

With the charge against him dismissed, Layne subsequently walked out the court a free man.

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reputed wife, hairdresser Simone Price, 36, their son, Jahaquel Blair, 6, a student of the St Pius Primary School and a family friend Natasha George, 36, who was an employee of John Fernandes Limited, died after drinking from the cocaine-laced tonic. Jamal Waterman, 12, who also ingested the tonic, survived.

Police had said Layne left the bottle of SSS Tonic with the dissolved cocaine at the house, along with casareep and chicken foot, for McGarrell. However, McGarrell, who was visiting from the United States, did not carry the items and the victims later consumed some of the tonic.

Layne was apprehended two months after the deaths and he had maintained his innocence throughout the trial after he was charged last May.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

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January 23-29, 2015

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Life insurance offers peace of mind, always.

In any economy, protecting your personal assets can be a struggle. And in uncertain times, making the correct financial decisions is imperative to create a stable future for you and your family. When making these important decisions, you may find that the purchase of a whole life insurance policy is the best option for you.

W

hen it comes to securing the future of your family, it is important to anticipate. Even if things are comfortable right now, you should realize the possibility of unforeseen events such as an

economic downturn or untimely death. Purchasing whole life insurance can be an effective way to adequately secure you and your family’s financial future and any life changes that may occur.

Invest in your loved ones The primary purpose of life insurance is to protect your loved ones in the event of your death. With whole life insurance, your death benefit is guaranteed1 provided premiums are paid. This product provides long-term protection for those you care about most.

Invest in your future But whole life insurance is more than just death benefit protection. It also provides tax-deferred cash value that accumulates over time, regardless of the economy. In the event of both known and unknown expenses, it provides a readily available source of funds. And for the long run, it can supplement your retirement income.2 Any kind of financial strategy these days seems fraught

with uncertainty, so it’s important to consider what vehicles work best for your own circumstances. Life insurance can help you ensure that your family’s financial future is protected while also providing an alternate source of funds for everyday needs or unforeseen events.

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Axe may fall on Petrotrin temps

T

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

HERE will be no job losses for permanent staff at State-owned Petrotrin Company, but the board of directors is looking at the terms and conditions of contract and casual workers as it deals with falling energy prices on the global market. Asked by Point Fortin MP Paula Gopee-Scoon about reports that Petrotrin’s board has declared there will be no job losses during the crisis in which major global oil companies have begun cutting down on staff, Petrotrin chairman Lindsay Gillette said there will be no cuts for permanent staff. Petrotrin has a social responsibility, he said, to ensure that its employees were not left on the breadline. “As chairman,” he said, “we shall see how we can dig ourselves out of this situation as it relates to the global crisis and the price of oil.”

Pressed further about what will be done to contract and casual workers, he said, “We are looking at those and how we can go forward. Some casual as well as contract workers can be hired as needed.” Meanwhile, he issued a call to the private sector to use local qualified skills in the context of the availability of intellectual capital. Petrotrin has used a lot of local talent in seismic engineering it has completed both offshore and onshore in recent years, he said, as well as in renegotiations with Samsung on the completion of the Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel project.

“We have invested a lot of money in our intellectual capital by way of free education and there are a lot of educated people in our country,” he said.

Islander aircraft search called off …after 21 days of multiple sorties no sighting of aircraft with 2 on board

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FTER 21 days of multiple sorties by helicopters and fixed winged aircraft, complemented by seven ground search parties totalling forty seven persons, all to no avail, the search for the missing Islander aircraft was yesterday formally called off.

Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn and officials of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) extended their sympathy to the immediate family, relatives and friends of the missing pilot Captain Nicky Persaud, and Cargo Loader David Bisnauth in their time of distress.

8R-GHE disappeared on a routine shuttle operation from Mahdia to Karisparu on 28th December, 2014.

On board were Captain Nicky Persaud, 27, and cargo loader David Bisnauth, 51.

The location of their suspected crash site in the densely forested Siparuni/Potaro area and their remains have not been found and probably never will be.

A media release from the GCAA disclosed that over the past three weeks the search for the missing aircraft 8R-GHE and its occupants had engaged a varied and substantial number of resources, including, personnel, aircraft and specialised equipment among others.

The Rescue Coordination Centre was established and supported by Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, Major Mike

Captain Nicky Persaud Charles, Captain G. Gouveia, along with several agencies, including the GDF, Guyana Police Force, GGMC, CDC, Ministry of Health, Guyana Forestry Commission, Air Services Ltd, CJIAC, Civil Aviation Department – Suriname, CGX and the GCAA. Over 230 hours were flown by the helicopters and fixed winged aircraft over the Blackwater Creek basin, North Fork, Konawaruk River, Ebini, Eagle, Mowasi, Glendor mountains, Kurungiku mountain range, including Toucan Face, Twin Towers and Toucan Valley.

The helicopters conducted multiple sorties over the Blackwater Creek and North Fork areas, including locations where damaged trees and crows were observed.

Ground searches complemented the aerial searches after day three and intensified thereafter with seven ground search parties totalling forty seven persons from

the Guyana Forestry Commission, St. Cuthbert’s Mission, villagers from Mahdia and Chenapau, twenty Special Forces Officers, family members of Captain Persaud and volunteers.

Approximately twenty insertions and extractions of ground search parties were done at nine landing areas to trek along the treacherous and densely forested terrain.

Areas where potential images captured by the Canadian Twin Otter with capability of picking up large metallic objects were also combed.

Later in the search, several attempts to pursue an additional lead from a camp owner were made by the Rescue Coordination Centre and the aircraft company; however, after over one week, the person failed to take officers to the location from which he said the aircraft was seen.

Using this information, the GDF Special Forces Officers combed the mountainous area.

Over the last weekend, another team including, Captain Gouveia, continued the search efforts; however, once again there was no sighting of the aircraft.

But all leads, the GCAA said, have been exhausted without success.

As a result, the Minister of Public Works, in collaboration with the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC), took a decision yesterday to bring the search to an end.

PPP is ready, confident and in elections mood – Rohee assures

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HE announcement of May 11 as Elections Day prompted the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to reiterate its readiness to head to the polls and regain its majority in the National Assembly.“The PPP welcomes the much anticipated announcement of Elections Day 2015… the Party is ready and steady for these elections,” said the PPP General Secretary, Mr. Clement Rohee, in a statement.

According to him, the Party’s machinery is “well-oiled” and its members, supporters and well-wishers are in the “mood” for a return to the poll – an undertaking that is expected to end the current political impasse.

“They are about to be afflicted by elections fever now that May 11th has been announced as ‘E’ Day. The Party will be going to these elections with a spirit of optimism and confidence,” he declared.

Rohee said the PPP will “exert every effort” to continue the long-standing Party tradition of achieving victory at the Polls as it did since 1957, save for the period from 1968 to 1992 when the Guyanese people’s democratic right to elect a Government of their choice was stolen from them by the People’s National Congress (PNC).

“The people won back that right in 1992 and Guyana was once again placed firmly on the path to social and

General-Secretary of the PPP Mr. Clement Rohee economic progress, coupled with the upholding of the political, civil and cultural rights of all Guyanese people,” Rohee said.

Consequently, the PPP General Secretary issued a call to all Guyanese to rally behind the winning symbol of the “Cup” to ensure that progress continues and the gains made to date are consolidated.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

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January 23-29, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

World News Highlights

CAIRO - An Egyptian court ordered the release of the sons of Egypt’s ousted President Hosni Mubarak on Thursday pending retrial in a corruption case, their lawyer said.

KINSHASA - Democratic Republic of Congo’s Senate has delayed until Friday a vote on changes to an election law as it faces pressure from Western powers to withdraw or alter a proposed bill that has led to days of violent protests.

UNITED NATIONS - Four leading European foreign policy officials on Thursday warned that new sanctions legislation against Iran could torpedo efforts to secure a long-term agreement with Tehran to curb its nuclear program.

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SANAA - Yemen’s Houthi rebels welcomed on Thursday proposed concessions by the government on power-sharing but their gunmen still held positions outside the residence of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who remains a virtual prisoner there.

ATHENS - Greece’s anti-bailout Syriza party has widened its lead over the ruling conservatives, two surveys showed on Thursday, days before a snap national election.

BAGHDAD - In a government building in Mosul, a handful of Iraqi contractors gathered to compete for a tender last month.

LONDON - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Thursday the drop in the global oil price was disastrous for his

country’s finances and could hurt its ability to fight Islamic State militants.

COLOMBO - Sri Lanka’s new government is to investigate “black money” transferred overseas by powerful figures in the administration of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, a cabinet spokesman said on Thursday.

rity board weighing whether he should remain there.

President Tayyip Erdogan to the Somali capital.

LONDON - Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservative party became favorites to win the most seats at a national election in May for the first time in three years on Thursday, according to bookmaker Ladbrokes, overtaking its nearest rival Labour.

KIEV - An artillery shell or mortar struck a public transport stop in the rebel-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine on Thursday, killing at least eight civilians in an incident both sides blamed on the other.

LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The U.N. agency in charge of aiding Palestinians will run out of money by the end of January to repair homes in Gaza damaged in the 2014 war with Israel, worsening an already dire humanitarian situation, an agency spokesman said on Thursday.

LUSAKA - Zambia’s ruling party presidential candidate Edgar Lungu took a slim lead over his rival Hakainde Hichilema after votes from more than half of constituencies were counted, the electoral commission said on Thursday.

ARLINGTON, Va. - A suspected al Qaeda bombmaker held at Guantanamo Bay military prison for almost 13 years on Thursday faced a U.S. national secu-

MOGADISHU - A suicide car bomb exploded at the gate of a Mogadishu hotel where Turkish delegates were meeting on Thursday, a day before a visit by

BRUSSELS - NATO has detected signs of heightened Russian involvement in fighting in parts of eastern Ukraine, the alliance’s top military commander said on Thursday.

NAIROBI - Madagascar’s opposition is to challenge the appointment of Prime Minister Jean Ravelonarivo in the constitutional court after the administrative court said it would not hear the case, extending uncertainty in a country struggling to repair its economy.

President announces… Elections Day May 11

N end to the current political impasse that gripped Guyana for the last three years is finally in sight, following President Donald Ramotar’s much anticipated announcement yesterday of a date for General and Regional elections – more than a year earlier than it was due.

The date set by the President is Monday May 11th , 2015.

During an address to the nation, televised on the National Communications Network (NCN) and broadcasted on radio, the Guyanese Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces disclosed that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has assured that it will be in a state of readiness for the return to the polls.

“I am advised that GECOM would be in a state of readiness for these polls on that date… meetings were held with the Guyana Elections Commission to emphasise the need for their readiness for holding free, fair, transparent and efficient elections,” the President said.

“I hereby announce that General and Regional Elections shall be held on Monday, 11th May, 2015” – Presi­dent Donald Ramotar.

President Ramotar assured that international observers will

tration paid strict adherence to the Constitution in administering the welfare of the nation.

“At all times I have acted in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana,” he said.

be invited to be a part of the electoral process.

“I intent to invite international observers to be part of the elections process…you will recall that in December 2014, I had alerted international observers to the possibility of elections in 2015,” he said.

PROTECT DEMOCRATIC GAINS The President also appealed for stability, both during and after elections – all in the interest of protecting and consolidating the democratic gains Guyana has made to date.

“As usual, and I will expect the political parties, the security services and the people of Guyana to conduct themselves in a manner that would ensure continued peace and stability before, during and after the elections,” Presi-

dent Ramotar said.

“As usual, and I will expect the political parties, the security services and the people of Guyana to conduct themselves in a manner that would ensure continued peace and stability before, during and after the elections. We have a collective obligation to ensure the protection of the democratic gains we have made and for which we have endured so much as a nation to secure” – President Ramotar “We have a collective obligation to ensure the protection of the democratic gains we have made and for which we have endured so much as a nation to secure,” the President also urged.

Additionally, despite the criticisms levelled against his Government, the President made it clear that the current Adminis-

ALWAYS OPEN TO DIALOGUE President Ramotar stressed too that prior to the November 10 prorogation and even after the fact, he has been open to dialogue with the political Opposition.

“It is a door that I did not nor do not intend to shut, now or ever. In light of the Opposition’s sustained refusal to engage my Government in the dialogue we anticipated and in light of the commitment I made to you, the people of Guyana, I now move towards general elections,” he said.

“My commitment to preserving and strengthening our democracy is unquestionable” – President The Head of State bemoaned the fact that the opportunities that prorogation provided for continued dialogue and engagements with the Parliamentary Opposition parties did not materialised.

He said, “The Parliamentary Opposition adopted an inflexible position that they will not

engage with me until Parliament is reconvened. I had hoped that they would have reconsidered this unproductive posture and meet with me so that we can discuss our differences and find solutions to advance the development of Guyana. “…in doing so (proroguing Parliament), I indicated that I was opting to preserve rather than end the life of the 10th Parliament. I was also attempting to avoid further political conflict and seek avenues of political accommodation between my government and the parliamentary Opposition parties. I had hoped that the period of prorogation would have allowed for extant tensions to ease and for all of the parliamentary parties to constructively engage the Government.”

The Head of State also referred to the fact that there were regular interactions with national and international stakeholders to keep them abreast with developments and his Administration’s efforts to reach some level of political consensus.

“My commitment to preserving and strengthening our democracy is unquestionable,” the President declared.

The last General and Regional Elections were held in November 2011.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

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the VC has offered no concrete salary and benefits proposal to any category of worker in response to the demand for a 60% salary increase from March 2015. The VC has also not made any offer of duty-free concessions or increased allowances to UG workers.

“There has been no withdrawal of the UG Administration’s workload policy from Council although a consultation schedule was proposed, which we accept, under the condition that the policy would not be approved by the University Council prior to the conclusion of consultations and the revision of the document,” the unions said.

“We intend to ensure that the process is not a perfunctory and meaningless one,” the unions said.

The statement said that in his letter, Dr Opadeyi made “absolutely no offer of any percentage” of salary increase but merely stated that negations must wait “until the University Administration has completed its work on how the increase will be funded.”

As such, the unions said, for the VC to create an impression in his interview with Demerara Waves that an increase was imminent is “a deliberate attempt to deceive.

We repeat: the VC has made no offer to pay any increase to UG workers. There is absolutely no mention of these issues in the VC’s written reply.”

The unions said that these and other statements by the VC only widen the gulf of distrust between university staff and the VC. “The UGSSA and UGWU remain united in our approach to salaries and benefits’ negotiations and reject the efforts by the Administration to divide workers by offering to negotiate separately with the UGWU but not the UGSSA,” the statement said.

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PUZZLE!

UG staff inch closer to strike

aying that Vice-Chancellor (VC) Jacob Opadeyi’s response to their demands is “woefully inadequate,” University of Guyana (UG) staff yesterday threatened that if their demands are not met by 4pm today, industrial action will be taken to delay the start of the new semester.

The university is scheduled to open for the new semester on Monday. “The executives of the Unions wish to advise the public and the UG staff and students that the VC’s formal response received on January 20, 2015 to our demands submitted on January 19, 2015 is woefully inadequate, takes matters no closer to a solution and has therefore been rejected,” the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU) said in a joint statement yesterday.

The unions’ main demand is a 60% salary increase.

“Despite the VC’s stated optimism that his response will prevent industrial action, members agreed that failing a positive response to our demands and return immediately to the bargaining table with both the UGSSA and the UGWU, the staff must take some form of industrial action to register our dissatisfaction and frustration,” the statement yesterday said.

“Staff, students and the general public are therefore advised that barring further communication from the Vice-Chancellor to accede to our demands by 4pm on Thursday January 22nd, 2015, industrial action will be taken to delay the start of the new semester,” it declared.

According to the unions, contrary to statements attributed to the vice-chancellor via online news outlet Demerara Waves,

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January 23-29, 2015

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 2 5 3 6 4 7 9 8 3 8 9 2 5 7 4 6 1 6 7 4 9 8 1 3 5 2 7 6 8 4 1 5 2 3 9 4 5 3 6 2 9 8 1 7 2 9 1 7 3 8 6 4 5 9 4 6 5 7 2 1 8 3 5 1 2 8 4 3 9 7 6 8 3 7 1 9 6 5 2 4

3 4

8 1

2

4

9

3

3 9 6

7

5 8 1 4

7 3 6 9

7 1 6

2

Laughter, The Best Medicine well. When you are giving a speech, you can diffuse the tension in the room by cracking a joke.

When you laugh with your friend of family it creates a positive bond between you and them which triumphs any disagreement or ill feeling you had towards them. People are attracted to people who are always laughing and you can take advantage of that. Laughter can be used to strengthen new and old relationships.

Laughter does really hold a lot of power. Laughter improves physical health by boosting your immune system, relieving pain and giving you rock hard abs.

Laughter increases your mental health by reducing stress, increasing your energy and helps you see the lighter side of things. The few social benefits of laughing would be that it helps you in public speaking, helps you fortify your relationships and helps you make new friends. You just have to simply laugh.

ai Sita Ram, my name is Calvin Persaud and I am a blessed member of the Naujavaan Mandalee youth group of the Shaanti Bhavan Mandir. We have all heard the saying “laughter is the best medicine,” but medicine for what? That would be medicine for your whole body. Medicine is something used to help treat or prevent diseases and what’s better for treating or preventing diseases other than to improve your mental and physical health. Here are some benefits of laughter for your health and even for your social life.

Laughing improves your mental health in many ways. Laughing helps you get rid of any distressing emotions such as, sadness, angriness and/or anxiousness. As you’re laughing you really release all of your worriedness which then lowers your stress, increases your enthusiasm and enables you to get more things done. Also if you’re able to see the humor in more situations, in a less threatening light, you won’t get so worked up and overwhelmed by things which would also reduce stress. Laughing puts you in a great mood to handle life.

Laughing also improves your physical health in many ways. A good long laugh can help lower physical tension throughout your body and can relax your muscles for up to 45 minutes after the laugh. If you laugh hard enough you can actually work your abs out. After a few laughing sessions you could attain some tone abs, hell, you’ll probably have a six pack by the end of a Russell Peters marathon. Laughter also boosts your immune sys-

tem. Laughter increases immune cells and antibodies in your system which helps you resist diseases.

Another thing laughter does is that it triggers the release of endorphins, which is a natural chemical in your body that makes you feel good. This helps you get in a good mood and it can also temporarily relieve pain. Laughing is basically like taking pain killers.

There are some social benefits to laughter as

Here’s your first abdominal workout: Teacher (Pandit Manoj J): “Kids, what does the chicken give you?”

Student: “Meat!”

Teacher: “Very good! Now what does the pig give you?”

Student: “Bacon!”

Teacher: “Great! And what does the fat cow give you?”

Student: “Homework!”

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

WEEKLY HOROSCOPE

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Whoa! You have your eye on the prize as the week begins, but there’s more to life than this one particular goal. Slow down, look around and consider the full spectrum of priorities. Around Wednesday, the give and take of life is richly rewarding, whether it’s at work, with friends or in a relationship. Lend a hand, and get some support yourself – it’ll feel great. Taking it easy isn’t always easy for you, but give it a try on Friday or Saturday; quiet time clears your head. On Sunday, you’ve got just the idea for some fun.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22)

Retreating into your shell (just a bit!) might not be a bad idea as the week begins. Do check in with loved ones, though, and let your boss know exactly what you’re working on prior to clamping on the headphones. Around Wednesday, you may still be feeling sensitive, but exercise your emotional intelligence, too; you’ll see different aspects of situations around you. You’ve got a knack for connecting with others – and proceeding to a deeper level – on Friday and Saturday. Inquire about their personal philosophies, and enjoy the discussion. On Sunday, practice patience with a friend or relative.

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Expect some emotional ups and downs as the week begins. Be ready to breathe, meditate or maybe run screaming through it, and have someone who understands ready on speed-dial. Around Wednesday, it’s the upside that’s emphasized, and the chance of romance is high! A new sweetie – or renewed fun with a dear old one – awaits. Get ready, get set, go! Big agenda items and projects may be hard to cross off your list on Friday and Saturday, but smaller stuff can be surprisingly satisfying.

On Sunday, a certain relationship can flourish under your care.

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)

You’re starting the week off on the right foot as the week begins, if the Universe has its say. Get grounded – with exercise, meditation, those who make you feel most wonderful – and you can reach for the stars.

Around Wednesday, though, the world may feel like it’s pushing you. Will you push back, or go with the flow and see where it takes you? Your personal connections and community both figure prominently on Friday and Saturday. Let your network work for you, and give back, too. On Sunday, a leisurely brunch with a loved one is exactly the thing that makes you happy.

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(May 21-June 20)

A significant other, a friend or someone you’re partnering with at work at the beginning of the week may need handling with care. Listen carefully to what they’re saying, and urge them to verbalize the between-the-lines stuff. Around Wednesday, are you being fickle or are you truly considering new ideas and points of view? Make sure things are legit before incorporating. Creative activities and pursuits suit you on Friday and Saturday, and getting creative about communication helps, too. On Sunday, someone’s got some words of wisdom for you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

A random or not-so-random act of kindness gets the week off to a positive start – and that’s you performing one, not waiting for it to come to you! Around Wednesday, you’ll want to take your outlook, turn it upside-down and shake well for best results. A terrific solution to a certain situation requires only a little stretch of the old noggin. Then let both intellect and instinct weigh in on Friday and Saturday, especially when it comes to others. Look and listen more than you talk. Then, on Sunday, someone may throw you for a loop – in the best possible way.

You’ve got your head on straight and a definite twinkle in your eye as the week begins – a stellar combination for both work and love. Around Wednesday, kick a preconception, an expectation or a well-worn favorite way of doing something to the curb, then try several ways of replacing it. Feels risky? Good. Then – gosh! – others are so slow on Friday and Saturday. But acting impatient won’t hurry things along. Go at your own pace, and let them do the same. You may be ready to take issue with someone on Sunday, but if it’s an older relative, choose your battle carefully.

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Look at you, biding your time and making brilliant plans as the week begins. You’ve got patience with a purpose, and calm, cool and collected suits you. Things may be rockier around Wednesday; are you contributing to the drama or just in the audience? It’s easier to find it amusing (and stay nice and neutral) as an onlooker, so consider your role carefully. On Friday and Saturday, let the good times roll – and let your love show. You’re much admired now, so enjoy the attention. Keep the love energy going on Sunday rather than getting entangled in an argument.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

Your famous persistence pays off at the beginning of the week. Check up on a situation or connection you’ve been cultivating, and you’ll likely see great results. Around Wednesday, approaching a different idea (or the person who has it) with caution makes sense, but don’t dismiss it (or them) outright. Expanding your repertoire is a possibility now, and something outlandish could be the starting point.

You’re awfully impressive on Friday and Saturday, what with your rock-steady heart and open mind. Dare to show you care, and watch what happens. Family’s in the forefront on Sunday.

Get a little help with managing your time and setting your priorities from a mentor or friend as the week begins. Otherwise, the first couple of days this week will be a time-suck. Around Wednesday, though, you’re on top of the world and reaching for the stars, if the Universe has its way. Big stuff at work, in romance, related to personal growth – it’s all possible now. Then it’s time to get more practical on Friday and Saturday. How will you keep on track? What will you do to stay motivated? When do you take the next steps? Take an objective look. Then, on Sunday, you may have a breakthrough.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

GEMINI

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

It’s not like you to be less than generous, but tightening the purse strings and taking an overall conservative approach may be best as the week begins. Around Wednesday, you’re making connections that completely crackle, both in your mind and with others. You’re electric, and you just might do something shockingly brilliant. If you’re fuzzier on Friday and Saturday, well ... everyone needs downtime, and you’re probably processing something important. Do something to recharge. Sunday’s a fun day – play a game, see family and friends, just enjoy.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20)

Do a little planning as the week begins – for work, your social life, your personal projects. You’ll be that much more impressive as the days progress. Around Wednesday, an interesting vision may come your way.

Surrounding yourself with what inspires you helps cue it, as does getting grounded and opening your heart and mind. Then, you’re downright inspiring on Friday and Saturday. Affection with friends, hot stuff with a certain someone and fun all over the place is favored – not to mention transformation. Sunday finds you dreaming all day.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

31

Entertainment News

Dolly Ki Doli music sets the mood for the film’s premiere

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bhishek Dogra's Dolly Ki Doli is a light-hearted comedy that revolves around a conniving bride Sonam Kapoor and her three fairly gullible grooms —Rajkummar Rao, Pulkit Samrat and Varun Sharma — who she cons on the wedding night.

The soundtrack of the film, composed by the duo Sajid Wajid, has gained popularity, especially amongst the younger lot.

Sonam's moves in Phatte Tak Nachna are infectious. And of course, Malaika Arora Khan's item number Fashion Khatam Mujhpe, that sees her shaking a leg with Rajkummar, is a hit this wedding season. Another track that has struck a chord with youngsters is Babaji Ka Thullu.

The colloquial phrase, made popular by funnyman Kapil Sharma, is now gaining more popularity because of this song. And of course, the icing on the cake is the love song sung by the Sufi prince Rahat Fateh Ali Khan called Mere Naina Kafir Hogaye. This track is the soul of the album. And in what seems like a real coup, Rahat will join

Sonam Kapoor with Pulkit Samrat, Rajkummar Rao and Varun Sharma in Dolly Ki Doli. the DKD team in Dubai, when the lead cast and the producers head there for the film's premiere. Dolly Ki Doli, produced by Arbaaz Khan Productions, releases January 23.

Jennifer Lawrence keen to film more «Hunger Games` movies

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ennifer Lawrence has confessed that she is not happy about spending so much time away from her best pal Liam Hemsworth as he's in Australia.

The 24-year-old actress said that she would totally do more 'Hunger Games' movies and now Hemsworth doing a movie in Australia for two months and it is the longest that the three of them have ever spent apart, the Mirror reported.

Talking about her relationship with her co-stars Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson, the American actress said that if all

she had was this friendship with both of them and if that’s all she ever got this ‘The Hunger Games’ then she would consider it a blessing.

'Mortal Kombat' star Darren Shahlavi passes away due to possible overdose

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ctor Darren Shahlavi has passed away due to apparent overdose. He was 42.

According to law enforcement sources Shahlavi, who had appeared in TV shows including 'Mortal Kombat: Legacy' and 'Arrow,' was found dead on January 14 at his L.A. home, and it looked like he had taken overdose of his prescription meds, TMZ. com reported.

The L.A. County Coroner is now conducting tests to determine the exact cause of death. Meanwhile, 'Arrow' star Stephen Amell, who had fought Shahlavi on the show's first episode, paid respect to the star writing that he was "great dude and a patient, thoughtful partner, RIP Darren Shahlavi."

Shahlavi reportedly had a history of drug and alcohol abuse.

He had practiced stunt career in Hong Kong in the '90s, and had come the U.S. to begin his acting career.

Ansel Elgort back with girlfriend

'T

he Fault In Our Stars' actor Ansel Elgort has reportedly rekindled his romance with high school girlfriend Violetta Komyshan. he couple is back together after briefly splitting, reported Us magazine. The couple was spotted together at Reagan National Airport on Saturday, January 17, in Washington, D C. The 20-year-old actor had split with his dancer girlfriend back in August as he was busy promoting the hit drama.

"They just missed each other. He thought his schedule was too much to have a girlfriend during, he's been touring nonstop for movies and working on music, but they talked throughout. He didn't

really see anyone else seriously while they were split," a source told the magazine. The pair first met at New York's LaGuardia High School and attended Paris Menswear Fashion Week back in June together.

Its Over! Elizabeth Olsen, Boyd Holbrook call off 3-year-old engagement

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lizabeth Olsen and fiance Boyd Holbrook have split after 3 years of togetherness, and broken off their engagement.

The news broke after the 25-year-old actress was spotted at a farmer's market in Studio City, California, without the engagement ring on her finger, Us magazine reported. An insider also claimed that Holbrook was alone at the Pre-Golden Globes Party at the Soho House in West Hollywood and was even flirting with a blonde woman who resembled the 'Godzilla' star. The pair had started dating after they met on the sets of 'Very Good Girls,' and had gotten engaged last March.

Months after her engagement, the

'Avengers: Age of Ultron' actress had told Marie Claire UK that she loved being in a relationship, and was excited and planning ideas as it was fun. Olsen had also said that she planned to have kids with Holbrook.

George Clooneys' new 10M pounds mansion perfect for 'ghost' view

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ewlyweds George and Amal Clooney's stunning 10 million English mansion has a countryside location, private gym, secluded gardens, and a perfect spot to view a ghost from.

According to a neighbour, Uri Geller, who's a spoon bender and paranormal "expert," the A-list couple's 9 bedroom house on the River Thames in Sonning is the perfect place to see the ghost of a little girl who roams the village, the Daily Express reported.

Geller, 68, claims that the Berkshire village is the site of some unusual activity, particularly near its historic bridge, and he had seen some strange things on it, including the ghost of a little girl who crosses it.

The 53-year-old actor had bought the home following his wedding to British-based lawyer Amal Alamuddin, 36, in September, however, it's is unknown if he knew about the spooky story.

Geller, who also owns a 9 bedroom

house on the river in the village, and lives one minute walk away from Clooney's home with his wife Hanna, said that he had posted Clooney 3 of his books, including the one he hopes to be made into a film.

Geller had also claimed back in 2013, that the child ghost was responsible for putting up a postbox which mysteriously appeared in the middle of Sonning bridge.

Despite all this, Clooney and his wife seem to have adjusted well and the pair has been making friends with the locals in the village's pub, The Bull Inn.

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A

Caribbean Star Newspaper Akshay Kumar: I want Prime Minister Modi to see Baby as he is always concerned about terrorism January 23-29, 2015

9am interview is 'late' for Akshay Kumar.

The actor, speaking to us in what we thought was an 'early' meeting, expressed great surprise at people's reactions to his 4am mornings. "I sometimes don't understand why people here get so shocked," he said, after mentioning that he'd scheduled shoots and meetings at 4:30am! But the discipline and rigour of his physical schedule shows in films like his forthcoming Baby, which he spoke to us about.

An early interview like this is first-hand experience of your famously early mornings. We've heard you call meetings even at 6am.

4:30 — I've called meetings at 4:30am.

And people turn up for those?

Of course, sab aate hain. I have done photo shoots etc at 4 or 4:30am. I sometimes don't understand why people here get so shocked. I have never understood this idea. Agar aap dekho, abroad, people have woken up and at 6:30 in the morning, there are cars zooming on the roads, that means they have woken up at 5. Humare yahan 6am, ekdum khali sunsaan rehta hai sab, 9 baje traffic shuru hota hai. Why do we say, 'Oh my God, 4 baje? 4:30 baje? 5 baje?' Humare toh shastron mein likha hai ki 4 baje uthna chahiye. Humko toh so jaana chahiye jaldi. As boring as I might sound, but that's what it is, the reality of life.

It's just that everybody's lives, and not just in your industry, are inevitably about

akhbaron mein hoti hain. So, all the incidents that you are going to watch in the film have actually happened somewhere.

Terrorism wasn't so common a word earlier, maybe at a time when people of your age were growing up. Do you remember growing up in an atmosphere when a violent terrorist event was a daily occurrence?

We didn't. We probably were introduced to it (terrorism) after the Punjab riots of 1984.

late mornings.

I fail to understand... people say, 4:30 kya karenge yaar hum log, 4:30 toh hum sone jaate hain. I know a lot of people, 9:30-10 baje uthte hain. Kitni baar hota hai ki main subah (kaam pe) jaa raha hota hoon, and many actors wave at me on their way back (home). Woh tab sone jaa rahe hote hain.

From Neeraj Pandey, the director of A Wednesday, people usually expect something different or some twist in his films.

What is the unique thing about Baby?

He is referring to something nobody has ever referred to before. You must have seen films on Armymen, Navy and Air

Force before, the police, BSF and when they do something commendable, they are given medals, money, certificates, honours like Paramvir Chakras — they are all recognised. But have you ever thought of spies? They are not allowed to say that they are working for the government.So, if they are ever caught, they can never reveal their identity, the country will never call them its own. These are the people who operate outside the country, because the base of terrorism is outside. These spies bahar jaake unko unke ghar pe maarte hain ya khud marr jaate hain. This film is about those unknown heroes. The news of their death can't be mentioned in the papers either. They are completely selfless, the only thing they care about is their country. I was thinking, why has nobody made a film on such people? That's the USP of Baby — it's about those unknown people whom nobody cares about. I have some scenes which show the relationship I have with my wife, where I always tell her, 'Main conference mein hoon.' She knows that his job is not what he says it is, so she says, 'Jo bhi kar rahe ho, bas marna mat.' That is my favourite line from the film, and it is something that the wife of such an operative had actually told her husband in real life.

You'd hardly expect a film like this to be called Baby.

This group of 24 people, in the film, was constituted on a trial basis. They don't report to anybody, only the high command knows about them. Lekin agar pakde gaye, toh woh (high command) na inko jaante hain, na yeh unko. Iss group ka naam tha Baby, because it was newly formed on a trial basis, it was like a baby.

You did Special 26 with Neeraj Pandey, and now, this film. Is the director another reason you said yes to the film?

That is also one of the reasons why I agreed to do the film. I am very comfortable working with him and he is a great director. Film ke andar aapko ek bhi scene copied nahin milega, ki humne yeh kisi DVD mein kahin dekha tha. Uska kaam hi yeh hai ki woh subah uthke 3:30 ghante newspaper padhta hai, aur usmein se cheezein nikaalta hai. I asked him one day, and he said scripts

Tell us more about a spy's life — what excited you about playing a spy?

Uska koi darja hi nahi hota hai, he is nowhere. He cannot own anything. This spy is not the kind who only gets information, he has to act also. They behave like normal people, but they cannot reveal their real identity, even to their family. If you go into their minds, you don't know what might be there.

How did you, a well-known actor whose public identity is so overwhelming, approach this character, a man who has no claim to any identity?

I just follow the director. This is very hard for me (otherwise) to follow. He (Neeraj) won't own up to it, but I think he has met a real spy, somebody retired, maybe.

Is there a person you would like to show the film to, for sure?

The person I would like to show this film to, and a person who keeps talking about terrorism, would be our Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi. He is the right person to see it. Aap pichhle 14 dino ka newspaper mangwa lo, half of the front page news is only about terrorism. Blasts, people dying, yeh ISIS ka pakda gaya, etc. The biggest problem in the world is terrorism, besides poverty, and baaki sab, jo hai hi. Mr Modi talks about it a lot, Barack Obama, who is coming here, talks about it. When the two meet, they are going to talk about terrorism the most — that is going to be the biggest mudda.

Have you met Mr Modi?

Yes, I have. He is a great man. He is a man with a vision, a man who does a lot and does it quickly. I have heard so many things. Paresh Rawal (an MP from Gujarat) is a dear friend of mine, and he is very close to Modi sahab. He tells me stories about him, like how everybody has to get up at 6am and start working. Here is a man who tells everybody to get up and start working.

He calls up people and says, today we are going to finish certain things. There is work happening. I think by 2019, you'll see a lot of changes in India. I meet a lot of people who know him and many other ministers.

At the moment, things are going at a proper speed. They have to put everything on track.

Would you ever like to join politics?

If I ever do, it would be related to only sports and health, because I don't know anything else.

January 23-29, 2015 Caribbean Star Newspaper Montano leaves fans wondering

W American Sniper Movie Review

TRIVIA 1 It took Bradley Cooper eight months and exercising of four hours a day to gain 40-plus pounds for this role.

2 Sienna Miller initially found Cooper chubby, when they chatted on skype while preparing for the film as Cooper had to be bulked up for the role. “We did Skype and I did see him grow. He went through a chubby phase before he got really strong," says Miller, who is based in London.

3 In the beginning of the movie director Clint Eastwood makes his "Hitchcock" appearance as an extra entering the church.

4 Bradley Cooper only spoke to Chris Kyle one time on the phone, just a couple of weeks before Chris Kyle's tragic death. It was a two minute conversation according to Bradley Cooper.

5 David O. Russell considered directing this project but it didn't work out.

6 Chris Kyle's father personally told Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper that he would "unleash Hell" if his son's memory was disrespected in the film. However, he also stated that Eastwood and Cooper were trustworthy men.

7 David O. Russell considered directing the film at one point but a deal with Warner Brothers did not work out. Steven Spielberg also showed interest but the film ultimately went to Clint Eastwood.

8 Bradley Cooper and Clint Eastwood teamed up for the first time for a film.

9 It is the second Clint Eastwood film with the word 'American' in the title, the first one being American Hustle released in 2013.

10 The real Chris Kyle was murdered on February 2nd 2013 at a shooting range while trying to help a veteran who had severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

GOOFS 1Kyle’s depictionThere is a difference of opinion as per as Kyle’s depiction in the film is concerned. While many believe in the memoir, he bragged about the number of Iraqis he killed, the film stays morally ambiguous and downplays his hatred for fanatic Muslims.

2 Bradley too handsome for the role?

The real Chris Kyle wasn't ‘good-looking’ so many believed the casting for a major goof-up. He apparently declared that Cooper would need to mess up his face to look right. However in his defense, Bradley stated, “I never sort of suffered that "Oh, he's too handsome" (problem) ever.'

3 What happened to Kyle’s brother?The film almost forgets about Kyle’s younger brother, who’s hesitant to serve his country as a marine. A scene shows Chris’ wife Taya telling him that ‘his brother has been deployed’. Chris who is overly protective of his brother is not shown inquiring about his brother at all post that.

ill reigning Power Soca Monarch Machel Montano defend his title on Fantastic Friday? Montano left fans wondering after his performance at the Soaka fete on Sunday at the 02 Park, Chaguaramas. Montano was the star attraction at the cooler fete which drew thousands of patrons. When he was performing his Road March contender Like Ah Boss, he said: “I’m winning the Soca Monarch and the Road March!”

However, nothing official has come from Montano's camp about this. Last week, the Caribbean Prestige Foundation for the Performing Arts, which stages the International Soca Monarch, announced a rule-change that gave reigning Groovy

and Power Soca winners the option not to defend their titles. The 2014 Groovy Soca Monarch, Kerwin Dubois has since said he won’t defend his title and this has also prompted questions about Montano’s intentions.

He announced that a new collaboration with DJ collective Major Lazer and award-winning American pop star Ariana Grande titled All My Love will be in rotation on radio stations starting today.

Montano has used past performances at past Soaka fetes as the backdrop for videos, most notably for his 2013 hit, The Fog. He also filmed sequences from his performance on Sunday for the All My Love video.

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January 23-29, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

Caribbean Connections Caribbean Airlines suspends pilots pending investigation into JetBlue near collision

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Tuesday January 20, 2015, CMC - Safety inspectors from the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA) are due to hold discussions with Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control (ATC) officials on Tuesday following the near collision involving the Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines (CAL) and a fully loaded Jetblue plane at the John

F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport.

TTCAA director Ramesh Lutchmedial also confirmed that the two CAL pilots had been taken off flying duties, pending the outcome of the investigation.

“Caribbean Airlines Ltd is fully co-operating with the investigators,” Lutchmedial said in a statement.

On Monday, CAL said it was “working with industry authorities” into the incident that occurred last Saturday.

The United States Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has started its own probe and in a statement posted on its website, CAL said it is committed to the safety and security of all passengers.

“We are concerned to hear of an

alleged incident highlighted on internet news sites regarding JetBlue 1295, and BW flight 526 on Saturday night (17th January) at JFK airport, New York.

“Caribbean Airlines takes allegations of this type very seriously, and is committed to working with the industry authorities to investigate all the facts. We are in the process of investigating and compiling the facts surrounding this allegation in cooperation with all Regulator agencies.”

CAL said in the interim, it is “complying with all incident management procedures included within its Safety Management System and adjunct regulations”.

The FAA said the planes never came within 2,800 feet of each other.

Canadian banks say Caribbean operations stand to benefit from cheaper oil

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ORONTO, Canada, Tuesday January 20, 2015, CMC – Canadian banks with operations in the Caribbean say a combination of lower oil prices and cost-cutting is poised to help improve their operations.

While the banks brace for loan losses and lower revenues in Western Canada due to the plunge in oil prices, the big Canadian banks say the Caribbean is set to benefit from the decline.

“They’re one of the biggest beneficiaries of cheaper oil, so there are some positives finally starting to creep in to the economic outlook of the region from that perspective,” said Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) chief executive David McKay.

“We’re operating in a very challenging economy but, with that cost takeout, we feel strongly that we will have a strong rebound in the Caribbean performance in fiscal 2015,” said McKay, who noted that RBC has trimmed its staff in the region from more than 6,500 to under 5,000 in the past two years.

“We’ve done the hard work necessary to turn that franchise around and I am confident that in 2015 you’ll see the fruits of all that work,” he told a banking conference here.

Caribbean economies have been in a slump since the global financial crisis caused a slowdown in the region’s vital tourism industry.

RBC announced last year it is exiting its Caribbean wealth man-

agement business, after selling its Jamaican operations at a loss. At the same time, another Canadian bank, CIBC, took a CAN$420 million (One Canadian dollar =US$) charge on its Caribbean operations in the second quarter of last year, plus an additional CAN$123 million in loan losses.

The Bank of Nova Scotia, which has also been operating in the Caribbean for more than a century, plans to close some of its 370 branches in order “to be congruent with the economic reality,” Scotiabank’s chief executive Brian Porter told the banking conference.

But with oil prices declining, Porter said Scotiabank’s Caribbean operations are about to turn a corner.

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Four killed, including two children, in fiery St Lucia highway accident

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ALONG THE BEXON HIGHWAY, SOUTHEAST OF CASTRIES, ST LUCIA. ASTRIES, St. Lucia, Thursday January 15, 2015, CMC - Four people, including two young brothers, were killed when a truck in which they were travelling struck a utility pole, overturned and burst into flames on Wednesday, police said.

Local media reports said the driver, whose name was given only as Arthur, his girlfriend, Sarah Antoine and her grandson, David Agard, were trapped in the wreckage and burned to death.

The accident occurred along the Bexon Highway, southeast of Castries.

According to a report from the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force and the St Lucia News Online web site, Benjamin Antoine, another of Antoine’s grandchildren, succumbed to his injuries and died in the hospital. He was initially rescued from the burning truck suffering from burns and injuries sustained in the accident.

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SARAH ANTOINE (RIGHT) WITH ARTHUR, WHO WAS THE DRIVER, AND ANTOINE’S GRANDSON, DAVID EDGAR (INSET).

A relative of Antoine told St. Lucia News Online that the couple had planned to buy some gasoline (in a fuel bottle) after picking up the children. Accodring to the St. Lucia News Online report, “the relative believed that the gas container – if it was bought – may have helped fuel the explosion after the truck crashed.”

Media reports said that Antoine, who operates a bakery in Sarrot, was returning to her home after picking up the children from the L’Abayee SDA Primary School.

One eyewitness said that Arthur and Antoine “were alive when the guys took out the child…but they were stuck, so they burned to death.

“The emergency people took a while because we were waiting for a while for them to come, I tried calling them but the line said busy” the eyewitness added.

The horrific accident comes only two days after the tragic bus crash in Rock Gutter, St Vincent that claimed the lives of five people including several children. Two others are still missing and presumed dead after the minibus overtuned and crashed into the ocean.

January 23-29, 2015 Caribbean Star Newspaper BLOOD ON Trinidad central bank seeks to deal with foreign exchange shortage THEIR HANDS

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AST NOVEMBER in an interview with Newsday, a male relative of the man wanted for the May 8 murder of his estranged common-law wife Sherlene Mahangoo-Charles, 37, slammed police for not going after her killer.

The relative claimed police knew of her killer’s whereabouts as they had been informed that he only recently begun living with a woman in Caroni. On the weekend, mother of one Salma Chadee, 19, was murdered a similar fashion. A manhunt has been launched once again for the suspect who is believed to be the same man who killed Mahangoo-Charles.

Mahangoo-Charles was shot and killed inside her home at Stony Hill, Tarodale, San Fernando — her 15-year-old daughter was also shot but survived. The couple’s sevenyear-old son escaped injury.

In an article printed in Newsday on November, 2014 and headlined “Killer still at large”, the relative stated: “They (police) don’t really want to hold him because he living right in Caroni with a woman.”

On Saturday night at her Chadee Road, Caroni home, teenager Salma Chadee was shot and killed during an altercation with a man whom she recently began a relationship. Despite being confined to a wheelchair because of an accident in which both his legs were broken, the man shot and killed Chadee. Police reported that after hitting her several times about the body, he pointed the gun at Chadee’s brother Fareed who came to her rescue and ordered him to take him outside to a waiting vehicle, which he got into and sped off.

Yesterday the concerned relative spoke with Newsday. “The blood of that girl is on the hands of the police, they were never really interested in holding him as he was allowed to move around freely although they knew of his whereabouts.”

He warned that the suspect will kill again.

“I think the police are afraid to challenge him because he has no fear and wants to kill a policeman as revenge. He went to central Trinidad because he is looking for the policeman who he believes was responsible for breaking up his relationship with Mahangoo-Charles.”

Since Mahangoo-Charles’s murder, Newsday was told the suspect who hails from Macaulay, Claxon Bay, was seen several times in the area visiting relatives and friends. His son lives with relatives in Claxton Bay. “We does see him, we does talk to him...he came home for Eid,” Newsday was told. “I tell you police don’t want to lock him up.” The relative further stated that Chadee accompanied the suspect on several occasions to Claxton Bay when he came to visit relatives.

Speaking of an accident in which the suspect was involved, the relative said he was baffled as to how the man managed to receive medical attention without being detected. “That again shows police didn’t want him,” he said. “They could have stopped him when he got his two feet broken in the accident and went to hospital for treatment.

He was in the hospital. They know he is on a mission to kill and he is shooting to kill.”

Meanwhile, Mahangoo-Charles’ relatives said they are once again forced to relive their nightmare of eight months ago and are now living in fear. A female relative told Newsday, ‘It just isn’t right what happened and we are watching our backs right now. Police promised to pass and check us out.”

“Imagine this man in a wheelchair and still got away...this is ridiculous. Everybody helping him which is real nonsense. We are worried he might strike a third time.” Up to yesterday a nationwide hunt continued for the suspect. Two men, from the Vistabella area, were detained on Sunday in connection with harbouring a fugitive.

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Monday January 19, 2015, CMC – The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago says it has sold US$200 million to authorized dealers in its first foreign exchange intervention for 2015.

“This sale was conducted to ease some of the outstanding demands for foreign exchange especially those coming from the business community,” the Central Bank said in a statement, noting also that “this s first sale was timed to bring relief to the market as January typically sees

lower conversions of foreign exchange by energy companies”.

Last week, following a meeting between Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar and business representatives, Finance Minister Larry Howai; Minister of Planning and Development Dr Bhoe Tewarie and Minister of Trade, Industry, Investment and Communications Vasant Bharath, had been mandated to seek a meeting with Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran, “over the widespread feeling that the continuing stresses with

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availability of foreign exchange presented too many uncertainties for business”.

The Central Bank said it will release its Monetary Policy Announcement (MPA) on January 30 “at which time we will provide details on the impact of falling energy prices on the country’s balance of payments and the domestic foreign exchange market”.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper Haiti President Martelly presents new Ex-UWI student on $150,000 bail for ganja trafficking charge “consensus” government January 23-29, 2015

Haiti President Michel Martelly

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ORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) – President Michel Martelly has sworn in a new “consensus” government one week after he began ruling this Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country by decree.

"This government we install today is the fruit of dialogue between the sons and daughters of the country," Martelly said as 18 new ministers and 16 secretaries late Monday took the oath of office during a ceremony at the site of the former national palace in the capital.

Martelly, who used the social network Facebook to announce the new Cabinet

on Sunday, named several of his former ministers to the new Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Evans Paul, who replaced Laurent Lamothe, who resigned in December.

Martelly began ruling by decree last week while trying to steer the French-speaking CARICOM country towards long-delayed legislative and municipal elections.

However critics have accused him of stalling the elections even as he had been meeting with several social and political groups in a bid to pave the way for the holding of the long-delayed election to renew two-thirds of the 30-member Senate, the entire Lower Chamber and hundreds of local government bodies Last week a US-brokered deal to extend the life of parliament and call new elections failed when parts of the opposition refused to approve it.

But Fanmi Lavalas, the party that was once led by former president Jean Bertrand Aristide and which has been at the forefront of anti-government protests, said it was not part of the agreement.

It has promised to intensify street protests to try and pressure Martelly, from office ahead of the constitutional date when he is due to step down next year.

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ATTHEW SOO CHAN was yesterday granted $150,000 bail after appearing in the Tunapuna Magistrates’ Court charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and cultivation of marijuana.

On Thursday last, officers of St Joseph Police station raided a Bedasie Street apartment and found the 94 pots each containing a marijuana plant. Soo Chan was charged with having marijuana 500 metres away from the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine. The charges were laid indictably and Soo Chan was not called upon to plead.

Soo Chan of San Diego park, Diego Martin appeared before Tunapuna Magistrate Gillian David Scotland and was represented by attorneys Larry Williams

and Sade Lee Duprey.

Williams told the court his client was only aware he was charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, when he arrived at court.

He said his client informed him he only received charge papers for cultivation of marijuana. Williams also told the court his client had no pending matters and no previous convictions. He said Soo Chan is a former student of UWI but stopped attending after he got accepted into a programme at the Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute to pursue his “true passion” which was cooking. The magistrate granted the accused $150,000 bail to cover both charges and Soo Chan was ordered to return to court on February 13.

Manager appears on $50 million fraud charge

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ANAGER of Trinidad Cement Limited’s Employees Credit Union has been denied bail after he appeared before a Port-of-Spain Magistrate charged with fraudulently transferring $50 million from the credit union’s Unit Trust Corporation account to a Republic Bank account.

Darren Singh, 35, of Claxton Bay, appeared before Port-of-Spain Magistrate Adrian Darmanie yesterday.

It is alleged that Singh, with intent to defraud, caused the transfer of $50 million from the credit union UTC’s account to a Republic Bank account at Tropical Plaza, Pointe-a-Pierre in the name of TCL Credit Union on January 18, 2013, using a forged UTC wire transfer.

Prosecutor Sgt Callister Charles objected to bail being granted on the basis

of the nature and seriousness of the offence as well as allegations that threats had been made to witnesses in the case.

Singh’s attorney Candice Lopez countered that her client was a married man with five children and was the sole breadwinner of the family.

She also said Singh was the manager of the TCL Credit Union, had no previous convictions, and was prepared to abide by any condition laid down by the court.

His family, the attorney added, were willing to ensure that he does not abscond if bail is granted to him. She also said there were no evidence of alleged threats to witnesses.

Darmanie denied bail pending tracing and advised Singh of his right to apply to a Judge in Chambers.

He will return to court tomorrow.

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 23-29, 2015 37 Caribbean Star Newspaper Former Barbados prime minister speaks on Caribbean integration challenges

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Tuesday January 20, 2015, CMC – Former Barbados prime minister Owen Arthur says while the decision in 1989 to transform Caribbean economies into a into a single market and economy was one of the most momentous decisions in the history of the Caribbean “it was a transformation that was never going to be easily achieved”.

Delivering the guest lecture at the Institute of International Relations at the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) on Monday, Arthur, said the transformation was therefore going to be more taxing if not attended by clarity of purpose, and the determination to hold to a steady course come what may.

Speaking on the topic “Caribbean Regionalism in the Context of Economic Challenges,” Arthur, who at one time had responsibility for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME) portfolio within the quasi CARICOM cabinet, said the creation of the CSME was intended both to be an agency by which the region created indigenous opportunities for its development and at the same time serve as the principal vehicle by which the regional economy would be integrated into the evolving and dynamic global economy.

“In agreeing to reconstitute itself as a Single Market and Economy the region, for the first time, sought to rest its own development and its relationship with the rest of the world on the embrace of the economic ideology of liberalization.

“In this regard, the creation of a Single Market was to take the form of removal of all of the constraints on the movement

within the region of goods, services, labour, capital and the creation of enterprises over centuries,” said Arthur, a three-time prime minister who lost office in 2008.

He told his audience that this process was however intended to be undertaken in accordance with particular principles and design features.

“To be precise, in reconstituting itself as a single market, the instruments of integration were to be designed to facilitate deeper, broader and faster liberalisation between individual economies in the Caribbean than the region would agree to in its bilateral or multilateral agreements and relationships,” Arthur said, noting that it also meant that the region had to be prepared to venture into areas for which there was no provision in its previous attempts at integration such as labour mobility.

But he noted that in order to be relevant, the region had to embrace and incorporate into its own programme of integration protocols pertaining to economic disciplines for which they are no multilateral agreements such as Investment.

Arthur said it was also clearly understood that the CSME, which allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour across the 15-member grouping,

would or could never appear at any one time as a finite nor finished entity.

“It would have to be made to evolve to give effect to its intended purpose as an indigenous model for economies liberalization, and to ensure that the region’s treatment of its own constituent units are always more favourable that its commitments to liberalise under the auspices of the World Trade Organization (WTO) or through its bilateral trade and economic agreements.

“More pertinently, it was intended that the creation of a Single Market was not an end in itself. It was intended largely to create the foundations on which a virtual Single Economy would be erected.”

Arthur said that the Single Economy was intended to have as some of its key elements the provision for production integration, the harmonization of economic policies in critical areas, and the bringing about the convergence of the macro-economic policies of the individual economies such as would facilitate the adoption of more advanced forms of integration such as monetary union.

Arthur said the architects of the Single Market had recognized that while CARICOM was initially designed to give effect to economic integration, functional cooperation and the coordination of foreign policy as separate and distinct pillars,” the move to create a CSME required that a new and advanced harmony should be established between the various forms of regional integration”.

He said it was for this reason that at the CARICOM summit in 2007 regional leaders endorsed the Girvan Plan as the roadmap to the Single Economy, a decision was made to constitute a Regional Task

Force on Functional Cooperation to link that subject more closely to the efforts to build the CSME. “The Task Force reported, but its report is still at large, awaiting implementation,” Arthur said, adding that “at every step of the way, it appears that the enterprise to create the CSME is being confounded by doubts over what is being achieved, and even greater doubts as to how progress attained can and should be used to establish beach heads for even further progress”.

He said to begin with the scope of achievement involved in moving the region from the declaration to create a Single Market in 1989 to its incorporation into a Revised Treaty by 2006 is not understood nor appreciated in many quarters in the region.

“That exercise entailed the identification of over 400 existing restrictions on market activity across the region and the development of nine protocols to amend the original Treaty to make provision for the removal of those restrictions to be incorporated into domestic law in Caribbean jurisdictions,” Arthur said in his wide ranging speech examining challenges to Caribbean economies.

He said that it took Europe 35 years to move from the Treaty of Rome in 1957 to the creation of its own Single Market in 1992, while it has taken the Caribbean 17 years”.

“It is critical that the move to create the CSME should never to be confounded because progress in an area of fundamental importance to the region’s development is judged, without the merit of empirical validation, to be inimical to the orderly functioning of the constituent units.

Confucius says a good idea can be bad

Schoolgirl fished from St Thomas river identified

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T THOMAS, Jamaica — The schoolgirl who reportedly drowned Tuesday in the Morant River in St Thomas, has been identified. She is 14-year-old Nadrieka Dacosta, a student at the Seaforth High School.

OBSERVER ONLINE reported late Tuesday that Nadrieka’s body was fished from the river close to the Bustamante Bridge, after she had reportedly encountered difficulties while swimming.

Reports are that Nadrieka went for a swim with four of her schoolmates about 5:00 pm when the incident occurred.

Yep, if wishes had wings horses will fly. And if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

Get some insurance just in case

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

CRICKET & Sports

Rahul Dravid endorses day/ night Tests

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ormer India captain Rahul Dravid has endorsed the idea of playing day/night Tests as a counter step to curb the ever shrinking spectator count in the longest form of the game.

“I am all for the experiment. I am definitely all for the experiment. Specially dwindling crowds in Test cricket is a worry. I know there are some challenges of playing cricket at night. The ball is one of them. The white ball gets discolored. The pink ball could be an option,” Dravid said on the sidelines of a sports lecture here on Tuesday.

“I think in this day and age, it’s impossible to have people leaving work and coming to the ground on all five days.

Therefore, I don’t mind day/night Tests if it can bring back crowds and also have TV viewership.”

The batting legend said he didn’t have any problem in facing the pink ball on the only occasion he played it.

“The pink ball and the dew factor are things that need to be sorted out. Personally, I never had a problem in the only match with the pink ball. I scored

“I am all for the experiment. I am definitely all for the experiment.

Specially dwindling crowds in Test cricket is a worry.” a hundred in the second innings for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) against the English county champions,” he said.

The pink ball is reportedly set to make its debut when Australia host New Zealand in a Test series later this year.

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2015 - Jeff Gordon’s last full-time season

our-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon announced Thursday that the 2015 season will be his last as a full-time driver.

“As a race car driver, much of what I’ve done throughout my life has been based on following my instincts and trying to make good decisions,” Gordon said in a release. “I thought long and hard about my future this past year and during the offseason, and I’ve decided 2015 will be the last time I compete for a championship.

“I won’t use the ‘R-word,’ because I plan to stay extremely busy in the years ahead, and there’s always the possibility I’ll compete in selected events, although I currently have no plans to do that.”

Gordon told The Associated Press that he decided midway through 2014 that this upcoming season would be his

last. He delayed the announcement until Thursday, when he first told his two young children at home in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Gordon says that’s when his decision became a reality, and he broke down in tears. He said he continued sobbing the entire 30-minute drive to Hendrick Motorsports, and again lost his composure as he informed his team and longtime employees.

Gordon has 92 career Sprint Cup wins – third all-time behind Hall of Fame drivers Richard Petty (200) and David Pearson (105). – and championships in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001. He has spent his entire 23-year career in the No. 24 car with Hendrick Motorsports.

Teammate Jimmie Johnson and other NASCAR drivers took to Twitter to express their appreciation of Gordon.

A-Rod gets tips from Barry Bonds

Alex Rodriguez has met with Barry Bonds and Edgar Martinez to get hitting tips, his spokesman said.

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lex Rodriguez met with Barry Bonds multiple times to get hitting tips as he prepares for his return to the major leagues, spokesman Ron Berkowitz confirmed Wednesday.

The meetings with Bonds was presented by Berkowitz as part of a number of consultations with former standout hitters in an effort for Rodriguez to be fully ready for his return to the New York Yankees after missing last season because of his steroid suspension.

Berkowitz said Rodriguez also worked with former Seattle Mariners teammateEdgar Martinez in Miami last week.

The meetings with Bonds seem like an odd choice because of the steroids link between the two. The San Francisco Chronicle earlier reported the story and that the meetings took place at the Future Prospects facility in San Rafael, California.

Shortly after New Year’s, A-Rod posted a picture to his Instagram account that is said to be from the facility. Bonds was neither pictured nor mentioned in the de-

scription.

Rodriguez, who will turn 40 in July, is said to be in tremendous shape, a common refrain for all players prior to spring training.

He will arrive at the Yankees facility in Tampa as a marginalized player as the club signed Chase Headley to a four-year, $52 million deal to be the team’s third baseman.

General manager Brian Cashman has repeatedly said he doesn’t know what the Yankees will have in Rodriguez this season. At this moment, the team seems to view Rodriguez as mostly an option at designated hitter.

Rodriguez, who has three years left on his contract and is owed $61 million, needs just six more home runs to tie Willie Mays for fourth on the all-time list, which would allow him to rake it another $6 million performance bonus.

Bonds, who owns the most homers in MLB history, was a special instructor with the San Francisco Giants during spring training in 2014.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

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IPL 8 on track but franchises remain edgy

IPL ready to induct two news teams if the situation demands, after Supreme Court’s wide-ranging order has put a question mark over the future of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.

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he IPL was ready to induct two new teams if the situation demanded, (Cricinfo) IPL Chairman Ranjib Biswal said in response to Supreme Court’s wide-ranging order that has put a question mark over the future of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.

But the ripples were felt by the IPL franchises, who were worried about losing commercial partners if there was a delay to the auction. The auction for the eighth season is likely to be held from February 6 to 9, in Bangalore.

“We can have new teams.

Absolutely, no problem. If they give out a punishment to bar them or something then we will have to look for an option,” Biswal said.

But Biswal pointed out the

BCCI would await the judgment of the three-member committee set up by the court to pronounce the punishment against the franchises as well as the pair of Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra, who were found guilty of betting. The new committee, headed by former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha, would endeavor to decide on relevant punishments at the earliest possible date, the court said.

According to Biswal, various issues including the auction dates for the IPL, which is scheduled to begin on April 8, will need to be discussed in a soon-to-be-called working committee meeting.

Despite his assurances, franchises remained on the edge.

The auction, franchises were

CSK and RR: Teams in distress informed earlier, was likely to be held in the second week of February. “The only fear is what the three-man committee decides. What if the committee says the franchises should be terminated?,” a franchises chief executive said. “How long will the auction be delayed based on that verdict. We are all waiting.”

The official pointed out that franchises faced a big challenge

if the auction date was delayed any further than mid-February.

“The more flux is in the market, the more it scares our commercial partners to associate with us. Who loses? It is the franchises if everything is (pushed to) last minute.”

Another relevant issue for franchises was what happens to the players from Super Kings and Royals in case their teams

are terminated. “Would the IPL decide to bring back all the players into the auction fold like they did when Pune Warriors and Kochi Tuskers were terminated. Or would they follow the route of Hyderabad where Sunrisers Hyderabad took over the franchise once the original owner Deccan Chargers was abandoned,” an official from a separate franchise asked.

Michael Jordan wins business award CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A humbled and emotional Michael Jordan fought back tears, feeling vindicated after years of criticism, after being named the Charlotte Business Journal’s Business Person of the Year.

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he Charlotte Hornets owner said during a nine-minute acceptance speech Tuesday night posted on the organization’s website that while he’s received many awards as a player, this one was different.

“I’ve been criticized in a lot of different areas from a business standpoint, but I take pride in the ideas and concepts and views that come out of this organization to build the type of basketball program ... that the city of Charlotte can be proud of,” Jordan said as he began tearing up.

Jordan won six NBA titles as a player, but his front-office leadership abilities had been questioned -- including his decision to take Kwame Brown with the No. 1 pick of the 2001 NBA draft while an executive with the Washington Wizards.

But Jordan has repeatedly said he is committed to turning the Hornets

around, and members of his team echoed his sentiments on Wednesday.

Charlotte president and COO Fred Whitfield said Wednesday that Jordan was “genuinely honored and humbled by the award.”

Whitfield said Jordan has listened to fans, including changing the team’s name back to the Hornets upon their request.

The franchise had been known as the Bobcats.

“He is so proud to be building something in his home state,” Whitfield said.

“So to be recognized with such a prestigious award for his business accomplishments was really, really special to him.”

Jordan’s longtime business manager Estee Portnoy attended the ceremony and called the speech “genuine and beautiful” in an email to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Hornets owner Michael Jordan was presented with a Business Person of the Year award on Tuesday night.

40 Caribbean Star Newspaper

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January 23-29, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

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Sangakkara signs two-year Surrey deal

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umar Sangakkara, the world’s No. 1 Test batsman, has agreed a twoyear deal with Surrey although how much he plays in 2015 will not be confirmed until Sangakkara makes a decision over his Test future.

Sangakkara will end his ODI career after the World Cup and he has previously hinted strongly that it will mark the conclusion of his international days, although there remains a chance of a final spell in Test cricket later this year.

His arrival at Surrey will see him back working with Graham Ford, the former Sri Lanka coach, who is now in charge at The Oval.

“We’re delighted that Kumar has agreed to join us. He is the number one Test batsman in the world but it’s the special character that he has which is as important to us,” Alec Stewart, the Surrey director of cricket, said.

“He is a five-star player and five-star person and that is important because he will be working with our young homegrown players as they become serious cricketers at this level. He has worked a lot with our coach Graham Ford, when he was in charge of Sri Lanka, and we are both very happy to reach this stage.”

Sangakkara enjoyed a prolific 2014, setting a new record for the most international runs scored in a year with 2868 runs across all formats. He has started 2015 in similar manner, too, with a double hundred against New Zealand in Wellington.

A signing of a player of Sangakkara’s standing will also cast further doubt over Kevin Pietersen’s future at The Oval as there are salary cap restrictions in place for county squads.

Exactly when Kumar Sangakkara will end his international career is still to be confirmed © Getty Images

South Africa take series against feeble West Indies South Africa 124 for 1 (Amla 61*, du Plessis 51*) beat West Indies 122 (Tahir 4-28, Philander 3-27) by nine wickets

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ith every day they remain in South Africa, West Indies’ chances of pulling together a respectable World Cup challenge falters before our eyes. They made only 122 at Buffalo Park in the third ODI, a spiritless and, at times, irresponsible display full of ghastly, ill-judged shots and glum expressions. A nine-wicket defeat later revealed itself much as expected.

Three days earlier, the crowd in Johannesburg had feasted on an AB de Villiers world record; in what was only Buffalo Park’s third ODI in nine years, the townsfolk of East London had to suffer a mismatch, concluded in spots of drizzle. Truly, the big cities get all the fun.

East London took their pleasure in Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis, lording it over the West Indies attack for unbeaten half centuries as the match was wrapped up with more than 41 overs unused, not so long after some had come in from work.

At 2-0 down in the series with three matches re-

maining, West Indies needed to win to keep the series alive, but Buffalo Park’s slow, low surface demanded discipline - a challenge far removed from the joyous batting surface at the Wanderers on which de Villiers had struck the fastest ODI hundred in history - and West Indies did not show enough of it.

With turmoil and ill will rife in West Indies cricket, Jason Holder, a new, young captain needing to imprint his style, must feel the job is a lonely one.

Rarely has this affiliation of nations looked less unified; rarely has mistrust between the generations been so apparent; rarely has the talent base looked so shallow. To some extent, it was an experimental XI; it was a rum time for experimentation, one best witnessed by West Indies fans through a large glass of Mount Gay. As for South Africa, far from wallowing in the satisfaction of a won series - 3-0 up with two to play - they will have a sneaking feeling that West Indies are not putting them under the sort of pressure they would relish ahead of the World Cup. They are likely to respond by giving game time to back-up players.

The lengthy group phase of the World Cup gives them time to get their big guns firing.

Williamson century leads NZ to win New Zealand 280 for 6 (Williamson 103, Anderson 47, Ronchi 32*) beat Sri Lanka 276 (Jayawardene 94, Sangakkara 76, Southee 3-59) by four wickets ri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand has been defined by the hosts’ refusal to give in, and again in Nelson, New Zealand clawed back from difficult situations, with ball and bat, to claim a tense four-wicket victory in the fourth ODI. Kane Williamson’s effortless fifth hundred will headline the victory, but fine performances from the lower middle order, and the death bowlers, effectively sealed it. New Zealand eclipsed Sri Lanka’s 276 all out, in the 48th over.

The match was decid-

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ed in the over before that.

Thisara Perera had summoned a decent string of yorkers late in the innings, to dismiss Williamson for 103, and to leave New Zealand needing 25 runs off the last 18 balls, but his eighth over was substantially worse than the seven that had come before it.

He missed his length first ball, and was clattered over mid-off by Luke Ronchi.

When Perera overpitched again next ball, Ronchi hit it even better, sending it into the sightscreen. Two more straight sixes would follow in the over, and New Zealand needed only one run from the final two overs after that. Daniel Vettori smote one through the covers to finish the match.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

Belichick: De Villiers sets breathtaking Pats cooperating with NFL new century record South Africa 439 for 2 (Amla 153*, de Villiers 149, Rossouw 128) beat West Indies 291 for 7 (Smith 64, Ramdin 57) by 148 runs

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B de Villiers ripped up the record books with the fastest century in ODIs, off just 31 balls to beat the previous quickest set by Corey Anderson off 36 balls little more than a year ago, as South Africa beat their own record at the Wanderers and racked up 439, four shy of the world record total of 443.

De Villiers’ was the third hundred in a towering South African total - the first time three had been scored in an ODI innings - which also saw Rilee Rossouw register his maiden century andHashim Amla his 18th, a career-best 153 not out, in the highest opening stand South Africa have ever posted of 247.

In less than an hour, de Villiers took an innings which was building well and turned it into a skyscraper. He clobbered 16 sixes, the most by a South African and the joint-highest number of sixes overall in an ODI innings, and dominated a 192-run second-wicket stand with Amla which lasted just 67 deliveries and in which runs were scored at 17.12 to the over. Amla only faced 30 balls and contributed 33. Such was de Villiers’ dominance.

None of the West Indian bowlers were spared as de Villiers put on his full

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range of strokes. There was the pull, the scoop, the lofted drive and the good old slog and Jason Holder, given the toughest of examinations as a young captain, was hardest hit. De Villiers plundered 45 runs off the nine balls he faced from him, including six of his sixes.

By the time Holder could even consider launching a counter-attack of his own, West Indies’ challenge was over. Although they may have had hopes of pulling off something similar to what they did on the same surface last week, when they successfully chased the highest T20 score of 232, West Indies lost Chris Gayle in the fifth over and even though Dwayne Smith and Denesh Ramdin both scored half-centuries, the South African attack were much more difficult to get away than the West Indian one.

Jerome Taylor had the most expensive return for a West Indian bowler in ODIs when his 10 overs cost 95 and Holder was not far behind. His nine overs went for 91. Dwayne Smith also took punishment and finished with an economy of 17 after one of his overs went for 30. Contrastingly, Dale Steyn’s 10 overs went for just 29 runs and Morne Morkel’s for 43 as the pair demonstrated how to operate on a batsmen-friendly surface.

They used the short well sparingly and bowled at good pace but ultimately West Indies did not have the same structure to their innings as South Africa did.

Eoin Morgan victim of blackmail plot

eing England cricket captain throws up its fair share of challenges, but blackmail plots are not usually among them. However, Eoin Morgan has been embroiled in a bizarre case of an Australian man demanding £35,000 from the ECB otherwise he threatened to release “embarrassing” information about a relationship Morgan had with an Australian woman five years ago. Both were single at the time.

The plot came to light in the buildup to the one-day international against Australia in Hobart following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police and ECB staff with the squad in Australia.

The man at the centre of the incident has been identified, and is the current partner of the woman Morgan dated, but no charges will be brought.

An ECB statement said: “In the last few days, the ECB received an email from an Australian man demanding a five figure sum to prevent a story about our one-day captain Eoin Morgan appearing in the national newspapers in the UK and Australia.

“The allegations related to a brief relationship Eoin had with a woman from

Australia five years ago. Following liaison with the Metropolitan Police, our support team on the ground in Australia investigated the blackmail.

“This involved approaching the man in question who, when confronted, admitted and apologized for his actions, blaming jealousy (he is presently in a relationship with the woman concerned).

“The ECB will not allow anyone to disrupt our team’s performance on the field of play. We are wholly focused on winning cricket matches. This matter has now been brought to a conclusion and we will not be seeking further action against the individual at this stage.”

Paul Downton, the managing director of England cricket, added: “We will not allow anyone to disrupt our team’s preparation or performance in the tri-series and as we build up to the World Cup. I am pleased that this issue has now been brought to a swift conclusion.

“At this point we’d like to thank the Metropolitan Police for their advice, which assisted us in dealing with this in the swiftest possible manner.”

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OXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Thursday he was “shocked” when informed of the allegations that his team used balls that were deflated after they were inspected by officials before Sunday’s AFC title game.

Belichick’s 11-minute news conference was devoted completely to the controversy. He said the Patriots are fully cooperating with the NFL’s investigation, and his remarks now shift the attention to quarterback Tom Brady’s role in the matter.

NBC News reported that Brady addressed the issue with his teammates Thursday, saying in a closed-door meeting that he likes footballs “a certain way” and that they should stay focused on the Super Bowl.

Belichick said Brady, who is scheduled to talk to the media at approximately 4:15 p.m. ET Thursday, can detail more about how he prefers his footballs.

“I was shocked to learn of the footballs

on Monday. I had no knowledge until Monday morning,” Belichick said. “I’d say I’ve learned a lot more about this process in the last three days than I knew, or had talked about it, in the last 40 years that I’ve coached in this league.”

The NFL found that 11 of the Patriots’ 12 game balls were inflated significantly below the NFL’s requirements, league sources involved and familiar with the investigation of Sunday’s game told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.

Answering questions from reporters after an opening statement that lasted about eight minutes, Belichick repeated multiple times, “I have no explanation for what happened” and “I’ve told you everything I know.”

“In my entire coaching career, I have never talked to any player or staff member about football air pressure,” he said.

“The footballs are approved by the league and officials pregame, and we play with what’s out there. That’s the only way that I have ever thought about that.”

Muralitharan named Sunrisers bowling coach

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ormer Sri Lanka offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan has been named Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowling coach and team mentor for the Indian Premier League 2015 season.

Muralitharan, 42, played 66 IPL games across seven seasons for Chennai Super Kings, Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Royal Challengers Bangalore, taking 63 wickets at an average of 26.92. During his time with Super Kings, from 2008 to 2010, he claimed 52 scalps from 46 matches, helping the team win the IPL as well as the Champions League Twenty20 in 2010.

In 2011, Muralitharan called time on an illustrious international career which yielded a record 1347 wickets across all three formats. He continued playing franchise cricket for a number of teams across the world including Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League, and Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League. After a disappointing season with Royal Challengers in 2014 in which he played only five matches, Muralitharan decided to end his playing career. In

Muttiah Muralitharan played 66 matches in the IPL, claiming 63 wickets June last year, Muralitharan joined Australia as a coaching consultant ahead of the team’s series against Pakistan in the UAE. Sunrisers finished sixth last year and missed out on the playoffs, having lost eight of their 14 games.

Hooper named Guyana Amazon Warriors coach

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arl Hooper, the former West Indies captain, has been appointed coach of Guyana Amazon Warriors for the 2015 edition of the Caribbean Premier League.

Hooper has previously been assistant coach for Antigua Hawksbills in 2014, and coach at the West Indies Cricket Board’s High Performance Centre in Barbados.

Amazon Warriors went down in the final to Barbados Tridents last CPL season, while Hawksbills lost eight out of nine games to finish last.

“I look forward to working with the immensely talented group of cricketers in this team and I also want to assist with the overall development of the young Guyana cricketers who will also be part of the squad,” the Guyana-born Hooper said.

“Carl brings a wealth of experience and skills to our team and I am confident that he will be a great motivator and will use all of his expertise to bring the best out of all the players,” said Omar Khan, the Amazon Warriors team operations manager.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

January 23-29, 2015

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January 23-29, 2015

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In Loving Memory... A Tribute

Rampatti Clemons Sunrise:

January 18th, 1955

Sunset:

January 12th, 2015

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