Caribbean Star #32 vol.4

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March 6-12, 2015

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Vol.4 #32

TWO GUNMEN CAUGHT OTHERS ON THE RUN AFTER ROBBING MAHAICA BUSINESSMAN See More on Page 10 GUILTY…MOM, LOVER GET LIFE SENTENCES FOR NEESA GOPAUL MURDER

West Indies opener Chris Gayle has raised the possibility of retiring from Test cricket if his fragile back cannot cope with the increasing workload in a crammed cricket calendar.

Bibi Sharima-Gopaul and her former lover Jarvis Small were yesterday found guilty of the brutal murder of 16-year-old Neesa Gopaul and both received sentences that will see them spend the rest of their natural lives behind bars.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper Commissioner of Police decrees - No one to be put in lockups for any minor offence

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March 6-12, 2015

OLICE Commissioner Seelall Persaud has reiterated that at no time should anyone be placed in the police lockups for any minor offence; and he has reminded his officers that any deviation from that Force policy can be considered a breach of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the Guyana Police Force.Persaud is adamant that this aspect of the GPF policy should see strict adherence by every rank on duty: No person should be arrested and placed in the police lockups for any minor offence.

He reminded that the applicable procedure should be that the person is arrested, briefly detained, and granted station bail while investigations into the reported offence are completed.

The Police Commissioner reiterated this position when reporters asked him to comment on the abuse of members of the public by police ranks, and the excessive use of force.

He also reminded reporters that the police force has a system by which such cases are dealt with, and he said they are done in a very thorough and speedy manner of recent.

He made reference to a case in which a police rank, upon arriving for duty in the West Demerara division, took it upon himself to throw methylated spirits on a prisoner who was sitting on the bench.

He said the matter was investigated and the police rank was fired within a month of the investigation, after it was found that he had acted outside the ambit of the Standard Operating Procedures of the Force, and outside of the normal standards by which police ranks ought to treat members of the public and those in their custody.

The Top Cop also reminded of the procedures which ought to be followed once a prisoner or someone in custody complains of experiencing pain or of feeling unwell.

He said: “If there are cries of pain, then the person should be taken for medical attention and examination. Depending on the results, a senior police officer would determine if the person should remain in custody, and that should be determined depending on the gravity of the offence.”

Members of the media, and by extension the Guyanese society, have been assured by Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud that investigations into the death of 28-year-old Zaharadeen Razan, father of three and of Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, have not been closed.

According to the Top Cop, the police on duty at the Parika Police Station on the day in question did nothing that was inappropriate to the individual.

The Top Cop was, however, quick to

Commissioner of Police, Mr Seelall Persaud point out that that aside, the Force is still conducting its internal investigations to ascertain if ranks had, at any point, been negligent in their duties. He spoke specifically of determining whether ranks on duty that morning were aware of what was ongoing in the lock-ups at the station but failed to act accordingly.

“In this latest cause, as you are aware, the police did nothing inappropriately to the individual; but if there were cases of neglect, if the police knew what was go-

ing on in the lock-ups and did not take the appropriate action, we have to find out,” Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud told the media.

Zaharadeen Razan of Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara was arrested and placed in police custody after a report of damage to property had been made against him.

He died on the way to the Leonora Cottage Hospital after other prisoners in the Parika lock-ups had alerted ranks on duty that the man had been bashing his head against the walls of the lockups and had suffered a seizure.

A post-mortem confirmed that the man had died as a result of a seizure, and that he had also had a blunt trauma to the head which was consistent with the seizure.

In Zaharadeen Razan’s case, it is unclear if the offence of damage to property had been considered a minor offence, and if the man had been considered as posing a threat to the life and limb of anyone who had been released from police custody after he had been arrested for the offence. The police can, on those grounds, determine if it is safe to allow the arrested person to return to the community, or remain in custody with the objective being to protect the life and limb of other citizens.

(By Leroy Smith)

Caribbean Star Newspaper

March 6-12, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper U.S. film crew completes shooting in North Rupununi for sport fishing documentary - Guyana to be featured on Outdoor Channel for the first time

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March 6-12, 2015

FILMING crew from GM Productions in the United States has just concluded filming for a sport fishing documentary, which was shot in the Rewa Area, North Rupununi.The documentary is titled ‘The Obsession of Carter Andrews’ and will be aired on the Outdoor Channel in May 2015. It follows renowned angler and guide, Carter ‘Big Boy’ Andrews as he tackles his single obsession, fishing.

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Indranauth Haralsingh was quick to highlight the benefits the international exposure of the documentary will have for the country and the enhanced efforts to promote Guyana as a sport fishing destination.

“Guyana will be featured on the Outdoor Channel for the first time. We are often called the “Land of Many Waters” or the “Big River Country”. Guyana’s rivers are still unspoilt and sport fishing is a new area of tourism attraction in Guyana with many unchartered river terrains virgin to man,” Haralsingh said.

Guyana has two very productive fresh water fishing seasons, mid-February to late April and late August to late November. During this time, the rains would have stopped and the water would have

receded from the savannahs and forest floors. By the middle of the dry season, the rivers usually become narrow as the water recedes. This makes fishing more exciting as less water means less space per fish and more competition to feed and to survive predators of the river.

Guyana shares with the Amazon River over 1,800 fish species. Among those are several game fish species such as the Payara, Arowana, Himara, and what is considered by professional anglers worldwide as the world’s most popular fresh water game fish, the Peacock Bass (Lukanani).

PRIME FISHING LOCATIONS The country’s prime fishing locations are up the Essequibo River and along its tributaries below the river rapids and water falls such as Rockstone and Gluck Island, the New River Area, Kurupukari River and the Rupununi Burro Burro River.

In the waters surrounding Rewa Village, anglers can target Peacock Bass, Arapaima and Pyara among many others.

The rivers hold plenty of fishing options to explore in an exciting catch and release experience.

“I just got back last night from one of the greatest fishing experiences of my life, fishing for Arapaima in the jungles of Guyana,”

GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh, Carter Andrews and crew at the Princess Hotel after filming in North Rupununi for the sport fishing documentary Andrews commented. With a household reach of 40 million, the Outdoor Channel spotlights Andrews who journeyed to Guyana to wrangle our ‘river monsters’.

He has led expeditions with friends and clients to 15 different countries and manages nearly 300 days of fishing annually, and this has earned him the reputation of being the most ‘complete’ angler on the water today. He explained that the power of his obsession is strong enough to reverberate through incredible television

stories and even social media, where fans can participate with him.

Rewa Village is situated on the confluence of the Rewa and Rupununi Rivers.

This remote Amerindian settlement is a fast growing tourism destination, known for its wildlife and fishing adventures. All of the fresh water fish species known to the Amazon Region can be found in the Essequibo, Rupununi and Rewa Rivers, including the Payara, Arowana, Himara.

(Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)

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March 6-12, 2015

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Happy Holi

By Swami Sivananda

How Holi Got Its Name In days of yore, there were communities of cannibals in India. They caused much havoc. They threatened the lives of many innocent people. One of them was Holika or Putana. She took immense delight in devouring children. Sri Krishna destroyed her and thus saved the little children. Even today, the effigy or figure of Holika is burnt in the fire. This is the origin of the great festival of Holi.

Why Holi is Celebrated in Spring It begins about ten days before the full moon of the month Phalgun (February-March), but is usually only observed for the last three or four days, terminating with the full moon. This is the spring festival of the Hindus. In the spring season all the trees are filled with sweet-smelling flowers. They all proclaim the glory and everlasting beauty of God. They inspire you with hope, joy and a new life, and stir you on to find out the creator and the inner dweller, who is hiding Him-

self in these forms.

Another legend has it that once upon a time an old woman's grandchild was to be sacrificed to a female demon named Holika. A Sadhu advised that abuse and foul language would subdue Holika. The old woman collected many children and made them abuse Holika in foul language.

The demon fell dead on the ground. The children then made a bonfire of her remains.On the festival day, people clean their homes, remove all dirty articles from around the house and burn them.

Disease-breeding bacteria are thereby destroyed. The sanitary condition of the locality is improved. On the last day of Holi, people take a little fire from this bonfire to their homes. They believe that their homes will be rendered pure, and their bodies free from disease.

THE LEGEND OF HOLIKA The Story of Prahlad Connected to this legend of the demon Holika is Bhakta Prahlad's devotion to Lord Narayana, and his subse-

quent escape from death at the hands of Holika. Prahlad's father, Hiranyakashipu, punished him in a variety of ways to change his devotional mind and make him worldly-minded. He failed in his attempts. At last he ordered his sister, Holika, who had a boon to remain unburnt even in fire, to take Prahlad on her lap and enter into the blazing flames. Holika did so. She vanished, but Prahlad remained untouched and laughing. He was not affected by the fire on account of the Grace of Lord Vishnu.

Holi is also the Burning of DesiresThis same scene is enacted every year to remind people that those who love God shall be saved, and they that torture the devotee of God shall be reduced to ashes.

When Holika was burnt, people abused her and sang the glories of the Lord and of His great devotee, Prahlad. In imitation of that, people even today use abusive language, but unfortunately forget to sing the praises of the Lord and His devotee!

Holi is known by the name of Kamadahana in South India, the day on which Cupid was burnt by Lord Shiva.

A No-Holds-Barred Festival In North India, people play joyfully with colored water. The uncle sprinkles coloured water on his nephew. The niece applies coloured powder on her aunt's face. Brothers and sisters and cousins play with one another.

Huge bundles of wood are gathered and burnt at night, and everywhere one hears shouts of "Holi-hai!" or "Holi-ho!"

People stand in the streets and sprinkle coloured water on any man who passes by, be he a rich man or an officer. There is no restriction on this day. People compose and sing special Holi songs.

During the festival, people dance about in the streets. People play practical jokes with passers-by. A bonfire is lit towards the conclusion of the festival. Games representing the frolics of the young Krishna take place joyously around a fire.

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March 6-12, 2015

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Top Cop breaks silence on recent shooting deaths - confirms two as execution-style killings

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OMMISSIONER of Police Seelall Persaud yesterday told members of the media that so far there is no clear indication that the shooting death of 31-year-old Trevor Abrams of Samatta Point, Grove, East Bank Demerara was an execution style killing.Persaud was at the time responding to questions on the number of shooting deaths which have occurred over the past few days, especially in Georgetown and its environs.

Meanwhile, the Top Cop did confirm that based on information and events leading up the shooting death of 19-year-old Ryan Sooklall of Providence on Sunday, police are convinced that the shooting was an execution style one.

The shooting death of businessman Randolph Singh two weeks ago on South Road in front of his business place by a lone gunman was also regarded as an execution style killing by the Police Commissioner.

Responding to a question

about the shooting of former policeman and alleged member of the now defunct ‘Death Squad’, Otis Grant who was shot on Mashramani Day, Persaud told reporters that the police have not yet determined if that was an execution attempt.

He said further that based on his last information, the man was still under medical care at a health facility and so investigators were unable to properly question him about the incident.

However, the police are sure that Grant would have a lot to say about the shooting if he desires to do so.

The Police Commissioner said that so far the police are making headway into the investigations into all four of the recent shootings.

On February 18 businessman Singh was shot and killed by a lone gunman as he sat with other persons in front of his tyre shop. There have been claims that the shooting followed a financial transaction that went sour after Singh had acquired a

Executed: Businessman Randolph Singh

Killed: GGMC employee Trevor Abrams

Dead: Ryan Sooklall

new property in the city.

On February 23, Grant was shot while sitting in his car moments after he had dropped off a female companion on Regent Street. According to eyewitnesses there were two gunmen and Grant returned fire on the persons who from all indications had attempted to kill him.

And a few days later Abrams, an employee of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, was gunned down in a drive-by shooting while he was driving his car along the Little Diamond Public Road, East Bank Demer-

ara. The man immediately lost control of the vehicle and ended up in a canal along the road and his body was pulled from the car. Some police sources have indicated to this publication that the shooting of Grant and Singh were related to that of Abrams.

A man and his wife were arrested in connection with that shooting and a car impounded.

The other shooting that has drawn much attention was the gunning down of 19-year-old Sooklall on Sunday in Providence. Police sources have described this as a retaliation

shooting. The man was accused by the suspect, who has since gone into hiding, of shooting up at his Bagotstown home while he, his female companion and young child were inside.

Eyewitnesses have since confirmed to the police in statements the identity of the shooter. Police sources have confirmed to this publication the same person had earlier in the day reported that someone had shot up his home. However, he did not indicate to the police then that he knew who was the shooter.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper Two gunmen caught; others on the run after robbing Mahaica businessman

March 6-12, 2015

Shot bus conductor bled to death – autopsy finds

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post-mortem examination conducted on the body of bus conductor Travis Lowenfield on Monday revealed that he died as a result of haemorrhaging after he sustained a single gunshot wound.

Lowenfield, 27, of Plaisance Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara, was shot in the gut on Thursday and succumbed less than a day after at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH). His relatives had said he had lost lots of blood and doctors told them that his body was rejecting a transfusion.

The dead man’s mother, Allison Lowenfield, told Stabroek News on Monday that her son’s death was a sudden shock to her and her entire family. The woman added that his killer is still at large and noted that two persons who were held by police were released on Saturday.

Lowenfield’s sister, Anastacia Roberts, had told this newspaper that on the day of the shooting last Thursday, her brother and a few of his friends were liming at his house and they were making jokes, which was customary. She was told that one of the friends told Lowenfield, “Give me the money! Give me the money you got in you pocket!” He refused and one of the other men, she learned, accidentally pulled the trigger of a gun that was point-

fter attacking a vendor and his family in a brazen robbery, two of four bandits were caught by public spirited citizens in Vereeniging, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Wednesday night (March 04).

According to a statement from the Guyana Police Force, at about 19:30 hrs, 39 – year – old Randolph Singh was about to enter his residence when he was confronted by four men armed with firearms.

The gun-toting bandits held Singh, his family and a labourer at gunpoint while demanding that they hand over their valuables. During the robbery Singh was assaulted and sustained a gunshot wound to his left thigh.

According to the police, the perpetrators took away $600,000 and a quantity of jewellery and escaped in a waiting ve-

Travis Lowenfield ed at her brother. Roberts added that the money was removed from her brother’s pocket, after which his friends departed the house. She said it was moments after that Lowenfield, who was left alone in the house, called on his neighbour, Junior Robertson, who rushed to render assistance and took him to the hospital.

He will be laid to rest on Friday.

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hicle. They were pursued by public spirited persons during which the getaway vehicle crashed into a canal and two of the men were arrested by citizens. The others managed to escape.

The getaway car Subsequent to their apprehension, the two suspects were handed over to the police who had also responded to the report of a crime in progress. Police say that an unlicensed .32 Taurus revolver with two rounds and two spent shells were recovered at the crime scene.

The suspects have been detained and the car impounded as police continue with its investigations.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

March 6-12, 2015 Caribbean Star Newspaper Guyanese mother, children held in Brazil over ganja

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Guyanese mother and her two children were arrested in Brazil last week as Brazilian police continue to capture alleged members of a drug ring that transported marijuana from Guyana to Brazil. According to a report on Globo1. com, Joseph Adams, 25, Fabiola Adams, 28, and their mother, Khumwatte Narine Adams, 49 were arrested on highway BR-401 which connects Boa Vista to Guyana. They had four kilos of marijuana in their possession. Some of the drugs was found in the women’s handbags and the rest were hidden inside the vehicle. The trio was charged with drug trafficking and being accessories to drug trafficking.

A police spokesman said that the family was being monitored for about two months after an anonymous tip revealed their involvement in drug trafficking. The family, according to the spokesman, was ‘routinely’ supplying Boa Vista with marijuana. The police also seized Guyanese, Brazilian and US currency as well as phones. According to the report, the Adamses did not resist arrest. The women were remanded to the women’s jail while Joseph who was accused of being involved in a murder in Brazil was remanded to the penitentiary of Monte Cristo. The report said that the police also arrested Brazilians Luiz Alves Costa and Joel Costa Feitosa. The two were arrested with three kilos of marijuana and £279 in a house in Liberty neighborhood, west of Boa Vista. The duo was charged with trafficking in narcotics and being an accessory to

From left to right: Joseph Adams, 25, Fabiola Adams, 28, and their mother, Khumwatte Narine Adams, 49 who were charged with trafficking in narcotics and being accessories to drug trafficking (Photo: Emily Costa / Globo 1) trafficking. The report said that the director of the State Division of Narcotics Marcio Amorim reported that for the first two months of this year, 27 people have been arrested for drug trafficking and 44 kilos of marijuana, nine cars, five motorcycles and R$11,000 were seized from the suspects.

“We are acting in order to combat international drug trafficking routes and aiming (to) arrest the ‘masterminds’ of the crimes,” said Amorim. Prior to these arrests, it was reported that Brazilian police in Boa Vista have seized an additional 15 kilos of marijuana said to be from Guyana and arrested three persons. According to a report in the Folha de Boa Vista, anti-narcotics police raided the West Capital area in Boa Vista on Tuesday and arrested the three suspects

Some of the narcotics were found in the handbags of Khumwatte and Fabiola Adams; money and mobile phones were also seized and seized about 15 kilos of marijuana, a motorcycle, a cell phone, money, a precision scale and a firearm.

Last week, Alex Teodoro Pereira and Robson Soares Miranda, both 29 years; and Lazarus Pereira de Melo, 48 were arrested. The first two were in a house in Union neighbourhood guarding the drug.

Pereira de Melo was arrested in the Santa Teresa neighbourhood.

A police spokesman said that trafficking has increased in recent years in the city, mainly the sale of marijuana. The recently seized drug, according to investigators, came from Guyana. The trio are currently imprisoned and investigations are continu-

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ing. Further, on February 16, four persons, including two Guyanese were arrested with over 50 pounds of ganja in Boa Vista.

Those held by the Brazilian Narcotics Enforcement police are Guyanese Eric Eldon Bobb, 34, and Clive Lloyd King, 38, and Brazilians Jos Rodrigues Montague, 58, and Marlene Magdalene Romao, 39. King had been sought by the Guyana police in 2013 in relation to an arms bust in Lethem.

Subsequently, CANU Head James Singh told Stabroek News that local drug agents are in contact with their counterparts in Brazil following the arrest of the Guyanese nationals and the discovery of the drugs.

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March 6-12, 2015

ISLAM Peace / submission to the will of our creator.

Series - part 06

“Remember me, I will remember you”.

(Surah Baqarah Verse 152)

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bu Hurairah (Radhiyallaho anho) narrated that Rasulullah (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) has said, “Almighty Allah says, I treat my slave (man) according to his expectations from Me, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in his heart, I remember him in My heart; if he remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a better and nobler gathering (i.e. of angels). If he comes closer to Me by one span, I go towards him a cubit’s length, if he comes towards Me by a cubit’s length, I go towards him an arm’s length, and if he walks towards Me, I run unto him.”

Note: There are several points elaborated in this Hadith. The first point is that Allah deals with a man according to his expectations from Him. One should therefore always be hopeful of the mercy and benevolence of Almighty Allah and never be despondent of His blessings. Certainly, we are extremely sinful and justly deserve punishment on account of our evil deeds, yet in no case should we feel despondent of the mercy of Allah, as He may perhaps totally forgive us.

“Lo! Allah forgives not if a partner be ascribed unto Him and forgives all except that to whom He will.”

But Almighty Allah may or may not forgive; that is why the Ulama say that true belief lies in between hope (of forgiveness of Allah) and fear (of His wrath).

The Holy Prophet (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) once visited a young Sahabi, who was breathing his last, and asked him how he was feeling. He replied, “O! Messenger of Allah, I am hopeful of the mercy of Allah, and yet I am afraid of my sins.” Thereupon the Holy Prophet (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) said “When the heart of a believer is filled with these two feelings of hope and fear, Almighty Allah fulfils his hope and saves him from what he is afraid of.”

It is mentioned in one Hadith that a believer thinks of his sin, as if he is sitting

under a huge rock that is threatening to fall on him, while for a transgressor his sin is no more than a fly which is easily scared off, i.e., he takes his sins very lightly. In short, one should be appropriately afraid of ones sins, and at the same time remain hopeful of Allah’s mercy.

Mu’aaz (Radhiyallaho anho) died of the plague and, in the moments of death’s agony, he fainted many times.

Whenever he regained consciousness for a moment, he would say, “Oh Allah!

You know that I love You. By your Honor and Glory, you know this very well.”

Just before breathing his last, he said, “0 Death, you are a welcome guest but have come at a time when there is nothing in the house to eat.” Then he said, “0 Allah! you know very well that I always feared you, and today I die hopeful of your forgiveness. 0 Allah! I enjoyed life, not in digging canals and planting gardens, but in remaining thirsty in the hot weather, in undergoing hardships for the sake of Islaam, and in taking part in the gatherings engaged in zikr under the supervision of the Ulama.”

Some Ulama have written that the fulfillment of expectations promised by Almighty Allah in the aforesaid Hadith is in its most general sense. It carries assurance not only in respect of forgiveness but also in respect of prayers, health, wealth and safety. For instance when a person prays to Allah and sincerely believes that Allah shall accept his prayer, then his prayer is actually accepted, but if he has doubt (that his prayer would not be accepted], it is not accepted. Thus, in another Hadith it is stated that the prayer of a person is granted so long as he does not say that his prayer is not granted. The same is true in the case of all blessings relating to health, prosperity, etc.

According to one Hadith, if a destitute person discloses his hunger to everybody, he is not relieved of his poverty, but if he shows submission to Gracious Allah, his condition may soon change for the better. However, hoping for the bet-

Caribbean Star Newspaper

ter from Almighty Allah is one thing, and being over-confident of His help and forgiveness is another thing. Almighty Allah has warned us against such an attitude in several verses of the Holy Qur’an e.g.

“Let not the deceiver (the Satan) beguile you in regard to Allah” i.e. one should not be misled by the devil to commit sins just because Allah is the most Merciful and the Forgiver”.

There is another verse, “Does he have knowledge of the Unseen, or has he made a pact with the Beneficent. No, never.”

The second point in this Hadith is “Whenever a slave of mine remembers Me, I am with him.” In another Hadith, it is stated, “So long as one’s lips move in My remembrance I remain with him” i.e.

Almighty Allah bestows His special care and mercy on him during all this time.

The third point is that Almighty Allah mentions him with a favor to the angels, which signifies the value of zikr. Firstly, this is because Allah created man such that inherently he is liable to be good as well as to go astray. Submission on his part therefore deserves special appreciation. Secondly, at the time of Aadam’s creation, the Angels (who have no instinct for doing evil) could not understand the creation of man and had contended that he would cause blood-shed and trouble in the world, while they are always there to praise and glorify Almighty Allah.

Thirdly, man’s worship of Allah and submission to His will is more commendable than that of the Angels, because he does so on account of his faith in the unseen which, however, is actually seen by the angels. It is to this fact that Allah refers in the Holy Book: “How would man not have worshipped if he had actually seen the Paradise and the Hell.” It is for this reason that Almighty Allah praises the noble deeds of those who worship and glorify Him without seeing Him. The fourth point contained in the above-mentioned Hadith is that if a man increases his devotion to Almighty Allah, the increase in His mercy and kindness upon him is proportionately far greater. “Getting near” and “running” signify immediate increase in His blessings and mercy. Thus, it is up to a person that, if he wants to enjoy more kindness and favors from Almighty Allah, he should increase his devotion to Him. The fifth point in the above mentioned Hadith is that the Angels have been stated to be superior to man, while it is commonly known that man is the best creation of Allah. One reason for this has already been explained in the translation (of the Hadith), that the angels are superior because they are innocent and are unable to commit sins. Secondly, they are superior because they are bet-

ter than the majority of men, including even the majority of believers; and yet some selected Believers like the Prophets (Alaihimus salaam) are superior to the angels.

A Sahabi once said, “0, Rasulullah, (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM), I know that the commandments of Sharee-at are many, but of these tell me the one that I may practice assiduously throughout my life.” The Prophet, (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM), replied, “Keep your tongue always moist (i.e. busy) with the zikr of Allah.” According to another Hadith Mu’aaz (Radhiyal-laho anho) has said, “Once at the time of my departure from Rasulullah (Sallallahu ALAIHI WASALLAM), I asked him to advise me of that action which is most pleasing to Almighty Allah: whereupon he replied, “At the time of your death, your tongue should be busy with zikr of Almighty Allah.”

By “my departure”, Mu’aaz (Radhiyal-laho anho) refers to the occasion when he was appointed by the Holy Prophet (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) as the Governor of Yemen and sent there for teaching and propagating Islaam. It was at the time of that farewell that Rasulullah (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) had given him some parting instructions.

By saying that “the commandments of Sharee-at are many”, the Sahabi had meant that although observance of every commandment is imperative, to specialize and attain perfection in each and every one is difficult; and so he wanted that Rasulullah (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM), may recommend him something of over-riding importance which he might hold fast to, and practice at all times and in all conditions of sitting, standing or walking.

According to another Hadith, a person who possesses the following four things is truly blessed, from the worldly as well as spiritual point of view:— 1. A tongue ever absorbed in the zikr of Almighty Allah.

2. A heart filled with gratitude of Allah.

3. A body capable of undergoing hardships.

4. A wife who does not betray her husband’s trust in respect of her chastity and his wealth.

The phrase “moist tongue” according to some Ulama means excessive utterance (of zikr) and, idiomatically, it is used to convey excessive glorification and praise. Abu Darda (Radhiyallaho anho) said that those who keep their tongues wet with the zikr of Allah, will enter paradise smiling.

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

March 6-12, 2015 15 Caribbean Star Newspaper Exxon rig in place, drilling to start soon –Country Manager

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xxon Mobil’s rig, Deepwater Champion is in place and is less than a week away from the commencement of drilling for oil in the “Liza” area of the Stabroek Block off the Demerara Coast.

Country Manager, Jeff Simon told Stabroek News yesterday “I’m looking forward to getting this well down,” when asked how far along the process was now that the offshore rig was in place.

He said that right now system checks were currently ongoing and that the rig arrived on schedule and the process has

been smooth. He noted that concerns raised by the Venezuelan government would not deter ExxonMobil from continuing as planned.

The Venezuelan authorities have had a long history of objecting to drilling in Guyana’s waters and seized the MV Teknik Perdana in October 13, 2013.

The MV Teknik Perdana was contracted to US oil company Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Inc to explore the company’s Roraima Block offshore Guyana with a view to determining whether

commercial quantities of hydrocarbons existed there.

Since the incident, proposed meetings between technical teams from Georgetown and Caracas to discuss the delimitation of the maritime boundaries of Guyana and Venezuela have not proven fruitful.

Guyana has been adamant that the ship was intercepted in this country’s 200mile Exclusive Economic Zone.

The 36-man multinational crew on the Malaysian-owned (Sapura-Kencana

Pet-roleum) and the Panamanian registered oil survey vessel included scientists from the Texas-based researcher TDIBrooks International.

The ship was intercepted by a Venezuelan naval vessel, the Yakuana, then ordered and escorted to the island of Margarita. Venezuelan authorities charged the captain of the vessel and exploration plans of Anadarko have been shelved.

The location of the Exxon rig is well within Guyana’s waters. The Guyana Foreign Ministry on Saturday responded to Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez’s communication to the Country Manager of Esso Explora-tion and Production Guyana Limited, objecting to the dispatch of the rig.

The Government of Guyana then dispatched a Note Verbale to the Venezuelan Foreign Minis-try.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested that the Govern-ment of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela desist from taking any actions that could only result in the stymieing of the development of Guyana and its people and that would be in contravention of international law,” it said.

Guyana has also informed Caricom, UNASUR, the Organisation of American States, the Commonwealth as well as the United Nations Secretary General about the recent action by Venezuela.

Joanne Archie — Tobago’s top cop

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CTING Snr Supt Joanne Archie will head the Tobago Division, becoming the first woman in the TT Police Service to take charge of the sister isle’s police force.

Archie, former Public Information Officer for the TT Police Service (TTPS) replaces ACP Peter Reyes who was removed after he allegedly refused to switch off his cellular phone, while seated aboard a Caribbean Airlines aircraft, last year. Acting in the position was ACP Earl Gonzales. Archie’s appointment was announced yesterday at the weekly press briefing at Police Administration Building, Port-of-Spain by TTPS Head of Corporate Communications Ellen Lewis. Speaking with reporters, Archie said she is looking forward to her new role. She added that the Tobago police have been doing an excellent job in reducing crime on the island. “We have had some challenges lately with murders, but all of those investigations are ongoing as I am aware. If there are any areas that need improvement, I will be doing some reviews where necessary, not at this point to change anything per se, but to make the division better,” she said.

She said her focus will be safety as it relates to tourism and residents. Archie said she will bring professionalism and integrity to her new position and wants to develop a closer relationship with the community.

“I want a closer relationship with members of the community since any initiative I may want to implement must involve the community.” At the briefing, Archie handed over the baton of Public Information Officer to ASP Michael Pierre.

16

March 6-12, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

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

March 6-12, 2015 17 Caribbean Star Newspaper Guilty…Mom, lover get life sentences for Neesa Gopaul murder B ibi Sharima-Gopaul and her former lover Jarvis Small were yesterday found guilty of the brutal murder of 16-year-old Neesa Gopaul and both received sentences that will see them spend the rest of their natural lives behind bars.

Before a crammed courtroom, Justice Navindra Singh sentenced Sharima-Gopaul, the mother of the murdered teen, to 106 years in jail, while he sentenced Small, called ‘Barry, to 96 years, following a unanimous guilty verdict by a 12-member jury at the High Court.

The verdict was returned after three hours of deliberations by the jury and it saw loud expressions of satisfaction from many in the crowded courtroom as well as hundreds who converged on the streets outside the courthouse. “Justice for Neesa,” some shouted afterward.

Sharima-Gopaul’s attorney said he intended to appeal the decision.

Sharima-Gopaul, 42, and Small, 37, were charged with killing the young girl between September 24, 2010, and October 2, 2010, at Madewini, Linden-Soesdyke Highway. The teen’s body was found stuffed into a suitcase, which was anchored in a creek at the Emerald Tower Resort with several dumbbells. Her head had been bashed in and the trial heard that 50% of it was gone when the recovered corpse was examined.

In handing down the sentences, Justice Singh said he was starting the sentence at 60 years for each of them. The judge then added 10 years because they premeditated the murder, 10 years because the victim was a child, 10 years for the brutality meted out to the girl and six years for the domestic violence she suffered.

Meanwhile, the judge told Sharima-Gopaul that she was being given an extra 10 years because Neesa was her child and she was supposed to protect her and not stand by and allow her to be murdered.

The judge told the woman he couldn’t imagine what kind of a “monster” of a mother would kill her own child. “You have lied throughout the trial about everything,” the judge told her, before adding, “I know you won’t live out the sentence, but I hope you will serve it wherever you go.”

A visibly-shaken and distressed Sharima-Gopaul could be seen gasping after learning her fate, while her composed co-defendant stood expressionless.

‘I thought I would have had justice here’ When they had been asked by the judge’s clerk

whether they had anything to say as to why the court should not go ahead and pass sentence on them, they both responded in the affirmative.

In her dry-eyed sobbing address to the court, Sharima-Gopaul told Justice Singh that she thought he could have done “a little more” in her favour in his directions to the jury.

The woman said she did not lie and everything she spoke about could be verified. She said while she had been locked up, her in-laws had “a lot of things” to say about her that were in the print media.

According to Sharima-Gopaul, when she was in prison, she had spoken twice to Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee about the lack of evidence and she said he had told her, “I know, I know, but there is a lot more to it than that.”

The woman told Justice Singh, “I thought I would have had justice here.”

For his part, Small voiced his belief that he had not been given a fair trial before Justice Singh. “It was more like a media trial,” he contended.

Small said prejudicial material was led into evidence against him and accused Justice Singh of being unfair. Small told the judge that he was unfair “and a politician by nature.”

The convict posited that no evidence had been presented in the case to find him “or anybody guilty of murder.”

In response, Justice Singh said, “I don’t have any political ambitions, just so you’ll know.”

The defeated defence attorneys, when given a chance to speak, made brief remarks.

Attorney Glenn Hanoman, one of Small’s four lawyers, said his client is a father of three and asked the judge for a probation report for sentencing but his request was denied. Apart from Hanoman, Small’s defence team included Lyndon Amsterdam, Bernard De Santos SC, and Zanna Frank.

Meanwhile, attorney George Thomas, who represented Sharima-Gopaul, asked the court to spare his client from the hangman’s noose.

He asked Justice Singh to impose a custodial sentence as opposed to a sentence of death by hanging. He also said his client was a first-time offender “who is in the process of rehabilitation.”

Thomas also gave the court oral notice of his intention to appeal the decision.

In brief remarks, successful State Prosecutor Diana Kaulesar said the evidence in the case spoke for itself and the jury had made a decision that the prosecution was standing by.

‘JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED!’ Justice Singh presented his directions to the jury yesterday morning in a courtroom packed to capacity although additional benches were brought in. By the time the jury returned to deliver its verdict after lunch, however, the crowd had grown into hundreds. Some magistrates, lawyers and court staff had to stand like many other citizens who had gathered for the verdict. Persons who did not have seats, were allowed to stand in the courtroom. Some court employees were seen carrying their office chairs into the courtroom.

Countless senior and junior ranks of the police force were also among those present to provide additional security, including the Court Superintendent Desiree Fowler. Officers stood their ground to ward off the crowd from entering the courtroom in a disorderly manner before the resumption of the hearing. A police officer who later came to inform members of the press that they could enter the courtroom had to save himself from being the victim of a human stampede after everyone began racing to the door to secure a seat. Those unable to gain access to the already over-crowded courtroom stood their ground on the corridors outside as they too waited in anticipation for the verdict.

In directing the jury, Justice Singh explained how the law needed to be applied to the facts of the case. He emphasised to the jurors that they were the “judge of fact,” while he was the “judge of the law.”

He also explained the importance of applying the respective law to the facts and directed that they make that legal application strictly, irrespective of their opinions, while pointing out that the issues of fact were for their sole judgment.

Later, as the jury foreman rose to address the court, many were on the edge of their seats in anticipation, marking every second before he uttered his first word.

Once it had been heard that the accused had been found guilty, the once deafening silence of the courtroom was immediately broken by resounding “yeses” from many who were obviously satisfied with the verdict.

The marshall was eventually moved to repeatedly call for “silence in court” and he had to sound this order once more when Justice Singh began sentencing. As the judge explained his rationale for the large sentences, many “ooohs,” “ahhhs,” and “wows” could be heard.

Once the news reached the corridors outside the courtroom, there were shouts of “Justice has been served!” and “Yes Neesa deserved justice, and she has gotten it today.”

One woman, overcome with emotion, shouted, “This is justice! I am a mother with daughters and I feel it for that little girl.”

The celebratory chants were no different from the hundreds who converged outside the courthouse on South Road. “Justice for Neesa,” they shouted and danced, attracting the attention of passersby. Traffic moved slowly along South Road and Croal Street as news of the verdict spread.

But not everyone was celebrating. Small’s wife, Marcelline, broke into tears and had to be consoled by relatives and some of her husband’s attorneys. The woman wept quietly as she watched her husband exit the courtroom to be whisked away to prison.

The news had the same effect on Sharima-Gopaul’s mother, who also broke down and sobbed as her family surrounded her as she looked on while her daughter was being escorted away by police officers.

PROTEST Before the verdict, several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) protested in front of the High Court for the two accused to be found guilty.

The protesters were representatives from the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, Help and Shelter, ChildLink and Red Thread. They stood in the midday sun, holding up placards that read: “Justice for Neesa Gopaul!”, “Justice System must work now for Neesa Gopaul”, “Who is next?” and “The justice system failed Neesa Gopaul.”

Renuka Anandjit, a representative of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, stated that Gopaul’s death proved that there was a major gap in the justice system “as it relates to access for justice for young people.”

She added, “Neesa Gopaul was a sister, a daughter and a friend and we think that it is important for us to come out here and highlight her plight… she may be gone but we will never forget her.”

She stated that the NGO was following the news and had heard about the trauma the girl went through before dying. “We can only imagine what her last moments were like and we could only avoid that from occurring. Today we are really hoping that the state comes out victorious in prosecuting her murderers! We pray that other

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

girls in her shoes would have justice.”

A representative of Help and Shelter said the case had grabbed the attention of the nation because the justice system failed Neesa. “Every system failed Neesa Gopaul until she was murdered.

This is really a tragedy and a travesty of the system in Guyana. We want to use her story to get justice for other children,” she said.

One protester blamed Neesa’s family for not intervening when she made several allegations against Small and her mother. “Neesa had family who could have stepped in and intervened in this situation. This is a child who lost her life as a result of certain circumstances and we want to remind families that they have an integral role to play,” the woman said.

“It is your primary responsibility to protect your children so we would like to see justice served today. We would expect the jury to deliberate and deliver a good verdict in this case,” Omattie Madray, a representative of ChildLink, said.

Joy Marcus, a representative of Red Thread, stated that the case highlights some of the trauma other young people experience at the hands of their parents. She added that they were hoping for a fair and just decision. “We hope that the decision today would be in the best interest of all the children of Guyana so that this would not happen to another child,” she said.

The curtains came down on the case after five weeks of testimony, which saw 26 state witnesses taking the stand, including police and civilian witnesses.

Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, who performed a post-mortem examination on teen’s body, had testified that she was missing 50% of her head and that the multiple blunt trauma that caused her death had been forcefully inflicted.

The defence attorneys had asked jurors to find their clients not guilty, while charging that there was a lack of evidence to convict the two. The lawyers had made a no-case submission, which was overruled by Justice Singh, who called upon them to lead a defence. They had no witnesses to call in their defence and both opted to give unsworn testimonies.

Small, in his defence, said he was innocent of this charge and declared that he was a family man and not a killer. “I did not kill Neesa Gopaul, nor did I play any part in killing her,” he said, adding, “I would like the police to find the real killers, and let them pay for what they did to Neesa.”

Pta. Bharati Ramsamooj B.A. Founder & Advisor

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

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19

NO CHILD SHOULD BE LEFT BEHIND If you ask people among the immigrant population for a good reason they came to the United States, most often you are likely to get a response like “I want a better future for my children.” Parents are very protective of their children, and rightly so. We would not entertain criticism of their kids.

A

ll our sacrifices and plans are for the success and happiness of our children. This gives us joy and satisfaction. It adds purpose for living. We must not lose sight of the most important thing for our children’s future – their spiritual life and life in eternity. Jesus is concerned for our children, too. Most preachers focus on grown-ups, but God’s heart beats for the children also. Thankfully, many churches have a program for children, such as Sunday School, Children Church, Royal Rangers, Girls Ministry, or some other children’s program. These little ones must be included in ministry because their souls must be prepared for eternity. As for our present living, a sound spiritual foundation makes for a good life. The Gospel of Luke 18:16 emphasizes “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”

We must guard our children against an evil trap.

In the Old Testament, Moses was sent by Jehovah to deliver God’s people from bondage in Egypt. He approached Pharaoh and demanded, “Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.” (Exodus 5:1-2) In a nutshell, God unleashed a series of disasters on the nation of Egypt to punish the hard heart of Pharaoh. The King eventually presented a proposal to Moses. The conversation went like this: “So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. “All right, go and serve Jehovah your God!” he said. “But just who is it you want to go?” “We will go with our sons and daughters, flocks and herds,” Moses replied. “We will take everything with us;

for we must all join in the holy pilgrimage.” “In the name of God I will not let you take your little ones!” Pharaoh retorted.

“I can see your plot! Never! You that are men, go and serve Jehovah, for that is what you asked for.” And they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.” (Exodus 10:8-11 Living Bible) Satan has worked with this same strategy over and over to hold our children in sin and destroy them.

Remember when Abraham’s nephew Lot lived in Sodom and was taken captive by foreign kings. Abraham took his warriors and delivered them. On the journey back, the king of Sodom met Abraham. “And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.” (Genesis 14:21) He wanted the people and would make them Sodomites and God would eventually destroy their city. We must bring our children with us to worship God! Success begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Our children are surrounded by evil and poor role models in a liberal society.

It is our responsibility to lead them in the right places so they can learn the right things. We can insist the little ones come along. The bigger kids may require some persuasion. As they grow older, the best way to lead them is by our own lifestyle.

God’s concern for children is not new; it goes back far into the past.

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 says, “These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may

increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.

Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Christian families need to include Bible talk in our daily conversation at home. Families should enjoy a regular time of prayer, worship and Bible reading as a family. What a joy to watch the little ones sing the songs they learned in Sunday School! My friend, Satan will not wait for your child to grow up and make a choice whether they want to serve God or not. He wants them as early as he can get them exposed to evil and trap them into bad habits. We cannot justifiably neglect our God-given responsibility to love them and lead them. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Bring every child to Christ.

In all our sacrifices for the future of our children, let our priority be to ensure they live for God and have eternal life. Lead them to the house of God where worship is enjoyable. Good friendships are found

in the family of God. The Holy Spirit will enable them to resist temptations, live with a clean conscience, respect other people and grow into fine young men and young women. They will be excited to learn God’s Word. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:105. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Psalm 19:10. One day your child will be thankful that you made strong decisions and sacrifices to see them grow up in church and know Jesus Christ as their Savior for all eternity.

Take your family to church this weekend. Don’t forget to bring along the children. No child should be left behind!

Pastor Haniff Bacchus Calvary Assembly

of God

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

20

Caribbean Star Newspaper Exxon Mobile contracted by Guyana Gov’t – rig to commence drilling despite Venezuelan objections – Country Rep

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March 6-12, 2015

HE Exxon Mobile Deep Water Rig heading to Guyana to drill an exploratory well, but objected to by the Venezuelan Government, will continue its operations in earnest and should be ready by this weekend to commence drilling.This was confirmed by Country Manag-

er Jeff Simon who told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that despite the utterances by the Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Ministry, the company is contracted by the Guyana Government.

He explained that the oil company will not be engaging in any Govern-

ment to Government matters and will continue to execute on what it was contracted to deliver.

According to Simon, the rig was scheduled to arrive in Guyana by yesterday afternoon and it will take about a week to ‘rig-up.’

Simon related to the Guyana The Deep Water Champion Oil Rig

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Chronicle that by this weekend the crew should be ready to commence with its oil exploration activities off Guyana’s Atlantic foreshore.

The oil company’s rig (Deep Water Champion) departed from Louisiana, USA last month for the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, arriving yesterday.

Caracas has since objected to plans for the exploratory well to be drilled in an area that is within Guyana’s territorial waters.

A diplomatic missive was sent from the Venezuelan Foreign Minister to the Country Manager of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, objecting to the dispatch of a rig to proceed with the exploration of an oil well in the concession granted by the Guyana.

The Guyana Government has since reacted by dispatching a ‘note verbale’ to the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry warning that it must desist from taking any actions that could only result in stymieing Guyana’s development and contravening international law.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has since also informed the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Commonwealth as well as the United Nations Secretary-General about this recent action by Venezuela.

Two years ago, a ship conducting a seismic study for Texas-based Anadarko Petroleum Corporation under a concession from Guyana was detained by Venezuela. The ship and its 36-man crew, including five Americans and workers from Russia, Indonesia and Brazil, were well within its territorial waters at the time, Guyana maintains.

The vessel was released after a week.

That episode led to the two countries establishing a bilateral committee to explore mechanisms within the context of international law to address the issue of maritime delimitation.

To this end, they agreed that a technical team would meet to exchange views on how such delimitation could proceed, but this meeting has since been stalled, in part due to developments in that country.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

March 6-12, 2015

21

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By Gita Doobay

hagwa in the broader context within Hinduism is the Triumph of Good Over Evil. However within the Indo Caribbean Context Phagwa marks the Triumph of Good over Evil as a celebration of the Banishment of The Indenture System that had enslaved hundreds of thousands of people from the Indian Subcontinent, and thus eventually empowered them with legal rights in order to observe their religion and culture as they had practiced for millennia on the Indian subcontinent.

Holi, the symbolical burning of Holika, and Phagwa are celebrated all over the world where PIO resides.

In India Holi is celebrated on March 5th, 2015 according to Pandit Swasti Dubey of the Maha Lakshmi Mandir, and astrologically the official Day for Phagwah is March 6th 2015 in North America, Canada and the Caribbean is. However, for convenience several Indo-Caribbean Mandir are celebrating this festival of Color in their respective Mandir this weekend.

The Holi Sammelan & Festival Committee (HSFC) express thanks to the Pt. Swasti Dubey for hosting Holi Sammelan in the past at the Lakshmi Mandir. Pt. Swasti remarked that this reminded him of the first Holi Sammelan organized by Ramesh Kalicharran (better known as Kali) under the banner of the USA Pandits’ Parishad held at the Hillcrest High School in Jamaica in 1986 and he is happy that this tradition continues.

Year after year Celebrants look forward to the Phagwa Parade, however, this year it appears as if the application to obtain the permit in a timely manner is gloomy. Apart from that, this year we have inclement weather, Perhaps, when the weather is more favorable it can take place. Be it as it may, this year the Richmond Hill Economic Development Center RHEDC, the Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir (SLNM) together with the Lakshmi Mandir (LM) are holding a Phagwa Holi Sammelan with participation of all Mandir, cultural organization and the Public at The Lakshmi Mandir on Saturday, March 7, 2015 from 3:00PM to 8:00PM, at 121-15, 101 Ave, Richmond Hill NY 11419. For information call: Vishnu Mahadeo at 347-323-6019, Rishi Prashad (516) 805-5070 or Pandit Swasti Dubey -516-503-6304.

The brain behind the Phagwa Parade is Ramesh D. Kalicharran (Kali), a prominent community leader and businessman, initiated the concept of a Phagwa Parade that started in 1990 and shared this idea with Pt. Ramlall, Dr. Pt. Satish Prakash, and Dhamacharya Arjune Doobay, Kishore Seunarine.

Kali, blessed with a deep passion for Indian Culture in all its forms, was encouraged by Yash Paul Soi,(an official by the India Day Parade) to start the Phagwa Parade.

The parade started out small, but after several years, it has grown to a huge success. Kali was also able to obtain recognition of the festival from government officials via proclamations and citations. In fact, he was able to convince the former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman about the importance and significance of this colorful festival, which She then pronounced “March as Phagwa month” since 1991. In addition, the Board of Education has listed Phagwah in its calendar year as a ‘day-off’ for students and staff of the Hindu Religion. When there was the problem with Anthrax and association of this with

Сross-section of celebrants of Pandits and community leaders marching

А moment of history, Ramesh D Kalicharran addresses the gathering

At the first ever Phagwa Parade in 1990

Youths portrayal of Krishna & Radha at Phagwa Celebration in Richmond Hill our “Holi colors”, it was Kali who called in mainstream Media Fox 5 and NBC among others to clarify this and would not affect our celebration. According to Kali, “We have done extremely well in New York, but Indo-Caribbeans should stand firm by the principles of our Dharma.” For the purposes of history, let it be known that this year marks 25 Glorious Years (its Silver Jubilee) for the Phagwa Parade.

Phagwa – the Hindu festival of colors, songs, prayers and exchanges of pleasantries, is celebrated with delight and much fanfare in the Caribbean by the descendents of Indian immigrants who had left India over 177 years ago to work as indentured laborers on sugar plantations in the West Indies. In a second migration to North America, Indo-Caribbean people continued the ardency of this celebration with even more beauty and significance. In New York, normally a large parade of well over 50,000 celebrants revel in songs and dance on the streets in a trekking of colors, fragrances, good wishes and divine fervor.

Phagwa celebrates a bountiful harvest and fertility of the land, but its most symbolic observance comes from a Puraanic story that centres on a tyrant king, Hiranyakashyapu, who wanted to destroy his son Prahalaad, since this boy was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Thus Hiranyakashyapu attempted to kill his son but he failed each time. Finally, the king’s sister, Holika, who thought she had been immuned to burning, took Prahalaad with her and sat in a huge fire. When the fire extinguished, Prahalaad emerged unscathed, while his aunt had been burnt to

At the first ever Phagwa parade in 1990 as Pandit Ramlall looks on at the Grounds of the Arya Spiritual Center

Youths playing Phagwa ashes. This is the story that symbolizes that virtue triumphs over evil.

The festival of Phagwa has more than one stories tied to it. All the stories are testimonies that truth will always triumph over untruth and evil forces. The large influx of New York Caribbean Indians made it possible for Phagwa to be celebrated here in its truest splendor, glamour and rich exuberance just like back home in Guyana, Trinidad and Suriname.

It is a site to behold, where thousands of Hindus dressed in the traditional modes of Indian wear, like the shalwar kameezs, saris, kurtas and dhotis, all dyed with the many colors, such as red, green, blue, yellow and rose pink, signifying the luscious colors of the Spring Season. The air reverberates with the loud, tantalizing sound

of Chowtal singing, accompanied by the rhythmic tempo, fascinating beats of the dholak and the echoing jhaal. This combination of songs, music and dances, merriment, joy and laughter, are the characteristics of the celebration of Holi in New York.

In keeping with the eternal spirit of Holi, it is hoped that our people realize the importance of peace, love and brotherhood, more so, in these troubling times we find ourselves living. With the prospect of a war looming in the horizon, one would hope that the message of Phagwa would be more precious to us. We as a people should take every opportunity to spread that golden message that the Holi festival embodies the wider world, so that we could together try to make this world safer in which we live. Happy Phagwa to All.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

March 6-12, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

March 6-12, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

March 6-12, 2015

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

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oday, most companies typically offer some sort of optional retirement program in which their employees can participate to save for retirement. These plans offer a convenient, and often tax advantaged, way to save. While company-sponsored retirement plans make a lot of financial sense for employees, the rate at which people change jobs today may pose a problem in some cases.

Recent studies have found that people are changing jobs

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

When someone changes jobs and has been participating in an employer’s 401(k) plan, he/ 1

Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 2012

she has to make a decision regarding what to do with their retirement plan distribution. If he/she does nothing, it remains with the employer’s plan. If he/ she has changed jobs a few times, that means he/she can potentially have several pots of retirement money spread around in numerous plans. This can be cumbersome when trying to keep track of how much is saved and knowing how each account is performing.

While leaving money in a former employer’s plan may be an option, one way to gain more control of those assets is to consolidate the retirement funds into a single individual retirement account (IRA).

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Potentially reduce the cost of working with multiple companies.

More easily plan for your retirement income and calculate your required distributions when you retire.

Simplify your tax reporting.

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

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Guyanese cocaine mule busted in NY says thought he was smuggling diamonds

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Caribbean Star Newspaper Bedessee can use Demerara Gold trademark in North America

March 6-12, 2015

nother Guyanese was busted last week in New York attempting to smuggle cocaine in cans of what he said contained mixed fruit and after the drugs were discovered he then claimed he was paid to smuggle what he thought were diamonds.

In a sworn statement seen by Stabroek News, Special Agent Edward Gonzalez said Colin McKenzie was busted on February 26 with approximately 10.365 kilogrammes of cocaine.

McKenzie had arrived at the John F. Kennedy Airport from Guyana on a Caribbean Airlines flight when he presented two suitcases. An examination of the smaller suitcase revealed a large can, which he said contained diced fruits.

However, the can felt unusually heavy and did not feel as though it contained liquid or syrupy material.

As a result, officials x-rayed the can, which revealed material of a uniform composition rather than pieces of fruit. Further probing revealed a white powdery substance in the can, which later tested positive for cocaine. As a result, McKenzie was placed under arrest.

Authorities then inspected the second suitcase and found two identical cans and each contained cocaine. After waiving his rights, McKenzie told the authorities that he had been given the two suitcases by an individual in Guyana, who offered to pay him to hand over the suitcases to an unknown individual in the United States. He also stated that at the time he believed the suitcases contained diamonds.

McKenzie appeared before Magistrate Judge Vera M. Scanlon and has been remanded to custody.

One day before McKenzie was arrested, Guyanese singer Mark Ferdinand was also busted when he travelled to the US to uplift two suitcases that contained 3.290 kilogrammes of cocaine from another man. Unknown to him, the man, who was named as the courier in court documents, was busted in Aruba and deported to the US, where he told officials Ferdinand had given him the suitcases to transport. Under the supervision of the authorities, the courier contacted Ferdinand, who indicated he would have travelled to the US to uplift the cases and he was promptly arrested at the airport.

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he Guyana Sugar Corporation’s ongoing legal woes with Bedessee Imports Ltd have come to an end as it was found that the latter is legally entitled to use the mark of Demerara Gold on its products in North America.

A statement on GuySuCo’s website said “Going forward, it is expected that Bedessee will continue to use the mark on cane sugar products within Canada, Mexico and the United States, whereas GuySuCo will continue to use the mark elsewhere in the world.”

The state-owned corporation said it is “satisfied” with the outcome stating that Bedessee was the first to use the mark Demerara Gold on cane sugar products in Canada and the United States.

The announcement by GuySuCo was made quietly with the corporation posting a brief statement on its website’s media page which had not been updated since 2010. The corporation did not provide any official press release as has become the norm for disseminating information that the corporation wishes to share.

Bedessee and GuySuCo have been at odds since 2010 when the former sued the latter and the Government of Guyana over the trademark.

According to a ruling in 2010 by Canadian Judge G.R. Strathy “moving rapidly forward well into the 20th century”, Bedessee’s un-contradicted evidence is that it has been using the name ‘Demerara Gold’ as a trademark for sugar and other

products in Canada and the United States since at least 1984.

On the other hand GuySuCo’s evidence is that, prior to 2003, its marketing was relatively unsophisticated.

“It sold sugar for export primarily in the Caribbean region, and the sugar was sold ‘nameless’ in unlabeled 50 kg. bags with unsophisticated packaging.”

It was in April 2003, according to the judge GuySuCo launched its first branded sugar for the retail trade, which it called ‘Demerara Gold’, the same name used by Bedessee.

According to the background of the case, as provided in the decision seen by this newspaper in 2010, Bedessee Imports Ltd was founded by Lionel Bedessee, who went to Canada from Guyana in 1971.

Then it was difficult to find Caribbean foods in Ontario and Bedessee began to import food from that region. In 1977, he started a retail store selling Caribbean food on Queen Street West in Toronto and from that store, the business has grown and prospered to the extent that at present it operates from a 46,000 square foot warehouse and manufacturing facility in Scarborough. Bedessee Imports Inc. was incorporated on September 23, 1985 to carry on the same business in the United States. It has a warehouse in Brooklyn, New York and a wholesale outlet in Florida, both of which are now managed by the founder’s sons.

Karawab residents urge phone companies to install towers in community - tired of climbing trees to make calls

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ESIDENTS of Karawab community in the Upper Pomeroon River are calling on the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph company [GT&T] and Digicel to install towers in their community, so they could easily access signals to make calls.According to reports, residents who live in the village, which is located some 75 miles from Charity, have to climb some 20 feet up a tree to make phone calls.

Councillor of the village council, Ms. Shirley Miguel said residents have nailed several pieces of board on a tree in the village cemetery to make a ladder so as to climb to the required height to make phone calls. She said a wooden platform is also built in the tree so residents can stand or sit and make their calls.

According to the councilor, the cemetery has become a hotspot for making phone calls in the night. She said the tree is filled with young people, especially lovers who want to make “special” calls late in the night.She said anyone who wants a phone call- whether young or old- climb the makeshift ladder to the top of the tree. According to the councilor, no one considers the cost or danger of climbing.

She said teachers, health workers, students, housewives, farmers, councillors and even pregnant women climb the tree

daily to make phone calls.

One teacher of the Karawab primary school said she had climbed the tree while she was eight months pregnant to make a phone call one afternoon. According to the teacher, she badly needed to make the call and didn’t even think about the danger.

Councillor Miguel said the community has a population of some 762 persons.

Residents said the GT&T and Digicel companies must be blamed for not looking at their community in terms of phone and internet services. They said in this age of technology why should residents of Karawab have to climb a tree 20 feet high to make phone calls. Residents are calling on the two phone companies to take immediate action to correct the situation. (Rajendra Prabhulall)

A resident climbs the tree to make a phone call at Karawab, Pomeroon River

Caribbean Star Newspaper

March 6-12, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

March 6-12, 2015

World News Highlights

ing in a coup in 1987.

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria - At least 45 people were killed by suspected Boko Haram militants at dawn on Tuesday in a remote village of Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state, sources from the military and authorized vigilante groups told Reuters.

DONETSK, Ukraine - Ivan Lazarenko, one of those pulled out alive after an explosion at a mine near the frontline in rebel-held east Ukraine killed 33 workers, lay in hospital on Thursday, still unconscious and in bandages.

OUAGADOUGOU - Burkina Faso’s interim government has authorized the exhumation and testing of remains from the tomb of former president Thomas Sankara, a step toward a full investigation into his kill-

last month, a church spokeswoman said Thursday.

Union (IPU) said.

BRUSSELS - The European Union said on Thursday it had extended a freeze on the assets of ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich and 17 others suspected of stealing from the Ukrainian state.

KIEV - One Ukrainian soldier was killed and another wounded fighting pro-Russian separatists in the east, a military spokesman said on Thursday, as Kiev accused rebels of increasing violations of a ceasefire deal.

RIYADH - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told Gulf Arab states on Thursday Washington was not seeking a “grand bargain” with Iran, and said a nuclear deal with Tehran would be in their interests.

WASHINGTON - U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner and other senior Republican and Democratic House members urged U.S. President Barack Obama to quickly authorize lethal weapons for Ukraine as it battles Russian-backed separatists, according to a letter released on Thursday.

LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The proportion of women MPs in parliaments around the world has doubled in the past 20 years, but a “significant brake” in progress in 2014 means new ways of increasing their number must be found, the Inter-Parliamentary

TORONTO - North Korea has detained the head pastor of one of Canada’s largest congregations, who went missing during a regular humanitarian mission

MOSCOW - It may have been the last note Boris Nemtsov ever wrote, a hurried scrawl in blue pen on a plain white sheet of A4 paper.

KIEV - One Ukrainian soldier was killed and another wounded fighting pro-Russian separatists in the east, a military spokesman said on Thursday, as Kiev accused rebels of increasing violations of a ceasefire deal.

WASHINGTON - U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner and other senior Republican and Democratic House members urged U.S. President Barack Obama to quickly authorize lethal weapons for Ukraine as it battles Russian-backed separatists, according to a letter released on

Thursday.

TORONTO - North Korea has detained the head pastor of one of Canada’s largest congregations, who went missing during a regular humanitarian mission last month, a church spokeswoman said Thursday.

HAVANA - High-ranking Colombian military officers joined Colombian peace talks for the first time on Thursday, sitting across the table from rebel commanders they had opposed on the battlefield and trying to negotiate a ceasefire.

CAIRO - Egypt replaced its interior minister on Thursday with a retired general who has experience combating religious extremism as the country fights radical Islamist militants seeking to topple the Cairo government.

Kamla plans motion of no confidence against Trinidad opposition leader

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Tuesday March 3, 2015, CMC – The coalition People’s Partnership government says it will file a motion of no confidence against Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley as the campaign for the 2015 general election unofficially kicked off here on Monday night.

“I have instructed the Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives in the Parliament to file a motion of no confidence against the Leader of the Opposition over Dr. (Keith) Rowley’s failure and refusal to disclose the fact that Mr. (David) West was a potential witness for him in support of his defence in a pending defamation lawsuit brought by the former attorney general,” Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar told a public meeting of her ruling United National Congress (UNC) on Monday night.

“I have also instructed our lawyers to advise on whether Dr. Rowley’s silence, misrepresentation, violated the provisions of the Integrity in Public Life Act so as to justify an investigation by the Integrity Commission. Our lawyers will advise whether there is a prima facie case to show that Dr. Rowley is in breach of the Integrity in Public Life Act,” she added.

Prime Minister Persad Bissessar dismissed her attorney general Anand Ramlogan and her national security minister Gary Griffith following the disclosure by the police that they had

launched an investigation into possible charges of perverting the course of justice against Ramlogan.

The police probe was sparked by Griffith indicating that he had been asked by the then attorney general to get West, the director of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) to withdraw a witness statement in support of Rowley in a defamation suit bright against him by Ramlogan.

Prime Minister Persad Bissessar has been calling for West’s removal from the post in light of the allegations and had also written President Anthony Carmona on establishing an independent commission to probe West.

Former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj has rubbished the moves by Prime Minister Persad Bissessar and instead has also called fo a police probe into three other senior government ministers arising out of the attempt to get West to withdraw his witness statement.

Prime Minister Persad Bissessar told party supporters that she would soon announce the date for the general election that must be held no later than September this year, but that her administration still had a lot of work to complete.

“You will have to wait a little while longer because we have a lot more work to complete before that date is presented to you. We have not started the screening process but there is no hurry. We will do that at the right time.

PRIME MINISTER KAMLA PERSAD BISSESSAR “We have not nominated any candidate for any constituency. We will only do so after we consult with you and with all the executives in every constituency. When we make the decisions, then we will want you all to work with us to ensure victory,” she told supporters at a schhol in the La Horquetta/Talparo constituency, east of here.

The main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) has already started screening and announcing candidates to contest the 41 seats at stake in the general election.

She told supporters that Rowley had over the last five years nor demonstrated leadership qualities adding “we must not let them get into office because the 84-plus schools that we are building now should they come into office, they will not open them.

“They will close them down. They will not complete them. The Children’s Hospital that we are building in Couva will not be completed by them. The South Campus will not be completed.

The Tennis Centre in Tacarigua, they will not open because they would have been projects of the Partnership.”

Caribbean Star Newspaper

March 6-12, 2015

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Guyana has lowest level of police trust in the Americas - 2014 Survey

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A Mentor and A Guru

ai Sita Ram. My name is Rick Heeralall and I am blessed member for the Naujavaan Mandalee Youth Group of The Shaanti Bhavan Mandir.

I would like to talk about something we need in life today. As time goes on, social media, bad friends, bad parenting, and other things have caused many kids to go on the wrong track in life. This is why kids need a mentor or a Guru that could guide them in life. What is a mentor or Guru? The definition of a mentor and Guru is someone who is a fountain of positive wisdom, whether he or she is a spiritual teacher, or a coach. Anyone you look up to who guides you in a positive way can be considered a mentor or a Guru. Currently, our very own Pandit Manoj Jadubans is reading a great Katha on the topic of “A student and a teacher”. In a quick summary we are learning that Garuda is the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. Garuda is described as an Eagle, one of the boldest and most beautiful of birds. The teacher or Guru was a crow called Kaakabhushundi.

The teacher was not as attractive as the student. As pandit told us, this part between Garuda and Kaakabhushundi shows us that being a mentor and Guru has nothing to do with how smart you are. Overall, smartness, beauty, social status, etc. do not make you a good or bad mentor.

As mentioned above, a mentor or Guru is someone who puts you on the right track in life. A mentor or Guru can be anyone. They can be a teacher at school, a parent or a friend. God has blessed all of us with the knowledge we need to help our fellow brothers and sis-

ters. This is why one of the best things you can do to serve God is to serve your fellow man. This is called Seva (service). This is explained in our group’s motto, “The hands that serve are holier than the lips that pray”. I am fortunate to have many mentors and gurus. They are Pandit Manoj, Aunty Ravina, and Aunty Rita. I look up to them because they have taught me to be humble and have shown me things I never thought possible. I have learnt public speaking, music, singing, acting, etc. I want them to know that I love them very much and I am very blessed to have them in my life. I appreciate all of their hard work and extra efforts. We need to understand that every day kids are doing bad things and they are going nowhere in life. If you know you’re in bad company, or know someone who is, let them know or tell someone. Join clubs at school or after school programs. Form bonds and make friends with individuals that have the same goals as you.

As you journey through life, I promise you will find someone you can call your mentor or Guru, someone who will guide you in life. This world is filled with both bad and good people. The few good people will save you from the negative things in life. Pandit Manoj said last week that we can’t wait until we are eighty years old to do something in life.

Why wait? You will regret it. Topics like this are preached everyday but people don’t learn from it. If a mentor or Guru is in your life, you will be reminded that the clock is ticking. With the guidance of a guru or mentor you will easily achieve your goals in life!

he results of the Latin American Public Opinion Project 2014 National survey of Guyana have indicated that Guyana has the lowest level of police trust in the region.

This was revealed today as the United States Embassy in Guyana hosted an information session to inform the Guyanese public of the findings of the 2014 Americas Barometer survey conducted by the Vanderbilt University.

Presenting the findings of the survey of a representative sample of 1,558 Guyanese, lead researcher for the Americas Barometer, Dr. Elizabeth Zechmeister explained that Guyanese were asked to what extent they trust the Guyana Police Force.

The Scale used was 0 – 100, with 0 being the least trust and 100 being the most, and Guyana recorded a score of 35.3, ranking the lowest out of the countries of the Americas which were surveyed.

In this 2014 survey which was conducted in Guyana during the period June 4 – July 12, 2014, the results showed that trust in the police decreased over time.

The survey revealed that between 2012 and 2014, trust in the police in Guyana decreased by 10 points on a 0

FLASHBACK: Alleged police assault on Timehri Resdient Vanda Thomas Pitt in 2014 to 100 scale.

Moreover, the results of the survey indicate that trust in the police in Guyana has declined among all racial/ethnic groups, but principally among Afro-Guyanese.

In 2012, on a scale of 0 to 100, trust in the police among the Afro-Guyanese stood at 41.5, while in the 2014 survey, it stood at 24.3 The 2014 Americas Barometer is based on national surveys from 28 countries in the Americas and measures values, behaviors and socio-economic conditions in the region using national probability samples of voting-age adults.

Four foreigners on human trafficking charges, police promise more arrests

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ASTRIES, St. Lucia, Wednesday March 4, 2015, CMC – Police say more people are expected to be arrested in relation to a scam that resulted in a group of at least 20 nationals from Nepal and the Philippines being left stranded in St. Lucia.

Police have already charged four people, three from Indian and the other from Bangladesh, in the scam after members of the group claimed that they had responded to an offer of education in hospitality, cruise and business management, from Lambirds Academy based in northern town of Gros Islet.

The Asians said they each paid $US9, 000 each for the courses and $US13,000 each to get to St Lucia, but on arrival here were told by law enforcement authorities that they had been duped.

The police have named the four arrested as Iftekhar Ahmed Shams, Koushal Kumar Batukbhai Chadasama, Ashwin Kanji Patel and Gurjeet Singh Vilkhu. The all gave addresses here in St. Lucia and will re-appear in court on March 11.

Deputy Police Commissioner Frances Henry told a news conference Tuesday more persons are likely to be charged soon and that during the police investigations, 60 individuals of Indian ethnicity have been questioned by the authorities.

“I can say with much confidence you will see that other charges being preferred against the individuals we have in custody and other persons we are seek-

SOME OF THE STRANDED NEPAL AND PHILLIPINE STUDENTS ing after,” she said.

Police said they are also in possession of a number of documents that could assist in their investigations.

Henry said that the number of foreign nationals coming from Nepal and the Philippines did not immediately raise a red flag, because there are many persons who come here to pursue studies at various institutions.

She also explained why the four men were charged with human trafficking offences and not fraud.

“Conditions under which the purported students lived were beyond what was expected for human dignity, they have been moved to a location that we identified to be in keeping with what human beings are expected to be living at,” she said.

The deputy top cop said that police would be engaging international partners and agencies, in an effort to ascertain whether the scam has roots outside of St. Lucia.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

March 6-12, 2015

Cherish the people that were there for you when no one else was — Vp Premier WEEKLY HOROSCOPE

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Compared to the rest of the week, Monday through Wednesday are going to be the days you want to remember. Maybe not days for the history books, but you’re certainly solid-gold happy with the abundance of energy and creativity you sense around you. Or maybe you’re embroiled in professional sports. Anyway, you’re grinning from ear to ear until Thursday — a day of obligations and details. It’s a great day to do something to get fit, though, and a great day for athletic games. This weekend is relatively quiet, which will likely come as a relief.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22)

Why settle for anything less than the biggest and the best? That’s your opinion on Monday. And Tuesday and Wednesday. All big days in the spending department. Make sure you can afford whatever doodad it is you have your heart set on, and then enjoy your indulgence. Thursday is a great day — the lines of communication are strong, you’re feeling social, the brain is working nicely — and you’re happy and relaxed on Friday. Plans and details seem taken care of by the end of the week, but then Saturday comes along and everything goes out the window. Chances are, it will be a frantic weekend.

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)

As you watch the pompous people parade down the street on Monday, you consider them and decide to be tolerant. And anyway, there are times when you have been mistaken about others. In any case,

by Tuesday you’ll be spending time around people you know like the back of your hand. People you love. Romance (and caressing in particular) figures into your life on Thursday. And Friday, companionship and attraction remain key themes. The routine of your weekend — especially following such a jam-packed week — seems more fun and stimulating than usual.

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22)

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

You surround yourself with like-minded people, and this week, your crowd is feeling especially cerebral. The conversation shoots into abstract directions and even disagreements, in these settings, are entertaining. A light debate on Tuesday or Wednesday puts you on your toes, and keeps you on your toes for the next few days.

Thursday and Friday you are careful and quick, although make sure not to let your face fall into a sour-looking expression if you stare off into space — someone might misread you. This weekend: romance, energy and a ton of new projects.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

It may be sweltering outside, but you’re burning up inside, too. With excitement. About everything. Share this incredible warmth of yours with your friends and hug them tight.

How you ever got to feeling this goofy is beyond you, but you’re happy to enjoy it. Wednesday is a creative day, but by Thursday everything changes — your mood is still up, but your focus has changed. You’re introverted and thinking financial thoughts. You’ll stay this way for about a day or two — until the weekend, that is, which returns you to hugging your friends, jumping up and down and kissing people enthusiastically.

The underdog has captured your imagination on Monday. You were a fan of someone else, but recent information has led you to change your mind. You have the capacity to be flexible, which is a good quality right now. The only drawback to the flurry of excitement at the beginning of the week is that it will leave you exhausted by Wednesday afternoon. That’s right about the time your week really starts to get good. Thursday and Friday are terrific, top-of-the-summit days. Unfortunately, Saturday brings your fearless streak to an end. Indecision hampers you this weekend, but only somewhat.

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

For some reason, when there’s a question at the beginning of the week, all heads look to you for the answer. You are tapped into the bigger picture right now, and friends, as well as perfect strangers, can sense it. Tuesday and Wednesday are great days too. The details? Don’t worry about them — you’re operating on a higher plane. Thursday and Friday, show off your talent for listening to others. The way to be social is to ask a lot of questions. This is the kind of weekend when you may find yourself blown away by some incredible art or architecture, and flirting comes into play on Saturday.

A challenge can be invigorating, but on Monday and Tuesday, the challenge you face stresses you out. You almost feel like demonstrating how stressed you are, but that would be flamboyant of you — and flamboyance is not the way to go right now. Watch yourself on Wednesday as well. Thursday returns you to happier waters, and a couple of unexpectedly free hours in the afternoon on Friday give you the time to make plans. Decisions might be tough over the weekend, so the fewer you have to make, the better. Don’t feel like you have to exhaust yourself Saturday night. If the mood strikes you, stay home.

If you are traveling at all Monday through Wednesday, luck is on your side. There’s a first-class upgrade with your name on it. Cheerfulness abounds the first half of the week, which is why Thursday — when a run-in with an authority figure or older family member rattles your cage — will come as such a shock. Friday won’t be a banner day either. But this weekend? This weekend, luck is on your side again. You are back in your comfort zone, and your friends are delighted to see you. Sunday would be a fine time to make your life goals known to a new friend.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Monday might not be the easiest day in the whole world, but don’t take anything to heart. What you’re seeing may not be what’s actually going on. Still, resources are tight, and on Tuesday or Wednesday someone may ask you for your last piece of gum. Whether or not you give it to them is up to you. Connecting with a family member or old friend centers you on Thursday — the telephone is amazing, isn’t it? — and Friday is packed with accomplishments and the resulting pride and good feelings. The weekend sees you thinking nonstop about your career.

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

A strange contradiction presents itself on Monday; pursue it, and you may stumble upon a discovery. Experiments and extraordinary strides figure into Tuesday and Wednesday as well — you feel a bit like a mad scientist making a series of breakthroughs — but by Thursday you’re more careful, taking care and covering the details. You know as well as anyone that oftentimes things are not as they seem. Keep this in mind on Friday. And this weekend, someone who seems to have little to do with your life will tell you a story you find endlessly fascinating.

Amazing what you can learn from other people.

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20)

As long as you mind your own business at the beginning of the week, you’ll be spared any unnecessary drama. Not that you mind drama. But you have enough things going on in your own life right now to let yourself be distracted. Keep your mind from wandering, especially on Wednesday. On Thursday, maintaining good relationships is more important than knowing all the facts. Trust your friends. Believe in your gut. On Saturday, a small financial crisis encourages you to collect on an old debt — as well you should. There’s a chance that whoever owes you something merely forgot.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

March 6-12, 2015

31

Entertainment News

Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Rani Mukerji awarded for highlighting Grover give each other a miss women's safety at recent wedding

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ipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover missing each other at Tulsi Kumar's wedding could either be an orchestrated stunt to convey they are just good friends or an indication of a probable lover's tiff.

While reports of their apparent relationship has been making news ever since their steamy stint on celluloid, the duo have not come clean on it yet, despite pictures of their vacation in Goa going viral. Coming back to the Tulsi Kumar reception, the first to arrive on the venue was Karan, who stayed for about half-an-hour. Bipasha arrived 20 minutes

A

Shraddha Kapoor's birthday: Wishes pour in from B-Town

ctress Shraddha Kapoor turned 26 Tuesday and Bollywood celebrities like Shreya Ghoshal, Priyanka Chopra and Sonal Chauhan wished the best for her. Here's what the celebrities tweeted about the 'Ek Villain' actress, whose name was trending on Twitter on her special day.

Shreya Ghoshal: Happy bday @ShraddhaKapoor wish you loads of happiness and success:) Priyanka Chopra: Happy bday @ShraddhaKapoor !! May u have a phenomenal year...Love and smiles always.

Sonal Chauhan: Here's wishing @ ShraddhaKapoor a verrrrry happy bday!!!

Lots of love happiness n more success to u girl.

Milap Zaveri: Ayeeeee heroine! Hap-

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after Karan's departure. Their common manager had announced the duo won't be seen together that evening. "I can't handle two celebs at the same time in the same party. So Bipasha will come after Karan leaves," she said. Onlookers were quick to roll up their eyes at this remark.

ute in a small way. This award is special as it recognises my contribution to cinema in a different manner," said Rani.

Known for her fearless rehabilitative actions towards the homeless and abandoned citizens, especially women and children, women's rights activist Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury, Chairperson National Institute for Gender Justice said, "The powerful and fearless performance of Rani Mukerji in Mardaani idealises the role of police in prevention of crime against women, especially trafficking of girl child for commercial sexual exploitation. I feel she symbolizes the pride of uniform and inspires change. That's the reason we decided to felicitate her for excellence in artistic performance."

Cara Delevingne dating St. Vincent? pyyyy birthday @ShraddhaKapoor have a super duper birthday aur khushiyaan hamesha teri "galliyaan" mein ghoome!

Ritesh Sidhwani: Happy birthday @ ShraddhaKapoor wish you a year of happiness peace success & loads of love.

Have a Rocking Year.

Lawrence to play war photographer in Steven Spielberg's movie

ennifer Lawrence has boarded Warner Bros 'What I Do: A Photographer's Life of Love and War' which will be directed by Steven Spielberg. Based on the memoir by Lynsey Addario, the project was being eyed by a number of Hollywood bigwigs as a starring or production vehicle but Warner finally managed to win the right.

Addario travelled to war-torn countries like Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq and was part of the New York Times team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2009 for International Reporting for her work in Waziristan, reported Variety. She was jailed for several days in Libya in 2011.

Spielberg is currently busy with the post-production work on his upcoming

ani Mukerji was felicitated for the kind of work she has been doing to create awareness about child trafficking in New Delhi by Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury, the chairperson for the National Institute of Gender Justice.

The past awardees include Anna Hazare, Pratibha Patil, Pandit Jasraj and Mahashweta Devi. Rani is the first ever film personality to be felicitated with this prestigious award.

Rani is being honoured not just for her incredible work in cinema but also for the kind of work she has been doing to create awareness about child trafficking. It's been a natural extension of her character in Pradeep Sarkar's sleeper hit Mardaani, where Senior Inspector (crime branch) Shivani Shivaji Roy tracked down child trafficking cells and protected the girl child like no other.

"It's really heartening to see that not only has the film been loved by audiences worldwide, but it has transcended the realm of filmmaking and become something that inspires the people who have been tirelessly working for years for the cause of child trafficking, and are the real heroes. I feel humbled to meet these people and I am glad that I am able to contrib-

M

odel-actress Cara Delevingne is reportedly dating singer St. Vincent. According to a source, Delevingne was spotted kissing Vincent at the Universal Music after party on February 25, reports aceshowbiz.com. "They made no effort to hide their affections," The Sun newspaper quoted the source as saying.

Delevingne reportedly met Vincent in December last year and has since been following her around the globe on her tour. The 22-year-old attended Vincent's seven concerts including in Tulsa and Tokyo in the last four months. Also, De-

levingne recently tattoed Vincent's real name initial "AC" on her ring finger. She revealed the tattoo on Instagram photograph she shared as a hint at Beyonce Knowles collaboration.

'50 Shades' rakes-in 'record' $486.2M at international box-office Cold War thriller, starring Tom Hanks while Lawrence is shooting for David O Russell's 'Joy'. Other bidders for the project included Working Title Films with Reese Witherspoon starring, Darren Aronofsky with Natalie Portman as the lead and The Weinstein Company with George Clooney and Grant Heslov involved and Margot Robbie starring.

'F

ifty Shades of Grey' has set new records at the international box-office after cashing-in almost 500 million dollars, it has been reported.

The Sam Taylor Johnson directed erotic movie earned 36 million dollars in 59 territories and now has a total of 338.4 million dollars in offshore play, Deadline. com reported.

(L to R) Sam Taylor–Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson & E.L. James

32

March 6-12, 2015

Taylor Swift: All Over Calvin Harris at BRIT Awards After Party?!

Caribbean Star Newspaper Cameron Diaz says everyone needs sex for healthy life

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he 'Sex Tape' actress told UK Cosmopolitan in a cover interview that every individual should do exercise to keep themselves healthy, and people who look out for some reasons to walk away from it and states that their body doesn't allow it but actually their mind restrains them of doing so, the Mirror reported.

The 42-year-old actress added that she even treats herself sometimes with a handful of berries and some cake, but instructed the readers not have the whole cake, and have some pieces of it.

E

arlier this week, Taylor Swift complained that no one wants to date her.

The same day, Lady Gaga promised Taylor she'd meet her "Prince Charming."

Now, it seems that Gaga might be some sort of freaky fairy godmother, as no sooner did the Mother Monster make her prediction than dudes started beating down Taylor's door. Quality dudes, too, not those John Mayer-types.

First, we learned that Taylor is dating Tobias Jesso, Jr. But like all Taylor dating rumors, that one won't be confirmed until she writes a breakup song about him.

Now, there's chatter of a different love interest in Taylor's life, and this one could come with a whole heap of complications.

UK tabloid Heat Magazine (we've never

heard of it, either) claims that Taylor was spotted getting "very cozy" with DJ and producer Calvin Harris during last week's BRIT Awards.

The magazine claims Swifty showed off her "sexy moves" (we're believing this story less and less with each detail), as she and Harris danced to Jay Z's "99 Problems."

Yeah, there are a whole slew of reasons that we suspect this "report" is BS, but we'll just stick to the top two: Harris has a long-term girlfriend, and Taylor ain't no homewrecker.

Taylor loves to dance, but there aren't a lot of "sexy moves" in her repertoire.

We're pretty certain that despite Gaga's prophecy, Taylor is still very much enjoying her "cats and female BFFs" phase.

Michelle Rodriguez apologizes for her comments about minority actors

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ichelle Rodriguez has apologized for commenting that minority actors should "stop stealing all the white people's superheroes."

The 'Avatar' actress said that she has a tendency to speak without a filter and her remarks were taken out of context, E! Online reported.

In a three-minute video posted on

Facebook, Rodriguez also mentioned that people in the industry should be more creative and try to make new superheroes instead of fitting their cultures into existing ones. Rodriguez went on to point out how there "are many cultures in Hollywood that are not white that can come up with their own mythology.

'Furious 7' set for multi-lingual nation-wide release in India on April 02

'F

ast and Furious 7' is all set for a multi-lingual; English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, nation-wide release in India on April 02, 2015.

According to Universal Pictures India, joining fan favourites Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson and Michelle Rodriguez for the seventh movie in line of the sleek franchise will be Hollywood star Jason Statham and Indian actor Ali Fazal

in a special appearance among others.

James Wan directs this chapter of the hugely successful series that also welcomes back favorites Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges and Lucas Black. They are joined by international action stars new to the franchise including Djimon Hounsou, Tony Jaa, Ronda Rousey, Nathalie Emmanuel and Kurt Russell.

March 6-12, 2015 Caribbean Star Newspaper Rihanna and Leonardo DiCaprio: Who's the Desperate, Clingy One in the Relationship?

The fact that neither of them has denied it speaks volumes, and eye witness accounts of Rihannardo canoodling at various public events are everywhere.

Is one of them already getting clingy, though? You'd be surprised ...

The A-listers even spent Valentine's Day together, pouring on PDA at various Hollywood hot spots and quickly proving this rumored romance is an actual one.

But while Leo and Rih may seem like a match made in heaven, sources say one of them slams on the brakes whenever there's talk of things progressing.

Beyond the friends-with-benefits

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either party has come right out and confirmed it yet, but at this point, it's a well-known truth that Rihanna and Leonardo DiCaprio are hooking up.

Blow-by-blow account of controversies involving Salman Khan

B

ollywood actor Salman Khan may be the heartthrob of millions of his fans. From his acting debut in 1988 film Biwi Ho To Aisi to his 2014 hit film Kick, the actor has spent about 27 years in the industry. But there have been a series of controversies that the handsome Khan has found himself engulfed in.

Here's a blow-by-blow account of the same...

stage, that is.

Sources tell TMZ that Rihanna, who just celebrated her 27th birthday, seems to want more from the relationship, but the silver screen star just ain't havin' it.

One witness claims that at one recent party where the two were spotted, RiRi was seen following DiCap, 40, through the crowd like a hungry puppy.

"She's the baddest b--ch at the party but she's following him everywhere," reported one onlooker, and truly, that is a sight one never thought one would see.

Over the weekend, Leo and Rihanna were photographed together, but Leo is

33

giving off the body language of a man who's been busted with his side chick.

We can understand the famously private actor wanting to keep things on the down-low as he always does, but at this point, the cat is already out of the bag.

We're not sure why these two persist in being so secretive when the whole world already knows they're bangin' and have been for some time now.

Who's to say what goes on in the minds of Leo and RiRi. Maybe just doesn't want to be embarrassed the next time DiCaprio leaves a club with 20 women.

34

Caribbean Star Newspaper

March 6-12, 2015

Caribbean Connections

Brutal murder of 14-year-old student draws condemnation from Jamaica government

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INGSTON, Jamaica, Wednesday March 4, 2015, CMC – The Jamaica government has condemned the brutal murder of a 14-year-old student who was hacked to death and her mutilated body dumped a few meters from her home on Tuesday.

Youth and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna in condemning the murder, said such attacks have no place in “our society” and is calling on residents in the community to share any information they may have with the security forces.

“The Ministry of Youth and Culture, condemns in the strongest possible terms the level of violence brought against this innocent child as she got ready for school. There

can be no justification for such unspeakable savagery against a 14 year-old.”

Police reports indicate that Kayalicia Simpson, a grade eight student from the farming community of Newlands, went outside her house as she prepared for school.

But her body was found half an hour after she left the house in bushes close to the oneroom wooden structure in which she lived.

Education Minister Ronald Thwaites said that the community must assist in bringing Kayalicia’s killers to justice, and Opposition Leader Andrew Holness urged the government to “move quickly” to address the spate of attacks against women and children.

“We cannot continue in a situation where

so many of our children, especially young girls, are the victims of these gruesome acts.

We have seen too many.

“This is not just a matter for the police as we, as Jamaicans, must play our role in turning in all the criminals, especially those that prey on our women and children. The Government is failing in its role to protect our children as it seems, instead of getting better, the situation is getting worse,” Holness said. In a statement, the Child Development Agency (CDA) said that the the murder comes a short period after the killing of several youngsters since the start of 2015.

It said this is an indication that communities need to deepen co-operation with State

agencies on stronger action to curb and eliminate violence against our children.

“It is time that all well-thinking Jamaicans take a stand to reject violence against children in all its forms, by better guiding and protecting our youngsters, instilling in them proper values to make right choices, and exposing the perpetrators of these vile criminal acts so they can face the full force of the law. As long as some citizens treat child abuse as normal and acceptable, our children will be in grave danger of losing not only their childhood, but their very lives,” the CDA urged. The CDA said it is “providing counselling and other forms of support to those directly affected by this vicious act”.

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Meanwhile, the Canadian dollar ended training at J$92.32 up from J$92.23, while the British pound sterling ended trading at J$177.15 down from J$177.62.

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March 6-12, 2015 Caribbean Star Newspaper 14-y-o St Thomas girl butchered, dumped near house

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HE farming community of Newlands, St Thomas, was yesterday rocked to its core following the macabre murder of a 14-year-old girl by criminals who hacked the teenager to death and then dumped her mutilated body metres from her house. Police reports are that about 5:00 am the grade eight student, Kayalicia Simpson, went outside her house as she prepared for school. It is unclear what prompted her to leave the house, but about half-anhour after doing so her body was found lying face down in bushes close to the one-room wooden structure in which she lived. "The body had several chop wounds to the back of the head and neck," a police source told the Jamaica Observer.

Relatives said that she was in her school uniform when she was killed.

"Have mercy, how people can be so cruel? To come see me niece lay down out there so, still in her uniform blouse," a relative was overheard saying.

"All now we can't believe. The little girl go to her bed sound, so we were really left puzzled when we wake up and could not find her," said Sherika Sinclair, a cousin of the slain child.

She added that her world came crashing down when she heard that Kayalicia, who had dreams of becoming a teacher, was found dead.

Sinclair made the comment metres away from where a small group of residents gathered, whispering among themselves as news of the killing circulated. The gruesomeness of the girl's death triggered shock and anger in the normally quiet, rural community which sits near the town of Yallahs in the eastern parish.

As the cries went out in the community, 53-year-old Eloise Brown, the grandmother of the dead child sat on the step of her neighbour's house and rocked back and forth, holding a piece of cloth as if it was her granddaughter.

"Look how dem kill off mi grandpickney.

Me nuh walk and trouble people; she was a girl who took to her books and this is what dem do har," said Brown as her voice trembled.

The St Thomas police yesterday said that they would be steadfast in their search from the girl's killer(s).

"We will not leave any stone unturned in the search for the person responsible for such an act," a senior police officer told the Observer. No motive has been established for the killing.

In the meantime, Kayalicia's death has drawn howls of condemnation. Opposition Leader Andrew Holness urged the Government to "move quickly" to address the spate of attacks against women and children, saying that condolences cannot "bring back our children".

"We cannot continue in a situation where so many of our children, especially young girls, are the victims of these gruesome acts. We have seen too many. This is not just a matter for the police as we, as Jamaicans, must play our role in turning in all the criminals, especially those that prey on our women and children. The Government is failing in its role to protect our children as it seems, instead of getting better, the situation is getting worse," Hol-

ness said as he challenged every Jamaican to turn over criminals they know to the police.

Education Minister Ronald Thwaites said that the community must assist in bringing Kayalicia's killers to justice, while the Child Development Agency (CDA) said that the wanton assault on the nation's children continues to be a blot on the collective conscience of the society.

The fact that this murder comes such a short time after the killing of several youngsters since the start of 2015 is an indication that communities need to deepen co-operation with State agencies on stronger action to curb and eliminate violence against our children, the CDA said

in a statement.

"It is time that all well-thinking Jamaicans take a stand to reject violence against children in all its forms, by better guiding and protecting our youngsters, instilling in them proper values to make right choices, and exposing the perpetrators of these vile criminal acts so they can face the full force of the law. As long as some citizens treat child abuse as normal and acceptable, our children will be in grave danger of losing not only their childhood, but their very lives," the CDA urged.

The CDA said that its first responders are on the ground in St Thomas "providing counselling and other forms of support to those directly affected by this vicious act".

35

Eloise Brown (right), grandmother of slain 14-year-old Kayalicia Simpson, is comforted by a neighbour after hearing news of the gruesome murder.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper Google submits communication to Trinidad police on “emailgate” scandal March 6-12, 2015

ORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Wednesday March 4, 2015, CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) says it has received communication from the internet service provider, Google, as investigations continue into allegations that Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar and some of her senior government ministers were involved in a sinister plot to undermine the judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and the media.

Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley had in 2013 told legislators that he had received in December 2012, a total of 31 emails, from a “whistle blower” indicating how operatives within the government had sought to undermine those institutions. He said he had passed them on to the Office of the President.

The government has denied the allegations and in some instances sought legal remedies.

The TTPS in a statement said that it had received the Google communication through the Central Authority of Trinidad and Tobago and that “the information contained in the communication is voluminous in nature and the alleged e-mails are being analysed by the TTPS to determine their authenticity.

“Commissioner of Police (Ag), Stephen Williams, has given the assurance the outcome of the investigation will be made

public in due course.

“The Commissioner of Police recognises the importance of the issue to the general public and accordingly advises that the matter is being treated with the level of urgency required and expected,” the release said.

The announcement by the police came less than 24 hours after Prime Minister Persad Bissessar told a public meeting of her United National Congress (UNC) that she wanted the police to wrap up the investigations into so called “emailgate” scandal.

“I call upon the acting Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions to indicate what the position is in this regard. I’ve also asked my lawyers to make such representation on my behalf to their offices.

“If the e-mail information sent from the US authorities has in fact been received directly from Google by the police concerning my e-mail account and those of other ministers, then those investigations must move with dispatch, must move swiftly to conclude that investigation having regard of the serious nature of the allegations.

“I ask that the findings be made public as a matter of urgency so the damage done to our country’s reputation can be restored,” she said, warning Rowley to be prepared for more legal action.

In May 2013, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Roger Gaspard, recused himself from the investigation and delegated the responsibility of advising the police in the matter to his deputy Joan Honore-Paul Honore-Paul.

Gaspard had also recommended an international forensic investigation into “emailgate”.

Rowley had told Parliament that the emails, dating back to September 2012, were from people concerned with the government’s defence of the early proclamation of Section 34 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act that had the effect of allowing people, whose trial has not started after a 10-year period to walk free and a verdict of not guilty entered against their names.

Critics say that the clause was aimed at supporting businessmen Ish Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson, who have been described as financiers of the ruling United National Congress (UNC), the biggest partner in the four-member coalition People’s Partnership government.

The two are facing fraud and laundering charges relating to the re-development of the Piarco International Airport in 2001.

They are also wanted in the United States on a number of related charges.

The government later repealed the sec-

tion and Prime Minister Persad Bissessar dismissed her then justice minister, Hebert Volney, a former High Court judge, on the grounds that he misled Cabinet into believing that the Chief Justice Ivor Archie and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Roger Gaspard, had supported the idea of the early proclamation.

Rowley told legislators that the contents of the email collaborated strongly with events that unfolded in the country in 2012 as the government sought to defend its decision over the controversial legislation and read into the Hansard, the exchange of correspondences between people with email addresses like “anan@ gmail.com, kamlapb@gmail.com, surujrambachan@hotmail.com and garygriffith@hotmail.com purporting to come from senior government ministers and officials.

Prime Minister Persad Bissessar said while the email address was hers, she was not the author, and that she had passed them to the police for investigation.

The emails also linked former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, former national security minister Gary Griffith and the Works and Transport Minister Suruj Rambachan.

The Integrity Commission is also carrying out its own probe into the issue.

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.

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March 6-12, 2015 37 Caribbean Star Newspaper One third of all the marijuana produced in the Caribbean comes from one island

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ONDON, United Kingdom, Wednesday March 4, 2015, CMC – A report by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has found that Jamaica remains the largest illicit producer and exporter of cannabis herb in Central America and the Caribbean.

The INCB 2014 report released here, showed that the island accounts for approximately one third of cannabis herb produced in the Caribbean.

It said that increased production of the drug has been noted in other countries, in particular Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Jamaica has also become a hub for the trafficking of cocaine, owing to the displacement of trafficking routes as a result of the strengthening of drug trafficking countermeasures in Latin America,” the report stated, noting that the problem is compounded by the “fact that Jamaican criminal groups are using the elaborate networks originally established to traffick cannabis and cocaine as well.

The report, which examines the global trade in illegal drugs, noted that in Jamaica, drug trafficking takes place at airports through drug couriers, baggage and air freight and at seaports via containers, cargo vessels, underwater canisters attached to ship hulls, shipping vessels and speedboats.

“Illicit drugs are traded for money, guns and other goods, and much of the proceeds are used to foster criminal activities. The ports of Kingston and Montego Bay, which are used for the bulk movement of containerized shipments of cannabis herb and cocaine to Europe and North America, continue to experience serious issues involving corruption, vio-

Husband of slain Trinidad television journalist charged with murder

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ORT-OFSPAIN, Trinidad, Tuesday March 3, 2015, CMC – The husband of slain television journalist Marcia Henville, who was charged with murder late Saturday, is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. Sheldon Henville was slapped with the charge after investigators consulted with Director of Public Prosecutions, Roger Gaspard. Marcia, 51,the host of TV6’s Point Blank, was killed on the morning of January 23 at her home in St. Augustine. She was stabbed several times all over her body and the bedroom of the townhome was set on fire. Following Marcia’s murder, Sheldon, 40, was admitted to hospital where he was being treated for burns he sustained.

Last Tuesday, he was released into the custody of the police who questioned him about the incident. Marcia who was born and raised Notting Hill, West London, worked at various media houses here before hosting her own show “Point Blank” that showcased the lives of people in depressed areas in Trinidad and Tobago.

lence, intimidation and the circumvention of legal controls.”.

The INCB said that in addition, illicit drugs are often attached to the bottom of shipping vessels destined for Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

It noted that in 2013, Jamaica had the Caribbean’s second-highest reported murder rate, behind the much smaller Saint Kitts and Nevis, with 1,197 homicides, up nine per cent from 1,099 in 2012.

In 2013, the Jamaica government eradicated 247 hectares of cannabis plant, compared with 711 hectares the previous year.

“The total area of cannabis plant cultivation in Jamaica was estimated at 15,000 hectares, out of total arable land of approximately 120,000 hectares. Statistics indicate that 30,900 kg of cannabis were seized in 2013, compared with 66,832 kg in 2012.

“Cannabis trafficking organizations in Jamaica focus on trafficking directly to Canada and the United Kingdom, as well as to the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic and Haiti, for onward shipment to Europe and North America.

“There has also been a significant increase in shipments of cannabis herb to Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Curacao, in some cases in exchange for cocaine trafficked back to Jamaica,” the report stated, adding that “heroin and “ecstasy” have entered the Jamaican domestic market in small amounts only during the past few years”.

It said that with respect to cocaine, official statistics indicate that 1,230 kg of cocaine were seized in Jamaica in 2013,

compared with 338 kg in 2012.

“Organized criminal groups from South and Central America and local groups continue to take advantage of the country’s weak State and police structures.

Corruption, along with porous maritime borders, with isolated beaches and coastal villages, and the country’s status as a popular tourist destination and major container trans-shipment point, further facilitate the tra!cking of illicit drugs between Jamaica and North America, Europe and elsewhere in the Caribbean.”

The report notes that while Barbados is not a major producer of illicit drugs, cannabis cultivation has been found in sugarcane fields, gullies and enclosed yards near private homes.

“Cocaine continues to be trafficked using private boats, cargo vessels, yachts, shipping vessels and “go-fast” boats.

Shipments of illicit drugs may be transferred at sea at predetermined Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates for retrieval by local vessels at sea.”

It said the shipments are later unloaded on deserted beaches in Barbados.

“The majority of cocaine is believed to be sourced from Colombia, trafficked through the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago and/or Guyana before entering Barbados, and then further trafficked to Europe and/or North America. There are no reports of production, trafficking or consumption of methamphetamines or other designer drugs.”

According to the Caribbean Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Programme, Barbados is one of two countries, Suriname being the other, out of seven countries surveyed where the homicide rate, including

gang-related killings, has not increased substantially in the past 12 years.

The report notes that Belize is a trans-shipment country for cocaine and precursor chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs, including synthetic drugs.

In 2012, Belizean authorities seized and destroyed 19.1 tons of cannabis, 156 tons of precursor chemicals, 114.9 kg of cocaine, 1.4 kg of “crack” cocaine and 4.9 kg of crystalline methamphetamine.

Law enforcement entities in Trinidad and Tobago seized 110 kg of cocaine and 3.7 tons of cannabis between January and September 2013. A total of 328,600 mature cannabis plants were destroyed during the same period.

The reported notes that the other Caribbean countries surveyed were Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Jamaica and St. Lucia.

It said that the development and successful implementation of initiatives for the prevention and treatment of drug abuse in Central America and the Caribbean are largely restricted by the limited resources and institutional capacity of countries in the region.

“Given those constraints, governments have had to strike a balance between competing developmental priorities and the need to adopt drug abuse prevention and treatment measures.

“In Central America and the Caribbean, use of cannabis and cocaine remains high; with the exception of amphetamine-type stimulants, the use of other illicit substances remains low. The estimated average prevalence of cocaine in Central America and the Caribbean, at 0.6 per cent and 0.7 per cent, respectively, is higher than the global average,” the report added.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

March 6-12, 2015

CRICKET & Sports

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Gayle admits possibility of Test retirement

est Indies opener Chris Gayle has raised the possibility of retiring from Test cricket if his fragile back cannot cope with the increasing workload in a crammed cricket calendar. Despite previous comments on the format, Gayle made clear that he was still passionate about playing Tests but said that he would assess his future immediately after the World Cup, when he sits down with WICB officials.

“I do [feel passionate about playing Test cricket], to be honest with you,” Gayle said in an interview with Digicel Cricket, in Perth on Tuesday. “It is just that lately this back problem has kind of pushed me away a bit from Test cricket. To be able to go five days, it has been tough. I haven’t sorted my situation yet, which is the back problem. That is another concern ... because I’ve been playing cricket straight on the road and really didn’t get a chance to spend the time and give the back as much time to heal.”

Gayle then spoke about his reluctance to go under the blade. “People say surgery but they say once you have surgery on your back basically your career can be over,” Gayle said. “It would never be the same as well. Lot of thinking then.”

Chris Gayle has played less than half of West Indies’ Tests over the last five years © WICB Asked if there was a chance of him retiring before West Indies’ next Test engagement - a three-Test series at home against England in April - Gayle did not rule that out. “It is a possibility. You never know,” he said. But Gayle stressed that he would not take a big call like that in a hurry. “After the World Cup we will see what happens. Where Chris Gayle will actually

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head. Or you can sit and discuss and work out how we go about playing for West Indies cricket.”

At 35, it is no surprise that Gayle is taking stock of the situation. As far back as 2009, he mentioned the possibility of curtailing his Test career. Having arrived in England for a Test series on the back of a season in the IPL, Gayle - West Indies captain at the time - said he “wouldn’t be so sad” if the five-day format died out in, although he later played down the comments.

He subsequently went on to become the ninth West Indian to have played 100 Tests, although he has not featured consistently in the format. Since March 2010, West Indies have played 41 Tests but Gayle took part in only 18. In the last two years he has played eight of 15 Tests, with his last match being at home against Zimbabwe in September. He could not finish that series owing to the lower back injury which also ruled him out of the Test series in South Africa preceding the World Cup. Recently Gayle and Sunil Narine declined the retainer offered by WICB. It did not surprise many considering both players are much sought after by domestic Twenty20 franchises around the world.

But Gayle admitted that having a heavily packed cricket calendar in the long run cannot be beneficial for players. He agreed that having free time to spend with family and friends was crucial, something administrators had to pay attention to.

“That is important. That is something they can look into for sure, to give people a bit of time back home,” he said. “This is our livelihood. This is our bread and butter still. At the same time you are going to drain yourself, you are not going to get the performances that you will normally see over the years consistently.”

As an example he cited some of the West Indies players who played a whole tour of South Africa before arriving for the World Cup. “Some of the guys have

been away from home for four months now. It has been tough. They played a Test series in South Africa and they leave from South Africa and come straight here . It is going to take a toll on your body. It is a tricky one.”

According to Gayle, if the WICB administrators were serious, there was a way out: sit with the players, communicate and find a solution. Gayle suggested adopting a rotation system for certain players would prove to be useful.

“May be the board can come down and talk to players,” he said. “Have confidence in players to be able to talk honestly about how they feel. If a player says, listen they want a break, don’t take it personally. You can give a player a break. You can do the rotations system as well. I think Australia do that in some formats with their bowlers. We can look into that as well. Give the guys a chance by telling them they won’t lose their place. Because a player says he wants to take a rest it doesn’t mean he thinks he is bigger than the game.”

It remains to be seen whether the West Indies selectors and director of cricket Richard Pybus would be open for discussions. Pybus’ vision statement, approved by the WICB last year, included the crucial “West Indies first” point, which was put to test for the first time when Narine was omitted for the home Test series against New Zealand. The reason: the offspinner had failed to make it to the squad’s mandatory training camp because he had to play the IPL final for Kolkata Knight Riders last May. West Indies’ home season includes the visits of England and then a two-Test series against Australia in June. Gayle is likely to put his IPL commitments above playing against England, since he is not contracted to the WICB, but may wish to feature against Australia after playing a full season for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Caribbean Star Newspaper Amla, du Plessis tons pummel Ireland

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ust another day with 400 scored in a one-day international. Twice in two innings South Africa have now crossed the milestone, this time anchored by hundreds from Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis, as they overwhelmed Ireland by 201 runs which did severe damage to their net run rate, which could be a factor in quarter-final qualification.

Given the margin it is stretching the point to suggest one dropped catch changed the game, but Ireland found out how costly it can be to reprieve Amla when he was shelled on 10 by Ed Joyce at short midwicket. It would have left South Africa 25 for 2. Amla and du Plessis forged a 247-run stand for the second wicket before Rilee Rossouw and David Miller closed the innings with a partnership of 110 off 51 balls for the fifth wicket.

They could even afford for AB de Villiers to fall for 24 - albeit off nine balls

- and still enjoy a super-charged finish.

Rossouw brought up the 400 with his third six, clubbed over deep midwicket in the final over which cost 24, to carry South Africa beyond 400 for the third time this year. Next stop, 450.

Ireland have not been frightened by chasing 300 at World Cups, having done it successfully three times including against West Indies in this tournament, but this target would have been beyond their compass even without such a terminal early slide to 48 for 5 against South Africa’s pace attack. Kyle Abbott continued to flourish as Vernon Philander’s understudy with 4 for 21.

The Brendon McCullum School Of Captaincy would have been to aim for the swift finish, but de Villiers opted to try a few of his fifth-bowler combinations (including himself, with the reward of a wicket) and Ireland showed their spirit. Andy Balbirnie, who was picked out

March 6-12, 2015

by many of his team-mates before the tournament as a player to watch, struck a plucky half-century from 66 balls and Kevin O’Brien hit 48 which moved the defeat away from record-breaking territory. The lower-order runs could yet be crucial in future calculations.

There was inevitability to South Africa’s mammoth total once Amla and du Plessis had settled themselves inside the opening Powerplay. The ten-over splits highlighted the team’s seamless progress: 57, 58, 66, 99 and 131 - the last block dominated by Rossouw, with 27ball fifty, and Miller.

Amla’s hundred, his 20th in his 108th innings, which made him comfortably the fastest to that landmark, came at a calculated run-a-ball and as he skipped past his previous best of 153 with nine overs remaining, the second double-hundred of the tournament was there for the taking before he picked out long-off.

Journalist lodges ICC complaint against Kohli

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journalist with the Hindustan Times, a leading Indian newspaper, has formally complained to the ICC that Virat Kohli verbally abused him without provocation during India’s training session at Murdoch University in Perth on Tuesday. Hindustan Times has also filed a complaint with the BCCI over the incident. Indian officials, while conceding that an incident did take place, have denied that there was any abuse involved, and said it was a case of mistaken identity.

Narrating the incident in a write-up for his paper, the journalist - Jasvinder Sidhu - said that Kohli, standing beside the team dugout, looked agitated and continuously pointed his finger towards him as he watched the nets. Then, as

Kohli walked back to the dressing room, he stared at him all the while and Sidhu said he could clearly hear the batsman abusing in Hindi.

Ten minutes later, Sidhu wrote, Kohli emerged from the dressing room and waved and smiled at him, leaving him nonplussed. Kohli then relayed an apology through another journalist, who was told by Kohli that it was a case of mistaken identity.

The report was published in Wednesday’s edition of the paper and Sidhu followed it up later that day with a formal complaint to ICC chief executive David Richardson.

The Indian team’s media manager, RN Baba, denied that Kohli had abused Sidhu. “There was a misunderstanding and

no abusive language was used,” he said in an emailed statement. “Virat has spoken to the concerned gentleman immediately and [the] matter ends.”

The incident also prompted a statement from Anurag Thakur, the newly elected BCCI secretary. “He (Kohli) has clarified on the issue,” Thakur told PTI. “For India, the ongoing World Cup is very important. We need to put all these issues to rest and (he) indirectly has communicated that he misunderstood the situation. Let’s put this matter to an end.

“In future I think these kind of incidents should be avoided and taken care of. I have not spoken to the players yet, the team management is there, taking care of all the players’ needs.”

Sangakkara, Thirimanne thrash England Sri Lanka 312 for 1 (Thirimanne 139*, Sangakkara 117*) beat England 309 for 6 (Root 121, Bell 49) by nine wickets

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ri Lanka made a chase of 310 seem like a weekend stroll in the park as Kumar Sangakkaraunfurled a majestic hundred, his second of the tournament, alongside Lahiru Thirimanne’s fourth ODI ton. They ensured Joe Root’s hundred became merely a footnote and left England facing two must-win matches to make the quarter-finals.

The pair added 212 for the second wicket in 28.2 overs with Sangakkara racing to his hundred from 70 balls - his fastest one-day hundred - to follow his 76-ball 105 against Bangladesh at the MCG as he shredded England’s attack with piercing drives, dismissive pulls and the occasional touch of deftness.

Thirimanne’s century, which came from 117 balls, meant Sri Lanka’s top four all have three-figure scores now. He made England pay for missing him on 3 when an outside edge was dropped by Root at

first slip, although the blame has to go to Jos Buttler who started to move for the chance before bailing out.

In a sign of how Sangakkara dominated, check this. When Thirimanne moved into the 90s Sangakkara was on 28 but had reached 78 by the time Thirimanne squeezed the single to reach his landmark. A ball ago, he had been spilled for a second time, on 98, with Moeen Ali not able to hold a low catch at cover.

It was a late decision by Sri Lanka to open with Thirimanne, only made during the recent series against New Zealand, but before this innings he had already impressed. Even a reunion with his nemesis James Anderson, who has dismissed him seven times in all internationals, did not prove a problem. And he had the honour of finishing the most clinical of chases with his second six.

England had punched reasonably hard in the latter part of their innings - the last 15 overs bringing 148 runs - but their effort was put firmly into context by the way Sri Lanka cantered to the target with

16 balls to spare. It continued a prolific few days for Sri Lanka’s top order; they piled up 332 for 1 against Bangladesh after unconvincing displays against New Zealand and Afghanistan.

The way Sri Lanka eased through the chase brought back memories of the 2011 World Cup quarter-final when they won by 10 wickets and means their last two World Cup matches against England have brought combined batting efforts of 543 for 1.

39

Australia wallops Afganistan Australia 417 for 6 (Warner 178, Smith 95, Maxwell 88) beat Afghanistan 142 (Mangal 33, Johnson 4-22) by 275 runs

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avid Warner had passed hundred in the 25th over. He breezed past 150 in the 30th.

It appeared like he was on cruise control. He might have looked his usual belligerent self when compared toSteven Smith’s 98-ball 95, but looked downright tame when Glenn Maxwell came out with reverse sweeps, scoops, flicks blazing.

Afghanistan were left to run down the highest total in World Cup history - 417 for 6. They were bowled out 142 and lost by 275 runs - the largest margin of defeat in World Cups. Mitchell Johnson’s bouncers were unfriendly reminders to the batsmen that they were playing on one of the fastest pitches in the world. And it was Afghanistan’s first time at the WACA. Mitchell Starc hooped inswinging yorkers onto the base of the stumps and simply grinned.

He knew better batsmen than Najibullah Zadran and Dawlat Zadran would have succumbed to that.

If facing up to fast bowlers that topple Full Members was hard enough, the Australian fielding outfit put a big, bright spotlight on the gulf between the two teams. Afghanistan were slow to react to the ball, cut angles better to stop singles, or throw the stumps down direct when a run-out opportunity presented itself; the expected kind of indiscipline from an inexperienced team.

But they would rue not utilising the new ball well and a batting line-up that extended to No. 10 made them pay.

The foundation is what captains and coaches talk about most and Warner built Australia one that was immensely sturdy. It might well have been the higher priority when his team was put in, but Afghanistan strayed with the new ball, bowling short and slipping either side of the wicket. Cashing in on their mistakes was the most sensible thing Warner could do.

The innings began sedately enough - 19 off 27 in the seventh over - but as the day wore and the bowlers tired from the Perth heat, Warner’s star shone brighter and brighter. Frequent and appetising short balls allowed him to wear a strike rate more suited to his reputation. Five of his first seven fours came off pulls and none of them lacked for authority. The 10th over from Hamid Hassan brought him three boundaries - one over square leg, one through mid-off and one back over the bowler’s head - and Warner was away.

His 178 off 133 balls is an Australian record in World Cups, his 260-run partnership with Smith is the highest for his country for any wicket.

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March 6-12, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

March 6-12, 2015

41

Lara ‘ready’ for WICB involvement F

ormer West Indies captain Brian Lara is open to standing for the post of WICB president in future.

Although Lara’s expression of interest has come too late for the WICB elections scheduled this Saturday, his decision could still spell hope for Caribbean fans who have grown tired of the failures of the administration and the widening divide with its players.

Lara, one of the leading batsmen of his generation, said Azim Bassarath, Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board president, had asked him whether he would have any interest in running for the WICB presidency. Currently doing commentary during the World Cup, Lara said what strengthened his resolve was the growing lack of faith in West Indies cricket from the outside world.

“Mr Bassarath had suggested that I should get involved and he and his board would seriously consider supporting me,” Lara told the Trinidad Guardian. “I am here in Australia with most of the top administrators and players, and even they appear to be concerned at the state of our cricket. The way they speak is like they have little faith in our future. I am ready to get involved.”

Lara has never been shy of taking on the administration. One of West Indies’ greatest-ever players, Lara was involved in bitter disputes with the WICB during his days as a player and as captain. Lara brought a strong individuality to his batting, yet as captain he was never as successful - West Indies won only 10 of 47 Tests with him in charge, and 59 out of 125 ODIs. Yet with his batting Lara could united the Caribbean like no one else, and the possibility of him returning as an administrator could come as a happy move for the supporters of Caribbean cricket.

Brian Lara could be a future candidate for the WICB presidency © WICB “If you are a West Indian, and understand what cricket means to us, you have to feel that we could do a lot better than we are currently doing,” Lara said. “We have had so many talented young men coming up and suddenly, they just disappear off the scene, while our cricket continues to decline. Nobody appears to care about them.”

Lara’s criticism of the current WICB administration, led by Dave Cameron, had become increasingly vocal. Last November, speaking to ESPNcricinfo in Sydney, Lara said that West Indies’ pullout from

the India tour was a watershed moment.

He said communication was missing between the administrators and players and without that trust West Indies cricket would face a lot of problems while continuing to languish at the bottom of the ICC rankings. Currently West Indies occupy the No. 8 spot in both Tests and ODIs. Lara said he would always remain biased towards the players. “There’s so much cricket being played now where players can make a living outside the West Indies under different administration.

Yes maybe that could be a difference,

but the ultimate thing is you’re playing for the West Indies, you want to play for the West Indies, you love the West Indies.

And I would love one day where guys are playing for West Indies and money not being an issue because they’re making so much money outside of that.

“But that can only happen if you have the relationships with the board and all the stakeholders. There’s no trust, everybody wants their piece of the pie and that’s it. Unfortunately until we have better relationships, West Indies cricket is going to be very problematic.”

Despite being in control for two years and once again a favorite to retain the presidency, Cameron has lost some original supporters, such as the TTCB. In the previous elections held in 2013, the T&T board led by Bassarath had supported Cameron. But this time it has opted to ally behind Joel Garner, the former West Indies fast bowler, who has cast his hat into the ring representing the Barbados Cricket Association.

Bassarath said the reason he approached Lara was because he was the “ideal person” for the job. “I believe that Brian would be an ideal person to lead West Indies cricket and, as a matter of fact, I approached him a few months ago about such a possibility,” he said. “But unfortunately, he is too late for us to nominate him for the elections which will take place on Saturday. The constitution of the WICB does not allow us to nominate him at this late stage, since nominations closed one month before the elections.

“The presence of someone as great as Lara on the West Indies board can give us so much credibility and stature in the eyes of the rest of the world. It’s a pity he is unable to be part of this year’s process.”

Pakistan batsmen craft huge win

Pakistan 339 for 6 (Shehzad 93, Sohail 70, Misbah 65, Guruge 4-56) beat UAE 210 for 8 (Anwar 62, Afridi 2-35) by 129 runs

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akistan primed their fans for either startling exhilaration or further frustration by first clobbering 339 in mostly efficient style, before damning the UAE chase by the end of their mandatory Powerplay. Hopes that this Pakistan team is capable of as dramatic and irrepressible a surge as that which won the 1992 World Cup will be momentarily boosted by the 129-run victory, but a truer test awaits them at Eden Park on Saturday.

Another single-figure failure from Nasir Jamshed suggested more batting woe, before Pakistan adopted the blueprint that has seen other teams surpass 300 at the tournament. They survived at the start, sailed through the middle overs, then savaged the death bowling, reaping 143 from the final 12 to heap punishment on a wasteful UAE fielding effort, and an attack that was toothless after their own

mandatory Powerplay.

Pakistan will be pleased that their total was not wrapped around a talismanic innings, but forged with wit and purpose by a top order pulling together for the first time in the tournament. Ahmed Shehzad’s 93 from 105 led the way and Haris Sohail also hit a fifty as the pair’s 160-run stand became the substance upon which more flamboyant innings would be built.

Coming in with a mandate to attack, for the first time in the World Cup, Misbahul-Haq hit a 49-ball 65, and Sohaib Maqsood and Shahid Afridi launched salvos at either end of the death overs.

Shaiman Anwar’s 62 from 88 balls was the best of UAE’s response - though for much of their innings, they did not even attempt Pakistan’s total. With that score, Anwar became the tournament’s top run-scorer, two runs clear of Kumar Sangakkara. UAE would reach 210 for 8, thanks in large part to some fun but futile late-order hitting, as Pakistan’s attack grew complacent.

Jamshed played his third fatal pull shot

in four innings and fell for 4, before Shehzad’s innings spluttered to pained life as he miscued, edged and prodded his way through the early overs. Manjula Guruge kept him on a leash with his line and length while Mohammad Naveed delivered a sharp, varied spell that extracted testing bounce and carry from the McLean Park surface. Both bowlers had Shehzad dropped off his bowling, on 8 and 11.

Sohail found a steady tempo early in his innings, and Shehzad was soon batting to his beat. The pair soon set about massaging UAE’s friendly change bowlers into the gaps, and completed their maiden World Cup fifties just before the halfway mark of the innings - the sluggishness of the early overs shaken off.

Having reached 148 for 1 at the 30th over, thebatsmen called for an early Powerplay, but then fell within it. Sohail sent an attempted slog to the hands of mid-on to sign off for 70 off 83 and Shehzad was beaten by Anwar’s throw from fine leg, as he failed to keep his bat grounded during

the dive.

Maqsood and Misbah came together on an unprecedented cushion of runs, and they accumulated intelligently for a few overs before warming to some sustained hitting. Amjad Javed was cracked for three boundaries by Maqsood in the 39th over, before both batsmen ganged up on Krishnan Chandran, to reap 17 runs from the 42nd - sixes flying high and long in the arc between long-off and cow corner.

The pair had plundered 75 from 53 balls before they were parted, as Maqsood hit Guruge to point, on 45. But Misbah signed up Umar Akmal for a sidekick until the penultimate over, bludgeoning balls into his hitting zone on the leg side, while the UAE attack crumbled under the onslaught. He and Akmal were gone in successive Guruge deliveries to good catches in the deep, but had propelled Pakistan to 312.

Given less than two overs in which to bat, even Afridi did his job perfectly. His 21 not out off seven featured two sixes and a four in the final over.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

March 6-12, 2015

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Worse, they often fail to eliminate the true cause of the pain.

«No matter how well you prescribe medication, chronic sufferers don’t get complete relief,» says James N. Dillard, MD, author of The Chronic Pain Solution. «It’s an enormous problem, and the medical community is doing a bad job solving it.» But there is an alternative, and it’s right in your kitchen. Certain foods ease aches by fighting inflammation, blocking pain signals, and even healing underlying disease.

«Almost always, if we find pharmaceuticals doing the trick, we’ll find a plant doing the same trick—and doing it more safely,» says botanist James A. Duke, PhD, author of The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healing Foods. But before you can reap these rewards, you have to quit the junk food that riles up your body’s pain system. The typical Western-style diet is heavy on foods that promote inflammation, including highly processed foods and refined carbs. No fruit, vegetable, or herb by itself can alleviate your pain if you don’t change the pattern of your diet to reduce processed food and increase whole foods.

This may not be easy, says Peter Abaci, MD, medical director of the Bay Area Pain and Wellness Center in Los Gatos, CA. «But if you stay committed to a good nutrition plan, you may be able to say good-bye to pain.»

CHERRIES The Target: Arthritis, muscle pain The Dose: 45 daily Compounds in cherries called anthocyanins—the same phytonutrients that give cherries their rich ruby hue—are powerful antioxidants that work in two ways to tamp down pain. «They block inflammation and they inhibit pain en-

zymes, just like aspirin, naproxen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories,» says Muraleedharan Nair, PhD, natural products chemist at Michigan State University’s College of Agricultural and Natural Resources. One study in theJournal of Nutrition showed that people who ate a bowl of cherries for breakfast reduced a major marker of inflammation by 25%.

Other researchers found less muscle pain in runners who drank 12 ounces of tart cherry juice twice daily for 7 days before a distance run.

drugs. But the juice becomes inflammatory when it’s loaded with sugar, so grab a bottle of 100% natural cranberry juice.

If it’s too bitter, add water or a natural sweetener such as stevia.

GINGER The Target: Migraines, arthritis, sore muscles The Dose: 1/4 teaspoon daily This spicy root is a traditional stomach soother, easing seasickness and nausea. It’s believed to work by breaking up intestinal gas and possibly blocking a receptor in the gut that induces vomiting. But there are good reasons to eat ginger even when you’re not doubled over. Another natural aspirin impersonator and anti-inflammatory, it can offer relief from migraines, arthritis pain, and muscle aches.

There are plenty of ways to include ginger in your diet. Add it grated into Asian dishes, smoothies, and juice. Or make ginger tea by placing sliced, peeled gingerroot in boiling water and letting it steep for 15 minutes. For ginger lemonade, combine grated gingerroot, lemon juice, and honey with ice water.

SALMON, HERRING, SARDINES The Target: Achy back, neck, joints The Dose: Two to three 3-ounce servings weekly Eating fish low in mercury and high in omega-3 fatty acids can help relieve back pain. In a healthy back, blood vessels at the edge of spinal disks transport crucial nutrients to those disks. If blood flow is diminished, the disks lose their source of oxygen and other nutrients, and they begin to degenerate, says Neal D. Barnard, MD, author of Foods That Fight Pain.

Omega-3s help by improving blood flow and tamping down inflammation in blood vessels and nerves. But for the full effect, you may need supplements. One study in the journal Surgical Neurology found that taking 1,200 mg or more of EPA and DHA per day could reduce both back and neck pain. And there are added bonuses: «Any amount of fish oil is beneficial for cardiovascular protection and mood elevation,» says Joseph C. Maroon, MD, the study’s lead researcher. A study in the journal Pain found that people are more aware of their discomfort when they’re glum. (An additional bonus: Omega-3s also may reduce brain shrinkage.)

CRANBERRY JUICE The Target: Ulcers The Dose: 1 cup daily Ulcers are the result of a pathogen called H. pylori, which attacks the protective lining of the stomach or small intestine. Antibiotics are the usual cure, but you can help prevent ulcers in the first place by drinking cranberry juice, thanks to its ability to block H. pylori from adhering to the stomach lining. One study found that just under a cup a day for 3 weeks eliminated almost 20% of all cases of H. pylori infection—without

TURMERIC The Target: Achy joints, colitis (inflammation of the colon) The Dose: 1 tablespoon daily This essential curry spice has been used for years in Ayurvedic medicine to relieve pain and speed up digestion. But researchers like it for another reason: its anti-inflammatory properties, courtesy of a substance called curcumin. «Turmeric can protect the body from tissue destruction and joint inflammation and also preserve good nerve cell function,» Abaci says.

Not a fan of curry? Sprinkle turmeric on salad dressings, soups, cooked grains, and vegetables. Or get an even heftier dose by taking a turmeric supplement.

(Make sure the label says it contains 95% curcuminoids.) And note: When you cook with turmeric, use the pepper mill. «Turmeric and black pepper should always go together,» Dillard says. «The piperine in black pepper releases curcumin from the spice.»

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YOGURT The Target: IBS The Dose: One or two 8-ounce containers daily For the roughly 20% of Americans who have irritable bowel syndrome, stomach pain is a given. But help may come in the form of a bug—billions of bugs, actually. Several bacterial strains that are often in yogurt (especially B. infantisand L. acidophilus) reduce pain, inflammation, and bloating, according to a 2010 review. Another study found similar results with B. lactis. But shop smart.

Not every yogurt contains probiotics.

Look for a brand with «live and active cultures.» Vegans can get their daily dose from probiotic-enriched soy yogurt.

COFFEE The Target: Headaches The Dose: Two 4-ounce cups Coffee isn’t just a morning pick-meup. It’s good medicine. «Caffeine helps reduce pain by narrowing the dilated blood vessels that develop with headaches,» says Andrew Weil, MD, founder and director of the Arizona Center

for Integrative Medicine. And coffee delivers a one-two punch by reducing pain-promoting compounds and amplifying the effect of other pain relievers too. (But be warned: If you’re a java junkie, too much caffeine can have the opposite effect. When you quit, you can get withdrawal headaches. Coffee works as a headache reliever only if you don’t consume it regularly.)

MINT The Target: IBS, headaches The Dose: 1 cup of tea daily Chewing on peppermint can freshen your breath, but there’s another reason you should try the herb. The menthol in peppermint helps prevent muscle spasms, one of the reasons peppermint oil effectively treats irritable bowel syndrome. The oil is also useful for relieving headaches. Rub some on your temples or wrists and breathe in the minty scent.

Botanist James A. Duke, PhD, author of The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healing Foods, recommends brewing mint tea for any type of pain. Pour boiling water over peppermint leaves and steep until the tea is as strong as you like. Add wintergreen leaves for an extra pain-fighting boost; a compound in wintergreen called methyl salicylate blocks the enzymes that cause inflammation and pain. «You could call it herbal aspirin,» he says. A final squeeze of lemon will help you extract as many pain-reducing chemicals as possible from the plants.

EDAMAME The Target: Arthritis The Dose: 1/4 cup daily When it comes to culinary fixes for pain, osteoarthritis poses a challenge.

Wear and tear on the joints—the kind that leaves cartilage tattered and bones grinding against one another—is not reversible. Still, there’s some hope for relief.

Researchers from Oklahoma State University gave participants either 40 g of soy protein (about 1/4 cup of shelled edamame) or milk-based protein for

three months. At the study’s end, pain was reduced for those who ate soy protein but not for those in the milk protein group. «I’m talking about tofu, tempeh, other fermented forms of whole soy—not soy protein isolates, which you commonly see in processed snacks,» says James N. Dillard, MD, author of The Chronic Pain Solution. Cooking with tofu is simple as long as you know the basics. Silken tofu is soft and often used in creamy dressings, soups, and desserts; firm tofu is typically cooked like meat—say, marinated and grilled.

PEPPER The Target: Arthritis The Dose: Half a teaspoon of powder daily The same peppers that singe your tongue and bring tears to your eyes can take away pain. An ingredient in hot peppers called capsaicin does the trick by stimulating nerve endings and depleting a chemical that relays pain signals. You can buy capsaicin-containing creams at most pharmacies, says Duke, who uses capsaicin to alleviate his own arthritis pain.

Though topical relief is most effective for arthritis, eating hot peppers also yields pain-fighting benefits. Duke adds peppers to soups and sprinkles chili sauce on his food. The hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin it contains.

But after handling hot peppers, wash your hands thoroughly. A towel wet with milk cuts the pepper better than water.

If you touch your face before that, you’ll understand why capsaicin is the main ingredient in Mace.

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