Caribbean Star #38 vol.4

Caribbean First Interfaith Newspaper, Serving The Community

April 17–23, 2015

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Star

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April 17–23, 2015

lthough its parent company filed for bankruptcy protection two weeks ago, Brazilian construction firm OAS Construtora has told the T&T Government it is in good financial condition and will be able to complete the $7.4 billion Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension by May 2016.

An OAS team, including country superintendent Rodrigo Ventura and several board directors, met with Works Minister Dr Suruj Rambachan and National Infrastructure Development Company (Nidco) chairman Dr Carson Charles on Monday to discuss concerns about the project.

Charles later told reporters that contrary to claims made

by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, he had no information that OAS was withholding payments to local contractors.

“If this is happening, we have received no reports. I will have to find out whether this is so,” Charles said.

He said that dozens of local contractors and suppliers were also providing goods and

Caribbean Star Newspaper OAS assures Govt We can complete $7.4bn highway

services to OAS, the main contractor on the billion-dollar highway project. Charles said OAS directors from Brazil flew to T&T last week to discuss the project.

“Despite constraints in Brazil, that is not preventing the company from doing work here. We understand that OAS’s parent company filed for bankruptcy protection, which is a provision whereby the court gives them protection to pay off their debts in an orderly fashion by selling assets. The protection order gives them time to satisfy all their creditors,” Charles said.

“OAS chairman and members of the board have informed us of how they plan to complete the work. The plan seems feasible and we are satisfied.

“We continue to pay them for such works they have undertaken. We took a loan so we have the money. OAS operations in Trinidad are continuing because our payments are up to date.”

Charles said OAS would give weekly updates to Nidco and the ministry on the progress of

the highway construction.

“If you go on the site you will see works are still going on.

They are busy working on the segment from St Mary’s Junction to Grant Road,” Charles said.

He said once the road was inspected and passed it would be opened later this month.

Rambachan said he asked OAS officials to ensure that all local contractors were paid and they assured him the company was making timely payments.

He said if any contractor was having problems with payments they should make a report to Nidco, the supervisory agency.

Local contractors, including Kalco Limited, said yesterday that they were being paid on time.

“We are not sure if suppliers and other contractors are being affected,” a Kalco official said.

Sources told the T&T Guardian there had been delays in the past with payment of fees to some contractors, including Ansad Services Limited. A source at Namalco Construction Services also said the com-

Dr Carson Charles pany ended its relationship with OAS in 2012 because of problems with payment of fees.

ROWLEY WARNING At a political meeting last week, Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley had warned that the highway project was in trouble because Brazilian company OAS Grupo, OAS Construtora’s parent company, was in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings due to the corruption scandal it was currently em-

broiled in.

“Right now I could tell you that the accounts office there is without any local input. Only Brazilians inside there operating with a satellite to a bankrupt company in Brazil and of course, the local contractors who have been working for them are now in great danger because they are not being paid and they are hoping that this will remain silent until after election.”

Earlier this month, Grupo OAS sought bankruptcy protection following a corruption scandal involving one of its biggest customers, state-owned energy company Petrobras. The company filed for court protection to renegotiate its debts with creditors and suppliers because its access to finance has been severely restricted since the end of last year.

OAS executives, along with officials from some of Brazil’s largest construction firms, have been charged with money laundering, corruption and criminal conspiracy in an alleged kickback and bribe scandal at Petrobras.

Caribbean Star Newspaper T H E

April 17–23, 2015

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April 17–23, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

Granger’s APNU+AFC financiers now calling the shots …as insider squeal plan for kickbacks at the expense of thousands of Guyanese

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INANCIERS, lobbyists and other supplicants in the political opposition camp are beginning to rear their heads, giving weight to the renowned adage, “whoever pays the piper, calls the tune.”

Presidential Candidate of the coalesced, A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, at a Town Hall styled meeting held at the Theatre Guild, on Monday last, was confronted on his proposed tax policies.

SINISTER PLOT His proposal: increasing the import duties (taxes) on reconditioned vehicles while at the same time reducing the taxes paid on the higher end, luxury vehicles imported for sale in Guyana.

Concerned members in the opposition camp have since submitted to the Guyana Chronicle that the move by Granger is de-

monstrative of him caving to the pressure being mounted.

This pressure, according to the APNU+AFC insider, who spoke to this publication on the condition of anonymity, is being brought to bear by, financiers of the party from in the automobile industry and trade particularly in the newer, high end luxury vehicles.

The proposal by Granger is being condemned as not only sinister but downright dangerous to the wellbeing of not only the dealers in the industry that ply their trade in reconditioned vehicles, but literally thousands of Guyanese, who would be adversely impacted by having to pay a higher price under such an administration for a vehicle.

Over the past two years the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has registered just about 15, 000 vehicles, the majority of which are reconditioned, im-

ported and sold locally, inherently having a positive impact on the lives of tens of thousands of Guyanese.

UNILATERAL In another proverbial ‘show of hand,’ the APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate, sought to deter members of the public from purchasing reconditioned vehicles calling them, “smoky old vehicles, some of them a danger to driver and passenger as well as road users.”

He suggested instead, people “buy new vehicles,” then it would be “good.”

Not only has the opposition leader threatened the lives of thousands of Guyanese by caving to party financiers, the political opposition is also looking to substantially reduce the nation’s revenue earned, in one fell unilateral swoop.

Granger, without proposing any other means of increasing revenue for the nation, proposed instead to reduce the nations earnings further by unilaterally reducing the Value Added Tax—A tax regime that had replaced seven outmoded taxes; further increase the income tax threshold

by reducing PAYE further.

In fact, Granger told the members of the audience that the APNU and AFC during the life of the 10th Parliament had made the proposals for the reductions but to no avail.

But the APNU+AFC insider told the Guyana Chronicle, it appears the weight of the pressure being brought on Granger by the party financiers, have somehow caused him to “forget or deliberately ignore the raft of relief measures effected just last year.”

Among the measures that had been put into effect, only a matter of months ago, a $2,500 monthly increase in the old age pension and a lowered PAYE tax rate.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, had made the announcement at the time of presenting the 2013 National Budget and at the time informed that “as a result of this reduction in the personal income tax rate, more than 184,000 taxpayers will benefit with higher take home pay, and an additional $1.8 billion of disposable income will be placed annually in the hands of the taxpaying public.”

DISHONESTY In demonstrating another level of his lack of local economic acumen, the APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate, told the public gathering at the Theatre Guild that under his administration, a Tax Reform Commission would be established and dishonestly added “we have been told by the Executive that they were setting up a Tax Reform Commission, this was told to us in January or February 2012 and we are still to see that Commission.”

He proposed that under an APNU+AFC administration, this would be done. The facts however, tell a different story since the formation of a Tax Reform Committee came a mere two weeks after Ramotar took Office.

The Committee’s panel comprised eminent Chartered Accountant, Ronald Ali, Businessman Clifford Reis and Economist Dr Cyril Solomon.

Dr. Solomon subsequently fell ill and had to be flown overseas for medical treatment.

Up until the untimely illness of Dr. Solomon, the Committee was addressing its “Terms of Reference.”

Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

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My name is Jhadonauth Churaman (Joe) and I am a Blessed member of the Shaanti Bhavan Mandir. It gives me a great sense of pride and pleasure to write today’s article, on a very important topic “KARMA.” As I continuously attend mandir and other religious gatherings, I have realized that our scriptures highlight many questions which are asked by different individuals. Below are some of the questions: 1. WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE DIFFERENCES THAT EXIST AMONGST MANKIND? 2. WHY SHOULD ONE PERSON BE BROUGHT UP IN THE LAP OF LUXURY, ENDOWED WITH GREAT MENTAL, MORAL AND PHYSICAL QUALITIES, AND ANOTHER IN ABSOLUTE POVERTY, STEEPED IN MISERY? 3. WHY SHOULD ONE PERSON BE A GENIUS, AND ANOTHER AN IDIOT? 4. WHY SHOULD ONE PERSON BE BORNED WITH SAINTLY CHARACTERISTICS, AND ANOTHER WITH CRIMINAL TENDANCIES? 5. WHY SHOULD SOME BE LINGUISTIC, ARTISTIC, MATHEMATICALLY OR MUSICAL INCLINED, FROM THE VERY CRADLE? 6. WHY SHOULD SOME BE CONGENITALLY BLIND, DEAF, OR DEFORMED? 7. WHY SHOULD SOME BE BLESSED, AND OTHERS CURSED FROM BIRTH? All the above questions inspired me to write about Karma and how it plays a pivotal role in our daily lives.

WHAT IS KARMA? Karma is an invisible natural law that helps balance the universe. It can be thought of as “for every action there is a reaction”. It is considered to be the law of moral principles, in everything we do, from our thought process, to the feelings we harbor.

In essence, the sum of a person’s actions in this and previous states of existence, decides their fate in future existences. According to the scriptures, the discipline of unattached action (Nishkma Karma) can

lead to salvation of the soul. So they recommend that one should remain detached while carrying out his/her duties in life. To clearly comprehend what Karma is, we must understand that it is closely connected to the idea of reincarnation.

Different schools of Ideologists have derived different definitions of Karma. These particular schools of thoughts are merely a collaboration of concepts from ancient Indian text.

They focus on three ideas: 1. Causality that may be ethical or non -ethical.

2. Ethicization, that is good or bad actions have consequences.

3. Rebirth or reincarnation.

The laws of Karma operates independent of any deity or any process of divine judgment. The Hindu concept of Karma is not as simple as “what goes around comes around”. Physical reincarnation is central to the Hindu belief of the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Karma is the differentia that characterizes human beings and distinguishes them from other creatures in the world.

In the Bhagavad Gita, chapter 11, verse 16, “The law of cause and effect from an integral part of Hinduism”, Karma is thought to be greatly dependent on our actions and more so, our intentions. If we have good intentions behind everything we do, chances are, we will accumulate good Karma and we will reap the benefit of it.

You can always hide your intentions from others, but you’ll never be able to hide them from the eyes of God. Karma is regarded as a fundamental law of nature that is atomic and mechanical. It is not something imposed

by God. Bad Karma --- that which is accumulated as a result of wrong actions.

Bad Karma binds a person’s soul (atman) to the cycle of rebirth (samsara) and leads to misfortune in this life and poor conditions in the next. This reminds me of a quotation I read once, “TIME AND KARMA” when a bird is

alive.... it eats ants, and when the bird dies.... ants eat it.

There are four types of Karma: 1. Prarabdha--- matured karma, like a fruit when ripe, it will detach from the tree which is the normal process. Similarly, once you perform any Karmic act it is registered in the universe and will materialization in due course, hence there is no escape.

2. Sanchita--- stored Karma, this is like apples or wild berries, you can go to the source and either nurture or destroy.

3. Agami-- forth coming Karma, the choices you make today have a direct bearing on your future for tomorrow.

4. Varlamana--- present karma, you may simply choose to sow wheat and harvest after a few months. This is when you do something out of choice you are creating a new Karma.

Several tips on how to accumulate “GOOD KARMA” so you don’t become the lowest animal in your next birth.

1. Do not gossip or judge others.

2. Learn to forgive and not to seek revenge.

3. Be grateful for everything that GOD has provided.

4. Be selfless and not selfish in your actions.

5. Avoid the six internal enemies; lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride and jealousy.

Always remember that circumstances can change at any time, so don’t devalue or hurt anyone in this lifetime. You may be powerful today but time is more powerful than you, so let us all be careful of our actions and try to accumulate good karma. It will be beneficial to all of us at the day of judgement.

The purpose of life in Hinduism is to minimize “BAD KARMA” in order to better one’s self in this life and to achieve a better rebirth in the next. The ultimate spiritual goal is to achieve liberation (MOKSHA).

It may take hundreds or thousands of rebirths to get rid of accumulated Karmas and achieve Liberation. This simply means that once a person is liberated, he/she will not reborn after death. Let us all strive to develop all the perfections to have peace and happiness in this lifetime, a good life in our next birth, or better yet, be one with God. Jai Ho!

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Caribbean Star Newspaper Toddler killed in Water St accident buried amidst loud wailing

April 17–23, 2015

HE body of four-year-old Elijah Jadon Andrews, killed in a motor accident on Water Street outside Giftland Officemax on April 4, was yesterday buried at Le Repentir cemetery amidst loud weeping and wailing.

His body was open for viewing at Sandy’s Funeral Home earlier in the day, before being removed to the 144-year-old St. Thomas Presbyterian Church, for a Thanksgiving Service. Hundreds converged at the church in Tiger Bay, a short distance from where the child lived with his family.

On arrival at the church, the body was first viewed by children

Jadon’s mother, Onicka, is hard– pressed to hold back tears during the funeral service yesterday

Children of the neighbourhood and others pay their last respects to a fallen friend and brother

of the neighbourhood and others before being viewed by family members and other mourners and sympathizers. It was welcomed by the children in chorus, who sang movingly “Jesus Loves the Little Children”.

Officiating minister was Reverend Kenneth Applewhaite and organist, Dr. Lennox Applewhaite. The eulogy was read by aunt of the deceased, Ms. Feionba Archer, while the children all joined in lustily singing ‘Hooray

for Jesus’.

Jason was struck down by a route number 42 minibus BPP 1702 as he attempted to cross Water Street on his way home from Rosemarie Lane.

The nursery school child was seeking to bring joy to the heart of a two-year-old boy who had been crying for a kite when he lost his life.

A pupil of Starters Nursery School, he was the son of Oswald Andrews and Onicka Charles. He also leaves to mourn five siblings , grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives and friends.

The child was rushed to the

Georgetown Public Hospital, but succumbed moments later while being given emergency treatment.

Meanwhile, the driver of the minibus was taken into custody and ordered to appear in court on Monday. However when the matter came up for hearing, the accused was remanded to prison until 27th April, to allow for the police to produce their evidence.

And a post-mortem examination was performed on the child’s body last Monday, and the cause of death was given as ‘multiple injuries’ without any specifics.

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GuySuCo employee held for cocaine in NY

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Guyana Sugar Corporation Com-munications Officer was arraigned in a New York District Court for trafficking in 786.4 grams of cocaine in sneakers, last week.

Court documents seen by Stabroek News state that 29-year-old Thenga Adams knowingly, intentionally and unlawfully imported into the country, last Tuesday, the illicit substance.

He had arrived on a Caribbean Airlines flight from Guyana via Trinidad and Tobago.

The document stated that Adams was selected for a Customs and Border Protection examination and the drug was found concealed in four pairs of sneakers, divided two apiece, in his two suitcases.

He was then arrested and read his rights but agreed to speak with law enforcement without the presence of an attorney. There he confessed that he knew the sneakers contained the drug.

Adams was arraigned before Judge Lois Bloom and was represented by Mia Eisner-Grynberg.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

9

Calls made for GuySuCo, GuyOil heads to go T he appearance of the heads of two state-owned corporations on the candidates’ lists of the incumbent PPP/C has led to calls for their resignations to avoid conflicts of interest.

Both Badrie Persaud, the Managing Director of GuyOil, and Raj Singh, the Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo, were revealed to be candidates for the PPP/C when its lists were presented to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) last week.

The head of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) Mahender Sharma, who is the son of former Justice For All Party leader CN Sharma, is also on the PPP/C national list.

Former General Manager at GAIBANK Dr. Kenrick Hunte, in a letter published in Tuesday’s edition of Stabroek News, said both Persaud and Singh should resign immediately.

“Public servants who are desirous of running for political office must resign their government post in an effort to avoid a conflict of interest. Such action precludes the possibility for the misuse of public funds/resources in partisan political campaigns and junkets, where one political party benefits at the expense of other political groups,” he wrote, while noting that PPP/C prime ministerial can-

Badrie Persaud

Raj Singh

didate Elisabeth Harper had recently resigned as Director General in the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

But Persaud told Stabroek News yesterday that he sees no conflict of interest in his endorsement of the ruling party while heading a state-owned entity.

He said that prior to being contacted

by Stabroek News, the thought had never crossed his mind that there would be any public perception that it was not appropriate for the head of a state corporation to endorse or appear on the PPP/C lists.

Persaud said he would need to seek

further counsel to determine if indeed his name appearing on the national list of candidates while he is representing a state entity is problematic.

Singh told Stabroek News that any questions pertaining to him being on the PPP/C list needed to be taken up with the PPP/C itself. He declined to speak further on the issue.

This newspaper made numerous attempts to contact PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee but these efforts were unsuccessful.

Political analyst Christopher Ram,

however, says Persaud and Singh are public servants in the service of the public and should resign, while noting that the Constitution is clear that “the public service is to be free from political influence.”

“I think GuyOil ought not to reinforce any perception with an association with the PPP. It employs people, I assume, of all political persuasions and backgrounds and it can hardly be helpful and conducive to a healthy work environment,” he added.

Ram charged that while the Constitution guarantees the integrity of the public service, the PPP has unfortunately conflated the party and the state. “The PPP has taken it all together to a different level,” Ram stated, while calling the new endorsements a further “descent into lawlessness.”

Ram pointed out that permanent secretaries for various ministries are also executive members of the PPP, which further demonstrated how the party has “destroyed the professionalism in the public service.”

He said that all persons were free to endorse political parties, but the conflict of interest for the men is present and as a result they should choose one or the other.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper President tells Linden… APNU+AFC loyalty, commitment in question –their track record says it all April 17–23, 2015

EGION 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) is not represented on the Political Opposition’s National TopUp list of candidates, which was submitted to the Guyana Election Commission last Tuesday.It’s a President Donald Ramotar fact that did not go unnoticed, addressing the massive gathering and does not sit well with the at PPP/C Linden Rally massive gathering of supporters that turned out yesterday for the the political opposition and the People’s Progressive Party/ Civ- PPP/C, the Party’s presidential ic (PPP/C) rally at Lien Ken-Pen candidate said his party has a Square in Linden. “proven track record” of standing And President Donald Ramotar by the people of Linden, as it has wasted no time in playing it up. stood by all Guyanese.

“You mean they can’t find among He pointed out that the former you anyone that they can put on People’s National Congress (PNC) their regional or top up list who administration left much undone will be a Member of Parliament?” in Region 10, and that it was the Noting that the alliance of A PPP/C that brought progress and Partnership for National Unity prosperity to the Region; advancand the Alliance For Change (AP- es that range from investment in NU+AFC) has no scruples about social programmes, particularly how they treat people, President in the areas of health, education Ramotar said: and housing, to encouraging the “These people have no loyalty creation of jobs by supporting the and no commitment,” much to Bauxite industry and facilitating the delight of his audience who foreign direct investments. rewarded him with thunderous “This is the record we stand applause. on,” Mr Ramotar said, adding that PROVEN TRACK RECORD the ruling party’s development Drawing a parallel between thrust has been advanced, with

equity, right across Guyana.

The PPP/C presidential candidate added that while the APNU+AFC alliance touts governance and good stewardship, history, event more recent in nature, expose the truth – they are bereft of ideas and opt to piggyback on those introduced by his administration.

He referred to the fact that the APNU+AFC leadership speaks with a ‘forked-tongue’ on several issues, including sugar, the development of hydropower and the advance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiatives, among others.

Mr Ramotar stated that the challenges of the last three years, particularly given the political opposition’s anti-development disposition, were overcome regardless by his administration.

“If we had our majority or if we had an opposition willing to work with us, we would have been able to do so much more…never before has Guyana seen what it is seeing now,” the President posited.

As such, he underscored that the May 11 General and Regional

elections are about the future.

“Elections are not only about records (that you can compare), it is about the future,” Mr Ramotar said.

FUTURE FOR ALL According to him, the PPP/C vision for Guyana includes the exploration of new frontiers, including in the area of oil and gas.

“Guyana can become a major producer of oil and gas,” he told the gathering.

Mr Ramotar stated that investment in the Guyanese people has also been, and will continue to be, a major focus, since it allows Guyana to be positioned to take advantage of all that it has the potential to do – in the interest of improving the lives of Guyanese.

“We want to create more opportunities for Guyanese; this is where we want to take Guyana,” he assured.

The President made clear that a bright future can only be accomplished by the right team – a PPP/ C team, which has proven itself to the Guyanese people.

On that note, he railed into members of the political opposition, from its leader, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, to senior

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members of its executive, including Basil Williams, Carl Greenidge and Winston Felix. Leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Rupert Roopnarine, and APNU+AFC prime ministerial, Moses Nagamootoo, also came in for flak.

“They must not come to power…we change all that (the political opposition did that negatively affected Guyanese),” he stressed.

A clear fact evidence is that the momentum of the ruling party’s election campaign is being maintained and fed by the energy of enthused supporters.

In addition to the chants of ‘Granger is danger’ and cheers of support for the PPP/C were sounded by several hundreds of supporters and the tempo of Mr Ramotar’s speech translated to what was his quintessential message –‘continue on the course the PPP/C has charted’.

“We have stood by you at every stage and today, for the sake of Guyana’s future, I ask you to stand with the PPP/C, stand with me,” the PPP/C presidential candidate concluded.

By Vanessa Narine

April 17–23, 2015 Caribbean Star Newspaper Probe underway into death of young mom during abortion at private Port Mourant clinic

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n investigation has been launched into the death of a young mother who recently succumbed during an abortion at a private clinic in Port Mourant.

Dead is mother of four Kamila Arjune, known as ‘Shellica,’ 22, of Paramaribo, Suriname.

Arjune, who is of Guyanese parentage, died at Dr. Rahaman’s private clinic, which is located obliquely opposite the Port Mourant Hospital.

The woman went to the clinic on the morning of April 3rd to have the abortion performed but she did not regain consciousness after the procedure was undertaken.

Stabroek News understands the doctor has over two decades of experience as a general practitioner but it was unclear if he was certified to perform abortions.

At the Whim Village home of Arjune’s family, relatives are still trying to cope with her

sudden death. What is further complicating the situation is the family having to wait for the results of the testing of samples from Arjune’s body after an autopsy was unable to conclusively determine the cause of death. The results of the tests, which will be conducted at a laboratory in Georgetown, are expected to be available within two to three weeks.

Having to wait on the results is taking a toll on the family, which was preparing to transport the woman’s body to Suriname last weekend. Family members said without a death certificate they cannot transfer the body and they are hoping that authorities will intervene to speed up the testing.

Meanwhile, Kowsilla Arjune said when her daughter left Suriname she did not tell anyone that she would be having an abortion. However, she was accompanied by an aunt, Valita

Permaul, when she went to the clinic.

The mother learned that after an hour waiting outside of the clinic, Permaul was approached by the doctor, who inquired about her relationship to Arjune. After she explained that she was the woman’s aunt, he then reportedly told her that Arjune had died.

The mother stated that the doctor made all the necessary arrangements for the body to be transported to a funeral home without informing the family.

However, he later handed them a document stating that Arjune died at the Port Mourant Hospital. The document was handed over to the police.

The family also criticised the doctor for not seeking a second opinion to confirm Arjune’s death although a national health facility was a stone’s throw away.

When this publication asked

the mother if the family had spoken to doctor after the woman’s death, she explained that he was not around as police made attempts to contact him but they were futile.

Arjune’s family members

11

also stated that they have been plunged into debt as they have to borrow money to embalm her body, which costs US$6,500, and to transport it to Paramaribo, which costs an additional US$3,000.

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April 17–23, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

Caribbean Star Newspaper JAIL ROCKS

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HOUGH prison conditions have a reputation for being notoriously harsh, it seems the State is still unable to tackle the problem of repeat criminal offenders.

In fact, the rate of repeat offending is 53 percent, meaning about half of the prisoners who are released return to jail within three years, according to Attorney General Garvin Nicholas in a speech to an international conference at Qatar delivered on Sunday.

In an address to the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which is being held in Doha, Nicholas said the problem of criminals returning to the same jails in which they served sentences is a major problem for the nation.

“Criminal justice requires not only justice for victims but the rehabilitation and successful re-entry into society of the convicted person,” the Attorney General said, according to notes issued yesterday by the Ministry of the Attorney General.

“One of the major challenges Trinidad and Tobago faces is its 53 percent recidivism rate, where within three years of release, roughly half of those released return to prison.”

Nicholas said a bi-lateral agreement was signed with Canada to address the issue.

“In its efforts to conquer this challenge, the Trinidad and Tobago prison service signed a Memorandum of Understanding with correctional services Canada as it moves to reform the local penal system,” the Attorney General said. “This reform targets specific areas within the Prison Service for intervention including developing a more scientific approach for the management of offenders; correctional programmes and policies targeting attitudes and behaviours of inmates that predispose them to a life of crime; implementation of information technology solutions for correctional environment.”

The congress, which began on Monday, ends on Friday. In attendance at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) are delegates of 147 countries, 61 NGOs and 63 other organisations.

Inspector of Prisons Daniel Khan – who has authored an extensive report on harsh prison conditions – yesterday said the high repeat offender rate was a cause for concern.

“It is almost as though people think that prison rocks,” Khan told Newsday. “But what the rate demonstrates is that we need to change our thinking. Society has a bigger part to play in the reform of a person than the prison system. The prisons are expected to reform the person, yet it is the environment he returns to that causes a large part of the problem. Prison does not rock.

It’s not a case of ‘party done’ for society’s responsibility when a prisoner steps into a

jail.”

President Anthony Carmona, a former judge, in a speech last October described the rate of repeat offending as “alarmingly high.”

The total prison population fluctuates around 3,500. Young males — including those in their teens to mid-thirties — make up approximately 64 percent of the total prison population, according to statistics obtained by Newsday last year.

The main prisons include: Carrera Convict Prison; Port-of-Spain Prison; Golden Grove (Convicts-Males); Golden Grove (Convicts-Women); Golden Grove (Remand); Maximum Security Prison, the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre at Santa Rosa and Tobago Prison.

One 2003 study done by criminologist Professor Ramesh Deosaran, stated Roman Catholics accounted for the highest proportion of inmates in the nation’s prisons — 29 percent.

Additionally, according to the same study, almost all of the inmates belonged to the “lower social class group” — 97 percent — whilst two percent were in the “middle social class category”. The remaining one percent comprised the upper class, unemployed, students, housewives and retired/ pensioners. For recidivists, the pattern was the same.

At the congress on Sunday, Nicholas also gave a description of the controversial Community Comfort Patrol, stating part of its rationale is to increase the visibility of law enforcement authorities in communities.

“Recently launched is the Community Comfort Patrol programme, which offers patrol services to 15 residential communities and counting, in Trinidad and Tobago,” the Attorney General said. “This programme is an initiative built on the relationship between the State and the private sector wherein the Ministry of National Security controls the programme and it is executed by private security firms. Through this initiative, Trinidad and Tobago hopes to increase police visibility in communities in order to deter crimes and provide comfort for residents.”

Nicholas further addressed the issue of human trafficking and measures in place to deal with this crime. He said to date 13 people have been rescued (from traffickers) and 11 people have been charged with human trafficking and noted that the Trafficking in Persons Act was brought into force in 2011 and a Counter Trafficking Unit was established under the Ministry of National Security in January, 2013.

“Since its formation the Counter Trafficking Unit rescued thirteen victims and charged eleven persons for human trafficking,” the Attorney General said. “In addition to the Counter Trafficking Unit, a National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons was created to establish policies and to develop a national plan of action against human trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago. We are currently working towards establishing designated shelters or safe houses for the victims of human trafficking.”

Nicholas is due to return on Sunday. In the interim, the Acting Attorney General is Ganga Singh.

April 17–23, 2015

13

Sex ‘accused’ killed in Arouca

Renaldo Hill omicide detectives are investigating the death of Isiah Jackie, who was beaten and shot and his body dumped at Jitman Drive, Arouca.

According to police reports, around 1 am yesterday officers attached to the Arouca station were called by residents who claimed that Jackie, 25, was being beaten by villagers. Some time later the officers found his body in a bushy area off Jitman Drive. He was beaten and shot, police said.

Police said Jackie, of Sunset Drive, Arouca, was accused of sexually assaulting someone recently and that may have been why he was killed.

In an unrelated incident, relatives of murdered teenager Renaldo Hill said yesterday he was no gangster and they were clueless as to who would want him dead.

H

According to police reports, around 6.45 pm on Saturday, Hill was at Waterhole, Cocorite, when he was approached by a group of men, one of whom he knew.

One of the men pulled out a gun and shot him. He was rushed to the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital where he died while being treated. Police said Hill’s killing was linked to the shooting of Brandon Lutchman on April 8 in Cocorite. Lutchman is a suspect in the murder of David “Sprang” Wilson, who was murdered one week before Lutchman was shot. Relatives of Hill, who spoke with the media at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, said Hill had taken six weeks off from school to enlist in an electrical installation course.

He was scheduled to resume classes at the Mucurapo Secondary School yesterday.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

ISLAM Peace / submission to the will of our creator.

The tranquil, The few, The believers.

I

n the Arabic language, Sakinah is a word derived from the root sukun meaning “peace”, “serenity” or “tranquility”. According to Islamic spirituality, Sakinah is a gift of inner peace that Allah SWT bestows on people who have Imaan, which then results in a further increase in faith.

In our fast paced world, plagued by rising concerns about security, stability, financial meltdowns, family politics and devastating diseases, inner peace is a state sought by all, yet often found to be elusive.

Scholars of Islam point out that Sakinah is primarily achieved by adherence to an Islamic lifestyle, obedience to the commands of Allah SWT, and avoidance of sins.

Certain good deeds are also known to possess a greater likelihood of attracting tranquility form Almighty Allah into our lives.

Some of the most esteemed scholars from Islamic history would recite the Quranic verses that speak about tranquility during times of disturbance, and this proved to have a great effect.

Ibn Al-Qayyim RA said in his book Madaarij As-Saalikeen, “Whenever Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah RA found things difficult, he would recite the verses mentioning tranquility. I heard him say about a difficult situation that happened to him during his sickness, ‘When I got very sick, I asked those who were around me to recite on me the verses that speak about tranquility. Once they did, I recovered completely.’”

Ibn Al-Qayyim RA also said, “I read these verses and I found that they had a great influence on the assurance and tranquility of the heart.”

Below are the 6 Ayaat of the Qur’aan that speak of Sakinah, and whose recital these scholars say have proven to be beneficial to draw tranquility into our lives:

Surah Tawbah: Verse 40

Surah Fath: Verse 4

Surah Fath: Verse 18

Once the Khalifa Umar ibn Khattab RA was walking in the market and he heard a man deep in dua. The man kept saying: “Oh Allah, make me from amongst your few servants” The respected Khalifa in surprise asked: “Where did you come up with this dua?!”

The man gave him a beautiful yet stunning reply.

He said: “Most certainly Allah says in His Great book: And only a few of my servants are truly grateful.

As Caliph Umar heard these words, he cried at the deep understanding of this man and said: “Every person is more knowledgeable than you Umar! Oh Allah makes us from your servants that are few.”

Most people love to be one of the crowd. To be a part of a following and a trend, but if we look at the Qur’aan, Allah SWT equivocally explains to us that the true objective is to be from the ‫ – ليلق‬those few selected souls who truly understand what exclusivity means.

When advised towards good or prevented from evil, our usual answer is that “most people do the same” etc. but Allah SWT when He uses the word “most people” He always uses it in a negative context.

Most people do not know.

Most people are not grateful.

Most people do not believe.

Most of them are transgressors.

Most of them are ignorant.

Most of them do not understand.

Allah SWT highlights to us as believers that should you wish to be of the masses, then more often than not we would be pursuing a path of failure.

As for the ‘few’ Allah SWT generally speaks of them in the Qur’aan in an overwhelmingly positive context:

Surah Baqarah: Verse 248 Surah Fath: Verse 26

Allah says : And a few from my servants are grateful.

And none believed with him except a few…

In an era where following the masses seems safer, trendy and more enjoyable. Choose to be from amongst the Qaleeel, those exclusive few who have no fear to be different, unique and extraordinary. Choosing to be closer to your lord at the expense of fitting in and acceptance amongst your peers. Choose to be the few that read your Salaah at work, choose to be of the few that cherish modesty, choose to be of the few that hold on to the sunnah….

Surah Tawbah: Verse 26 It is a general phenomenon in life that when there is something of great value, people flock around it and the demand increases. However when it comes to exclusivity it is something everyone desires but few are willing to go the extra mile to attain it. This exclusivity is strived for in our clothing, accessories and most importantly our education.

If we expand this concept to Islam we find that this exclusivity exists here too, but in a much more positive light.

The Prophet (sal-lal-lahu alai hi wa sallam) said, “Islam began as something strange and it shall return to being something strange; so, tooba[glad tidings] to the strangers.” It was asked, “Who are those strangers, O Messenger of Allah?” He (sal-lal-lahu alai hi wa sallam) replied, “Those that correct the people when they become corrupt. They are a small group of people among a large evil population. Those who oppose them are more than those who follow them.”

Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

15

Ministry ‘extremely disturbed’ at Timehri squatting

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he Ministry of Public Works yesterday said it is extremely disturbed and disappointed by what it said was the “barefaced actions” of squatters who continue to clear lands vested to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

The Ministry and squatters around the airport have had numerous standoffs in recent years. While the ministry has said that squatters have to remove to permit the CJIA expansion programme, some of the settlers in the area have said that they

had been permitted to occupy lands there and had invested heavily. They are seeking compensation among other things to move.

Yesterday, the Ministry said that despite repeated warnings by the Police, squatters are continuing to clear and burn sections of lands to build structures and farm.

It said that on Thursday, CJIA staff and police stumbled upon renewed activity in Timehri North, in the vicinity of

the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Ammo Dump and the Non-Directional Beacon.

The ministry said that the squatters were warned to discontinue their actions.

“The Ministry cannot condone squatting on lands allocated for the expansion of the (CJIA) – the country’s main port of entry for international travelers.

‘Cease and desist’ signs will be erected in the area shortly. Law enforcement officers will arrest and charge anyone who breaches the order”, the ministry warned.

These Ministry of Public Works photos show what it says are activities by squatters.

It added that the Ministry and the Airport Authority, since 2008, have held meetings and conducted one-on-one conversations with squatters on relocation options, the airport expansion and the health and safety risks of living close to the Airport.

The Ministry said that efforts have been made to encourage squatters to apply to the Lands and Surveys Commission for suitable alternative lands; however, many still refuse to take up the offer.

The airport expansion is crucial to Guyana’s development, and the Ministry said that it and the CJIA remain committed to the project.

The MPW said it wonders what has stimulated the resumption of squatting on Airport and Public Lands earmarked for a critical national development project.

It said that helping squatters relocate to suitable areas to ensure their source of livelihood is sustained is also high on the Ministry’s list of priorities.

In December last year, Timehri North residents told Stabroek News that they were continuing to face demands to relocate, although there was still no word from authorities about where they were expected to go or compensation for crops that have been destroyed due to the works for the Cheddi Jagan Airport expansion.

“They issuing letters and scaring us,” resident Royston Holder had said.

Holder explained that the latest letter stated that they were being given 14 days to dismantle their homes and relocate. He said nobody was saying where they should relocate to.

Holder is among about 1,500 persons, many of them farmers, with homes in the area and who have been at an impasse with authorities on their relocation since the start of the project two years ago.

At a press conference in the area in December last year, APNU MP Joseph Harmon called for government to make a full disclosure to the people about the state of the expansion project, including whether it was adhering to international standards for the relocation of residents.

Since the start of preparatory works for the expansion project, residents have complained about farmlands being bulldozed without notice.

16

Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

Farouk Hamid

Regent St businessman found stabbed to death

R

egent Street businessman Farouk Hamid, age 56, was found with multiple stab wounds in the yard of his Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara home.

The circumstances of the murder are unclear. A relative said that neighbours said they heard nothing.

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NA man shot dead in land clearing row

land clearing fire turned deadly in Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam last evening as one of the men who set it was shot dead and his brother chopped.

Dead is Patrick Boodie, 38, of Levi Dam, Mount Sinai. Boodie’s brother, Jason Nicholas, 28; a mason and taxi driver and another man who was in the vicinity, Calvin Charles called Gavin were injured during the incident.

Charles reportedly functioned as a peacemaker in the incident before it escalated. The incident reportedly

occurred sometime after 6 PM. According to reports, the brothers concluded their land clearing activity late yesterday afternoon and lit a fire on the garbage. The fire spread and affected a neighbour who alerted the brothers. As one of the brothers checked what was happening, the neighbour identified as “John”, reportedly dealt a chop to Nicholas.

Nicholas at this point, summoned his brother. Boodie was later felled by a bullet. It is unclear who fired the shot.

As the news spread across the community, the injured men were rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where Boodie was pronounced dead on arrival. Other residents in the area gave a conflicting story stating that it was the brothers who were armed with a pitch fork and cutlasses.

Nicholas has been transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further medical attention, while Charles remains at the New Amsterdam hospital. Investigations are ongoing.

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Guyanese man was on Monday jailed for five years by a British court after he admitted to swallowing over 70 sachets of cocaine before boarding a plane for Manchester from Barbados in February, according to the Manchester Ev-ening News.

According to the news report, Wade Williams, 53, of Georgetown, Guyana, risked his life by swallowing 1.5 kilogrammes of high-purity cocaine, which was so potent that had just one of the sachets burst it could have been fatal for him.

He was charged with importing Class A drugs and pleaded guilty.

Williams had been stopped by Border Force officers on Valentine’s Day after his flight from Barbados landed at the Manchester Airport.

An x-ray scan confirmed that he had swallowed the cocaine in 72 small packages. The report said the likely street value of the cocaine, once cut, would have been £200,000.

Williams appeared before Recorder Robert Crawford at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court and was sentenced after he pleaded guilty. There was also an order for his deportation and the destruction of the cocaine.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

17

Dr. Jagan was a leader of extraordinary quality —Dr. Ralph Gonsalves

S

T. VINCENT and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, said that former President and founder member of the People’s Progressive Party, the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, was a leader of extraordinary quality.Delivering the Cheddi Jagan Annual Lecture entitled “Cheddi Jagan: His Nationalism, His Regionalism and His Internationalism”, Dr. Gonsalves said Dr. Jagan’s intellect, honesty, decency, humanity, charisma and commitment in improving the lot of the poor and the working class sets him as a brightness that sparkled and illuminated.

“It was never a brightness which blinds,” he said, alluding to the late leader’s ability to reach out and connect with people from all strata of society.

Describing Dr. Jagan’s contribution to Guyana and the Caribbean as immense, the Vincentian Prime Minister told his audience at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, that leadership is always a complex business, and Dr. Jagan was a man with rare value.

Dr. Jagan’s essence as a leader was to draw out of those whom he led a goodness and nobility which often times, they did not know that they possessed.

Dr. Gonsalves, who told the gathering that the former President was his friend, comrade and mentor, said the distinguished leader had an instinctive capacity to assess the strengths and weaknesses in people.

“His leadership task was centred on enhancing the strengths and possibilities, and reducing as far as practicable the weaknesses and limitations, even to transform these weaknesses and limitations into strengths and possibilities.”

The Prime Minister, who is serving a third term in office, made it clear that his address on the occasion is in no way a support to the ruling party in light of the upcoming elections, but rather he is proud to address the occasion to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Jagan.

Genuflection And on this point, he praised the PPP/C for keeping the legacy of Dr. Jagan alive, saying that many distinguished persons in several Caribbean countries are today treated as objects of genuflection rather than admiration and genuine love.

“Some of these leaders are treated as veritable deranged uncles… of the very house of luxury which many ungrateful successors have inherited. Often second and third generation successors in politics, state bureaucracy and the private sector, whose elevation are a direct or indirect consequence of the opportunity created by the former leaders. These new arrivants, with such ingratitude, invariable put themselves on an ignobly part of opportunism in the service of a beguiling new colonialism. In time, they will learn the errors of their ways. If they do not, the people will teach them an unforgettable lesson that ingratitude is worse than

witchcraft.”

He said Dr. Jagan’s optimism of a better life for the people of Guyana and the Caribbean stemmed not from the sense of the possibilities of divinely prescribed redemption, but from the progressive uplift of people ultimately through struggle, both individually and collectively.

Dr. Gonsalves also acknowledged that the late leader was not without his critics, but many were not fit to wash his feet.

“Cheddi was a finished civilised personality, absolutely devoid of racial colour prejudice. He was anti-racist to the core and called for racial and working people unity and national unity,” he said.

But noted that Dr. Jagan never ignored

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the existence of racial sentiments in society, but was skillful and sharp enough to put it in the context in which it emerged.

He explained that the founding PPP/C Leader knew that racial division of labour gave rise to racial hostility.

However, the hostility was between the Africans and Whites, not African and Indians, but it started after the Indians began to climb out of their logie environment and compete at the middle class level for jobs and positions.

The racial conflict, he said Dr. Jagan knew and greatly expounded, had its roots in the economics of labour, which was firmly established and supported by the colonial authorities.

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April 17–23, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

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19

Are you sure Jesus rose from the dead?

It is now about two weeks after Easter. Back in Jerusalem in the first century, it would have been 2 weeks after the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. News was slow back then so we have to imagine some days would pass before the entire city lights up.

The Holy City would be buzzing with the news and questions about the wayside Rabbi who was given a criminal’s death on a Cross and now reported alive. Multitudes of books have been written on the subject. Take a look at some theories propounded to refute the Resurrection and some evidences in its favor.

The Swoon Theory states Jesus did not die on the Cross; He merely lost consciousness and revived in the coolness of the tomb. Consider the job of Roman soldiers who were expert in crucifixion. After the flogging, they certified His death by a spear in His side. They broke the legs of the other malefactors to hasten death, but did not bother breaking His legs because He was already dead. The Centurion signed off on it. Now, some of us would not walk after 3 days for lesser injuries. Jesus walked out of the tomb and was seen by the disciples, not limping, but completely whole except for the prints of the nails and spear mark.

The Hallucination Theory says the disciples were so confused they thought they saw Him alive. Could it be possible that all of them saw the same ethereal figure? One man, Thomas, refused to believe the report unless he saw the real person for himself.

When he did, He worshiped Him and declared, “My Lord and my God.” In fact, the Bible records over 500 persons in a gathering saw Jesus alive.

The Wrong Tomb Theory simply wants us to believe they went to the wrong tomb which was empty and spread the word that Jesus was risen. Well, this simple theory would simply direct them to find the right tomb and drop a bomb on the story. It should not be difficult to find the right tomb since it was sealed with a Roman seal and heavily guarded.

The Stolen Body Theory was concocted by the Pharisees. They bribed the Roman soldiers to say the disciples stole the body whilst they slept. No one would believe that if you knew the penalty for a soldier sleeping on duty. He risked his life.

Besides, soldiers changed watches often so they could not complain of tiredness.

This is eyewitness news!

We must take notice of what the writers of the Gospel records say. These records have survived 2,000 years whereas the average shelf life of books could be about 7 years. The Bible was not violently forced on anyone, but lives were changed as they trusted in the Living Christ wherever the gospel is preached. Luke said in his gospel chapter 1:1-4 “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.” This doctor Luke followed up his investigative report with his presentation in the Book of Acts. His opening statement declared, “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do

and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Acts. 1:1-3. The Apostle Peter had something to say, too, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16. These men of God knew what they were talking about.

Sightings of the Risen Christ Many sightings were recorded that could have been refuted whilst people were alive at the time of writing. Mary Magdalene and some others saw Jesus on the Sunday morning when He arose from the dead. Two disciples met Him as they walked down the road to Emmaus.

The group of disciples (except Thomas) saw Him the evening of the Resurrection day. The next Sunday, Jesus again visited the group with Thomas present this time.

Thomas had said he would not believe unless he first saw the prints of the nails.

When Jesus invited him to touch the nail prints, he worshiped the Lord and confessed, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus met the group again on the seashore and prepared a meal of fish for them. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:6 Jesus was seen by a crowd of over 500, many of whom were alive at the time of his writing (that could have confirmed or refuted his claim).

That means the story could have been verified. The disciples were with Jesus on Mt. Olivet when He ascended into the Heavens. Paul himself experienced the Living Christ and was converted. John had a visit from Jesus on Patmos, as he

recorded in the book of Revelation.

Who would die for a lie?

Imagine yourself removing the corpse from the tomb and disposing of it, then shouting down the streets of Jerusalem, “He is risen.” Imagine you could lose your life if you insist on saying He is risen.

Imagine a scholar like Paul who persecuted Christians becoming a convert and suffering for saying He knew Jesus was risen. Ten of the remaining eleven disciples were martyred for claiming He was risen. None recanted their story. John was boiled in oil, but survived into old age, yet never changed his story. Down through the years, multitudes acknowledged experiencing the reality of the Living Christ.

Today, Christians are being tortured and beheaded, but they would not deny Jesus.

It is true! He is alive forever! One day we will live with Him in His eternal Kingdom.

Have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and become your Savior? You can call on Him in prayer. He loves you, too. Take your family to church this weekend.

Pastor Haniff Bacchus Calvary Assembly

of God

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

20

Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

Elderly woman nabbed with cocaine at JFK Airport

A

70-year-old Guyanese woman was last Saturday busted at the John F Kennedy Airport in New York with nearly two kilogrammes of cocaine strapped onto her underwear.

The woman, Olive Fowler arrived in the country aboard a Caribbean Airlines flight and was selected for inspection by Customs and Border Protection Officers.

According to court documents seen by this newspaper, the agents noticed Fowl-

er “sweating profusely” and avoiding eye contact with them.

They then conducted a pat down of the pensioner and during that procedure felt a dense hard material in the areas of her groin and buttocks. “The CPB officers then conducted a partial body search discovering that the defendant was wearing two pairs of compression shorts over her underwear, that concealed a white powdery substance

wrapped in transparent plastic,” the court document stated.

Fowler removed the substance and its packaging from her body and handed it to the CBP officers and the substance tested positive as cocaine. It weighed 1925.1 grams.

The elderly woman will make her next appearance on the 27th of this month before Judge Roanne L. Mann in a New York Eastern District Court.

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Bodies at seawall saga...

Police doubtful serial killer on the loose - say incidents ‘just an occurrence’

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IVEN the recent incident in which a fourth body was found at a foreshore location on Guyana’s Coastal Plain within a month’s time, Crime Chief Leslie James has told this publication that police investigations have not determined a trend in occurrence of this type of incident, but it is safe to say that it is just an occurrence.

He explained that these homicides are not linked, but are probably just coincidental; however, they are of concern to law enforcement agencies.

He reiterated his appeal to all citizens to report to the police anything which they consider unusual, since a person or persons is/are taking the time to commit these heinous crimes and dumping the bodies on sea defences across the country.

James, however, advised young people not to venture out on the seawalls alone, or wander off into the night; since some persons are using the cover of darkness to hide their crimes, and, in addition, there is the possibility of them being attacked as well.

He said the police would be maintaining their mobile patrols as much as they could, but he noted that some areas are very desolate and are unlit. He also said that the police are working with the Ministry of Works to have some desolate areas illuminated.

James explained that, from the police probe, it appears as though the dumping of bodies on the seawalls reflect a ‘copycat’ mentality, since wannabe criminals may have read about this type of disposal of murdered persons and copied same in an effort to dispose of bodies.

James cautioned such persons to desist from this practice, since the arm of the law is very long and will certainly meet them soon.

At the same time, he said, he does not believe that a serial killer has been let loose in Guyanese society, since the crimes vary and the only thing they have in common is that all four bodies had been dumped on the seawalls in different locations. As such, he said, there is not sufficient cause to make a pronouncement.

The body of 26-year-old Ramesh Katarnauth of Lot 83 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty was found on the Kitty foreshore on March 22 last. His cause of death was given as asphyxia due to drowning, compounded by compression injury to the neck and multiple blunt trauma to the body.

Katarnauth had left home to make a purchase at a nearby shop, but had never returned home.

On March 27 last, the nude body of 17-year-old Alicia Ali of Fourth Street, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara was found trapped between boulders at the seawalls by UG Road. She had gone missing on March 25 after going to a nearby shop to make a purchase for her mother.

The dismembered body of Samantha Benjamin of Middle walk, Buxton, East Coast Demerara was found on March 27 last at Annandale seawalls.

She had been killed at her home, and her body parts had been dumped at the location.

The semi-nude body of Davkumari Ramadar, 17, of Bella Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara was found on the La Jalousie foreshore on April 11 last.

She had gone missing on April 4, after storming out of her workplace.

By Michel Outridge

Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

21

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

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April 17–23, 2015

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In Loving Memory... A Tribute

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

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April 17–23, 2015

25

Understand the benefits of permanent life insurance.

Permanent life insurance can provide you and your family with longstanding benefits that ultimately provide a greater sense of protection and financial security.

Here’s an overview of the ways that a permanent life insurance policy can be a valuable option for you and your family.

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hile the primary purpose of life insurance is to protect loved ones in the event of your death, permanent life insurance offers other financial benefits that may be extremely helpful with everyday expenses. One of the larger financial perks of purchasing a permanent life insurance policy is the cash value accumulation component, which guarantees1

1 Guarantees are backed by

cash value accumulation on a tax-deferred basis. This cash accumulation is often referred to as a “living benefit” since it is a benefit you can enjoy during your lifetime. As long as your premiums are paid, the cash value that builds in your policy accumulates on a tax-deferred basis and can be borrowed against2 the claims-paying ability of the issuer.

2 The cash value in a permanent life policy is accessed through

generally income tax-free. That money can be accessed via policy loans for virtually anything, such as funding a child’s college education, supplementing your retirement income as the life insurance needs decrease, or even ensuring the continuation of a personal business you’ve worked hard to build. Moreover, some permanent life insurance policies may be eligible for dividends3 which may be used to help pay premiums or purchase additional insurance.

Stay safe and secure.

Unlike permanent life insurance, which is in place for your entire life, term life insurance policy loans, which accrue interest at the current rate and decrease the available death benefit and cash value.

3 Dividends are based on the policy’s applicable dividend scale, which is neither guaranteed nor an estimate of future results.

generally provides a tax-free death benefit for a specific length of time. When the term expires, so does your protection. While you may be able to renew it, your health may have changed and the rates may be higher. While term insurance may initially offer more affordable premiums, permanent life insurance provides a lifetime of protection and value. Your premium stays the same regardless of your age or health conditions, and the policy is more likely to be in force when your family needs it most.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

Ask God for forgiveness

ony Mascall, whose wife Donna was killed when a car crashed into the bedroom of her Longdenville, Chaguanas, home on Sunday, yesterday said he was not accepting the driver’s apology.

“A life was taken. My wife is dead. I cannot take that apology.

“God will forgive but he (the driver) will have to pay for that. He will be the one who will have to ask God for forgiveness,” Mascall told the T&T Guardian as he lay in pain on his hospital bed at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC), Mount Hope.

Yesterday, the T&T Guardian also visited the driver’s home in Longdenville and was met by his mother, who extended a heartfelt apology to the Mascall family on behalf of her son.

“I am a mother too and I feel for the family. They have children and they have lost their mother. We are really sorry for what happen and I know that nothing we can say or do will change anything,” the driver’s mother, who wished not to be identified, said.

She said she would like the Mascalls to also accept the support they were willing to offer them, “whether it be emotional, financial or physical support.”

“We are reaching out to them. We don’t know if they have the finances for the wake and funeral and we are even willing to help in that regard.”

The driver’s mother claimed that her son had been left traumatised by the incident.

“This has all of us traumatised. My son is very responsible and he sees about the well-being of his common-law wife and son. This have him so much in a mess that he doesn’t even want to go outside the house. He is not really talking much and he is having difficulties in sleeping.”

She added, “From the bottom of our souls we sympathise with the family and are hoping that they find it in their hearts to forgive us for a situation that was not planned.”

Engines woke me up But Mascall remained adamant that he was not softening his heart to the apology.

Recalling the incident, Mascall said he was awakened from his sleep moments before the crash by sounds of racing car engines.

“I sat up in my bed and was listening to the car engines racing off. It sounded like cars drag racing. Then the sound came louder and louder as though it was headed my way and before I knew it I heard a loud explosion like if a bomb exploded,” he said.

“I fell back on the bed and I heard my wife scream out so loud and then I heard my son gasping for breath. All I could

Aneisha Mascall comforts her father, Anthony, at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, yesterday.

Mascall escaped death after a car crashed through his bedroom wall, killing his wife, Donna, and injuring his three– year–old son, Andrew, on Sunday. Photo: RISHI RAGOONATH have shouted was, ‘O God save my child.’”

Mascall said he remembered the car being on him and minutes after the crash the car door opened and the driver

stepped on him and ran out of the car.

“It felt like a truck was on top of me and all I could feel was the exhaust burning through my left foot.”

On Monday night the first part of reconstructive surgery was done to Mascall’s left foot, as it was burnt to the bone.

Part two of the surgery is carded for tomorrow and the third part for sometime next week.

Mascall’s three-year-old son, Andrew, was again taken to the EWMSC yesterday for a further medical check-up and for redressing of the wound to his head.

Mascall’s wife’s funeral is scheduled for tomorrow and Mascall said he was hoping to be discharged to attend it.

“My wife and I have been together for the past seven years and I have to say goodbye to her,” he said.

“I just want the doctors to release me for the funeral and then take me back so they can do the second part of the surgery. I don’t want my son to be in the funeral though, because he has been through enough already.”

The incident occurred at about 1 am on Sunday at Palmiste, Longdenville, Chaguanas. The driver, 22, of Flemming Street, who was held by police shortly after his car rammed into the bedroom of the house where the three were sleeping, was subsequently released from custody after he passed a breathalyser test.

Top Oil Executive is Guyana Marriott’s first official guest - Today’s grand opening ceremony is an occasion to be celebrated by all of Guyana, says Finance Minister

A

HEAD of today’s highly anticipated grand opening ceremony, the Georgetown Marriott Hotel formally welcomed its first guest yesterday morning – REPSOL Country Manager, Giancarlo Ariza. Among those present were Head of Atlantic Hotels Incorporated (AHI), Winston Brassington and Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, who described the occasion as an “extremely exciting and momentous moment for all Guyanese”.

Noting that the Marriott is an international hotel brand of the highest repute, “well known for the excellence of its properties and the excellence of the services that they offer”, the Minister said Government was delighted that the company viewed Guyana as a place where they would like to do business.

He added that the Marriott was “sufficiently confident to associate their brand with this country and they have worked closely with us to establish a hotel that has true international standard, class and calibre”.

The Finance Minister said he has had a number of conversations with the hotel chain’s top leadership and on every

Marriott Hotel’s first guest, REPSOL’s Country Manager Giancarlo Ariza meets Head of Atlantic Hotel Incorporated, Winston Brassington and Guyana’s Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh occasion, he has heard that the company is proud to be associated with the Guyana Marriott and they are proud to have the company’s brand attached to it. In addition to this, they have said that the local hotel can hold its own against any other Marriott branded hotel, internationally. He described the facility as a “fantastic addition to the local landscape and provides a very important fillip to the tourism industry and to the tourism landscape infrastructure in Guyana”.

See pg. 29

Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

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World News Highlights

STOCKHOLM - Julian Assange has agreed to be questioned at Ecuador’s London embassy over allegations of sexual assault, his Swedish lawyer said on Thursday.

RIYADH/ADEN - Yemen’s newly-appointed Vice President Khaled Bahah, a widely respected figure named this week to shore up the legitimacy of the exiled Saudi-backed government, said on Thursday he hoped to avert a Saudi-led invasion to restore unity to the country.

JERUSALEM - Police said on Thursday a Palestinian whose car struck people at a Jerusalem bus stop, killing an Israeli, appeared to have driven into them deliberately.

JOHANNESBURG - South Af-

rican police fired rubber bullets and tear gas on Thursday to disperse anti-immigrant protesters in Johannesburg, as the country’s president called for a halt to a wave of violence directed at foreigners. | Video

ist known for his pro-Russian views was shot dead on Thursday in Kiev, a day after the killing of a political supporter of ousted Moscow-backed President Viktor Yanukovich, driving up tension between Moscow and Kiev.

THE HAGUE - The Dutch government said on Thursday that, with nearly all of the victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 identified, efforts had shifted to finding those responsible for shooting the plane down as it crossed Ukraine last July. | Video

VILNIUS - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Thursday Russia could not succeed in breaking European Union unity on sanctions over Ukraine by using strategies such as offering to remove trade embargoes against individual EU member states.

MOSCOW - Top Russian officials accused the United States on Thursday of seeking political and military dominance in the world and sought to put blame on the West for international security crises, including the conflict in east Ukraine.

MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin accused Washington on Thursday of putting pressure on some world leaders not to attend events in Russia marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe.

KIEV - A Ukrainian journal-

HELSINKI - Finland’s eurosceptic The Finns party is seen neck-

and-neck with the center-right National Coalition party in the race for second place in Sunday’s national elections, a poll by public broadcaster YLE showed on Thursday.

JOHANNESBURG - South African President Jacob Zuma on Thursday told parliament he condemned recent anti-immigrant attacks and urged for calm to be restored in areas impacted by violence.

GENEVA - Forty-one people have drowned in the Mediterranean trying to reach Italy by boat from Libya, four survivors said when they arrived at the Sicilian port of Trapani, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

PARIS - The 86-year-old founder of France’s far-right FN party, Jean-Marie Le Pen, was under ob-

servation in hospital on Thursday after an operation, in the midst of a family feud that has seen him clash with his daughter Marine, now the party leader.

PRISTINA/BELGRADE - Serbia warned on Thursday it would arrest the foreign minister of its former province of Kosovo for alleged terrorism if he turns up in Belgrade next week to attend a conference.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis on Thursday appealed to Somali Islamist militants who killed 148 people at a Kenyan university this month to stop their brutality and “come to their senses”.

DUBAI - The United Nations envoy to Yemen, Jamal Benomar, resigned on Wednesday, according to a U.N. statement, signaling that his effort to end fierce fighting in the country had failed.

Fortify Your Knowledge About Vitamins Contributed by Renita Nal, RPH, Hollis Prescription Center

A

ccording to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) vitamins are essential nutrients that contribute to a healthy life. Although most people get all the vitamins they need from the foods they eat, millions of people worldwide take supplemental vitamins as part of their health regimen.

Why Buy Vitamins?

There are many good reasons to consider taking vitamin supplements, such as over-the-counter multivitamins. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), a doctor may recommend that you take them: • for certain health problems • if you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet • if you are pregnant or breastfeeding Vitamin Facts Your body uses vitamins for a variety of biological processes, including growth, digestion, and nerve function. There are 13 vitamins that the body absolutely needs: vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folate). AAFP cites two categories of vitamins.

• Water-soluble vitamins are easily absorbed by the body, which doesn’t store large amounts. The kidneys remove those vitamins that are not needed.

• Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed into the body with the use of bile acids, which are fluids used to absorb fat. The body stores these for use as needed.

Practice Safety with Dietary Supplements When it comes to purchasing dietary supplements, Vasilios Frankos, Ph.D., Director of FDA’s Division of Dietary Supplement Programs, offers this advice: «Be savvy!»

Today’s dietary supplements are not only vitamins and minerals. «They also include other less familiar substances such

as herbals, botanicals, amino acids, and enzymes,» Frankos says. «Check with your health care providers before combining or substituting them with other foods or medicines.» Frankos adds, «Do not self-diagnose any health condition. Work with your health care providers to determine how best to achieve optimal health.»

Consider the following tips before buying a dietary supplement: • Think twice about chasing the latest headline. Sound health advice is generally based on research over time, not a single study touted by the media. Be wary of results claiming a «quick fix» that departs from scientific research and established dietary guidance.

• More may not be better. Some products can be harmful when consumed in high amounts, for a long time, or in combination with certain other substances.

• Learn to spot false claims. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Examples of false claims on product labels include: • Quick and effective «cure-all» • Can treat or cure disease • «Totally safe,» «all natural,» and has «definitely no side effects» Other red flags include claims about limited availability, offers of «no-risk, money-back guarantees,» and requirements for advance payment.

«Also ask yourself, «Is the product worth the money?’» Frankos advises. «Resist the pressure to buy a product or treatment on the spot. Some supplement products may be expensive or may not provide the benefit you expect. For example, excessive amounts of water-soluble vitamins, like vitamins C and B, are not used by the body and are eliminated in the urine.»

Special Nutrient Needs According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, many people consume more calories than they need without taking in recommended amounts of a number of nutrients. The Guidelines warn that there are

numerous nutrients—including vitamins— for which low dietary intake may be a cause of concern. These nutrients are: • calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium, and vitamins A (as carotenoids), C, and E (for adults) • calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E (for children and adolescents) • vitamin B-12, iron, folic acid, and vitamins E and D (for specific population groups).

Regarding the use of vitamin supplements, the Dietary guidelines include the following: Consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods and beverages within and among the basic food groups. At the same time, choose foods that limit the intake of saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, added sugars, salt, and alcohol.

Meet recommended nutrient intakes within energy needs by adopting a balanced eating pattern, such as one of those recommended in the USDA Food Guide or the National Institute of Health’s Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan.

1. If you’re over age 50, consume vitamin B-12 in its crystalline form, which is found in fortified foods or supplements.

2. If you’re a woman of childbearing age who may become pregnant, eat foods high in heme-iron and/or consume ironrich plant foods or iron-fortified foods with an iron-absorption enhancer, such as foods high in vitamin C. 3. If you’re a woman of childbearing age who may become pregnant or is in the first trimester of pregnancy, consume adequate synthetic folic acid daily (from fortified foods or supplements) in addition to food forms of folate from a varied diet.

4. If you are an older adult, have dark skin, or are exposed to insufficient ultraviolet band radiation (such as sunlight), consume extra vitamin D from vitamin D-fortified foods and/or supplements.

How Vitamins are Regulated Vitamin products are regulated by FDA as «Dietary Supplements.» The law defines dietary supplements, in part, as products taken by mouth that contain a «dietary ingredient» intended to supplement the diet.

Listed in the «dietary ingredient» category are not only vitamins, but minerals, botanicals products, amino acids, and substances such as enzymes, microbial probiotics, and metabolites. Dietary supplements can also be extracts or concentrates, and may be found in many forms. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 requires that all such products be labeled as dietary supplements.

In June 2007, FDA established dietary supplement «current Good Manufacturing Practice» (cGMP) regulations requiring that manufacturers evaluate their products through testing identity, purity, strength, and composition.

Risks of Overdoing It As is the case with all dietary supplements, the decision to use supplemental vitamins should not be taken lightly, says Vasilios Frankos, Ph.D., Director of FDA’s Division of Dietary Supplement Programs.

«Vitamins are not dangerous unless you get too much of them,» he says. «More is not necessarily better with supplements, especially if you take fat-soluble vitamins.”

For some vitamins and minerals, the National Academy of Sciences has established upper limits of intake (ULs) that it recommends not be exceeded during any given day. (For more information, visit www.nap. edu/catalog.php?record_id=6432#toc Also, the AAFP lists the following side effects that are sometimes associated with taking too much of a vitamin.

• Fat-soluble Vitamins • A (retinol, retinal, retinoic acid): Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, clumsiness, birth defects, liver problems, possible risk of osteoporosis.

You may be at greater risk of these

effects if you drink high amounts of alcohol or you have liver problems, high cholesterol levels or don’t get enough protein.

• D (calciferol): Nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness, weight loss, confusion, heart rhythm problems, deposits of calcium and phosphate in soft tissues.

• If you take blood thinners, talk to your doctor before taking vitamin E or vitamin K pills.

• Water-soluble Vitamins • B-3 (niacin): flushing, redness of the skin, upset stomach.

• B-6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine): Nerve damage to the limbs, which may cause numbness, trouble walking, and pain.

• C (ascorbic acid): Upset stomach, kidney stones, increased iron absorption.

• Folic Acid (folate): High levels may, especially in older adults, hide signs of B-12 deficiency, a condition that can cause nerve damage Taking too much of a vitamin can also cause problems with some medical tests or interfere with how some drugs work.

Report Problems If you believe that you are experiencing an adverse response to taking a vitamin or a dietary supplement, Frankos advises reporting it to your health care provider, as well as to the manufacturer whose name or phone number appears on the label. You can also report directly to FDA.

Hollis Prescription Center 205-11 Jamaica Avenue Hollis, NY 11423 Tel: 718-776-2329 Free delivery of your medicine to your doorstep

Caribbean Star Newspaper Robert Tenney

April 17–23, 2015

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y name is Robert Tenney and I am a proud member of the Naujavaan Mandalee Youth Group of the Shaanti Bhavan Mandir. I want to talk to you about my views on animal testing.

Animal testing is one way of making meds for humans by torturing animals.

I believe that animal testing is a horrendous crime. In my opinion people who experiment on animals are criminals.

In animal testing, many animals are experimented on and then killed after their use. There are many stories detailing the abuse animals go through when they are used as test subjects. Primates start to hurt themselves when they don’t get medication for pain relief. Sometimes people kidnap baby primates from their mommies, to be tested on. And the stories go on and on. The sad fact is that many of these animals received tests for substances that will never actually see approval or public use.

Some people think it is good to test meds on animals instead of humans.

Here’s something to think about, the reaction of a drug in an animal’s body is quite different from the reaction in a human. The drug Voixx, tested on animals, caused 27,000 heart attacks or sudden cardiac deaths from the time it came on the market in 1999 through 2003. The

drug Thalidomide, also tested on animals, caused thousands of birth defects on babies. These are some scary facts.

We should be against animal testing because it is morally wrong. In our religion, we worship many gods in animal forms. Lord Vishnu’s first incarnation on Earth was as a fish, then a tortoise, and next as a boar. When Lord Rama needed help in finding Sita Ma, he was aided by Hanuman, a monkey god. In the Mahabharata (book 13), it tells us to treat other creatures as we would like to be treated, and to regard ahimsa (nonviolence) toward other beings as our highest duty. This is something we should think about.

In conclusion, I believe that animal testing should not be allowed. Someone needs to figure out some alternative to animal testing. We do consider ourselves to be the smartest beings on this planet. It can’t be that hard. Maybe then we can follow the golden rule: treat others, including animals, how you want to be treated.

UG admin slow to improve Turkeyen campus - students, staff

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everal weeks after the end of the prolonged industrial action at the University of Guyana (UG), both faculty members and students have expressed dissatisfaction with the administration’s efforts to meet their non-wage demands.

On the 3rd of February of this year, the University of Guyana students joined the academic and non-academic staff in protesting the conditions at the University.

At this time, they added their own list of demands to those being requested by the staff.

The compiled list features 18 issues of concern, including demands for the provision of learning resource materials, the implementation of rehabilitation works so as to afford proper learning, living facilities for students as well as provision of more efficient and better trained ancillary staff.

When Stabroek News visited the campus yesterday, there was evidence of an attempt by the administration to address some of the concerns but students and staff both say it is not enough.

“They have painted the walls but there are few working microscopes in the biology labs. When I present my certificate, no one is going to want to know the colour of the UG washroom wall; they will want to know if I have the skill in my area of study and I can only get that if I am able to practice with proper equipment,” a student said.

One lecturer told of how difficult it

A broken, rust-stained toilet surrounded by freshly painted walls at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus. was to sometimes get teaching material even after the strike. The printers were not working and there was no available paper, the lecturer noted.

Students showed reporters the stray dogs who still frequent the campus and spoke of furniture which they described as “fragile.”

Joshua Griffith, President of the University of Guyana Students Society, spoke of the attempts by the administration to address some of the issues.

“The tendering process has begun for the rehabilitation of the Dennis Irvine and NBS Halls of Residence for example but the Learning Resource Committee and Registry Committee are still to meet to address several of the issues on the list,” he said. “Efforts are being made” he stressed, while lamenting that “they are just not timely.”

Marriott Hotel’s first guest, REPSOL’s Country Manager Giancarlo Ariza (centre) with Marriott Managers and staffers in the hotel’s lobby Continued from pg. 26 The fact that the first guest is the head of a well-known multinational company, which itself with its investments locally in the oil and gas sector has also indicated its belief that Guyana is a good place to do business, with a global footprint, sends a strong signal of confidence and optimism in this country’s future, Minster Singh said.

“A fantastic place, as expected,” was the description given by the Marriott’s first guest, Giancarlo Ariza, adding that it was one of the best hotel brands internationally. He added that the Marriott Guyana, will make many changes in the local hotel industry, “not only that, it’s going to make good opportunities for development and other business around the hotel area”.

The Marriott, a five-star brand is known around the world as one of the most prestigious and quality hotel brands. The hotel chain is present in 72 countries, comprising more than 3600 hotels, and a staff complement of 129,000.

The establishment will provide employment for 250 people in the hospitality business, through direct employment, and another 100 indirectly. This will be accomplished through the utilisation of the services of local workers such as electricians and those in the construction field. The 197–room Marriott boasts a large ballroom, a conference centre, casino, nightclub, restaurant, a concrete walkway, and all other amenities of a world-class hotel. The US$51 million project was launched in November 2011.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

Some of life’s best lessons are learned during the hardest times— Vp Premier WEEKLY HOROSCOPE

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Ambition’s great in the workplace, but in the rest of your life you should really live and let live. These are words to live by as the week begins. Give relationships room to grow instead of imposing lots of expectations. Then give yourself and (everyone else) a break around Thursday and Friday -- the cosmic energy’s just off. The best ways to combat this? Random acts of kindness and unflinching optimism. With the weekend comes a sense of adventure and some extra personal greatness -- leave room now for random detours and assorted good luck. Enjoy!

CANCER

(June 21-July 22)

It’s all about balance and flexibility as the week begins. Start with the physical (yoga or stretching, perhaps?), and where you take your body, your mind will follow. Beware of getting carried away now -- instead, ask another question or look for another perspective. Around Thursday and Friday, things occur naturally and beautifully, especially if you share them with somebody you’re in tune with. This weekend, your mind’s quick and in the moment, but something (or someone?) from the past demands a little thought, too.

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

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

You’re rock solid and able to take flights of fancy on Monday. Get the rest of your week all set up, and add in a thing or two that’s decidedly different. Speaking of decidedly different, over the next couple days you just never know what’s going to happen. Are you going to relax and enjoy what life’s sending your way? Starting around Thursday and lasting through the weekend, you’re making lasting bonds with others, achieving new (and deeper) understanding and (ideally) taking your time with it all. Why rush when it’s this interesting?

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22)

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

If you seem to be lacking your usual magic touch with others on Monday, don’t freak out -- it’s just that there’s something that needs addressing.

Over the next few days, your energy’s excellent for healthy processing, learning more and maybe even radical change (for the better, if you make it so!).

Then, while the stars hate to say it, appearances count around Thursday and Friday. Spruce up and look like you’re ready for the next step. When the weekend comes, you’ll be the one to put together something great for the group (and to be hailed as a hero of fun!).

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

You’re great of course, but sometimes it’s best to know it and not necessarily show it -- like at the beginning of this week.

Just keep on with your greatness quietly; others will most assuredly catch on, and it’ll be even sweeter that way. Take care with money and issues of value around Thursday and Friday. What is it that really matters now?

Be skeptical of shiny or otherwise alluring surfaces.

When the weekend comes, you make everything fun, whether it’s a party or just errands. Have a good time!

Hey, it may be Monday, but your energy’s like a fantastic Friday night. Make your own luck now -- both work and romance are full of possibilities. Through the rest of the workweek, however, relationships of all sorts require a little work and a lot of subtlety. Are you really listening, with your mind wide open? Can you let others be who they are, respecting differences, showing care and using the old sense of humor? It looks like you’re on a mission of some sort this weekend.

You’re cute when you’re all fired up!

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Beware of your boss, your mom or anyone who can push your buttons on Monday. A little proactive stress relief (maybe first thing in the a.m.) helps a lot. Why not try to reach a new understanding? Over the next couple of days, it’s easy to do this with all sorts of people -- coworkers, family, friends and those in-between or multifaceted relationships, too. You’re easy to love, now more than ever. Then, starting around Thursday, be proactive about being a do-gooder. It’s immensely more satisfying than only looking out for number one (and good for your karma, too).

You’re a person of many moods, and this week’s likely to put you through your emotional paces.

While Monday’s energy is great for work and general planning, the next couple of days could bring issues -- perhaps with family or home life. Beware of saying something you might regret later! Then, hello, roller coaster! Thursday and Friday bring an air of mystery, possibilities and even romance. It’s all around you, so breathe it in. When the weekend comes, don’t just follow your instinct. You definitely need a method to your madness now.

Speak your mind as the week begins! You’ve got a way with saying what’s on it, whether you’re at work or pursuing more personal matters (and more on that this weekend!). Also focus on great things now, such as your open mind, heart and ears. (Speaking your mind shouldn’t be a one-way street, after all.) Then, while Thursday and Friday aren’t exactly high-energy days for you, they’re excellent for thinking things through. And when the weekend comes, fun and games are in the stars, and so is the game of love (if you want to play).

Make a move -- why not?

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Monday ought to get the week off to a great start. The stars say you can get a ton done now, having fun while you’re at it. But -- look out! -- over the next few days, pitfalls abound and all your best-laid plans may go right by the wayside. Maintain your cool! Your persistence prevails in the end, and at the end of the workweek, you’re looking good (and others -- perhaps a certain someone? -- are taking notice!). When the weekend comes, if you’re worried about something, don’t, under any circumstances, ignore it.

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Yes, you’d rather be doing, well ... whatever you’d rather be doing, but take care of business on Monday. And while you’re at it, avoid making a fuss. If you want to shake things up a little (or a lot!), the next few days are custom-made for shaking. Others love how you’re thinking now, whether at work or on a more personal level. So don’t hesitate to share! Around Thursday and Friday, keep that credit card in your wallet. What matters now is something you can’t buy. And when the weekend comes, a funny discovery awaits. Interesting!

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20)

Everyone needs some direction now and then, and you’ll feel much better if you seek some out as the week begins. Consult a close (and emotionally intelligent!) friend about your love path; have a conversation with your mentor or boss about your long-term career goals. You’ll want to be ready to take action around Thursday and Friday, when your energy’s awesome and you’re extra attractive. This could be life-changing stuff! This weekend, though, something isn’t as it seems. Be smart and look closely.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

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Entertainment News

Abhishek Bachchan begins shooting for 'Hera Phera 3'

Abhishek Bachchan

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ctor Abhishek Bachchan has begun shooting for the third installment of hit comedy franchise Hera Pheri today.

Abhishek, 36, took to Twitter to share the news with his fans. "Hera Pheri shoot day 1. Here we go... #GoForIt, [sic]" the Guru actor tweeted.

The film, a follow-up to Hera Pheri and Phir Hera Pheri, will not see Akshay Kumar, who will be replaced by John Abraham.

John, Abhishek and veteran comedian Kader Khan are the new additions in the franchise. The other two actors, Paresh Rawal and Sunil Shetty are reprising their famous characters in Hera Pheri 3. The movie will be directed by Neeraj Vohra, who also helmed the second installment.

This is the third time Abhishek and John are working together, after Dhoom and Dostana, where they pretended to be gay lovers.

The movie is scheduled to release on December 18.

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Preity Zinta: IPL doesn't need me anymore

he prides herself in doing one film at a time and surviving in the Bollywood arena, but Preity Zinta's subsequent involvement in Twenty20 cricket tournament Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 affected her movie presence. Now, the dimpled beauty with brains is ready to be back with a bang in filmdom.

A co-owner of IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab, Preity, who is coming to the small screen as a judge on dance-based reality show Nach Baliye, says she wanted to keep her focus on cricket back in 2008.

"I wanted to focus on cricket that time.

Acting is not something that you can just do. When you go and start performing, you put yourself in a safety deposit box and you become somebody else. A lot of me was required in cricket because I was starting a new business. I went through the whole process on my own and I didn't think it was possible for me to do all that and become somebody else. Something was going to suffer and after all these years in the industry, I didn't want to end up doing films where either production suffered or I as an actor suffered. I was quite happy to take on cricket and do that. I wanted growth," Preity told IANS in an interview here.

Now that it's been been eight years of IPL, she feels "IPL doesn't need me anymore".

"Now I just have to come and watch the game. The business is doing well, the team is doing well. Things have fallen into place. Now doing this ('Nach Baliye') or movie sounds exciting to me because I've been away from them for sometime.

I've come back with a fresh perspec-

Robert Pattinson dances to Drake's song at Coachella

wilight star Robert Pattinson has been captured breaking into a jig, while watching rapper Drake's performance at the Coachella music festival.

The 28-year-old actor attended the festival with rumoured fiancee FKA Twigs, who also performed at the threeday event, and swayed back and forth and bobbed his head while the "Started From the Bottom" singer performed onstage, reported Us magazine.

Standing beside the actor was his ladylove, who looked less enthusiastic as she managed to peer over the crowded audience.

Pattinson and FKA Twigs, 27, spent the majority of their time with friend Katy Perry. The trio watched Kaskade perform together before heading over to Drake.

"It's really funny watching Rob try to dance," a source but, FKA clearly knows what she's doing!" said a source.

"Rob had his arms wrapped around

FKA, kind of cradling her. He really seems obsessed with her!", the source said.

tive and I'm in a different space. I never thought that I would be so excited about judging a dance reality show," she said.

A producer, writer, entrepreneur and a dance lover, Preity, who considers herself "in good space right now", promises to feature in more movies this year.

The 40-year-old, who was last seen in a full-fledged role in the 2013 dud Ishkq in Paris, is now busy filming her upcoming film Bhaiyyaji Superhitt and Nach Baliye 7, which she is co-judging with author Chetan Bhagat and choreogra-

pher Marzi Pestonji.

"This show is going to be a treat," Preity told IANS here while promoting the celebrity dance show, which will be aired on Star Plus starting April 26.

Talking about her filmography, the Sangharsh star, who made her Bollywood debut with Dil Se.. in 1998, says she is happy about having done selective work.

"I was the only actress from my generation or any generation who came and did one film at a time and survived," said the actress, who has featured in over 30 films, including cameos.

She promises more than just films to her fans this year. "You'll see me in more movies this year for sure. 'Bhaiyyaji Superhitt' film is what I'm doing which I'm going to complete. There's also some new work coming. I'm also starting a new business venture. You'll hear about it by end of this year. It's a big deal for me. I'm in good space right now where I want to do all this," said Preity.

What about movie production? "My first movie ('Ishkq in Paris') that I did...

I'm very proud of the movie. It's okay to do one or a couple of things wrong. It was a great learning experience. Hopefully, I'll come back with bigger and better things... which I will but not immediately right now. Without sounding arrogant, I've had 80 to 90 percent success rate compared to things that have not worked out for me so, I don't even think I should be in a position to complain. God has been kind to me. I should be appreciative of what I have instead of complaining about what I don't because I definitely got more than I ever dreamt of," said the former model.

Charlize Theron is 'very lucky' to have Sean Penn

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ctress Charlize Theron considers herself "very lucky" to be engaged to actor Sean Penn, but still finds the concept of marriage "strange".

The 40-year-old told Esquire magazine that Penn, 54, makes her heart skip a beat and she is madly in love with him, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Theron -- whose mother shot dead her alcoholic father after he attacked her while drunk -- said: "The marriage thing is always so strange to me anyway.

I love the possibility of anything, but I'm really enjoying myself and the everyday moment and how that coincides with my son and my life and my friends. I'm a very, very, very lucky girl. Very lucky. He's hot.

He is hot. How do you say that in an interview?

"You're a 40-year-old woman sounding like a 16-year-old. There's something beautiful about that, but you lack the articulation of really saying what it's like

when somebody walks into your life and makes you see something that you really never thought you'd be able to see."

The couple are expected to marry this summer. While the nuptials will be Theron's first, Penn was previously married to Madonna from 1985 to 1989 and Robin Wright from 1996 to 2010.

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April 17–23, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper Sophie Turner learned everything about sex from 'Game of Thrones'

S Sylvester Stallone banned daughters from dating

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ctor Sylvester Stallone has banned his three teenage daughters from dating until they are in their 40s.

The "Expendables" actor, who has Sophia, 18, Sistine, 16, and Scarlet, 13, with wife Jennifer Flavin, realised he wasn't going to be an "accepting" father when his eldest daughter was called by a boy four years ago, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"I told my three daughters they weren't allowed to date until their mid-40s but that's not going down well... The first time a boy called Sophia was when she was 14.

I realised I wasn't going to be an accepting father. "He said, 'Where's Sophia?' I said, 'She's in Egypt and she'll be there forever.' Everyone started yelling at me," Stallone told Ok! Magazine.

The 68-year-old star admits his daughters haven't listened to his warning and he ended up in a "battle" with Sophia's

current boyfriend when they met for the first time.

"I've finally met Sophia's first boyfriend.

He's 18. We shook hands and I said, 'No, you've got to learn to squeeze harder than that pal.' We got into a hand-squeezing battle," he said.

Despite his celebrity status, the "Rocky" star's daughters are embarrassed to be seen with him and don't even like him dropping them off at school.

Asked if he is an embarrassing dad, he admitted: "Very. If I'm within a mile of them it's like, 'Dad, can you please wear a disguise?' I say, 'Can I drop you off at school?' They say, 'No, we're going to take the bus'.

"Everyone at their school is happy to see me but them. But it happens with celebrity parents. I'm going to go dressed as Michael Douglas next time."

ophie Turner, who plays Sansa Stark in fantasy series 'Game of Thrones', has revealed that the actress didn't need sex education because she learnt everything from the show.

The Brit actress told UK magazine Stella that once her mother tried to talk to her about sex when she turned 16 and she then informed her mother that it was not required as she already knew a lot about sex as the show was very inventive, News.com.au reported.

The 19-year-old actress also shared one awkward experience when her father visited on the set on the day she was about to film an attempted gang-rape.

Rihanna denies snorting cocaine at Coachella

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&B star Rihanna, refuting reports that she snorted cocaine at the Coachella music festival, says she took a joint with a cigarette.

After the rumours, Rihanna posed with Coca Cola.

Rumours of Rihanna snorting cocaine surfaced after a video after a clip, showing her holding a slim white object and then grasping her nose for several seconds while hanging out with friends at the festival in California, arrived online, reported People magazine.

The video, which was reportedly posted by Instagram user fly.Xhuksta, has since been removed.

"Any fool could see that's a joint that I'm basing with cigarette! Who snorts tobacco??!!" Rihanna wrote on her Instagram account.

She also posted an Instagram picture of herself holding a can of Coca-Cola, in an apparent reference to the controversial video. She captioned the photo "#petty.

It's official! David Arquette, Christina McLarty are married David Arquette has officially exchanged vows with girlfriend Christina McLarty in an intimate ceremony in Los Angeles on April 12. The couple were married amongst close family and friends and were joined by their 11-month-old

son, Charlie West, and their two basset hounds for the ceremony, People Magazine reported. Arquette and McLarty, have been together for two years and got engaged 2014, two months after the birth of their son.

Caribbean Star Newspaper Dance face-off Chelsea Handler bares bottom again between Priyanka Chopra and Deep- C ika Padukone in Bajirao Mastani omedian Chelsea Handler flaunted her bare bottom once again in a photograph posted online The comedian took to image-sharing website Instagram on Monday to share a racy but funny photograph which was taken while the "Uganda Be Kidding Me" author was having barre workout with her pet dog Chunk.

As shown in the image, the comedian was standing at a barre in front of a mirror in a workout studio while stretching one leg to the left side and over her pet dog Chunk's head.

Wearing a black T-shirt, black capri

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ll those who have watched Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas will remember Dola Re Dola song from the film featuring Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit. Now, get ready for another dance off and this time it will be between Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone.

According to Bollywood Life, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is all set to recreate the magic of Dol Re again by a dance number in Bajirao Mastani featuring Priyanka and Deepika.

Collage of Priyanka Chopra and Deepika PadukoneCollage of Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone It will be a lavani dance number and will be bigger nad larger than Dola Re in terms of set, picturisation. The song will be choreographed by Remo D'souza and will be shot in Mumbai over a period of 10 days.

Both Priyanka and Deepika are reportedly rehearsing hard for the song. Deepika will also have a solo dance number in the film choreographed by Kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj.

Bajirao Mastani is a period drama starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone in the title role while Priyanka Chopra playes Bajirao's wife Kashibai.

pants and matching sneakers, she pulled the pants down in the back to show that she was not wearing any undergarment, reports aceshowbiz. com.

Alongside with the photograph, Handler wrote: "Kicking off Chunk's work week."

Prior to the barre workout photograph, Handler has bared her bottom for camera several times.

Last month, the "Call Me Crazy: A Five Film" star and actor Nick Offerman posed completely naked, exposing their bare backs and bottoms to the camera on the cover of men's magazine Esquire.

April 17–23, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

Caribbean Connections Jamaica’s new “Ganja Law” goes into effect April 15

Us President Barack Obama And His Cuban Counterpart Raul Castro (Credit: Cuba News Agency – Acn)

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INGSTON, Jamaica, Tuesday April 14, 2015, CMC – The Jamaica government says the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015, commonly referred to as the “Ganja Law” and passed by both Houses of Parliament in February, goes into effect on Wednesday.

A statement from the Ministry of Justice Monday said that notification of the Governor General’s assent to the Act has been published in the official Gazette and that the Minister of Justice, Mark Golding will bring the legislation into operation this week, April,15.

The Ministry of Justice said that the legislation is expected to have a number of positive implications for Jamaica, including strengthening respect for the rule of law and building a more just society, by eliminating a common cause of corrosive antagonism between the police and young men, particularly in less affluent communities.

It said the legislation would reduce the

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heavy burden of cases on the Resident Magistrates’ Courts and acknowledge the constitutional rights of the Rastafari community, who use ganja as a sacrament.

In addition, the government said the legislation paves the way for the emergence of a lawful, regulated legitimate medicinal and industrial marijuana industry that may have significant economic opportunities and benefits.

“This is a landmark piece of legislation, that is long overdue,” Golding said, adding “Jamaica is approaching these reforms in a responsible manner, and in keeping with our international obligations.

“The benefits of these reforms will be significant, and the possible negative implications will, for the first time, be mitigated by a public education campaign to discourage ganja use by adolescents, persons with mental disorders, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups,” he added.

Trinidad mother of four killed in freak accident

ORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Monday April 13, 2015, CMC – A 39 yearold mother of four was killed after a vehicle crashed through the wall of her home pinning her underneath.

Police said that Donna Jennifer Mascal, her husband, Anthony Mascal and her three-year-old son, Andrew, were asleep in their bedroom when the incident occurred on Sunday morning.

A Longdenville mother was crushed to death last night after a driver lost control of his car and crashed into her home….

Police said the vehicle was driven by a 22-year-old man who lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the house in Longdenville, east of here. They said the driver passed a breathalyser test and was

Police Said That Donna Jennifer Mascal, Her Husband, Anthony Mascal And Her Three-Year-Old Son, Andrew, Were Asleep In Their Bedroom When The Incident Occurred. (Credit: Screengrab C News Live) released from custody pending further enquiries.

Obama describes meeting with Cuban leader, Raul Castro, as “historic”

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ANAMA CITY, Panama, Monday April 13, 2015, CMC – US President Barack Obama and his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro met on Saturday in an historic face-to-face discussion between the leaders of both countries in a half-century.

For about an hour, Obama and Castro sat beside each other on Saturday, in a small room in the convention center downtown Panama City, where the Summit of the Americas was held.

“Our governments will continue to have differences,” Obama told reporters after the Summit concluded. “At the same time, we agreed that we can continue to take steps forward that advance our mutual interests,” said the president who said the meeting was “historic”.

“The United States will not be imprisoned by the past — we’re looking to the future,” said Obama of his approach to Cuba at the summit meeting’s first plenary session on Saturday. “I’m not interested in having battles that frankly started before I was born.

“The Cold War has been over for a long time”, he added.

The US president also said the meeting with Castro was “candid and fruitful,” adding that he will continue working on the goal he announced in December in re-establishing diplomatic relations and reopening embassies in Havana and Washington.

However, Obama said crucial steps in the normalization process would not be completed speedily, stopping short of announcing a final decision to remove Cuba from the United States’ list of state sponsors of terrorism, saying he wanted to study it further.

On Thursday, Obama had said that the Department of State had completed its review of whether Cuba should be dropped from the list of state sponsors

of terrorism.

“We will continue to have differences with the Cuban government, but we don’t want to be imprisoned by the past,” said Obama while in Jamaica, where he met with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders before heading to the Summit of the Americas here. “When something doesn’t work for 50 years, you don’t just keep on doing it – you try something new.

Cuba attended the summit meeting for the first time since its inception in 1994, creating the first publicly planned encounter of the American and Cuban presidents since 1958.

For his part, Castro said he wanted a new beginning with the US, despite both countries’ “long and complicated history.

“We are willing to discuss everything, but we need to be patient — very patient”, he said.

Castro also thanked Obama for vowing to come to a “rapid decision” on removing Cuba from the United States government’s list of states that sponsor international terrorism, a designation that has impacted Cuba’s ability to bank with the United States and some foreign creditors.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

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Jamaica opposition wants full scale investigation into possible ISIS link

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INGSTON, Jamaica, Tuesday April 14, 2015, CMC – The main opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Monday called for a full scale independent investigation into a possible link between the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and local citizens. The call follows the decision by Suriname Immigration authorities over the weekend to deny entry to a 16-year-old Jamaican teenager who was suspected of travelling to Turkey in order to join ISIS. Police said the teenager arrived at the Johan Adolf Pengel Airport on a flight from Jamaica, intending to transit to the Netherlands, from where he would travel to Turkey.

“He was denied entry to Suriname because we received information from a regional intelligence service that he wanted to join ISIS,” the police said without identifying the teenager.

National Security Minister Peter Bunting said the Jamaican authorities were instrumental in the apprehension of the teenager and that he is awaiting confirmation from the police on whether there is an ISIS connection.

JLP spokesman on National Security, Derrick Smith, said the situation warrants a detailed investigation given a recent statement by the authorities here that there was no information of Jamaicans

being involved with ISIS. “As to how this has happened, is it happening? How long has it been happening?

Bring this to the attention of Parliament so that the people can be exposed to what is likely to happen to any youngster…. It is a very frightening situation,” Smith said.

On Monday, the De Ware Tijd newspaper said that on at least two previous occasions, Immigrations officers encountered suspect ISIS recruits at the Johan Adolf Pengel Airport, but they were allowed to continue their journeys after Suriname checked their stories with regional intelligence services.

The paper did not mention the nationalities and other information about the suspected recruits and neither did it provide a source for the information. It said that Melvin Linscheer, the director of the Bureau National Security, declined to comment on the “information”.

“Suriname could definitely be a transition point for these types of people; for instance because we have daily flights to Europe. That is why we established the Counter Terrorism Unit. Not because we think Suriname is a target, but because we could be a hub from which they travel to their end destinations,” Linscheer told the newspaper.

Wanted: Apartments Studios Eight People Were Killed And 26 Others Injured After Two Vehicles Collided At Morne Tapion, Near Petit–Goave.

Haiti accident leaves eight dead and up to 26 injured

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ORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, Tuesday April 14, 2015, CMC – Prime Minister Evans Paul has called on drivers to exercise caution after eight people were killed and 26 others injured after two vehicles collided at Morne Tapion, near Petit-Goave, southwest of here, on Monday.

Paul said he had learnt about the accident “with great sadness and dismay” and urged drivers to “demonstrate responsibility on the roads and streets of the country”.

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Police said that the accident involved a “tap-tap” vehicle coming from Port au Prince and a truck carrying construction material. They said eight people, including six women were killed, with five of them dying at the scene of the accident.

The other three died in hospital.

“The government wishes to express its condolences to the families of the deceased and its solidarity to the injured,” Paul said in his statement.

Contact Darshan @ 917-916-3006 for more details

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April 17–23, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper Flight from Britain forced to land in Bermuda after crew members threatened

President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud listen keenly to an official on board the ExxonMobil’s Deepwater Champion oil rig yesterday

Drilling for oil offshore Guyana President visits ExxonMobil’s Deepwater Champion oil rig - accompanied by Minister Robert Persaud

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RESIDENT Donald Ramotar paid a visit to the ExxonMobil drillship, the Deepwater Champion, yesterday. The Deepwater Champion is drilling for oil under licence from the Government of Guyana in the Stabroek block, some 120 miles offshore Guyana within Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

The President and party travelled by helicopter from Ogle Aerodrome and were given a 360 degree view of the drillship from the helicopter.

After a short briefing aboard, the Party returned to Ogle. The President was accompanied by Mr. Robert Persaud who,

in his capacity as Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, is the focal point in the Government for Esso Exploration, and coordinator of the visit with Mr. Jeff Simons, Country Manager of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL). EEPGL is the local subsidiary of ExxonMobil, the largest publicly-traded Oil and Gas Company in the world.

Minister Persaud is coordinating the development of a National Oil and Gas policy on which he has invited and encouraged wide stakeholder participation and comment.

THOMSON AIRWAYS

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AMILTON, Bermuda, Tuesday April 14, 2015, CMC – Two British men were left scrambling for cash to avoid going to jail after each was fined US$3,000 in a Magistrates’ Court on Monday for using threatening behaviour towards crew members on a Mexico-bound flight from Britain that the captain was forced to divert to Bermuda.

Jamie Richardson, 38, from Lancing, West Sussex, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour on Thomson Airways Flight 022 by throwing peanuts and a pound coin at a flight attendant.

Daniel Taylor, 37, from Worthing, West Sussex, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour by hitting himself on the head with clenched fists and taking an aggressive stance towards cabin staff.

Richardson said he regretted the incident and that he had mixed sleeping pills, which he took because he had a fear of flying, and vodka, which led to his behaviour.

Taylor, who said he also took sleeping pills, said ‘it was the most embarrassing day of my life.”

Prosecutor Larissa Burgess told the court that the men appeared intoxicated when they boarded Sunday’s flight bound for Cancun, Mexico, at Gatwick Airport.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo ordered both men to pay fines of US$3,000 or face four months in prison in default of payment. But their attorney Alexandra Wheatley asked the magistrate to recon-

sider the amount because the defendants instructed her that they had only about $700 in cash between them.

But the magistrate refused the request, saying: “This kind of behaviour is not acceptable.”

He added that taking sleeping pills was not an excuse and that the fine was lenient enough.

“In these times it could be a lot harsher — you can’t mess around in the air these days,” he said.

Burgess said the defendants were seated apart, but kept moving around asking for drinks and, at one point, Taylor stepped on a flight attendant’s foot.

The court heard that the men then began shouting and swearing, and on being told to stop doing so, they exclaimed “we are drug dealers”.

Burgess added that Richardson then wanted to buy peanuts from a flight attendant and Taylor threw his wallet across the cabin to Richardson. When Richardson threw it back it hit a passenger on the head.

Burgess said they were told that this was unacceptable and Taylor proceeded to throw the peanuts and pound coins at the flight attendant, saying he did not want either.

Taylor refused a final written warning from the flight attendant, who notified the pilot of the incident.

The pilot then diverted the flight to Bermuda, where the defendants were arrested.

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

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

Caribbean Star Newspaper Homes for 500

April 17–23, 2015

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Webster says resignation due to health

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uman Services Minister Jennifer Webster yesterday said that her resignation from the government was entirely due to health reasons.

She told Stabroek News that she had not known that it was being alleged on social media that she was the subject of an international investigation and that that was the real reason for her departure.

“I don’t know about that, I don’t know that I am under any investigation and that I think I have been mixed up,” Webster lamented.

She said that her resignation was for the reasons she outlined in her letter to President Donald Ramotar which states that given her health challenge she has chosen to dedicate her time to ensuring her well-being.

She said that from time to time she would hear vile rumours being peddled about her and she dismisses them and focuses on herself and job. She hopes that with time and facts she can be vindicated and her name cleared of any gossip.

“I live a very simple life and I am speaking to you from the depth of my heart. I am not being investigated for anything.

People say all kinds of things but I have been praying and I know that with time the truth will prevail,” she said.

Earlier in the day, the government had also said it was unaware of any international probe of any Cabinet minister.

“Not aware of any investigation by any international organisation or country into cabinet members,” Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon said when asked.

“Minister Webster came with a letter or resignation that primarily dealt with the status of her health condition , that she felt and presumably on the basis of medical advice…She plucked down her preference. ‘My health in preference to my job’, and she offered her resignation at the most appropriate time…she said I am giving you heads up,” Luncheon added.

he dreams of 500 people came true as their names were picked at random during an electronic lottery draw at the headquarters of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), South Quay, Portof-Spain.

Scores of people gathered at the HDC, hoping their names would be called. However, many were disappointed, some saying they have been waiting for years to get a home.

The draw was carried live with the names of the lucky homeowners on air. The names, chosen from the Housing Ministry’s database, would also be published in the newspapers from this Sunday until Tuesday. The chosen people would begin their processing next month.

Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, while announcing that Government had fulfilled it promise to provide quality homes for citizens, criticised St Joseph MP Terrence Deyalsingh for his statements that the People’s Partnership Government was victimising the people of this country, claiming they were being told to “buy their homes or get out.”

Deyalsingh, on a morning talk show, said someone at the age of 58, would have to pay over $11,000 in installments every month.

“I was confused by the pronouncements by one Terrence Deyalsingh who was making false, misleading statements...Why wilfully create confusion in people’s minds, why try to create panic within the minds of our public?” he asked.

He said it was under the PNM’s stewardship that houses were built, but not vested, no Town and Country approval and waste water facilities.

Moonilal said it was Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar who stated that everyone

Easy rider: Public Utilities Minister Nizam Baksh test rides one of a fleet of scooters to be used by TTPost at the National Mail Centre, Golden Grov... should be given the chance to own their own home and instituted the random draw to ensure there was equity. He said there would be another draw to select another 500, not withstanding the policy prescriptions.

“Our policy is a humane one where every single citizen can be afforded a home because the poorest person would be getting public assistance from Government and that public assistance we can use for some type of housing arrangement,” he explained.

The minister also urged the new homeowners to pay their mortgages on time, saying the HDC was owed over $291 million in arrears through mortgage and rental.

“This is an accumulation over time, not something that started today and $291 million can build us over 800 units,” he said.

“That has occurred because of a culture, it is not just that persons are delinquent. It is a culture that has emerged in the housing sector where people were told they ought not pay for a government house, the house

belongs to you and it is free. This is why that culture emerged and we are trying to break that culture by developing a culture of discipline.

“I am hoping that we can deal humanely with those who are delinquent and we can put a payment process in place. Let us leave the irresponsibility of the past behind, be a role model and pay your bills to the HDC...$291 million is a lot of money to be owing the HDC at a time like this when we face economic challenges,” Moonilal said.

The minister said the National Housing Allocation Policy was in place to ensure selected persons were qualified citizens and could afford the allocated housing unit, to provide to citizens with the greatest need, and give all applicants a fair chance of selection.

He said applicants must be citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, 21 years and over, a first time homeowner, not an owner or part time owner of any property in TT, and their monthly income must not exceed $45,000.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

CRICKET & Sports

Richie Benaud signs off, cricket loses its voice

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ichie Benaud, the former Australia captain, journalist and legendary broadcaster, has died in Sydney aged 84. He had fought a long battle with skin cancer and had also suffered from the after-effects of a serious car accident near his Coogee home in late 2013.

A legspinner and aggressive batsman, Benaud’s 248 wickets made him Australia’s leading Test bowler of all time when he retired in 1964, having also never lost a series in which he was captain.

His captaincy achievements included the return of the Ashes to Australia after a gap of seven years in 195859, a key role in the epic 1960-61 home series against the West Indies that featured the first tied Test in Brisbane, and the conjuring of a miraculous victory over England at Manchester in 1961.

Melding flair and pragmatism in a way that would be emulated by successors including Ian Chappell, Mark Taylor and the incumbent captain Michael Clarke, Benaud helped breathe life back into Test cricket after a relatively moribund period for the game in the 1950s.

But Benaud would have arguably as much impact on the game as a broadcaster in England and Australia, a trade he moved into having worked as a police reporter before his playing retirement. His spare, dry style and ability to add to the images on screen rather than talking over the top of them was distinctive.

He also played a key role in the establishment of World Series Cricket as a key organizer of the breakaway competition for Kerry Packer

and then the host of Channel Nine’s coverage in 1977. It was a role Benaud would hold for most of the next 48 years, while living an “endless summer” with his second wife Daphne that took in work for the BBC and then Channel Four in England during Australian winters.

Taking strong note of his journalistic training, Benaud was seldom given to expressing fervent opinion nor to hark back to his playing days.

A generation of Australian children grew up knowing him only as a television host and commentator, and he was often asked if he had ever been a player.

A preference for cool detachment and observation meant that on the odd occasion he did raise his voice in critique it was extremely resonant - his closing broadcast remarks following Greg Chappell’s ordering of the

under arm in a World Series final against New Zealand at the MCG in 1981 provided one such example.

Wally Edwards, the Cricket Australia chairman, spoke of Benaud’s impact on the game. “Our country has lost a national treasure,” he said.

“After Don Bradman, there has been no Australian player more famous or more influential than Richie Benaud.

“Richie stood at the top of the game throughout his rich life, first as a record-breaking leg-spinner and captain, and then as cricket’s most famous broadcaster who became the iconic voice of our summer. He was an important influence in the formation of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket in 1977, a climactic event at the time but one which has left a lasting, positive influence on the game.

“Away from the camera

he was a leader, mentor and positive influencer of an extraordinary number of cricketers. And despite his role as the treasured grandfather of the game, he remained deeply in touch with modern developments, embracing Twenty20 when others of older eras shunned it.

“His passing today marks a profound loss to our nation.

Australian cricket and the game’s legions of fans extend deepest sympathies to Richie’s wife Daphne, brother John and the entire Benaud family at this sad time.”

Memorably, Benaud concluded his days as a commentator in England towards the end of the final day of the epic 2005 Ashes series, which also happened to be the last time Test cricket was broadcast on free to air television in Britain. He signed off to applause from around The Oval as England closed in on the Ashes.

In Australia his hosting and commentary duties were gradually scaled back with advancing years, though Nine made every effort to keep him involved as much as possible.

Only days before his November 2013 car accident he was glimpsed filming a promotional spot at North Sydney Oval, and after recovering enough to re-appear publicly he was a welcome presence at Nine’s season launch at the outset of last summer.

That day, Benaud spoke of the difficult times he had encountered, while offering a poignant word of advice about the effects of skin cancer, which emerged following his years of playing the game under the Australian sun, typically with shirt open to the waist and hat seldom worn.

“When I was a kid, we never, ever wore a cap. Not the flash ones,” he said at the launch. “’Nugget’ Miller never wore a cap, so I didn’t. I wish I had. I recommend to anyone: they should have protection on their skin and on their heads. I can give you one good reason for that.

Eighty-four-year-olds just don’t seem to mend as well as they used to.”

A few weeks later, Benaud’s voice would be given most emotively to the narration of Nine’s tribute to Phillip Hughes. The fragility of his words suggested that Benaud himself did not have too much time left. He never did get the chance to say goodbye to the Australian television audience, leaving a gulf that Nine’s chief executive David Gyngell described.

“Richie Benaud’s passing has robbed us not only of a national treasure, but a lovely man,” he said. “Richie earned the profound and lasting respect of everyone across the world of cricket and beyond first as an outstanding player and captain, then as an incomparable commentator, and through it all as a wonderful human being.

“Richie is a true legend not only to all the people who knew him, but to the many millions who didn’t. Which speaks volumes. He’s been part of the Australian psyche.

“We shall miss him dearly, but we’ll forever treasure his indelible memory and all the marvelous values for which he stood. Cricket is very much the richer for Richie Benaud’s lifelong engagement. And so are we all. Our deepest sympathies go to Daphne and Richie’s family.”

Brian Cashman: Yankees’ ‘defensive mistakes have been shocking’

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EW YORK -- New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is as dumbfounded as any of the team’s fans by the poor performance of his club through its first nine games of the 2015 season.

“Our defensive mistakes have been shocking,” a clearly frustrated Cashman told ESPNNewYork.com on Thursday.

“Our won-loss column has been affected by every aspect of the game. One night it’s the defense, the next night it’s the offense, then it’s the baserunning. It all depends on which game you’re looking at.

We have not played consistent baseball at all, in any facet, and that’s why we’re 3-6.”

Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi don’t

like what they’ve seen from the Yankees so far but have faith they can turn things around. AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall The Yankees have lost each of their first three series of the season, to three of their American League East rivals: the Toronto Blue Jays, theBoston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees head to St. Petersburg for three

games against the surprising Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend before continuing on to Detroit for four games against the red-hot Tigers (8-1).

The Yankees are in last place in the AL East following two consecutive years in which they failed to make the playoffs, after having won the division in 12 of the previous 15 seasons.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

39

Blackwood recalls Caribbean style of old T

wenty-nine years to the day since Viv Richards thrilled Antigua with one of the greatest - and certainly the fastest - centuries in Test history, his latest protege announced himself to the world with a maiden Test hundred.

Jermaine Blackwood is, in many ways, an old-fashioned West Indies player. In an age where most young players are taught to defend and leave and take their time, he likes to give the ball a whack.

Coming to the crease with his side in some trouble, he responded in bold style. From the second ball of his innings, with West Indies teetering on 99 for 4, he skipped down the pitch and carved James Tredwell for six over extra cover.

A few minutes later he played a similar stroke off James Anderson. While he was only able to slice the ball over the in-field for a single, the message was clear: here was a young man who was not going to be intimidated by situation or reputation. Later he lofted Ben Stokes, bowling with pace and aggression, for another six over long-off. It was a shot of which even Sir Viv would have been proud.

We probably shouldn’t have been surprised. His second scoring shot in Test cricket was a lofted drive for six over long-on off Trent Boult. Blackwood plays Test cricket like West Indies’ players used to play Test cricket.

It was a point made by Richards, who first came across Blackwood when asked to cast his eye across the batting talent in the Sagicor High Performance Centre in Barbados, and he admits to being “very impressed” at first glance.

Jermaine Blackwood mixed attacking strokes in with resolute defence for reach his maiden hundred © Associated Press “I love his confidence,” Richards told ESPNcricinfo. “It’s not often you see a young man who has the confidence to take on these well-known fast bowlers as soon as they come into the game.

“He has that Caribbean style.

He’s a bit like Collis King; he can tear an attack apart on his day.

Any attack.

“Sure, there are some rough edges. But I would rather have a

guy who can play the shots and teach him the defence than a guy who doesn’t have any shots.

He’s a natural. It’s all natural instinct. And that’s the way it is with most of the best players.”

Blackwood hails from St Elizabeth, the same parish in Jamaica as Andre Russell and Jerome Taylor. Russell has been an especially significant figure in his development: he took in him as a teenager and ensured that,

while other young men strayed and faltered, Blackwood kept his head down, worked hard and did not squander his natural talent.

The pair have lived and trained together for a couple of years.

“Andre is like my big brother,” Blackwood said. “I’ve known him for about 10 years and I’m staying with him in Jamaica. We live under the same roof. We train at home and we talk a lot about cricket. Even this morning

he sent me advice on my phone.

He said stay focused, stay positive, bat for long and make sure I score a century for him.

“I met Viv at the HPC last year.

He’s been a very important person. He’s taught me a lot. He talks to me always about staying positive. He tells me to play the way I play, but be patient.

He was always telling me to be patent but positive at the same time.”

Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson to be reinstatedlay

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INNEAPOLIS -- Seven months to the day after he was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, Adrian Peterson will be free to resume his football career.

The NFL announced on Thursday afternoon that the Minnesota Vikings running back will be reinstated on Friday and allowed to participate in all of the Vikings’ offseason activities.

Peterson was first indicted by a grand jury on Sept. 12, and was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list with pay on Sept. 17, after a sharp public reaction to the Vikings’ initial plan to let Peterson play while his legal case was ongo-

ing. Peterson pleaded no contest on Nov. 4 to misdemeanor reckless injury charges after injuring

his son while disciplining him last May. He was suspended on Nov. 18, and the league put Peterson

back on the commissioner’s exempt list on Feb. 26, once federal judge David Doty ordered arbitra-

tor Harold Henderson to vacate Peterson’s suspension.

In a letter from commissioner Roger Goodell, Peterson was informed that he is expected to fulfill his remaining obligations to the authorities in Minnesota and Texas, as well as the additional commitments Peterson made during his April 7 meeting with the commissioner, including participating in counseling.

The NFL also said that any other violations of the personal conduct policy by Peterson would result in additional discipline, including possible suspension without pay or banishment from the NFL.

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April 17–23, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

Caribbean Star Newspaper

April 17–23, 2015

41

Broad strikes after Ballance, Buttler star

Tea – Day 4.West Indies 294 and 9 for 1 (Smith 3*, Bravo 1*) need 429 more runs to beat England 399 and 333 for 7 dec (Ballance 122, Root 59, Buttler 59*)

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ary Ballance’s fourth hundred in nine Tests banished doubts over his form following a difficult one-day winter and propelled England to a declaration alongside a brisk half-century from Jos Buttler.

When Alastair Cook ended the second innings he left West Indies a target of 438 or 130 overs to survive, but by tea they had already lost Kraigg Brathwaite to a perfectly executed plan from Stuart Broad.

Ballance moved to his hundred from 233 balls during the afternoon session and Buttler skipped his way to a 59 off 56 balls. The final moments of England batting included a slightly bizarre period of appeals and reviews; West Indies asked for one against Buttler when he missed the ball by miles then an lbw decision given against Buttler was overturned. Chris Jordan was then bowled by a Kemar Roach no-ball before next ball picking out deep midwicket to bring Cook’s wave.

James Anderson began the innings needing two wickets to overtake Ian Botham’s England record, but it was his partnerin-arms, Broad, who made the first incision. A perfectly directed

Gary Ballance grew in confidence at the crease © Getty Images short ball into Brathwaite’s chest was fended behind square to the specifically positioned backward short leg; as with Marlon Samuels in the first innings a plan had come together. Another short ball then struck Darren Bravo on the shoulder as he turned his head away but he and Devon Smith fought through to tea.

England made positive progress during the morning session, adding 108 runs in 29 overs. Bal-

Royals make it four out of four after tense chase Rajasthan Royals 131 for 4 (Rahane 62, Bopara 2-18) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad 127 for 5 (Kulkarni 2-9, Tambe 2-21) by six wickets

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ate drama turned a one-sided canter into a last-ball finish, but Rajasthan Royals, the team that had dominated 95% of the contest, won in the end and preserved their perfect record for the season. Two Mumbai bowlers set it up for Royals: Dhawal Kulkarni struck twice with the new ball to peg Sunrisers back early, and Pravin Tambe removed both Naman Ojha and Eoin Morgan after they had staged a recovery of sorts with a 52-run fourth-wicket partnership. The Sunrisers innings didn’t take off at all after that, and a target of 128 should never have test-

ed Royals’ batting line-up.

But somehow, it did. For 18 overs, Royals made serene progress. And then, with 12 to get from 12 balls, the nerves set in. The half-centurion Ajinkya Rahane was bowled slogging at Trent Boult when Royals needed 10 off 9. The first four balls of Praveen Kumar’s final over produced two inch-perfect yorkers, a near run-out, and a leg bye.

With two to get from two balls, Stuart Binny drove Praveen to long-off to level the scores. On strike came James Faulkner, among the best finishers in the game.

The keeper came up, the field came in to save the single. Looking for another yorker, Praveen sent down a low full-toss. Faulkner, making himself room, carved it away to the cover point boundary.

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lance was first to his half-century, from 125 balls, with a handsome cover drive in an innings during which he looked increasingly comfortable following his first-innings battles and a tough start on Wednesday evening. Making the most of width, even on deliveries when not much was on offer, he was far more the player who churned out the runs against Sri Lanka and India last year than the one who has limped through re-

cent ODI appearances.

At lunch he was on 92 and he brought up three figures with a thumping straight drive against Sulieman Benn, who appeared keen to share a few words - perhaps not entirely congratulatory - with the batsman; Ballance later deposited the same bowler over long-on. Shortly after reaching his hundred he took a fierce blow on the arm from a Buttler straight drive, which

needed some treatment, and then picked out deep midwicket.

Joe Root was again very active at the crease, as was Ben Stokes when he arrived, meaning Ballance did not have to force himself out of a tempo he was comfortable with. Two strong drives off Jerome Taylor took Root to 49 and the fifty arrived from 68 deliveries. However, for the second time in the match he dragged into his stumps - this time playing a Jason Holder delivery into the ground with the spin taking it backwards - but the hard work in setting up the innings with Ballance, who slogswept Benn over deep midwicket for his first six, had given England a formidable position.

Stokes soon indicated that he would not be hanging around, attempting a slog-sweep fourth ball which brought a wasted review from Denesh Ramdin, then reverse sweeping Benn for his second boundary. He was keen to keep going after lunch but was comfortably stumped as he charged at Benn in the first over after the interval and there was brief lull as Buttler, who arrived on a pair, played himself in and Ballance moved to his hundred.

Buttler, though, was soon moving through the gears as he repeatedly reverse swept Benn and Marlon Samuels. He twice cleared the straight boundaries off Benn in an innings which showed off his full repertoire.

Sobers pays tribute to ‘wonderful’ Benaud

ichie Benaud has been described by his contemporary Garry Sobers as “a wonderful cricketer and captain”, as well as a brilliant commentator and “good friend”. Benaud, a legend of the game who captained Australia and went on to become one of cricket’s most loved and respected voices, died in Sydney on Friday, aged 84.

Sobers, widely acknowledged as the finest allrounder the game has known, was on the opposite side to Benaud in the famous tied Test in Brisbane in 1960.

“I’d first played against Richie when Australia were in the West Indies in 1955 but it was in the 1960-61 series in Australia that I got to really appreciate what a wonderful cricketer and captain he was,” Sobers said from his home in Barbados on Friday.

Through his forthright batting and legspin bowling, Benaud was the first player to complete the double of 2000 runs and 200 wickets in Tests. He led Australia in 28 of his 63 Tests; Australia were unbeaten in all seven series under him. In a Test career from 1952 to 1964, he scored 2201 runs and claimed 248 wickets.

Sobers said he had “never seen

Garry Sobers and Richie Benaud sit side by side at a reunion in 2000 to commemorate the 1960 tied Test © Getty Images cricket played like it was” in the 196061 series, which featured Test cricket’s first tie. He credited Benaud, along with Donald Bradman, then chairman of the Australian board, and West Indies captain, Frank Worrell, for creating it.

“The relationship between the teams was magnificent, on and off the field, and we were loved by the Australian people wherever we went,” Sobers said. “From then on, Richie became a good friend. We would get in a round of golf whenever we met. He was someone you got to like as he always the same, always easily approachable and helpful.”

Sobers and Benaud played against each other not only in the 1960-61 Tests, but also when Sobers subsequently returned for two seasons for South Australia.

“Our matches against New South Wales were always the highlight of the Sheffield Shield season,” he said.

Sobers felt Benaud became a brilliant television commentator in his second career in the game mainly because of his deep knowledge of the game. “You listened to Richie because you knew what he said was gospel. And he never criticized the players,” he said.

“I have only happy memories of our times together. Five of us from that 1960-61 tour, along with Sir Everton Weekes, had lunch with him and [his wife] Daphne when they were in Barbados a couple of years back. He seemed to relish the company. It was the last time we met.”

Sobers extended his “deepest sympathies” to Daphne, who Benaud married in 1967, his family and friends.

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April 17–23, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

Pietersen scores ton in return to cricket in England Oxford MCCU 28 for 4 v Surrey 420 for 7 dec. (Pietersen 170, Wilson 119*) by 392 runs

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evin Pietersen marked his much trumpeted return to cricket in England by turning on the Oxford students like a man on a mission as he scored his first hundred in any form of the game since the Old Trafford Ashes Test in August 2013.

The largest crowd at the Parks for years were there to watch, perhaps even to flesh out dissertations on controversial figures of English sporting history.

He was in blistering form against Oxford MCCU in The Parks, hitting 170 from 149 balls, with 24 fours and two sixes, one of which dented a car parked beside the pavilion, not thought to belong to the CB or a particularly critical adversary in the media.

At least one faraway observer suggested on Twitter that this somehow proved that England would have won the World Cup if they had not dropped him, a conclusion that might not have stood up to critical scrutiny.

A somewhat tougher test will come when he returns to Championship action against Glamor-

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Kevin Pietersen’s comeback attracted the largest crowd in years to The Parks © Getty Images gan in Cardiff a week hence.

Pietersen said: “I’m batting as well as I’ve ever batted in my career. It’s just a case of hopefully continuing that. No-one’s guaranteed runs, but if I play the way I played today, in the same manner, then I think that I probably will score some.’’

Pietersen has played exclusively Twenty20 cricket in various leagues around the world since being axed by England following the humiliating Ashes

whitewash defeat last year.

His last first-class match was in January 2014, when Australia sealed a 5-0 thrashing of England in Sydney, and his most recent appearance for Surrey before Sunday was in the LV= County Championship in June 2013.

He has given up a deal with Indian Premier League side Sunrisers Hyderabad - not his favorite Indian city - in order to come back to Surrey as

he bids to add to his 104 Test caps with England. Bookmakers have slashed odds on that from around 25-1 to 2-1.

Pietersen’s inclusion in Surrey’s line-up attracted several hundred spectators and a number of photographers’ long lenses. They did not have to wait for long.

Surrey lost two quick wickets, bringing Pietersen to the middle in the 10th over, 38 minutes into the match. He began in circum-

spect fashion, reaching 47 not out at lunch before accelerating after the break to three figures.

He was twice dropped - the first a difficult opportunity after he had already reached three figures - before eventually falling, caught by Jack McIver off the bowling of Abidine Sakande.

Reminded of his most recent ton, he said: “Jeez, that long ago.

It’s always nice to get three figures, but it’s the way I started my innings that I’m proud of.

“Once I got in on that wicket, it definitely became a lot easier, but it was really tough at the start. That’s what I’m really proud of. My first 40, 50 runs, the way I ground it out, didn’t give any chances and I played in a pretty mature fashion in terms of the situation.’’

Pietersen was ably supported

by Gary Wilson, who finished unbeaten on 119. Surrey put their hosts in for an hour, with the students from Oxford and Oxford Brookes Universities reaching 28 for 4 before bad light stopped play with them 392 runs behind.

Chris Tremlett, another England Test player, took three wickets for three runs. Calls for his recall are so far less vociferous.

SA motivator Horn hints at politics in team selection

ike Horn has become the first insider from the South African camp to corroborate the reports of interference in team selection for the 2015 World Cup semi-final. Horn, who was with the squad as a consultant during the tournament, told journalists at the Laureus Sports Awards in Shanghai that politics “had a role to play” in the selection of the team that took the field against New Zealand.

Cricket South Africa have not commented, nor have members of the team and coaching staff, but South Africa’s sports minister Fikile Mbalula called Horn “mischievous” in a radio interview.

Horn, who has worked with South Africa before and whom many players consider a friend, made the allegations after weeks of speculation in the South African media that Vernon Philander was included in the semi-final XI at the behest of the board and against the wishes of the captain and coach, who both wanted an unchanged side from the one that won the quarter-final. “We’re not going into any politics, but it had a role to play,” Horn said. “I had to give a talk to the guys after the team was selected. A little bit of

energy was taken away from the quarter-finals, where the right team played.”

The only change South Africa made to their side for the semi-final was including Philander in place of Kyle Abbott.

Philander would have played the quarter-final as well but was struggling with a hamstring injury that also affected his participation in the group stage of the tournament.

Every time Philander missed a game - against Ireland, West Indies and Pakistan - the team management made it clear he would be brought back into the XI as soon as he was fit and cited his ability to exploit conditions and move the ball off the seam as the reason. However, numerous sources close to the team and selectors suggested to ESPNcricinfo that Philander was also required to fulfill what they have termed an “unofficial quota”, which requires including at least four players of color in the South African side.

This is not strictly adhered to there were four occasions at the World Cup in which South Africa fielded only three players of color - but is expected to apply more often than not. The selectors

Vernon Philander’s inclusion was the only change made to the South African side for the semi–final against New Zealand © Getty Images were aware of the requirement.

After the selectors, together with the coach and captain, select an XI, the team must be vetted by CSA’s CEO, president and the transformation committee, although it is not always possible for all three to cast their eye over the final list.

Teams are usually selected the evening before a game and an insider told ESPNcricinfo that was the case ahead of the semi-final as well. “The team was selected the night before the game and Philander’s name was on it. The instruction was given before that,” the source said.

CSA’s CEO Haroon Lorgat has

denied issuing any such instruction, calling claims that he did “utter nonsense.” In a press release, Lorgat said “there was no SMS, WhatsApp or BBM sent by me to the coach.”

Mbalula, who has impressed on various sports bodies the need to transform, has also denied issuing orders but did not rule out that someone could have had a say in selection. “What Mike Horn is doing is being mischievous. I don’t know how such people find their ways into leadership. Horn must substantiate that there was indeed political interference and calls were made,” Mbalula said.

“In any squad, any game, changes

are made by selectors. The question is, was that change politically aggravated? There was no such thing from my side. I don’t select squads. Ask AB de Villiers, ask Russell Domingo if they ever received a call from me.”

Both de Villiers and Domingo defended the decision to play Philander in the aftermath of South Africa’s exit from the tournament. But insiders say both were upset by the decision to play him at the time, with some reports suggesting de Villiers threatened to quit the captaincy. Horn hinted that there was unhappiness in the camp before they stepped on to Eden Park and accepted the blame for failing to motivate the players enough to influence the result positively.

“My job was to say, ‘Listen guys, now we have got to give just a little bit more than what we gave before. We have got to fill gaps. We have to make a difference with less, but give more’,” Horn said. “It is what it is, I take it as it is. It doesn’t matter how politics or the quota influenced the players. I think I failed a bit in my job as motivator or as high-performance coach in the way that I believed the Proteas could win the World Cup.”

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