Caribbean Star #48 vol. 4 by Art15.Design2pro

Caribbean First Interfaith Newspaper, Serving The Community

June 26 – July 2, 2015

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Star

The body of the third victim in the Canal No 2, West Bank Demerara accident was found floating in the trench near the koker at Stanleytown.

See Page 6

METEN-MEERZORG DRUNK JAILED FOR 15 YEARS FOR KILLING WIFE

T&T PM SAYS SHE REFUSED TO BE BLACKMAILED BY WARNER Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said corruption accused Jack Warner is releasing tapes because she refused to be blackmailed in exchange for his reinstatement to the Cabinet.

See Page 8 GUYANA

JACK TELLING LIES

See Page 20

GUYANA

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SECURITY FIRM TO COUGH UP $6M FOR STOLEN GRA BOOZE

See Page 15

TRINIDAD

See Page 4

All of Jack Warner’s accusations leveled against a number of persons including the Prime Minister, her neighbours, former government ministers and even a special reserve police officer have been roby nundly dismissed and are headed for the courts.

A Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after he admitted that he stabbed and killed his reputed wife in August 2011.

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ED AHMAD BEGINS TESTIMONY AGAINST NEW YORK STATE SENATOR

New York-based Guyanese Ed Ahmad testified in a Brooklyn Federal Court against NY state senator John Sampson and stated how he loaned money in return for political favours. TRINIDAD

BODY OF THIRD VICTIM IN CANAL NO.2 CRASH FOUND

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Vol.4 #48

The security firm tasked with guarding the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) warehouse from which $6M in foreign liquor was stolen last month has accepted liability and will pay for the alcohol, GRA head Khurshid Sattaur has said. V

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June 26 – July 2, 2015 3 Caribbean Star Newspaper US$150M for CJIA expansion not enough- Minister Harmon

HE US$150M allocation for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion project is insufficient, and Minister of State in Ministry of The Presidency, Joseph Harmon, during a post-cabinet briefing said the project could require another US$65M if the current design model is continued by the David Granger Administration. Harmon, speaking with reporters yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, said Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson has advised Cabinet, that “based on investigations which he, and a technical team had done, it would appear that the US$150M identified for that project was far below that which was required to complete it.” Harmon went on to explain that the technical team identified areas for additional funding which amounted to some US$65M. Those included terminal equipment, navigation aids, and updates to other infrastructure around the complex, as well as US$250,000 for the relocation of the Guyana Defence Force Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Department. The minister then went on to defend the position taken by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and the Alliance For Change (AFC), who were critical of the expansion works in the 10th Parliament. “The statements made by us were always tended to the view that we needed an expanded runway, we needed some better facilities, and we needed a transparent process by which things were done,” Harmon said. Harmon disclosed only US$30,000 has been spent on the project so far. He added that according to Public Infrastructure officials, “that was no more than six percent of the work done, even though at least 22 percent of the project cost had already been spent.” Cabinet, according to Harmon, has mandated the Public Works Minister to review the project with the hope of coming up with a different model. “One which will see the expansion and extension of the runway to satisfy the international requirements for large-type aircraft landing and operating out of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, and a modified airport terminal, which would allow us to complete the project within the funds that are available,” Harmon noted. The Government Information Agency (GINA) reported in January of this year, the US$150M project was being funded by the Government of Guyana through the EXIM Bank of China. GINA also reported that China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) will be executing the work at the value of US$138M. While noting that this Administration will honour Guyana’s obligations in the contract, Harmon was optimistic about relations between Guyana and China following courtesy calls by officials from the People’s Republic of China, as well as the General Manager of China Harbour Engineering Company, on separate occasions. Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson is expected to present another report to Cabinet on the status of the project; that report will be reviewed and, according to Harmon, Cabinet will make its decision.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper Ed Ahmad begins testimony against New York State Senator

June 26 – July 2, 2015

ew York-based Guyanese Ed Ahmad testified in a Brooklyn Federal Court against NY state senator John Sampson and stated how he loaned money in return for political favours. Ahmad, a convicted mortgage fraudster who is awaiting sentencing has been described as the star witness in the case. Sampson is before the court in a nine-count indictment with trying to cover up his alleged embezzlement of funds related to outside legal work. “He stole hundreds of thousands of dollars and when he thought he was going to get caught, he lied and tried to obstruct justice to get away with his crimes,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Seifan said in her opening statement in Brooklyn Federal Court, according to the New York Daily News. Ahmad, testified yesterday that that he loaned Sampson US$188,500 to partially cover the theft of funds,

and was repaid with political favours. “The Lamborghini-driving Ahmad — a former cop in Guyana and real estate businessman who has pleaded guilty to mortgage fraud — forged a bromance with Sampson with an eye on the influential Democrat helping him in his own businesses”, the report said. It added “Sampson glommed free trips to Antigua and Guyana with Ahmad where they attended cricket matches, and Ahmad always picked up the

tab when they dined at fancy restaurants, he testified”. Ahmad also testified that he donated tens of thousands of dollars to Sampson’s failed run for Brooklyn district attorney and his re-election campaigns. “I thought if I didn’t give him the loan it could potentially strain our relationship and prevent him from helping me in the future,” Ahmad said on the stand. The Daily News report said that after Ahmad was busted by the feds in 2011, he agreed to make secret recordings of Sampson instructing him to keep the loan a secret, Seifan said. Sampson is also charged with allegedly lying to FBI agents and trying to gain confidential information about the federal probe from a childhood friend, Sam Noel, who was a paralegal in the Brooklyn U.S. Attorney’s office. Noel was detained and will testify against Sampson. The report said that defence lawyer Nick Akerman

vigorously pushed back at the government, conceding that Sampson committed some “ethical lapses” but no federal crimes. He argued that his client was entrapped by Ahmad at the government’s direction and “many reasonable doubts lurk in the evidence.” Akerman also prepared the jurors for an inflammatory statement they may hear from Ahmad about a suggestion to get rid of snitches. The lawyer emphatically noted that Sampson laughed and replied, “‘We ain’t killing nobody! What are you talking about?'” Sampson faces up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted. Ahmed’s ties to former President Bharrat Jagdeo has heightened local interest in his travails in New York. At one point a container from Ahmad was parked on the grounds of State House while Jagdeo was President.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; July 2, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper Eight injured in Tobago Body of third victim bus crash in Canal No.2 crash found June 26 – July 2, 2015

HERE are reports of a crash in Charlotteville, Tobago, involving a bus, in which at least eight people have been injured, at least one critically. The number of passengers aboard the bus was not immediately known, but the National Operatiosn Centre in Port of Spain is said to be preparing to medicvac the injured from thge ANR Robinson airport to the San Fernando General Hospital, where there is a helipad.

Premraj ‘Kevin’ Bhola

Aleem Suloman

Ganesh Sewcharran

he body of the third victim in the Canal No 2, West Bank Demerara accident was found floating in the trench near the koker at Stanleytown. Residents saw the partly decomposed body of Ganesh Sewchand, 20, of Belle West and summoned the police. They arrived shortly after and pulled the body out and took it to the Ezekiel Funeral Home. Sewchand was said to be the driver of the white Toyota Fielder wagon PRR 2932 when it toppled several times and plunged into a trench at Canal Number 2 Polder around 12.30 am on Monday.

His two friends, Premraj ‘Kevin’ Bhola, 19, and Aleem Suloman, 19, also of Belle West Scheme perished in the accident. Their bodies were discovered when the car was pulled out of the trench around 7 am. Sewcharran reportedly took the car that his stepfather had rented without permission and carried his friends out for a drive after a drinking spree earlier in the village. The car was apparently headed in the direction of Georgetown. A resident, George Welcome, said he heard a loud impact and when he and other residents ran

out they did not see anything. “We know it was a vehicle, but we didn’t know what kind. It was already in the trench and the water was very high [so it covered the car],” Welcome said. Early Monday morning they went back to the scene and saw the car because the water level had dropped a bit. A tractor subsequently came and pulled the car out of the trench. Residents noticed Sulomon’s body which had been flung from the backseat to the middle of the front seats and Bhola’s body in the front passenger’s seat.

Three 13-year-olds charged with ganja trafficking

OUR pupils of a secondary school in Fyzabad are expected to appear in court today charged with marijuana trafficking. The pupils, three who are aged 13 and one aged 16, were arrested on Wednesday on the school’s compound. According to a report, the school’s principal and a teacher received information that the pupils were smoking marijuana during the break period, and around 12.45 p.m. the school officials allegedlly confronted them in the male toilet. Police were called in and the four students were arrested and charged with the offence of possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. They are expected to be taken before a Siparia magistrate today.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 – July 2, 2015

Hinduism: A pathway to tolerance and acceptance to all. I was asked to pen an article about Hinduism for this week’s paper. After much thought and discussion, I decided that as oppose to writing about Hinduism as a religion, I would focus on tolerance, spirituality and respect for each another; because these are qualities that are prevalent in any religion.

y name is Tandi Singh and I am a Hindu, but more than that I am a spiritual individual. I don’t think it matters what name you call “God” but, more importantly, that you believe that there is a higher power. I believe in treating people how I want to be treated, be fair to all irrespective of religious conviction. It is imperative to understand each other points of view. These days we see in the news, and through social media how religion and its interpretation has been the cause of discontent within the world, and even within families. I was raised in a home where we practice the “religion” of Hinduism, but more so we were taught to practice love and respect and to tolerate one another. We are all different, with differing strengths, weaknesses and points of view, which are all valid. In the UK, we are taught in schools the tolerance of all religions at a young age. I remember celebrating, Diwali, Eid and, of course being in a Christian country, we celebrated Easter and Christmas. During these celebrations, the entire school takes part and if need be, dresses in the attire. I remember my primary school teachers wearing saris during the Diwali celebrations. This is a good thing, it helps frame us into adults, who are able to understand and respect all people from all walks of life. However, at the end of the day, we knew that we were Hindu girls and got up and prayed each morning at the altar, in our home. We fasted on the day Mum told us we had to, and understood why that was the case. It is important to have a “religion” whether it’s an organized one or not. More importantly it is valuable to be spiritual. To respect one another, to love one another, to treat people how we want to be treated. I don’t think that it has anything to do with religion or what

domination you confirm to. It is being Human. Yes, it’s important to have a “relationship” so to speak, with God. However, we live in a world where lots of religions are practiced. I have listened to our Hindu religious leaders speak poorly or negatively about other religions. I disagree. I think hate is born of ignorance. I think that this is exactly what causes bitterness. So, I have made it my duty to understand a little about many religions and cultures. Furthermore, I have taught my son to also be understanding, and unbiased of other religions. These days we hear such animosity and hostility in the media about “hate crimes” and race crimes. In my humble opinion, if we teach the younger generation that acceptance regardless of religion, race or social stance we will be raising a generation that looks at a person and not at their religious observance or skin color. Our own Hindu scriptures teaches us this, if that’s how you wish to interpret it? I have never heard a reading that denounces another religion or person; it baffles me why people interpret it that way. Again, Hinduism is a religion which gives us the “seed” so to speak and allows us to formulate our own ideologies. Which is one thing I find so incredible about my religion. I am able to take the “Parbs” and relate it to my daily life. When I moved here from London, I had no clue what a Hasidic Jew was. I landed a job at NYU law school and my coworker was a Hasidic Jewish woman from Russia. If you have ever been to NYU Law School, you will find the majority of the student base is of the Jewish persuasion. This is the respect I speak of. Part of my job was to organize events, and so I had to learn very quickly the rules of Kosher and make myself scarce when the events involving Rabbis were in flow. Tolerance

of another’s believes is vital to function in the day to day operations of such a diverse place. It did not alter my own beliefs. I know who I am and I know where I come from and I know what I believe. So, for me, it’s easy to adapt to the needs of another religion. As a mother, I do what my parents did (and I begrudgingly went along with it as a child, my child is more open to the idea). I bring my son to Mandir so he can learn what our scriptures teach, so he can sing and repeat the mantras. He will learn more than I can give him, but more than that he will learn how to behave in a group environment, he will understand congressional worship and the pros and cos that go along with it, he will learn how to be accepted (or not) and how to process those feelings. So, it’s through a religious organization - yes, but so many more skills are open to him by attending a place of worship. I bring him so he has a place he can belong, and he can identify with a Mandir and the youth group. So he can say “I am a member of…..” This gives him an identity. I think it’s important for the children to have a place to connect with. It drives a commonalty a comradery and as they grow into adults they can formulate their own opinions and their own thoughts as I did on “religion”. Nothing says we have to believe what we are old to believe. We grow and think differently. We are able to say “well, yes, I believe this is true based on XYZ” and similarly we can say no we don’t believe and are able to defend that thought. Our religion has “denominations” also. We are Hindus as an umbrella term yes, but we have different beliefs that come along with that. I have

relatives that are of the Aryan persuasion, some friends who are of the Swami Narayan persuasion, some who are Jains and of course I am of the Sanatan Dharma persuasion. Religion like anything else, involves acceptance of one’s beliefs and open-mindedness of those who interpret it in a way that perhaps, you don’t. I have a very open mind to my religion and its teachings, and I am not always in total agreeance with some of the “lessons”, I think a lot of it is relatable to everyday life. I have no problem with the way our religion focuses on respect for elders and respect for parents. I also think that respect is earned in many ways. For example: Hinduism strongly emphasis the respect for parents and “giving” them right no matter what. However, if you are a child whose parent is absent (by choice), who has better things to with his/her time than help to shape you, support you, then in my opinion it is perfectly fine to simply accept that is how it is. There is no need to force someone to be a part of your life. If they have chosen to not accept their position in your child hood, then it’s perfectly fine to simply let it be. We have all been taught that it’s imperative to respect our elders, or parents but it must be a two way street. Parents must respect the children. Similarly, parents should be someone their children WANT to respect. Overall, I believe that Hinduism teaches us some very strong ethics and valuable lessons. However, it’s all about interpretation. The teachings are essentially a technique to allow us to use the lessons and implement it into our lives. Jai Ho.

June 26 – July 2, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

T&T PM says she refused to be blackmailed by Warner

rime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said corruption accused Jack Warner is releasing tapes because she refused to be blackmailed in exchange for his reinstatement to the Cabinet. Persad-Bissessar said she was made aware of the information on the tape immediately following the resignation of Warner as national security minister, but refused to give in to his demands and give him back his job. This particular tape, featuring allegations of corruption against former minister of the people Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh and his instructions to Kristyan Gokool to go to her official St Ann’s residence (which he has denied), was made on August 2013, about four months after Warner resigned from the Government. Responding to questions sent by the Express yesterday by text, enquiring whether she was privy to the information on the audio tapes before it was aired by Warner, Persad-Bissessar said: “Yes. Immediately after he had resigned from my Cabinet on my request, when in the face of damning allegations about FIFA (including the Sir David Simmons Report), I requested that he go and clear his name. I was made aware of what was being alleged, in an effort to blackmail me into taking him back into Government. Indeed, the allegations featured in the Chaguanas by-election.” Contrived and bogus allegations

Pressed on her blackmail statement, Persad-Bissessar said: “In light of all of these bogus and contrived allegations, what am I left to assume? As you are aware, he has been bragging that he has files on members of my Government, and immediately after his resignation and more recently, he has been coming to the public with contrived and bogus allegations. He asked to be reinstated in his Government position or else he will bring down my entire Government.” Former minister of national security minister Gary Griffith is on record as saying he held informal talks with Warner to bridge the gap between him and the People’s Partnership. When the Express contacted Warner yesterday, asking if he attempted to use the recording to get back his job or form an alliance with the Partnership in the upcoming elections, he denied doing this. Warner said: “I never ever bargained with Ms Persad-Bissessar or anyone else re these disclosures. There are only three people who I have given a copy of the tape—the Integrity Commission, about two years ago; a lawyer, three weeks ago; and Mark Bassant (TV6 reporter), two weeks ago. Kamla has no favours that I want, now or ever. Finally, I do wish to reiterate to the national community that the worst is yet to come. “I never sent emissaries at any time to

talk with Kamla but she did, and let her deny that and I will prove it.” Warner resigned as national security minister on April 21, 2013, following a damning report from chairman of the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Associations o Football) Integrity Committee Sir David Simmons, which revealed multimillion-dollar financial mismanagement by Warner and former Concacaf general secretary Chuck Blazer. Both men have been indicted by the United States on corruption charges. Warner is on $2.5 million bail to cover eight criminal charges, on which he and 14 people are wanted in the United States in connection with allegations of bribery, money laundering, corruption and wirefraud conspiracy, arising out of investigations conducted by the US government into operations at FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association). But according to Warner, his arrest was a plot by the Partnership to silence him in the upcoming general election. Declaring on May 27 “the gloves are off”, Warner also blamed the Partnership for him spending the night at the Frederick Street prison after he was unable to secure bail. Since then, Warner has held two news conferences, airing voice recordings directly aimed at Persad-Bissessar and the People’s Partnership.

Warner, who first made the claim of a marijuana find at Persad-Bissessar’s private Phillipine residence, held a news conference on June 16 to defend his claim, insisting she was out of the country at the time of the discovery and wanted to resign when told of the discovery. Persad-Bissessar has denied wanting to resign her job as Prime Minister and described Warner as “delusional”. Warner also threw out the question “Who is Kristyan?” to Persad- Bissessar last Wednesday, at a political meeting in San Fernando. Warner said: “Kamla, for your sake and the country sake, tell them who is Kristyan. That is all. Tell the country who is Kristyan, Kamla. I go further to tell you to tell Jit Hardeen, a special reserve police (SRP) officer; ask him to tell us who is Kristyan because if she does not and he does not in two weeks’ time I will.” Persad-Bissessar has said Kristyan Gokool is her neighbour and has attended functions at her home and the official residence at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s. Investigations by the Express have found Gokool bought a $6 million mansion next door to Persad-Bissessar’s private Phillipine residence but has never lived in the house. Persad-Bissessar has denied knowing Hardeen but said she was informed he was the driver of Ramadharsingh.

June 26 – July 2, 2015 Caribbean Star Newspaper More construction underway at Celina’s resort

he Celina’s Atlantic Resort is expanding again and construction work has commenced but the authorities are unaware. During a visit to the site , Stabroek News observed ongoing construction and repairs being done to the facilities. A makeshift sand platform was build up from the road so as to make it possible for heavy-duty machinery to get over the seawall to access the construction site. Employees refused to comment. When asked about the activity at the site recently, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson said that he was not aware of any ongoing construction works but would check into it. Stabroek News was unable to get a comment from junior Minister of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson over the past few days on whether permission was granted for the construction activities. Heavy duty machinery in the resort compound on the seaward side.

Over the years, numerous questions have been raised as to how permission was granted for construction on this sensitive sea defence reserve. The Celina resort has come in for much criticism by environmentalists as its construction on the environmentally sensitive area poses a risk to sea defences, mangroves and courida plants. A sand ramp built from the road to the seawall Former Chief Hydraulics Officer and Specialist Engineer for Sea Defences, Malcolm Ali had said that the Celina Atlantic Resort building violates the

Sea Defence Act and permission for its construction should not have been granted. Ali had stated in a letter to Stabroek News that he had designed that section of the sea defence in 1968, following massive erosion of the foreshore. He had explained that where Celina sits, to the north of the seawall next to the Kitty Pump Station, was the grouted boulder slope, below which has built up silt. The Celina building, he said, is built over this silt, which can disappear overnight by erosion, causing the building’s founda-

tion to collapse and damaging the seawall. Ali has said that on account of severe erosion on the East Coast during the late 1960s, Parliament on the advice of he and other engineers in the Hydraulics Division amended the Sea Defence Act, preventing construction of buildings and other structures in several areas of the coast landwards from 50 feet to 1000 feet from the centre line of the sea dam. He had also noted that only in rare cases is permission granted by the Sea Defence Board to build

minor structures—for religious purposes—seaward of the sea dam, and the responsibility to remove same during an erosion cycle rests with the owners. Engineer Bert Carter also previously opined that no one should be allowed to build any structure beyond the seawall, given the potential threat to sea defences while late engineer Melvyn Sankies said he thought the building was an obstruction. He explained that in the case of any emergency or disaster, full access is needed in that area.

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June 26 – July 2, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

Gov’t anti-money laundering bill flawed - PPP The much contested Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill will return as Bill No. 4 to the 11th parliament today and while its passage is guaranteed with the APNU+AFC government in control of the legislature, the now opposition PPP/C has blasted it for being non-compliant with international requirements. Former Attorney General and PPP Executive Anil Nandlall stated at a PPP press conference yesterday at Freedom House that with the proposed amendments to the PPP/C’s 2013 version, the bill is prone to “contamination” by Politically Exposed Persons (PEP). Nandlall said that the APNU+AFC amendments to the 2013 bill seeking to have the Director and staff of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) appointed by politicians in the National Assembly went against the warning about PEPs by the global watchdog group, the Financial Action task Force (FATF).

Anil Nandlall Nandlall argued that “what they have done in this bill is to take politically exposed persons who are MPs and make them the appointing authority for the FIU. This (FATF) document basically tells you to insulate them from the investigative and monitoring arm of AML/CFT infrastructure and bodies that are there to investigate.” Responding to Nandlall, Minister of State Joe Harmon yesterday stated in his post-cabinet briefing that “I really don’t know what it is that the former Attorney General Anil Nandlall is talking about because why would we put something in there for cheap political value. This is law we are talking about. This is not some joke. It is not a promise to do something,

this is the law we are talking about.” Expressing confidence in the amended bill, Harmon stated “There were large enough holes (in the PPP/C’s version) that a shark can swim through. That is what we were doing in the select committee in the 10th parliament and this is what we are going to bring to the National Assembly, a tightened law that will make sure that we satisfy our international obligations and send a very clear message to money launderers that their time is up.” The bill that will be tabled in parliament today is the version that the then opposition APNU and AFC were attempting to have the PPP/C government approve in the 10th Parliament to no avail. The two parties have been locked in debate about the reforms for around three years now without a deal.

Gail Teixeira Nandlall, who had attended several international meetings on the anti-money laundering law, said that the FATF had prepared a manual specifically pronouncing on what a PEP was and how the AML/CFT legislation needed to be insulated from influence. Reading from the manual yesterday, Nandlall defined a PEP as “an individual who is or has been entrusted with the prominent public function. Due to their position and influence it is recognized that many PEPs

are in a position that can potentially be abused for the purposes of committing money laundering offences and related predicated offences relating to corruption and bribery as well as conducting activities related to terrorist financing. This has been confirmed by analysis and case studies. The potential risks associated with PEPs justify application of additional anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism preventative measures with respect to business relationships with PEPs. To address these risks, FATF recommendations 12 and 22 require countries to ensure that financial institutions and designated non-financial business and professions implement measure to prevent the misuse of financial systems and non-financial business and professions by PEPs and to detect such potential abuse when it occurs.” Nandlall added that PEPs are to be treated in a very specific manner to ensure that the FIU remains autonomous and able to investigate PEPs who have shown a susceptibility to money laundering efforts. POLITICAL BIAS Stabroek News inquired as to whether or not the PPP would lobby for the FIU’s autonomy given that appointments fall within the purview of the Parliament. He said that “in this (APNU+AFC) case the FIU is operating under a regulatory body, under the dictate of a regulatory body that are appointed by politicians and that is where the infection of bias will come not only in the appointment process, but the atmosphere in which it has to function.” Nandlall emphasised that the FIU will be charged with operating while “infected with political bias,” from the Director, Assistant Director, Accountant and Lawyer among others, “so at every level of the FIU structure it operates in a contaminated environment not acceptable to international standards”. “This bill takes politically exposed persons and makes them managers basically of the FIU because this bill allows Parliament to appoint 10 persons and then another 9 are ex officio members and they form what is called and AML/CFT authority and they basically manage the FIU and it is the Parliament that appoint the FIU Director and Assistant Director,” he told members of the media. When asked if the extant structure of the Director’s appointment through the Presidency was also cause for concern, Nandall said that while Presidential appointment was a generally accepted way of doing such things the process prior to the appointment allows for independence without bias. He stated “in our bill the only political action is the (appointment) of the FIU director by the president and the truth is it is better you have contamination coming from one person than contamination coming from 65”, alluding to the number of MPs in the National Assembly. PPP Executive and former Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, said that the proposed APNU+AFC amendments to the 2009 Act were “offensive” considering that “at no time did the FATF cite the manner of the FIU Director’s appointment…it wasn’t flagged as being in violation. This is where

the whims and fancies of the APNU/AFC come to light.” Teixeira balked at questions relating to the PPP/C not being in Parliament to address their concerns during the reading of the bill for the first time. She said simply that the PPP’s positon is well known, “there is nothing new to say we have said it all and we will continue to say it.” She highlighted the long nights that the Parliament Committee laboured over the amendment bill noting that many members of the media would camp outside of the National Assembly awaiting answers as to any breakthroughs or compromise between the then PPP/C- led government and the now coalesced APNU+AFC. In a statement read at the press conference, Teixeira lambasted amendments planned to the 2013 PPP/C bill by the APNU and AFC stating that the first amendment which proposed removing the Attorney General’s role and replacing it with that of the FIU Director was problematic. She noted the FATF’s position on this matter. “Countries should consider whether the Director of the FIU given his main function is the appropriate official with respect to resources and qualifications to ensure that entities are listed, evidence presented to judges in connection with listing and orders by judges in relation to listing are reviewed. This function is closely linked to the application for court orders to seize and freeze criminal proceeds of the listed entities, a function that is carried out usually by the Attorney General in his/her role as legal advisor to the Government to fulfil a country’s international legal obligations.” She noted that the primary function of the FIU has always been to receive, analyse and disseminate information. Additionally Teixeira criticised APNU+AFC’s third amendment which applies to Section 37 of the act and would extend the rights of police officers and custom officials to seize cash of $10M and over. She noted that this along with the Parliamentary power to appoint and dismiss FIU staff was also not a FATF requirement. “It is noted that no deficiency with respect to this obligation was noted in Guyana’s Mutual Evaluation Report for the Third Round…… Similar provisions are in place in Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines with safeguards which include limiting the initial period of seizure to hours and requiring judicial approval for any extension of the period,” Teixeira noted. Guyana has been lobbying to gain full international compliance and has missed these opportunities since 2013 having failed to conform to the FATF’s requirement of passing the necessary legislation. FATF in July 2014 informed the government that it would be executing a targeted review of Guyana’s AML/CFT infrastructure. The review, the FATF said, would be conducted by the Americas Regional Review Group of the International Cooperation Review Group. Again in October 2014, Guyana was able to avoid blacklisting by the FATF after a review by the FATF’s International Co-operation Review Group, in Paris.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 – July 2, 2015

PPP/C in first step towards petition

he PPP/C was given clearance by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang to file an election petition to contest the results of May’s general and regional elections which it claimed had been rigged in favour of the APNU+AFC coalition. Former Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud bearing a placard outside GECOM, last month. Executive member of the party, Anil Nandlall last evening confirmed that an ex parte application for leave to file an election petition was lodged on Monday afternoon and was heard yesterday by Justice Chang. Justice Chang, he said, granted the leave, which is the first step to be taken before the elections petition can be filed. “The law requires that leave be obtained before an elections petition can be filed. This is the first step…so the way is now clear”, he stressed but did not indicate when the petition is likely to be filed. Ganga Persaud The ex-parte application was made by Ganga Persaud. According to the court documents seen by Stabroek News the application was for leave to institute proceedings for the determination of certain questions regarding the Elections held on May 11, 2015. In the documents, Persaud who described himself as the election agent listed a number of grounds to support the application. Among them were that there was multiple voting; persons whose names were not on the official list being allowed to vote; huge mobs gathered at several polling stations and at strategic places particularly in Region 4; several ballot boxes were not sealed or improperly sealed; PPP/C ballot attendants and counting agents were prevented from accompanying ballot boxes; its votes were subtracted and added to that of the APNU+AFC coalition and that the system, process and procedure used to intermix the Disciplined Services ballots with that of the general electorate is unknown, irregular and clandestine, rendering it impossible to confirm whether that which was intermixed was disciplined services ballots at all. On May 14, former president Bharrat Jagdeo held a press conference at Freedom House where he held up tabulations of seven allegedly irregular Statements of Poll (SoP), showing tabulations by the PPP and discrepancies in Gecom’s tabulations. However, the official Box by Box results revealed that with the exception of one of the SoPs Gecom’s official numbers are in line with those tabulated by the PPP. Jagdeo also had a chart depicting the PPP’s tabulations for Box No 4643 at 21 votes for the APNU+AFC Coalition and 267 for the PPP, which are the same numbers officially published. The only discrepancy is that of Box No 4644, where

the PPP’s documentation showed the Coalition as having received 16 votes while the PPP received 261; the official number as published by Gecom is 201 votes for the PPP. All of the other tabulations held up by the PPP as irregular are in line with what has been published by Gecom. The PPP/C has been claiming that some SoPs carried incorrect information and that the corresponding ballot boxes would also illustrate this. Nandlall had told this newspaper repeatedly that Gecom has failed to supply the party with the information that it has requested. In the days following the elections, the party had requested that it be outfitted with copies of the results from each polling station as well as copies of the SoPs which Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield used to calculate the results. They have also requested a report from the Information Technology Department of Gecom. The party had complained that there had been no response to several follow up letters sent to Lowenfield. As recent as last week Nandlall said that the party will be proceeding with the petition while noting that they still had time left to do such. This newspaper was told that this period would end sometime in early July. In his column in the last Sunday Stabroek, former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran stated that the court in the hearing of a petition cannot order a recount of the votes. The PPP/C has been seeking a recount of all the votes. Ramkarran said: “Where a political party feels aggrieved, it can file an election petition to the High Court under article 163 of the Constitution. This article provides for claims based on two limbs. Firstly, the petitioner can claim that either generally or in a particular place the elections were not lawfully conducted. Secondly, the petitioner can claim that generally or in any particular place, an election has not been lawfully conducted or the result thereof has been, or may have been, affected by any unlawful act or omission. It appears from

the PPP/C’s public pronouncements on the conduct of the elections that it would have to rely on the second limb. “If an election petition is filed on the basis of the second limb, the Guyana High Court would have jurisdiction to determine the issues only on the basis of the evidence which is presented by the petitioner who has to show by that evidence which is presented that the election result was or may have been affected by the unlawful acts or omissions which are proved. It is not

the function, duty or business of the court to seek out its own evidence to aid the petitioner in proving its case by ordering an opening of the ballot boxes and the counting of the votes. In any event the court has no power to do. In other words, the petitioner would not be permitted to present a scintilla of evidence showing suspicious circumstances in relation to a limited number of Statements of Poll and then call on the court to order a recounting of the votes, based on that suspicion, so that it can verify whether or not its suspicions are justified.”

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June 26 – July 2, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper Guyana, Brazil mull possible areas of collaboration

everal areas of cooperation were discussed as Brazilian Ambassador Lineu Pupo de Paula yesterday paid a courtesy call on First Vice President and Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, at his temporary office, at the Ministry of Presidency, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown. GINA said that the two sides sought to renew and strengthen their countries’ relationship through this meeting and discussed several areas of possible The Ambassador pointed out that Brazil

June 26 – July 2, 2015

may look at setting up a hydro project in Guyana. He said “we can talk about energy, the north of Brazil needs energy, and we can have maybe a project here, in the Mazaruni River, a hydro (project) here.” Another area that Brazil can assist Guyana in is education, through the implementation and teaching of Portuguese in schools. In addition, GINA said that Brazil is also interested in assisting the Government of Guyana to pave the road from Linden to Lethem.

Rare fish with ‘human teeth’ discovered – by baffled fisherman

BIZARRE fish with what looks like human teeth has been caught by baffled fishermen after they discovered it in a lake thousands of miles from its home.A news report in the UK Mirror written by Kara O’Neill Ron, stated that Rossi and his son Frank were fishing in a lake in Delran, New Jersey in the United States when they caught the odd-looking fish. At first, the pair thought the fish might have been a piranha. Frank said: “I’ve never seen anything like that before in the lake. It was different.” But on closer inspection, the fish’s teeth weren’t pointed and sharp like a piranha’s – but actually blunt like a human’s.

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo (left), and Brazilian Ambassador Lineu Pupo de Paula engaged in discussion (GINA photo)

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Ron added: “We did pull the bottom lip down to see what they looked like and they have almost human teeth.” After some research, Ron and Frank discovered that the fish was actually a Pacu – that is usually found thousands of miles away in South America. Pacu are actually related to piranhas – but unlike their meat-loving cousins, they are actually omnivorous. But how they have ended up in a lake in New Jersey is still something that has the fishermen baffled. A spokesperson from the Department of Environmental Protection said “Many times, these fish are deposited into lakes by pet owners. These fish do not survive in colder water, so we encourage people not to release it into the wild.”

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June 26 – July 2, 2015

ISLAM

Peace / submission to the will of our creator

Ramadaan is the Season for Inviting Others to Allah

By Sheikh Muhammad al-Hamad

e praise Allah that He has guided us to the path of salvation. We seek His assistance in elevating the word of truth and calling to what is right. Islamic work – calling people to Allah – is one of the most emphatic and important duties in Islam. It is one of the greatest forms of worship by which we draw nearer to Allah. The month of Ramadan is an ideal opportunity for us to engage in this noble activity, especially with our fellow Muslims. The people’s hearts in Ramadan are humbler because they are more aware of Allah’s remembrance during this month. They are more responsive to exhortation and more inclined to repentance. There are many ways we can engage in calling people to Allah during this blessed month. Islamic work entails elevating Islam, advancing it, and bringing it nearer to the people. It likewise entails dispelling all negative influences and false notions that turn people’s hearts away from the truth. The activity of calling to Allah embraces every word, every deed, every stroke of the pen, and every expenditure of effort or wealth that serves the religion and is in accordance with Islam’s wisdom. There can be no doubt that knowledge is at the heart of calling to Allah. Knowledge is its foundation, its guide, and its greatest benefit. However, Islamic work requires effort along with knowledge. Everyone must work according to his abilities and strengths. My esteemed brothers and sisters who are observing the fast, the sacred texts have come to us commanding us to call people to Allah. The Qur’ân extols the honorable status of this activity and warns us against laxity. The texts speak of the tremendous virtues if Islamic work and the great reward in store for those who engage in it. Allah commands us in many ways. He commands us to call the people, saying: “Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching.” [Sûrah al-Nahl: 125] “Say: I am commanded to worship Allah and to

not join with Him any partners. Unto Him do I call and unto Him is my return.” [Sûrah al-Ra`d: 36]. Allah, likewise, commands us to enjoin the right and forbid the wrong. He says: “You are the best of nations brought forth for humanity. You enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and believe in Allah.” [Sûrah Âl Ìmrân: 110] Allah commands us to convey the Message: “O Messenger! Convey what has been revealed to you from your Lord.” [Sûrah al-Mâ’idah: 67] He commands us to carry out this activity with one another: “And exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to patience.” [Sûrah al-Àsr: 3] We are told to give warning: “And give warning to your nearest kinfolk.” [Sûrah al-Shuàrâ’: 214] And to give glad tidings: “And give glad tidings to the believers.” [Sûrah al-Tawbah: 112] As for the virtues and benefits of calling to Allah, these are mentioned in numerous verses of the Qur’ân and countless hadîth of the Prophet (peace be upon him). At the forefront of these virtues is the fact that calling to Allah is an act of worship and obedience. It is something that pleases our Lord. It is also something that makes us safe from His displeasure and from his punishment. This noble activity is a means of strength for Allah’s religion. By carrying out this activity, we are following in the footsteps of His Prophets and Messengers. It is an activity that is loathed b the enemies of Islam. It offers relief to the victims of ignorance, superstition, and the shackles of blind custom. Calling to Allah is a means of multiplying the positive effects of our good deeds, both in this life and in the Hereafter. It is a means of bringing Allah’s mercy upon us and of dispelling affliction. The best of our speech is a word uttered in inviting to Allah. Allah says: “Who is better in speech than one who calls to Allah, works righteousness, and says: Indeed I am of those who submit in Islam.” [Sûrah Fussilat: 33] The reward of guiding one person is better than the world and everything that it contains. Calling to Allah is the concern of the most compassionate of people, the purest of heart. They are the

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inheritors of the Prophets. My esteemed brothers and sisters who are observing the fast, there are qualities that everyone who wishes to engage in calling others to Allah should cultivate within themselves. They are: knowledge, acting upon knowledge, sincerity, patience, kindness, good manners, generosity, altruism, humility, wisdom, mercy, and concern for achieving unity upon truth. There are other qualities by which a caller to Allah should beautify his conduct. They are: forgiveness, responding to evil with good, trust in Allah, having certainty in Allah’s help, satisfaction with even the slightest progress, and striving for the utmost good. Also, an Islamic worker must shun envy, hastiness, and competition for worldly gain. Among the etiquettes of calling others to Allah is to always be gentle of approach, concerned for the guidance of others, and cognizant of a sense of responsibility. There should be a strong and close connection between the caller and his Lord. The caller should be continually engaged in the remembrance of Allah, in supplication, and in all acts of devotion. He should always make sure to set a good example for others and look for every opportunity to call people to the truth. He should never disparage any good effort, no matter how small it might be. Among the etiquettes of Islamic work is to deal with people on their own level. We should show concern for their problems and try to help them, while never burdening them with our own. We need to be sensitive to the sensibilities of those whom we are calling and try to understand their circumstances. When we call people to Allah, we must avoid argumentation except within the strictest of bounds, and then do so in the best possible manner. We should establish a good relationship with people, encourage them to keep good company, and use wisdom to get them away from bad company. We should get to know the person whom we are calling. We should know his name. We should show that we are interested in him as a person and make him feel important. We should get him involved in activities that will benefit him. We should start with what is most important and keep our priorities in order. We should never seek to promote ourselves. We should employ various approaches in our work. Sometimes we may use beautiful preaching, sometimes we may give gifts, and sometimes an indirect approach proves to be the most effective.

My esteemed brothers and sisters who are observing the fast, this is what it means to calling others to Islam. These are its virtues, its qualities, and its etiquettes. Hasten to become callers to Allah in this noble month of Ramadan. Each of us can do so in his or her own way. One person can impart to others the knowledge that he has. Another can spend of his wealth, use his reputation, or offer his hard work. In this way we can realize all manner of good and spare ourselves the evil consequences of neglecting this duty of ours. In this month or Ramadan, I call out to the student of Islamic knowledge and point out to you the golden opportunity that you have right now to call others to Allah. The hearts of the people are at their most receptive and most responsive to what a person of knowledge has to offer. As students and scholars, you should therefore feel your responsibility to others more acutely during this month and expend every effort in carrying out your duties. Leave no room for excuses or shortcomings. I, likewise, call out to those whom Allah has blessed with ample means. You can bring your wealth to positive effect by supporting Islamic workers in their work, preparing them, and publishing books that will benefit the people. All of this comes under the banner of Islamic work. Do you not want to be counted among those who call others to Allah? I call out to people of influence. Bring your influence and good reputations to bear in facilitating the efforts of calling people to Allah. I call out to those who are working in the media. Use your position to promote goodness and to share in calling to Allah with a good word. You can send the truth far and wide and share in all the vast rewards that this entails. I call out to those who have knowledge of the Internet to employ it as a means of inviting people to goodness during this auspicious month. You have the ability to with the least effort and expense spread truth and goodness over the widest possible expanse. You speak to the world while sitting in the comfort of your homes. I call out to all Muslims, men and women, to share in calling people to Allah. We need to do all the good that we can during this month of Ramadan. We must give advice to those who are neglectful and heedless. We need to remind those of us who forget and teach those who do not know. “And who is better in speech than one who calls to Allah, works righteousness, and says: Indeed I am of those who submit in Islam.” [Sûrah Fussilat: 33

June 26 – July 2, 2015 15 Caribbean Star Newspaper Meten-Meer-Zorg drunk jailed for 15 years for killing wife

Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after he admitted that he stabbed and killed his reputed wife in August 2011. Andrew Ketwaru was charged with the murder of his wife Radica Ramjattan. The 42-year-old woman died on August 23, 2011, from perforation of the aorta and lung as a result of a single stab wound inflicted by Ketwaru during an argument. The man was initially charged with the offence of murder but when he made

his appearance before High Court Judge Navindra Singh, he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. According to the facts presented by the State, Ketwaru was in the habit of abusing his reputed wife which resulted in the woman vacating the Tarla Dam, Meten-Meer-Zorg residence that the two shared. However, on August 23, when Ramjattan returned to the home to collect her clothes, she began drinking with Ketwaru and other friends. An argument between the two ensued

over the reason for the woman leaving the home. It was during the argument that Ketwaru allegedly slapped Ramjattan and stabbed her once to the abdomen with a knife. Ramjattan’s sister reportedly found Ketwaru asleep and hugging the bloodied body of his spouse. The police were called and he was subsequently arrested and charged. A jury was empanelled by Justice Singh on Monday and yesterday he directed the jurors to return a formal verdict of not

guilty on the count of murder and formal verdict of guilty for the lesser count of manslaughter In a mitigation plea, Ketwaru’s lawyer Dexter Todd highlighted that his client admitted to being a heavy drinker which caused him to lose control. He said that on the day following the killing, Ketwaru had little memory of what had transpired. Todd also asked the court to take into consideration the four years that his client had already spent in jail for the crime, the years he spent reflecting and realizing that the woman he loved is no longer here. Additionally, he said, even though Ketwaru has made a fundamental turnaround, this lesson will be with him for the rest of his life. However, the State asked the court to take into consideration that it was another domestic violence case. The prosecutor added that another woman had lost her life at the hands of the man she loved and trusted. When given an opportunity to speak, Ketwaru simply said: “I very sorry for wuh happen.” While stating that the base years for the offence of manslaughter is 30 years, Justice Singh explained that he would deduct 15 years from the base years on account of the time Ketwaru already spent in jail, the fact that he entered a guilty plea, as well as for showing genuine remorse for his actions and being willing to accept reform by being a model prisoner. Before the man left the courtroom, Justice Singh encouraged Ketwaru to take the time in prison to better himself while adding that he should attend anger management and alcohol abuse programmes. He wished the convict best of luck, saying that because he is only 34 years old, he would still be able to positively contribute to society upon his release.

Bandit dies after shoot-out on Middleton St, man injured

uesday, the police say that a group of persons, including a policeman and a member of the Guyana Defence Force, were at the Butcher Pool Hall at Middleton Street, Georgetown, when two men approached and discharged rounds in their direction. The police say that Paul Chow, 31 years, of Railway Line, Kitty, who was in the group, was hit to his chest and the right side of his jaw. The policeman and the soldier returned fire and one of the armed men was hit about his body, while his accomplice managed to escape. The man, who is so far unidentified, was taken to the GPHC where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body is at the GPHC Mortuary. He is of African-Guyanese descent with dreadlocks, appears to be in his 40s, fair complexion, about 5’9” in height, medium build and has a tattoo on his back marked “Spine Doctor”. Chow has been admitted to hospital. The Police Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting investigations into the incid

June 26 – July 2, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

Man killed for spilling liquor A man said to be among a group of men who murdered a man after he spilled their liquor at a party was denied bail when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court last Friday. The now deceased, Neville Anderson, a bus conductor of Drewsland, Kingston 20, was reportedly chased, beaten, stabbed multiple time, and hit in head with a stone. The incident occurred in February at the intersection of Headley Avenue and Spaulding Boulevard in Kingston 20. The accused, Ronaldo Foster, 34, of Wellington Street, Kingston 14, was recently arrested and charged with mur-

der. On Friday when the case was mentioned, Foster's attorney CJ Mitchell told the court that his client was not involved in the murder, and that the drink that was spilt did not belong to him. However, the magistrate informed him that his client was featured prominently in the statements. In addition, the police also indicated that they were objecting to bail on the grounds that the witnesses are known to the accused, and that he might interfere with the case if he is granted bail. Foster was subsequent denied bail and is scheduled to return to court on July 3.

According to police report, on the day in question, Anderson was at the party in Drewsland when he bounced a table causing the drink to spill. An altercation then reportedly developed between Anderson and the men, who were about four in total, and he was assaulted. However, it is reported that he ran from the men but was chased into his yard and was then dragged to the intersection of Headley Avenue and Spaulding Boulevard, where he was beaten, stabbed and hit with stone. He was later taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

President declares… ExxonMobil has nothing to fear – operations will continue in Guyana’s EEZ

RESIDENT David Granger has assured United States oil company, ExxonMobil, that it has nothing to fear in terms of its current operations in Guyana’s waters, as it not only has the backing of the Guyana Government, but international law on its side as well. He made the observation during a recent interview, whereby he said he’s already met with ExxonMobil officials and reassured them that they can carry on with their exploration. He said, too, that he’s already notified the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) of the latest development in the Guyana/ Venezuela border rift, and that he’s confident that Secretary-General, Dr. Irwin LaRocque has filled Heads in on the situation. He, however, noted that CARICOM Heads will be formally briefed at the upcoming 36th Heads of Government meeting, which is slated for July 1 to 5 in Barbados. In addition, all the countries of the 35-member Organisation of America States (OAS) and 12-member Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) have been notified of Venezuela’s latest claim by way of a decree crafted by Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and published in the Official Gazette of May 27. Reacting to this latest aggravation of Venezuela’s, which he aptly describes as “a legal absurdity,” President Granger said it is the worst intrusion on Guyana’s sovereignty. “It is an affront to the nation, and it collides with internal maritime law; it is completely in breach of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” he said. The decree at reference purports to claim sovereignty over Guyana’s territorial waters in the Essequibo region of the Atlantic Ocean. Maps created since the decree by Venezuela’s National Organisation for Rescue and Maritime Safety (ONSA) indicate that the claim would include a large part of the Stabroek Block, where ExxonMobil discovered oil recently. ExxonMobil, on May 20 disclosed that it found a deposit of ‘a significant’ amount of oil in the Stabroek Block, about 120 nautical miles offshore Guyana. The company said this discovery was made in one of the two wells it dug in the Liza-1 drill site, which realised more than 295 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone. ExxonMobil, the largest public trading international company in the world, is an industry that is the leading inventory of oil and gas projects, and the world’s largest refiner of petroleum products. The total area allotted to Exxon for exploration (the Liza Area or the Stabroek Block) covers 26, 806 square kilometers. It has a long history of using science and innovation to find safer and cleaner ways of bringing energy to the world. (GINA)

June 26 – July 2, 2015 17 Caribbean Star Newspaper Security firm to cough up $6M for stolen GRA booze

East Canje businessman murder PI underway

HE Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the death of East Canje businessman, Terrance Mc Lean, has commenced before Magistrate Sherdel Marcus Isaacs, with the testimonies of three witnesses at the New Amsterdam Court. Detective Constable Kevin Hope, Assistant Superintendent Ronald Alli and Elvis Christendat were led in their evidence by Police Prosecutor Sergeant Phillip Sherrif. The witnesses were cross-examined by Defence Counsel Peter Hugh. Goldsmith Deon Sunthgolam, who had made his initial court appearance before Magistrate Rhondel Weaver, was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was refused bail. Police alleged that Sunthgolam, a business partner of the now deceased businessman, fatally wounded him between December 1 and 3 last. The bloated, decomposing remains of the sixty-two-year old entrepreneur was discovered in his house at Lot 6 Sheet Anchor Village, Canje, just before 08:00 hrs on December 3, 2014. The discovery was made by one of his sons, Fredrick, who had gone in search of him after failing to make contact with him via his mobile phone. The PI is expected to continue on June 25.

further but the last information he had was that the matter was being investigated by the GRA. He stated that no one was in custody but a few persons were questioned. The GRA had said in a press release issued on May 28 that approximately $6M in foreign liquor was stolen from its warehouse and surveillance footage had implicated members of the PGS security firm guarding the facility. The liquor was discovered missing on May 13th but the GRA only disclosed the theft on May 27, more than two weeks later. In a statement, the GRA had said that the discovery was made by officers of its Law Enforcement and Investigation

The GRA’s State Warehouse at Eccles, East Bank Demerara Division (LEID) during a routine inventory exercise, which led to the immediate launching of an investigation on May 13th. “As a result of the discovery, surveillance footage was reviewed and has revealed that officers of the security firm contracted to provide twenty four hours security to the said warehouse were very much involved

in the reprehensible act,” it said. “From all indications, this incident was orchestrated utilizing the cloak of darkness in an effort to avoid detection of the activity and the identification of the perpetrators. Preliminary investigations have revealed that no current employee of the GRA is involved in this incident,” the GRA had added.

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he security firm tasked with guarding the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) warehouse from which $6M in foreign liquor was stolen last month has accepted liability and will pay for the alcohol, GRA head Khurshid Sattaur has said. Sattaur told Stabroek News yesterday that persons from Professional Guard Service (PGS) Limited are currently being investigated while the security firm had accepted full liability and will be standing the cost of the liquor. He said that PGS has asked for a certain period within which to pay the money. When contacted, the Chief Executive Officer of PGS said that he had not heard anything

Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 – July 2, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 – July 2, 2015

THE HUMAN RIGHT Our twenty-first century society seems to be characterized by the outcry for everyone’s rights. Debates continue on the right to free speech or the right to a lifestyle that is not restricted by what used to be the norm.

n some areas of the world, the cry is for the right to have clean drinking water, medical attention, food for the hungry, stopping human trafficking, and the list goes on. There is a basic human right that is neglected; and this is the right that every person needs to desperately address. It is the right of the human soul to know salvation and eternal life. Over 3 billion people still have never heard an adequate presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:10-13 NIV. When you find it, you want to tell it. Most people who receive a precious gift, students who pass an examination or someone who receives an award want to tell others about their joyful moment. In the same spirit, the Apostle Paul discovered the joy of God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ and he felt obligated to tell others. He expressed his heart’s desire towards unchurched people. He wrote in his letter to the Romans, “I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:14-17. He felt obligated to offer the gospel to all nations, but especially towards his own nation. He said in Romans10:1-4, “Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to

God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” Every person has the right to change for good. The Apostle Paul (formerly Saul) rejected the claims of Jesus Christ and the affirmations of the disciples that Christ is the Messiah. Paul was a scholar in Old Testament writings. He had overlooked the sufferings of the Messiah and certainly rejected the claim that a human can be the Son of God. He objected to Christians claiming that Jesus was risen from the dead and is the Savior of the world. He persecuted the Church, imprisoned Christians and consented to their martyrdom. Then one day, He met the risen Christ whilst traveling to Damascus to persecute Christians there. Jesus did not retaliate, but with love saved him and changed his life. Paul realized the man who was killed on the cross was indeed the Son of God and He fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. He believed Jesus was alive from the dead and is the Son of God, the Savior of the world. Paul would travel far to spread the great news and offer this right to God’s forgiveness to people. He would extend God’s love and power to heal and help suffering people. Having been ignorant of this knowledge, it was their right to know and enjoy God’s blessings. So Paul wanted to come to Rome also to preach this good news of Jesus Christ. Every soul in the bondage of sin has the right to know Jesus Christ can set them free and their lives can in turn be a blessing to others. The Church today has this same obligation to share God’s love.

Someone once said why should we preach the gospel to the same people over and over when there are so many who have never heard it once. With over 3 billion yet to hear, the Church must mobilize and boldly share this most important, soul saving gospel. We need to start with our neighbors. From my reading on the internet, it seems about 156,000 people die daily, whether from wars, crimes, sickness, suicide, natural causes, accidents, etc. This comes down to about 108 people die per minute. There are about 267 births per minute. Think about the opportunities to share the lifesaving gospel of Jesus Christ! If it takes 10 minutes to read this page, by the time you get through it, about 1,080 people would leave earth and enter eternity. How many will know the Savior and have a wonderful welcome in God’s eternal kingdom? The Apostle Paul was so passionate about people getting to know the Savior Jesus Christ that he made this impacting statement: “I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race.” Romans 9:1-3. Rhetorically, he would risk his own salvation if that would make them accept Christ as Savior. We must offer food to the hungry. The poor and hungry have a right to ask to be fed. The well-to-do have the right and obligation to offer food to the less-fortunate. The greatest need is for that which satisfies the soul and lasts into eternity. Jim Elliot was just out of Bible College when he realized he could be an instrument of God to bring the life giving gospel to people who are lacking. Jim’s desire was to reach the Waodoni tribe that lived deep in the jungles of Ecuador and had little contact with the

outside world. A Waodoni woman who had left the tribe was taken in by the missionaries and helped them to learn the language. Jim, along with 4 friends, began to search by plane in hopes of finding a way to contact the Waodoni. The found a sandbar in the middle of the Curaray River that worked as a landing strip for the plane and it was there that they first made contact with the Waodoni. They were excited to finally be able to share the love of Christ with this people group. After their first meeting, one of the tribe, a man they called George, lied to the tribe about the men’s intentions. This lie led the Waodoni warriors to plan an attack for when the missionaries returned. The men did return on January 8, 1956 and were surprised by ten members of the tribe who massacred the missionaries. Jim’s short life that was filled with the desire to share God’s love can be summed up by a quote that is attributed to him. “He is no fool who gives that which he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.” May God use many to respond to the human right to know the Savior! 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

Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 – July 2, 2015

Jack telling lies

ll of Jack Warner’s accusations leveled against a number of persons including the Prime Minister, her neighbours, former government ministers and even a special reserve police officer have been roby nundly dismissed and are headed for the courts. “My lawyers will deal with their lies and fabrications,” the Prime Minister said at a cottage in Debe last night. “ It is like a new script every week.” And she quipped in anticipation of more revelations by Warner, “Stay tuned. Next week. Coming soon to a theatre near you.” The Prime Minister later described Warner as delusional, and recounted to her audience

how Warner came to the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s crying with a resignation letter, a week before she travelled to New York in 2013, and she promised she would look at it and discuss it upon her return. But she suggested that Warner knew something she did not and that was the release of the Sir David Simmons report, the very day she was leaving the country. She said she still has the letter. She said when she returned to the country, she fired Warner for the very reasons that were detailed in the Sir David Simmons report which accused Warner of wrongdoing in his dealings as president of Concacaf which governs football in the Caribbean, Central and North America.

“Most of Mr Warner’s anger seems to be directed at the fact that I fired him.” Persad-Bissessar said. “And that I am a woman, and that I am strong. He cannot handle that.” “ The first female Prime Minister of this great nation,” she boasted. “He resents my gender and does not respect the office I hold.” This, she said, was an insult to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and every woman. “ And so he is delusional,” the Prime Minister said, “Because he knows for a fact that he cannot overthrow me. And I have refused every of his attempts to control and influence (me).” The Prime Minister said when she asked Warner for his resignation, crying again, he asked her for seven days, but she did not know why he wanted this time. Now that she sees

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how all of this is playing out she wondered how many more tapes Warner would have fabricated, and files he would have concocted. The SRP named by Warner feels the same way. “All that Mr Warner has presented to the public regarding me is a total fabrication,” SRP Jitnarine Hardeen said responding to Newsday’s call to his mobile phone yesterday. Newsday later received a copy of a pre-action protocol letter which Hardeen’s attorneys sent Warner, giving the former government minister 24 hours to respond. Warner had named Hardeen as the person whose voice was part of a recording, said to be made two years ago and pertaining to a late night occurrence at the Prime Minister’s private residence in south Trinidad back then, and including former Minister of the People, Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh. The taped conversation was said to be between Hardeen and Warner, and there were reports preceding the preaction protocol letter yesterday that the officer had claimed the exchange was concocted, and also that a person was paid money to have the contents invalidated. Ramadharsingh, also in a statement yesterday, said, “It is remarkable and I hope that they can prove that I was involved in bribing someone or got someone to change a statement or make a statement that was false. I have always supported the truth but it appears that the truth in this matter will emerge in the courts as clearly the need for financial gain trumps professionalism and responsibility.” And the Prime Minister’s neighbour, Krystian Gookool, told Newsday, “Right now my lawyers are reviewing all aspects of the allegations and in time, my lawyers and I will release a statement.” Since last week Wednesday, Warner, leader of the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) had called on Persad-Bissessar to reveal to the nation who “Krystian” is, as he questioned the circumstances around the allegedly discovery of marijuana at her private residence at Philippine, San Fernando, back in 2013. In his preaction letter to Warner, Hardeen last night flatly denied his was the voice on a tape-recording played by the ILP leader at a news briefing earlier in Port-of-Spain. The letter gave Warner the chance to avert a costly and lengthy lawsuit by settling beforehand. It was issued by attorneys Ravi Rajkoomar and Ganesh Rampersad of Invictus Chambers, Port-of-Spain. The letter alleged that Warner made defamatory statements against Hardeen. The lawyers spoke about an alleged offer of some $250,000 as an inducement to Hardeen to state that his was the voice on the tape. “My client has consistently refused to be part of any untrue plot to defame innocent persons,” the letter stated. The letter said that at Warner’s request, Hardeen was interviewed by one Frederick John and others, and that Warner is aware Hardeen denied being the voice on the tape whose contents have nothing to do with Hardeen. The letter dismissed Warner’s remarks as “maliciously untrue and calculated to bring him (Hardeen) into disrepute, odium and contempt” and “designed to defame him and wrongfully accuse him of being involved in criminal matters”. The letter said, “There is no truth in any of these allegations, nor the contents of any of your statements, nor the contents of the tape or tapes.” The letter said Hardeen denied ever being paid by anyone including the said official to change a statement, and had been approached by no-one but Warner regarding the tapes. The letter said Hardeen is surprised to hear claims that he had consented to the release of the tapes, as it is not his voice. The letter further stated to Warner, “My client demands an immediate apology to be approved by counsel together with damages to be agreed upon and legal costs to date. You are required to respond within 24 hours.”

Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 – July 2, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

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Cha Ki Chicken . $9.00 FriedCha Snapper . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..$10.00

Steam . . .Sauce . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. $8.00 BroccoliBroccoli w/ Oyster $8.00

Fried . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .$10.00 . . $7.00 Fried Chicken Bangamary

Mix Vegetable w/Choy Oyster Steam Baby Pak . . Sauce . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. $8.00 $8.00

Fried Fried Snapper Shark . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .$10.00 .$10.00

Broccoli w/ Oyster Sauce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.00

Fried Bangamary Pepper Shrimp. . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .$10.00 .$12.00

Steam Baby Pak Choy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.00

Fried Sharkor . . Fried . . . . . .Shrimp. . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .$12.00 .$10.00 Hot&Spicy Pepper Shrimp.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .$10.00 .$12.00 Fried Calamari Hot&Spicy or Fried Pepper Steak . . . . . .Shrimp. . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .$12.00 .$10.00 Fried RoastCalamari Lamp . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .$10.00 . $11.00 Pepper Steak. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .$10.00 Roast Duck . . $9.00 Roast Roast Lamp Pork . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. $11.00 . $9.00 Roast Duck $9.00 Jerk Pork . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. $9.00 Roast . . . . . . . . Chips . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. $5.00 $9.00 FrenchPork Fries\Platain Jerk Pork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9.00 French Fries\Platain Chips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.00 Chicken

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Vegetable Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . . .$7.00 Chicken Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . . . . .$8.00 Vegetable Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . . .$7.00 Roast Beef Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . .$9.00 Chicken Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . . . . .$8.00 Roast Pork Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . .$9.00 Roast Beef Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . .$9.00 Shrimp Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . . . . . .$9.00 Roast Pork Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . .$9.00 Mixed Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . . . . . .$9.00 Shrimp Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . . . . . .$9.00 Jerk Chicken Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . .$9.00 Mixed Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . . . . . .$9.00 Jerk Pork Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . . .$9.00 Jerk Chicken Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . .$9.00 Chinese Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . . . . .$9.00 Jerk Pork Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . . .$9.00 Roast Duck Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . $11.00 Chinese Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . . . . .$9.00 Boneless Chicken Fried Rice/Lomein/ Roast Duck. Fried Chowmein . . . . . .Rice/Lomein/Chowmein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$11.00 .$9.00 Boneless Chicken Fried Rice/Lomein/. . . . . . . . $11.00 Lamb Fried Rice/Lomein/Chowmein Chowmein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$9.00 Pepper/Hot&Spicy Shrimp Fried Rice/Lomein/ Lamb Fried .Rice/Lomein/Chowmein $11.00 Chowmein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.00 Pepper/Hot&Spicy Fried Rice/Lomein/ General Tso’s/SpisyShrimp Garlic Chicken Fried Rice/ Chowmein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.00 Lomein/Chowmein $11.00 General Tso’s/Spisy Garlic Chicken Fried Rice/ Lomein/Chowmein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11.00

Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 – July 2, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper T&T footballer escapes death in crossfire

ational women’s footballer Ahkeela Mollon escaped death outside her Longdenville home on Tuesday night, after her car was shot at by gunmen who were chasing an off duty police officer. According to police, Mollon, 30, had just pulled into the driveway of her Lamont Street home in her silver Nissan Primera around 9.20 pm when she heard gunshots ringing through the community. Fearful for her life, she ran into her home until the gunfire ceased. When she checked her car afterwards she found several bullet holes in it. Chaguanas CID, including Senior Supt Johnny Abraham, Insp Terrence Williams and Sgt Jitindra Toolaram, responded and learned that Mollon was not the target of the shooting. Investigators said five minutes before Mollon arrived, Cpl Anthony Burns, 58, attached to the Central Division Rapid Response Unit pulled into his driveway in his gold Nissan Almera and as his wife opened the gate, the gunmen opened fire on them. The woman, whose name was not released, dropped on the ground and pretended to be dead while her husband exited the car and ran along street. They said Mollon’s car was shot at when Burns ran past her home. WPC Mohan and PC Rajpath are continuing investigations. Despite being traumatised by the incident, Mollon still lined up for CNGC Rush in last night’s Women’s Premier League match

June 26 – July 2, 2015

A night of terror: Brothers shot, teen killed

National footballer Ahkeela Mollon warms up with her CNGC Rush team before their Women’s Premier League (WPL) match at the St James Training College Grounds, last night. Mollon escaped death on Tuesday night when she got out of her car just before gunmen shot at it. Inset, A bullet pierced the windscreen just above the steering wheel. PHOTO: ANTHONY HARRIS against Petrotrin Oilers in St James.

OLICE are searching for two men suspected in the murder of a 19-year-old La Brea man in California and the shooting of two brothers in Couva on Tuesday night. The suspects used a silver Tiida PDC 6286 to carry out of the shootings and police later found a vehicle matching the description abandoned at Cemetery Street, California, with several spent shells inside. At around 9 p.m. officers of the Couva CID responded to a report that two brothers - Anwar Young, 24, and Jamal Young, 20 - were shot at their home. A police team went to Flamingo Street, Couva, and found Anwar Young with a gunshot wound to the abdomen and Jamal Young shot in the buttocks. Police were told that the siblings were standing in their yard when a silver Tiida pulled up and a man alighted from the passenger's side and sprayed bullets. The brothers were taken to the Couva District Health Facility where they were treated and then transferred to

the San Fernando General Hospital where they were warded. While police were at that scene, they received a report of another shooting at Teelucksingh Street East, California. A party of police officers of the Central Division Task Force led by Sperintendent Adams responded and found that Akile Tallan was shot dead in the driveway of the his girlfriend's home. Police were told that Tallan, of High Road, was standing in the driveway when a silver Tiida with two occupants pulled up and opened fire. As Tallan slumped tothe ground, the car sped off. Homicide investigators led by Sargeant Susan John responded to the scene. Tallan was pronounced dead at the scene by a district medical officer. An autopsy is expected to be performed on his body today at the Forensic Science Centre. The car was impounded by police and expected to be sent for forensic testing.

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June 26 – July 2, 2015

Cops pull 4 from bus

PUBLIC Transportation Service Corporation (PTSC) special needs bus, transporting the driver, two special needs children and their caretaker yesterday ran off the Valencia stretch and capsized. While the children suffered minor injuries, their caretaker sustained a broken arm, while the driver was also hurt. According to police reports, at about 3 pm, the bus was proceeding in an easterly direction along the stretch. Without warning, the bus began to veer dangerously along the road which was wet following showers. Bus driver Andy Sankar lost control of the bus which ran off the road and capsized. A report was made and a party of police officers led by Supt Neville “Toco Burroughs” Sankar and including ASP Aroon Ramkhalewan and others visited the scene and pulled the occupants from the vehicle. Police said the driver Sankar, caretaker Evelyn Thomas, 53, and students Jamile Cunningham, 11, and Lauryn Bascombe, 15, were all rushed to the Sangre Grande District Hospital for treatment. Officers said, Thomas suffered a broken arm in addition to other injuries, Sankar suffered cuts and bruises to his face and both Cunningham and Bascombe suffered minor injuries. All were discharged from the hospital after being treated. The children who are students of the Lady Hochoy Home for Children in Cocorite were being returned to their respective homes in Sangre Grande. Their caretaker Thomas also lives in the eastern town. Fire officers led by FSO Salazar and in-

Caribbean Star Newspaper US resumes issuing visas following hardware failure, but delays expected

W NARROW ESCAPE: ASP Aroon Ramkhalewan, right, and Supt Neville ‘Toco Burroughs’ Sankar near the overturned PTSC bus which ran off the Valencia stretch yesterday while it was en route to Sangre Grande. Four occupants, including two special needs students, escaped serious injuries and were later taken to hospital for treatment. Author: RALPH BANWARIE

cluding fire officers’ Kerr, Olivere, Ramkissoon and Baptiste also visited the scene and rendered assistance in removing the injured persons from the capsized bus. Officials from PTSC were informed about the incident and the badly damaged bus was later towed back to PTSC headquarters in Port-of-Spain for repairs. Newsday understands that provisions are being made to have a replacement bus in place so as to not impact on the availability of transportation for the special needs students of the Home. Investigations are continuing.

ASHINGTON, United States, Wednesday June 24, 2015 – More than half of the United States embassies and consulates have started to issue visas again, following a hardware failure earlier this month. But the US State Department says there will still be some backlogs. US State Department spokesman John Kirby told the media at a press briefing yesterday that the database responsible for handling biometric clearances has been rebuilt and is being tested. A hardware failure halted the flow of clearance requests from posts to the Consular Consolidated Database on June 9 and individuals who submitted online applications or were interviewed for visas on or after that date were affected by the glitch. State Department Computer Glitch Creates A Visa Nightmare http://t.co/xOSPevv6RF — Evan Kirstel (@evankirstel) June 24, 2015 Downed US visa system needs another week of fixes, thousands stranded http://t. co/fVTe0UKigA pic.twitter.com/ozYYuy6BLW — RT (@RT_com) June 18, 2015 “Thirty-three embassies and consulates, representing 66 per cent of our normal capacity, are now online and issuing visas, and we’re looking to restore full biometric data processing worldwide. We issued

more than 45,000 visas [Monday],” Kirby said. “Significant additional numbers will be issued as the backlog clears, and it’s going to take some time here for the backlog to clear as we continue to work the fix.” The US State Department website provided a timeline of sorts for full restoration. “We anticipate that the system will be fully reconnected this week. We plan to work over the weekend to clear our backlog,” it stated. Meantime, Kirby said many embassies were rescheduling interviews, with some becoming available as soon as today. “We encourage people to check our website, travel.state.gov, for more information, and we’ll keep updating you here as we continue to work the problem,” he added. The State Department said its team was working 24/7 to restore the systems to full functionality.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 – July 2, 2015

Rice board shake-up imminent over diverted PetroCaribe funds Minister of State Joseph Harmon y announced that the government is moving to shake up the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), which he said would have seen PetroCaribe funds being diverted, now forcing the government to find US$15 million to pay farmers for the next shipment of rice.

e also said that neither of the two agencies affiliated with the rice industry—the GRDB or the Guyana Rice Producers Association— will be getting their hands on the money, but rather a mechanism would be formulated under the Ministry of Finance for the famers to be paid and for the money to be utilised. “Cabinet was of the view that [given] the additional sums of money we have to be paying on the shipment of rice to Venezuela… we should apply a formula as we did for sugar, which means we will not be putting the monies into the hands of the people who have been there and diverting it into all different types of projects,” Harmon said at his weekly post-cabinet press briefing yesterday. Stabroek News attempted to get a comment from GRDB head Jagnarine Singh who answered his cellular phone and indicated that he was in a meeting and should be called later. All other

calls to his number went unanswered. Singh was reported as saying in the Guyana Times that he was prepared to resign if asked to and Harmon yesterday said the government has seen these public statements and “we will accept his resignation and wish him well.” Cabinet on Tuesday was also briefed on the composition of the GRDB and the actual management of the rice sector. “The industry already has too much at stake… We have to provide this country with careful explanations as to how we deal with the patrimony of the state; how we manage the affairs of the state. I don’t believe we can give any proper explanation to the Guyanese people if we were just to continue pumping money into the hands of people who have been spending it without giving any proper explanation,” Harmon said. He said the intention was to “get

Jagnarine Singh rid of this one and put a new one… We have to get a board that reflects our perception as to what is credible, what is transparent and what is in the best interest of the sector.” Asked for clarity on whether GRDB had any connection with the projects that fell under the PetroCaribe fund, Harmon said Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo would have clearly said that monies from the fund were spent on the Hope Canal and other projects. He said the GRDB as the entity that would have had supervision would have “had to be complicit in the funds being diverted….” Harmon said had the money not been diverted then the administration would not have been in the “hole that we find ourselves in right now of

having to find money from the public purse to pay farmers who have been working hard in the fields and have done honest work…” Meantime, Harmon announced that Minister of Finance Winston Jordan would be leading a team, which would include strong representation from the rice sector, to Venezuela early next week for PetroCaribe negotiations to extend the present arrangement which comes to an end in October. Harmon said the market for Guyana’s rice is a major issue with Venezuela taking up about 76% of the rice that Guyana exports, which is the reason a strengthened team would be travelling to the country. When asked, Harmon said it would be difficult to replenish the fund but the money that was spent would be a separate subject of inquiry. Earlier this month, Harmon had announced that the administration found that the fund was empty. “We actually will have to find somewhere in the vicinity of US$15 million to basically pay our farmers when they ship the next set of rice to Venezuela,” he said. Under the PetroCaribe agreement, beneficiary nations can tap concessionary oil imports and source funding for long-term loans from a development fund created from delayed payments for oil. Barter arrangements are also possible as is the case with Guyana’s rice. Harmon had said that the previous government spent more than what was actually pumped into the fund. He said when Minister Jordan said the government found the “cupboard bare” when it took office, it was not the end of the story.

PPP calls for details on ‘missing cars’

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) said it has noted with dismay the big noise being made by the Granger administration, fuelled by sections of the media about “missing state-owned vehicles amounting to over twenty-eight (28)”.

In a statement today, it said that Minister of State Joseph Harmon is purported to have said “we have a bigger amount missing across all government Ministries and Agencies”. “The PPP calls upon Mr. Harmon to publish the information showing the

type of each vehicle, the registration number of each vehicle as well as the names of each ministry and agency to which the vehicles are attached. “Further, the PPP calls on the Granger de-facto administration to publish the names of the “former gov-

ernment officials who have been filling up their tanks and those of their families”. The latter was in reference to a government claim yesterday that stateowned GuyOil has been abused for fuel by persons not authorized.

Non-Immigrant US visas ready for pick-up On Friday June 26, 2015

EORGETOWN – The U.S Embassy, Georgetown is pleased to announce the restoration of Visa Processing Systems which allow the printing of visas for applicants whose nonimmigrant visa (temporary visit – holiday/tourist/student) applications were approved on interview dates – June 08 to June 23, 2015. Applicants who were issued blue coupons between June 08 to June 23 should appear on Friday, June 26, 2015 to pick up their passports at the respective times indicated below. Please refer to the schedule below and please conform your arrival time at the Embassy for those specific pick up times. This will prevent unnecessary delays and long wait lines.

Appointment/Interview Date Pick-up Time on June 26, 2015 June 08 and June 09 June 11 June 12 June 15 June 16 June 18 June 19 and June 22 June 23

8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:00 noon 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.

Please note that this is specific to non-immigrant visa

applications only (temporary visit – holiday/tourist/student). Please DO NOT bring any personal belongings with you to the Embassy, just your ID card and the blue slip. Information about Immigrant Visa (Permanent Visas) pick-up times will be announced as those visas become available. We deeply regret the inconvenience to travelers who are still waiting for their visas. We strongly encourage applicants who were approved for visa issuance to appear on June 26 as per the above schedule; however, if circumstances do not permit you to appear, please contact our Visa Inquiries Unit via e-mail to vog.etats@egroegasiv to make alternative arrangements.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 – July 2, 2015

World News Highlights

from crashing out. WASHINGTON - The United States released a long-delayed annual human rights report on Thursday, with strong words for countries like Iran, Cuba, Myanmar and Vietnam, even as it seeks to improve relations with them. THE HAGUE - The Palestinian Authority made its first submission of evidence of alleged Israeli war crimes to the International Criminal Court on Thursday, trying to speed up an ICC inquiry into abuses committed during last year’s Gaza conflict. BRUSSELS - Prime Minister David Cameron will tell European Union leaders on Thursday he needs a new deal to keep Britain inside the bloc, opening an argument over its future at a summit preoccupied with keeping Greece

BRUSSELS - Britain wants an agreement on European Union treaty change as part of a bid to renegotiate its relationship, but accepts that treaty change may not be fully ratified by the time of the referendum, British government sources said. UNITED NATIONS - A coalition of some 81 human rights and aid groups blasted the United Nations Security Council on Thursday for a “woefully inadequate” response to the killing of civilians in Syria, and urged it to ensure that those responsible will be punished. BRUSSELS - European Union leaders will review the state of negotiations with Britain on its EU membership in six months time, according to draft conclusions of a summit where David

Cameron will on Thursday formally launch his demands for reform of the bloc. ATHENS - Greek lawmakers passed a bitterly-contested law on citizenship for the children of migrants on Thursday, in a vote that split the ruling coalition but pointed toward possible alternative alliances for the ruling Syriza party. COPENHAGEN - Coalition talks between Denmark’s centrer-right parties were deadlocked on Thursday, a week after an election pushed out the center-left government, with the euroskeptic Danish People’s Party (DF) standing by its demands for more state spending. BAGHDAD - Islamic State militants detonated a car bomb and then opened fire on Iraqi troops in the western province of Anbar

on Thursday, killing 14 soldiers, security sources said. AMMAN - A Jordanian was killed on Thursday when a stray mortar bomb from fighting in southern Syria hit a bustling market place in the Jordanian town of Ramtha, a security source said on Thursday.

BEIRUT - Islamic State fighters have launched simultaneous attacks against Syrian government and Kurdish militia forces, moving back onto the offensive after losing ground in recent days to Kurdish-led forces near the capital of their “caliphate”.

LONDON - Britain can achieve substantial change to its relationship with the European Union without change to the bloc’s treaties, Germany’s Minister of Europe Michael Roth said on Thursday.

ROZHKI, Russia - The mother of a Russian soldier captured in Ukraine says her son never told her he was quitting the army, raising doubt about Kremlin assertions that the soldier was no longer serving when he crossed the frontier.

BRUSSELS - European Union leaders faced a daunting list of crises as they began their summit on Thursday, notably migrants crowding in at their southern borders, Russia growling in the east, Britain’s threat to quit and a desperate need to create jobs.

BRUSSELS - Russian President Vladimir Putin is not done in eastern Ukraine, NATO’s top commander said on Thursday, cautioning that Russia has been building up supplies on its border with Ukraine and keeping its military options open.

Alleged bandit killed in shootout outside Campbellville pools bar

n unidentified suspected bandit was killed on Tuesday night during a shootout outside Butcher’s Pools Bar in Campbellville. According to a police press release, at around 11.20 pm on Tuesday, a group of persons, including a policeman and a member of the Guyana Defence Force, were at Butcher’s Pools Bar at Middleton Street, Campbellville, when two men approached and discharged rounds in their direction. Paul Chow, 31, of Railway Line, Kitty was hit to his chest and right jaw. The policeman and the soldier returned fire, hitting one of the armed men about his body, while the other one managed to escape. The unidentified man who was shot was taken to the hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival. His body is currently at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary. Chow has been admitted to the hospital and investigations are ongoing. “I was on the phone and I hear about five gunshots,” a resident of the area told Stabroek News. “First I thought it was a vehicle exhaust but after I hear another shot, I look out I see a man, lil chubby, running towards the school with a gun in he hand.” The resident said that a few seconds after the man ran away, the sound of a car speeding away was heard.

Butcher’s Pool Bar where the shootout took place. The resident also noticed two men lying on the road. One was responsive and was placed in a vehicle and the other was unconscious and appeared dead. It is still unclear whether the persons involved in the shooting were patrons of the pools bar, since its owner, Nadira Sancharran, said that the bar was not open at the time of the incident. A source revealed that the bar is frequented by policemen and soldiers. Police said the unidentified alleged bandit was of African descent with dreadlocks and appeared to be in his 40s. He was about 5’9” and had a tattoo on his back which said: “Spine Doctor”. The Police’s Office of Professional Responsibi-lity is conducting investigations into the incident.

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(March 21-April 19) This week is about other people, as far as you’re concerned. On Monday and Tuesday, your service is vital to coworkers, family members or the community at large, and your efforts are definitely noticed by the right people. Later in the week, you keep coasting on that altruistic energy, finding that you get a lot more out of helping others than from taking care of your own needs first. Over the weekend, you may go through a psychic growth spurt that’s somewhat awkward, but ultimately quite powerful.

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22) Monday and Tuesday put financial issues squarely on the table, and while the details are clear and not at all misleading, they might still put you to sleep! Try to focus as well as you can, as they are just as important as they look. Later in the week, you can relax somewhat and let friends and family help out with whatever may be going on in your life, though of course they’ll expect you to return the favor in a timely fashion! Something doesn’t seem quite right this weekend, and a little investigation should yield interesting results.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You’re a rebel, at least on Monday and Tuesday, and you may have a hard time dealing with self-styled authority figures. Real authority -- coming from the law or your employer, for example -- is easier to handle, even if it ruffles your feathers somewhat. The rest of the week is all about your ambitions. Spend a few days letting the world know what you plan to accomplish, especially if you need help with it. The weekend brings your dreams a little closer to reality, though you may need to pull back a bit to see it.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 – July 2, 2015

he government has launched an investigation into what has been described as “a pattern of serious abuse” where vehicles not affiliated with any government ministry or agency have been accessing fuel from the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil), and Minister of State Joseph Harmon says private citizens caught in the act would be made to pay for the fuel. While GuyOil Managing Director Badri Persaud expressed surprise yesterday at this investigation, his Finance Comptroller Rosalyn Franklin revealed that at least one agency has written to GuyOil indicating that vehicles that were not attached to the agency had received fuel under its name. According to the Franklin, the National Sports Commission (NSC) recently wrote to the company in this regard, but when an investigation was done it was found that the purchasing orders originating from the agency had the required signature. Sources in that agency revealed last evening that as many as 11 vehicles received huge amounts of fuel and it is now saddled with the bill. According to one source, the commission only has four vehicles and on a daily basis “only about one and a half is used.” Stabroek News was told that the “spike” in the fuel bill for the commission occurred during the recent election period and it is believed that vehicles that were being used for campaign purposes were being fuelled up on the commission’s tab. “While it may have been happening before, the spike definitely happened during the election period and there was a thick wad of bills for fuel,” one source

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) Your ability to put people at ease may be tested early this week, but you should do just fine. You feel grounded and ready for almost anything, and the people around you can sense that all is well. Wednesday and Thursday are great for taking care of health-related concerns in a positive way -- maybe starting a new routine at the gym, taking a yoga class or just eating more cauliflower. Get a friend or family member to join you! The weekend brings intense emotional energy to the forefront, and you might redouble your efforts in one part of your life.

VIRGO

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Monday or Tuesday bring a big win for you in some arena of your life. You may want to immediately start building from this achievement or perhaps just slow down and enjoy the fruits of your labors -- it’s entirely up to you. In either case, you should expect minor setbacks later in the week, through no fault of your own. The world is fond of challenging you sometimes, and you always rise to the occasion. You are better able to get your message out this weekend than you have in quite some time, so speak up early and often!

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Spend some time early this week dealing with future plans -- you may need to adjust them somewhat or expand them to include others who want to join in. Your good mental energy should help you make the most of it. Work issues are at the forefront of your life on Wednesday and Thursday, possibly extending to Friday, but you should be able to shake free of them by the time the weekend rolls around. You should spend plenty of time with friends, at least one of whom has a special request for you that will pay off in the long run.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20) You need to focus on the small stuff early in the week, or it’ll pile up and wreak all kinds of havoc later on! Make sure you don’t put off any errands that can be done today, even if it takes a bit of extra effort on your part. Wednesday and Thursday bring an influx of positive energy, but it’s best used to start new projects rather than finish up old ones. You’ll be getting all the help you need with the new stuff, so don’t worry about planning. This weekend is great for volunteering or just helping out around the house. If your work requires customer service, that should go well also.

LIBRA

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21) You learn something that’s kind of big early this week, but there’s no need for you to tell the world -- yet. Hold on to it and see if it gets more valuable over time. Secrets are like gold to you! The rest of the week, starting Wednesday, is easy for you to deal with and ought to be a lot more fun than you had expected. Any challenges on the horizon are overcome, and you might be able to help a friend with their problems. Your intense personal energy this weekend makes people putty in your hands -- use it wisely!

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Use every last ounce of common sense you have on Monday and Tuesday when it comes to signing deals or making big moves. You shouldn’t necessarily say no to all comers, but you may want to express more skepticism than usual. Midweek is great for forging new social connections, or even launching a new romance if you think the timing is right. Your energy is best used to really reach out to people rather than letting them come to you. An interesting career choice pops up over the weekend -- take your time and consider it carefully.

Gov’t probing ‘serious abuse’ of GuyOil

said, adding that a “large amount of money” is involved. It is believed that it is the NSC’s flagging of the bills that would have resulted in the new administration examining the process under which vehicles affiliated with the state receive fuel and discovering that vehicles not owned by the government were benefiting from the system. Speaking at his weekly press conference at the Ministry of the Presidency, Harmon said the administration is investigating the matter that “falls into a pattern of serious abuse by the previous administration.” He also said that come next week he would be releasing the names of individuals who abused their positions to have contracts awarded to them personally in the last months of the previous administration. “So the question about those vehicles and the fuel. Yes we are investigating it and I do have in my possession … government personnel in the previous administration who were abusing that facility… We have asked GuyOil to present us with all of these accounts and these statements,” Harmon said, adding that “those persons who were drawing fuel and not paying for it – they have to pay for it.” The minister pointed out that it is taxpayers who have to pay for the fuel, adding that GuyOil is a government-owned company. Harmon said he is in possession of all the numbers of the vehicles that drew fuel as GuyOil sends a list of the various accounts to the respective ministries “religiously” every month. He said the ministers have been advised as to how to deal with these matters and as such he would have “a central

clearing house.”

‘Not aware’ But while Harmon said certain information had been requested from the oil company, Persaud yesterday said he was unware of any investigation since he was yet to be contacted by any government functionary under the new administration. Persaud, who was a candidate on the electoral list of the PPP/C and who some had stated should have resigned from his position, said he would attempt to contact the minister on the issue. The GuyOil head said he could not say if the system was indeed being cheated. “Government officials can only get fuel from GuyOil if the system in place is adhered to, whereby the company is informed through the relevant authorities of the various ministries,” Persaud told Stabroek News. He said the system that is in place has been there “for decades.” Meantime, explaining the process, Franklin said government agencies would provide the vehicles’ numbers to access fuel as well as specimens of the purchasing order with the signatures of those authorized to sign for the fuel, and also who is approving the order. “Once that purchase order comes to our stations, signed or stamped by the respective ministry or government agency we would give them the fuel as stipulated per the order. As to if the vehicle belongs to that agency we can’t say. We don’t take registrations from them. What we allow them to do is to tell us that this person is authorized to sign purchase orders and this is a specimen of our purchase order,” she explained.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22) Use emails, phone calls and good old-fashioned face time to bring people over to your side early this week. Your communication skills are strong, and persuasion should come quite naturally to you. Slow down a bit on Wednesday and Thursday, as old projects --especially those you had thought were behind you -- have a way of popping back up unexpectedly and dragging you down somewhat. Don’t strike out in any new directions quite yet. The weekend is something of a paradox: While you feel pretty strong, emotionally speaking, you are unable to make up your mind about even the smallest things.

SCORPIO

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20) This week could get pretty confusing if you don’t make an effort to simplify early on, so make sure that you know who you’re dealing with and exactly what they want. Resolve any questions as quickly as possible and then move on. On Wednesday or Thursday, you should try to collect on a debt or favor you are owed -- it should be simpler than you expect. Don’t let the weekend’s good energy fool you, though -- you still need to vet all new opportunities with care before signing on the dotted line.

Asked about the registration numbers for the vehicles to access fuel, Franklin said that while initially this would be provided, GuyOil was not informed about changes or additions; what was important was the order and once this originated from the ministry or the agency with the correct the signature or stamp then the fuel was provided. The purchase order presented to the individual gas stations would stipulate how much fuel is to be provided to the specific vehicle. It was pointed out that from what was explained there is room for the system to be manipulated, but Franklin said this could only be done at the ministry or agency which would have sent the oil company the documents, but definitely not at the level of the company. Since the change of administration Franklin said, the old system has prevailed. As such, the same persons signing for fuel and preparing purchasing orders remain in place. The National Communications Network (NCN) is the only government agency which has sent a new set of signatures. “I haven’t received anything from anybody to say look we have changed except for NCN,” Franklin said. Like Persaud she said she is unaware of any ongoing investigation Meantime, asked whether the GuyOil head would remain in his position. Harmon said that no position has been taken on him and the board. He said that by the end of the week the government will have a preliminary position on the boards which are being reviewed and in another two weeks there will be a clear position on all of them. “I can assure you that wouldn’t take

too long particularly those boards which have influence and power over the lives of the Guyanese people,” he said. In 2013, discrepancies were flagged by the Auditor General’s Office when its 2011 audit of Region Four’s financial records revealed that hundreds of thousands of dollars in fuel and lubricants were utilised by vehicles which were not registered to the region. “Clearly there is fraud involved here,” then PPP/C MP Gail Teixeira had said during a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). She had said that the fact that documents had been tampered with indicated a conspiracy by those involved to embezzle. This was after the then Region Four Regional Executive Officer (REO) Deolall Rooplall had said that not only were several documents missing, but others had been forged. According to the then Auditor General’s report, “fuel and lubricants valued at $733,076 were uplifted for three vehicles that were not owned by the region.” Rooplall had explained that the previous REO had instituted a system where vehicles registered to the region would be able to receive fuel from GuyOil with whom it had a contract. However on scrutinising the process, it was discovered that two of the vehicles which received fuel paid for by the region were not registered to the region, while another was owned by a private individual, who said he had nothing to do with the region. The three vehicles each received fuel from GuyOil on December 2, 8, and 30, 2011, and on each occasion, the serving station was the Kitty Service Station.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; July 2, 2015

Entertainment News

Madhuri Dixit, Aamir Khan starrer 'Dil' turns 25

ndra Kumar's directorial 'Dil' has completed 25 years and its actors Madhuri Dixit and Anupam Kher are cherishing the moments they had while filming the romantic drama, which also starred Aamir Khan. The film, which released on June 22, 1990, revolves around a man who wants his son to marry the daughter of a millionaire. The 48-year-old actress took to micro-blogging website Twitter to share her excitement. "Hum pyaar karne waale... Can't believe it's #25yearsofDil. Feels like yesterday! Loved working on this movie," Madhuri tweeted on Monday night.

She also thanked the film's director and Aamir. She wrote: "Got me my first Filmfare award... Thanks to @aamir_khan, Indra Kumar and Baba Aazmi & Ashok Thakeria." Anupam, who played the role of Aamir's character's father in the film, said the film is one of his favourites. "'Dil' will always remain one of my favourote films. I loved doing the role of Hazari Prasad," he tweeted. 'Dil' was remade in Telugu in 1993 under the title 'Tholi Muddhu', starring Divya Bharti and Prashanth in leading roles.

Kareena Kapoor Khan: My mother-in-law likes to see me in glamorous roles

ollywood veteran Sharmila Tagore wants to see Kareena in glamorous roles, says her actress daughter-in-

law. "She (Sharmila Tagore) likes me in glamorous parts. She liked me in Fevicol song (the item song in Dabangg 2). She loves song and dance, so she always says that I should look sexy and glamorous," Kareena told PTI in an interview here. "I think that is a compliment, as even after marriage looking glamorous... I like it," she said. Kareena said she takes inspiration from Sharmila, a yesteryear actress, in managing household and career. "She is my inspiration as she continued her career despite getting married and having children. She worked with biggest superstars and filmmakers. It is import-

ant for me to do that. She will always be my inspiration to have a career and family together," Kareena said. But while many other actresses who are Sharmila's contemporaries are still working, she is not seen in films now. "I do miss her in films. I have been a great fan of Hema Maliniji and my mother-in-law. I think they have been iconic actresses," Kareena added. The Singham Returns star is looking forward to the release of Bajrangi Bhaijaan where she is paired opposite Salman Khan. In the film, she plays a school teacher. "This is a story about how she meets Salman and how she helps him in his journey with the girl to Pakistan. Salman's fans will get to see his different side. It is not which he normally does, a song and dance kind thing. After a long time, there are performances and in-depth story, drama," Kareena said. She has worked with Salman in quite a few films and she thinks the Dabangg star has mellowed down a lot over the period of time. "I think Salman is lot more calmer now... I think most of the actors that I have worked with from that generation have become like that. I have known them back then, be it Salman, Shah Rukh, Ajay Devgn or Akshay Kumar, they are a lot more calmer now and lot more good-looking," she added.

he follow-up to 1996's Independence Day will be titled Independence Day: Resurgence. Director Roland Emmerich revealed details about the film including the plot details and the movie's character alongside the new cast members in a live streaming, reported Aceshowbiz. The new cast includes Liam Hemsworth, Jessie Usher, Maika Monroe and Sela War. The returning actors such as Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Brent Spiner and Judd Hirsch also joined the director in the live stream. Emmerich, 59, hinted that the sequel would take place 20 years after the alien attack in the first film starring Will Smith. Liam Hemsworth who will essay the role of Jake described his character saying that Jake was an orphan after he lost his parents in the first attack. The Hunger Games star explained that Jake joined the military and became a fighter pilot who got a great job of driving moon tug, which he called "a forklift on the moon."

When Priyanka Chopra met her die-hard fan

ere's one more crazy fan story for your trivia bank. Priyanka Chopra was recently in Dubai to attend an awards function when she met a die-hard fan. PC asked him for his feedback about her movie in the course of the conversation. That was enough to overwhelm the fan so much that he went to the nearest theatre and booked a screen for the entire week and organised special screenings of PC's latest for friends and family. A true PCManiac indeed!

Katrina Kaif 'yet to' decide on film with Jackie Chan

atrina Kaif is said to be joining Hong Kong martial arts star Jackie Chan in the upcoming action-adventure film Kung Fu Yoga, but the Bollywood actress' representative shared that nothing is confirmed as of yet. According to reports, the 31-year-old actress, with roots in London, will play an Indian professor at a Chinese university, whereas Chan will be seen as a Chinese archaeologist who enlists her help to unearth treasures from the Magadha era. However, Katrina's spokesperson shared that the actress is yet to decide. "Katrina is yet to take a decision on the film. Nothing is confirmed as of yet," her spokesperson said in a statement.

'Independence Day' sequel titled 'Independence Day: Resurgence'

Bradley Cooper, Quentin Tarantino among Hollywood Walk of Fame 2016 honourees

ctors Bradley Cooper, Kevin Hart, Michael Keaton and director Quentin Tarantino are among the inductees that will receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next year. LL Cool J and Adam Levine will also be feted in the recording category along with fellow musicians Cyndi Lauper and Bruno Mars, reported Variety The list also includes Steve Carell and Kurt Russell in the motion pictures category, while Kathy Bates, Tracy Morgan and Rob Lowe will be honored for their accomplishments in TV. Musician and Walk of Famer Dave Koz announced the new honorees alongside Leron Gubler, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and Maureen Schultz, chair of the Walk of Fame selection committee for 2014-2015 at a press conference on Monday.

June 26 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; July 2, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

The million-dollar celeb kids

rom having the most desirable designer wardrobe to living the million dollar lifestyle and even having a huge fan following to themselves -celebrity kids make headlines each day for what they wear and what they do. With Cristiano Ronaldo's workout video with son getting a million hits online almost instantly, here's a look at the magnanimous million dollar babies of the West, who make headlines almost every day.

days, which include renting out a zoo and buying her gifts like diamondencrusted Barbie and customised bags. Fan following: Little Carter has all eyes on her online account as she plays around in The Louvre thanks to their VIP access.

THE BECKHAM KIDS

FLYNN CHRISTOPHER BLOOM

BRANGELINA KIDS

BLUE IVY CARTER Celeb Parents: Victoria and David Beckham

Celeb Parents: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt

Celeb parents: Beyonce and Jay Z Million dollar lifestyle: Born with a silver spoon to pop queen Beyonce and rap star Jay Z, the doting parents spend more than a million dollars on lavish baby gifts for her, which includes a Swarovski encrusted high-chair, a diamond-bedecked pram and much more. They spend over a hundred thousand dollars on her birth-

Million dollar lifestyle: Kids of Hollywood's most famous couple are used to the living the high-end lifestyle and probably have more miles on their flying time than any of us and have an individual "nanny" looking after all of their needs. The globe-trotters also have a variety of hobbies from gaming to soccer to ballet dance, keeping their parents on their toes at all times and making life one big adventure. Fan following: The Jolie-Pitt kids are followed by millions around the globe for everything - where they go, what they wear, what they eat, etc.

Million dollar lifestyle: From a fashion blog on the youngest -Harper, 3 -to Romeo, 12, modeling for one of the biggest designer brands in the world, Brooklyn, 16, has fans following his every move and Cruz, 10, joining his family in making some or the other news -the Beckham kids are amongst the most sought-after kids of celebrity block. They sit on the front row in some of the world's most coveted events and have a huge mansion with world's best services on their fingertips. Fan following: While Brooklyn garnered more than a million followers on Instagram, baby Harper has a loyal fan following for her designer outfits, and Cruz and Romeo too have an immense following in the celeb circles. NORTH WEST

Celeb parents: Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom (separated) Million dollar lifestyle: While the supermodel prefers to keep her son closer to the roots, she does pamper him immensely for his birthdays and other festivals. The single mother makes sure she bestows him with lavish gifts, while the little one is also equally pampered by his father. A lot of fun trips, games and designer clothes make up for the luxurious life of this chubby kid. Fan following: Flynn takes after his supermodel mother as his pictures for the shutterbugs have got him a huge fan following already. Having caught the fancy of the paparazzi at a young age, the fouryear old sure knows how to smile at the cameras. CRISTIANO RONALDO JR

Celeb Parents: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Million dollar lifestyle: From having diamond jewellery worth thousands of dollars and a walk in closet with exclusive designer outfits, little Nori's wardrobe can beat many fashion stores. North West's last birthday celebrations also had daddy West requesting a no-fly zone over the house so that no paparazzi choppers or drones could click pictures of the extravagant celebrations. Fan following: Apart from fashion critics from around the world keeping a constant check on her wardrobe, North West also has a dedicated set of paparazzi pouncing at her every single public appearance. She takes after her mother in making headlines almost everyday and fans make sure her appearance on Kim's Instagram is the trending pic of the day! Instagram is the trending pic of the day!

Celeb parent: Cristiano Ronaldo Million dollar lifestyle: Having the soccer superstar as his daddy , CR Jr lives a luxurious life. From getting whatever he wants to having a devoted, doting daddy and a closed-knit family raising him, Ronaldo's mini-me version sure doesn't miss having a mommy in his life. Fan following: As the world waits for the four-year old to grow up and see if he follows his famous father to become a footballer, the recent video of the two doing situps together garnered over a million hits as soon as Ronaldo put it online!

June 26 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; July 2, 2015 33 Caribbean Star Newspaper Amber Heard: We're going to avoid Australia after dog fiasco

A 'Terminator Genisys' releases behind-thescenes video

seven-minute behind-the-scenes video of its forthcoming action movie Terminator Genisys. The video includes action sequences. It opens with the filming process of the scene where Jason Clarke's John Connor gives speech to his team, reported Ace Showbiz. It continues with the scenes which take place during a battle filled with explosion. It also offers glimpses at the cast members who are heavily-armed with weapons. The video also gives a look at director Alan Taylor explaining something to the leading actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The most interesting part is when it shows the scene where a yellow bus driven by Emilia Clarke is spinning in the air. The scene was supposed to take place at the Golden Gate Bridge. However, it was filmed in another location which was set to resemble the Golden Gate Bridge. At the end of the video, Schwarzenegger is seen making a ridiculous joke with a robot figure. The upcoming film centers on Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) who is sent back to 1984 by John with a mission to save John's mother, Sarah Connor (Clarke), from a robot programmed to kill her, but what he finds on the other side is not what he expected. Dana Goldberg and David Ellison produce the movie while the script is written by Laeta Kalogridis and Patrick Lussier. Terminator Genisys is slated for a release in the US on July 1.

John Abraham gets into work mode

ohn Abraham has packed up a busy schedule as he will start shooting for two of his upcoming films soon. The actor-producer will begin shooting for Dishoom in July and then immerse himself in the world of Force 2 in August. "My next film is Welcome Back and after that I've got Rocky Handsome, which releases sometime in October. I start shooting for Dishoom with Varun Dhawan around July and Force 2 around August with Abhinay Deo," John told IANS. Force 2 is a sequel to the 2011 movie Force and will have an original script and will be directed by Deo. The actor shared his work schedule at JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL #DATEWITHDAD campaign event last week here.

ctress Amber Heard, who is busy promoting her upcoming film Magic Mike XXL, says she is no more a fan of Australia. Heard said she and husband Johnny Depp are going to avoid visiting the country after the dog fiasco, reported Us magazine. "I have a feeling we're going to avoid the land Down Under from now on, just as much as we can, thanks to certain politicians there," the actress, 29, replied when asked about her cute little

pooches, Pistol and Boo, whom she shares with Depp. "I don't know, I guess everyone tries to go for their 15 minutes, including some government officials," she added. Barnaby Joyce, Australia's agriculture minister, was the target of the actress' snipe. The politician made headlines when he threatened to have the dogs euthanized because Depp had his pets flown in on a private plane in May without documentation. Australia has very strict bi-

osecurity laws for pets coming into the country, which includes medical testing,

proof of vaccinations, blood work, and more to ensure that the animals are healthy.

June 26 – July 2, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

Caribbean Connections

CARICOM urged to speak out for Haitians facing deportation in Dominican Republic

ANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Tuesday June 23, 2015 – Outrage is growing over the Dominican Republic’s move to deport hundreds of thousands of Haitian migrants and Haitians born in that Spanish-speaking country, with warnings that it will lead to a humanitarian crisis and calls for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to advocate on behalf of those affected by the policy. St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves says refusing citizenship to people in the Dominican Republic and subjecting them to deportation is a “stain” on Caribbean civilization. “What is happening in the Dominican Republic is simply unacceptable,” he said. “It is unacceptable to have a public policy in relation to citizenship, grounded in ethnicity or your national origins.” Gonsalves made the comments to the media in St. Vincent on his return from the EU–CELAC Summit in Brussels where the matter was discussed. Up until 2010, anyone born on Dominican Republic soil was automatically given citizenship, but a change to the constitution has denied citizenship to children born of undocumented parents. Then, in September 2013, the Dominican Republic’s Constitutional Tribunal handed down a ruling denying citizenship to anyone born in the country since 1929, if his or her parents had been “in transit”, affecting not only short-term

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ PRIME MINISTER DR. RALPH GONSALVES THOUSANDS OF FOREIGNERS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, MOST OF THEM HAITIANS, ARE FACING DEPORTATION. (PHOTO: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES)

visitors but long-term, undocumented workers as well. The government recently launched a programme offering legal residency to Haitians born in the Dominican Republic but the deadline for applications ended last week with thousands still unable to register. Dominican Republic extends residency deadline ahead of mass deportation http://t.co/ IaCoQWDjcU — The Guardian (@guardian) June 17, 2015 In Trinidad, one of the opposition parties, Congress of the People (COP), issued a statement condemning the Dominican Republic’s stance. “The mass deportation of persons who have lived, worked and owned property in that country of their birth not only deprives them of their rights, but, will also worsen the humanitarian situation in Haiti,” COP leader

Prakash Ramadhar said. “We must all do our part to maintain the pressure on the government of the Dominican Republic to permanently halt the threatened deportation. As a Caribbean nation, we must join with our CARICOM and international neighbours to demand that Dominican Republic government take all political, legislative and other measures to restore the citizenship rights of these Dominicans.” Ramadhar added: “We have written to the Caricom Secretariat calling on them to take all steps necessary in concert with the United Nations and other international human rights bodies and all governments to continue the strongest measures to force the government of the Dominican Republic to meet its obligations to respect the rights of its citizens and right this terrible wrong.”

Haiti – Dominican Republic : The exodus of Haitians is growing – http://t.co/UznCPTQ1jZ #GoogleAlerts — Jean-Junior JOSEPH (@jeanjuniorj) June 23, 2015 Raise Your Voice (St. Lucia), a non-governmental organization, said it was particularly concerned about the plight of women and children who would become “stateless”. It said the move would disenfranchise more than 200,000 Haitians who were born in the Dominican Republic and many more who have lived there for decades. “This situation will escalate an already dire humanitarian crisis that has existed in Haiti and was exacerbated after the earthquake of 2010. We should be mindful that in a refugee crisis children and women are always at risk of being sexually violated, abused, victimized and mistreated,” it said. #Haiti Among the refugees from Dominican Republic, this girl is in Haiti eating her meal! @Jacquiecharles @CaroitJm pic.twitter.com/93MzO6zzFf

— Jean-Junior JOSEPH (@jeanjuniorj) June 20, 2015 The organization urged St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony and Minister for External Affairs Alva Baptist to lead the way at next month’s 36th CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Barbados to “ensure that CARICOM becomes a more vocal advocate for these victims who are being persecuted by the Dominican Republic”. “We believe that without CARICOM’s effective involvement, this situation will create a devastating, humanitarian crisis in the Caribbean region similar to those in the Middle East and Europe, and we therefore urge our leaders to ensure that the UN Secretary-General who is slated to be present at the CARICOM meeting do all in his power to put an end to this heartless action by President Danilo Medina Sánche of the Dominican Republic. No state should have the power to brand groups of existing citizens stateless, and no other states should acquiesce in their pretensions to do so,” the organization said. The government of the Dominican Republic is now offering a free bus service to take migrants to the border with Haiti, ahead of the deportations. The service, which began yesterday, will run for two weeks. We rode across the border with families self-deporting to Haiti in our latest dispatch from the Dominican Republic: http://t. co/1DW1THrHXF — VICE News (@vicenews) June 20, 2015

Big potential for Jamaican mangoes and patties in US market – Moreno Exports must meet US standards

AMAICA'S potential to increase exports to the United States is getting serious attention from the American Embassy in Kingston, according to Ambassador Luis Moreno. The US ambassador, who started his tour of duty here only six months ago, said he and his team are actively pushing Jamaican exports as the volume, he believes, can be "much more" than the approximately 40 per cent at which it now stands. "We think that there's [US]$5 billion worth of money that comes to Jamaica from the US from re-

mittances, from the toursts who come here, from trade, but that could be much more," Ambassador Moreno told the Jamaica Ob-

server in a recent interview. Moreno pointed to mangoes and beef patties as two items from Jamaica that could do well in the US market. "Mangoes grow everywhere in Jamaica," he noted, adding that exports of the fruit would need an irradiation treatment that would meet United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) requirements. "We've brought experts here to explain to the Ministry of Agriculture what needs to be done, and if they can follow those simple steps you can be exporting a tremendous amount of mangoes to the US," Moreno told the Business Observer.

He said his embassy has also been making efforts to get Jamaican beef patties to meet US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) standards, as the product, along with others, would get into that market duty-free. Yesterday, Jamaica Manufacturers' Association (JMA) President Brian Pengelley pointed out that the effort to get patties exported to the US has been ongoing for some time. "We don't have a USFDA-approved lab in Jamaica... so certainly we would very much support any help that they can give to that [effort]," said Pengelley, whose four-year term as JMA persident ends today.

"I know that mango export has great potential in the United States," he added. He agreed with Ambassador Moreno that Jamaica could increase exports and pointed to the JMA's linkages programme as an avenue to get local products into overseas markets. Under the programme, the association's members' products are promoted to the tourism industry and meetings are organised between buyers and suppliers. According to the Economic and Social Survey. Jamaica's total exports for the year 2014 were valued at US$1.4 billion, compared to US$1.5 billion in 2013 and US$1.7 billion in 2012.

June 26 – July 2, 2015 Caribbean Star Newspaper NUTTEN WRONG WITH LICKS

By AZARD ALI

ETERAN attorney Subhas Panday, who represented a woman charged with beating her ten-year-old stepdaughter, told the court that he found nothing wrong with corporal punishment (licks) saying he got licks as a child. Panday said that even when he was attending college, his rear end was “warmed” by the leather strap of a principal. And on making something with his life and giving back to society as an attorney, Panday said he cannot support the banning of corporal punishment. He made these comments while appearing as counsel for the accused woman in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court. The woman is charged with beating her tenyear-old stepdaughter after she became unruly. Panday reiterated to the magistrate that nothing was wrong with licks. Panday, in seeking bail for his client Narisa Ellis, 25, condemned her arrest after she allegedly used a belt to beat the tenyear-old child on the calf area of her legs. Panday said that as a college student he too was beaten, “until smoke came out of my pants!” Ellis was arrested on Monday by officers of the Oropouche Police Station, after the child was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital. The back of both of her legs — the court heard — bore ‘wail marks’ (bruising of the skin due to licks. Ellis, who is the mother of a four-yearold child, was charged and kept in custody at the station. On Monday, she was taken to the San Fernando Police Station in preparation for her court appearance yesterday. Yesterday, Ellis stood before Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington in the First Court after she was handcuffed and escorted to the courthouse by two female police officers. The woman smiled as she made her way into the buillding. The charge was read by the magistrate to her, that on May 27 at Berridge Trace, South Oropouche, being a person responsible for (name of the victim called) who is a child, did willfully assault said child thereby occasioning actual bodily harm. Panday who rose to announce his representation of the woman, told Wellington that the nature of the licks inflicted on the child, subject to the medical report, was tantamount to legitimate corporal punishment — an act not unusual for a parent. Panday pleaded for bail to be granted to the woman, but Magistrate Wellington asked the court prosecutor Constable Cleyon Seedan, for an update on the medical condition of the child and the prosecutor replied by saying that the victim was in no imminent danger. Panday then told the magistrate that Ellis had been experiencing no end of trouble in controlling the child whom he alleged had been stealing money given to her for school. The child would then get into a maxi, Panday added, and hop off without paying the driver. Panday went on to tell Wellington that when Ellis would speak to her stepdaughter, she (the stepdaughter) would become enraged and knock down things. He said that both the accused stepmother and the child went for counselling, but

the child’s behaviour had not improved. The child was not brought to court for the hearing yesterday. Panday went on to tell Wellington that he could not appreciate why corporal punishment was banned in schools. After the case, he explained that he, together with eleven other students at St Stephens College, had coaxed another student to jump from the balcony of the school. The student jumped, but fractured an ankle. Panday said that he and the other students were placed on the stage in the school’s auditorium and beaten with a strap by the principal. “Your Worship, we all were beaten in school. They have stopped corporal pun-

ishment.... no wonder this society is going they way it’s going. You never got licks in school Your Worship,” Panday asked. Wellington replied, “I was never caned like you in school Mr Panday.” The magistrate granted Ellis bail in the sum of $20,000 or a cash alternative of $7,500 and warned that the child is to be kept in the custody of her grandmother until the hearing and determination of the matter. The case was adjourned to July 21. In February of 2001, the then Education Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar pioneered legislation which led to a ban on corporal punishment in schools. At the time, the then UNC government was led by

Prime Minister Basdeo Panday — Subhas’ brother. Persad-Bissessar is the current leader of the People’s Partnership and Prime Minister.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 – July 2, 2015

Study finds chocolate reduces heart attack and stroke risk

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.

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ONDON, England, Wednesday June 24, 2015 – Great news for chocolate lovers: Scientists now say that regularly eating a few pieces of chocolate may actually be good for you. A new British study, published in the medical journal Heart, has found that people who habitually consume chocolate are less likely to fall victim to heart disease and strokes. The findings, based on a 12-year study of 11,700 women and 9,200 men in Norwich, England, suggest that both milk and dark chocolate could convey health benefits. Scientists have given us all an excuse to eat two bars of chocolate a day http://t.co/ilQsw7mNCN pic.twitter. com/fPgM2t9E33 — The Independent (@Independent) June 16, 2015 Researchers from the universities of Cambridge, East Anglia, Manchester and Aberdeen said that despite the fact that people at risk of heart disease are often told to exclude sweet and fattening foods from their diet: “There does not appear to be any evidence to say that chocolate should be avoided by those who are concerned about cardiovascular risk.” The study authors found that people who regularly ate chocolate, some of whom consumed up to 100g daily, were 11 per cent less likely to have a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular problem than people who ate none at all. The consumption of chocolate was also associated with a 25 per cent reduced chance of dying with a heart problem. Chocolate: 10 health reasons you should eat more of it http://t.co/rj0bQveOq8 pic.twitter.com/fI05FcFVxq — The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 16, 2015 The scientists, whose work was funded by the Medical Research Council and Cancer Research UK, stressed that their investigation merely looked at statistical trends, and could not draw definitive conclusions about cause and effect. They suggested that there was a chance the results were skewed slightly by the fact that people at high risk

of heart disease may avoid chocolate, so those who regularly ate it might be healthier from the outset. “Nevertheless, the cumulative evidence suggests that high chocolate consumption may be associated with cardiovascular benefit,” they added. The scientists suspect that dark chocolate’s health benefits are linked to flavonoids – antioxidants that are thought to help blood flow. They nevertheless noted that milk chocolate, which is generally considered to be less “healthy” than dark chocolate, may also have health benefits. “Milk chocolate was more frequently consumed than dark chocolate in this cohort,” they wrote. “However, we still observed a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. “This may indicate that not only flavonoids, but also other compounds – possibly related to milk constituents such as calcium and fatty acids – may provide an explanation.” The researchers also carried out a review of nine previous studies into chocolate involving 158,000 participants, which backed up their results. Britain’s Daily Mail reported that experts welcomed the results, although they repeated concerns that nobody has yet proved exactly why chocolate might improve heart health. “This study adds to the evidence that people who consume chocolate tend to have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, although such studies cannot say whether the chocolate is the cause of this protective effect,” said Dr Tim Chico, cardiologist at the University of Sheffield. “However, it is also clear that chocolate has the potential to increase weight, which is unequivocally bad for cardiovascular health.” Professor Aedin Cassidy, nutritionist at the University of East Anglia, also urged caution. “Chocolate also contains fat and sugar, so only moderate intakes should be recommended as part of a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables,” she said.

June 26 – July 2, 2015 37 Caribbean Star Newspaper Colombia condemns Venezuela’s Caribbean territory grab

OGOTA, Colombia, Wednesday June 24, 2015 – Hot on the heels of protests from Guyana that Venezuela is attempting to claim international waters for itself, the Colombian government has issued a statement rejecting a Venezuelan decree claiming waters off the coast of Colombia. In an official complaint issued by the Colombian Foreign Ministry by hand to Caracas, Colombia warned Venezuela to “avoid unilateral measures and avow itself of common sense regarding issues as delicate as sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction”. Last month, Venezuela passed Decree 1787, which described international waters as “Operating Zones of Integral Maritime and Insular Defense”. Caracas claims the “operating zones,” which intrude upon Colombian and Guyanese waters, are necessary for national security. NEWS Source: Guyana’s Foreign Minister fires off at Venezuela over latest decree describing the claim as… http://t.co/73tq0lHdNk — Gordon Moseley (@gomose-

what the Colombian Ministry of the Interior has warned Venezuela may be a belligerent action, is being called “an outright invasion” by conservatives in the legislature. Senator Jimmy Chamorro, an opposition member in the legislature, described the decree as “arbitrary, irresponsible, and completely populist.” Former president of Colombia VENEZUELA’S A MAP SHOWING THE BORDERS BETWEEN Alvaro Uribe said that the “invaPRESIDENT VENEZUELA AND COLOMBIA AND VENEZUELA AND NICOLAS MADURO sive decree in Colombia’s waters GUYANA. is being used as a smokescreen ley) June 10, 2015 lombia could declare them part of for Venezuela’s crisis.” The move echoes China’s their nation at the expense of the Senator Uribe added that Veneself-proclaimed “Air Defense other. zuelan President Nicolas Maduro Identification Zones” issued over While noting that the waters was “attempting to stoke anti-CoJapanese waters in 2013. In much are disputed, Decree 1787 pro- lombian sentiment in an election the same way that those Japanese ceeds to declare them Venezuelan season to disorient Colombians waters are technically part of the anyway, despite the complex his- and Venezuelans.” East China Sea, so too are Co- tory of borders in the region. Experts contend that Venezuelombia’s threatened waters in the According to the decree, the la’s economy is close to collapse. Gulf of Venezuela. Venezuelan state “recognizes Observers estimate the national The Gulf of Venezuela remains the existence of maritime areas inflation rate as the highest in the disputed, however, and Colombia whose border delimitations are world, well into the triple digits. is not claiming those waters for pending,” and which “require Basic items like toilet paper, soap itself. Instead, Colombia’s Foreign that the Venezuelan state tend to and vegetable oil are subject to raMinistry noted that the maritime them until definitive borders are tioning and price controls, making territories are still disputed, and marked amicably.” them near impossible for the avthus neither Venezuela nor CoBreitbart News reports that erage Venezuelan to access with-

out resorting to the black market. Amid the economic turmoil, Maduro continues to crack down on members of the opposition, the most prominent of whom recently staged a widely-publicized hunger strike in jail. Venezuela’s socialist Chavista government had nevertheless triggered territorial disputes with Colombia even before Venezuela’s economy went into free fall under Maduro. During Uribe’s presidential tenure, late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez broke ties with Colombia after Uribe accused him of providing Marxist FARC terrorists safe haven in Venezuelan territory. Venezuela is also facing opposition on the new territorial decree from Guyana, which declared Venezuela a “regional threat” following the decree, which absorbs Guyanese waters into Venezuela. Unlike the Colombian claims, which that nation acknowledges are disputed, Venezuela had acknowledged the waters off Guyana to be Guyanese territory as far back as 1899 in an international court decision.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 – July 2, 2015

CRICKET & Sports

Are West Indies’ T20 stars keen on returning?

t is an issue that won’t go away. Debate over the dichotomy of players’ preference for the IPL and other such domestic T20 franchise tournaments over commitment to West Indies has sharply split public opinion. It prompted the West Indies Cricket Board to introduce a “West Indies first” policy just over a year ago to let players know where they, and it, stand; most recently, it has drawn opposite views from two senior members of the coaching staff, the head coach, Phil Simmons, and his bowling consultant, Curtly Ambrose. Simmons, just three months into his position after eight successful years in charge of Ireland, appeared to counter the WICB’s principle by stating that, as far as he was concerned, the door was open to IPL players previously unavailable for West Indies duties. Although encouraged by the performance of a young team in achieving a 1-1 result in his inaugural series, against England, he understandably wants to have all the best players on the selectors’ list, those from the IPL among them. It’s a view that has coincided with the struggles against the strong, uncompromising Australians in the current mini-series of two Tests. Even if Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and others were keen to return, Simmons is realistic enough to appreciate that they wouldn’t automatically slip straight back into the Test team. The difference between the shortest format and the longest is as striking as that between the 100 metres and the marathon in another sport. His aim is to first get them back to lift standards in domestic cricket; all have played none or very little since the advent of the IPL. Simmons must know that the vast disparity in pay is what lured them to overseas T20 contracts in the first place; nothing has changed on that score. Even WICB’s increases for its contracted players are insignificant in comparison. “Obviously everybody wants to see those guys playing Test cricket for West Indies because they are certainly good enough to play that format,” Simmons told a Trinidad newspaper. “I hope to sit down with them and discuss my, and the selectors’, vision for how we want West Indies to play Test cricket going forward and how they possibly fit into that. I can’t rule anybody in or out of consideration until I do so.” He is certain to encounter resistance from the WICB itself. The first task of

Dwayne Bravo has quit Tests while Kieron Pollard is yet to play one. Both were dropped for the World Cup © AFP its director of cricket, the Englishman Richard Pybus, was to present a comprehensive report in March 2014, recommending changes in the running of the game in the Caribbean. “WICB to prioritise West Indies cricket, domestic and international,” Pybus advised. “Eliminate participation of international players in other countries’ T20 competitions to prioritise the skills development necessary for West Indies to achieve their vision goals.” The directors bought into it, especially in view of the formation of the Caribbean Premier League along the same lines as its Indian counterpart. Ambrose echoes the stance. “First of all, I believe we should try our best to feature our strongest team,” Ambrose said while in England promoting his autobiography prior to the Australia series. “Unfortunately, some of our top players are in the IPL at the moment. You can’t really stop someone, or you shouldn’t stop someone from making decisions. They’ve got to decide if they want to play for West Indies or go to the IPL. I know it is a lucrative thing [but] should we just allow these guys to come straight back into the team? For me, I think not.” It is more likely that the majority of “these guys” - there were nine West Indians in the 2015 IPL - aren’t interested in returning to West Indies cricket. In addition to their pay packets, they value the treatment they receive from their franchises, the competition supplied by some of the finest players in the game,

and the adoration showered on them by India’s passionate fans. It is a combination they are not accorded back home. Bravo noted the comments of Simmons and has hinted at an interest in returning to the West Indies T20 team; it is unlikely that he will be welcomed back. He has already paid with his place in the ODI team for his role as captain and chief spokesman for the players who contentiously abandoned last year’s tour of India. And there are still long memories at board level of his answer to an Indian newspaper three years ago. Mumbai Indians or Trinidad and Tobago, he was asked. “Of course T&T. It’s my country. Mumbai Indians come second, T&T come first and West Indies third,” he replied. The surprise response to Simmons’ open-door comment came from Gayle. The powerful self-proclaimed “world boss” played the last of his 103 Tests last September against Bangladesh in the Caribbean; since then, he has missed nine Tests while battering helpless bowlers in the IPL and for Somerset in England’s T20 Blast, and further enhancing his popularity with his cricket and his personality. With scores of 92, 151 not out and 85 not out in three appearances for Somerset, Gayle amassed 328 runs from 170 balls and with a remarkable 29 sixes. Even so, he intended to discuss his Test future with Simmons, and possibly the WICB, on his return for the upcoming CPL, in which he leads the Jamaica Tallawahs; significantly, the number he used on his shirt for Somerset was 333,

West Indies could do with a fit and eager Chris Gayle, with Shivnarine Chanderpaul dropped © BCCI his highest Test score. It seemed repeated injuries had ended his 14-year Test career for West Indies. Yet he told ESPNcricinfo recently that he would “love to play a few more international games” although he did concede that the travelling is “very hectic” for a 35-year-old. “I just want to see if they are still interested,” Gayle revealed. “I am still interested so I’ll look forward to that and see how best it can work out.” The West Indies’ next Test assignments are in Zimbabwe in July and August and Sri Lanka in October and November; three Tests follow in Australia over the Christmas and New Year period. A fit and eager Gayle would make a difference to a team that is now without the experience of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, dropped for the current series against Australia after a rare slump in form. Gayle’s contract with Melbourne Renegades for next season’s Big Bash League in Australia suggests he won’t be back at the top of the West Indies Test match order. All the same, he supplied a flattering assessment of Test cricket. “A Test match is fantastic,” he said. “It’s a test of character, but the entertainment part of cricket is phenomenal. T20 has actually brought new cricket fans into the game, so we have to continue with this as well so that people who didn’t watch can eventually get to watch Test cricket”. Not many of his IPL colleagues appear to share the view.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 – July 2, 2015

Chandrika wants to put debut behind him

ajendra Chandrika is keen to move on from his forgettable debut against Australia in Kingston, where he registered a pair to become the 40th batsman to start his Test career in such fashion. Chandrika, called up to replace an indisposed Marlon Samuels for the second Test, lasted a total of nine balls and 16 minutes in the match, falling to Mitchell Starc in both innings. He put his failures down to poor shot selection. “Once I reached the middle all I had wanted is to get off the mark in both innings but the shot selections were not good,” Chandrika told Guyana Chronicle. “I just want to put that Test behind me and concentrate

on the future. I still have a lot of cricket in me so one bad Test is not the end.” Coach Phil Simmons too had words of encouragement for Chandrika. “He has to understand that he can bat, or else he would not have been on the team. He has to keep that confidence in himself, correct his flaws and move forward in his career,” Simmons was quoted as saying by theTrinidad and Tobago Guardian. Chandrika had opened the batting for the WICB President’s XI in a tour game at North Soundand made 74 in the first innings before being dismissed for a first-ball duck in the second dig.

Rajendra Chandrika had a forgettable debut as he became the 40th batsman to start his Test career with a pair © WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks LaTouche Photo

Electric England sweep to victory England 191 for 7 (Root 68) beat New Zealand 135 (Williamson 57, Willey 3-22, Wood 3-26) by 56 runs

ngland continued their remarkable resurgence in limited-overs cricket with the third largest victory in their history over New Zealand in the one-off T20 at Old Trafford. England had won only three of their previous 12 T20 matches and, in that period, suffered a defeat to Netherlands. But inspired by their young players - there were three T20I debutants in this side - and a newly acquired aggressive approach, they followed the 12th highest total in their T20 history, and the fifth highest in England, with a disciplined display of bowling that eventually saw New Zealand lose their last five wickets for the addition of just four runs in 12 legitimate deliveries. Only 11 times have they been bowled out more cheaply in a T20. Their captain, Brendon McCullum, rated their batting as “pretty amateurish.” The result, an England win by 56 runs, means that a New Zealand side that were thought by many to be the strongest to have toured the UK depart without a series win in any of the formats. They were previously held to a draw in the Test series and lost the ODI series. When they cruised to 89 for 2 in the ninth over with Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson together, it seemed New Zealand were on course for victory. Jonny Bairstow, deputizing with the gloves for the injured Jos Buttler, had just missed a simple opportunity offered by Taylor off the unfortunate Ben Stokes and Williamson was batting with the class and composure that has become his trademark. But then Taylor miscued an attempted lofted drive and, while Williamson went on to compile the second half-century, and highest score,

Mark Wood claimed three wickets as England knocked over New Zealand of his T20I career, nobody else could reach double-figures. Mark Wood, one of England’s debutants, finished with three wickets doubling his career tally in the format - as reward for his pace and full length, with David Willey, another debutant, also claiming three wickets as reward for his control and yorker length. By the time Williamson, called for an optimistic single by Nathan McCullum, was run out by an outstanding pick-up and throw from Willey, with one stump to aim at, from cover point, New Zealand were doomed. The last three batsmen failed to score. It was an impressive performance in the field from England. Willey, finding some late swing, claimed the wicket of Martin Guptill in the first over of the reply with a beauty that

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pitched on off stump and nipped back to hit leg, while McCullum’s early assault - he crashed four sixes and two fours in his 15-ball stay - was ended by a fine piece of bowling from Wood who, spotting the batsman giving himself room, went wide of the crease and followed McCullum with a yorker-length delivery. McCullum could only edge it on to his stumps. Earlier Joe Root sustained his excellent form with another half-century. Striking the ball with a power that belies his relatively willowy frame, he combined innovation with convention to put England on target to a substantial total. Starting with a rasping cut to the boundary, he showed a willingness to hit over the top, an ability to execute the reverse sweep against balls even outside leg stump and his now established ability

to pick up the length unusually fast. At one stage England took 23 from a Nathan McCullum over with Root pulling two fours before Sam Billings thrashed two fours and a six off the final ball full toss. Given a bright start through Alex Hales and Jason Roy, who drove two sixes over long-on in Mitchell McClenaghan’s first over, they stuttered in mid-innings when Bairstow was bowled by a beauty from debutant Mitchell Santner, who produced a fine spell, that gripped and turned past his outside edge to hit the top of off stump and Eoin Morgan miscued to deep midwicket. But Stokes added late impetus and, with New Zealand starting to look weary at the end of a long season, took England to a total that proved more than enough.

June 26 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; July 2, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 – July 2, 2015

Mustafizur stars in landmark series win

Bangladesh 200 for 4 (Shakib 51*, Ashwin 1-32) beat India 200 in 45 overs (Dhawan 53, Mustafizur 6-43) by six wickets (D/L method)

ustafizur Rahman was the hero in Mirpur again, (off)cutting through India’s batting with a six-wicket haul to add to his five-for on ODI debut, and launching Bangladesh to their first ever bilateral series win against India. Mustafizur’s 6 for 43, the second best figures by a Bangladesh bowler in ODIs, skittled India for 200, before Shakib Al Hasan steered the chase with a busy fifty, his second on the trot. With this six-wicket win, Bangladesh also cemented their place in the 2017 Champions Trophy. An overjoyed Mashrafe Mortaza, who has been a part of each of Bangladesh’s five victories against India, toasted his team’s “big achievement”. Mustafizur struck with the second ball of the game, having Rohit Sharma drive away from the body to point for a duck, before coming back to dismiss Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni and Axar Patel in a decisive batting Powerplay that yielded three wickets for 17 runs. When Mustafizur got R Ashwin, he became only the second bowler after Zimbabwe’s Brian Vitori to claim five-fors in his first two

Finch hit on chest, taken to hospital

aron Finch was taken to hospital after been hit on the chest by a delivery while playing for Yorkshire’s 2nd XI on Monday. Finch, the Australia limited-overs opener, was part of the side taking on Worcestershire seconds in Barnt Green, south of Birmingham, when he was hit while attempting a pull shot off the seamer Chris Russell. While Finch walked from the pitch unaided, he was clearly in some pain and, after spitting up blood, was quickly taken to hospital. At hospital he underwent a series of tests and X-rays to ascertain the extent of the injuries, with Yorkshire suggesting that his condition had eased considerably. He was not required to stay in hospital. A club spokesperson later told ESPNcricinfo that he would take no further part in the game. He returned to Leeds on Monday evening and expects the result of the scans on Tuesday. While Finch had been expected to play for the Yorkshire first team in their fixture against Nottinghamshire starting on Monday, the club instead decided he could do with some red-ball cricket before coming into their Championship side. Finch was due to join Yorkshire immediately after a spell in the IPL but suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Mumbai Indians that kept him out for two months.

ODIs. Mustafizur clapped till his hands hurt and he was mobbed by his team-mates. Mirpur raised itself to a big roar, lapping up its new hero. He would return after the rain break, which caused the target to be revised to 200 in 47 overs, to immediately bowl Ravindra Jadeja via a deflection off the pads. Bangladesh had a brisk start to their chase, slicing 71 runs off the target in 15 overs. Tamim Iqbal lobbed Dhawal Kulkarni to slip for 13 off 21 balls, Soumya Sarkar was pinged on the badge of the helmet, and there were edges aplenty, but all of it was brushed aside. Though Soumya was not in fluid touch, with drags and heaves counterbalancing the orthodox drives from the previous game, he added 52 with Litton Das. The spinners briefly helped India claw their way back, Sarkar and Litton falling within four overs of each other. Ashwin, aided by close catchers, preyed on Bangladesh with sharp turn and extra bounce. Dhoni tried to manufacture a game with his spin quartet but Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim, who was spilled by Raina on 9, assumed charge and added 54 in 9.5 overs. By the time Mushfiqur was run out for 31, the asking rate was under three, and eventually Shakib ‘s calculated 51 off 62

balls put the seal on the landmark win with 54 balls to spare. However, it was Nasir Hossain who had set the stage for Bangladesh earlier. After trapping Virat Kohli lbw in his second over with a skiddy ball to end a 74-run partnership, he beat a well-set Shikhar Dhawan in the 21st over. Nasir went on to complete his quota for only the second time in ODIs, conceding 33 on both occasions. Kohli’s 27-ball stay was an indifferent one. He missed out on a couple of half-volleys and even absentmindedly offered a back-foot defense to a free hit. Upon Kohli’s dismissal, Dhoni hiked himself up to No.4 for the first time since July 2012. He began positively, unleashing a jabbing punch off the sixth ball he faced and sent it blazing through the offside ring. He followed it with a similar shot for a similar result off his tenth ball. Dhoni and Dhawan then traded caps for helmets and kept the scorecard ticking, taking India to 100 by the 19th over. Despite the early loss of Rohit, Dhawan was fluent from the outset, lashing four fours on the off side, including successive drives off Mashrafe in the tenth over. He brought up his fifty off 54 balls but perished soon after when he charged down the track to Nasir and edged to Litton, who had taken over the gloves from

USACA could face more court time

fter fighting off legal action from a dismissed board member and contested election results in recent years, the USA Cricket Association may be on the road back to court, after a California sports lawyer has filed a request for arbitration on behalf of the family of a junior cricketer claiming “unfairness and lack of transparency in the USACA U-19 selection process” held from May 23-25 in Los Angeles. Jeremy Evans, the lawyer representing Shyam Patnam whose son Aravind was not selected in the final 14-man squad due to travel to Bermuda next month for the ICC Americas U-19 Division One tournament, states that Mr. Patnam personally requested an arbitration hearing with USACA and filed the paperwork within the twoweek deadline laid out in the USACA Constitution but that USACA’s failure to respond is a violation of due process. Multiple USACA administrators who were contacted by ESPNcricinfo about Evans’ legal notice declined to comment. Evans has requested an expedited hearing due to the USA U-19 team’s scheduled departure for Bermuda on July 4 for a tournament whose winner will advance to the ICC U-19 World Cup next year in Bangladesh. “Mr. Patnam does not wish to challenge whether his son is a bad or

great cricket player,” Evans wrote in his notice to USACA dated June 8. “He wishes that his son would have had a fair shot to make the team where, among other reasons, clearly several players did not try out yet made the team thus raising serious questions as to the selection process.” Mr. Patnam also sent a letter on June 1 to USACA to demand not just an arbitration hearing, but that a total of seven players included in the 14man squad be removed for various reasons. Three players selected did not attend trials while Patnam claims the other four underperformed but benefited from nepotism by being the sons or close friends of current or former USACA administrators. Patnam requested that their spots in the USA U-19 squad be filled by his son Aravind, former USA U-15 player Anirudh Srinivas, and five other players “who performed well during the trials.” “The whole ordeal and the unfair process, which we think has been unethical, has caused our children severe agony and depression,” Patnam wrote. “They have seen that it helps to be the child of a selector or a USACA official, or an ex-official, with no need for any talent of significance to be on the US team. The agony they are going through right now is severe and indescribable.”

Mushfiqur for this match. Litton had managed to redeem himself after dropping Dhoni on 20 three balls earlier. Ambati Rayudu, who replaced Ajinkya Rahane, did not last long and departed for a duck in the 22nd over. Taskin Ahmed and Mashrafe took a cue from Mustafizur and suffocated India further by pulling some pace off the ball. The visitors needed some breathing space, which was provided by Dhoni and Raina through a steady 53-run stand, only the second partnership of note. However, tight bowling, backed up by predatory fielding meant that no boundaries were scored for a period of 46 balls between the 27th and 35th overs. The pressure finally told with Mustafizur accounting for Raina off the third ball of the batting Powerplay with an offcutter. By the time Dhoni failed to pick another offcutter and chipped to Sarkar at short cover, India had slumped to 174 for 6. Axar was out off the next ball, bagging his third duck in his last four innings and the third duck of the innings. Ashwin averted the hat-trick but was out nicking behind for four in Mustafizur’s penultimate over. Rain soon arrived at the score of 196 for 8 to hand India a reprieve lasting a little under two hours, but the damage had already been done by Mustafizur.

Sri Lanka strong after Kaushal five-for Sri Lanka 70 for 1 (Karunaratne 28) trail Pakistan 138 (Hafeez 42, Kaushal 5-42, Prasad 3-43) by 68 runs

ffspinner Tharindu Kaushal and pacer Dhammika Prasad carved out Pakistan’s batting order, bowling the visitors out for 138 on the first day of the second Test at P Sara Oval. Pakistan’s batting implosion took place in the second session of the day - a rain-affected one with an interruption of 55 minutes - as they slumped from 70 for 2, losing their last eight wickets for 68 runs. Sri Lanka’s top order blunted Pakistan’s attack and they went to stumps at 70 for 1, trailing by 68 runs with Kumar Sangakkara and Kaushal Silva to take strike tomorrow. Sri Lanka had found themselves in a similar position in the Galle Test, when Pakistan’s top order had failed. In that game, Sarfraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq’s resistance had snatched the game away from Sri Lanka, but on a pitch known for its record of producing results, Sri Lanka’s attack tightened their grip on Pakistan, all without the help of Rangana Herath, who did not bowl an over in the day.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

June 26 – July 2, 2015

Open tryout in USA for regional team in 2016 WICB Super50

layers in USA, Canada and Bermuda will have a rare opportunity of an open casting call this September in Indianapolis to see if they are good enough to take on West Indies stars in a combined ICC Americas regional team to play in the 2016 Nagico Super50 tournament. Top performing players for the Americas team in the West Indies domestic 50-over tournament may subsequently be offered tryouts or contracts to play in the 2016 Caribbean Premier League. The announcement was delivered by the ICC during the Associate and Affiliate Members meeting on day one of the ICC Annual Conference in Barbados. The ICC head of global development Tim Anderson hopes it will result in finding some hidden gems to lift up cricket in the region. “We came up with the idea of having a selection camp to pick the team but before that let’s have an open trial to find some talent within the wider region,” Anderson told ESPNcricinfo on Monday from Barbados. “Let’s have an open application process and see if we can find some rough diamonds and get them into the system. Particularly in the USA and Canada with large geographies and challenging environments regarding talent identification, we want to see whether there are some people out there that we haven’t identified or that haven’t been involved in a system that has been able to identify them yet, that might be good enough to play at this level.” Rather than having players apply through their home cricket boards where there are often accusations of favoritism and internal politics at play regarding selection and promotion of players by the respective administrations, Anderson said the ICC Americas office will be oversee-

Let’s have an open application process and see if we can find some rough diamonds,» Tim Anderson (right), the ICC head of global development, said. ing the entire application and evaluation process. Players aged 16 to 30 who are eligible to play for an Associate or Affiliate member in the Americas region can submit bio information and links to their club or league stats as well as videos of match footage or training sessions to give evaluators a better sense of their skill sets. The online application process will be open until July 17. Depending on the volume of applications and skilled candidates that apply, Anderson says that probably between 50 and 100 players will be invited to Indianapolis to take part in phase one of the trial at World Sports Park from September 18 to 21. “We had a really good experience at the facility in Indianapolis a couple of months ago [at ICC Americas Division One Twenty20 and obviously wanting the facilities

to continue to be used as well as the fact that Indianapolis as a sports city provides more than just a cricket ground,” Anderson said. “Dave Cameron was there as well so he was a part of the conversation from the start. Mayor Ballard was a part of the conversation. We talked to him about it and he liked the idea a lot too. So over the last month or so we’ve been developing the concept and here we are. “Obviously there needs to be a cap on participation numbers given that effectively we only have a long weekend to establish the best of those that apply and get selected in that first phase. We feel that 100 people might be the maximum to sort through over that period of time in terms of fitness testing, skills testing, match awareness and game related testing as well.”

After phase one is complete, a select number of players will be invited back to Indianapolis for phase two of the combined trial from September 24 to 27 during which the newly-identified players will be joined by other regional players who have been tagged as star performers from the ICC Americas Division One Twenty20 tournament in May and the ICC World T20 Qualifier in July. From there, a final squad will be picked to play for an ICC Americas team at the West Indies domestic 50-over tournament early in 2016. Although a coaching staff has not been announced, several high profile names from within the West Indies are understood to be in consideration. Another name that may be on the radar for his expertise is Mike Young. The American most recently was part of Australia’s coaching staff as a consultant during their World Cup triumph in March and has an extensive background in baseball. An American coaching background is something Anderson is keen on integrating into the whole evaluation process in partnership with the ICC and WICB’s established mechanisms. “The process will be coordinated by ICC Americas but there will be some involvement from the WICB in support as well,” Anderson said. “We are also looking at some initial conversations with some of the big sports franchises in Indianapolis and the interlinking skills with baseball are obvious. So we might try to get some baseball coaches as part of this. It’s a bit of an open process for us to try to combine the best of the region in terms of players, coaching staff, support and also get the best of American sports analysis and assessment involved in the system as well.”

Rebel league could affect Test cricket - Warner

avid Warner has spoken for the first time about the prospect of a “rebel” cricket league bankrolled by the Essel Group tycoon Subhash Chandra, saying the vast sums of money mooted for the signatures of the world’s leading cricketers could be impossible to ignore. Alongside Australia’s captain Michael Clarke, Warner was reportedly near the top of the Essel Group’s list of targets, with a story in the Sydney Morning Herald suggesting he would be in line for a contract worth $50 million over 10 years if he made the leap. While stressing his commitment to Test cricket and national duty, Warner said such figures could not simply be rejected out of hand and challenged other athletes to be honest with the public about the role financial rewards played in their thinking. “At the moment I’m con-

tracted to Cricket Australia, the fact is I’m playing for Australia, it’s what I do, it’s what I love,” Warner told ESPNcricinfo. “But these guys are talking about big sums of money and, let’s be honest, if people are saying to you that they don’t play for the money then they’re having a laugh, because every single person who gets offered this or gets offered that, what happens? They always take it. I think athletes in general have to be a bit more honest and say that’s what’s happening. “This is a company that’s coming in and trying to take over world cricket. At the end of the day if this company comes in and wipes out who you play for and you want to play cricket, what happens there? Who pays you? That’s the thing. Ultimately we’re working, we love what we do, I cherish the baggy green and if Test cricket exists I’ll continue to keep playing Test cricket, be-

cause from where I’ve started to where I am now, I love that and I’ll keep cherishing that.” The scope of Chandra’s plans remains somewhat murky, from the registration of business names and online domain names for alternative boards in all cricket’s major nations to less ambitious public pronouncements about an improved version of the Indian Cricket League of 2008. Warner, though, indicated that cricket’s present structure may not have room to co-exist with the new venture. “Everyone says you can’t put a price on the baggy green, and you can’t,” he said. “But the simple thing is if the rebel league comes and takes off, I don’t think there is going to be Test cricket. That’s where people are going to be like ‘who are these people, where is Cricket Australia going to go with this, how are we going to play every other Test nation when some of those nations are

definitely going to go on board’. “I can’t talk on their behalf, but if you weigh the numbers up I think what they’re talking about sum-wise it’s going to be hard for a lot of the minnow countries to say no, and that’s the scary thing. Then it’s going to be Australia versus England versus India all the time. Cricket’s in a great position at the moment. It’s interesting times ahead and I think at the moment the players have got a lot to think about and a lot to weigh up.” Warner’s comments could raise some eyebrows, notably in the months after Cricket Australia sought to protect their playing stocks by offering numerous players the added security of multi-year national contracts, a privilege commonly reserved for only a select few. As of the start of Australia’s tour of England, these deals were yet to be formally signed by the players ahead of the expi-

ry date of existing contracts on June 30. The team performance manager Pat Howard has been working diligently to find out as much as he can about the Essel Group’s plans. While the current mix of ICC-sanctioned international tours and domestic Twenty20 tournaments has provided plenty of additional income streams for players, the game is entering a newly uncertain and entrepreneurial phase with a succession of new tournament concepts springing up, many under the guide of “exhibition matches” for retired cricketers. “I consider myself lucky and others would as well, with what’s going on in today’s cricket,” he said. “The opportunities to play three different formats of the game in 10 different countries at different times of the year is a special thing, and the rest of the world is seeing a lot more talent out there.”

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