Caribbean Star # 55 vol. 4 / 2015

Caribbean First Interfaith Newspaper, Serving The Community

August 14–20, 2015

Caribbeanstarnews@gmail.com

Vol.4 #55

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FINALLY!!! JAGDEO SAYS PPP/C

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Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

GUYANA

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SUM REPORTEDLY MISSING FROM PUBLIC SERVICE MINISTRY LEAPS TO OVER $500M See Page 6 GUYANA

GOV’T LOOKING OVERSEAS FOR MORE CRIME FIGHT HELP – HARMON

A money changer who operates in Rose Hall Town was shot to his chest by one of two men who robbed him.

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August 14–20, 2015 3 Caribbean Star Newspaper Gold to shine brighter Money changer shot in Rose Hall robbery with large-scale mining -

F

Jordan

ollowing a decline last year, gold production is expected to improve significantly in 2015/2016 and beyond with two large-scale mines expected to begin production, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan says.

Gold declarations and earnings have been on a downward spiral since last year following a record high in 2013. In 2009, gold declarations were 305,178 ounces, while in 2010 declarations rose to 308,438 ounces. In 2011, gold declarations amounted to 363,083 ounces increasing to 438,645 ounces in 2012.

The following year, 2013, the gold industry achieved total declarations of 481,087 ounces representing the highest level of production in the history of the industry. However, in 2014, gold declarations dropped by almost 20% compared to the previous year, ending at 387,508 ounces.

As a result, last year, gold export receipts declined by 27.6 percent, to US$469.8 million, the result of a combination of a 20.1 percent contraction in export volume, to 385,683 ounces, and a 9.4 percent decline in average export prices, to US$1,218 per ounce.

Jordan told the National Assembly in his Budget 2015 presentation on Monday that in spite of the relatively low world market prices, gold production is poised to improve significantly in 2015/2016 and beyond. He pointed out that Canada-based Guyana Goldfields Inc announced production of its first quantity of gold from its Aurora Gold Mine earlier this month. The company expects to produce between 30,000 and 50,000 ounces of gold in 2015 and between 120,000 and 140,000 ounces of gold in 2016.

“Guyana Goldfields Inc has generated permanent employment for a range of skills, including heavy duty machine operators, cooks and suppliers of food items to the complex. At full operation in 2017, and with an expanded mill, about 500 persons will be permanently employed with another 500 temporary jobs created during the construction stages in 2016,” Jordan said.

He told the house that the provision of accommodation and related services by this company to their employees has also generated service related jobs within the sector. “Collections of royalties, taxes on income and insurance payments are expected to enhance revenue collections within the public sector, while increased production will augment the national current account. Environmentally, the company will employ modern technologies to reduce environmental externalities,” he said.

The minister also pointed out that another major investment, Troy Resources Limited’s Karouni Gold Project in Region 7 is also expected to commence work.

He also noted that small and medium scale miners will soon benefit from the waiver of customs duties on certain items to aid in reducing their cost of production and create a more level playing field when compared to large scale miners.

A

money changer who operates in Rose Hall Town was shot to his chest by one of two men who robbed him.

Twenty-five-year-old Anil Sookraj of David St, Rose Hall Town was attack by two unmasked men and robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash.

Sookraj during the ordeal was shot in the right side of his chest and is currently battling for his life at a private Corentyne Hospital.

Anil Sookraj

It was stated that Sookraj bled profusely from the wound.

According to an eyewitness, he was in the vicinity of De-

merara Bank, Rose Hall, and Sookraj was on the opposite side of the road where he would conduct his business on a daily basis.

At that time, the eyewitness said he was unaware of what was taking place and was only alerted by a passenger in his vehicle who he recalled saying “oh gosh look they shoot the man”, immediately after hearing an explosive sound.

The man recounted that when he looked into his rear view mirror he saw one of

the bandits running away through David Street. Further investigations revealed that the bandits split up after the shooting.

The eyewitness said he instantly rushed to the victim’s side and assisted him to the hospital. Whilst taking him to the hospital Sookraj announced that he was robbed of the money he was doing business with. Stabroek News gathered that the victim’s family was able to recover some of the money.

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August 14–20, 2015

Tax reforms on the agenda – gov’t

G

overnment plans to reform the tax system and diversify Guyana’s economy from its dependence on primary commodities, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan says.

In his Budget 2015 presentation on Monday, Jordan said that macroeconomic stability is the cornerstone for the achievement and sustainability of a “good life.” He said that as expressed in APNU+AFC’s Manifesto, the David Granger administration will implement macroeconomic policies that promote both external and internal balance.

“In so doing, over the next 5 years, we commit to the maintenance of macroeconomic stability by creating conditions to foster a positive growth trajectory while improving expenditure management and revenue administration, low inflation, stable exchange rate and sustainable debt,” he said.

“This will involve the undertaking of prudent and targeted fiscal policy, in order to reduce the deficit in both the Central Government and Public Enter-

prises,” the minister said while noting that high deficits can lead to a build-up of the public debt, the repayment of which takes away from spending in critical areas, such as education and health, as well as on key social safety net programmes for the poor.

“As such, our government will reform the tax system to make it more robust, allowing for the reaping of efficiency gains from greater compliance and an expanded tax base. These efficiency gains will restore private sector confidence in our economy and will increase investments while creating sustainable jobs,” Jordan asserted.

“We will also reform the existing industries, manage emerging industries more efficiently, and diversify our economy from its dependence on primary commodities, to record progressively high growth rates,” he said while adding that reformed macroeconomic policies are necessary if government is to make a dent on poverty.

Caribbean Star Newspaper FINALLY!!! Jagdeo says PPP/C going to Parliament on Monday

H

AVING skipped all the sittings of the House in the 11th Parliament, former President-turned-Opposition-Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, has said the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will be participating in budget debates in the National Assembly on Monday.

Giving this assurance yesterday at a party press briefing at Freedom House, headquarters of the PPP/C, Jagdeo said that party’s appearance in the National Assembly is in keeping with its primary function — to hold the Government accountable.

Rebutting the contents of the 2015 budget, Jagdeo said he was taken aback

by Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s announcement that the Administration intend to spend $97 billion of the $221 billion budget in the last 4 months of the year.

A former Finance Minister himself, Jagdeo said that spending $97 billion in the last quarter translates to the Government spending $800 million per day.

According to the Opposition Leader, the debates might run until mid-September, which would offer the Government only approximately 115 days to spend the $97 billion.

And following the budget debate, the Opposition would be closely scrutinising procurement practices by the Government for the remainder of the year; and Jagdeo has

signalled his intention to challenge Minister Jordan for statements he has made regarding the May 11 General and Regional Elections, and other statements against the PPP/C. “This (elections and corruption) gives us latitude in the debates, because the debates generally are about the economy in the standing order. But once the Minister of Finance introduces elections, corruption and audits, then it opens the door for us to talk about these things in the debates,” the Opposition Leader said.

Nevertheless, he supported the increases given to public servants and the move by the Administration to pursue a Green Economy.

Before Jagdeo announced the PPP/C attendance in Parliament on Monday, that party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee, had spoken on the matter. He had said that the “Mother of all parties” will be participating in the 11th Parliament whenever it was deemed conducive to so do.

In the May 11, 2015 polls, the PPP/C had secured 32 of the 65 seats in the National Assembly, an achievement that shifted its status from minority Government to minority Opposition. Having been in power for some 23 years, that party is now expected to keep the Government on its toes in the National Assembly.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

August 14–20, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper Sum reportedly missing from Public Service Ministry leaps to over $500m August 14–20, 2015

The sum reportedly missing from the former Ministry of the Public Service has jumped to more than $500M, according to Minister of State Joseph Harmon who said that the money had been transferred from the former Office of the President to allow for the ministry to carry out duties in various regions.

T

he missing money is at the centre of an ongoing police probe and sources say that as documents are perused more and more is showing up as unaccounted for.

Just last week Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Stabroek News that what started out as $120M had at that point reached to at least $355M. Police have been questioning the former minister Jennifer Westford and the Ministry’s Chief Personnel Officer Margaret Cummings in connection with the investigation.

Asked for specifics on what the sums had been intended for, Harmon told reporters gathered at his weekly post cabinet press briefing that the money had been withdrawn from accounts that were at the former Office of the

President and given to the Public Service Ministry for work to be done in the Regions. He did not elaborate on what this regional work entailed.

According to Harmon, the first reported figure was somewhere in the vicinity of $120M for the year 2014.

Based on what he explained, in the years preceding, amounts totalling hundreds of millions of dollars were found to be unaccounted for. While he did not have an exact figure, he said that as of now the figure is more than $500M. “These matters are being investigated by the Guyana Police Force. In fact when we got the first indication that there was a problem, we submitted the documents to the police force and since then they have had a team of po-

Joseph Harmon licemen here at the ministry doing their investigation work”, he said.

He opined that at the appropriate juncture when they police believe they have enough information to take the matter further they will do so. “It is certainly a matter which police are handling and I am happy to say that they seem to be doing a very good job so far”.

Asked whether any similar occurrences were found at other ministries, he responded in the negative.

It was following the unauthorised attempted transfer of registrations for several motor vehicles belonging to the Public Service Ministry that a decision was made to conduct an in-depth probe

of the ministry. Both women have been charged in connection with this investigation and are on a total of $2M bail.

It was Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman who first informed the media that Westford was the subject of a second police investigation.

Sources close to the investigation have disclosed that the two women are the only two persons being investigated in this matter. They both turned up at CID headquarters during last week at the behest of detectives.

According to one source police are in possession of documents which show a request for money and the subsequent honouring of that request in three parts earlier this year. Stabroek News was reliably informed that on each of those occasions millions of dollars were handed over to a senior official of the ministry.

The same thing was done on the previous occasions.

It would appear that attempts were made to ensnare other officials of the ministry in the request made but they have all since denied knowledge of it.

In addition to pursuing documents, detectives have been interviewing the staff at the ministry.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

August 14–20, 2015

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Prayer in Hinduism by Phulmattie Churaman (Pinky)

role in spirituality which helps to make fewer mistakes in our activities and therefore, service to God or Guru, as well as others who need it (seva) is successful.

B – Thought: As long as the mind is active, thoughts are bound to appear in it. Thoughts abstract the dissolution of the mind, and undesirable and inappropriate thoughts are misuse of the energy of the mind. Prayer is useful in preventing this misuse as it helps the mind to focus on a higher being or guru. It also helps to reduce anxiety and increase contemplation.

C – Attitude: Praying regularly can create an impression on the mind in which God or the Guru is kept in mind more often than not. Without prayer, one’s attitude can easily become introverted, wayward, or incompatible with others’.

JAI SEETA RAM; My name is Phulmattie Churaman (Pinky) and I am a proud and blessed member of the Shaanti Bhavan Mandir. I love the Hindu religion, and with the opportunity given to me, I am writing an article on Prayer in Hinduism.

P

rayer or worship is considered to be an integral part of the Hindu religion. The chanting of mantras is the most popular form of worship. For Hinduism, God is beyond any attributes of form, shape or color. God is referred to as “Nirguna Brahman” (God without attributes). However, God takes forms as perceived by humans and this perceived form is called “Saguna Brahman” (God with good attributes). These forms can range from calm, to fierce, to yogic. These forms provide a basis for the Hindu worshippers to easily pursue the otherwise incomprehensible Supreme Being.

Hindus believe that there is one all-pervasive God who energizes the entire universe, and is also present within each and every soul, in one’s heart and consciousness, awaiting for us to discover it. However, we worship many deities. For example: • Durga – The Supreme Goddess.

• Krishna – The God of joy and happiness.

• Ganesh – The remover of obstacles, destroyer of vanity, selfishness and pride.

• Lakshmi – Goddess of wealth, fertility, and wisdom.

• Shiva- Considered to be one of the primary forms, worshipped to acquire all good qualities.

• Other forms include: Ram, Hanuman, Saraswatie, Kali, Yama, etc.

In Hinduism, prayer, or Prarthana, takes many forms, with purpose being the same. This purpose, for many of us, includes seeking communication with God, expressing our love and devotion, and to obtain blessings and/or favors

from God. The Hindu Puranas and epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata emphasize through many examples that God never fails to respond to the sincere calls of His devotees. Without a doubt, He will answer their call and come to their rescue. We understand that in extraordinary circumstances when many pure and sincere souls pray to Him and make distress calls, He even incarnates upon the Earth to destroy evil and restore order and peace.

Prayer is not asking, but it’s a communion with God through single-minded devotion. It enables the mind to be tuned and fixated upon God. Prayer represents a mystic state when the individual’s consciousness in absorbed into God Himself. Prayer is surrendering one’s self to God completely and the melting of the wandering mind and ego, in silence. In essence, it is an uplifting of the soul, and an act of love and adoration to Him. It is also an invocation, a calling forth of spiritual forces ever flowing through our mind, body, and soul. It is important to note that the ability to pray be unique in that is accessible to all, unlike many material things of the world.

There are many reasons why Hindus, as well as other religions/denominations, pray. These include: • We pray to ask for peace when the mind is restless and in distress.

• We pray to surrender ourselves completely to God. • We pray to God to ask to help others or grant us the ability to help others.

• We pray to request good health, strength, pure intellect, forgive-

• • • •

ness, guidance, etc.

We pray to thank God for all of his blessings.

We pray to make for a stronger bond between ourselves and God. We pray to purify our hearts, to thank God, and to allow us to one day abide in Thee.

We pray for the melting of the wandering mind, and ego, in silence with God.

Essentially, there are two parts of Prayers 1. Soliciting a favor from the Almighty.

2. Surrendering ourselves to His WILL. The first part is practiced by most of us on a daily basis, while the second part is the real and ultimate goal. The second part implied dedication of the devotee, and in this instance, dedication means that the devotee who is praying feels the light of God within their heart.

Some of the well-known forms of prayer are Mantras, Japa, and Bhajans: Mantras are chants which are believed to be endowed with magical powers and powerful vibrations capable of manifesting reality or desired results through the divine intervention of God. Japa is a continuous repetition of one or more names of God or some phrase from the Hindu scriptures, or, given by a Guru to calm the senses and to control and purify the mind.

Bhajans are devotional songs usually sung in groups to the accompaniment of music in front of the image of a deity or a guru.

Benefit of Prayer in Hinduism Prayers impart benefits at three levels in life: Activity, Thought, and Attitude A – Activity: Prayer takes an active

Prayers also benefit us in a variety of other ways, for example: 1. Removal of Mental Stress: When under stress, remembrance of God through Prayers relieve stress and we are reminded to chant the Lord’s name to seek guidance and help. The mind rests because of the faith we have that God will help us to sort out all of our problems.

2. Reduction of Ego: Ego eventually leads to unhappiness. Surrendering to the all-powerful Lord through the medium of prayers can assist in eradicating this ego.

3. “Atmanivedan:” This is a conversation with God in which one completely surrenders themselves to the Lord with sincere, undying, emotion. Constant prayer and expression of gratitude leads to dissolution of bad attributes of the mind and intellect.

4. Forgiveness: When an individual who has committed a mistake surrenders to the Lord or to their Guru through prayers, with sincerity and persistence, they are eventually forgiven.

In conclusion, I hope that my message will encourage one to pray more. As a great poet, Alfred Tennyson, once said, “More things are wrought by prayers than this world dreams of.”

Also, remember, what is done in the dark, or what is done that no other man notices, it is all seen by the eyes of God. This is the reality of today, so please, I beg of us all to pray to God and seek guidance so we can always do the right things and make better choices.

Jai Ho!

8

Caribbean Star Newspaper Mother sues GPHC, Health Ministry over daughter’s death during childbirth August 14–20, 2015

Three years after her daughter died during child birth at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corpora-tion (GPHC), Mahaicony resident Hatty Anthony has filed a $15M lawsuit claiming that her death was caused by negligence.

T

he suit, which names the Attorney General, the Health Ministry and the GPHC as defendants, was brought by Anthony, in her capacity as the administrator of the estate of her daughter, Omadara Anthony, 22, who died on August 8th, 2012.

Although Guyana has been ranked as one of the five Caribbean countries with the highest maternal deaths, sources indicated that the action represents a significant development in local litigation as it is possibly the first medical negligence suit initiated after a maternal death. As a result, one source close to the matter told Stabroek News that whether the parties settle the suit out of court or a judge in

the High Court decides, Omadara Anthony will not be forgotten.

Anthony’s lawyers, Eusi Anderson and Dexter Todd, declined to comment on the suit, while stating that the case is now sub judice (‘under judgment’).

In the indorsement of claim, the court is being asked to award damages under the Accidental Deaths and Personal Injuries (Damages) Act Chapter 99:05 and the Law Reform (Miscellane-ous) Provisions Act Chapter 6:02, in excess of $5,000,000 against the Ministry of Health and in excess of $5,000,000 against the GPHC for medical negligence when, at the hospital, “its employees and servants stationed there caused the death of Om-

Omadara Anthony adara Anthony by failing to provide sufficiently qualified, experienced, competent and professional staff to administer medical care during her caesarean section operation”.

The suit is also seeking in excess of $5,000,000 in damages under the laws “for pain, loss, suffering and emotional stress” brought about by the death.

The Attorney General, according to the filing, has been sued in his capacity as legal representative of the Ministry, which partially manages, controls and gives general policy directions and guidance to the GPHC. At the time of her death, Omadara Anthony was an Immigration Officer. She

was giving birth to her first child and had had no complications during her pregnancy. She was full term.

The GPHC had said in a press release at the time that the woman, whom they did not name, arrived at its Pre-natal unit at 2.10 PM on August 7th, 2012. She was immediately received by a doctor who administered medication.

“The foetus’ maturity level was at 39 weeks and she had a steady heart rate.

The patient was continuously monitored and at 08:45h on August 8, 2012, she was transferred to the operating theatre for a cesarean section.

“At 08:52h a live baby girl was extracted. However, the patient experienced a cardiac arrest immediately after surgery.

Several attempts were made to resuscitate the patient; unfortunately she succumbed,” the hospital statement said.

A distressed Hatty Anthony had previously told Stabroek News that she took her daughter to the hospital after she started experiencing labour pains. She returned the following day to see her and everything was fine.

She was on her way back to the hospital for her “normal midday visit” when a relative called to say that the young woman had died. The baby girl was Hatty Anthony’s first grandchild.

August 14–20, 2015 9 Caribbean Star Newspaper Former gov’t minister fraud probe now 10,000 laptops for educators in excess of $600 million Jordan

T

HE investigation into fraud at the Public Service Ministry has now jumped from about $400 million to more than $600 million.This was confirmed yesterday by police sources who informed this publication that investigators have been supplied with an additional two vouchers which have raised the amount under investigation.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that persons within the ministry have been cooperating with the police as well as giving information to the auditors in relation to the fraud.

Contacted yesterday Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum would not confirm the new information about the $600 million probe.

However, he acknowledged that the police are in receipt of additional vouchers which have caused the amount of unaccounted funds in the probe to rise even higher.

Asked how longer the investigation is

expected to continue,the crime chief merely stated that the matter is still under active investigation.

Meanwhile, other police sources who are close to the investigation did confirm that the matter with respect to former minister Dr. Jennifer Westford is expected to be completed later this week or early next week and the file is expected to be dispatched to the director of public prosecutions sometime next week.

The police have been investigating the former minister and several staffers at the Public Service Ministry over the use of funds that were transferred from the then Office of the President to her ministry to be used to conduct reviews of the services and programmes of the Public Service.

Westford is already before the court accused of illegally transferring several state vehicles to herself and several associates and friends, including her husband, who is a member of the Guyana Defence Force.

A

lmost 10,000 computers coming from China will be distributed to teachers, educators and education officials under a One Laptop Per Teacher (OLPT) programme as government moves to improve the education system to ensure a quality education.

“In addition to ensuring equitable and inclusive access to education in Guyana, we need to consider what quality of education is being provided and how we are assessing quality,” Minister of Finance Winston Jordan told the National Assembly in his Budget 2015 presentation on Monday.

He said that the abysmal results for Mathematics and English in Guyana where more than half of the students are unable to establish that they have general proficiency in these two foundational subjects cannot be ignored.

“We will undertake a detailed and objective study of the weak links in our education system to determine at which points we are failing our children as they progress through school, and use the results to craft appro-

priate policy responses. To this end, we will ensure that our teachers are equipped with the appropriate technological resources to deliver the intended curricula at all levels,” Jordan said.

He recalled that government has already taken a decision that most of the nearly 10,000 computers that are coming from China will be distributed to teachers, educators and education officials, under the OLPT programme, which he said was “a departure from the discredited and corrupted” One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme of the past regime.

“We will also ensure that existing rules and guidelines are enforced to ensure greater accountability in the system for all those who are entrusted with delivering a quality education.

We are actively considering removing the points allocated for Grades 2 and 4 assessments so that the exercises are used to provide a diagnostic of each child’s individual performance and guide teaching plans,” the Minister said.

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August 14–20, 2015

Man to be charged over murder of sex worker

Caribbean Star Newspaper Amaila hydro project has been dead for long time – Harmon Minister of State Joseph Harmon said that the former government knew that there was no funding available for the Amaila Falls Hydro Project after the original investor Sithe Global pulled out but tried to deceive the public into thinking that it was going ahead as planned.

Noel Wilson Luthers

Ron Forde

Kanand Ojha

T

hree days after Ron Forde called `Andel’ was arrested by police ranks at Linden over the murder of sex worker Noel Wilson Luthers, called `Nephi’, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed that he is expected to be charged .

Luthers, 20, of Lot ZZ D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, was shot dead on July 22nd after he was confronted by two men at Quamina and Carmichael streets.

Blanhum told this newspaper that the police received advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions and Forde is expected to appear in court . However, the other suspect Kanand Ojha, remains on the run.

The police issued wanted bulletins over two weeks ago after the two men were allegedly identified from surveillance footage.

There have been conflicting accounts of what led to the fatal shooting of Luthers.

It was initially reported that Luthers was shot after an argument with a client.

It has also been reported that he may have been shot by the men due to a case of mistaken identity.

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“T

he Amaila Falls Hydro Electricity project was dead from since the time the IDB told this previous government that they had no client. So all along they have been running all around trying to get this and trying to get that….but it was nothing there”, he said during a post cabinet press briefing.

Harmon told reporters that the recent disclosure by Finance Minister Winston Jordan was that “the IDB (Inter-American Development Bank) basically said that there was no project they had to finance and that the previous government knew about that since Sithe Global walked…. from the time Sithe Global left there was no client for the IDB to deal with”.

On August 9 last year it was officially confirmed that the company had parted ways with the project.

He said that since then the former government continued “on a path of deception, deceiving the Guyanese people that `yes we have this project and the project will be funded’”.

According to Harmon the government will be meeting the IDB and expressed hope that that declaration will be made.

“There was no project and so there was nothing from the IDB to fund. This does not say that there has not been investment in the project…” he said. He added that government is willing to listen to suggestions about a practical model for which the investments can be used. He stressed there was never anything properly placed before the National Assembly which spoke to a complete project, but

rather an extension of the area (area to be flooded and the conservation concerns) and the raising of the debt ceiling.

“So all the posturing to the effect that we are going to do this and we are going to do that was a lot of deception and we said that and it continues to be deception”, he stressed. He said that government’s concern was always “what was going to be the end product. What is the consumer going to have to pay as a result of all of this?” He stated too that the project design never contemplated delivering electricity to Essequibo or the Hinterland communities.

According to Harmon, government’s position when Amaila was floated was that what is needed is a Potaro Basin Hydro Electricity plan which meant that that falls would be among several located in that area that would have formed “one cohesive hydroelectricity development so that it would have taken the heat off of a single falls having to fund the power lines which actually go with delivering electricity from the site to the consumer”.

Jordan in his budget presentation had said that currently the cost of financing the project was too high and the IDB considered the project too risky to attract the bank’s financing.

“The problem, Mr. Speaker, is that as currently configured, it would not only be irresponsible, but a downright criminal act of deception, were we to proceed with the Amaila Falls”, he said while adding that unless the cost is lowered the project cannot be proceeded with, a view which was shared by the IDB.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

August 14–20, 2015

11

Gov’t looking overseas for more crime fight help - Harmon As escalating crime continues to be a cause of concern, government has turned its attention to its international partners and thus far the response has been positive, Minister of State Joseph Harmon says.

H

is comments come at a time when there is continuing public anxiety that the country’s security forces may be ill-equipped to take on the criminals.

Speaking at his post cabinet press briefing , Harmon disclosed that so far Guyana has received international help in addressing its security challenges. The US has already provided help in the form of training and capacity building and the government is currently in communication with the British and other foreign partners, he informed.

Responding to a question on whether the government was looking in the direction of foreign assistance particularly having foreign policemen incorporated into the structure of the Guyana Police Force, Harmon disclosed that government is in communication with its overseas partners in this regard.

He said that ranks are currently receiving training from foreign law enforcement agencies in the form of capacity building inclusive of crime scene investigations. He noted that yesterday there was a seminar at the Pegasus Hotel which dealt with cybercrime. “We recognize that there is some limitation where that is concerned but it is a direction into which we are moving that deals with cybercrime and that is also ongoing”, he said.

Harmon told reporters that government has asked for assistance from the British with respect to security help which had been granted but which did not find favour with the previous administration. Harmon was referring to the Guyana Security Sector Reform Action Plan which was shelved in 2009. The two governments had created a plan for tackling the security sector but two years later it was cancelled after the PPP/C government expressed the view that it did not meet its requirements. The British had set aside £3 million to ensure the successful implementation of the plan “We have re-engaged the British. We have re-engaged several other foreign agencies in relation to security matters and we have had good responses from those countries so far”, Harmon stated.

Updating reporters on what has been happening at the local end, Harmon said that while the president’s proposed fivepoint security strategy is not yet finalized, a national security committee has been meeting on a weekly basis. The committee, he said comprises the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, the Commissioner of Police, the Minister of Legal Affairs, the Minister of State, the Minis-

ter of Public Security, the Prime Minister and the head of the National Intelligence Committee. According to Harmon at those meetings the crime statistics and methodology used by police for crime fighting are reviewed and resources are allocated to the police to deal with crime.

He said that the draft security strategy is now in the possession of Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and in due course it will be made public. It is unclear how long this process will take.

According to Harmon in the meantime, elements of the strategy are already being put in place.

It was President David Granger who convened a high-level security meeting just over a month ago over concerns that the crime situation had gotten out of hand. It was at that meeting that he presented a proposed strategy.

The first element deals with the police administration and the requirement to identify and determine across all ten administrative regions where these criminal acts are being committed and to decide on a strategy to deal with them on a national basis; the second has to do with the police organization and training; the third homes in on illegal firearms; the fourth deals with police assets and equipment and the fifth element focuses on significant improvement in police communication using the internet and access to the

Cathy Hughes CCTV cameras.

“Crime is such a fluid thing you just can’t wait until the master plan is put out before you start responding to things that are happening on the street”, he said, adding that now there is a greater level of coordination between the law enforcement agencies in terms of the sharing of information. He expressed the view that when the other measures in the strategy are finalized and unveiled “we will be able to get to the root of this crime situation”.

Meanwhile Minister of Tourism Cathy Hughes who was also in attendance at the press briefing said that on a daily basis she has to speak to many persons who are concerned about the crime situation. She said that she has to do everything to allay their fears and give them assurances.

She said that during a recent trip to Toronto, Canada she told the Guyanese living there that “this (the crime fight) has to be a partnership”.

Within the past few weeks there have been a number of violent crimes. Bandits in Berbice during a brazen attack

cut a hole in the wall of a house to gain entry. There have been reports coming from that county of residents being attacked by gangs of men armed with guns and cutlasses. An elderly woman was last week found dead in a pool of blood. Police are still looking for the killer who was captured on surveillance footage carrying out the gruesome attack. A Chinese national was also fatally chopped in his Mandela Avenue home. There have also been armed attacks on businesses and a number of shootings.

Police have increased their nightly and daytime patrols and have been conducting a number of intelligence-based operations which in a number of cases have led to the recovery of unlicensed firearms. There have also being increased road blocks and stop-and-search exercises.

In his budget presentation on Monday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan described the crime situation as the most pressing and most distressing problem the country currently faces.

12

August 14–20, 2015

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13

14

August 14–20, 2015

ISLAM

Peace/submission to the will of our creator

Lessons in

Series 01 Hadith (Salaat/Prayer)

Allah, the Exalted, says: “Guard strictly (the five obligatory) As-Salawat (the prayers) especially the middle Salat (i.e., the best prayer - ‘Asr).” (2:238) “But if they repent and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat, then leave their way free.” (9:5) Ibn Mas’ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (PBUH): “Which act is the best?”

He (PBUH) said, “As-Salat at their fixed times.” I asked, “What next?” He (PBUH) said, “Being dutiful to parents.” I asked, “What next?” He (PBUH) said, “Striving in the way of Allah.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith has already been mentioned. Here it is repeated to indicate that every Salat should be performed at its proper time. Deliberate delay in performing is wrong. The ultimate result of deliberate delay is that one becomes sluggish and begins to ignore and neglect it by force of habit, which is obviously very dangerous.

Ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Islam is based on five (pillars): testifying that there is no true god except Allah and that Muhammad (PBUH) is His slave and Messenger; performing of Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat); the payment of Zakat; performing Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House [of Allah (Ka’bah)]; and Saum (fasting) during the month of Ramadan.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: In this Hadith, Islam has been compared to a building which rests on five pillars. As a building cannot stand without its foundation, similarly, Islam cannot exist without these pillars. For this reason, he who denies any one of these obligations is a disbeliever, and he who neglects any of them due to slackness or want of attention is a sinful and impious Muslim.

Ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “I have been commanded to fight against the people till they tes-

tify La ilaha illAllah (There is no true god except Allah) and that Muhammad (PBUH) is His slave and Messenger, and to establish As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and to pay Zakat; and if they do this, then their blood and property are secured except by the rights of Islam, and their accountability is left to Allah.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith has already appeared before. Here the word “An-Nas” translated ‘the people’ in the Hadith stands for those who associate others with Allah in worship. The people of the Book are not included among them. “Haqqul-Islam” translated here as “the rights of Islam” denotes legal castigation, etc. That is, the punishments which are given for crimes like fornication, murder, etc.

“Their accountability is left to Allah” means what is hidden in their hearts is left to Allah or the crimes which go undetected by the authorities are left to the accountability of the day of Qiyaamah.

Mu’adh (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) sent me as a governor to Yemen and (at the time of departure) he instructed me thus: “You will go to people of the Scripture (i.e., the Jews and the Christians). First of all invite them to testify that La ilaha ill Allah (There is no true god except Allah) and that Muhammad (PBUH) is His slave and Messenger; and if they accept this, then tell them that Allah has enjoined upon them five Salat (prayers) during the day and night; and if they accept it, then tell them that Allah has made the payment of Zakat obligatory upon them. It should be collected from their rich and distributed among their poor; and if they agree to it, don’t take (as a share of Zakat) the best of their properties. Beware of the supplications of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Between a man and disbelief and paganism is the

Caribbean Star Newspaper

abandonment of Salat (prayer).”

[Muslim].

Commentary: He who will be having the quality of Islam and will be particular in performing Salat regularly, will raise a wall between himself and Kufr. He who does not perform Salat after coming to the fold of Islam, does not have a frontier which separates him from infidelity. Leaving Salat is like demolishing the wall that separates Islam from Kufr.

Thus, we learn from this Hadith that leaving Salat is Kufr. Some ‘Ulama’ are of the opinion that this injunction is for one who believes leaving Salat is permissible whereas the one who leaves it because of slackness is not Kafir. Some scholars, however, think that if such a person does not repent, he is liable to Hadd, i.e., death punishment. There are other ‘Ulama’ who think that rather than death punishment such a person should be subjected to corporal punishment till he starts offering Salat. This Hadith makes the importance of Salat in Islam abundantly clear.

Buraidah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “That which differentiates us from the disbelievers and hypocrites is our performance of Salat. He who abandons it, becomes a disbeliever.”

[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: The purport of this Hadith is the same as that of the preceding one.

Shaqiq bin ‘Abdullah reported: The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) did not consider the abandonment of any action as disbelief except neglecting Salat.

[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: The opinion of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) was based on the information contained in the Ahadith which have been mentioned above. They did not take the Ahadith which interpreted the leaving of Salat as Kufr mere scolding or reproof. They considered slackness and negligence in Salat as Kufr and apostasy and regarded Salat a symbol of Islam.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “The first of man’s deeds for which he will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection will be Salat. If it is found to be perfect, he will be safe and successful; but if it is incomplete, he will be unfortunate and a loser. If any shortcoming is found in the obligatory Salat, the Glorious and

Exalted Rubb (Creator) will command to see whether His slave has offered any voluntary Salat so that the obligatory Salat may be made up by it. Then the rest of his actions will be treated in the same manner.”

[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: The rights mentioned in this Hadith are the Rights of Allah. The first of them for which one has to render account is Salat. In the rights of people, the first to be decided will be blood shed by a person of his fellow being. This Hadith also makes the following points: 1. Stress on the performance of the obligatory acts.

2. Inducement for voluntary prayers to make up the deficiency of the obligations.

Ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Salat in congregation is twenty-seven times more meritorious than a Salat performed individually.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “A man’s Salat in congregation is twenty-five times more rewarding than his Salat at home or in his shop, and that is because when he performs his Wudu’ properly and proceeds towards the mosque with the purpose of performing Salat in congregation, he does not take a step without being raised a degree (in rank) for it and having a sin remitted for it, till he enters the mosque. When he is performing Salat, the angels continue to invoke Blessings of Allah on him as long as he is in his place of worship in a state of Wudu’. They say: ‘O Allah! Have mercy on him! O Allah! Forgive him.’ He is deemed to be engaged in Salat as long as he waits for it.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith tells us that Salat in congregation is far more in reward than Salat offered alone. In the preceding Hadith it has been held 27 times and in the present, 25 times more rewarding. The reason for this variation offered by some ‘Ulama’ is that at first it was told to the Prophet (PBUH) 25 times and then it was increased to 27 and he communicated to his Companions what was revealed to him. Some other scholars have linked it with the form, spirit and concentration of the Salat. The more meticulous one is about its details, the greater will be the reward for it. Another difference of opinion in this re-

spect is regarding the nature of Salat in congregation. How does one become eligible for higher reward? Does he become eligible for it by performing Salat in congregation anywhere, i.e., at home, in business premises, at an open place, in the desert etc., or in that congregation which gathers in a mosque? Some ‘Ulama’ go with the first opinion while others agree with the second. Hafiz Ibn Hajar preferred the second view on the grounds that the words occurring in the text of this Hadith support this view.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A blind man came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said: “O Messenger of Allah! I have no one to guide me to the mosque.”

He, therefore, sought his permission to perform Salat (prayer) in his house. He (PBUH) granted him permission. When the man turned away, he called him back, and said, “Do you hear the Adhan (call to prayer)?” He replied in the affirmative. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) then directed him to respond to it.

[Muslim].

Abdullah bin Umm Maktum, the Mu’adhdhin (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH): “There are many poisonous insects and wild beasts in Al-Madinah, and I am blind. Please grant me permission to perform Salat at home.” He (PBUH) enquired whether he could hear the call: Hayya ‘alas-Salah; Hayya ‘alalFalah (Come to the prayer, come to the salvation). When he replied in affirmative, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) directed him to come (to mosque) for prayer.”

[Abu Dawud].

Commentary: These two Ahadith relate to Ibn Umm Maktum.

In spite of the fact that he was blind, he was not allowed by the Prophet (PBUH) to perform Salat at home. The Hadith signifies the importance of performing Salat in congregation in the mosque abundantly clear.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “By Him in Whose Hand my life is, I sometimes thought of giving orders for firewood to be collected, then for proclaiming the Adhan for Salat. Then I would appoint an Imam to lead Salat, and then go to the houses of those who do not come to perform Salat in congregation, and set fire to their houses on them.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Caribbean Star Newspaper

August 14–20, 2015

15

Size of budget contradicts claims of empty treasury, says Jagdeo

F

ormer president Bharrat Jagdeo has criticised the size of the proposed national budget, saying that while the APNU+AFC administration has been claiming that the former government left the country bankrupt, it is now planning to spend more than what was spent last year. “For the past two months, they have been making the case that the country is bankrupt, that the country is totally bankrupt…,” Jagdeo told a news conference at Freedom House yesterday, one day after

Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s budget presentation.

“The big bad PPP was so corrupt it squandered all the money… and so I was shocked at the budget. That this same Minister of Finance, who had been making that case, has now proposed a bigger budget than we had in 2014,” he said.

Jagdeo, an economist and former Finance Minister, accused Jordan of attempting to “dupe” the citizenry by choosing his words carefully to blur the reality of the situation.

“He cleverly did something—he said that the budget is $221B versus the $244B returned in 2014. That was not, $244B was not returned, $244B was budgeted. The actual figures are more like $218B… but he did not want to say that they have a bigger budget than the 2014 budget,” he charged.

“They have a bigger budget. I would have expected, since about 30% of it is fraud, that is, money that the PPP would steal in the budget estimated by [Anand] Goolsarran, that they would have cut the budget

Bharrat Jagdeo by 30% because they are not going to steal.

Either they were lying about us stealing or they put $40B in the budget to steal,” he added.

He added that because of the PPP/C’s policies, the fiscal deficit in 2014 was 5.5% of the Gross Domestic Product and will come down to 2.9% this year. Jagdeo stated that if there was no money left in the treasury, this would not be possible and he called on the public to realise that while the government was stating one thing, it was far from the reality.

He said for the remainder of the year, the government would spend roughly $97 billion, or close to $800M daily. As a result, he stated that when the PPP/C enters Parliament, it would be advocating for the speedy setting up of the Public Accounts Committee which one of its MPs will chair.

Economic slowdown Jagdeo also said that although Guyana did have a slowing down of the economy, the reality was that Guyana still outperformed every other country in the Caribbean. “Now, I heard Jordan said the economy started slowing down before they got into office. What he did not say [is] that in Guyana’s case we have had nine consecutive years of positive growth,” he said.

“They can’t produce and that is the big problem here now. So, this whole thing about growth rate and slowing down is Jordan has it absolutely wrong,” he added.

Jagdeo stated that the world economic outlook showed global growth of 3.3%, with advanced countries growing by 1.8% and Latin America and the Caribbean growing by 1.2%. Guyana had a growth rate of 3.8% in 2014, with the Finance Minister predicting the economy to grow by 3.4% in 2015.

Jagdeo also charged that there is a public “crisis of confidence” with people and especially elements of the private sector, who believe the government is incompetent and which has seen a significant contraction of spending after the coalition assumed office.

Jagdeo said while the minister recycled numerous PPP initiatives, such as the ‘One Laptop’ project, the school uniform voucher programme and the Hope Canal Project, during the budget presentation there was no real substance as it relates to job creation and tangible plans to develop Guyana.

16

Caribbean Star Newspaper

August 14–20, 2015

Private sector welcomes budget

T

he Private Sector Com-mission (PSC) yesterday congratulated Finance Minister Winston Jordan and the new APNU/AFC government on a “comprehensive” budget 2015 but it voiced disappointment at the decision to discontinue work on the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

The PSC in a statement said that it believes that the allocations in Monday’s budget to the sugar and rice industries will allow them to regroup and recover so that they can make significant contributions to the economy. The assistance to small and medium scale miners will also allow that sector, which it said has produced the bulk of exports in recent years, to adjust to the lower gold prices.

The PSC also welcomed the allocation of monies for roads, bridges, air and river transport and particularly the refurbishing of hinterland airstrips.

“The PSC is also particularly pleased about the allocation of financing for the dredging of the Demerara harbour, the siltation of which has for years led to increased shipping costs and therefore impacted the competitiveness of our exports and the final prices of imports”, the statement said.

The PSC said that it is pleased at the Minister’s plans to cut the red tape which stymies business activity. The PSC called on the Minister to ensure that there is greater inter-agency coordination to fa-

IMF, World Bank to review financial sector

cilitate this.

Also welcomed by the PSC was the salary and wage increases for the public service and especially the “significant increase” in old age pensions. It said that the removal of taxes on NIS contributions is also welcome.

Disappointment was however expressed at the decision to discontinue the Amaila Falls Hydroelec-tricity Project and the PSC urged the government to seek alternate renewable energy sources as the high cost of energy continues to be a stumbling block in the way of the production of value-added goods and the expansion of the manufacturing sector.

The PSC also noted the decision to lower tolls for the Berbice River Bridge and said it hopes that this was done within the terms of the Public- Private Partnership agreement.

It also welcomed the VAT zero-rating of a range of goods with a bias towards locally manufactured products and said it believes that this is an acceptable method of providing relief to consumers without having to lower the VAT rate.

“The Commission, though it had proposed a number of priority areas for reform of taxation system, is satisfied that this could not have been comprehensively attempted in an interim budget and will await the release of the results of the Tax Committee’s deliberations”, the PSC added.

G

overnment has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to conduct an independent review of Guyana’s financial sector which is likely to be done next year.

In his Budget 2015 presentation on Monday, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan told the National Assembly that government has requested the IMF and the World Bank to conduct a Financial Sector Assessment Programme (FSAP), and this is likely to be done in 2016.

“The FSAP is a comprehensive and indepth assessment of a country’s financial sector, which analyzes the resilience of the financial sector, the quality of the regulatory and supervisory framework, and the capacity to manage and resolve financial crises. The goal of FSAP assessments is two-fold: to gauge the stability of the financial sector and to assess its potential contribution to growth and development,” Jordan told the National Assembly.

“The Government looks forward to this independent review and will consider the ensuing recommendations to strengthen the financial sector and hence promote the development of Guyana,” he said.

Meantime, he also disclosed that efforts are underway to make cashless transactions easier. The minister noted that the payments system is under con-

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Dr. Ravideen Ramsamooj. Phd. Trained Music Teacher.

stant review. He said that in the area of cashless settlements, the services offered to GT&T mobile phone users were expanded to facilitate payments to registered merchants and in 2014, mobile money services were used by over 6000 account holders to transfer $598 million.

By the end of June 2015, the number of account holders had increased to over 7600 while the value transferred was $499 million. “Another development in the area of cashless settlement is the introduction of an electronic switch that links the commercial banks. While the use of this switch is currently limited to certain types of transactions, commercial banks are working towards wider use of the switch. The Bank of Guyana is providing the settlement service on a daily basis,” Jordan said.

The minister also told the House that another development is that of image exchange, for which the Central Bank and the commercial banks are collaborating. “An image clearing pilot project commenced in the last quarter of 2014 and is expected to go live this month. The goal is to reduce clearing time for a cheque drawn on any branch of any commercial bank in Guyana to between 1-2 days. A successful image exchange system could lead to the development of an automated clearing house,” he said.

Pta. Bharati Ramsamooj. B.A. Trained Hindi Teacher.

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August 14–20, 2015 Caribbean Star Newspaper Economy expected to grow 3.4 % – Finance Minister – sees encouraging signs for recovery in many sectors

F

INANCE Minister Winston Jordan reported that the economy is expected to grow 3.4 % at the end of 2015, below the ambitious 5.3 % that was predicted by the former Administration.

Delivering his maiden budget presentation, Jordan explained that growth in the first half of 2015, substantially a period when the former Administration controlled the economy, was a miniscule 0.9 %. “The failure of the economy to realise the planned growth rate in 2014, and the below par performance in the first half of this year, is conclusive evidence that the economy had slowed down long before our Government’s entry into office.

There are, however, encouraging signs that there will be recovery in many sectors that will allow us to achieve the 3.4 % revised growth rate,” the Finance Minister told the House.

He noted that over the last two months, the Government has been assailed with talk of a slump in the economy, with some commentators attributing blame for this on the new APNU+AFC Administration.

Slow down “We have all heard and read the dire warnings of some previous officials of the former Administration pontificating on the slowdown in the economy, as if this occurred since our assumption to office; as though they did not recognise the clear slowing of growth last year when they were in office, as borne out by the GDP [Gross Domestic Product] growth figures; as if they did not know that sugar was broke and needed a substantial lifeline from the Government; as if they did not know that the Venezuelan rice deal would not have continued beyond this year; as if the they did not know that their proroguing and dissolving the Parliament and their post-election antics would

T

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan delivering his maiden budget presentation

Finance Minister Winston Jordan with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, at right, and Minister of Governance Minister Raphael Trotman at Parliament yesterday heighten uncertainty, causing businesses to withhold investment. And so the stories continued. I had to take a moment to review the realities of the previous year before proceeding to set out what can now be realistically expected for this year,” the Minister said.

Mr Jordan said on assumption of office in mid-May, there was significant preparatory work done on the expectations for the economy’s performance this year.

This, he said, had been accomplished as early as the end of January.

The initial profile of the economy

17

showed that the previous Government was projecting a resurgence in growth to 5.3 %, following the 3.8 % achievement last year. Except for four sectors – sugar, bauxite, gold and wholesale and retail – modest growth was targeted for all sectors of the economy.

In the World Economic Outlook update, given in July 2015, the global economy is forecast to grow by 3.3 % in 2015.

This, the Finance Minister said, represents a slight reduction on 2014’s growth, as a consequence of a setback in economic activity, mostly in North America, in the first quarter. An unexpected contraction in output in the United States had spillover effects in Canada and Mexico. Additionally, one-off factors such as the harsh winter weather and port closures, as well as a strong downsizing of capital expenditure in the oil sector, contributed to the weakening of US economic activity.

But, he stressed, in spite of this small decline, the underlying drivers of global growth remain intact.

Meanwhile, at the end of 2014, Guyana’s total external debt stock stood at US$1.2 billion. Guyana was able to secure debt relief from the Caricom Multilateral Clearing Facility in the sum of US$35.9 million, under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.

Jordan said two debt compensation agreements were concluded with Venezuela, for a total value of US$124.5 million.

Total external debt service amounted to US$50.9 million, 10.9 % higher than in 2013, owing to increased principal and interest payments to multilateral creditors, especially, he said, pointing out that the domestic debt stock stood at $78.4 billion at the end of 2014.

Govt funding of GuySuCo hinges on findings of CoI into operations

HE findings of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will determine whether or not Government will further invest in that corporation.

Meanwhile, an additional $8.2 billion have been allocated to the company to meet operational costs until the end of 2015.

This was disclosed by Finance Minister Winston Jordan when he presented the $221 billion National Budget on Monday in the National Assembly.

The Government has appointed a CoI to inquire into the current state of cane cultivation and production and marketing of sugar, molasses and other by-products, including power.

This was done because the Administration believes that the economic well-being of the sugar industry is critical to the protection of jobs and growth of the economy, as well as because of the contribution it makes to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country, its exports and foreign exchange.

The Minister reminded the House that the Government had previously intervened when it was discovered that GuySuCo was insolvent and needed an infusion of cash to keep it afloat. He explained that $3.8 billion had been injected at the time to avert collapse of the industry and onset of a possible crisis.

“This stop-gap measure is neither sustainable nor meant to be a substitute for, or postponing of, the hard decisions

that need to be made. Whatever path the industry takes, it is vital for the sake of the national economy that it remains viable to compete in an increasingly competitive and volatile global market,” Minister Jordan told the House.

The Minister said the sugar industry in Guyana has long been in decline. The industry continues to grapple with an unsustainably high cost structure, with production currently averaging US$0.40 per pound for sugar, almost three times the world market price.

He further said the sugar company’s continuous subpar performances since the mid-2000s have been well ventilated.

“Between 2008 and 2013, annual sugar production, which averaged 220,362 tonnes, was considerably be-

The findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the operations of GuySuCo will determine whether or not Government will further invest in the company, Finance Minister Winston Jordan has said low the average production level of 286,084 tonnes for the preceding period 20002007.

Following its disastrous performance in 2013, when a lowly 186,770 tonnes had been produced, a modest target of 215,910 tonnes

had been set for 2014. The final out turn for 2014 was 216,186 tonnes,” Minister Jordan said.

The Minister is of the view that the implications of the sugar industry remaining an uncompetitive producer are frightening.

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August 14–20, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

Caribbean Star Newspaper

August 14–20, 2015

19

I BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS GOD’S WORD (Part 3)

The Bible has changed countless lives and cultures throughout the centuries. The inspiration of the Bible, the faith it produces and the hope it gives are treasured by the faithful. In previous presentation, I have outlined internal evidences that confirm the Divine origin of this wonderful Book. There are also external evidences that positively support the fact that the Bible is God’s Word to us.

The Bible’s record of history is accurate.

Prior to archeological developments of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, many Bible stories were thought to be myths. Many passages were misunderstood and its critics attacked its authenticity.

However, over 2,500 archeological digs have confirmed the accuracy of events and places recorded in the Bible. Most recent finds include the discovery of Magdala the hometown of Mary Magdalene, and the Herodium, a mountain upon which King Herod the Great built a palace and where he was buried.

Bible prophecies have been precise.

Hundreds of prophecies have been fulfilled and that fact solidifies our faith in every promise of God. Among the outstanding prophecies of the Bible are the Birth of Jesus, His sinless life, His cruel death, His resurrection, His Second Coming, and His eternal reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2 “ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the govern-

ment shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this .” I saiah 9:6-7 “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows , and acquainted with grief : and we hid as it were our faces from him ; he was despised , and we es teemed him not . Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all .” I saiah 53:3-6 Prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Scholars say for each prophecy of His first Coming, there are 8 for His Second Coming. I believe it! Prophecies concerning the last days are being unfolded right before our eyes.

Therefore, we know and are sure

these are the last days before the Second Coming of Christ, the rise of the AntiChrist, 7 years of Great Tribulation, the Final Judgment and eternal Heaven and Hell. Here are excerpts from Matthew’s gospel, Chapter 24: “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations and then shall the end come….

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

The Gospel of Luke 21:20 is impacting: “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.”

The preservation of the Scriptures is marvelous.

In 1947, a shepherd boy threw a rock at one of his goats in a cave at the Dead Sea. He heard a sound that attracted his attention. There he

made one of the greatest discoveries of all time. Ancient scrolls of the Hebrew Scriptures and other documents were found hidden in clay jars. They were preserved by God for 2,000 years to confirm the accuracy of the Bible. There are thousands of manuscripts dating back to the first century, providing far more evidence of the Bible’s existence than writings of Plato and others. The Bible has outlasted communist dictators, atheists and agnostics. No one has ever tried to improve on the Bible. Translations have been put forward to make the reading relevant to nations and cultures. In finding appropriate words and sentence construction, there appears to be some measure of change, but be informed the substance of God’s message is the same. No critic has been able to finally put the Bible to rest.

This wonderful Book has raised men and nations to greatness.

The best known verse of the Bible is John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” It speaks of our great God, His great love for lost mankind, the great gift He so willingly gave to redeem us, His great invitation to all to come back to Him through His Son Jesus Christ, and a great promise – the promise of eternal life. Many have rejected the Bible and Jesus to their own detriment. Not one single person who followed Jesus has regretted it.

Read the Book. Believe its contents.

Take Jesus as your 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

20

Caribbean Star Newspaper Accused in Patsan salesman’s murder for trial, co-accused freed

August 14–20, 2015

R

andolph Marques, one of the two men accused of killing Patsan Trading salesman Bharrat Ramcharan during a robbery last year, was committed to stand trial tuesday, while his co-accused was freed.

Marques, 20, and Kevin France, 26, were jointly charged last year with murdering Ramcharan, 57, who was gunned down during a robbery in front of Patsan Trading on the afternoon of April 24th, 2014. When the preliminary inquiry into the charge against the men continued on Monday, the unrepresented Marques told presiding magistrate Judy Latchman that the identification parade that the police had set up was rigged.

However, Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt contended that there was no evidence to substantiate the claims made by Marques. He further urged the court to consider all the evidence presented by the prosecution, while adding that none of the testimony offered by the prosecution’s witnesses had been discredited.

Meanwhile, attorney James Bond urged the court to uphold a no-case submission for his client, France, while stating that the prosecution failed to prove the vital elements of the charge against the man.

When the proceedings were called once more yesterday, Magistrate Latchman stated that the court was satisfied that the prosecution had established a

prima facie case against Marques and, therefore, committed him to stand trial for the salesman’s murder at the next appropriate sitting of the Demerara Assizes.

When asked if he had anything to say in relation to the matter, Marques chose to remain silent and subsequently declined to provide witnesses on his behalf.

On the other hand, Magistrate Latchman contended that there was not enough evidence to establish a prima facie case against France for Ramcharan’s murder. As a result, the case against France was discharged and he walked out of the court compound a free man.

The magistrate’s decision to have the case against France discharged was met

Randolph Marques

Om Shree Ganesh Aye Namah RAMAYANA IN THE PARK Inc. invites you to

Ramayana in the Park 2015 Featuring 7 Sessions of Readings from the Shri Ramcharitmanas at the ARYA SPIRITUAL CENTER GROUND (Home of Ramayana in the Park) 104-20 133rd St, Richmond Hill NY 11419.

Bharrat Ramcharan

Beginning on SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2015 at 5PM with a YOUTH CONCERT CONTINUING EVERY EVENING AT 6PM, MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY Ending on SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 at 9AM with Gita and Mahatam.

Presentations by the following distinguished Pandits: Pt. Rishiram Persaud, Pt. Mochan Persaud, Pt. Sharma Maharaj, Pt. Arun Gossai, Pt. Chunelall Narine, Pt. Mahadeo Deopersaud, and Pt. Vishnu Sukul We invite you to bask in the glory of the Shri Ramcharitmanas as its messages are needed more than ever.

Theme: Honoring the Mothers in Our Community For further information please contact: Dr. Dhanpaul Narine (718) 848-8831, Herman Singh (718) 805-4900, Roy Dhanraj Singh (917) 304-0200, Don G. Persaud (917) 968-2419, Naro Balli (917) 930-8117, Bena Persaud (718) 323-3050, Ena Ramnauth (718) 848-0000, Shanti Ammar (718) 848-2500, Vade Crowley (718) 314-3420, Shanta Brijmohan (845) 592-1014

Jai Shri Ram!

Kevin France with a loud sigh of relief from his relatives, who were seated in the courtroom.

The elated France walked out of the courtroom with a smile on his face.

Ramcharan had collected millions in cash from customers and was parked across the street from his Sheriff and John Smith streets office when he was attacked by two men on a motorcycle. This publication was told that Ramcharan refused to part with his bag and ran toward the gate of the business, at which point the gunmen started shooting. They eventually chased Ramcharan into Patsan’s compound, where he was shot in the back. The two gunmen snatched the bag and rode off. Ramcharan had died before receiving medical attention.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

August 14–20, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

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August 14–20, 2015 Caribbean Star Newspaper Think twice – no, three times – before claiming Social Security benefits.

W

e all know how important Social Security benefits can be in retirement. In fact, the Social Security Administration reports that 22% of retired couples and 47% of retired singles receive 90% or more of their income from this program. 1 But before you race over to your local office to file an application, there are a number of critical decisions you may want to make—especially if you are married, divorced, or have dependent children. Let’s take a look at three of the most common ways to make sure that you—or your loved ones—will receive the maximum benefit: 1. Claim a spousal benefit—If you are mar1

Social Security Administration, “Social Security Basic Facts,” April 2, 2014 @ www.ssa.gov

ried, or were married for at least 10 years, you may be able to claim 50% of your spouse’s (or former spouse’s) benefit.

This strategy is often best for spouses who did not work, or who made significantly less than their partner, because the benefit will be larger than what they would normally receive on their own.

What’s more, there is no impact on the amount your spouse will receive when he or she ultimately decides to file.

2. File and suspend— With this strategy, you file for benefits as soon as you reach retirement age, but do not claim (exercise)

them until later. That way, your spouse and/ or dependent children will inherit the entire amount if you pass away, and your benefit will continue to grow until needed, or until you reach age 70, whichever comes first.

3. File a restricted application—If you are a working spouse, you are eligible to receive the spousal benefit mentioned above, or the earned benefit built up throughout your career. While most people choose their earned benefit— which is usually higher—you have the option to “restrict” your claim to the spousal benefit, then switch to your own benefit later

25

on. In the meantime, your earned benefit will continue to grow 5%–8% a year, so it’s like having your cake and eating it too.

With the decline of defined benefit pensions, Social Security benefits are one of the few ways most of us have to protect ourselves from market downturns, rising interest rates, and the possibility of outliving our money. That’s why it’s so important to speak with a qualified professional before determining a course of action.

please contact Indra Puran at 646 266 5416.

Neither New York Life Insurance Company, nor its agents, provides tax, legal, or accounting advice.

Please consult your own tax, legal, or accounting professional before making any decisions.

Indra Puran, LUTCF, CLTC Agent

This educational, third-party article is provided as a courtesy by Indra Puran, Agent, New York Life Insurance Company. To learn more about the information or topics discussed,

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August 14–20, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper

12 foreign nationals denied entry -after failing to meet immigration requirements

T

welve foreign nationals who arrived on a Copa Airlines flight were denied entry to Guyana after they failed to satisfy immigration requirements.

According to Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix, the passengers— six Haitians, a Russian, a Colombian and four Cubans—arrived on a Copa Airlines Flight CM254 and were denied leave to land at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri.

Felix explained that the six Haitians had no visas and were carrying letters purportedly issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Guyana. These fake letters, he said, have become familiar to immigration officers. Two Russian nationals, a husband and wife who also arrived on the flight, left after the wife was denied leave to land. According to Felix, she was believed to be part of travel that was attached to illegalities. He hinted that these illegalities may include trafficking in persons.

The Colombian, meanwhile, arrived with no visa or money to support himself here.

These eight passengers were returned to the aircraft and left Guyana shortly after their arrival.

Four Cuban nationals—two women and two children, who are three and five years old—are, however, still in Guyana after they refused to be returned to the flight. The two women were in possession of return tickets but were denied entry because they were, like the Russian female, suspected to be involved in a trip that had illegalities surrounding it.

Felix said authorities were seeking to have the Cuban nationals suitably accommodated until they leave.

“Instead of having to stay in cells with two children… we are seeking to have them under safer and more humane conditions prior to their flight,” he said.

Noting that it appears Guyana is a “focal point for people on backtrack activities or involved in trafficking in persons,” Felix called on airlines operating within the country to “act responsibly” by making sure that those to whom they issue tickets are in possession of the necessary travel documents.

He called on airlines to observe International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations, which he said required that they “ensure that persons arriving here have the appropriate visas and return tickets.”

“That is what airlines are mandated to do. In some cases, certain airlines seem to be deficient,” Felix added.

Veteran aviator Gerry Gouveia, however, disagreed with Felix’s assertion about the requirements which must be met for the issuance of tickets.

“There is no such regulation under ICAO guidelines; the onus is on the individual government to advise the carriers of their immigration policies,” Gouveia told Stabroek News in an invited comment.

Felix further said that “where there is a Guyana mission in the country from which the passengers originate, they are expected to visit the mission to seek the visa. The facility for visa on arrival where someone here sponsors the intended visitor is to facilitate those intended visitors who are from countries where there are no missions or the mission might

be so far away it is difficult for the traveler to get there. Someone in Guyana can be utilised to apply to us for a visa on arrival in that case and the information will be at the airport when the visitor arrives.”

Last Friday, eight Indian nationals departed Guyana after being denied leave to land since July 19th. The men, who arrived on an InselAir Curacao flight, left Guyana after the government grounded an InselAir Aruba flight on Thursday. They departed on an InselAir Curacao flight.

Gouveia believes that these issues are arising because the new government is still to come to grips with some of the newer developments in the local airline industry.

“With the arrival of COPA and Insel Air to the Guyanese airline industry, we have a new dispensation with persons arriving from unfamiliar ports as some passengers opt to skip the US and UK and arrive via hubs at Panama and elsewhere in South America,” Gouveia said, while adding that the government needs to clearly state its travel requirements in order to prevent future issues.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

August 14–20, 2015

Amerindian Rights organisation sues govt for GUY$10 million for sacking almost 2,000 persons

A

People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC)-aligned Amerindian rights organisation has clapped a GUY$10 million lawsuit on government for failing to pay almost 2,000 community workers in Amerindian communities since the government changed in May. The Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG), through its President, Peter Persaud, is taking the Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock and his Permanent Secretary to court for dismissing, disengaging, terminating the services of and/or rendering redundant the services of 1,972 Community Support Officers who were engaged under the Youth Entrepre-

neurship and Apprenticeship Programme of the then Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

“I am informed by the said CSOs and do verily believe that to date, they have not been given a reason for their non-payment nor were they offered an opportunity to respond to any questions and/or concerns regarding the continuation of their engagement and/or employment,” he said in court documents seen by Demerara Waves Online News.

Through his battery of lawyers- Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Euclin Gomes, Sase Gunraj and Mano Narayan- the TAAMOG boss argues that the Community Services Officers’ right to work have been violated under Guyana’s

Constitution, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, the International Covenant on Economic and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Vienna Declaration.

The TAAMOG boss believes that the new coalition government of A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) fired the Community Service Officers because they are Amerindians. “22. I verily believe that the cessation of this programme was intentionally done as an act of economic and financial sabotage against the indigenous people of Guyana driven by a political, ethnic and racial motive,” he said.

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He further contends that the CSOs had a legitimate expectation that their engagement and/or employment under the said programme would continue and accordingly their dismissals defeated the benefit of that legitimate expectation.

Persaud recalls that in June, 2013, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Government of Guyana, launched a programme known as Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme with the aim of supporting Amerindian youths within the age group of 18 to 40 years, in the various villages and communities through apprenticeship attachments that allows for capacity building, strengthening individual interests and entrepreneurial aptitudes.

The objectives of this programme were to create employment opportunities and generate income for young people in Hinterland Amerindian village; to build capacity of young individuals in the hinterlands through skills based training in various competencies relevant to community and enterprise development; to build competencies in decision-making and leadership geared towards young people’s effective participation in self and community development.

He says this initiative came out of recommendations from Toshaos, Amerindian Leaders and the National Toshaos Council.

These young people when trained in various disciplines are expected to play and indeed have played a significant role in the provision of technical expertise and apprenticeship positions in their respective offices based in the villages and sub-regions. I attach hereto as exhibit “A’” a document outlining the purpose, nature, participants and beneficiaries of the said programme.

Such similar programmes include Women of Worth (WoW), Youth Choice Initiatives, Small Business Bureau services, Peer Education, Health Initiatives, Community Liaison Officers et cetera and as far as I am aware, these programmes remain intact and persons from other ethnicities continue to benefit from these programmes.

The TAAMOG President says that upon their engagement, each Community Support Officers, hereinafter referred to as “the CSOs”, were paid a monthly stipend of GUY$30,000 payable every three months upon submission of monthly reports validated by the Village Council and or Community Development Officer (CDO).

He says that up to April 2015, the 1,972 CSOs, in approximately 187 Amerindian villages and communities, were registered as part of the programme. He adds that CSOs contributed significantly to their household and village economies through the services they provided as well as the stipends they earned. Approximately 12,000 Amerindians in 2,000 households directly and positively affected by the YEAP. The YEAP is similar to other programmes offered to coastal residents who are primarily of different ethnicities.

He contends that his source of employment positively impacts upon the lives of 12,000 Amerindians in 2000 households in approximately 187 communities; cumulatively, this constitutes approximately sixteen percent (16%) of the total Amerindian population in the hinterland.

Persaud says he was advised by Mr. Nigel Dharamlall, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, and do verily believe that the payroll to pay 1,972 of these CSOs was already prepared for payments for the month of April, 2015.

However, after the change of Government caused by the General and Regional Elections held on May 11th, 2015, these payments were withheld and thus far no payment has been made thereof.

“These CSOs and their dependents rely upon these monies as a source of their livelihood and the cessation of this revenue flow into the village economy will have devastating consequences upon the Amerindian communities throughout the hinterland,” he says.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

August 14–20, 2015

29

World News Highlights

MARACAIBO – As dawn breaks over the scorching Venezuelan city of Maracaibo, smugglers, young mothers and a handful of kids stir outside a supermarket where they spent the night, hoping to be first in line for scarce rice, milk or whatever may be available.

LONDON – Britain said on Thursday it would make a formal protest to Ecuador over its decision to provide asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in its London embassy and so prevent his extradition to Sweden over alleged sex crimes.

PARIS – A Turkish man suspected of murdering three Kurdish activists in Paris in 2013 is to face trial, putting the spotlight on a key rallying point for ethnic

Kurds amid renewed violence in Turkey’s Kurdish southeast.

it was part of a campaign to muzzle dissent.

the U.S. military said on Thursday.

ISLAMABAD – A secret military court in Pakistan sentenced six men to death after convicting them of involvement in the Taliban massacre of 134 children at an army-run school in Peshawar, the military said on Thursday.

BERLIN – Ructions in the Chinese stock market and currency suggest the country has reached a “critical point” where the absence of democratic freedoms is a growing threat to economic stability, Chinese artist and freespeech advocate Ai Weiwei says.

GENEVA – North Korea will pursue its “defensive” nuclear program as long as it feels threatened by the United States, its U.N. disarmament envoy in Geneva told Reuters on Thursday.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry expressed “grave concern” to his Russian counterpart on Thursday over a sharp rise in separatist attacks in eastern Ukraine and urged an immediate ceasefire, the State Department said.

LUJAN, Argentina – Argentina’s presidential front-runner Daniel Scioli cut short a trip to Italy for work on his prosthetic arm, returning to the province he governs amid mounting criticism over his handling of flooding that has forced thousands from their homes.

MOSCOW – New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) decried as politically motivated the sentencing of a leading rights activist in Azerbaijan on Thursday to 8-1/2 years in jail, saying

WASHINGTON – U.S.-led forces conducted 12 air strikes against the Islamic State in Syria on Wednesday and also targeted the group with 12 strikes in Iraq,

DHAKA – Bangladesh police said on Thursday they had arrested two members of a banned Islamist group for alleged involvement in the killing of a blogger, the latest attack on critics of religious extremism in the Muslim-majority nation.

ATHENS – Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s Syriza party looked set to split after the leader of its far-left faction called for a new movement to fight a bailout deal that lawmakers will vote on later on Thursday.

BAGHDAD – The governor of Iraq’s Anbar province said on Thursday he was sacking all aides as part of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s crackdown on corruption and incompetence to boost the government in its battle against Islamic State insurgents.

BEIRUT – Comments attributed to the most senior U.S. army official about the possibility of Iraq being partitioned are irresponsible and ignorant, the media office of the country’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Thursday.

ANKARA – Turkey faces a snap election this autumn after talks on forming a coalition government broke down on Thursday, increasing uncertainty in the NATO member state as it battles Islamic State insurgents on its borders and Kurdish militants at home.

Consistency Is The Fuel of Motivation

J

sr, my name is Kevin Heeralall and I am a blessed member of the Naujavaan Mandalee Youth Group of the Shaanti Bhavan Mandir.

I was given the golden opportunity to write an article for the Caribbean Star newspaper. These days we wonder why priests, pandits, even our parents, preach the same thing over and over again. However, you need to stop and ask yourself one question. Have we inculcated these virtues and rich teachings into our lives? Do we take a moment and pause before we start something?

Sadly, in today’s world, the answer is no. We have people who go to the home of God and allow the teachings of the Lord to go right past them. Then when that dark cloud hovers over their head, they blame the Lord. We can not ignore the attributes that can elevate us higher in life. We are bound to meet obstacles, but the way we react both mentally and physically, is the way our life will unfold. This brings me to the word I will elaborate upon in this article, and that word is consistency.

In Uttarakanda of the Sri Ramacaritamanasa, one learns about the moral teachings between a student and teacher. Garuda, who was seeking answers to many life changing questions, went to Kakabhushundi. The first question, Garuda asked was: Out of all the forms, which is the highest to obtain? Kakabhushundi, an unattractive bird, is the Guru of Garuda, the most beautiful of birds, the Eagle. This teaches us that in life, no one is high and no one is low. In the eyes of the supreme we are all equal, hence the statement no matter who you are, whether a business man or homeless person, “we are created and judged only by god,” the one who sees us as equal as the next. Overall, we learn that life is an endless opportunity of growth in every aspect. You must set a goal, then create that path and start walking. Fight through all adversities, and keep strong hope and faith in both yourself and the Lord. And as you walk, you must remember the word that makes a difference. Always remain consistent; the moment you go off track, you put your future in jeopardy. If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it again?

In addition, a constant vision towards a goal will allow your mind to lock in on guaranteed success.

We live in a world that changes by the second, and technology is a big element that just accelerates

how we live. However, the rate that life changes is either good or bad depending on how we approach each situation. We are all blessed with the knowledge to distinguish right from wrong. One can understand that everyone’s life is different. At that point, you need to use your mind and associate yourself with mentors and other peers that will keep you on the right track, thus keeping you consistent. Currently at the Shaanti Bhavan Mandir, our dear Pandit Manoj is conducting a special Katha on the bond of a family. The topic of family sounds simple, but as stated before, these days we see families that are broken. Kids don’t know grandparents, fighting goes on day and night to a point in which the word family does not exist to some. It has come to a point where you are just a group of people living together.

It is not rocket science that having a close bond to your family will be a big boost in life. That bond that truly defines a family is not being blood related, it is the respect and honor that is present in that family. Our dear Pandit ji explained that a family is truly bonded when you can feel the peace, love and happiness. And once those elements are present, that house becomes a home. Overall progress is shown when those elements of love, peace and bliss are fused with consistency. Once everyone maintains a strong connection, and helps the peace flow, then that family will flourish. As you can see, whether it’s getting a good grade, a job, working towards a goal, or brining a family together- consistency is needed. Maintain a drive of passion that will charge you and give you the strength to chant the name of the Lord, for he is the reason behind each action that is produced by our body. Once the mind is in the right place, your motivation will be on that golden road of success.

Once you allow consistency to be your fuel, and God, hope, faith and your TRUE self to be behind the wheel, you will be on that road to salvation.

Your true self is the one that will never allow anything make you deviate from what is right. Life is about creating yourself, defining your true self, all while you remember the name of God. Once you do that and stay consistent, the sky will not be your limit; you will go beyond and hold the flag of Dharma high above life. Jai ho!

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

August 14–20, 2015

The strongest people you know have done a lot of crying and praying behind closed doors — Vp Premier

WEEKLY HOROSCOPE ARIES

(March 21-April 19) All you will be able to think about at the beginning of the week is your financial situation -- how much cash do you have on hand, how much stuff you have around the house that could be easily liquidated -- but you really don’t have to get so drastic about it. Just stay the course and don’t spend much money this week and you should be fine. Perseverance is a major theme for you right now, and it is an important thing to keep in mind when it comes to your family, too (even when things get tense and emotional, as they might this weekend).

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22) It’s Monday and your career is top of the list. Lately you’ve been having trouble with the boss, but by midweek you find a way to deal with the situation. In any case, it’s just work, and it will all blow over soon enough. And even though your week will start off haltingly, the second half of the week will more than make up for the first. Thursday and Friday you’ll be surrounded by friends, and the weekend will be relaxing and warm.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Monday is all about the small things. In fact, the next couple days are going to be all about the small things. As you well know, sometimes it’s the little stuff that matters most in the end. You have your eye on the big picture, and you know every step it’s going to take to get there. By week’s end, though, everyone else around you wants to stand around and talk about their ideas. That’s perfectly valid, but it’s also a tad frustrating.

If you find yourself the solo sailor of the ship over the weekend, don’t let it get you down.

People are standing by to help you.

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) On Monday you wake up with a lot of energy -- at last! Now get out into the world! Meet strangers and make plans and look fabulous! No one is more ready for romance than you are. Unfortunately, on Thursday, you’re going to have no time to think about your love life, what with all the stuff you have going on at work. But this weekend, you’ll go to a party with some friends (and if you don’t have a party to go to this weekend, start looking for one now) and you’ll have an unbelievably good time. Plus, you might meet someone.

VIRGO

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Travel has been on the back of your mind lately, but suddenly it’s all you can think about on Monday. The idea of going somewhere faraway is intensely appealing, and it would be good for you in ways you couldn’t possibly realize. Even if you don’t have the resources to plan a major trip right now, plan a minor one, possibly for midweek or week’s end.

Plan a trip to another town nearby for dinner. Be inventive. This week is all about meeting new people and doing new things. The more of that kind of stuff you do, the better, especially over the weekend. People love having you around.

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) The intersection between fun and romance is a great place to be on Monday. You always knew you wanted to fall for someone who knew how to have a good time, but you never knew exactly how good it would feel. Let this special person know just what you’re thinking by midweek. Communication is a central theme especially toward the end of the week. For too long you’ve bitten your tongue around a certain flighty friend, and you just don’t have time for that any more. Thankfully, over the weekend you’ll find yourself surrounded by people who really know how to connect with others.

Travel from CJIA to Trinidad now hassle-free

A

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago to facilitate hassle-free travel for Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) passengers who are in-transit in Piarco International took effect from August 5.The arrangement captured in the MoU is commonly referred to as the “One-Stop” security arrangement for screening of transit and transfer passengers. It is one of the mechanisms which is being encouraged by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). According to Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, the general intent is to significantly improve the efficiency of air travel and place less burden on security screening checkpoints.

“The One Stop Security Screening will allow for transfer and transit passengers who deplane at Piarco International (or CJIA) to be directed to the departure lounge and await boarding of their connecting flights without being subjected to further security screening at the main

(May 21-June 20) Last week was last week. This week’s totally different. Suddenly you feel like you’re in a kind of magical maze, full of strange obstacles and weird messages along the way. Stick to your intuition and pay no heed to anything that tries to convince you to steer off the main path. By midweek, you’ll have found the doorway out into the real world again, and you’ll be so relieved to be back in familiar territory. Toward the end of the week, you’re going to spend a lot of time chatting with friends and you’re going to start thinking hard about future plans.

LIBRA

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21) The world is a beautiful place, especially at the week’s outset. Nature has a way of putting its best foot forward. There’s just something in the air, some signal from the physical world that you should pay attention to all the life that’s going on around you, especially midweek. In general, you will sail through your days in a kind of magic cloud of energy. It’ll be fun but when the weekend rolls around, you’ll feel a little limp from all that high feeling. Take a day or two at home to rest and recharge.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18) It’s funny when you randomly start thinking about your relatives for no particular reason. Your family life is certainly interesting, and there is a lot to learn from what your parents and your parents’ parents have been through, especially at the start of the week. The more you discover about them, the more you find you have in common with them -- even with those relatives you never met. But expect all that to slip your mind instantly later in the week: A sizzling affair on Thursday or Friday completely rocks your world. You’ll have to take the weekend to figure out what this new development means.

(June 21-July 22) Someone you know is in the mood to throw a dinner party, but they’re just a little shy about initiating it on Monday. Tell them that you’ll be in charge of the guest list. You like to bring people together and it’s one of the many things you’re quite good at. Sure, it’s kind of crazy to throw a little get-together at the last minute, but this whole week is going to be about spontaneity. More and more you find yourself breaking out of the shell that has been holding you back lately, and the new you feels so good.

This weekend, be assertive. Go after what you want.

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21) The important thing in any relationship -- romantic or otherwise -- is to remain open-minded, especially on Monday. It’s crucial to remember that you’re both in this together, and that for it to work out you both need to be getting something out of it. And that, of course, requires compromise. (You know all this. But sometimes revisiting the basics can be helpful.)

Midweek, someone is going to try to get you to agree to a business deal that just seems shaky -and it is -- and over the weekend you’re going to be so relieved you didn’t go for it. A lot of good stuff is coming your way.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20) On Monday or Tuesday, you may want to cancel whatever dinner plans you have, stay at home and make something for yourself. It may sound like a small thing, but that kind of attention to yourself and your house is crucial during times like these.

Toward midweek, expect the pressures at work or in the family -- whatever it is that currently has you tearing your hair out -- to achieve a kind of frenzied pitch. It’s going to be exhausting, but you will survive it like a champ. This weekend, blissfully, you’ll be completely distracted by romance.

Cayman Airways employees suspected of smuggling Cubans into the US

G security checkpoints. It will also eliminate or avoid the inconvenience of remaining on board an aircraft for a lengthy period before its departure,” she stated.

Minister Ferguson indicated that this is one of many initiatives that will seek to strengthen the relationship between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, a country which she said has made significant strides in aviation.

The Government of Guyana will also seek to engage similar arrangements with other regional counterparts such as Barbados and Suriname. However, in order to ensure the sustainability of this initiative, the Minister emphasised that the security systems and standards at both airports must function at the highest level.

CANCER

EORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, Wednesday August 12, 2015 – A third female employee of Cayman Airways has been arrested in connection with the alleged smuggling of Cubans into the United States.

The 30-year-old woman was held on suspicion of human smuggling on Monday, four days after two of her co-workers, aged 29 and 33, were taken into police custody on similar grounds, said a statement issued by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) late Monday.

The police had previously disclosed that the under the alleged trafficking scheme, foreign nationals who were legitimately in the Cayman Islands were given false identifies to get into the US. “The investigation is complex and involves cooperation with other foreign and local partner agencies,” the RCIPS added.

It is alleged that the three women were being paid to facilitate Cubans’ entry to the US where, under the administration’s wet-foot, dry-foot policy, they would be given preferential treatment and automatically get citizenship after a year.

Cayman Airways said had initiated the investigation, identifying and reporting to the authorities “certain passenger movements which appeared to have been contrary to Immigration regulations”.

“Since that time, Cayman Airways has been fully cooperative and transparent with the relevant authorities as they conducted their investigations,” it added.

The airline employees have been suspended pending investigations.

Human smuggling in the Cayman Islands carries a punishment of up to seven years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Caribbean Star Newspaper

August 14–20, 2015

Entertainment News

Abhay Deol slams Mumbai

Kunal Khemu back as lover boy with 'Bhaag Johnny'

police for raids on couples

B

ollywood actor Abhay Deol has slammed the Mumbai police for raids at a hotel here.

Police rounded up some couples from hotel rooms in Madh Island. The raids have evoked criticism from many sections, which have called the incident a case of 'moral policing'.

The 39-year-old Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara star took to his Facebook page to express his anger at the police, calling the arrests an act of indecency. Abhay also said he finds people's obsession with sex disturbing. "I was brought up by the same values as any other from my country, which may come as a surprise to those who think people born into the film industry are brought Abhay Deol slams Mumbai up with a different set of values (usually loose and police for raids on couples privileged). So I get it. The taboo that comes with the topic of sex in my society.

"But booking young kids for a crime they didn't commit, physically and mentally abusing them publicly? To me it looks more like it was the police that was guilty of 'public indecency'," he wrote.

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Actor Kunal Khemu is back on screen with action-thriller Bhaag Johnny directed by Shivam Nair. The 32-year-old actor, who was last seen in 2013 film "Go Goa Gone", is playing a casanova in the film.

Kunal took to social networking site Twitter to share the trailer of the film.

"Here it is. The official trailer of #BhaagJohnny http://bit.ly/BhaagJohnnyTrailer..." he wrote.

The actor is playing the lead role of Janardhan Arora, a lover boy who unknowingly gets stuck in a plan and is forced two lead two lives.

The story is based on a

series of events which happen in the duration of 72 hours. The film also stars Zoa Morani, Mandana Karimi, Manasi Scott and Mukul Dev in pivotal roles.

Produced

by Super C a s settes Ind Pvt Ltd, the film is slated to release on September 25.

Shahid Kapoor: No one wanted to do Udta Punjab

A Angelina Jolie to produce animated film on Afghan girl

A

ctress-filmmaker Angelina Jolie is set to executive produce 'The Breadwinner', an animated film centring on a young girl living under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

The film is an adaptation of Deborah Ellis' young adult novel of the same name, said The Hollywood Reporter.

It will be directed by Nora Twomey from a screen story by Ellis and screenplay by Anita Doron.

The story revolves around Parvana, who disguises herself as a boy to become the breadwinner of the family when her father is unfairly imprisoned.

The Breadwinner also showcases culture, history and beauty of Afghanistan. A version of the film will be produced in Dari (one of the official languages of Afghanistan) in addition

to the English-language version.

"Millions of young girls like Parvana are growing up today under oppression or conflict, and helping their families to survive in those conditions. This story is a reminder of the immense value of their contribution," Jolie Pitt said in a statement.

"I am delighted to be working with a talented team of artists who I know will do justice to the richness, creativity and strength of Afghan culture and to little girls like Parvana."

The project is slated to begin production in August, and due for completion in early 2017.

Aircraft Pictures, Cartoon Saloon and Melusine Productions are producing with producers Tomm Moore and Paul Young of the Cartoon Saloon, Anthony Leo and Andrew Rosen of Aircraft Pictures and Stephan Roelants of Melusine Productions.

ctor Shahid Kapoor reveals that nobody was ready to do his upcoming film Udta Punjab as it was a dark movie.

Shahid, who is working with Alia Bhatt in Shaandaar, said it was he who convinced her to be part of the project.

"We were trying to make 'Udta Punjab' for a year but no one wanted to do it as it is a dark film. I told Alia that there is a role which in my understanding is one of the finest roles for a female actor," Shahid told reporters here last evening at an event. It was within two days when Alia gave her nod to the project which also stars Shahid's ex-girlfriend Kareena Kapoor Khan. " S h e (Alia)

read the script and called me crying as she was moved by the film. She agreed to do the film and it is very brave on her part.

There are very few actresses who like to step out of their skin and not worry about looking good and play the character. I was very proud of her that she said yes to the film. She has been making some brave choices," he said. Udta Punjab is an upcoming thriller film, directed by Abhishek Chaubey and produced by Phantom Films and Balaji Motion Pictures. It tells the story of substance abuse in the Indian state of Punjab.

Even director-producer Vikas Bahl was toying with the idea of narrating the script of Udta Punjab to Alia but it was Shahid who made the Highway actress read the script. "Doing this film was a big deal for me. I am an adorer of him ever since I saw 'Ishq Vishk'. He has cute dimples, he is a very good dancer and an actor. He has a happy vibe," she said.

32

Caribbean Star Newspaper

August 14–20, 2015

Hollywood production house comes on board for 'Brothers'

H

ollywood production house Lionsgate, a prime Gen-Next content leader behind franchises like The Hunger Games, The Twilight Saga, Divergent, The Expendables and Saw, gears up for its Bollywood debut, Brothers.

Starring Akshay Kumar, Sidharth Malhotra, Jacqueline Fernandez and Jacke Shroff, the Karan Malhotra-directed Brothers is adapted from the Hollywood company's critically-acclaimed film, Warrior (2011).

Produced in partnership with Endemol India and Dharma Productions, the family drama is about two estranged brothers (played by Akshay and Sidharth), their struggling relationship with each other and their father (essayed by Jackie), set in the gritty and action-packed world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition.

Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger Brothers has already piqued the curiosity of the Indian audience with its trailers and entrancing mix of soundtrack.

Moviegoers will also get to witness its first authentic mixed martial arts action, as no Indian film has previously showcased this full contact combat sport. Also, as part of the production house's global roll out, the film, adapted for the desi audience, will open wide across India.

"We're delighted to partner with our friends at Dharma Productions

B

Big B gets nostalgic about 'Sholay' turning 40

ig B gets nostalgic about 'Sholay' turning 40 "Sholay" is turning 40 on this Independence Day and its actor Amitabh Bachchan is elated as the iconic film is still "reverberating within all film goers".

The Ramesh Sippy directorial is an action adventure Bollywood movie revolving around two petty thieves hired by a police officer to exact revenge on a ruthless bandit.

Sharing a few stills from the movie's

sets on Twitter, Amitabh captioned them: "SHOLAY 40 years!"

Kabir Khan preferred the title 'Phantom' over 'Mumbai Avengers'

K

abir Khan's upcoming film that stars Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif in lead roles, avoided borrowing its name from its source material — writer Hussain Zaidi's novel Mumbai Avengers — because the filmmaker wanted a more cinematic title that describes its lead character better.

"Post 26/11, India was seething with rage. And yet, they were unable to take revenge because of the widespread terrorist network. The film takes on from there and tells the story of how RAW brings on board a man without a past or future, best described as 'Phantom'.

They find a disgraced army officer, who was thrown out for cowardice, to lead the mission. Somewhere, the spectre identity was best encapsulated in this title, which became the unanimous choice," says our source.

and Endemol India on our first Hindi language co-production, a powerful and exciting film that has something for everyone," said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Patrick Wachsberger. Co-Chair Rob Friedman added, "Combining a spellbinding family drama with nonstop action and thrilling fight scenes and featuring a top-notch cast, we expect Brothers to resonate with action audiences as well as all moviegoers who love great storytelling."

E

Alleged first look at new 'Spider-Man' leaks online

ver since Spider-Man was announced to be much younger in the forthcoming 'Captain America: Civil War' and the untitled new 'Spider-Man' movie, there have been several rumors about how the webslinger will look like. An image which leaked online was claimed to be the first look at the superhero.

The image was seemingly taken from the top of a building. It features someone in a black-and-red suit and a black mask crawling up the wall of the building.

The

photo was reportedly obtained from a leaked copy of Captain America: Civil War footage that will be screened at Disney's D23 convention later this week.

The speculation emerged because the new version of the wallcrawler will make his cinematic debut in Civil War, reports aceshowbiz.com.

The aformentioned leaked photo resparked the previously-debunked rumours that Spider-Man would wear blackand-red suit. As of now, there is no official confirmation about the rumours.

Captain America: Civil War picks up where Avengers: Age of Ultron left off, as Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) leads the new team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity.

Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr, Chadwick Boseman, and Anthony Mackie are attached in the cast to star alongside Evans.

Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, the movie opens in North America on May 6, 2016.

Caribbean Star Newspaper Mark Wahlberg to star Reese Witherspoon to star in, in buddy-comedy 'Partners' produce supernatural thriller

A

ctor Mark Wahlberg has been signed on to star in the buddy-cop action comedy 'Partners'.

The 44-year-old Ted star will play an LAPD detective, who falls for a beautiful woman after a one-night stand, only to discover that she is an FBI agent and his new boss on a high profile case, reported Deadline.

The movie, written by Evan Turner, apparently has a template of Angelina Jolie-Brad Pitt-starrer Mr and Mrs Smith, with big action set pieces.

Production house New Line is looking for the right actress to match with Wahlberg, and a director.

Partners will be produced by Leverage Entertainment's Stephen Levinson.

The actor, who is currently shooting Deep Water Horizon, will next be seen with Will Ferrell in Daddy's Home.

Aaron Eckhart Joins Tom Hanks in Sully Sullenberger Movie

A

ctor Aaron Eckhart has been signed on to star in Clint Eastwood's upcoming film about Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger.

The 47-year-old actor will play co-pilot in the Warner Bros' movie, which stars Tom Hanks in the lead, said The Hollywood Reporter.

Hanks will star as Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger, the pilot who safely landed his plane full of 155 passengers in the Hudson River after both engines were knocked out by a flock of geese.

Eckhart will play Jeff Skiles, who was the first officer and co-pilot on the Airbus A320. He was manually flying the plane when the birds crashed into the engines. He helped Sully safely land the US Airways plane. The event is popularly known as the 'Miracle on the Hudson'.

The script by Todd Komarnicki, is based on Sullenberger's life and memoir.

Eckhart was recently seen in I, Frankenstein and Olympus Has Fallen.

He will be next seen in the boxing drama Bleed for This with M i l e s Teller.

A

ctress Reese Witherspoon is set to star in and produce Lionsgate's supernatural thriller 'Cold'.

Lionsgate has acquired the original story that was penned by 'Deja Vu' writer Bill Marsilii in a six figures deal, said The Hollywood Reporter. Witherspoon, 39, will produce with Bruna Papandrea under their Pacific Standard Films banner.

The plot details has not been revealed yet, but the film is being described as a dark thriller with supernatural elements.

Under their banner Witherspoon and Papandrea have produced films like Gone Girl and Wild acquiring a lot of critical acclaim.

They are also are backing Disney's Tink, a live-action take on the Peter Pan character Tinker Bell with Just like Heaven star taking up the titular role.

August 14–20, 2015

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

August 14–20, 2015

Caribbean Connections

DEATH OF A HERO

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By Akilah Holder

young teacher who just a few days ago told her mother that she did not wish to die in a fire, perished when a raging blaze consumed the family’s Cunupia home early morning.

Before her demise, however, 24-yearold Rhea Heeralal, was able to alert the family to the fire, running in and out of the burning building also to ensure they were all safe. It is suggested that on the occasion when she went back into the house to check on whether her parents had made it outside she became trapped in the flames and was burnt to death.

Rhea was the daughter of popular freelance videographer, Ramdeo Heeralal, who suffered burns about the body and is warded at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex at Mt Hope. His wife, Nardaroon Heeralal, escaped unharmed.

The elder of their two daughters, however, 29-year-old Rheisa Heeralal is also in hospital with minor burns.

The grieving mother said yesterday that it was only a few days ago when Rhea told her, “Mom, I wouldn’t like to die by fire nor by accident.” The mother hailed her daughter as a hero for firstly raising the alarm over the fire, getting them to call the Fire Services and then making sure they were safely out of the burning building.

Mrs Heeralal was on site when Newsday arrived at their Topaz Drive/Sapphire Avenue home yesterday.

Newsday witnessed her request to see the body of her daughter since it had not yet been removed from the home. The police and Fire Services did not allow it

then, but acceded after the coroner had ordered its removal from the home. The distraught mother had to be supported by her brothers as she made her way to view it.

Recounting the events that led to the tragedy yesterday, the Cunupia mother said, “I can’t really say about the timing, but both my husband and I were asleep; my daughter Rhea, who is now deceased, she ran into our room and said, “Mom, dad, there is smoke in the house. (It) seems as though the house is on fire.” “I jumped out of the bed,” the mother continued. “My husband did the same. He ran downstairs to get the extinguisher, tried his best to see if he could have eliminated the smoke. After that, we started looking for the children.

Rhea handed me her phone and she said we have to call the fire officers which I did, and they answered promptly. I ran down the stairs screaming for help, in order to get my neighbours’ attention.”

Mrs Heeralal added, “I saw my daughter, Rheisa, sitting on the front step, and screaming.

I inquired from her ‘Where is Rhea?’ I then started screaming out Rhea’s name to the top of my voice and to the best of my ability.

Rhea was nowhere to be found.” She said her neighbours encouraged her to “keep the faith” as she continued inquiring after Rhea, fellow villagers suggesting to her that her daughter would have just been suffering from smoke inhalation.

After realising that Rhea was nowhere to be found, the mother said she sought to comfort herself knowing that “that would

have been it” for her daughter.

“I’d like to say though,” the mother consoled herself. “If Rhea did not wake up at that time, perhaps we all would have died; and even in her passing, I am grateful to her. I would also like to say that, Rhea was a very aspiring young woman, very lively, always willing to learn, and I’m quite certain that all with whom she came into contact would have had that experience.”

Rhea had just been accepted by the University of the West Indies (UWI), to pursue her Master’s in Literatures in English.

She taught English for the holidays, at St Augustine Community College. Her mother recounted, “Rhea corrected her test papers where she teaches privately at community college, and she wanted to take those reports to the students today.

She asked me last night, she said, ‘Mom, would you please remind me to take these papers with me?’ As usual, I would answer her, ‘yes, my dear without a doubt.”’ Although the facts as to the origin of the fire and how Rhea eventually got trapped in her burning home, remained sketchy, her mother believed that the young woman may have gone back into their bedroom to ensure that both she and her husband had made it out safely.

“I feel as if Rhea went back into our room to see if her parents were all right, if we needed any assistance to come out of the room,” the mother said. “I’d also like to say thanks to all, to every single person who is here, was here, and who will be here, particularly my neighbours.

They have certainly extended the hand of

sympathy and empathy.” The mother told the media yesterday that she was grateful to her daughter, and in the same way that her father is often referred to as a “hero”, so did her daughter die a hero for having risked her life by going back into their bedrooms to ensure that they made it out safely. Commenting on the condition of her husband and her surviving daughter, the mother said, “Mr Heeralal got a lot of burns on his back, hands and face. I believe that that was from trying to extinguish the fire and also to see if he could have rescued our daughter. With God’s grace, he will be fine. My other daughter got slight burns. She is warded as well.

“Rheisa is 29 and Rhea just celebrated her 24th birthday in June,” she revealed.

“Rhea always wanted to be the best. She always wanted to be tops in everything.

She’s like her dad… He has the name ‘Hero’ and I think that Rhea certainly died a hero in rescuing her relatives… It was remiss of me to not thank my relatives; I have to be grateful, really, really grateful.”

Rhea’s boyfriend, Jacob Collymore, who was also on the scene, was inconsolable.

Meanwhile, the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT), has extended condolences to the Heeralal family in a statement posted on their facebook page.

Wage Deal WAGE DEAL Gov’t, unions finally sign wage agreement

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HE Government finally made a breakthrough in current wage negotiations with public sector workers, as eight of the 11 trade unions bargaining under the umbrella of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) signed a Heads of Agreement at Jamaica House yesterday.

The signing of the agreement ended seven months of bargaining between the Government and the unions, which threatened to break down on several occasions over the level of pay increase.

In the end, three of the unions, the union of Schools, Agriculture and Allied Workers, the Union of Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Personnel, and the United Union of Jamaica refused to sign, but the formalities went ahead anyway, as the required support of the unions was achieved.

However, the Government still has a number of other bargaining

units, including public school teachers, doctors, nurses, air traffic controllers, and the police to settle with after their rejection of similar offers.

Minister with responsibi-lity for the public service, Horace Dalley noted that it took 14 drafts of the Heads of Agreement before the majority of the JCTU unions were finally convinced to sign the document. Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Peter Phillips described the achievement as historic, in terms of consolidating the partnership between stakeholders in the sector on the economy. Phillips said that the agreement reflected the kind of maturity which should characterise similar negotiations.

"Among other things, it signifies the continued commitment of the public sector unions to the economic reform programme," he said.

Dalley admitted that obtaining an agreement with majority of the trade unions was "not easy".

"Sometimes you are leaving a meeting on the cusp of an agreement, and when you go back you have to change [some things]," he explained. However, he said that his ministry was committed, on behalf of the Government, to personally ensure that "every single aspect of this agreement is implemented".

In her address at the ceremony, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller noted, that prior to the receiving the claims from the unions and starting negotiations in March, the Government had committed itself to end the six-year-old wage freeze in the public sector on this occasion. She admitted that there were 12 items from the previous agreement with the unions (2012-2015) still being pursued. However, she noted improvements in a number of fringe benefits, including meal, supper and tailoring allowances, and $45 million in grants which will be made available to tertiary stu-

Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) signed a Heads of Agreement at Jamaica House yesterday dents who are children of parents employed in the public sector.

Vice-president of the JCTU Helene Davis-Whyte, who led the JCTU bargaining team during the negotiations, said that among the highlights of the new agreement was that the plight of the least-paid workers was taken into consideration, resulting in the $4,000 per month pay increase in the first year of the new two-year agreement, which works out to much more than the four per cent increase the

Government has offered for many of them. She said that the trade unions made the proposal in order to favour the least-paid workers, who are most vulnerable to the current economic realities.

She said, that while the pay increases were not what the unions anticipated, they are what the country can afford at this time.

Wayne Jones, a deputy financial secretary and former president of the Jamaica Civil Service Association, chaired the meeting.

August 14–20, 2015 Caribbean Star Newspaper 2,500 staff for Children’s Hospital

By Richardson Dhalai

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n the eve of the formal commissioning of the Couva Children’s Hospital and with construction of the Point Fortin and Arima hospitals having already begun, Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan disclosed staff would be drawn from throughout the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs).

Speaking to reporters following yesterday’s formal handover ceremony of keys to Level 2 and 3 of the San Fernando Teaching Hospital Chancery Lane, San Fernando, Khan, said approximately 2,500 staff members would be required to manage the children’s hospital.

“I’m working on that (staffing arrangements), I had a meeting with all the chairmen (of the RHAs) and I indicated to them that any of the staff that we need to deploy to the Children’s Hospital, we will deploy them,” Khan said.

“But we are starting off with radiology, starting out with outpatient clinics,

and one of the ideas from the chairmen was we should move the whole paediatric unit from Mt Hope into the Children’s Hospital as fast as we can, and then utilise the other hospitals as satellite paediatric institutions, which is not a bad idea so you just move the staff, all, lock stock and barrel,” he said.

Asked to clarify that staff would be relocated from the other RHAs, Khan said, “yes, because once we move departments, we move staff, because the Couva accident and emergency, they will be moved to start up in the Couva Children’s Hospital.” The Children’s Hospital is expected to be officially commissioned on Friday.

Khan also dismissed claims from nursing staff about the quantum of their arrears and new salaries saying they were scheduled to receive substantial sums depending on their job classifications.

“It has a range, for example cleaners will be getting $4,700 with arrears about

$48- $51,000. I find that is a lot of money, if anybody can’t understand that, I think they are living in a different world than Trinidad and Tobago, and the Minister of Finance has indicated that he is working to pay off the arrears. However, on the salaries they are going to get for the month, they going to have an increase on their salaries,’ he said “So we finding the money and we are going to pay out how much arrears we owe,” he added.

Khan, the UNC candidate for San Juan/ Barataria also noted that should he return as the Minister of Health following the September 7 General Election, he would recommend that external universities be invited to offer speciality medical training programmes to medical personnel.

“I wanted to get the University of the West Indies (UWI) on board for the speciality training in a different mode, which they did not do, and if I should come back as the Minister of Health or

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whoever does, and the Prime Minister is there I will ask her to bring in other people such as the Denver Group, the Chinese group, the Oxford group to train people in Trinidad and Tobago, rather than just leave it to UWI to do what they like to do which is, in other words, not move forward fast,” Khan said.

Regarding the key handing over, Khan said this marked the final phase in the operationalisation of the teaching hospital which he described as the “flagship” of the nation’s healthcare system.

San Fernando General Hospital Chief Medical Officer, Dr Colin Furlonge, said a team of medical personnel from Operation Walk, Denver has arrived in Trinidad, and would perform free 50 knee replacements over a three- day period at a cost of over US$1 million.

He said San Fernando was chosen to host the team as it had a reputation of having the best orthopaedic unit in the eastern Caribbean.

Trinidad’s opposition PNM claims $15 million bounty on party leader’s head

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ORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Monday August 10, 2015 – A TT$15 million (US$2.3 million) bounty is on the head of the People’s National Movement (PNM) leader Dr. Keith Rowley, the party is claiming. And on the heels of sexual harassment claims levelled against him by a journalist, Rowley accused the government of hiring people to kill him and lie on him. The allegation of the hit being ordered on Rowley’s life was levelled by the party’s San Fernando West candidate, Faris Al-Rawi, during a meeting in the constituency over the weekend.

He said the Ministry of National Security was aware of the death threat and had dealt with that “clear and present danger”.

According to him, Rowley’s security had been tightened. “The very big issue is who wants Rowley dead and why? That is a serious issue that cannot escape us. Who wants him dead? Why do they want him dead?” questioned Al-Rawi who is also one of Rowley’s lawyers.“We are facing a desperate opponent,” he added, suggesting there was a character assassination on Rowley’s character by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s United National Congress (UNC).

Speaking at a meeting in Scarborough – the capital of Trinidad’s sister isle Tobago – yesterday, Rowley said that, for the first time in his 30 years of politics, he felt afraid for his life. Leader of the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) Jack Warner also said he was also aware of the death threats against Rowley and was “happy” his security had been beefed up.

But Minister of National Security Carl Alfonso said he had not received any official information that there was a threat on Rowley’s life. “Maybe the Police Commissioner may have received that information and probably he has dealt with it but it has not come any further. It has not come to any member of government, certainly not

to my good self,” he said.

“If the Police Commissioner thinks it’s serious enough to inform me, he will. Let me also say that clearly we would take all allegations of threat seriously, particularly at this time of the year. Of course you’d appreciate there’s an election around the corner.” Al-Rawi, meantime, has suggested that allegations made by former Trinidad Express journalist Anika Gumbs – that Rowley made inappropriate comments to her on several occasions – were also part of the ‘No Rowley’ campaign the UNC was waging ahead of the September 7 general elections, as polls show Persad-Bissessar trailing behind the Opposition Leader as the preferred choice for prime minister.

Gumbs submitted her resignation last Friday, saying she was “mentally scarred” and “traumatized” by her “unfortunate experience” with Rowley.

She alleged that at three meetings she had with him at his home and office in January and April, as she pursued a story, Rowley either spoke to or touched her inappropriately. In one meeting, the journalist said, he touched her neck and questioned her about a tattoo she had; another time he was bareback and asked her if she wanted to hire him as her bodyguard outside her bedroom door; and on another occasion he told her she was looking rosy.

“In upholding the highest standards of journalism and to avoid the Express Newspapers from being brought into disrepute, I have opted to sever all ties with the company,” Gumbs wrote in her resignation letter. Responding on Rowley’s behalf, Al-Rawi and Michael Quamina indicated that the PNM leader was considering taking legal action, charging that Gumbs’ statements contained several untruths.

They also questioned why Gumbs would return to Rowley’s office or home twice even after being put in an uncomfortable position.

United Airlines to begin flights to St. Kitts and Nevis in December

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ASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Wednesday August 12, 2015 – United Airlines will launch a non-stop service from its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport to St. Kitts on December 19.

Flights will operate every Saturday until April 30 next year, complementing the existing non-stop service into St. Kitts from North America, and providing more options for travelers to get to the twin-island federation during the peak winter travel season.

The new route provides additional connections from St. Kitts’ top feeder gateways, including Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

“The launch of this new service from United is very significant for St. Kitts, particularly as many of our new hotel developments, including Belle Mont Farm at Kittitian Hill, Park Hyatt St. Kitts at Christophe Harbour, Koi Resort & Residences and Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Kitts, are open or opening within the next few

years,” said Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce Lindsay Grant.

“To support the growth in available room stock, a simultaneous growth of our airlift is required. The northeastern US has historically been our largest source market for visitors, and these new flights also allow for more connections from key gateways in and near this region.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation for St. Kitts and Nevis and Deputy Premier of Nevis Mark Brantley said the United Airlines service would be an integral component of the country’s strategy to provide non-stop airlift from its key international gateways.

He said visitor research and stakeholder input had indicated that New Jersey was a very strong market for the federation, and for Nevis in particular.

Director of Leisure Sales for United Airlines Vic Kerckhoff said St. Kitts would be the carrier’s 18th Caribbean destination from its domestic airports.

United will utilize Boeing 737-800 aircraft with seating capacity ranging from 154 to 166 for its Saturday flights to St. Kitts.

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August 14–20, 2015

Caribbean Star Newspaper Trinidad police confirm report of death threat on Opposition Leader’s life

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ORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Tuesday August 11, 2015 – Less than 24 hours after saying he knew nothing about a death threat against Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley, National Security Minister Brigadier Carl Alfonso has confirmed that police are investigating such a threat.

Local media reports today quoted Alfonso as saying that Deputy Commissioner of Police Glenn Hackett yesterday morning officially informed him that lawmen had received a report that Rowley’s life was in danger, and security for the People’s National Movement (PNM) leader had been beefed up as a result.

“I don’t know the source of the report, or who reported it to him, but he is dealing with it . . . So clearly, I must be concerned,” Alfonso said, declining to say anything more because of the ongoing investigation.

Speaking at a political meeting on Sunday, Rowley said government had hired people to kill him. Senior PNM member Faris Al-Rawi further alleged that a TT$15 million (US$2.3 million) hit had been put on Rowley.

Alfonso told the Trinidad Express on Sunday that he had not been informed of any threat on Rowley’s life.

“Maybe the Police Commissioner may have received that information and prob-

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NATIONAL SECURITY MINISTER BRIGADIER CARL ALFONSO ably he has dealt with it, but it has not come any further. It has not come to any member of government, certainly not to my good self. If the Police Commissioner thinks it’s serious enough to inform me, he will,” the minister told the newspaper at the time.

Before Alfonso reported that he had been brought up to speed on this matter, Communications Minister Vasant Bharath had dismissed Rowley’s claims, charging that if the threat was real, it would have been reported to police.

“To make such allegations on a public platform is not only irresponsible and deliberately contrived to create panic, it is also a demonstration of using public platforms to incite the population rather than to articulate clear plans for the future,” he said in a statement.

OAS says Haiti elections marked a forward step, despite violence

ORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Tuesday August 11, 2015 – Despite incidents of violence at some polling stations, the first round of legislative elections in Haiti has been described as “a step forward for Haitian democracy” by the Organization of American States (OAS).

In a statement issued yesterday, the OAS election observer mission in Haiti said most polling stations were able to conclude operations as planned, and it congratulated the Caribbean nation on holding elections that involved the vast majority of political forces in the country.

But the mission also recommended a civic education campaign to increase participation from the country’s 5.8 million registered voters.

Of the 1,508 voting centres open on Election Day, about 54 were closed because of violence.

But head of the elec-

tions council, Pierre-Louis Opont, indicated that was not significant enough to invalidate the vote.

Results are expected on August 19.

In a preliminary report, the chief of the OAS observer mission, Enrique Castillo, welcomed the determination of the Provisional Electoral Council to continue with the next steps in the electoral process. “[Sunday’s] election was a step forward in strengthening Haitian de-

mocracy,” said Castillo, a former foreign minister in Costa Rica.

He said the OAS would maintain its presence in the country until the conclusion of the vote count, and would also deploy another mission for the first round of voting in the presidential elections scheduled for October 25.

The OAS mission consisted of 28 professionals from 12 countries, who visited 171 polling stations in all the departments of Haiti.

August 14–20, 2015 37 Caribbean Star Newspaper Thousands of Puerto Rican households limited to water twice weekly as drought continues

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AN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Wednesday August 12, 2015 – As one of the worst droughts in Puerto Rico’s history drags on, the government has ramped-up water rationing, limiting hundreds of thousands of households in the San Juan metropolitan area and the North Coast to only two days of water a week.

On Sunday, Alberto Lazaro, president of Puerto Rico’s Water and Sewage Authority, announced the third phase of a water rationing plan that began last May. Beginning this Thursday, families will have potable water either on Tuesdays and Saturdays, or on Wednesdays and Sundays, depending on where they live.

About one-third of Puerto Ricans currently suffer extreme water rationing.

Rainfall deficits have been mounting since 2013, drying up rivers and streams at a record-breaking pace and making the possibility of fires a genuine concern.

In rural areas, cattle are starving and crops are parched. Budget cuts have severely impacted government programmes that could have reduced the severity of the blow to small and medium-sized farms, moreover, according to a World Socialist report.

Hundreds of schools have been placed on short hours, and parents have been asked to send their children to school with bottles of water in their lunchboxes. Over three hundred schools in metropolitan San Juan are being supplied emergency water, some of them by fire departments in their vicinity.

Puerto Rico, along with several other Caribbean islands, is facing an uncertain

future made worse by climate change and a precarious economic dependence on tourism.

In the short term, with a building El Nino reportedly threatening continued dry conditions across the Caribbean and Central America, the next several months don’t provide much hope for a turnaround in terms of rainfall.

Back in May, which is traditionally one of the wettest months of the year in Puerto Rico, Governor Alejandro Padilla declared a state of emergency over the drought.

According to studies carried out by experts at the University of Puerto Rico, the water shortage in the US island territory is just as much due to decades of disinvestment in the repair of aging pipelines and other infrastructural issues as it is to the weather.

Water rationing is thought likely to worsen the island’s fragile economy, currently mired in an eight-year recession and staggering under a US$73 billion debt burden, moreover.

The announcement of the new extreme measures took place two days after Luis F. Cruz Batista, who heads Puerto Rico’s Office of Management and Budget, announced that he was placing Puerto Rico’s General Fund on “rations,” according to World Socialist.

“I must shut-off the spigot,” Cruz said.

“This works the same as with water rationing. We could leave the faucet open and fund the government’s current budget, until next month, when there will be no more liquidity. Therefore, as a preventive measure, I have to freeze all funds, and ration money quarter by quarter.”

Cruz and Lazaro say that their rationing will apply to rich and poor alike.

“This is the same as with the drought, rationing affects the rich, the middle

class and the poor; it affects children, adults and seniors,” Cruz said.

The island’s water rates have increased substantially since 2013. This has impacted the nearly half of the population whose living standards continue to fall, from rising prices for food, fuel and electricity and from a large increase in the sales tax (from seven to 11 percent) and the new value added tax (VAT) to be introduced in October.

When it comes to water, wealthier households, condominiums and hotels have storage tanks that see them through the days without water. Poor households, at best, have one or two 55-gallon drums to store water.

The fiscal rationing, meanwhile, is in line with austerity measures being demanded by Puerto Rico’s creditors, who continue to insist that Puerto Rico’s $73 billion debt requires “painful” measures that at some future time will supposedly produce economic growth.

Caribbean Airlines says no final decision taken on cutting London route

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ORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Wednesday August 12, 2015 – Caribbean Airlines has admitted it is reviewing its “network profitability”, but neither confirmed nor denied reports that it will stop flying its under-performing Port of Spain-London route.

“As of now, Caribbean Airlines has and continues to serve its London route,” the Trinidad and Tobago-owned airline said in a statement issued yesterday.

It was responding to media reports that surfaced this week, indicating that the three weekly flights to London Gatwick which began in June 2012 would cease at the end of March next year, and the airline would return its leased Boeing 737 planes to the International Lease Finance Corporation.

Airways News had quoted industry insiders as saying the long-haul route was performing below expectations and Caribbean Airlines planned to cut

it to reduce operational costs and allow the carrier to focus on its viable North American routes.

But Caribbean Airlines said yesterday no final decisions have yet been made.

The airline responded similarly to queries posted on its Facebook page.

“Caribbean Airlines has been conducting a detailed review of its network profitability.

After intense consultations with Lufthansa Consulting and ICF International – two of the world’s leading aviation consultants – certain strategic initiatives were recommended to the carrier, consistent with the current competitive environment,” the statement said.

“The issue is not primarily the profitability of the London route, but the operations cost of the Boeing 767 aircraft, which affects other prime routes as well. Any decision to cease flying the Boeing 767s will therefore favourably im-

pact the profitability of the organization in direct and overhead costs, by reducing the number of fleet types and the unique support resources required for each. However, the arrangements in this regard are

still in the process of being finalized.”

Caribbean Airlines sought to assure that whatever the outcome of those deliberations, it would implement alternative network solutions to ensure

connectivity to/from London for its customers.

“As always, Caribbean Airlines will ensure timely communication to its valued customers on all developments related to its operations,” it promised.

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Caribbean Star Newspaper

August 14–20, 2015

CRICKET & Sports

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Michael Clarke Will Retire After Ashes Series Ends Although the 2015 series was a low point for Clarke, there’s no denying that the batsman has enjoyed one of the most fruitful careers in cricket history.

From leading Australia to being the No. 1-ranked Test side in the world and dishing England a painful whitewash in the 2013/14 Ashes, Clarke has been at the forefront of everything positive about Aussie cricket. His batting has gotten them out of jail on endless occasions, while his leadership is something that presumptive new skipper Steve Smith will struggle to replicate. Naturally, the praise came in thick and fast for Clarke, who broke down in tears during an interview as he revealed his decision to step down.

Former England spin bowler Graeme Swann and ex-skipper Michael Vaughan were among those applauding Clarke’s remarkable career.

ustralia captain Michael Clarke has announced that he will retire from international cricket following the climax of this year’s Ashes, which his side lost to England with one Test remaining.

The 34-year-old led the Aussies to a humiliating defeat by an innings and 78 runs, in the fourth Ashes Test on Saturday to confirm the hosts’ triumph, but he’ll be sticking around for the fifth and final Test on August 20—as per the Guardian: I want to play the last Test at the Oval and give it one more crack. The time is right. You never want to walk away. My performances over the past 12 months have not been acceptable to me. I’ll take so many memories away. I’m looking forward to sitting and cheering the boys on.

It’s the right time.

England regain the Ashes England 391 for 9 dec (Root 130, Bairstow 74, Starc 6-111) beat Australia 60 (Broad 8-15) and 253 (Warner 64, Rogers 52, Voges 51*, Stokes 6-36) by an innings and 78 runs

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ngland regained the Ashes 10.2 overs into the third day at Trent Bridge as they completed a thumping win by an innings and 78 runs in the fourth Investec Test. It was 599 days since England fell apart in an Ashes whitewash in Australia. The rebuilding has been painful, but Alastair Cook’s young England team has beaten an experienced Australian side that will now be dismantled.

The last act was down to Mark Wood Australia’s last man Nathan Lyon considering a leave and instead dragging the ball back into middle and leg stump.

But with Australia seven down at start of play the smiles had crept onto England’s faces from the moment they took the field and, on the players’ balcony, Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace did a passable impression of the Jollity Brothers.

Ashes cricket can turn its combatants into heroes, and often it can destroy them too. Up on the Australian balcony, Michael Clarke, a captain who had failed again to win the Ashes in England, mournfully watched the final stages from the Australian balcony as

Cricket Australia confirmed that he will retire at the end of the series.

“Time has caught up with me,” said Clarke. “As a player you build yourself up for big tournaments - the World Cups and the Ashes. It’s not easy but it’s the right time to go.” Everybody loves winning - and winners - but there is something especially noble about a great player recognizing the time to go, and departing with grace and good spirit. The applause he received - in England too - was heartwarming.

Cook, a younger man, and stubborn with it, had survived his own tough times to live a happier chapter, becoming the third England captain to win the Ashes twice on home soil. “I couldn’t be happier,” he said. “After what we’ve been through in the last 18 months to play like we have in three out of four Tests against a very good Australia side - we haven’t lost many days of cricket - is just incredible. I’m just so proud of this young team and the way they’ve taken their opportunity.”

Two captains briefly in tears at the prize giving ceremony told of what the Ashes means.

England have now won four home Ashes series in a row, a sequence not matched since the 19C. Now 3-1 up in the series, they go to the Kia Oval with the pressure off, but a smarting Australia side will remain desperate to summon a response to give Clarke a rousing send-off. In the Ashes, there is no such thing as a meaningless Test.

And, in south London they may experience a surface a good way removed from the traditional England surfaces that have given them so much grief in Cardiff, Edgbaston and Nottingham in turn.

Ben Stokes has been England’s talisman when it mattered. Swinging the ball lavishly, he took another wicket to finish with his best Test figures of 6 for 36. With James Anderson, one of the greatest proponents of swing bowling in history, looking on from the dressing room, Stokes made light of his absence in a manner that Anderson could admire.

It might have been an old ball, 63 overs into its lifespan at start of play, but it had swung prodigiously for Stokes late on the second day and when he returned to the fray after what was no doubt a night of anticipation it proved to be as obliging as ever. At 241 for 7, still 90 behind, Australia faced up to an impossible task.

Stokes has feasted on Australia’s left handers. He had bagged four the previous day, three with outswingers delivered from around the wicket and, with the last ball of his second over, he added Mitchell Starc to the list. It was a virtual replica of those dismiss-

als, an outswinger catching the edge on its way to Ian Bell at second slip, but this time he had gripped the ball cross-seam in an attempt at variety and found it booming away to the slips all the same.

Stokes is not particularly renowned as a swing bowler at international level, but in Durham they will tell you a different story. England’s most northerly county outpost encourages swing bowling and, on his day, Stokes swings it more than anybody.

Some of his finest Test displays have been against Australia, his competitive instincts sharpened by the bristling nature of the contest. Red headed, raw boned and busily tattooed on muscular biceps, he has been in his element.

A yorker from Wood soon did for Josh Hazlewood, leaving Australia’s last pair at the crease. Adam Voges, on a ground he knows well from county stints at Nottinghamshire, negotiated his way to a three-hour half-century, an effort which received warm appreciation.

England did not turn to Stuart Broad, whose 8 for 15 had as good as settled the Test on the first morning. “Cookie will tell you that on the first morning I wanted to bat,” he said. He would have been glad of the rest. It remains to be seen whether he rests out The Oval.

Anderson is definitely expected to sit it out.

But that will become apparent in the days to come. For England, the first task was a celebration with the destination of the urn settled in a series that has been brisk, entertaining for all the one-sided nature of the matches, and at times nigh on incomprehensible.

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Agarwal, Pandey tons secure final berth India A 371 for 3 (Agarwal 176, Pandey 108*) beat South Africa A 337 for 6 (De Kock 113, Zondo 86, Hendricks 76) by 34 runs

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here were two centurions from India A, and only one from South Africa A. Simple math won in the end, and the visitors were knocked out of the A-team tri-series in Chennai. Agarwal hammered 176 off just 133 balls, Manish Pandey galloped to 108 off 85, and India A batted the opposition out of the game. South Africa A were set a target of 372, and they had to get it in 29 overs to qualify for the final. Quinton de Kock did his best with 113 off 86 balls, but it was too tall a task.

Seeking a better chance to get that bonus point, Dane Vilas, the stand-in South Africa A captain, chose to bowl.

As iffy as their history is with chasing, the team’s best chance remained with the batsmen making the play. Among the four left-arm seamers, only Lonwabo Tsotsobe has been decent. Their spin reserves have not impressed either. Trusting the bowlers to get them through seemed too big a gamble. On the other hand, they had a sturdier batting order with the return of de

Kock, who now has five centuries from six one-day matches against an Indian team.

The problem, of course, was South Africa gave away too many runs. The problem was Agarwal, a player known for short and punchy cameos, managing to play a long innings. He helped lay the foundation with a 106-run opening partnership with Unmukt Chand, and then took control of the middle overs with Pandey in a 203-run stand, the scoring rate during which was 8.45 per over.

As mammoth as India A’s total was, it did not come helter skelter early on. India A had been 37 for 0 in 10 overs, but with the pitch offering very little challenge, and the opposition bowlers unable to lift themselves, steady acceleration became all out carnage - 195 runs came off the last 20 overs.

India A’s innings, in fact, mirrored Agarwal’s. The batsman was slow early on - 30 off his first 49 balls - but he could afford to be because Chand was making sure South Africa A were under the pump with 64 off 77 balls. But once

Mayank Agarwal hit 110 runs in fours and sixes © K Sivaraman

Agarwal got himself set, his usual manic tempo resurfaced. He secured his second hundred of the series off 96 balls, and the 150 came a mere 21 balls later. His lack of consistency has been a long-standing complaint, but Agarwal has five fifty-plus scores in seven oneday innings and his current average of 55.1 is the best for an Indian with at least 1000 List A runs.

Almost unnoticed at the other end, Pandey was working himself to hitting rhythm. He was 51 off 52 balls when the final 10 overs began but completed a century in the final over of the innings.

It was a partnership well-suited to exploit a benign pitch and listless bowling.

Agarwal and Pandey have techniques

dictated by strong bottom hands, a preference for the front foot and unorthodox shot selection.

So when South Africa A bowled back of a length, the batsmen still waded forward and flat-batted them into a wide arc from midwicket to extra cover. The visitors did not help themselves by dropping Agarwal on 29. He ended up making 110 runs in boundaries alone. The other reprieve came from a mistake by umpire Virender Sharma, who failed to spot an outside edge as Pandey nicked off to the wicketkeeper in the 40th over.

With chances of progress distant, de Kock indulged in reclaiming his lost form. He had little trouble assessing the pace of the pitch, and nearly every time he planted his front foot down for an almighty swing to the leg side, he succeeded. He got to 50 off 29 balls, produced a hat-trick of boundaries in the 18th over from legspinner Karn Sharma, and cruised to his hundred off 76 balls. He gathered 76 runs from 60 balls of spin, which should help his confidence ahead of an important tour of India in October.

Another hopeful to make the South African Test side, Reeza Hendricks, got some batting time with 76 off 109 balls.

He looks like an accumulator and does present a good option for the senior team if they are still looking at a Test opener. Khaya Zondo offset that slow pace with 86 off 60 balls, but South Africa A were never in with a chance today.

USACA blames ICC for non-payment of players Three weeks after returning home from the World Twenty20 Qualifier in Ireland, each player from USA’s 15-man squad is yet to receive nearly $2000 in stipend payments that were promised to them ahead of the tour. The news was initially reported by ESPNcricinfo on Monday after learning of the situation from multiple players in the squad.

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owever, the USA Cricket Association is laying blame on the ICC for what it says was a broken promise to take care of the players while the board is under ICC suspension. USACA officials were due to meet with ICC chief executive David Richardson and ICC general counsel Iain Higgins in New York on Tuesday

to discuss a variety of issues related to the suspension, including finances, and the ICC claims it never agreed to pay the players. USACA vice-president Owen Grey has pointed the finger squarely back at the ICC. “Ask the ICC why they refuse to pay the players,” Grey told ESPNcricinfo on Monday. “You suspend a nation and

you said the players must not suffer.

You’re supposed to pay the players and you decided that yes you’re going to pay the players and then you renege. So go ask Ben Kavenagh, David Richardson and Tim Anderson. You hear that a nation is suspended and the ICC wants it both ways.

“The ICC told the manager John Wilson up in Dublin that they sent the money to USACA to pay the players which is a bloody lie. The ICC got the request about the stipend for the players through [USACA liaison] Vincent [Adams] to Tim Anderson, Ben Kavanagh, Faisal Hasnain and David Richardson. They were supposed to pay the players. They didn’t do it. They said they sent the money to USACA which is a lie.”

ESPNcricinfo reached out to ICC officials late Monday to get their version of events relating to the stipend payment. An ICC spokesperson responded on Tuesday, stating that though USACA did make a request, no agreement was ever made by the ICC to provide a supplemental stipend beyond the $60 a day that all players from each of the 14 teams received from the ICC as meal money during the tournament.

“The ICC didn’t agree, and is not in a position to pay the USA players,” the ICC spokesperson said. “USACA was

advised of this several weeks ago. In saying this, despite USACA’s current suspension, the ICC remains committed to providing the best players in the USA with opportunities to compete internationally. It is for this reason that the USA was allowed to compete in the recent ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier and the ICC Americas U19 Championship, while USA players have also been selected for the upcoming ICC Americas Combine.”

On Sunday, USACA announced a national $100,000 tournament in Florida to be played by the best clubs of USACA member leagues. However, Grey was adamant that the tour stipend payments for the 15 USA players should come from the ICC and not from any other funding sources.

“The players are out $27,000 as we speak, which should have been paid before they left Dublin last month,” Grey said. “The pay scale was $60 per day for dinner and a $100 stipend. In 2013, when we weren’t suspended, USACA paid the players $120 a day plus they got $50 dinner money from the ICC for the same tournament in Dubai. The meal money was increased $10 a day this year so we said fair is fair, pay them $100. So the players are out $100 per day which is $1800 per player.”

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Australia wants Ponting as batting consultant After the Ashes debacle, Aussie authorities want to rope in Ponting.

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ydney, Aug 13 (IANS): Cricket Australia (CA)’s executive general manager of team performance, Pat Howard on Thursday said he “would love” to have former captain Ricky Ponting as a batting consultant with the national side, with discussions between the two parties having already taken place.

Ponting, Australia’s leading run-scorer in both Tests and One-Day Internationals (ODIs), has already had success as a head coach with Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL), winning the tournament at his first attempt earlier this year.

“We have spoken to Ricky a few times this year to be around the side. I am certainly very open to getting him involved and we would love to have him on board,” Howard was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“I sense Ricky would also love to be involved. His time commitments are obviously one of the big challenges,” he said.

Following his retirement from playing, Ponting has worn a number of hats, in commentary roles with Sky Sports for the Ashes and Network TEN with the Big Bash League (BBL), while also taking on the aforementioned coaching role with IPL powerhouse Mumbai.

Seeking the expertise of legends is not a foreign concept for Australia under the coaching of Darren Lehmann, with Shane Warne and Muthiah Muralidaran both being called upon to offer assistance to the spin-bowling group at different times.

Lehmann also recently said he was in regular discussions with Western Australia coach and Test batting great Justin Langer, adding: “There’s always dialogue behind

The greats with Michael Clarke the scenes with all our former greats to be perfectly honest ... they’re always welcome.

“We’ve got to afford him (Ponting) first and foremost but we’d be mad not to have

them (Ponting, Langer etc) for that simple reason that they’ve played a lot of cricket, they’re experienced,” Lehmann had said last month.

“Our guys love the past players coming in to speak to them so we certainly look at any options that Ricky would want to entertain and we would use him.”

Haddin leaves tour early to be with family Brad Haddin flew home to Australia on Tuesday evening for family reasons, ending an unhappy Ashes tour early to be with his wife, Karina, and children.

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fter a poor display in the first Test of the Ashes series in Cardiff, Haddin withdrew from the team for the Lord’s match to spend time in hospital with his ill daughter Mia, and was then not re-selected for the third Test at Edgbaston, a decision that not all members of the touring party agreed with.

Haddin took the decision with good grace, and provided plentiful support to Peter Nevill, the gloveman who replaced him, while playing a more peripheral role around the squad.

There have been signs that Haddin’s mind has been on other things the longer the tour has gone on, as his net sessions in particular became more perfunctory.

He was unlikely to be chosen for the final Test of the series at The Oval, and a Cricket Australia spokesperson confirmed he had now flown home while also asking that the family’s privacy be respected.

Brad Haddin had handed the gloves over to Peter Nevill for the second Test and didn’t get them back © Getty Images

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Captaincy: why authenticity matters In the hare-and-tortoise comparison of Clarke and Cook, we must not lose sight of the fact that one man’s methods are not necessarily better than the other’s

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or an explanation of the latest Ashes narrative, go back to 600 BC. Aesop, the ancient Greek slave and storyteller, devised the fable of the tortoise and the hare.

The hare: quicker, nimbler, more eye-catching. The tortoise: persistent, steady, easily underestimated.

There are many different versions of the story, of course, with a wide range of moral interpretations. But it is the tortoise that eventually overhauls the hare and wins the race.

Eighteen months ago, Michael Clarke’s captaincy seemed central to Australia’s 5-0 dismantling of Alastair Cook’s England. Clarke was irresistible: quick-thinking, adventurous, intuitive, light on his feet (literally and metaphorically), bold, unpredictable.

Clarke danced around his England counterpart, his feet and hands moving at a dizzying pace. Here was Clarke flashing into a cover drive, there he was manipulating the field with an animated gesture.

Clarke was all lightness and sparkle, as giddying and marketable as champagne.

How sluggish and stubborn Cook appeared in contrast. According to the seasoned pundits, Cook had to watch and learn. Couldn’t Cook see it was time to change the bowling, change the team, change direction? Look at Clarke, dazzling the crowd in the sunshine. Be more like him. Skip, surprise, bluff, maneuver, feint, conjure.

But what use was it all? Not a listener, not a learner, they scoffed. Like trying to teach an old English oak tree new magic tricks. Good player, but… Nice man, but…

Respected person, but…

As Cook’s captaincy was ridiculed, not far beneath the surface lurked an old English conspiracy theory, always ready to rear up into familiar cliché. It was all an establishment stitch-up - so bayed the

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mob - the latest chapter in a game riven by class imbalances. Because Cook was polite and well-mannered, the product of a certain kind of education, he was obviously being propped up by a prejudiced hierarchy.

Conspiracy! Stitch-up! Complacency!

Outrage! Into that poisonous mix, stir in a good measure of the Kevin Pietersen controversy. If English cricket was a “meritocracy”, pundits thundered, then surely Pietersen had to play! (Rarely has the word “meritocracy”, coined by the sociologist Michael Young in 1958 as part of a dystopian satire, been used more ineptly.) No, English cricket was run from the corridors of power, with men in blazers protecting Cook, keeping out talent, working against the good of the game. As an interpretation of events on a cricket pitch, this had all the validity of a pathetic populist trying to whip up support for a cod-Marxist student rally.

And now? It is Clarke who ran out of steam, Cook who kept chugging along.

The qualities that were once held against Cook now appear to sustain his moment of triumph. Stubbornness now emerges as resilience, steadiness is revealed as equanimity. Cook’s inability (or reluctance) to wrong-foot the media with clever diversion tactics now seems part of his strength. It is funny how victory recasts naivety as admirable straightforwardness.

None of this should detract from Clarke’s fine achievements. Age and injuries are part of the equation. Clarke has suffered from long-term back and hamstring problems. He nearly missed the World Cup but found enough water in the well for one last successful campaign.

Only now, in England, have the reserves in both body and mind - run dry.

The qualities that were once held against Cook now appear to sustain his

Who’s the “better” captain? Wrong question moment of triumph. Stubbornness now emerges as resilience, steadiness is revealed as equanimity Both Clarke and Cook made moving and gracious comments after the fourth Test. Both men know the pain of defeat and have empathy for each other’s experiences on the wrong end of Ashes drubbings.

Nothing should be taken away from Clarke’s wonderful career. Few batsmen have given me more pleasure. He played a superb brand of cricket, with skill, style and adventure. As a batsman, he almost never got stuck without answers or mired in a defensive trough. Young batsmen who want to learn how to play spin should simply watch videos of Clarke: positivity without premeditation, adventure without recklessness, fast hands, a perpendicular bat, a strong mind, a clear head.

All taken together - batting style, captaincy approach, handling the media Cook was never likely to win a cricketing beauty contest against Clarke. Nor was he going to win a social-media popularity poll. Clarke’s closest ally has been Australian cricket’s most famous (living) name - Shane Warne. In contrast, Cook has never had the unwavering support of a vociferous English legend. Indeed, in July last summer, England’s former captains formed a long queue to be the next man to advocate Cook’s sacking.

Cook has plodded along, sometimes feeling very alone but always under his own

steam.

Here, though, my argument takes a slight shift in direction. In one central respect, though it may hold for this series, I do not follow the logic of Aesop’s fable all the way. Cook’s style of captaincy is not “better” than Clarke’s style of captaincy.

Rather than one single model, there are many different approaches to leadership.

The only prerequisite is a degree of authenticity. So long as he is being himself, a captain has a fighting chance. (Some decent bowlers are also pretty handy.)

Clarke won an Ashes series 5-0, lifted the World Cup, impressing everyone as he did so with his savvy and intuitive cricket brain. Cook is now only the third English captain, after WG Grace and Mike Brearley, to win two home Ashes series.

Nice company to keep. As players alone, there is little to choose between Clarke and Cook - after 100 Tests there was a spooky similarity between their two careers.

In other words, there are many ways to lead, to win, to inspire. Some do it with inventive imaginativeness, others through stoic resilience. One method is not better than the other.

But the long, patient and ultimately triumphant progress of Cook does prove that professional sport, like the wider society it reflects, is prone to undervaluing unflashy qualities.

Quiet achievers across every profession can walk a little taller.

‘Something I didn’t think was quite possible’ - Cook

hortly after Michael Clarke had fought back tears on confirming his retirement, Alastair Cook let his emotions through as he tried to soak in his achievement of becoming just the third England captain to win two Ashes series on home soil.

Cook admitted his team - who regained the Ashes early on the third day at Trent Bridge - had surpassed even his expectations with their swift demolition of Australia. This Test barely reached the third day, following on from the two-and-a-half day victory at Edgbaston which came on the heels of a thumping defeat at Lord’s.

“Michael’s got emotional and it’s got me emotional,” Cook said at the presentation.

“From where we’ve been over the last 18 months to what we’ve achieved, I’m incredibly proud of the lads and all the support staff. We’ve done something I didn’t think was quite possible at the beginning of the summer.”

Barely 18 months after a shattered Cook had stood on the SCG after Australia completed the 5-0 whitewash which led to a disintegration of the England team he reflected on the change in fortunes.

“When you lose 5-0, there’s a turnover of players and a new side develops, it

takes a bit of time but you see what talent there is in the country and we saw the end potential here,” he said. “Ben Stokes was fantastic here. Joe Root has gone from strength to strength - they have driven this side forward - and the senior players have led so well. As a captain, I’m very lucky to have a group of senior players, Broady to step up, Jimmy, Bell, the support I’ve had from them means a lot.”

Cook also made special mention of Peter Moores, who was sacked as coach at the start of the summer in another messy transition which opened the way for Trevor Bayliss to take the role - a position he

only started officially a few weeks before the Ashes.

“Peter Moores isn’t here but the amount of work he did, you’ve seen the players grow as international players. Trevor has come in and taken that forward, but without Peter and that development - it was a tough time a few months ago - he’s put a lot of hard work in for that success.

“Today’s not about me, or me getting emotional, it’s about players who have taken that journey through some incredibly tough times to get the amazing times.

That’s the moment you play for, when Woody gets the last wicket.”

Caribbean Star Newspaper

August 14–20, 2015

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