August 11 2016

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LOCAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Health Minister To Apologise; Controversial Storage Bond Contract To Be Reviewed Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton is expected to apologise report on the issue.

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to the nation for misleading the National Assembly as it relates to the controversial medical supplies storage bond At the last sitting of the National Assembly, the Health Minister revealed that the facility is already in use, and that the previous Government paid millions for the storage of medical supplies. However, it was subsequently revealed that no monies were paid for the storage of the drugs.

When grilled by Opposition Parliamentarians Monday in the Parliamentary Committee of Supply, Dr Norton said that the space was being rented from Linden Holding Company, which is registered at 176 Middle Street, Georgetown, and has the storage bond at Sussex Street, Georgetown. He said that $25 million was paid as rental and a security deposit for the month of July. He also said that the bond was certified by an agency of his Ministry. However, investigations by the local media found that the bond was not certified and that it is in an incomplete state. As such, President David Granger appointed a Cabinet Sub-Committee to review, examine and

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman has been appointed to chair the Sub-Committee and it includes Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon. Minister Trotman has since completed his report and has recommended a review of the contract for the storage bond and at a post cabinet media briefing on Thursday, Trotman revealed that the three year contract for lease of the new bond will be reviewed and that review will also examine the monthly cost of $12.5 million.

According to Trotman, the Minister of Health is being asked to offer a public apology over statements that he made in the National Assembly about the payment for the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation and about the new storage bond already being in operation. “Based on the explanation of the Health Minister we have recommended that he offers a public apology,” Trotman said.

Illegal Fuel Seized On Essequibo Coast The Guyana Daily News has been reliably informed that on Tuesday August 9, 2016 at Adventure, Essequibo Coast, officials of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and members of the Anti-Fuel Smuggling Task Force seized a quantity of illegal fuel. This newspaper understands that the raid was carried out on a boat that was transporting to the said fuel to a tanker.

The tanker and boat were apprehended and transported to the GEA Essequibo branch. The crew is in police custody assisting with investigations. This raid comes after the recent introduction of a task force which was set up to minimize the smuggling of illegal fuel into

Guyana. The task force comprises of officers from the Guyana Defense Force Coast Guard, Guyana Police Force, Guyana Revenue Authority and Officers from the Customs Anti-Narcotic Units. -By- Jarred Singh, Guyana Daily News.

FEATURE PAGE 3

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

PRESENTATION MADE AT PPP PUBLIC FORUM AT SLEEPIN TH INTERNATIONAL HOTEL. (10 AUGUST, 2016) The systema c dismantling of the Cons tu on and the Rule of Law. By: Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP.Attorney-at-Law

Countries in the English- speaking Caribbean are often described by Constitutional theorists as “constitutional democracies”. This is so for many reasons. Their constitution is their supreme law. It creates their system of Government and invests it with powers to govern the State and limits those powers. It determines who will govern and how they will govern. It creates and regulates the relationship between the State and the citizenry. It confers certain obligations on the State and it imbues the citizenry with certain rights and freedoms. It determines how the State raises, and how it will account for the expenditure of those revenue. It sets out how laws are made and by which institutions they are to be interpreted and enforced. It creates a series of institutions which acts as checks and balances against abuse of power and through which the State is to be held accountable for its actions in order to ensure that there is good and democratic governance in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law. Guyana is one of these territories.

Independent constitutional institutions Interwoven in this constitutional fabric, are several institutions which are structured, designed, financed and constituted in such a manner that they enjoy considerable functional autonomy and independence in the discharge of their individual mandates and, they are strongly insulated from any form of influence, in particular, from the Executive.

These institutions include, but are not limited to, the Judiciary, the Office of the Auditor General, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Guyana Police Force. It is the

Judiciary which the Constitution ascribes the exclusive responsibility to interpret and uphold the Constitution and the laws; to strike down unconstitutional laws and condemn unlawful Executive actions and abuses; to determine disputes between the citizenry and the State and among the citizenry themselves; and to impose sanctions on those who violate the law. The independence of the Judiciary is zealously guarded in the Constitution by a series of mechanisms. Its officers are appointed by a special process. They are conferred with strong security of tenure. Their remuneration package cannot be altered to their detriment. They are financed by a direct levy on the Consolidated Fund. The Office of the Auditor General, by virtue of the Constitution and the Audit Act, enjoys a regime of independence similar to that of the Judiciary. Its core functional responsibility is to exclusively audit the State's receipts and expenditure of public funds. It prepares and presents annual audited financial statements, in relation thereto, to the National Assembly for its scrutiny. The Director of Public Prosecutions is another institution which enjoys similar constitutional independence.

Its main function is to advise the State on criminal matters and to institute, undertake, take over and continue or discontinue criminal proceedings against any person before any Court in respect of any offence against the laws of Guyana. The functional independence which the DPP enjoys can be gleamed from the language of Article 187 (4): “In the exercise of the powers conferred upon him or her by this article the Director shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.”The Guyana Police Force is the institution vested with the exclusive power to investigate and prevent criminal conduct and, to generally maintain peace and public order. The Force's independence is manifested in the way its officers are appointed, promoted, disciplined and removed from office. More significantly, the Force is superintended by the Commissioner of Police who has exclusive responsibility in respect of management and administration of the Force and over operational matters, to the exclusion of the Executive Government. The

Governmental officer who holds ministerial responsibility in respect of the Police Force can give directions in relation to policy matters only. The above exposition is but a fleeting glance at the length to which the framers of the Constitution have traveled, to alienate from Executive Government, certain responsibilities and to reside them in independent and autonomous organizations, then insulating these organizations from Executive influence. These complex and multiple constitutional mechanisms were created for one purpose only: that is, to create a system of checks and balances to avoid the abuse of power by the Executive Government.

The undermining of these institutions The Coalition Government, over the last year, has embarked upon a deliberate and centrally orchestrated course of action to persecute and which-hunt ministers and officials of the PPPC administration in order to prove that their widespread public allegations of corruption.

However, they need the blind loyalty of the aforementioned institutions in order to succeed. Thus far, apparently, they have been unable to penetrate the cloak of independence which the aforesaid institutions enjoy. In consequence, we are witnessing a clear and consistent strategy to avoid the engagement of these institutions as they continue to pursue their vindictive agenda.

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FEATURE PAGE 4

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

PRESENTATION MADE AT PPP PUBLIC FORUM (CONT’D) Not satisfied with the Auditor General's Reports over the last several years, the regime, in violation of the Constitution and the Audit Act, simply shoved aside the Audit Office, handpicked over a dozen auditors, most of them being their allies and cronies and are paying them hundreds of millions of dollars to do “forensic audits”. Still, these audits are unable to unearth the type of evidence which they seek, although, the most unconventional methods are being employed by some of these Auditors. Dozens of files have been sent to the Police Force and to the Director of Public Prosecutions with firm instructions to investigate and charge. Again, the response from the Police and the DPP has been disappointing to those who have already sharpened their political hatchets. The situation is exacerbated by every passing day because it results in considerable damage to their credibility. After all, they have intoxicated their supporters with the propaganda that the PPP administration is guilty of massive corruption in office but after one year in complete control of the government and State machinery, they are

unable to prefer charges. Not being able to exert the type of pressure and influence over the Police Force and the DPP as they would like, because of the constitutional and institutional insulations to which I have referred above, greater reliance is now being placed upon SARU and SOCU, two organizations that are politically staffed and directed to conduct investigations with the hope that they can find or I dare say, manufacture the required evidence. Still yet the desired results are not forthcoming. In the meanwhile, the crescendo of frustration and desperation continues to build. As a result, laws and protocols are being drafted to strengthen and enlarge the powers of SARU and SOCU. Recently, there has been an expressed intention to establish “a Special Prosecutors' Office”. The obvious objective is to circumvent the DPP or at least to emasculate that office of the autonomy and independence guaranteed to it by the Constitution. I have no doubt that we will soon hear about the establishment of “Special Courts” where these charges will be heard and determined.

The grand plan

Let me now make the picture clearer: the Government is handpicking its own auditors and directing them who, what, how and where to audit; when these audit reports are completed, they are then sent to two political outfits masquerading as law enforcement agencies, SARU and SOCU, which are being directed who and what to investigate; and when these investigations are concluded, the findings will be sent to a Special Prosecutors Office for legal advice. This will be an office that will be staffed by the Government with its cronies. Charges will be instituted and will be prosecuted by persons from this politically tainted unit. These charges will be heard and determined by the “Special Courts” which I anticipate will be established and which will be presided over by magistrates in whom the Government resides great confidence. That the decisions will be perverse, I am in no doubt.

In conclusion, the Constitution and the rule of law are under siege. Authoritarianism is building a formidable foundation. Today, the target is the PPP's leadership and its supporters. Tomorrow's victim will be you. It is the natural evolution of a dictatorship.

LOCAL PAGE 6

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

GOVERNMENT FAILS TO SUSTAIN GUYANA'S REAL ESTATE MARKET The Housing Market is very crucial to the survival of Guyana’s Economy but it has been the source of subjection and dilemma. The housing market in the United States (US) saw a collapse in 2007, which spelt disaster for many Americans, however there has been a recovery of this sector in that country. The same cannot be said for the housing market in Guyana which is currently going through a severe depression. The role of the housing sector cannot be overstated; food, clothing, shelter are the basic needs of mankind and housing satisfies an essential need.

Housing is also the single most important component of investment for Guyanese, and in many countries housing makes up the largest part of wealth. For instance, in Guyana, real estate accounts for a third of the total assets held by the nonfinancial private sector. The majority of households tend to hold wealth in the form of their homes rather than in financial assets. Housing also plays a key role in mortgage markets and is important to the transmission of monetary policy.

Housing can also facilitate labor mobility within an economy and help economies adjust to adverse shocks. The Housing sector is critical to the overall health of the economy of Guyana and as the country develops, it is expected that there will be a corresponding deepening and growth of housing markets. Despite this importance, the David Granger Administration is not giving the housing sector the adequate attention it desperately deserves. The bursting of the real estate bubble in Guyana will be followed by the deepest downturn in Guyana since the 1960’s. It will remind people of the damages that can be triggered by housing collapses.

Research done by the IMF shows that of the nearly 50 systemic banking crises in recent decades, more than two thirds were preceded by boom-bust patterns in house prices. The cost of resolving housing crises can be very high—in the case of Ireland, for instance, government bailouts of banks from the housing collapse are up 40 percent of the country’s GDP. Even when housing busts do not have a large financial impact, they can affect the economy.

Research shows that recessions in some countries are more likely given a house price bust. Such recessions also tend to be much deeper and trigger more unemployment than a normal recession.

Hence it is crucial to keep an eye on current housing market developments to keep them from collapsing. The housing sector needs stringent policies here in Guyana. The noted economist Avinash Dixit suggested we use the acronyms “MiP, MaP, MoP” to remind ourselves of the set of policies.

‘MiP’ stands for microprudential policies, which of course aims to ensure the resilience of individual financial institutions. Such policies are necessary for a sound financial system but may not be sufficient. Sometimes, actions suitable at the level of individual institutions can destabilize the system as a whole. As such, we also need not just ‘MiP’ but ‘MaP’, that is, macroprudential policies aimed at increasing the resilience of the system as a whole.

The Government of Guyana needs to better educate themselves or seek advice on policies in order to understand how the issues in the housing sector works. Comprehension is very important with the local stakeholder in understanding how the credit market can work locally and abroad. A great percentage of the housing sector is fueled by the credit market. The housing market is becoming a regular feature in our country’s report and the government must step up its game to create relevant policies in order to keep this sector afloat.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

GOV'T TO CURB SMUGGLING OF STYROFOAM PRODUCTS

As the APNU+AFC government clamps down on the use of were used to serve food to participants by the Ministry. It is Styrofoam products, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael alleged that this product is being smuggled across the border Trotman revealed on Thursday that the administration is aware from Suriname. of reports coming out of Berbice about Styrofoam being smuggled into the country.

According to Minister Trotman, the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Environmental Protection Agency have been notified and are in the process of making plans to curb the incidents of smuggling. The ban on Styrofoam is part of efforts to support and promote a green economy and environment.

Penalties for crimes committed against the ban include a fine of no less than GY$50,000 for importation and manufacture and if businesses are found prepackaging food in said ‘Styro’ products, they can be issued a warning or a fine of no less than GY$100,000.

It was reported to this newspaper that at the recent Ministerial Visit to the Mining Town of Linden which was organized by the Ministry of the Presidency, it was evident that Styrofoam boxes

Fmr National Cricketer Fined For Using Abusive Language Former National Cricketer, Carl Grimond appeared before July 27, 2016 at Robb Street Georgetown. He pleaded guilty to Magistrate Leron Daly o n Thursday charged with using abusive language against an unnamed woman on

the charge and was fined GY$10,000. Grimond did not have legal representation and after pleading guilty, he begged the Magistrate for a chance to give an explanation.

In his explanation, Grimond admitted to using abusive language against the woman, explaining that he did it after she started to spread rumors that he had jumped over the fence at her Robb Street residence. Grimond further explained that he did not jump over the fence and that the woman was dragging the reputation he would have built being a National Cricketer for Guyana. -By- Jarred Singh, Guyana Daily News.

LOCAL PAGE 9

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Persons Targeted By SARU Should Seek Court’s Help – Jagdeo Opposition Leader Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has encouraged persons to him, the PPP will be fighting for the rights of all people who have been targeted by the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) to seek the guidance of the courts. At a press conferenc e o n Wednesda y, the former President reiterated that SARU is an illegal entity and has no bearings in t h e l a w.

According Opposition Leader Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

regardless of race, religion, political affiliation, sex and nationality.

Jagdeo further noted that the party is still awaiting the protocol for SARU as it relates to its the existence and how it operates. It was noted that the agency receive funding from seized assets, whereby 25 percent of the seized monies will go towards the funding of the organization, the remaining 75 percent will go to the consolidated fund; however it is unclear at what point in time the monies will become relevant for usage, since, at the moment the agency is operating unconstitutionally.

Persons have complained to the Guyana Daily News, that the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) have confiscated monies and large amounts of jewelry without the relevant evidence. When asked if the PPP will be pushing for a Civilian Review Committee Board for these bodies, the Opposition Leader noted that the Party will be representing the will of the people. -By- Ronald Singh, Guyana Daily News.

LOCAL PAGE 10

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

PPP To Have Health Minister Brought Before Privileges Committee For “Lying To Parliament” The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) will be moving a motion to have Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton and the entire cabinet taken before the Committee of Privileges when Parliament comes out of recess in October.

During a press conference at the party’s headquarters on Wednesday, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo accused Minister Norton of “lying to the Parliament” as it relates to a sweetheart deal between government and a city businessman over the rental of a bond to store pharmaceutical supplies. Jagdeo claimed that government paid the building’s owner, Lawrence “Larry” Singh two months’ rent in advance to allow him to purchase the property, fix it up and rent it to the Public Health Ministry. According to reports, the building located at 29 Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, was bought by Singh from Desmond Shafiq Mohamed for GY$25 million on March 4, 2016. Singh has since leased it to Linden Holdings Inc; a company of which he is a director, and rented it to the Ministry of Public Health for a period of three years. But Jagdeo is of the view that Dr Norton and the entire cabinet lied about this issue. “If they debated this matter then you can’t just blame Norton for it, if they fully debated this matter it meant that they consciously decided and once it’s on the financial papers they knew that this was happening,” the former President said. At a sitting of the National Assembly on Monday, Dr Norton had justified that the decision to sole source the contract was partly taken because a $19.2M rental fee had been paid to New Guyana Pharmaceutical Company (GPC) in the past for drug storage and this fee was deemed too costly but according to Jagdeo, this is a blatant lie as there was never a rental agreement between the then government and the New GPC. “The PPP never rented any storage space or paid any rental for any storage space from New GPC. If the Government says otherwise, it could easily show you the contract. They have been in office for over a year now, so they would know. We have never paid a cent, much less $19M for storage.” He also criticized Dr Norton for saying that pharmaceuticals are currently being stored in the bond when it is clear that the bond is still under construction, and listed this as another reason for the motion. During the considerations of the supplemental requests in the National Assembly on Monday, Norton was unable to answer a number of questions posed by the opposition. He was questioned in relation to the money taken from the Fund for the bond. He was unable to tell the House who were the principals of the Company, when it was registered, when the three-year contract was signed, and who signed on Government’s behalf. Linden Holdings Company has no medical background and the bond which is located in Sussex Street, is not approved by the Government Analyst -Food and Drug Department. -By- Pablo Cupido, Guyana Daily News.

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LOCAL PAGE 12

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

GWI Gets $1.8B From Debt Collection CampaignStructural Changes Made Within Company Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Inc. Dr Richard VanWest Charles with a team of GWI Directors on Wednesday revealed changes made to the water company in the terms of management, water production and water quality, finance and commercial relations in the first half of the year. It was noted that GWI has recovered $1.8 billion from its debt-collection campaign and payment plan has since been put in place for customers who have large sums of money outstanding. According to the CEO, 40% of GWI‘s customers are metered. Meanwhile, he noted that changes were made to GWI which includes rearrangement of functions and the creation of a division of design and infrastructure and new sections dealing with project implementation, regulation and compliance. He said that all this was necessary because the present infrastructure cannot respond to the population demand; as such new wells and treatment programs are being put in place to reach the demand of the population. The first measure GWI is taking to ensure water quality is the establishment of mini laboratory at water treatment plants around the country which will monitor the water quality around the clock and produce water quality data. One of the mini labs is already in place at the Shelter Belt water treatment plant which is currently serving the residents of Georgetown. The requisite equipment and reagents for the other labs have already been ordered and is expected to arrive in the country in a few weeks although a specific date was not given. The company is aiming to have the labs certified based on ISO 17025 standard by the end of 2017 which entails the calibration and accuracy checks of equipment on a daily basis. The water in Guyana is characteristically brown and has high iron concentration that leads to staining and is

unfit for consumption. The optimization of the water treatment plants is the GWI’s way to mitigate these issues and this is done through chemical treatments. In particular “Sea Quest” is one such treatment used in areas affected by iron concentration which reduce and eventually eliminate the impact. Information from a press statement shows that the company spent GY$71m on completed projects in region 6 and parts of region 4 and around $60 million on repairs with works still ongoing around the country. With works being done in all the regions and mostly in regions 4, 5 and 10, there is none in region 2, particularly in the community of Charity, where is plagued with the same low pressure and high level of iron in the water. When questioned about this, Dr. Charles said that works for this area was catered for in the 2017 budget. -By- Pablo Cupido, Guyana Daily News.

Businessman Shoots Wife, Kills Self After Heated Argument A 73-year-old Miner shot his wife in her mouth and then turned the gun on himself after a heated argument at their Lot 24 North Road, Georgetown home on Wednesday evening. Dead is Theodore Adams, called “Toti,” who allegedly displayed signs of a mental illness recently. The injured woman, 42-year-old Sarojni Warnauth is still hospitalized with a gunshot wound to her jaw. The businessman operates an interior mining operation and according to reports, the couple was sitting in their verandah with their daughter and Warnauth’s nephew when an argument ensued. This newspaper understands that Adams then shot his wife after which she and her daughter and nephew ran inside the house and locked themselves in a bedroom. They exited through a window with the aid of a ladder and the injured woman was rushed to the hospital.

The man took his own life after shooting the woman. Investigations are ongoing.

LOCAL PAGE 13

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

One Week Jail For Man Of ‘Unsound Mind’ Found With Knife there was something suspicious sticking out of his waist. The

Quincy Henry appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh on Thursday at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with having in his possession an offensive weapon, that is to say a knife, without a valid reason. The incident occurred on July 17, 2016 at Regent Street, Georgetown. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to one week imprisonment with medical treatment.

Henry, 31, who hails from Hasslington, East Coast Demerara, did not have legal representation. Upon entering his guilty plea, it was noted to the Magistrate by the arresting officer that Henry is not of sound mind since he was once involved in a work related accident.

The court heard that on July 17, 2016 city police who were on patrol observed the defendant standing outside the Bourda Police Outpost and

police proceeded to search the defendant and found the object to be a knife with a black handle. Henry was then warned and asked about the knife at which point he was unable to give a valid reason for having it. -By- Jarred Singh, Guyana Daily News.

REGIONAL PAGE 15

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

CDA’s Hotel Plan For Tracking Station Under Fire Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) chairman, Anthony Pierre, has given an assurance that if an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) shows that construction of a hotel at the old tracking station in Chaguaramas would disrupt the wildlife, flora and fauna of the area, the proposed project will be discontinued. Pierre made the comment yesterday as he tried to allay fears of naturalists, environmentalists and users of the area, many of whom took to Facebook in the last three days to condemn the CDA’s plan to build a hotel at the tracking station site.

The criticisms came after the CDA on Monday placed a media ad for expression of interest (EOI) for investors/developers into the planning, design, construction and commissioning of a full service hotel at the old tracking station at Macqueripe, Chaguaramas. The EOI invited local and internationally qualified and experienced developers/investors to submit an expression for the project by October 6. “If the EIA shows any significant negative impact on the environment we would not proceed.

I could tell you that,” Pierre said when contacted yesterday. “We would not proceed if the EMA does not give us a Certificate of Environmental Clearance. We would have a change of heart. “But at this point in time it is purely exploratory. There are other locations that we can look at. I know there are a lot of feelings around the tracking station. We are fully cognisant of how many people use it and the history behind it. We would not do anything to disrupt the wildlife and ecology of the area,” he added.

He said the hotel the CDA was looking to construct was not a “Hyatt hotel-type arrangement, but an eco log hotel that would cater for tourists and visitors whose hobby was animal, birds and butterfly watching.” The tracking station has also been a place for star gazing.

The road leading to the tracking station, which is a favourite for joggers, cyclists and walking enthusiasts, passes through the spectacular Bamboo Cathedral and runs to the top of the hill where, instead of the expected ridge line, one encounters a flat grassy field surrounded by old, decaying buildings.

On Monday, many took to Facebook to describe the CDA’s move as “disruptive to the environment, horrific and worst idea ever.”

Yesterday, Pierre said the tracking station was only recommended as

The tracking station in Chaguaramas where the Chaguaramas Development Authority wants to construct a hotel. Inset, graffiti at the site objecting to the proposed plan for a hotel. Photos: MARCUS GONZALES

a possible site. “We will be very careful in making a final determination on the matter. People would be consulted,” he added.

He said the EMA would play a major role in whether a hotel should or should not be constructed there. “Most likely, the EMA would request an EIA. There are so many safeguards in place.

It’s not our intention to flaunt the law on any public authority. I think there are adequate security measures in place to ensure that we do not start a project that is not in the best interest of the population,” Pierre said, adding the last thing CDA would do was go against the wishes of the population. He said another site the CDA had in mind was where the Macqueripe hotel was once located, which was a stone’s throw from the tracking station. “If it is more feasible to go up the valley than come through the tracking station and do the hotel at that side, then we will do that.

It’s not that we are thirsty to do this project at all costs.” Asked if there was a third or fourth location the CDA was eyeing, Pierre said no.

“The CDA has 14,000 acres of land. We will see.” Pierre also gave a commitment to preserve the tracking station, since it was a historical site. “It is not the intention to demolish any of the facilities around the tracking station but to incorporate it into the hotel’s design.”

Voices against plan Historian and author Angelo Bissessarsingh yesterday objected to the proposal. “The mere fact that they want to put a hotel on that site I think is apprehensible. It’s one of our great beauty spots on the north western peninsula.The public should not support this in any way imaginable. I am in total disagreement with it,” he said. While Bissessarsingh said there was a great need to diversify the economy from hydro carbons, he said whatever the Government did must be sustainable and benefit all.

Environmentalist and nature lover Stephen Broadbridge described the decision as dreadful. “The only hotel that I would support there would be a low key eco hotel,” he said. Stating that Tucker Valley was a sensitive area for endangered species which should be protected, Broadbridge added: “Do they have to encroach on the wildlife all the time? Can’t they just leave Tucker Valley alone for wildlife and ecotype experiences? “I am really getting fed up of Trinidadians for their lack of respect for wildlife.

Go and stick the hotels in the industrial and party areas.” For the past 15 years, Broadbridge said the CDA had been ignoring Tucker Valley’s wildlife. “To have a hotel that creates noise and bright lights would disturb the animals. I am totally against it. They don’t have to put a hotel there,” he said. Broadbridge said while the CDA had to generate revenue they should not destroy the flora and fauna of Chaguaramas which is a national park and should remain with its green spaces. “So you want to build a hotel for all the visitors that aren’t coming.

That’s interesting,” he said. Former president of the Caribbean Institute of Astronomy, Graham Rostant, meanwhile, said the tracking station meant a lot to its members and public. He said on dark nights the institute would host stargazing events at the site for the public and its members, for which they pay the CD. “It would be sad to lose the site because we have been using it for 13 years. “I feel this development is a mistake for Chaguaramas. I do question the feasibility of a hotel up there. There is no water or electricity to the top of the hill. I can’t see how a hotel would be a viable business there,” Rostant said. (Trinidad Guardian)

REGIONAL PAGE 16

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Carnival-Style Farewell For Crosby St James businessman and cultural activist, Earl Crosby, was described yesterday as an emblem of a Christ-like person where he gave himself totally and solely to the culture of T&T. This was the tribute paid to Crosby by one of his close friends, calypsonian The Original De Fosto Himself, Winston Scarborough. Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday following Crosby’s funeral service, at the St Theresa RC Church, De Verteuil Street, Woodbrook, De Fosto said Crosby was a true patriot and cultural person, who gave calypsonians, like himself, everything.

“Mr Crosby was a Christ in his own way where he reached out selflessly to people, especially artistes, who didn’t have money to record. He would have recorded their songs and it was okay for him if he didn’t make back the money. That’s the kind of person he was. “He was a gentle soul and a real nice human being,” De Fosto added. Another of T&T’s prominent calypsonians, former National Calypso Monarch, Michael Anthony Osuana, popularly known as Sugar Aloes, in paying tribute to the late Crosby said he would always remember him as one of the country’s greatest pioneers in the recording business.

“He really helped a lot of young guys, promising guys, who had a one-foot hit. Crosby made them into someone in the art form.

“Earl was a very pleasant person who always had a smile. He reminded me of... one size fits all... a smile. Very passionate guy,” he added. Former National Calypso Monarch Duane

O'Connor said there should be more persons like Crosby to continue on in his legacy. “More should follow.

It have few people who try to live the life that Crosby did in the love of the culture but to be this dedicated as Crosby would be hard. He could have jumped away from it but his love for his culture was too strong. He was down-to-earth and had a calm demeanour. May he rest in peace.” After the funeral service there was a final procession in Crosby’s honour in St James.

The “city that never sleeps” (St James) was transformed into a mini carnival parade of traditional mas, featuring Jab Jabs, Indians and Moko Jumbies.

Crosby’s niece, comedienne Nikki Crosby, was seen dancing her way behind her uncle’s hearse alongside the music truck to the Western Cemetery, George Cabral Street, for his burial.

During the delivery of her eulogy, Nikki said her uncle was known as the mayor of St James. She said he was a gentle soul, one who was never about the money and a prankster. Being the humourous person that she is, Nikki had to stick in her comedic mannerisms, causing several outbursts of laughter but to her it was how she celebrated her uncle’s life. Reminiscing on the seriousness in which Crosby took to the culture of T&T, Nikki said she remembered him coming to her to “lick-way” music pirates at Independence Square, Port-of-Spain.

“He was really irritated by the music piracy that was happening and that day when he came to me to go with him may have been the only violent thought that my uncle had ever had because he was such a gentle soul. “He also reinforced what my daddy taught us, which was all we have was our name and we leave with it, so do good,” Nikki said Officiating priest, Father Ashton Pierre, also spoke of the impact Crosby had in T&T’s culture and in the world. Crosby, who died at the age of 65 last week Wednesday after succumbing to cancer, leaves to mourn his four children — Kevin, Kern, Kearlene and Jonathan — and his companion, Anne-Marie Placide.

He was the grandfather of four, Cameron, Chrysta, Kayden and Kaleb.

(Trinidad Guardian)

Pall-bearers carry the coffin of St James businessman and cultural activist Earl Crosby following a funeral service yesterday at the St Theresa Roman Catholic Church, Woodbrook. PHOTO: MARCUS GONZALES

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REGIONAL PAGE 18

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Lured To His Death By Call Relatives believe Kervin Ransome, who was shot 17 times by gunmen in Claxton Bay yesterday afternoon, was lured to his death by a phone call. Police said high-powered guns were used to kill the 23-year-old Marabella man around 2 pm at his childhood neighbourhood, Lodge Road, Claxton Bay. Investigations said a green car rammed the back of Ransome’s gray Nissan Sylphy, causing him to crash into bushes.

Eyewitness said either three or four men began shooting at Ransome who came out of his car and began to run. The gunmen continued shooting after Ransome as they chased him.

He tripped and fell down a hill into a resident’s yard and landed on

Kervin Ransome bullet-riddled Nissan Sylphy at Lodge Road, Claxton Bay, yesterday. Insert: Kervin Ransome in an undated photograph

his back in a drain where his killers pumped him with more bullets. His mother, Rhonda Young, said Ransome, the eldest of her three children, worked at an iron yard a short distance from where he was murdered. Ransome, who was a truck driver, was eating lunch at work when he received a phone call and left.

“He was not going to work he was going home to lie down but he went and someone called him. Whoever called my son to come here, God will deal with you.

God will deal with the persons who pull the trigger. What he do allyuh so... 17 shots,” said Young. She admitted her son had a long list of matters before the court but she said the police always used to harass him. “Somebody had to see something... big daylight,” she added. Wiping tears away his common-law wife, Tasha James, 24, said they moved to Marabella two months ago.

She last spoke to Ransome who went to court yesterday to support a friend who was locked up. “He said he was not going to work but he went after,” she added. Even though he had matters before the court, she said she had no clues why someone would want to kill him. Police recovered over 18 spent shells. An autopsy is expected to be performed today at the Forensic Sciences Centre, St James. Visiting the scene was a party of policemen from the Claxton Bay, San Fernando and Homicide Bureau. Investigations are continuing. (Trinidad Guardian)

Colombia/Venezuela Border To Be Reopened [El Mundo] President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos and his delegation, arrived on Venezuelan soil this afternoon to discuss the reopening of the border between the two countries.

Santos was received at Puerto Ordaz, Bolivar State, by Governor of the region Francisco Rangel Gómez. The Colombian delegation will meet with President Nicolas Maduro after his arrival, to address the matter. The border was closed on August 19 l a s t y e a r, after an attack by smugglers left three soldiers and a civilian injured.

President Maduro has expressed h i s compromise to improve

the relations between Venezuela and Colombia, and look forward to build a ‘frontier of Peace’. Seven have been the most important agreement reached by the authorities of both nations for the reopening: ü The activation of a Bi-national Centre against the organized crime. ü The implementation of a Special Customs Service for the border. ü A work scheme for the repatriation of seize possessions was defined, to facilitate the transit of merchandise and exchange of information between the Custom Service of both nations. ü The implementation of a Border Identification Card for Venezuela’s and Colombians is expected to be applied, which allow the security control to be stricter. ü A Basic Basket is expected to me implemented as well, in which food products and feedstocks will be included. ü A Mercosur number plate will be granted, for the border vehicles, including the inhabitants of the borderline states. ü Venezuelan gas Stations will be installed on the Colombian side of the frontier, in which the fuel will be sold in Colombian pesos.

Source:http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/economia/politi ca/lista---7-acuerdos-...

-By- Rocio Perez, Guyana daily News.

REGIONAL PAGE 19

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Hunt For Bad Pay Students

Students who have received funding under the Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses (Gate) programme and failed to complete their course of study may soon be tracked down and asked to repay those monies. This was the word from the director of the Ministry of Education’s Funding and Grants Administration Department, Teresa Davidson, yesterday, as she noted they had received approval from Cabinet for increased financial and human resources to be invested in order to restructure and improve the department’s operations.

Speaking at a press conference at the ministry’s St Clair head office, Davidson said: “Going forward in terms of trying to recover money, we will have to look at ways to verify the students in the database and their status.” She said the drive could soon become a reality, noting that previously they were hampered by staffing problems. The increase in staffing, she said, would now allow them to investigate cases of students who had failed to meet their Gate contractual obligations by passing courses and initiate the fund recovery process.

Davidson said with the proposed changes, “we can put someone to work on it in terms of setting procedures on how that recovery can be done.

“Within our database, we may have paid for three years for a student attending UWI but because we may not have collected data that this person has graduated, we are not sure.” Davidson pointed out that if students did not meet performance standards, they were required to refund the money for the programme. “We have been collecting money from students over the years,” she explained.

She estimated that upwards of $70 million had so far been collected since 2006 and that the amounts collected had increased yearly, with close to $14 million collected last year. She said students continued to visit the department on a daily basis to repay monies. But she added: “That’s one of the problems that we have to monitor right now. We can only monitor the students who come back seeking Gate. If you come back and try to access Gate for another programme, then we will not fund you if you cannot show proof that you have successfully completed the previous programme.”

“If, however, the students drop out of their programmes and are no longer in the system, they have no immediate way of tracking them and will now have to research the individual cases.” Noting that funding was provided to both public and private institutions, Davidson said the latter were subjected to audits to ensure students met the stipulated requirements. “If we find there are students who did not meet the requirements, the institution is billed and asked to refund monies spent,” Davidson said.

She said prior to the current restructuring processes “Gate was very, very open.” She said one only needed proof of T&T nationality as there was no age limit. But going forward she assured that students would not be allowed to abuse the programme, including pursuing more than one course through Gate. “At this point in time, students cannot be in more than one programme,” she added On another issue, Davidson said the question of obligatory service for successful students who accessed Gate was also something which was still being worked out.

Education Minister Anthony Garcia also provided a list of areas in which Government had made significant financial contributions to education over the last five years. These include: Infrastructure: $2.7 billion. Recurrent expenditure: $10.5 billion. Gate: $3.2 billion. HELP loans: $101,836 million. Scholarships: $912 million. Law student owing One student, who yesterday admitted to still being financially beholden to the Gate programme, was a first-time law student. The 35-year-old woman successfully completed a two-year certificate programme at the UWI Open Campus more than five years ago, following which she was granted funding to pursue a Diploma in Law. After failing two exams, the woman was told that she would have to pay $5,000 to re-write the two exams before she was allowed to continue on in the programme. Additionally, she was advised if she was to pursue another course of study she would have to repay the outstanding sum to the Government before being allowed to apply for funding for other programmes. The woman, who did not want to be identified, admitted she was one of the “bad pay” students who had failed to honour the requirement to repay the monies. (Trinidad Guardian) Teresa Davidson

REGIONAL PAGE 21

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Bahamas Reports 1st Zika Case; Says It Was Contracted Abroad NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Authorities in The Bahamas are reporting the archipelago's first Zika case and say it was contracted elsewhere. The health minister, Dr Michael Perry, said Wednesday that the patient is a man who recently traveled to Jamaica.

He says the man lives on New Providence island, where the Bahamas capital of Nassau is located. Zika causes a mild illness in most people but can lead to severe brain-related birth defects if women are infected during pregnancy. The mosquito-borne virus has been spreading across the Americas since last year. (Jamaica Observer)

Clarendon’s ‘Most Wanted Man’ Shot Dead CLARENDON, Jamaica – Head of the Clarendon police, Senior Superintendent Fitz Bailey, is confirming the death of the parish’s most wanted man. Rohan Stevens, 28, otherwise called ‘Virus’, of Palmers Cross in the parish succumbed to injuries he received during an alleged exchange of gunfire between him and the police this morning.

Reports are that about 5:00 am, lawmen went to execute a warrant when they were allegedly fired upon. After the shooting subsided, the police say Stevens was discovered with gunshot wounds.

He was assisted to hospital where he later succumbed. The police say a 9mm glock pistol and 10 rounds of ammunition were seized during the incident.

Senior Superintendent Bailey said that Stevens was feared by many and was linked to at least 15 murders committed between 2013 and 2016, as well as other acts of crime and violence including shooting, robbery and extortion. The police say the Inspectorate of Constabulary (IOC) and the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) are currently investigating. (Jamaica Observer)

Jamaica, Bahamas Collaborate To Strengthen Correctional Service

KINGSTON, Jamaica – A delegation from the Bahamas Department of Corrections is in Jamaica participating in an observation tour of the island’s Probation and Parole System. The delegation paid a courtesy call to State Minister of National Security, Senator Pearnel Charles Jnr, and Permanent Secretary Dianne McIntosh on Tuesday. During the meeting, which was also attended by Commissioner of Corrections Ina Hunter, discussions centred on technical cooperation and the exchange of best practices to strengthen each island’s correctional service.

The tour marks the second phase in the development of a probation and parole framework suitable to the needs and conditions of the Bahamian society, with specific emphasis on Inmates Re-Entry System, the Parole Board, the Parole Justice System, Legal Division, and Parole Community Housing. The visit will include a tour of the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre and an observation of a sitting of the Parole Board. The delegation’s tour will end on August 12, 2016. (Jamaica Observer)

Senator Pearnel Charles

REGIONAL PAGE 22

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Venezuelan, Colombian Leaders To Meet On Border Row BOGOTA, Colombia (AFP) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Colombian counterpart Juan Manuel Santos will meet Thursday in Venezuela to discuss ending a row that has kept their border closed for nearly a year, officials said. The Colombian president's office said the two leaders would seek to "normalize" the situation along the border, which Maduro closed last year after an attack on a Venezuelan army patrol.

Maduro blamed the raid on right-wing paramilitaries from Colombia. The leftist leader has briefly reopened the border in recent weeks to allow Venezuelans to stock up on food, medicine and other basics. Venezuela is facing severe shortages amid an economic crisis fueled by the global crash in the price of oil, its main export. (Jamaica Observer)

Jamaica Earns US$1.3B From Tourism In First 6 Months Of 2016 KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Tourism has disclosed that for the first six months of 2016, Jamaica earned US$1.3 billion from tourism. Statistics from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) that was sent to the Tourism Ministry showed that there has been more than two million visitors to the island, which resulted in a 7.5 per cent increase from the corresponding period last year.

A release from the ministry noted that for the first half of 2016, total arrivals were at 2,084,963, with 1,135,080 stopovers, increasing by 2.5 per cent.

Also, there were 949,883 cruise passenger arrivals, which went up by 14.2 per cent. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, during a special Linkages Network Strategy Session at the Jamaica Pegasus today, said this is an indication that Jamaica is firmly on the path to welcoming four million visitors for 2016. He also pointed out that the highest number of visitors for any July in Jamaica’s history was also recorded this year, amounting to 211,000.

“The preliminary numbers for July exclude Jamaican nationals and members of the Diaspora. This is a four per cent increase over last year and when the Diaspora is added it will perhaps equal June’s six per cent,” said Minister Bartlett. The United States of America and the United Kingdom remain Jamaica’s strongest markets, with arrival figures of 147,053 and 15,782, respectively, for June 2016.

“Tourism is the fastest-growing economic activity in the world. Last year tourism earned $1.3 trillion and 1.2 billion people travelled across the globe. Here in the Caribbean 28 million people visited and we earned US$30 billion. At home in Jamaica, 3.7 million people visited and we earned US$2.5 billion,” Bartlett said. (Jamaica Observer)

A Prisoner Tried Smuggling This Onto Carrera Island

Cigarettes concealed in the soles of a prisoner's pair of shoes.

BUNDLES of cigarettes, considered the currency behind bars in Trinidad and Tobago, were found hidden in the soles of a pair of shoes worn by a prisoner headed to the Carrera Island Prison last week. Also found were several cell phones. The searches took place as the prisoners were being prepared to leave the Port of Spain Prison.

A pack containing 20 cigarettes, which cost $30, can cost more than $600 behind prison walls. The exercise was part of a recent initiative to closely scrutinise prisoners, given the continuing threats against prison officers and rumours of a planned prison break out. (Trinidad Express)

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Cont act : GuyanaDai l ynews guyanadai l ynews@gmai l . com ( 592) 2265088 ( 592) 2265096 l ot 1 2&1 3Sher i f f s t . s ubr y anv i l l eGeor get own

INTERNATIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Syria Conflict: Aleppo Hit By Clashes Despite Russia Aid Pledge PAGE 24

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Clashes have been reported in and around the northern Syrian long-range bombers destroyed a chemical weapons factory and city of Aleppo despite promises by Russia to halt military action a training camp for IS fighters, killing a "large number" of them, to allow in aid. Russian forces had announced a daily three-hour Russia's defence ministry said. (BBC) suspension of military action. However UN officials said that was too short to take in enough to help the large numbers of people in need. Aleppo has seen intense fighting recently between rebels and Russian-backed Syrian government forces.

There are also reports of a toxic gas attack on a rebel-held area.

Four people died and many others were injured, medical staff say. The gas was thought to have been chlorine dropped in a barrel bomb, said the Syrian Civil Defence - volunteer emergency response workers. Elsewhere, Russian planes attacked targets in the northern city of Raqqa, a stronghold of socalled Islamic State. The city's water supply had been cut off as a result, the group's media arm, Amaq, said. The report was Aid is urgently needed for civilians in confirmed by an anti-IS group. At least 30 people were killed and Aleppo, the UN says(REUTERS) 70 wounded in the raids, a UK-based monitoring group said. The

Huffington Post Founder Arianna Huffington To Step Down Arianna Huffington, who co-founded the liberal news website Huffington Post 11 years ago, has announced she is to step down as editor-in-chief. She will leave the AOL-owned site to run a new venture, Thrive Global, she said on her Twitter feed.

"I thought HuffPost would be my last act. But I've decided to step down as HuffPost's editor-in-chief to run my new venture, Thrive Global," she said. Thrive Global is described as a project designed to combat workplace "burnout". In a media release, Ms Huffington, 66, says it is "a corporate and consumer wellbeing and productivity platform". Profile: Arianna Huffington Across all nine international Huffington Post sites, there are 81m monthly unique visitors. It launched its UK edition in 2011. Tim Armstrong, AOL chief executive, said that thanks to Arianna, the Huffington Post was a "firmly established and celebrated news source". 'Journey' The Huffington Post was launched on 9 May, 2005, pulling together liberal-leaning news reports, and as an alternative to conservative news aggregators such as the Drudge Report. She launched the site with the American businessman Kenneth Lerer and other investors. The site offers news, blogs, and original features, and covers politics, lifestyle, and entertainment. "The journey of the last 11 years has exceeded my wildest expectations," Ms Huffington said, referring to the HuffPost, as it is also known. "When I decided to create Thrive Global, I thought it would be possible to build a start-up and continue as editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post. Today, it's clear that was an illusion," she added. "As Thrive Global moved from an idea to a reality, with investors, staff, and offices, it became clear to me that I simply couldn't do justice to both companies. Change is desperately needed if another generation is to avoid the burnout that all too often comes with success today."

Republican beginnings Arianna Huffington was born Arianna Stassinopoulos in Athens in 1950. She left her native country to study economics at Cambridge University, where she became president of the Cambridge Union. She moved to America and in 1986 married Texas oil billionaire Michael Huffington. She played a major role in his election to the US House of Representatives in 1992 as a Republican candidate and in his failed bid for a Senate seat two years later. By this point, Ms Huffington had made a name in her own right as a figure in the Republican establishment and a key supporter of Newt Gingrich and other right-wing figures. But she left the party in 1996, and divorced her husband the following year, as she moved on a journey to the left. In 2011, AOL acquired The Huffington Post for $315m, and made her president and editorin-chief. (BBC)

Arianna Huffington

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 25

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Syria Conflict: Aleppo 'Chlorine Gas Attack' Investigated

The UN is investigating evidence of a toxic gas attack on a rebel-held area of the Syrian city of Aleppo. Rebels said the attack - which reportedly left four people dead and many injured - was carried out by government forces using chlorine gas. The UN special envoy for Syria said a chlorine attack, if confirmed, would amount to a "war crime". Footage obtained by the BBC shows people with breathing difficulties receiving treatment at a hospital. Men, women and children are shown being fitted with oxygen masks by medical staff.

The gas is thought to have been chlorine dropped in a barrel bomb, said the Syrian Civil Defence - volunteer emergency response workers who operate in opposition-held areas. UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura confirmed the global body's experts were investigating reports of a gas, believed to be chlorine, being dropped on Aleppo. "There is a lot of evidence that it actually did take place," he told reporters. "If it did take place, it is a war crime and as much it would require everyone... to address it immediately."

'Eyes burning' A man receiving treatment in hospital said he had been in the Zebdieh area of the city, where he lives, when two missiles landed near him and a group of friends. "And a few minutes later, the smell of gas started spreading... and I felt my eyes burning and difficulties in breathing," he said. "The smell was very strong - beyond any description." A medic at the hospital said they had received a lot of casualties, who were "all ages" including children and elderly people. "When we examined these casualties, we realised it was due to chlorine,"

Men, women and children are shown being fitted with oxygen masks by medical staff

he added.

Chlorine is a common industrial chemical, but its use in weapons is banned by the Chemical Weapons Convention. In 2013, the BBC found strong evidence suggesting residents of Saraqeb had been subject to a chemical attack by government helicopters, something denied by the Syrian authorities.

Fighting has escalated in Aleppo in recent days, with rebels severing the government's main route to the west of the city.

The offensive sought to break a siege by pro-government forces, who encircled the east in July with the support of Russian aircraft. Aid crisis Russia has announced a daily halt to hostilities between 10:00 (07:00 GMT) and 13:00 from Thursday, to allow in aid. But UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien said while that would be taken seriously, a break of up to 48 hours was needed to get enough aid in on lorries. "We have supplies ready to roll - food rations, hospital supplies, ambulances, fuel for generators, water supplies and more.

"We will continue to use all available routes and mechanisms to do this, including cross-line and cross-border operations from Turkey." A witness in Aleppo told the BBC there had not been any ceasefire on Thursday, contrary to what the Russians had said. Earlier some of the last doctors in the rebel-held east of the city appealed to US President Barack Obama to come to the aid of the 250,000 civilians there. They said that in the past month there had been 42 attacks on medical facilities in Syria, 15 of them on hospitals where they work. On Monday, the UN said countless civilians had been killed or injured in Aleppo in recent weeks and hospitals and clinics had continued to be targeted.

Moreover, attacks on civilian infrastructure had left more than two million people without electricity or access to the public water network for several days, it added. Elsewhere, Russian planes attacked targets in the northern city of Raqqa, a stronghold of so-called Islamic State. Russia 'cuts IS capital's water supply' The city's water supply had been cut off as a result, the group's media arm, Amaq, said. The report was confirmed by an anti-IS group.

(BBC)

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INTERNATIONAL PAGE 27

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Germany In New Anti-Terror Plan To Thwart Islamist Militants Germans with dual nationality will lose their German citizenship if they fight for militant Islamist groups abroad under new anti-terror proposals. Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere also announced plans to speed up the deportation of foreign criminals. He announced extra personnel, equipment and surveillance powers for the police. But he rejected banning the public wearing of the burka (the Islamic full veil). And he resisted pressure to ease medical confidentiality. Some of his conservative Christian Democrat (CDU) colleagues have urged a burka ban but Mr de Maiziere said it would be "problematic" and "you cannot ban everything that you reject".

Mr de Maiziere was responding to recent attacks linked to militant Islamists. Two terror attacks by Islamist migrants shocked Germany last month - in Wuerzburg and Ansbach. "I propose that German citizens who are fighting with terror militias in other countries, and take part in combat operations there, if they have a second nationality - and only then - they would lose German citizenship," he told a news conference.

There was a move in France recently to deprive jihadists of their French citizenship, but it did not get through parliament.

"My proposals are limited to the points that can lead to more security rapidly," Mr de Maiziere said.

One of the new measures is to make "promoting terrorism" a criminal offence. The security issue has become intensely political, as the country prepares for general elections next year and earlier regional elections. German media report that the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) - the CDU's coalition partners - strongly oppose any general ban on dual citizenship.

The Greens are also against the idea. Why is doctors' confidentiality an issue? The duty of doctors to respect patient confidentiality is enshrined in the German constitution.

And German privacy laws are very strict. But Mr de Maiziere

German police surveillance powers are to be boosted with more video cameras(AFP)

said he would meet senior doctors to discuss how they could more easily tip off police when they suspected a patient was a terror risk. In three major cases the perpetrators were found to have been mentally unstable: The Ansbach bomber who killed himself and wounded 15 others at a music festival last month The gunman who killed nine people in a Munich shopping mall - also last month The Germanwings pilot who deliberately crashed an airliner in the French Alps in 2015 German doctors who breach patient confidentiality can face up to a year in prison or be forced to pay a fine.

Frank Ulrich Montgomery, the head of the German Medical Association, said: "Patient confidentiality protects patients' privacy and is a basic right under the constitution." How big is the terror threat? On deportation, Mr de Maiziere said there would be no tolerance of foreign offenders who used false identities in order to stay in Germany. The deputy head of Bavaria's intelligence services, Manfred Hauser, has told the BBC the risk of a major attack on German soil is high.

He said his agents were investigating hundreds of reports that the so-called Islamic State (IS) group was sending teams into the country disguised as refugees. So far Germany has not witnessed the scale of attack seen in France, where militant Islamists killed 147 in Paris last year and 85 in Nice last month.

How will surveillance be improved? Mr de Maiziere is expected to attract broad support for creating 4,600 new national security jobs, including 3,250 more police, and for improving police equipment.

Germany is also likely to introduce more video surveillance in urban areas, a special police cyber defence unit and powers to investigate suspects as young as 14. There will be a big push to intercept terror networks that use the "darknet" to plan attacks or obtain weapons, the minister said. It is an area of cyberspace invisible to ordinary internet users. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 28

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Australia Blocks Chinese Firm From Stake In Electricity Grid

(DDP) Australia's government has preliminarily blocked Chinese and Hong Kong bidders from taking a controlling stake in the country's largest electricity network, citing worries over national security. In a statement to the media, the Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison has said the foreign investment proposals from Chinese and Hong Kong bidders "were contrary to the national interest." China's State Grid Corp and Hong Kong's Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings (CKI) were attempting to buy a 50.4% controlling stake in Ausgrid, which is New South Wales's electricity distribution network - the largest in the country. State Grid Corp has not commented so far on the blocking of this sale, but undoubtedly the reaction in Chinese media will be one of outrage.

Hong Kong's Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings, owned

by HK billionaire Li Ka-shing, has distanced itself from this rejection.

In a statement to the BBC it said: "We believe that the Australian government must have reasons beyond the obvious which led them to make today's announcement. The issue is unrelated to CKI." Australia's move comes as the UK has postponed approval for the Hinkley Point nuclear power project, in which China's General Nuclear Power Corporation will have a minority stake, on similar concerns.

The power grid sale, which is reportedly worth around $7.5bn (£5.8bn), would have allowed the Chinese and Hong Kong bidders to acquire the controlling stake in Ausgrid for 99 years. Ausgrid was appealing to international investors because it is seen as yielding stable and positive returns. Chinese companies have been on a global acquisition spree, buying up resources and power firms in Asia as I've been reporting. Take the Edra asset in Malaysia for example, which was also not without controversy.

But Australia's Mr Morrison said that during the review process, national security issues were identified in critical power and communications services that Ausgrid provides to business and governments. Mr Morrisson said the bidders need to address these concerns, and that they have until 18 August to submit their proposals to him, at which time a final decision will be made on the project.

(BBC)

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 30

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

A Day Like Today

“But only in their dreams can men be truly free. It was always thus, and always thus will be”Dead Poets Society, 1989.

Robin McLaurin Williams was more than a stand-up comedian, actor, director, producer, writer, singer and voice artist; he was a genius of the silver screen. But his talent wasn’t only shown through the cold glass; you could also admire his charisma in Plays performed live on the Theaters of Brooklyn.

A versatile artist that could crawl into the skin of any paper, and shape it to his figure.

Talented soul that without effort, touched the heart of every type of audience. A day like today will always be remembered, like the day the cinematographic industry and the word lose its ‘laughter’. The 63-year-old actor was found hanged at his house in

California, on the morning of August 11, 2014.

Depression, a Parkinson in development and a constant fight with alcoholism, are speculated to be the motives for his suicide. His prolific career started in 1977, with the debut of the comedy “Can I do it till I need glasses”, making his way up on the cinematographic industry in a good part of the 80s, and solidifying it in the 90s. He starred in legendary movies such a “Dead Poets Society”, “Mrs. Doubtfire” and gave his voice for the genie in “Aladdin”.

After his sudden depart, actors and admirers from all over the world expressed their condolences in diverse and heart touching ways. The Hollywood comedy club ‘Laugh Factory’, wrote on its marquee “Robin Williams Rest in Peace. Make God Laugh”, phrase that would later be pronounced on his eulogy.

Source:http://www.history.co m/this-day-in-history/oscarwinning-actor-robin-wil...

-By- Rocio Perez, Guyana Daily News.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Ukraine Puts Troops On High Alert As Tension Grows With Russia Ukrainian troops along the de facto a Ukraine military intelligence border with Crimea and facing rebels in the east have been placed on high alert amid a spike in tensions with Moscow. President Petro Poroshenko said he had instructed all military units there to be combat ready. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his top brass to discuss beefing up security in Crimea.

Moscow accuses Kiev of carrying out armed incursions into Crimea claims rejected as "a fantasy" by Ukraine. Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 after an unrecognised referendum.

The two sides sides are accusing each other of destabilising the situation as Kiev prepares to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Ukrainian independence from Russia on 24 August, and Russia prepares for a parliamentary election on 18 September. In other developments: The US envoy to Ukraine said he had "seen nothing so far that corroborates" Russian claims of Ukrainian incursions into Crimea Crimean leader Sergei Aksyonov accused the US of being behind the alleged armed incursions saying "Ukrainian officials wouldn't have had the courage for such actions" Russia announced its two newest ships in the Black Sea Fleet - armed with cruise missiles - would begin exercises in the eastern part of the Mediterranean from 15 August Russia's FSB intelligence agency on Wednesday said it had smashed

Soldiers facing Russian-backed rebels in the east have been put on alert(REUTERS)

network attempting incursions into Crimea over the weekend.

"Heavy fire" from Ukrainian territory resulted in the death of a Russian soldier. An FSB employee died while trying to detain infiltrators, it said. A number of infiltrators were detained, the FSB said, including a Ukrainian national they named as Yevhen Panov. He was described by Russian sources as a Ukrainian military intelligence officer, but in Ukraine he is reported to be a former volunteer fighter who has more recently been associated with a charitable organisation.

President Putin accused Kiev of "practising terror" and vowed to "not let such things slide by", saying: "This is a very dangerous game". President Poroshenko described the accusations as "preposterous and cynical", and said: "These fantasies are only a pretext for making more military threats against Ukraine". About 9,000 people are reported to have been killed in the conflict in eastern Ukraine that followed the Russian annexation of Crimea. The annexation, which was itself largely bloodless, followed a vote to secede at a referendum on selfdetermination on 16 March 2014 - a ballot which was not recognised internationally. The US and European Union imposed sanctions on Moscow in response to its seizure of the territory. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 31

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Canada Police 'kill Suspect In Anti-Terror Operation’

Police have shot dead a suspect in an anti-terror operation in the Canadian province of Ontario. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that a suspect was fatally shot in a police operation. Canadian media said police had raided a property in Strathroy, about 225km (140 miles) south-west of Toronto. They named the suspect as Aaron Driver, 24, who was arrested last year for openly supporting so-called Islamic State on social media. 'Potential threat' A senior police official told the Canadian Press news agency the suspect had allegedly planned to carry out a suicide bombing in a public area.

An internal government memo seen by the CTV network said his alleged plan was to use a homemade bomb to create mass casualties.

An earlier The RCMP statement said it had received "credible information of a potential terrorist threat". "A suspect was identified and the proper course of action has been taken to ensure that there is no danger to the public's safety," it added. "As this is still an unfolding matter and the investigation is still under way, we are not able to provide further comment at this time." CBC News said Aaron Driver's family had confirmed his death. It said police had told the family Driver had detonated an explosive device, injuring himself and another person.

Driver had been intending to detonate a second device and that was why police had shot him, the report said. Leonard Tailleur, Driver's former lawyer, said it was "absolutely shocking" to hear about what happened. Mr Tailleur, who represented Driver in 2015 and early 2016, said his client had never indicated he would engage in terrorist activities. "He was such a passive individual. He was not an aggressive person," he told the Globe and Mail.

Who is Aaron Driver? A 24-year-old living in Ontario known to Canadian police as an IS sympathiser Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) first learned of him when he tweeted support for IS under the alias Harun Abdurahman in October 2014 Arrested last June in Winnipeg over concerns of his online activities, but never

Aaron Driver was subject to a court order limiting his activities(AP)

formally charged Agreed to a peace bond to limit his activities, which included no use of firearms, a cell phone, computer or social media and no communications with IS Driver, a Muslim convert, came to the authorities' attention in 2014 for tweeting in support of IS, using the alias Harun Abdourahman.

He was taken into custody and interrogated by police in July 2015 over concerns he would become involved in planning an attack. He was not charged but released on bail and had to wear a GPS ankle bracelet and undergo religious counselling, according to the CBC. The electronic tag was removed in February when he agreed to the terms of a court order limiting his activities because there were reasonable grounds to believe he might aid a terror group or terrorist activity. He was not allowed to have a computer or mobile phone until the end of August and was banned from social media sites and from contacting IS or any other militant groups, the Winnipeg Free Press reports. All the conditions of the bond were due to expire in December - and no trial was planned.

How do countries handle terror suspects? Canada - Peace bond: A protection order made by a criminal court that requires a person to remain on good behaviour for a period of time, which means they cannot be charged with any additional criminal offences UK Control orders: The orders were introduced in 2005 as part of antiterrorism legislation and allow police to put terrorism suspects under close supervision. The home secretary can issue two types of orders: The first order imposes strict conditions such as home curfews and bans on whom a person can meet for up to a year while the other involves opting out of some human rights laws to restrict movements during a public emergency situation. US - Probation: For people convicted of terrorism-related charges who do not receive life sentences, US courts typically require that they undergo a period of supervised release by a probation officer after their sentence ends.

Terms can include withholding their passport or banning them from possessing explosive materials. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 33

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Donald Trump Calls Obama 'Founder Of ISIS Donald Trump on Wednesday repeatedly called President Barack Obama the "founder" of ISIS and labeled Hillary Clinton the "cofounder." At a rally in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Trump also said that ISIS "honors" Obama -- who the GOP nominee referred to as "Barack Hussein Obama." Did Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton create ISIS? After lamenting the "mistake" the US made by going to war in Iraq -- a conflict he repeatedly says that he opposed, despite evidence to the contrary -- Trump then criticized Obama's attempts to "clean up." "Normally you want to clean up; he made a bigger mess out of it.

He made such a mess. And then you had Hillary with Libya, so sad," Trump said. "In fact, in many respects, you know they honor president Obama. ISIS is honoring President Obama. He is the founder of ISIS. He's the founder of ISIS, OK? He's the founder. He founded ISIS." He then said that the "co-founder" of ISIS was Clinton. Clinton campaign adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday accused Trump of "echoing the talks of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin." "This is another example of Donald Trump trash-talking the United States," Sullivan said in a statement. "It goes without saying that this is a false claim from a presidential candidate with an aversion to the truth and an unprecedented lack of knowledge."

In an interview and campaign event in Florida on Thursday, Trump doubled down on his comments. "Oh boy, is ISIS hoping for her," Trump said during an appearance before home builders in Miami Beach, portraying Clinton as lazy. "ISIS will hand her the most valuable player award. Her only competition is Barack Obama." "He was the founder of ISIS, absolutely," Trump said of Obama earlier on CNBC. "The way he removed our troops -- you shouldn't have gone in. I was against the war in Iraq. Totally against it." "That mistake was made. It was a horrible mistake -- one of the worst mistakes in the history of our country.

We destabilized the Middle East and we've been paying the price for it for years. He was the founder -- absolutely, the founder. In fact, in sports they have awards, he gets the most valuable player award. Him and Hillary. I mean she gets it, too. I gave them co-founder if you really looked at the speech." Did Obama underplay ISIS' influence?

Critics say Obama has played down the terror threat and, while still on a victory lap after the killing of Osama bin Laden, failed to anticipate the rise of ISIS. Trump later called Obama by his full name, "Barack Hussein Obama," in a jab at his handling of the Russian involvement in Crimea.

Conservatives opponents of the Obama administration have used the

president's middle name to highlight what they see as Muslim sympathies and Trump had for a long time claimed Obama was not born in the US. In fact, Obama is a Christian who was born in the US. Following June's horrific nightclub shooting in Orlando, Trump had suggested that Obama had an ulterior motive. "We're led by a man who is very -- look, we're led by a man that either is not tough, not smart, or he's got something else in mind.

And the something else in mind, you know, people can't believe it," Trump said on Fox News' "Fox and Friends." "People cannot believe, they cannot believe that President Obama is acting the way he acts and he can't even mention the words 'radical Islamic terrorism.'

There's something going on. It's inconceivable. There's something going on." Obama has previously responded: "Calling a threat by a different name doesn't make it go away." (CNN)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 34

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

US Couple Sues IP Mapping Firm Over 'Digital Hell’

A US couple is suing an internet mapping firm for $75,000 (£58,000) after years of "digital hell". MaxMind matches IP addresses, which are used to connect devices to the internet, to physical locations. It has said these are not meant to be precise. James and Theresa Arnold say it registered their home as the position of more than 600 million addresses. They say this has led many people to wrongly believe a host of crimes were committed at the property. "The first week after the Arnolds moved in, two deputies from the Butler County Sheriff's Department came to the residence looking for a stolen truck.

This scenario repeated itself countless times over the next five years," documents filed with a Kansas court read. The Arnolds complained they have been disturbed at all hours by "local, state or federal officials looking for a runaway child or a missing person, or evidence of a computer fraud, or call of an attempted suicide". The issue came to light in April after an investigation by Fusion, a TV network and website, which reported that the property's owner Joyce Taylor and her tenants had been accused of being "identity thieves, spammers, scammers and fraudsters" for years. IPs can be used to identify individual houses but can also be imprecise.

Sometimes, they only refer to the country a device is in and, in some

The farm in Kansas is near the centre point of the USA(GOOGLE)

cases, even that information can be inaccurate. Fusion said Ms Taylor's troubles were the results of IP mapping by MaxMind, which chose her property as the default spot for IPs it could not locate more precisely other than saying they were in the USA. The house in Kansas, which the Arnolds rented out in 2011, is near to the geographical centre of the country. 'Digital hell' Since then, they say they have had a constant stream of people who have researched the IP addresses they believe to be behind a string of nefarious activities and found them to be registered to their address.

"In 2013, the Butler County Sheriff Department ran a background check on the plaintiffs because of all the activity taking place at the residence," the court documents say, adding that the department was receiving "weekly reports about fraud, scams, stolen Facebook accounts, missing person reports" linked to the home. "Threats began to be made against the plaintiffs by individuals who were convinced that the perpetrator of internet scamming lived at the residence. State investigators - convinced that the plaintiffs had been involved in an identity theft - came to the residence to take pictures of assets.

“The following events appeared to originate at the residence and brought trespassers and/or law enforcement to the plaintiffs' home at all hours of the night and day: stolen cars, fraud related to tax returns and bitcoin, stolen credit cards, suicide calls, private investigators, stolen social media accounts, fund raising events and numerous other events." They accuse MaxMind of "reckless and grossly negligent conduct" that has caused "great emotional distress, fear for their safety, and humiliation" and have asked the Kansas district court to award the damages.

MaxMind said it was aware of the lawsuit but declined to comment on pending litigation. The company's founder Thomas Mather has previously said: "We have always advertised the database as determining the location down to a city or zip code level. To my knowledge, we have never claimed that our database could be used to locate a household." He said MaxMind has changed its default centre points to be in the middle of bodies of water.

(BBC)

FUN CORNER PAGE 36

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

DIY (DO IT YOURSELF): ORIGAMI WALL DECOR

HOROSCOPE PAGE 37

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Brain Teasers

A

B

C

D

E

F

A-Little House on the Prairie, B- Wise (yyyys) decision, C- Jack in The Box, D- All Around the World, E- Mind over Matter, F- Big Fish in a Small Pond

Daily Horoscope Get busy on those home improvement projects that you've been procrastinating about. People trying to entice you to join in will be less than trustworthy. You must make them stand on their own two feet regardless of how much you want to make things better for them.

You must be careful not to ignore the needs of the youngsters in your family. Purchases will be well worth it and they will last a long time. You have more than enough on your plate already

You are best to keep hard feelings to yourself.

Opportunities for travel must be carefully considered. Travel will be most enticing. Consider a cruise.

Depression may be likely if you're away from home. Keep your ears open, especially to those who care about you. Self-improvement could bring amazing results.

You may ďŹ nd that your boss is not delighted with your work lately. You need time to make things better. Try not to skirt issues if you think you'll hurt someone's feelings.

Refrain from using the highway as a racetrack. You can make progress if you deal with the right individuals. Don't let coworkers get wind of your ideas or they might try to take credit for your hard work.

This is a good day to check out your investments.

Things may not be as harmonious as you would like with colleagues or employers today. Put your time and energy into travel, philosophy, and soul-searching.

Don't take your frustrations out on loved ones.

Plan to visit friends or relatives. You will gain valuable insight and knowledge through the experiences you have along the way.

You have to know what your boss wants if you expect to do your job correctly. Don't hesitate to come right out and ask for the pertinent information. People you live with will not be terribly happy with you regardless of what you do today.

Your doubt could lead to insecurity. You will ďŹ nd that uncertain individuals will want to draw you into joint ventures. Pay attention to small but important details.

Your lack of interest in your partner is a problem.

Romance can develop; however, it will most probably be short-lived. Don't let the erratic behavior of someone you live with interfere with your professional performance.

Do not be surprised if your partner doesn't understand your needs. Don't let your emotional upset interfere with your professional objectives.

Romance and social activity will be a promising combination.

RECIPE PAGE 39

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

Ingredients

RECIPE OF THE DAY: COCONUT ICE CREAM

2 coconuts, grated 1 tsp almond essence 4 pints milk 4 eggs 2 oz custard powder Sugar to taste

Preparation Heat 1½ pints of milk, pour it over the grated coconut and leave to stand for 5 minutes.

Squeeze the milk/coconut mixture thoroughly to extract the flavour and then strain out the gratings (cous-cous). ·Blend the custard powder with 4 tablespoons plain milk. ·Heat the remaining 2½ pints of milk in a saucepan. Remove from the heat and add the custard powder, blending well.

Return to the pan on heat and stir constantly until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat. ·Whisk the eggs lightly with sugar, add the essence, pour the hot custard in and whisk well.

Add the coconut milk and mix well.

Cool and freeze as usual.

Note: Milk which has been flavoured with coconut should not be heated.

Alternative Recipe Ingredients 2 medium-sized coconuts 1 tin evaporated milk 1 tin condensed milk or two pints boiled cow's milk 2 cups sugar if fresh milk is used Preparation Peel and grate coconut, and to it, add one and a half pints of water.

Mix well to extract milk, then strain through a fine cloth or sieve.

Heat the milk, thickening, and sugar together. Add the coconut milk.

Keep pouring this backwards and forward from one vessel to another until cool, emulsifying the globules of fat from the coconut and making the mixture more appetizing and digestible.

Strain, then place in freezer.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

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Messi Will Not Reverse Argentina Retirement - Maradona Diego Maradona believes the "weak leadership" of the AFA means Lionel Messi will not reverse his international retirement. Diego Maradona believes Lionel Messi will not reverse his decision to quit the national team due to the "weak leadership" of the Argentine Football Federation (AFA). The five-time Ballon D'Or winner announced his retirement from international duty in June after missing from the spot in Argentina's penalty shoot-out defeat to Chile in the Copa America Centenario, La Albiceleste's third major final defeat in as many years.

Former S a o Paulo manager Edgardo Bauza, w h o replaced Gerardo Martino at the h e l m

earlier this month, travelled to Spain on Wednesday to discuss Messi's future but Maradona believes the Barcelona forward will not go back on his decision. "I think Messi is going to say no to Bauza. This is my thinking. Maybe I'm wrong," Maradona told Radio La Red. Messi's shock announcement came just days after he described the AFA as a "disaster" on his official Instagram account after the team's flight to New Jersey for the Copa final was delayed. And Maradona believes the latest dispute, coupled with Argentina winning just three of their opening six qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, reflects the extent of the problems within the governing body. "We are very bad.

We run the risk of not going to Qatar," the 1986 World Cup winning captain said.

"I've never seen such weak leadership. "What happened with Messi exposes what's been going on for a lifetime. How is it that the families of the [AFA] leaders are more comfortable than the players?" Maradona announced he was seeking an audit of the AFA last month, describing the governing body as a 'mafia'. Argentina suffered a further blow on Wednesday, exiting the Olympic Games at the group stage following a 11 draw with Honduras. (SportsMax)

Rio 2016: Lochte Will Need 'Perfect Performance' To Defeat Phelps He may be the world record holder in the 200m medley, but Ryan Lochte is under no illusions over how hard it will be to beat Michael Phelps. Ryan Lochte believes he will need a perfect performance in order to defeat Michael Phelps in Thursday's 200 metre individual medley at Rio 2016. Phelps comfortably beat American team-mate Lochte in Wednesday's semi-final and will go for a 22nd gold and 26th overall Olympic medal in the final.

Lochte was second behind Phelps in the same race at London 2012 and, despite owning the world record in the 200IM, knows he has little room for error against the most decorated Olympian of all time. "I love racing against him [Phelps]. He's the toughest competitor and racer I've ever had to go up against. We bring the best out of each other," Lochte said. "It's going to take a perfect performance in order to beat him just because of how tough of a competitor he is. He won't give up, and that's awesome.

“That's why he brings out the best in me and hopefully I do the exact same for him." While Phelps and Lochte have a fierce competitive rivalry, they continue to enjoy a strong

friendship away from the pool Lochte added: "Whenever we go up on the blocks, we're always trying to win. That's just our competitive instinct that we have. "But you know, win or lose, at the end we're still good friends and we don't let swimming decide that." (SportsMax)

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Rio 2016: Golf Tees Off After 112-Year Absence Brazil's Adilson da Silva hit his first drive down the right side of the fairway at the Olympic Golf Course. A new day in international golf dawned with bright sunshine as the sport returned to the Olympics for the first time since 1904. Given the honour of ending the 112-year absence, Brazil's Adilson da Silva hit his first drive down the right side of the fairway at the Olympic Golf Course shortly after 8.30am Rio time.

Sixty golfers will play 72 holes of stroke play on the 7,128 yard, par-71 layout on a former sand quarry along saltwater marshes and lagoons. Henrik Stenson of Sweden leads the way among an international field that includes the likes of world number 11 Sergio Garcia (Spain) and Martin Kaymer (Germany). Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed and Matt Kuchar are the medal contenders for the United States.

Masters champion Danny Willett and Justin Rose represent England, while Emiliano Grillo (Argentina), Rafa CabreraBello (Spain) and Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) are among

the other contenders. Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Branden Grace, Dustin Johnson and Adam Scott are notable absentees after expressing concerns over the Zika virus. (SportsMax)

ICC Chief Saddened By Hanif Passing

Hanif Mohammad batted the longest Test innings in history and ICC boss David Richardson remembered him fondly following his death. The International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson has expressed sadness at the

passing of former Pakistan captain Hanif Mohammad at the age of 81.

Hanif scored 3915 runs in 55 Test matches – including 12 centuries – but is best known for recording the longest Test innings played in history. The Pakistani batted for 970 minutes en route to a career-best 337 against West Indies in Bridgetown in 1958.

Richardson said: "His contribution to the game has been enormous and one can only imagine the kind of impact his batting had on other over the years.

“Hanif's triple-century against the West Indies was a legendary innings and unsurprisingly he was one of the original inductees into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame." Hanif's short stature and impeccable technique earned him the nickname 'Little Master', a moniker later applied to iconic pair Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar. (SportsMax)

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Rio 2016: German Scullers Power To First Rowing Gold of Games The men's and women's quadruple sculls saw Germany win Annekatrin Thiele, Carina Baer, Julia Lier and Lisa the first two rowing gold medals of the 2016 Olympic Schmidla holding off Netherlands and Poland in a tightly Games. Germany's quadruple sculls team successfully contested race. (SportsMax) defended their Olympics title to claim the first rowing gold medal of Rio 2016. Having finished third in the heat, Germany had to come through the repechage to reach the final, which had been postponed on Wednesday because of high winds.

Only one member of the crew - Hans Gruhne - did not feature at London 2012, and he and team-mates Karl Schulze, Philipp Wende and Lauritz Schoof made no mistake in the final. Taking advantage of a fast start, the German crew built a sizeable gap that proved to be enough despite a late challenge from Australia, who took the silver ahead of Estonia.

That victory was quickly followed by another German success in the women's quadruple sculls - the team of

Rio 2016: Caribbean Gets Wind Knocked Out Of Their Sails Cameron Pimentel of Bermuda was 43rd with a net-points

Caribbean sailors tried valiantly but came up short during competition on Monday at the Rio Olympics in Brazil. Cy Thompson from the Virgin Islands came up 22nd overall in the Laser Men’s standings with a net of 93 points, the highest among Caribbean sailors. Forty-second in the standings was Andrew Lewis of Trinidad and Tobago who has a net score of 183 points.

total of 185 points. In the Laser Radical for Women Aruba’s Phillipine Van Aanholt finished 28th in the standings with a net-points total of 116 points. Four places down was Stephanie Lovell of St. Lucia who returned a net total of 142 points. Cecilia Wollman of Bermuda finished 34th overall with 160 points while Cayman Islands’ Florence Allan with 173 points was 36th overall.

(SportsMax)

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Rio 2016: Your Caribbean Olympic Schedule

Jamaica Football: Watson Nets Again For New England Jamaica international JeVaughn Watson has continued his midweek against Chicago Fire in the US Open Cup. The goal recent scoring streak for Major League Soccer (MLS) team was the second for the striker against the same team in two New England Revolution this time finding the back of the net weeks and third for the team in a month.

To add to the interest surrounding the defensive midfielder’s recent surge in form Watson has taken to predicting just when he will find the back of the net. “I said it’s Chicago, I scored against them last time, so whatever, I’m going to go for it. When you’re in a good spot like that and you see the ball, you just finish it.

And before I even put it in the goal, I was thinking, ‘Oh my god, it’s a goal again,” Watson said. “I’m in the zone, you know.” Watson’s goal came in a decisive tally in a 3-1 semifinal victory at Gillette Stadium, which will see the Revolution through to next month’s US Open Cup final against the winner of Wednesday's match between FC Dallas and the LA Galaxy. (SportsMax)

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Windies Respond Strongly To Twin Tons

India were 339-5 on day two of the third Test, but collapsed to 353 all out before West Indies made a solid start with the bat in reply. The third Test between West Indies and India is intriguingly poised after the hosts responded superbly to centuries from Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha on day two in St Lucia. Ashwin and Saha extended their restorative sixth-wicket partnership to 213 on Wednesday, taking their individual scores to 118 and 104 respectively.

However, the departure of Saha - shortly after India's wicketkeeper had brought up his maiden international hundred - triggered a dramatic collapse, which saw Virat Kohli's men slump from 339-5 to 353 all out, Miguel Cummins taking 3-54. The Windies then made solid progress in reply, reaching 107-1 from 47 overs as runs generally came slowly for the second day in succession. Saha was able to gradually raise his tempo throughout the morning session after resuming with 46 of India's 234-5.

In contrast, Ashwin was content to retain a conservative approach prior to lunch, taken with the all-rounder on 99 and Saha up to 93. Both batsmen made it to three figures early in the afternoon, putting India on course for a substantial total after they had been in trouble at 19-2 and 126-5 on day one.

Yet Saha was then caught behind off Alzarri Joseph (3-69) and the remaining wickets came in a hurry for the Windies Cummins picking up three wickets in the space of 10 individual deliveries, including the key scalp of Ashwin, held at backward point.

India were duly made to toil in the field as Kraigg Brathwaite and Leon Johnson shared a patient opening stand of 59.

Johnson (23) was dropped at second slip by KL Rahul on four, but the fielder eventually made amends by producing a direct hit at the non-striker's end to run the opener out. That was to be India's only breakthrough, however, as Brathwaite (53 from 143 balls) and Darren Bravo (18 off 66) dug in until stumps. (SportsMax)

to 353 all out before West Indies made a solid start with the bat in reply. The third Test between West Indies and India is intriguingly poised after the hosts responded superbly to centuries from Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha on day two in St Lucia. Ashwin and Saha extended their restorative sixth-wicket partnership to 213 on Wednesday, taking their individual scores to 118 and 104 respectively.

However, the departure of Saha - shortly after India's wicketkeeper had brought up his maiden international hundred - triggered a dramatic collapse, which saw Virat Kohli's men slump from 339-5 to 353 all out, Miguel Cummins taking 354. The Windies then made solid progress in reply, reaching 107-1 from 47 overs as runs generally

to gradually raise his tempo throughout the morning session after resuming with 46 of India's 234-5.

In contrast, Ashwin was content to retain a conservative approach prior to lunch, taken with the all-rounder on 99 and Saha up to 93. Both batsmen made it to three figures early in the afternoon, putting India on course for a substantial total after they had been in trouble at 19-2 and 126-5 on day one.

Yet Saha was then caught behind off Alzarri Joseph (3-69) and the remaining wickets came in a hurry for the Windies Cummins picking up three wickets in the space of 10 individual deliveries, including the key scalp of Ashwin, held at backward point.

India were duly made to toil in the field as Kraigg Brathwaite and Leon Johnson shared a patient opening stand of 59.

Johnson (23) was dropped at second slip by KL Rahul on four, but the fielder eventually made amends by producing a direct hit at the non-striker's end to run the opener out. That was to be India's only breakthrough, however, as Brathwaite (53 from 143 balls) and Darren Bravo (18 off 66) dug in until stumps. (SportsMax)

Rio 2016: Vanderpool-Wallace Just Misses Out In 100 Free India were 339-5 on day two of the third Test, but collapsed came slowly for the second day in succession. Saha was able

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Reynolds Clinches Top-Four Berth With Golden-Point Win Josh Reynolds punished an error from Tom Trbojevic as Canterbury Bulldogs snatched two vital points away from Manly Sea Eagles. Canterbury Bulldogs ensured a top-four finish in the NRL ladder after Josh Reynolds clinched a dramatic 20-16 golden-point victory over Manly Sea Eagles at ANZ Stadium. Reynolds capitalised on an error from Tom Trbojevic to touch down the winning score in the second additional period, ending Manly's hopes of earning a place in

the Finals despite the return of captain Jamie Lyon from a hamstring injury.

Dale Cherry-Evans touched down after four minutes to give the Sea Eagles an early lead, but a Brett Morris double - the first of which came after Will Hopoate's pass bounced into the in-goal area off Josh Morris' head - sent the Bulldogs into the break ahead. Matthew Wright and Sam Perrett exchanged scores before Jorge Taufua crossed for his 11th try of the season, with a successful conversion from Lyon tying the score at 16-16. Lyon had a chance to win it on the buzzer for Manly when Sam Kasiano gave away a penalty in the final seconds, but his kick drifted wide of the upright as the match went to extra time.

Reynolds thought he had scored the golden point in the first period but his try was ruled out for an off-the-ball push on Cherry-Evans when chasing down his own dink over the defence. After two missed drop-goal attempts for each side – Cherry-Evans striking the outside of the post with his – the winner finally came in the second period of extra time.

Perrett's kick from the right wing bobbled through the legs of full-back Trbojevic and Reynolds picked it up to touch down for a dramatic victory. (SportsMax)