November 22, 2016

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Public Health Minister To Face Scrutiny For Misleading Nation On Health Bond

Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Barton Scotland has referred Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee for allegedly misleading the House about the rental of a drug bond from a known city businessman. The motion was tabled

by Shadow Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony. The Speaker ruled that there was sufficient evidence to take Norton to

the disciplinary body. However, Attorney General Basil Williams tried to clarify the issue, but the Speaker did not allow it, noting that, “the Speaker has ruled and there is nothing that I will entertain now.”

“this was an empty residential building of less than 6000 square feet which was devoid of any facilities required for a fully equipped and certified pharmaceutical bond as claimed by the Minister.”

The motion by Dr. Anthony accused Dr Norton of misguiding the National Assembly and the nation in August of this year when he justified government’s sole-sourcing of a new company, Linden Holdings Company for a Sussex Street bond to store drugs. Dr. Anthony said “The Minister misinformed the House that the new rented facility is not only suitable for the storage of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies but that, in fact, medical supplies were already being stored in it in keeping with standards set out by the PAHO/WHO.” Dr. Anthony revealed in his motion that,

The opposition MP told the House it was later revealed “the building was empty of any pharmaceuticals and medical supplies and was not in a position to story any medicines or any other medical supplies as was claimed.” Further in his motion, Dr Anthony said the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Company (GPC) was not considered by the government for Linden Holdings. It was revealed, however, that while the Sussex street bond would have cost $12.5M monthly, the New GPC bond actually cost the government $9.6M monthly between March and June 2016.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

No Government Bail Out For City Hall

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan has made it clear that government will not be providing $600M “bailout” for City Hall. The money that the Georgetown municipality seeks is to assist the cash-strapped town to meet expenses and pay creditors, as was reported by the Government Information Agency (GINA). The Minister said Government will not bailout the municipality. He made the revelation

while meeting with Mayors and Councillors of the three municipalities in Berbice on Friday.

$300M, just after the General and Regional Election of May 2015 and would soon be asking for $600M more.

The Minister stated, “This $600M bailout that we all have read about in the newspapers, where that particular council is looking for that support, what I can say…and from my own understanding and the limited current engagement that I have had with colleagues in the administration, is that, I do not think that there is any appetite on the part on the central government to be favorably disposed towards that request.” The minister in his remarks is asking the City Council to seek Commercial Financing. “The response of central government may very well be along the lines of telling the Municipality to think like a corporation, so I believe the Georgetown council would be encouraged, that there are commercial sources that they can approach,” Minister Bulkan said.

He noted this while pointing out that his municipality is still to hear from the Government on the approximately $137M proposal it submitted, to help cover the restoration of the drainage infrastructure in New Amsterdam.

Wynter called for Central Government to “stop focusing all its attention on Georgetown and to start focusing on the other municipalities,” noting that “Georgetown is not Guyana.” Minister Bulkan however advised Wynter and the other Region Six municipal councillors present at the engagement that instead of bailout, the administration had adopted a plan to begin weaning the municipalities off Central Government’s support, for financing their works.

At a recent statutory meeting, the City Council had passed a motion for the council to assemble a delegation to approach the Communities Minister for a $600M bailout. However, Mayor of New Amsterdam, Kurt Wynter had voiced the concern that City Hall would have received from Central Government

He told the councillors that the municipalities are now being advised to start functioning like corporations that generate the wealth needed to meet their operational cost. “I think that business consideration that our councils are being urged to bring, that business mindset, beginning in Georgetown would do a lot to drive efficiency and improvement within the management of councils,” the Minister said.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

CARICOM Security Ministers Says Crime Is Being Made Political The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) yesterday held its Seventeenth Meeting of the Council for National Security and Law Enforcement to address the crime situation in the region. The meeting at the CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen which saw the Ministers with responsibility for national security discussing critical issues affecting the Caribbean as a whole. The Honourable Adriel Brathwaite, Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs of Barbados, expressing deep concern about the state of crime in the region, more particularly violent crime. He charged that the upsurge in recent criminal activities within CARICOM was being “made into a political issue.” “We have made this, in some cases, into a political issue.

It is an issue that is fundamental to the way of life of all of our people, and none of us can deal with this alone; not one party, not one Government” he said. Brathwaite expressed deep concern about the increase of firearms in a region that does not

produce it, and this situation must be addressed frontally. He questioned why the region, seeing an increase in the number of firearms. “Firearms are flowing through a region which does not produce guns of any kind! Is this linked to the free movement of people? What are the causes?” “We are seeing in most of our territories, not only an increased amount of violent crime, but an increased usage of firearms from a myriad of sources. What I am being told (is that) more powerful weapons are being used in our territories. It is not a problem for Guyana, Trinidad or Barbados, it is a collective problem; we are all seeing this, and we need to address this,” He stated.

Brathwaite noted that at the end of the meeting, members must be able to find solutions to some of the causes of crime in the region. The chairman also urged member states to utilise the services available in fighting crime. “Unless we are able to control crime in our individual and

collective states, we are going to be challenged financially, continuously,” the chairman stated.

CARICOM Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque also reiterated the importance of working together to address the issue of national security in the region. “The onus is on us, collectively to demonstrate that we are indeed serious about our own security,” the Secretary General stated.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Human Capacity Key To Boosting Oil, Gas Sector – Ugandan Delegation noted that when Uganda discovered petroleum, the country quickly moved to establish the institutional framework before it ventured forward.

Members of a Ugandan delegation are in Guyana collaborating with officials of the Natural Resources Sector on drafting this country’s oil and gas legislation. Acting Assistant Commissioner, Directorate of Petroleum, Uganda, Dozith ADbinomugisha, told media personnel yesterday, that human capacity is very important and is something that the sector needs.

Abinomugisha, speaking to the media at the Ministry of Natural Resources,

He added that since 2006, the country has put in place a national oil and gas policy after which legal roles were i m p l e m e n t e d . T h i s y e a r, t h e legislation will be completed. “So we have the policies, the law and now we have the institutional framework.”

According to the Acting Assistant Commissioner, Uganda has not yet started commercial production. “We are working on our institutional and legal framework and when we are finished we will go into commercial production,” Abinomugisha explained. However, the country has issued production licences to companies to commence preparation for production.

Abinomugisha also expressed his appreciation for the partnership since

the country can use it as a learning experience. Legal Officer at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Joanna Homer said that Guyana is a member of the New Petroleum Producers Group led by the Chatham House: Royal Institute of International Affairs, and is also supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Natural Resources Government Institutions.

Homer added that the New Petroleum Producers Group is developed for countries exploring or emerging in producing petroleum. “Arrangements were made in Kenya to have a particular partnering mentoring relationship with the country which is ahead of Guyana in that they spent time in the development regulatory framework,” Homer explained.

Guyana is the beneficiary of a mentoring exchange programme with Uganda, facilitated by the Chatham House’s New Petroleum Producers Group.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Parking Meters Motion Denied Due To Court Battle Over Award Of Contact People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP), Irfaan Ali The motion by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP) Irfaan Ali to debate the parking meter project for the city of Georgetown was denied by the Speaker of the National Assembly due the current court battle between Astrolobe Technology and National Parking Systems (NPS) for the award of parking meter. Astrolobe Technology filed an injunction to have the parking meter contract awarded to NPS stopped contending that it has exclusive

rights to the project since it had signed the agreement with the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (MCC) in 2007.

The court has since ruled against Astrolobe, which is now appealing the decision. The case is set to be heard on the November 29, 2016. Chief whip Gail Taxieria, speaking at a press conference at the party’s headquarters said that the PPP is of the view that their motion and the content of the motion would not have harmed the court case since they “were not dealing with the conflict between the original contractor in 2007 and the second one that was granted in 205/2026. MP Irfaan Ali said that his party does not support of any attempt to bring parking meters to the city since there was no feasible study.

He made reference to the economic ability for citizens to pay for parking, no public consultations and the general secrecy surrounding the project. He described the fees that drivers have to pay for parking as an “indirect tax” on the people of Guyana. Ali said that it is the PPP’s views that “there is no justification for such a project…there is not proper analysis in relation to the ability to pay for such a service in the city”.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

APNU+AFC Blocks Motion Seeking Answers To D’urban Park Funding for each stage of the project, payments made to individuals, companies and contractors as it relates to the project, liabilities, if any, and agency that now has responsibility for the project.

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Juan Edghill The Government last evening said that its “hands are clean” and it has nothing to hide as the National Assembly debated a motion brought by the opposition to disclose the financing and management of the D’urban Park project. Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill moved a motion “seeking to compel the government” to make full disclosure on the following; names of individuals or private organisations in charge of the project, donors and their contribution in cash or kind, whether funds were submitted to the consolidated fund, list of contractors and procurement process used, budgeted and actual cost

M r. E d g i l l s a i d i n h i s presentation “we need to know how much money Homestretch Development Inc. collected and the names… we also need to know what was the instrument issued to Homestretch Development Inc. to authorize it to receive it to receive money on behalf of the state… the property at D’urban park is state property.” Edghill further told the National Assembly that if Government was interested in full disclosure it would have collected information from the organization and made it available to the House. Edghill told the National Assembly that the motion is in the interest of public accountability, transparency and good governance.

Almost half a billion dollars has been spent on the construction of D’urban Park. In response, Public Infrastructure

Minister David Patterson informed the House that project was initially managed and executed by Homestretch Development Inc., a private company; but that “L. London, B. Ram, J. Miller and B. Wilson” were also involved in the project. He said the Ministry of the Presidency made a decision to assign the multi-million-dollar project to the Public Infrastructure Ministry in April 2016. He told the House that he did not have all the requisite documents with him, and was responding based on the information available to him at the time.

He said that, in the name of transparency and accountability, he was attempting to answer some of the questions posed in the resolve clause of the motion. He told the House that because the project was being executed and management by a private company during its initial stage, none of the contributions received was placed into the Consolidated Fund. After much back-and-forward in the debate of the motion, it was taken to a vote, and the Government used its majority in the House to vote it down.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Consultation On Food, Nutrition Strategy, World Bank Grant Programme Kicks- off In Region Two “Don’t just put all your eggs in one basket. Branch out into other areas in agriculture, in addition to what you are already doing. The fishing sector is a very successful sector, and earns a lot of foreign exchange for Guyana. It is right up on the scale behind rice and sugar,” Mr. Jervis said. The farmers were optimistic about Guyana receiving the grant. Mr. Bryan Ali, a farmer from Lower Pomeroon, suggested the construction of a multi-purpose processing factory at Charity. This, he said, would not only encourage persons to venture out into other areas, but would also assist farmers with spoilage and wastage. “If we were to construct a multi-purpose processing plant, then we would be encouraged to plant because we know our soft produce like guavas, cherries and other fruits can be used to supply the factory and not wasted,” Mr. Ali said.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, George Jervis The Ministry of Agriculture, on Monday commenced its consultation programme for the Food and Nutrition Security Strategy and World Bank Agriculture Development grant.

The programme which is a grant from the World Bank, will fund targeted programmes to foster agriculture development in Guyana. The programme kicked off in Region Two and saw Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, George Jervis, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Latecia Frank and other senior members of the ministry meeting with farmers from Essequibo at the Agriculture Extension Office, Charity.

During the consultation, Ms. Frank indicated that the project would have a tremendous impact on Guyana’s agriculture industry. “Guyana is competing with other countries for the grant. We have compiled a proposal but we need to ensure that in the final draft that will be submitted to the World Bank entails specific needs of the farmers in Guyana. We are also aiming to promote smart and sustainable agriculture,” Ms. Frank explained. The project would involve farmers receiving technical assistance, setting up of agricultural facilities such as shade houses, planting material at affordable costs and the production of high nutrition crops. Jervis encouraged farmers to explore aquaculture and the fishing industry, which has scope for expansion.

In addition to the consultation, the farmers were also given the opportunity to voice concerns which are affecting agriculture in the region. Mr. Dereck Austin, a citrus farmer said that he was experiencing issues with the Carambola Fruit Fly. He indicated that he was losing some of this produce and was in need of some assistance. Regional Crop Extension Officer, NAREI, Mr. Khamraj Kandhai indicated that they are working assiduously to eliminate the fly. “NAREI is currently conducting an on-going programme in the river where we are going to farms and installing traps for the pests. We also encourage farmers to play their part. When the fruits drop on the ground we encourage the farmers to remove them quickly because the worms would multiply in the fruits,” Kamdhai said. During the meeting, Jervis called on the extension officers attached to the region to up their game in providing services to farmers.

Ali also indicated that another main concern is drainage and irrigation. He said that engineers are frequently in the region, however, there is still room for improvement. “In order to improve production, we need improved drainage,” Ali said.

The Permanent Secretary committed to ironing out the situation with respect to services offered through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to farmers in the Region. The Ministry will be conducting a series of countrywide consultations in keeping with guidelines outlined by the World Bank. In addition, outreach exercises will be implemented by Heads of the various agricultural departments and technical officers. (GINA)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Fourth South Rupununi Safari Launched – More Sponsorship Needed

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Indranauth Haralsingh, at the launch of the fourth annual South Rupununi Safari The stage is set for another South Rupununi Safari that will promote Guyana’s ecotourism. Participants in a 12-vehicle convoy will experience the beauty of the rolling savannahs and what they have to offer. About 50 persons will set out on a six- day trip, moving through Regions Four, Eight, Nine and Ten and in the process touching 10 villages. The event takes place from November 24 to 29, 2016.

The convoy leaves from Georgetown and ends at Achiwuib in Region Nine.

Director of the Guyana Tourism A u t h o r i t y ( G TA ) , I n d r a n a u t h Haralsingh at the launch at the GTA’s Boardroom, Sophia Exhibition Site, said more sponsorship is needed to help make the event successful. Haralsingh noted that it costs a family of four over $200,000 for the six days.

When sponsorship is received that cost will decrease; hence more persons will be able to go on the trip, the GTA Director explained. “Fuel, food items, items that can be donated to the villages that we will be passing through and vehicles as well,” are some of the items that sponsors can assist with. The river crossing during the Safari is supported

by Mekdeci Mining Company (MCC).

The Safari is organised by the Ministry of Public Telecommunications and GTA in collaboration with Rainforest Tours, Regions Eight and Nine Administrations, and the Ministries of Communities and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

Coordinator of the Safari, Frank Singh said, this fourth edition is a good opportunity for families to bond and make new friends. Singh explained that “this one here is to give drivers the know how to activate a 4×4 vehicle, due to the fact that when we visited the North Pakaraima (safari) before, a lot of

persons didn’t know how to engage the vehicles and this is an opportunity for them to learn how to operate their vehicles.” Singh explained that on the convoy there are usually business persons who would buy the villagers’ products and see how best their products can be marketed. The coordinator said that it is compulsory for the Safari members to donate something to each village that they pass through.

Singh pointed out that the sceneries are beautiful, and every time the travellers would see something different; “one of the things that they will be doing this time around is trying to drive up the Shea rock. We have tried before, but it did not happen, so we are going to do it this time.” Edward Luke King, a participant who is one of the persons that has been on all four Safaris thus far, encouraged families to come onboard.

“We have had persons on the trip who met and got married, new friendships are formed and more persons get to see this beautiful country, Guyana.”

The South Rupununi Safari offers an ideal opportunity for persons to experience the outdoors, have fun and adventure, discover the picturesque beauty of miles of savannahs and explore little known places south of Guyana’s interior. The South Rupununi Region has some of the most beautiful sceneries that travellers will come across; it takes the adventurous through many indigenous villages including the Wapishana village of Shea where travellers will get a glimpse of the Shea Rock which towers over the flat savannahs. From Shea, the sightseers will get a stunning view of the famed Bottle Mountain, the Shiriri Mountain and the Kanuku Mountain range.

(GINA)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

HEYS Youths Consulted On Amerindian Act Revision Youths in Region Eight who are engaged in the Hinterland help us.” During the National Toshaos Conference in Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme have begun making inputs on the revision of the Amerindian Act of 2006. This follows consultations which started at the National Toshaos Conference in August, 2016.

According to Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, in an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), during the consultations, residents of nearby communities were also invited to share their ideas. Minister Garrido-Lowe said that, from the feedback received from facilitator Jimmy James, who is also conducting the consultations, residents were enthusiastic about the process and have already made a few recommendations. “He (James) told me recently, that people, they are very interested, the communities are very interested and came up with one or two suggestions towards the amendments,” the Minister explained. Though the consultations are somewhat small, Minister Garrido-Lowe said they are proving to be effective as everyone involved has a copy of the act and can peruse it thoroughly. Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock hailed the efforts being made thus far, and explained that mass consultations will commence once funding is approved in the 2017 National Budget by the National Assembly. Minister Allicock pointed out that before the Act can be amended, everyone that it affects must be consulted. Such a wide consultation will be time consuming; however, the Minister noted that additional steps have commenced to aid the process. The Minister explained that, “we have already started in terms of the paper work, looking at budget for the first year and hopefully we would be able to find some other funding to

August, 212 indigenous leaders began the process of revision of the 2006 Amerindian Act. While their recommendations were many, all agreed that there is dire need for their rights to land and protection of their resources. (GINA)

Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs Sydney Allicock

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Jalessa Mar-Chell Peterkin To Represent Guyana Supranational Beauty Pageant

Jalessa Mar-Chell Peterkin, Miss Supranational Guyana 2016 The 8th edition of Miss Supranational 2016 will kick off on December 2, in the Spa Resort of Krynica- Zdrój, Poland.

Contestants from over 80 countries around the world will be arriving three weeks before to take part in the prepageant events including tours around the region, presentations, competitions, fashion shows, photo-shoots, interviews and rehearsals. Guyana is between the nations to participate in the contest. The beautiful Jalessa MarChell Peterkin will proudly wear the colors of the flag to stand for the ‘Land of Many Waters’. This will be the first time that the country is participating at the pageant. Jaleesa MarChell Peterkin was recently crowned Miss Supranational Guyana 2016, making

her the candidate elected to represent the nation in this yearly contest.

The 25-year-old Peterkin stands with a 5.9ft height, mirroring her slender and gracious beauty. Her smooth features and gracious pace, makes her one of the potential Supranational Queens. This is not the first time Peterkin is on a runaway. During her teenage years, she used to participate in pageant contests including National American Miss, the Miss America Organisation, the Miss Universe Organisation and Miss Earth. She has also worked as a model at the Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week, events that have enriched her curriculum as a former model.

But Peterkin is not only beauty and grace. The determined diva completed her graduation in Journalism from Hofstra University in New York last year, and now aspires to become the editor-in-chief for a fashion magazine. Traveling has become her hobbit and passion, passion that allowed her to relocate her ‘lost’ Guyanese roost. Peterkin is a Guyanese

born American, who grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Today she stays at Staten Island, in the same state. Jaleesa Peterkin will certainly make her presence be felt on the pageant stages.

With rich background in the world of fashion shows, and charms that could enchant the judges, our participant has the ‘winds on her sails’.

The first Miss Supranational competition began in 2009, held in city of Płock, Poland. The first group of contestants came from 40 countries around the world. Today after 8 years the number has doubled to more than 80 competitors from every continent.

Tangible prove that Miss Supranational has developed into one of the world’s most prestigious live TV Shows. This year the pageant will take place at the Spa Resort of Krynica- Zdrój, Poland on Friday 2nd of December, looking forward to amaze the audience with a world class event of glamour. The show will be transmitted live internationally via television and online from the Mosir H a l l o f S p o r t s Ve n u e . S o u r c e : http://www.misssupranational.com/ne ws/

LOCAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Motion for Public Service COI’s Recommendations To Be Sent To Special Select Committee Outvoted PAGE 18

The motion tabled by Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira that called for the 89 recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the Public Service to be examined by a Special Select Committee was outvoted in the National Assembly last evening. The Opposition Chief Whip pointed to moves by the Government to transfer previous contracted workers to a pension scheme. This was one of the trends; the MP said that is discouraging those youths in particular who are qualified and already employed. Many youths, she explained, did not see themselves staying in a job for 20 or 30 years; hence this idea needed a “rethink”. MP Teixeira quoted a letter, by a concerned employee, which outlines changes being implemented by some agencies such as no sick-leave, a one -year probation instead of the usual three or six months, and the increase in the age of retirement from 60 to 65 years.

These were just some of the key issues that require more consultation from the society at large, Teixeira stated. The Opposition MP also spoke of extended wage agreements, amended allowances, and the creation of a wages and salaries commission. The closure and merging of several sugar estates were also called into question since these were not mentioned in the PSC inquiry. The fact that some 58% of the population comprised youths below the age of 60 indicate a need for wider and more comprehensive consultations, Teixeira pointed out. She further called for the 89 recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into PSC to be taken seriously by Government adding, “We would like to know what the Government’s take on it is.” Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence spoke of training and development and the proposed change in the retirement age as mentioned in the report. She also took the time to congratulate Professor Harold Lutchman who oversaw the production of the PSC’s Inquiry. She noted that the report, “felt “that 55 is too early an age for public servants to retire. She added, “The general consensus pointed to a retirement age of 65 with the option of retiring at 60.” The Minister cited the average 65-year retirement age which is prevalent across the Caribbean. This higher age would also benefit the coffers of the National Insurance Scheme, she further explained. Touching of training and development, Minister Lawrence stated that institutions such as the Critchlow Labour College, Public Service Training College and the University of Guyana must be sensitised to maximise the quality of their output.

Opposition MP, Ganga Persaud, took the floor to make his case for the recommendations be taken to a Special Select Committee for examination. He noted that 187 interviews were conducted during the preparations of the report, but only 45 of those were actual working public servants. He also

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

noted that some recommendations are already being acted upon such as recruitment for the Public Service Training College. He called for more “public discourse” to prevent an unhelpful working environment adding, “I think we need more time to look at this.” Following Persaud was Opposition MP, Africo Selman. She described the iquiry as one that was timely and important. Contributions were also made by Minister with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott who said he supported the inquiry as it was composed, and that he saw no need for it to be taken to a Special Select Committee for further deliberations. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon took the floor next and thanked the Commissioners, Professor Harold Lutchman, Consultants Sandra Jones and Samuel Goolsarran, and Secretary, former Magistrate, Geeta Chandan-Edwards for the outstanding work that they did. He noted that given the nature and work put into the report, copies were ordered by President David Granger, to be given to the Political Opposition and Trade Unions for their perusal. He bemoaned the retaining of numerous contract workers by the previous Government and the subsequent negated role of Trade Unions. The Minister of State noted that the National Budget was due to be presented and hence the recommendations made must be considered, “in keeping with financial considerations and fiscal constraints.” Closing presentations were made by Opposition MP, Jillian BurtonPersaud and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams. The issue of whether the matter would be moved to a Special Select Committee was then put to a vote and the Government side outvoted the Opposition’s proposal. The Parliament was then adjourned until November 28, 2016 when the 2017 national budget will be presented by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan. (GINA)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha To Host ‘Kala Utsav’ On Sunday Performance at the Kala Utsav (Photo archive) The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha will host its annual festival of arts, Kala Utsav, on November 27, 2016 at the Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra, in Prashad Nagar.

The Utsav will see more than 200 young people under the age of 25 participating in a friendly competition in the categories of Ramayan Chanting, Male and Female Singing, Duet singing, Classical Dance, Folk Dance and Kirtan.

The Kala Utsav annual festival, was introduced by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha over two decades ago. The goal of the festival was to be both entertaining and educational, a creative way of preserving the Indian Art Heritage in our society. Its intention is to motivate young people to keep vivid the traditions of their fore parents, achieving at the same time excellence in the different art manifestations, and absorbing valuable knowledge in the various regions that are featured.

Performance at the Kala Utsav (Photo archive) The festival is seen as a platform for the development of young local talents. An opportunity to ‘spark’ the flame or arts and stage performance. Trophies, certificates and cash incentives are given to all participants to encourage them.

The Programme begins at 10am. An spectacle not to be missed, a show for the Guyanese family.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/Guyana-HinduDharmic-Sabha-175973365839875/

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Electoral Council 'Satisfied' With Sunday's Poll In Haiti; Preliminary Results Expected In Eight Days

Members of the Haitian National Police escort voters out of the polling centre at 4 pm when the polls closed for national elections for the first round of presidential and second and third round for senators, in Port au Prince, Haiti, November 20, 2016. Photo: UN/MINUSTAH/Logan Abassi

By Caribbean News Now contributor PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti -- At a press conference on Sunday, the head of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), Léopold Berlanger, declared that he was satisfied with the smooth running of the elections held the same day in Haiti. The CEP plans to announce the preliminary result for the presidential ballot within no more than eight days. "We can say bluntly that this day is a success for the country, this first stage is a victory of democracy… we have reached the essential objectives that is to say the deployment of the electoral machine throughout the country, to more than 99% and with the temporary staff to carry

out the elections,” he said.

Balloting could not be held in only two voting centres, representing ten polling stations (5,700 people), where the weather conditions did not allow crossing a flooded river and attempts to bring the material by helicopter could not succeed because of high winds. A similar problem was experienced in one other district, where the elections started late and an extension was given to close the vote later in the evening. Meanwhile, welcoming the holding of elections in Haiti on Sunday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday stressed that the process “is crucial to ending the current governance vacuum” and urged all the parties involved “to show statesmanship at this critical time for the country.”

“He salutes the people of Haiti for having peacefully expressed their democratic right to vote. He commends the Haitian institutions, in particular the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) and the Haitian National Police, for their leadership and

professionalism during and in the lead up to the polls,” said a statement issued by Ban’s spokesperson, which also welcomed the role of Haitian institutions in ensuring an environment conductive to the holding of the polls. The secretarygeneral’s statement went on to stress that the electoral process is crucial to ending the current governance vacuum in Haiti and urged all parties involved, in particular Presidential candidates and political party leaders, to show the utmost statesmanship at this critical time for the country. “[Mr Ban] calls on them to reject and discourage all forms of violence and intimidation and place the national interest above any other consideration.

He urges all actors to await the results proclaimed by the CEP and only use legal channels for any eventual challenges,” it said, adding that the UN chief also reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to extend its full support to the Haitian people in the fulfilment of their democratic aspirations. On 14 February 2016, the Haitian National Assembly elected Jocelerme Privert as the nation's interim president, one week after former president Michel Martelly demitted office without a successor.

Privert served as interim president for 120 days, and an election had been scheduled for 24 April, following an agreement – known as the 5 February Agreement – between Haitian stakeholders to preserve institutional continuity and further the electoral process. The Provisional Electoral Council further postponed the longdelayed elections in the wake of Hurricane Matthew, pending completion of an assessment of the impact on the electoral process. Prior to the disruption caused by the storm, which made landfall on 4 October, technical preparations had largely been on track for the holding of the polls. (Caribbean News Now!)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Prince Harry Begins Whirlwind Royal Tour Of Caribbean

Prince Harry inspects the Guard of Honour on arrival in Antigua on Sunday ST JOHN’S, Antigua (SKNIS) -- Prince Henry (Harry) of Wales touched down to a red carpet welcome on Sunday, November 20, at the VC Bird International Airport in Antigua

aboard a British Airways commercial flight as he began his 15day royal visit of several Caribbean countries, including St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Barbados, and Guyana. Prince Harry (32), wearing a navy suit, white shirt and light blue tie, was met and greeted at the VC Bird International Airport by the governor general, Sir Rodney Williams, and prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne.

His welcome included a Caribbean band and members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force while he inspected a guard of honour. A highlight of Prince Harry’s visit will be the participation in the 35th anniversary of independence in Antigua and Barbuda and the 50th anniversary of independence in Barbados and Guyana.

His next stop will be St Kitts and Nevis on November 23, where he will be welcomed and greeted at the Marina at Port Zante, Basseterre, by the governor general, Sir Tapley Seaton As Prince Harry moves on to other Caribbean islands on his royal tour, one of the highlights will be a Golden Anniversary Spectacular Mega Concert in Barbados on November 30, which will feature the best of Barbadian talent, from singers and dancers, to orchestras, icons and celebrated entertainers, one of whom will be Rihanna. (Caribbean News Now!)

PAGE 24

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Clico Policyholders: Pay Us First Clico) is the over 15,000 assenting Clico policyholders,” he said in a statement.

“Based on Duprey’s previous statements that he wants to take back his company, the CPG has already signaled to Mr. Duprey that there is absolutely no way that the former Clico executive chairman can ever hope to be taken seriously by the investing public of T&T again if he does not ensure that these policyholders, who have endured tremendous financial hardship and suffering over the past eight years are paid their hard earned money. ”

Lawrence Duprey (Source: guardian.co.tt) Chairman of the Clico Policyholders Group, Peter Permell is insisting that policyholders be paid their outstanding money before former executive chairman Lawrence Duprey makes any attempt to reclaim the financiallytoubled insurance company which had to be bailed out by the T&T Government after it collapsed in 2009. Permell was responding yesterday to a Sunday

Guardian report that Duprey has made an offer to repurchase the company and that the Finance Ministry and Central Bank are said to be “looking at very closely” at the matter. “The Clico Policyholders Group (CPG) is closely monitoring these developments with the understanding and expectation that if and/or when Mr. Duprey settles Clico’s debt to the Government and by extension the taxpayers of T&T in full, the next key stakeholder group to be settled or paid the balance of money owed to them (by

Permell said the CPG will “continue to pay close attention to these negotiations and recommit ourselves to ensuring that all policyholders must be paid all monies contractually due to them.” Finance Minister Colm Imbert, who said the matter is at an early stage, added: “If and /or when the ministry forms the view that the offer is realistic, a submission will be made to Cabinet.” Carlton Reis, a representative of Dalco, a CLF shareholder, is the spokesman for Duprey on the matter. Reports are that the required funds to repay the Government have been raised. Reis said Duprey returned to Port-of-Spain last month and met with officials of CL subsidiaries but not with any Government representatives. (Antigua Observer)

PAGE 26

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Late Season Tropical Storm Forms In The Caribbean

Tropical Storm Otto five-day forecast track. NHC/NOAA graphic

By Caribbean News Now contributor MIAMI, USA -- After several days of threatening to become a tropical cyclone right at the end of the Atlantic hurricane season, Tropical Storm Otto has formed

in the Caribbean about 190 miles (305 km) east-southeast of San Andres Island and about 315 miles (505 km) east of Bluefields, Nicaragua. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, at 400 pm EST on Monday, the centre of Tropical Storm Otto was nearly stationary, and a generally westward drift is expected over the next couple of days.

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts.

Strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Otto could become a hurricane in a couple of days. Tropicalstorm-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the centre. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. Interests in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and the islands of San Andres and Providencia should monitor the progress of Otto. A tropical storm watch may be required for San Andres on Monday night or early Tuesday.

Outer rain bands from Otto are expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches across portions of central and western Panama and southeastern Costa Rica through Wednesday, with isolated totals upwards of 10 to 15 inches across the higher terrain. These rains could result in life-threatening flash floods and mud slides. Additional heavy rainfall may move into portions of Costa Rica on Wednesday night into Thursday as the system approaches the coast. (Caribbean News Now!)

PAGE 27

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Curacao Government Signs Refinery Agreement With Chinese Companies represented by Chen Bingyan.

The government already has a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with GZE. CZR is a company that GZE will establish in Curacao to execute projects that will result from final future contracts between the parties. The objective of the heads of agreement is for GZE to invest in the modernization and upgrading of the refinery and Curacao Refinery Utilities (CRU) for these to be able to comply with the highest environmental norms.

Prime Minister Dr Bernhard Whiteman (L) and Chen Bingyan W I L L E M S TA D , C u r a c a o - - T h e government of Curacao, represented by Prime Minister Dr Bernhard Whiteman, together with the director of the public

company Refineria di Korsou NV (Curacao Oil Refinery Inc.), Jose van der Wall-Arnemann, last Saturday signed a heads of agreement with Chinese companies Guangdong Zhenrong Energy Co. Ltd (GZE) and China Zhenrong Holding Limited (CZR), both

As previously reported, this will be accomplished by the use of natural gas as fuel, which will reduce the impact on the environment by 80%. The oil terminal at Bullenbaai will also be upgraded. All these investments will make the refinery, CRU, and the oil terminal more modern and sustainable. The contract is long term and GZE will pay combined tariffs that consist of fixed and variable portions.

(Caribbean News Now!)

PAGE 29

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

CDC Issues Zika Travel Alert For Montserrat The best way to avoid zika virus infection is to prevent mosquito bites.

Some travelers to areas with zika will become infected while traveling but will not become sick until they return home and they might not have any symptoms.

To help stop the spread of zika, travelers should use insect repellent for three weeks after travel to prevent mosquito bites. Sexual transmission of zika virus from a male partner is also possible, so travelers are also encouraged to use condoms or not have sex.

ATLANTA, USA -- Following reported local mosquito transmission of zika virus infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday issued a zika virus travel notice for Montserrat. Local mosquito transmission means that mosquitoes in the area are infected with zika virus and are spreading it to people. Because zika virus is primarily spread by mosquitoes, CDC recommends that travelers to Montserrat protect themselves from mosquito bites. Mosquitoes that spread zika are aggressive daytime biters. They also bite at night. There is no vaccine or medicine for zika virus.

Many people infected with zika virus do not get sick. Among those who do develop symptoms, sickness is usually mild, with symptoms that last for several days to a week. People who do have symptoms have reported fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. Current CDC research suggests that Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is strongly associated with zika; however, only a small proportion of people with recent zika virus infection get GBS. Most people fully recover from GBS, but some have permanent damage.

GBS is a rare disorder that can cause muscle weakness and paralysis for a few weeks to several months, is very likely

triggered by zika in a small proportion of infections, much as it is after a variety of other infections. Most people fully recover from GBS, but some have permanent damage. Zika infection during pregnancy may cause a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects.

Until more is known, CDC continues to recommend that pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant take the following precautions: Pregnant women • Should not travel to any area with zika. • If you must travel to or live in one of these areas, talk to your healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites. • If you or your partner live in or travel to an area with zika, use condoms or other barriers, the right way, every time you have sex or do not have sex throughout the pregnancy.

Sex includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

Travelers to areas with zika should monitor for symptoms or sickness upon return. If they become sick, they should tell their healthcare professional when and where they have traveled.

(Caribbean News Now!)

PAGE 30

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

InterCaribbean Moves To 18 Flights Weekly Between Puerto Rico And BVI

between two favourite islands and in addition to new daily flights from Tortola to Antigua." Commenting on the recent announcement of an increase in service to the British Virgin Islands, director of tourism Sharon Flax-Brutus said, "The BVI Tourist Board is pleased that interCaribbean Airways is demonstrating its commitment to bring convenient air transportation to the region and applauds the airline's recent decision to increase service to the BVI.

TORTOLA, BVI -- interCaribbean Airways has announced a major increase in air service between San Juan and Tortola to commence double daily services effective from December 19, 2016, and triple daily four times a week.

The new morning and afternoon services give the opportunity for business and leisure travelers in the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to visit for a day, and be home in time for dinner. These

flights operated by EMB 120 aircraft are the fastest turbo prop aircraft in its class, making it the quickest connection.

Trevor Sadler, interCaribbean chief executive officer, said, "Since we first began service between San Juan and Tortola we have seen a steady increase in the demand for our flights.

We are pleased to respond to this demand with significant increase in flights

The increase in service between the BVI and Antigua and the BVI and San Juan is welcome news as it will help address the challenge of airlift and accessibility to the destination." interCaribbean Airways is based in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and was founded 25 years ago. The company operates a fleet of EMB 120, Twin Otter, BE99 aircraft connecting the Turks and Caicos to Antigua, Tortola, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, the Bahamas and Cuba; Domestic flights in Jamaica between Kingston and Montego Bay, are also offered. (Caribbean News Now!)

PAGE 32

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Government To Pay Double Salary

St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): The federation’s civil servants have been told to expect a double salary this Christmas.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Timothy Harris in an address to the nation Saturday night. Dr Harris disclosed that an extra month’s salary would be made in December to all civil servants, auxiliary workers, and pensioners on the government’s payroll.

The double salary is also being paid to public workers in Nevis. In his address

the Prime Minister said the payout would benefit not only federal employees and pensioners but also those on the payroll of the Nevis Island Administration (NIA). The public sector is being encouraged to emulate the action of the Team Unity administration. “My government encourages all entities in the public and private sectors to make a very special effort to deliver a gratuitous payment to their employees in December”, the Prime Minister said in

his address. He told the business community that as the principal beneficiaries of consumer expenditure, the private sector firms should provide more than the normal pay for their employees. Prime Minister Harris estimates that “potentially EC$30 million will be pumped into the economy as a consequence of this bonus by the government”. The opposition Labour Party which several weeks ago urged the government to pay a double salary for Christmas, suggested at the time that two leading government ministers should not benefit from such a bonus. Party Chairman Marcella Liburd said at the time that federal ministers, CCM’s Vance Amory and Mark Brantley who also run the Nevis Island administration were receiving monthly double salaries from Charlestown and Basseterre, and should not be afforded any extra bonus if one was being given to public officers. Other concessions including those on gift packages are also being granted, while in addition to the usual Christmas Day holiday, December 26 and 27 are also being declared public holidays.

PAGE 33

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Zika Threat Downgraded; Health Officials Say It’s Here To Stay Program, said the organization is not downgrading the importance of the Zika virus, vowing that its response is here to stay. “We are not downgrading the importance of Zika; in fact by placing this as a longer term program of work, we’re sending the message that Zika is here to stay and WHO’s response is here to stay in a very robust manner and I think that’s extremely important to communicate.

Source: reuters St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Coming out of the recently convened meeting of the Emergency Committee on Zika and M i c r o c e p h a l y , Wo r l d H e a l t h Organization officials declared they no longer consider Zika and associated complications a public health emergency of international concern.

The mosquito-borne virus and its related neurological and congenital complications, however, remain a chronic health threat and are going to be around for a long time to come.

Dr. David Haymond, Chairman of the Zika and Microcephaly Emergency Committee “The Zika virus and associated complications remain a significant and enduring public health challenge requiring intense action within WHO, but it no longer represents a public health emergency of international concern. Zika must now be managed within the WHO as are other very important infectious diseases and other threats.” Dr Haymond said however that the WHO will still consider the disease a high priority within its activities, and the response has been escalated to a sustained program of work with dedicated

resources within the organization. Dr. Haymond responded to a question on whether or not the downgrade would result in less resources and attention for the disease.

“Yes it is a concern, but by escalating this to a program which is of much more importance within WHO- a robust program with a technical advisory group, it’s thought that this should not decrease the resources.” The World Health Organization has considered the possibility of a resurgence of the Zika virus, but estimates it will be a seasonal increase in transmission, much like other vector borne diseases presently affecting many countries worldwide.

“It’s thought by the Committee that this disease is like all other endemic diseases which have a seasonal appearance; so it is expected that as Dengue and Chikungunya, Zika will also, as it has been doing for many years in Asia, have a season when there is increased transmission and a season when there’s not, and the public will have to understand this.

“It’s a very difficult issue, and of course it awaits a vaccine.” Dr. Peter Salama, Executive Director of the World Health Organization’s Health Emergencies

“So far most of the money has indeed come from the emergency orientated donors, and the case that we’ll make at WHO is that we’re dealing with long term issues here. We’re dealing with management of neurological complications in children and adults; we’re dealing with family planning issues, we’re dealing with health system issues; we’re dealing with maternal reproductive health issues and we’re dealing with long and comprehensive research and development agenda that needs to be multi-year, as has been published by WHO just last month.

“So these are long term issues requiring sustainable financing and we think that the development donors, the development partners, need to step up to the plate now and see this for what it is, which is a long term problem that the world will have to deal with for many years to come.” The WHO had declared Zika a public health emergency of international concern in February following an outbreak of the disease in South and Central America. According to the Centre for Disease Control, as at November 16, 2016, the US had 4,255 laboratory confirmed cases of Zika; Puerto Rico alone had over 31,000 cases. While Turks and Caicos has seen an increasing trend of Zika cases, other countries/territories in the Caribbean are showing a declining trend. (Antigua Observer)

PAGE 35

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Caiman Terror In Charlieville either side of the roadway, while the remaining portion leads to dead end road with several abandoned lots, a pond and puddles hidden among the bushes. He said the rainy season has brought out a large number of caiman which occupy the abandoned ponds and are attacking residents (on the) roadway.

several abandoned lots in the area. Narry Ramnarine, who spoke on behalf of the residents, said the authorities are providing little to no assistance despite Trinidad – Residents of Dinoo repeated appeals for help.

Road, Charlieville, Chaguanas, say they are living in fear of He said on a section of Dinoo caimans which are living in Road there are box drains on Naeem Mohammed shows the caiman he recently killed with a garden fork earlier this month.

(Source: guardian.co.tt)

Residents are appealing for the owners of the abandoned lots to clean up their properties. He said apart from the caiman, the area is infested with rats, snakes and mosquitoes. They are also appealing for improvements in drainage since there are several pools of stagnant water. Naeem Mohammed said he recently had to kill a caiman with a garden fork to prevent the reptile from entering his yard. (Antigua Observer)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 36

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Kaliningrad: New Russian Missile Deployment Angers Nato Russian has used the Bastion missile launchers in Syria(AP) Nato has accused Russia of "aggressive military posturing" following reports that it has deployed anti-ship missiles in its westernmost Baltic region. Russia's Interfax news agency said on Monday that Bastion missile-launchers had been sent to Kaliningrad. In a statement to the Associated Press, Nato said the move "does not help to lower tensions or restore predictability to our relations".

The Kremlin has accused Nato of stoking tensions by expanding eastwards.

Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania. In October, Russia sent nuclear-capable Iskander missiles to Kaliningrad, a move Poland described as of the "highest concern".

Russia said the deployment was part of military exercises and had happened before. The Russian exclave of Kaliningrad represents an important military outpost between Poland and Lithuania with its coastline on the Baltic Sea. The accumulation of radars and air defence systems, as well as coastal antishipping missiles, all form part of Moscow's developing "anti-access and area denial strategy", which in essence seeks to push Nato forces away from Russia and to make it very difficult to reinforce Nato members in the Baltic region in the event of a crisis.

Strengthened under comprehensive reform of Russian armed forces announced in 2008. From 2008-2014 saw significant increases in personnel in missile, naval infantry, rifle and artillery brigades, in some cases doubled From 2012, deployment of new S-400 longrange air defence system (Nato name: SA-21 Growler) From 2012, deployment of Iskander-M short-range, nuclearcapable ballistic missiles.

New deployment announced in October 2016 October 2016: Two Buyan-class corvettes assigned to Baltic Fleet, armed with nuclear-capable Kalibr cruise missiles (Nato name: Sizzler) Coastal defences currently being strengthened with Bal land-based anti-ship missile system and Bastion mobile anti-ship defence system However, in a separate statement on Monday, the RIA news agency quoted Russian defence committee chairman Viktor Ozerov as saying Iskanders and S-400 surface-toair missiles were deployed in Kaliningrad to counter a planned US missile defence shield in eastern Europe.

The Bastion system fires Oniks cruise missiles, which have a range of up to 280 miles (450km). Russia has already used them in the Syrian civil war where it is supporting President Bashar al-Assad.

On Tuesday, Nato urged greater transparency on military activities "to avoid incidents and the risk of misunderstandings". US state department spokesman John Kirby also called the latest Russian moves "destabilising to European security".

Kaliningrad facts Koenigsberg, as the city of Kaliningrad was once known, was founded by Teutonic knights in the 13th Century. It was once the capital of Prussia Annexed from Germany after

WWII.

Germans fled or were expelled Is more than 300km away from Russia, which can only be reached through an EU country It houses the Russian Baltic Fleet and is the country's only ice-free European port The philosopher Immanuel Kant spent all his life in the city and died there in 1804 "Russia has made threats to move its Iskander missiles to Kaliningrad for the past decade in response to a variety of developments in Europe, none of which demand such a military response," he said. "We call on Russia to refrain from words or deeds that are inconsistent with the goal of promoting security and stability." His comments brought a stinging rebuke from the Russian defence ministry, which said that "all recent threats to European security" were a consequence of US military policy.

(BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 38

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Germany Wakes Up To the Issue Of Waste With Reusable Coffee Cups

Card coffee cups are fused with polyethylene to make them waterproof(GETTY IMAGES) The thought of 2.8 billion disposable coffee cups a year being dumped in landfill sites across Germany is enough to leave a bitter taste in the mouth of any consumer. With 320,000 "to go" coffees delivered over the country's counters every hour, according to the German environmental aid forum, the impact of this growing trend is extensive. To tackle the issue, the university city of Freiburg has come up with a pioneering scheme aimed at reducing waste. The "Freiburg Cup", made from dishwasher-proof plastic and obtained from cafes and bakeries for a deposit of one euro, can be reused hundreds of times ‒ or returned.

The cups, which are provided by local councils, are washed in the cafes and bakeries that have signed up to the scheme before being reused or redistributed.

Twitter user @josephkmh, who has embraced the move, said: "Today I got the first #FreiburgCup sold at Lienhart. Fits comfortably in your hand!" So far 16 outlets have agreed to take part in the

"Freiburg Cup" experiment in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, including cafes in the university libraries. "The cafes and bakeries that participate, as well as the consumers, do not incur any costs," said Freiburg's environmental mayor Gerda Stuchlik.

Germans, like Americans and Italians, are

becoming a nation of caffeine addicts and the problem of waste is something relatively new - it did not exist a decade ago. The move follows an initiative implemented in recent months in the German city of Tubingen. Similar experiments are also taking place in Berlin and Rosenheim. Why aren't paper coffee cups recyclable? The average usetime of a disposable cup is short ‒ about 15 minutes ‒ and takeaway drinks often also include plastic lids and straws.

The takeout cups issued at global coffee giants such as Starbucks, Caffe Nero and Costa are currently almost impossible to recycle and contamination is a major cause of concern. For obvious reasons the cups have to be waterproof. To achieve this the card is fused with polyethylene, a material that cannot easily be separated in a standard recycling mill. The cups, which are not made from recycled material to begin with, are designed with a thin seam of card inside which comes into contact with the hot drink. As such they have to be made from virgin paper pulp. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 39

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

France's Francois Fillon Under Fire Over Women's Rights

Mr Fillon (C) has become the unexpected frontrunner in France's Republican race for the presidential nomination(AFP) The leading contender for France's centreright presidential nomination, Francois Fillon, is facing tough questions over his stance on abortion and sex discrimination.

His rival, fellow Republican Alain Juppe, has urged him to "clarify his position" on abortion. Meanwhile, a party colleague restated claims he denied her a ministerial post because she was pregnant. Supporters will choose between Mr Fillon and Mr Juppe on Sunday. It is the first time the centre right in France has used a US-style primary contest to select a candidate, ahead of the presidential election in April and May. In the first round of voting for the Republican nomination on Sunday, Mr Fillon took a clear lead with 44.1% while Bordeaux Mayor Mr Juppe received 28.5%. Five other contestants were knocked out. As the campaign for the second round gathered pace on Tuesday, the candidates exchanged barbs over Mr Fillon's stance on abortion. Mr Juppe claimed his rival had gone back on a

previous statement affirming that abortion was a "fundamental human right". Mr Fillon, who is personally opposed to abortion but against revisiting its legal status, reacted with fury, saying: "I would never have thought my friend could stoop so low." Another former colleague and defeated primary contestant Nathalie KosciuskoMorizet - who now backs Mr Juppe has also renewed claims that Mr Fillon denied her a ministerial post because she was pregnant.

Ms Kosciusko-Morizet's remarks were first reported in 2013 in a profile

by US network NBC, when she said she had twice been turned down for ministerial posts when she was pregnant. During her second pregnancy, in September 2009, Mr Fillon was prime minister. "It's true," Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet told Franceinfo TV. But she said it was a matter from the past, for which Mr Fillon had since expressed regret and which many woman would recognise as a wider problem in French society.

Several French commentators have also made the point that Ms Kosciusko-Morizet was not

prevented from taking up a succession of posts in Mr Fillon's government: June 2007-Jan 2009: Junior minister for ecology Jan 2009-Nov 2010: Junior minister for strategic planning and digital development Nov 2010-Feb 2012: Minister of ecology and sustainable development Despite repeated attempts, Mr Fillon's team could not be reached for comment. Mr Fillon was also criticised by centrist leader Francois Bayrou for his proposed liberal economic reforms, which include cutting half a million public sector jobs and scrapping the 35-hour work week. Mr Bayrou called them "dangerous". Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said Mr Putin had "rather good relations" with Mr Fillon, and that Moscow was closely watching the outcome of the primary. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 41

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Nigel Farage AttacksofResponse To Trump Speaking Ambassador Tweet in the House of Commons, he the national interest.

The president-elect welcomed the UKIP leader at Trump Tower(@NIGEL_FARAGE) Nigel Farage has accused Downing Street of putting its dislike of him ahead of the national interest after No 10 dismissed Donald Trump's comment that he could be a "great" ambassador. The UKIP leader said No 10 needed to accept "the world has changed", adding he was "in a good position, with the presidentelect's support, to help". Mr Trump had tweeted that "many people" would like to see Mr Farage in the role and he would do a "great job". But No 10 said there was "no vacancy".The role is currently held

by Sir Kim Darroch and a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May added that he was "an excellent ambassador who only took up post in January and traditionally they serve four years or even longer".

Trump tweet re Farage Mr Farage, who is currently UKIP interim leader, was the first British politician to meet Mr Trump after his victory in the US presidential elections and spoke in support of him at an election rally. Writing for Breitbart website, whose former executive chairman Stephen Bannon has been appointed Mr Trump's chief strategist, he said: "At every stage I am greeted by negative comments coming out of Downing Street. "The dislike of me, UKIP, and the referendum result is more important to them than what could be good for our country." Mr Farage said politicians who had been "openly abusive about Trump now pretend to be his friend". He wrote: "It is career politics at its worst and it is now getting in the way

"I have said since the now famous photograph with Donald Trump 10 days ago that I would do anything to help our national interest and to help cement ties with the incoming Anglophile administration. "I have known several of the Trump team for years and I am in a good position with the president-elect's support to help. The world has changed and it's time that Downing Street did too."

By any measure this is an extraordinary intervention. The future head of state of one nation telling another country who they should appoint as their ambassador is unusual enough; when it is two nations that are meant to share a special relationship it is a breach of nearly every rule of diplomatic protocol.

At a stroke it puts tension into the Trump/ May relationship before they have even met. It also leaves the current holder of the post, Sir Kim Darroch (pictured above), in an awkward position as he seeks to forge closer contacts with the new administration. In Downing Street and diplomatic circles there is consternation. But for Nigel Farage - who has always delighted in tweaking the tail of the Conservative Party - there will be amusement, and it seems in the future leader of the most powerful nation on earth he has a willing partner. Since Mr Trump's election there has been an anticipation that the rule book might not be followed. Few anticipated this though.

The president-elect's meeting with Mr Farage was seen by some as a snub to Mrs May, who will not meet Mr Trump until early next year. Mr Trump has spoken to the prime minister by phone and there have been other contacts between British ministers and representatives of the incoming administration. The Downing Street spokesman said the UK already had "an incredibly strong and enduring relationship with America" and the government would build on that once Mr Trump takes office. "As a basic principle we appoint our ambassadors," he added.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson reiterated that there was "no vacancy".

said: "We have a first-rate ambassador in Washington doing a very good job of relating both with the present administration and the administration to be and there is no vacancy for that position." Sir Christopher Meyer, the former UK ambassador to the US, told the BBC: "We the UK must have the sovereign right to decide who we want as ambassador in Washington and I think it's completely unprecedented, certainly in public, for a president-elect to suggest who he would like to see as British ambassador in Washington. "I think we can hear his suggestion and then we reject it politely but firmly." Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron tweeted that the suggestion of Mr Farage as UK ambassador to the US was a "frankly stupid idea".

He added: "I have more diplomacy in my little finger. But what's more worrying is the axing of TPP." Mr Farron was referring to Mr Trump's announcement that he would quit the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal on his first day in office. Factfile: Darroch v Farage Background: Sir Kim was born in County Durham in April 1954; Mr Farage was born Kent in April 1964. Education: Sir Kim studied zoology at Durham University; Mr Farage left the fee-paying Dulwich College at 18, and decided not to go to university.

Career: Before Sir Kim was appointed ambassador to the US in January 2016, his former roles included national security adviser to David Cameron, and permanent representative to the European Union. Mr Farage worked as a commodities trader before entering politics, becoming a founder member of UKIP in 1993. What they have said about each other: A leaked memo obtained by the Sunday Times, reportedly written by Sir Kim, suggested he believed British influence - "if pitched right" - could shape President-elect Trump's thinking. In contrast Mr Farage has criticised Sir Kim in the past, calling him an "archEurophile". (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 42

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Melbourne 'Thunderstorm Asthma' Kills Two learn... but every part of our emergency management surge occurred correctly," she said. What is 'thunderstorm asthma'?

Melbourne's thunderstorm asthma event was caused by very high levels of rye grass pollen. About one in 10 people have asthma in Australia, with about 80% of those sufferers experiencing allergies, particularly to rye pollen.

When saturated in rain, the pollen breaks down into smaller particles which become easier to inhale and trigger an asthma attack.

The fierce storm brought wild winds and lightning strikes to Victoria(PETE JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY) Two people have died in Melbourne, Australia, from a rare phenomenon known as "thunderstorm asthma", after a storm hit the city late on Monday local time. Paramedics and hospitals were stretched to their limits as thousands phoned to report breathing problems.

The trigger was an extreme level of rye grass pollen in the air, whipped up by strong winds. Ambulance Victoria took more than 1,870 calls between 18:00 (07:00 GMT) and 23:00 on Monday. The figure is more than six times the daily average, and at least 30 people are in intensive care. 'Extraordinarily busy' The massive call volume affected waiting times and forced 60 reserve ambulances, police and fire-fighters to respond to medical emergencies.

"It was extraordinarily busy, it was unprecedented," said Mick Stephenson, Ambulance Victoria's executive director of emergency operations. He said about 200 calls were directly linked to asthma, but 600 more reported respiratory issues.

"What we do know is that a lot of people who called last night had never had asthma before, so this was their first

experience," he said. One of those killed by the freak weather event was named by her family as 20-year-old Hope Carnevali. Local media said the young woman had suffered a horrific asthma attack, and lay on her lawn for more than 30 minutes waiting for an ambulance to arrive, while her family desperately performed CPR. Eighteen-year-old Omar Moujalled, a high school student from Greenvale, died at a doctor's surgery before he could reach hospital.

A spokesman for Ambulance Victoria said: "Our thoughts are with the families of those patients. We will carry out a full clinical review into these cases."

Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy said the challenging conditions had forced private hospitals to open to the public. "No doubt there will be lessons to

"A person who has an allergic response to that particular pollen, because it's so small, it will get into the lungs," Asthma Victoria chief Robin Ould told the BBC. He said Monday's rye particle count of 102 was more than double what would be considered high on a normal day.

Melbourne's current spring season has been particularly wet, creating havoc for asthma and hay fever sufferers. "It's quite rare and we've seen two incidents of this kind this century in Melbourne," Mr Ould said. "It's the south-east corner of Australia that has this high humidity, high thunderstorm activity at this time of the year." But he said the scale of Monday's emergency could not have been predicted. "The key message of this event is that, if you have asthma, you should be using your preventative medication as described," he said.

Reporting by the BBC's Jay Savage.

(BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 44

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Turkey Withdraws Child Rape Bill After Street Protests

The capital Ankara has seen furious protests(AP) Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has withdrawn a bill that pardons men convicted of sex with underage girls if they have married them. The bill, part of a package of amendments to the legal system, was sent back for further work just hours before a final vote in parliament. It had sparked protests across Turkish society and was condemned abroad. Critics said it would legitimise statutory rape and encourage the practice of taking child brides. UN agencies had called on the government not to approve the bill, arguing that it would damage the country's ability to combat sexual abuse and child marriage.

But the government says the main aim is to exonerate men imprisoned for marrying an underage girl apparently with her or her family's consent. The draft law will now be returned to a commission which will take into account the views of the opposition and civil society, Mr Yildirim said. This would allow for "broad consensus" and to "give time for the opposition parties to develop their proposals". This bill sparked a rare thing here: cross-party opposition. The AKP MPs who proposed it insisted it would not pardon rapists or sexual abusers and was simply intended to exonerate men who marry underage girls apparently with consent. However, critics said that in patriarchal Turkey, a young girl would feel unable to give consent and so the bill would have legitimised rape and encouraged child brides.

When conservative, usually pro-government, women spoke out against it - including the president's wife - the bill was doomed to failure. Child marriage is a problem here. Former President Abdullah Gul famously married when he was 30 and his wife 15.

But women's groups say the solution is not controversial legislation such as this but real opportunities for girls. And they say the Islamist AKP has encouraged female subservience, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calling childless women "deficient". It's led to a huge rise in physical abuse of women, with the murder rate said to have increased by 1,400% between 2003 and 2010 - although some believe that number is partly due to more cases being reported than ever before.

Turkey's legal age of consent is 18 but the practice of underage weddings in religious ceremonies remains widespread.

Opposition parties heavily criticised the bill which had been approved in an initial parliamentary reading on Thursday. The ruling AK Party dominates parliament in Ankara. Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag had defended the legislation, saying: "The bill will certainly not bring amnesty to rapists.... This is a step taken to solve a problem in some parts of our country." In July, Turkey's constitutional court annulled part of the criminal code which classified all sexual acts with children under 15 as sexual abuse.

Turkish child brides 440,000 girls under the age of 18 have become mothers since 2002, 15,937 of them below the age of 15 Child abuse cases have tripled in the past 10 years, during which time 438,000 underage girls have been married Source: Turkish justice ministry Elif Shafak, one of Turkey's best-selling novelists, explained the concern over the bill. "One of the main weaknesses of this draft is that word, consent," she told the BBC. "What does that mean? We're talking about children here. So if the rapist negotiates with the family, if he bribes or threatens the family, the family can easily withdraw, you know, their complaint and they can say OK there was a consent and there was no force involved." But Ravza Kavakci Kan, an AKP MP, said the bill had been misunderstood.

'This is a kid': Turkish social media reaction compiled by BBC Monitoring There is a palpable sense of relief among opponents of the bill on Turkey's social media. The hashtag #Thisisakid has been trending, with some posting pictures of children smiling and playing. "As long as there is solidarity among women, we are powerful," said one tweet. "This is it!" said another.

"Withdrawing the bill has eased the public's conscience. We need to be logical, not stubborn." Others point out that the government only backed down because President Erdogan had asked for parliamentary consensus over the bill. Addressing the government, a user said: "You should have listened to the people, and not wait for the president to interfere." But the debate is not over as some want the bill to be dropped entirely.

“What does it mean it is withdrawn?" asked one tweeter. "It should not be brought back to parliament again." "The fight should continue until this law is shelved indefinitely," another person tweeted. "They should apologise to all women and children." "It is about giving normality to young women who have been married underage due to cultural norms, other norms, and now find themselves with their children suffering because their husbands are in prison," she told the BBC's Newsday programme. "One of the examples is when the woman is 15 and the man is 17, they get married, they're both underage, a few years later after they've had children, or when they go to register their babies, or when they go to the doctor, the doctors or officials have to report this case if it is an underage marriage, so now they are 24, 25 and all of a sudden their husbands are in prison." (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Malawi 'Hyena Man' Eric Aniva Sentenced To Two Years Hard Labour PAGE 45

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

years ago. Eric Aniva, known in Malawi as a "hyena", admitted to the BBC to having sex with more than 100 women and girls and not disclosing his HIV status . This led to President Peter Mutharika ordering his arrest in July.

Mr Mutharika had wanted Aniva tried for defiling young girls, but none came forward to testify against him. Instead, he was tried for "harmful cultural practice" under section five of Malawi's Gender Equality Act, for having sex with new widows.

Two women testified against him. Aniva's lawyer, Michael Goba Chipeta, said he would appeal against the conviction and the sentence.

Aniva was the subject of a BBC feature into sexual "cleansing" practices in Malawi in July(AFP) An HIV-positive Malawian man has been sentenced to 24 months in jail with hard labour for having unprotected sex with newly bereaved widows. The practice of "widow cleansing", when a widow must have sex after her husband dies, was outlawed a few

The case has attracted international media attention and sharply divided opinion as to how widespread the practice remains.

Aniva was the subject of a BBC feature into various sexual cleansing practices in Malawi. Last year, Malawi banned child marriage, raising the legal age of marriage from 15 to 18 something activists hoped would put an end to early sexual initiations. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 47

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Qatari Sisters Robbed Of 5m Euros In France Road Hold-up vehicle: jewels, clothes, luggage" was taken, a police source told AFP news agency. A Saudi prince was robbed while passing through the same area two years ago. Le Bourget bills itself as "Europe's premier business airport". New cameras A source who spoke to French digital TV station BFMTV said the women's car had been forced to stop near a service station.

(GETTY IMAGES) Masked men have robbed two Qatari women and their driver on a motorway north of Paris, taking valuables worth €5m (£4.5m; $5.6m), police sources say. The sisters had just left Le Bourget airport in their Bentley on Monday evening when they were forced off the road and sprayed with tear gas. "Everything in the

The section of the motorway where the robbery took place is favoured by criminals targeting luxury cars or wealthy-looking foreigners stuck in traffic jams: In April last year, an east Asian art collector was robbed of jewels worth €4m when three people caved in the window of her taxi In August 2014, heavily armed men attacked a convoy of cars belonging to a Saudi prince, stealing €250,000, as he headed in a convoy to Le Bourget Last month, US reality TV star Kim Kardashian was tied up and robbed at gunpoint of jewellery worth up to €6m in a luxury apartment in the heart of Paris. Earlier this month, the French government announced extra funding for the tourist industry, promising to install more surveillance cameras in areas of the capital targeted by robbers.

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 48

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Ukraine Teacher 'Tried To Sellgirl's Girl Aged 13 For $10,000' organs would be removed.

The buyer inquired about the girl's health and paid the teacher 1,000 hryvnia (£31; $39) for photos of the girl and her medical records, Mr Avakov said. Ukrainian media have named the suspect as Galina Kovalenko. She teaches the Ukrainian and Russian languages, and literature, and has more than 20 years' teaching experience, they report. There has been no statement yet from the teacher. Teacher (right) under arrest in Ukraine Mr Avakov said "Galina [Kovalenko] worked for nearly a year on her 'business plan' for selling the 13-year-old girl", whom she had singled out as vulnerable.

The suspect arrested in Kharkiv, in a photo posted by Ukraine's interior minister(ARSEN AVAKOV) Police in eastern Ukraine have arrested a teacher accused of trying to sell a 13-year-old girl for $10,000 (£8,035). The girl was living at a boarding school in the Kharkiv region for orphans and children from broken homes. Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov reported the case on Facebook, with photos of the 52year-old teacher and girl. He said police had been monitoring them for four months. Mr Avakov said the buyer hinted that the

"They got this seller 'red-handed' - when she took the girl out of the boarding school, brought her to the buyers and received money," Mr Avakov said. If found guilty, the teacher could be jailed for up to 12 years. Mr Avakov is personally handling the case. There have been previous reports of criminal gangs preying on destitute people in eastern Europe to harvest their organs. The trade in organs can be highly lucrative. In 2013, an EU-led court in Kosovo found five people guilty in connection with a human organ-trafficking ring. The five were accused of carrying out dozens of illegal transplants at the Medicus Clinic in the capital, Pristina. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 50

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Trump Team Won't Pursue Charges Against Hillary Clinton don't find her to be honest or trustworthy, His threat raised questions about whether

In a debate, Mr Trump was cheered as he told Mrs Clinton: 'You'd be in jail' for emails US President-elect Donald Trump will not pursue a further investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails, to help her "heal", his spokeswoman has said. A Trump spokeswoman said he would back down from his pledge to appoint a special prosecutor to look into the former Secretary of State. Mr Trump had threatened to "jail" Mrs Clinton, and at his rallies his supporters often chanted "Lock her up!" The FBI cleared Mrs Clinton, but criticised her private server. Senior Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway told MSNBC that "when the president-elect... tells you before he's even inaugurated he doesn't wish to pursue these charges, it sends a very strong message - tone and content".

"And I think Hillary Clinton still has to face the fact that a majority of Americans

but if Donald Trump can help her heal, then perhaps that's a good thing," she added. The right-wing Breitbart News Network, which aligned itself with the New York billionaire early in the election, swiftly decried the climb-down as a "broken promise".

Democrats also attacked Mr Trump for even having suggested in the first place that he could pursue charges against Mrs Clinton. "That's not how this works," US Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut tweeted. "In our democracy, the President doesn't decide who gets prosecuted and who doesn't." In other developments: Mr Trump is due to meet New York Times executives after briefly cancelling the face-to-face, accusing the newspaper on Twitter of changing the terms of the meeting He promised that on his first day in the White House in January he would torpedo the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, a cornerstone of President Barack Obama's foreign policy The UK ruled out replacing its ambassador in Washington after Mr Trump tweeted that Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage "would do a great job" During the second presidential debate in October, Mr Trump pledged that if elected, he would appoint a special prosecutor to look into Mrs Clinton's private email use, suggesting she would be prison.

a President Trump might flex his political muscles over the Justice Department. If Mr Trump had followed through on the pledge, it would have been the first time in recent history that a president ordered his attorney general to prosecute a political rival. In a call to donors following her shock election defeat, Mrs Clinton blamed her loss on the FBI's last-minute intervention. The law enforcement agency's director James Comey shook up the presidential race when he announced a new inquiry into Mrs Clinton's private email server 11 days before the election, only to drop the matter two days before Americans voted. The development revived an investigation that had been declared over in July, when Mr Comey said Mrs Clinton's handling of sensitive classified material was "extremely careless" but did not warrant criminal charges.Mr Trump first signalled he might drop his plan to prosecute Mrs Clinton, in an interview with CBS's 60 Minutes following the election. "I'm going to think about it," he told the network, adding that he wanted to focus on jobs, healthcare and immigration. He told the programme he did not want to "hurt" the Clintons because they are "good people". Related Topi (BBC)

CLASSIFIEDS PAGE 51

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PAGE 53

Akanni Hislop Wins Scholarship To LSU

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wo-time Carifta champion Trinidad and Tobago sprinter Akanni Hislop has been awarded a Louisiana State University (LSU). He begins classes in January. Hislop, the 2015 Carifta Boys under-18 and 2016 Carifta Boys under-20 200m gold medalist, joins a growing list of standout Trinidad and Tobago athletes who have received scholarships to LSU, including Olympic silver medalist Richard Thompson, World Championship medalist Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Semoy Hackett.

Both Thompson and Baptiste captured NCAA Championships gold medals for LSU in the indoor 60m and outdoor 100m in 2008. Hackett meanwhile, won a medal in the 4x100m at the 2015 World Champs in Beijing. (SportsMax)

2018 Commonwealth Games Could Be Asafa Powell’s Swansong

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he 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia may be the last time Asafa Powell don’s his running spikes. The man dubbed the sub-10 king because of his

world-record 98 legal times below 10 seconds in the 100 metres, said the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 is too far away for him to consider. "I am not thinking about 2020 right

now, the farthest I will be going is 2018, maybe the Commonwealth Games and that's where I see myself, just two years and not 2020," said Powell, who was in India as brand ambassador for Airtel Delhi Half Marathon's (ADHM) on Sunday.

Powell, who turns 34 on Wednesday last held the world record (9.74) for the 100m in 2008 before it was broken by Usain Bolt in May that year. He subsequently lowered his personal best to 9.72 in September that year.

Powell, who was part of the winning 2008 quartet in 4x100m relay at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said the competition in track and field was growing with each passing day.

"In Rio 100m finals, there were six runners who ran under 10. Currently there are so many people who can run sub 10s," he said. "Sports is evolving. The athletes are getting more technical. The coaches are doing a lot more.

The sport has come a long way. Eight athletes in the finals who all were capable of going sub 10s." "A lot has changed and it's going to get better and better as we go further. We know guys from all over the world who can run sub 10s, may be we will have guys from India who can run sub 10s soon," he added. (SportsMax)

PAGE 54

Hibbard Signs New Gloucester Deal

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ichard Hibbard has committed his f u t u r e t o G l o u c e s t e r, t h e Premiership club have announced. Gloucester have tied hooker

Richard Hibbard down to a new deal at Kingsholm. The Wales international joined from Ospreys in 2014 and has made 56 appearances for the Premiership

outfit, including 52 starts. "I've really enjoyed my time with Gloucester and, once the club approached me about extending my stay, it was an easy decision to make," said the former British and Irish Lion. "I feel I've improved my game since I arrived.

The Aviva Premiership is a tough league, there are no easy games and I think that's actually benefitted me as a player. "I love playing at Kingsholm, the club and the supporters have been terrific to me and I'm really happy that I'll be staying and playing my part in what we hope will be a successful period in the club's history."

Hibbard won the last of his 38 Wales caps against Ireland in August 2015, and the signing of a new contract with Gloucester could restrict any chance of breaking back into the squad under 'Gatland's Law', which limits the number of players plying their trade outside Wales eligible for selection. (SportsMax)

Phelps Struggling To Comprehend Olympic Success

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inning 28 Olympic medals 23 of them gold - is still a difficult achievement for American swimmer Michael Phelps to comprehend. Michael Phelps' swimming career may have come to an

end after Rio 2016 but the 31year-old still struggles to come to terms with everything he achieved. After bursting onto the international stage at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney at the age of 15, Phelps went on to become the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals. Of those 28 podium finishes, Phelps took to the top step on 23 occasions, including winning five golds in Rio de Janeiro earlier this year as he brought the curtain down on his career in style.

Time away from the sport has enabled Phelps to get his head around some of his achievements but he believes it

could take up to 20 years to fully appreciate his successes. "Honestly it'll take years before I can fully comprehend everything that has happened in my career," he said at the Golden Goggles Awards. "The biggest thing for me now... I'm just getting through 2008. I've got eight more years of stuff to get through and just trying to figure out what happened, enjoy the ride and the memories. "I mean it might take a year. It might take five, 10, 20 years, who knows. For me to wrap my head around 28... I don't know when it will happen, but I'm looking forward to that day." (SportsMax)

PAGE 56

Rodgers Urges Celtic To Dial Down Barca Respect

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eltic's chastening 7-0 defeat to Barcelona came about because they showed the LaLiga champions too much respect, says Brendan Rodgers.

Brendan Rodgers believes showing Barcelona too much respect at Camp Nou was Celtic's downfall as they look to atone for a 7-0 thrashing when the sides meet at Parkhead on Wednesday. Lionel Messi hit a hattrick and Neymar and Andres Iniesta were among the goals before a late Luis Suarez brace sealed Celtic's record European defeat in September. Rodgers' Scottish Premiership leaders have performed with far more distinction since then, claiming a share of the spoils at home to Manchester City and away at Borussia Monchengladbach in Champions League Group C, but they are still looking for their first round-robin win after four matches.

Only an unlikely victory can preserve Celtic's hopes of remaining in the competition – a City win at Gladbach will eliminate them regardless – but former Liverpool boss Rodgers is primarily concerned with his players showing Barca what they are made of this time around. "We showed them too much respect and the scoreline was bitterly disappointing at the time," said Rodgers.

"There were many aspects we learnt from, like being brave, and the players have shown they have learned from that. "It was a tough game against a top-class, world-class team, but I'd hope it will be a different performance

from ourselves. "We have to fight and ensure we do everything we can to try to stop them, but it's not easy.

“They are a team of quality that can play through pressure and we have have to play how we are best – on the front foot. "You also need a little bit of luck as well and when the opportunities come, you can take them." Rodgers will assess striker Leigh Griffiths, who is making progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury, and maintains Celtic can repeat the improbable victory they registered against Barca in 2012. "We have to look to impose our style and make it as difficult as we possibly can," he added. "For us it's about the team.

It's an opportunity for us all to play here. We want to get a victory and know it will be difficult. "We have no fear for the result. If we play our style we have an opportunity to get the result." (SportsMax)

PAGE 57

Laidlaw Wants Morale-boosting Finale Against Georgia

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cotland want to round off 2016 with back-to-back wins when they face Georgia in Kilmarnock on Saturday, says Greig Laidlaw.

Greig Laidlaw believes victory over Georgia this weekend would set Scotland up nicely for the Six Nations next year. After a narrow defeat to Australia in the opening game of the international series, Scotland showed great fight to beat Argentina 19-16 at Murrayfield.

They meet Georgia on Saturday in what will be their last match before the Six Nations kicks off in February, and Laidlaw is targeting back-to-back victories to boost morale within the squad.

"If you can win games back to back, it builds confidence and

will be for the Six Nations so if we can win again after Saturday, it will be huge for us. "It makes such a big difference. It means the boys have confidence in each other and everything we are trying to do out on the field.

“To be honest, even though we fell short against Australia, we can still take confidence from the performance we put in. "If we can get a performance and a result this weekend we'll be in a great spot. We enjoyed winning on Saturday so it's very important we finish off this series momentum," he said. "The next with another win." Scotland face time this group comes together Ireland in their Six Nations after this game [with Georgia] o p e n e r o n F e b r u a r y 4 .

(SportsMax)

PAGE 59

PSG's England Misery, Neymar Out To Torment Celtic Again - Champions League In Opta Numbers 43 - There were 43 fouls in the game between Ludogorets and Basel last September, the highest total in a Champions League game this season (before matchday five).

N

eymar's devastating record against Celtic is among Opta's top statistics ahead of the second day of Champions League matchday five. Neymar will be looking to reproduce the stunning displays he has shown against Celtic in the past as Barcelona look to safeguard top spot in Group C, while Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach battle behind them. Bayern Munich take a formidable record against Russian opponents to Rostov in the early match, while Atletico Madrid will look to Antoine Griezmann's home form to keep them ahead of the Bundesliga champions. Paris Saint-Germain must rectify a largely wretched run in England against Arsenal, while Ricardo Quaresma and Dries Mertens could be the more unlikely stars of the show. With the help of Opta, we present the best stats ahead of Wednesday's crucial Champions League fixtures.

Arsenal v Paris Saint-Germain: 8 - PSG have won only one of their eight away games against English opposition in all competitions (D3 L4). That came at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in March 2016 (2-1).

42 - Edinson Cavani's goal after 42 seconds against Arsenal last September is the fastest in the Champions League this season. In fact, all three goals conceded by the Gunners this season have come in the opening 15 minutes.

Ludogorets v Basel:

17 - Jonathan Cafu has been directly involved in three of Ludogorets' four Champions League goals this season (two goals, one assist). He has also won more free-kicks than any other player in this season's competition (17).

9 - Neymar has scored four goals and delivered five assists in three Champions League games against Celtic. He has had twice as many assists as any other player in this season's tournament (6).

Borussia Monchengladbach v Manchester City: 7 - Manchester City are winless away from home in their last four Champions League games (D2 L2). This season, they have conceded seven goals in their two outings away from Manchester.

Besiktas v Benfica: 0 - Besiktas have never won a home game against Portuguese opposition in all competitions (D1 L3). Meanwhile, Benfica have never won an away game against Turkish clubs in all competitions (D2 L3).

4 - Sergio Aguero has scored four goals in two Champions League games against Borussia Monchengladbach, including a hat-trick on matchday one.

Rostov v Bayern Munich:

Napoli v Dynamo Kiev:

13 - No Russian club has ever beaten Bayern Munich in the Champions League in 13 fixtures (D3 L10). That includes Rostov's 50 defeat against the Bavarian club on matchday one.

1 - Dynamo Kiev have won only one of their seven away games in the Champions League against Italian clubs (D2 L4). That was against Roma in September 2004 when the match was abandoned at half-time after referee Anders Frisk was hit by a missile.

36 - Since his Champions League debut in 2011-12, Robert Lewandowski has scored 36 goals in 56 games. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (67 goals) and Lionel Messi (53) have been more prolific over the same period.

9 - Dries Mertens has scored three and assisted one of Napoli's last six Champions League goals. He has had the joint-most shots on target in this season's competition (9).

Atletico Madrid v PSV:

5 - Ricardo Quaresma has scored two goals and assisted a further two in his last three Champions League games.

Celtic v Barcelona: 7 - Barcelona have won seven of their nine Champions League games against Celtic (D1 L1). Celtic's only win in that run was in November 2012 when they recorded only 15 per cent possession at Celtic Park to beat the Catalans (2-1).

19 - PSV have won only one of their last 19 games in European competition against Spanish clubs (D10 L8). That was against Deportivo La Coruna in the 2003-04 Champions League group stages (3-2).

5 - Atletico Madrid have only conceded five goals in 19 home games at the Vicente Calderon under Diego Simeone.

(SportsMax)

PAGE 60

'Yankees Versus Yardies' Squash Tourney For Liguanea Club

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a m a i c a ’s t o p - r a n k e d s q u a s h players, Chris Binnie and Lewis Walters, will take on rivals from the United States in the KPMG International Squash Series which is scheduled for December 8 - 9 at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston, Jamaica.

Dubbed “Yankees vs Yardies”, the twoday extravaganza will see local stars, Binnie and Walters facing their stiffest competition to date on local soil.

The US contingent is comprised of Chris Gordon, currently ranked number 56 by the Professional Squash Association

(PSA) and Chris Hanson who is number 83 in the world.

Binnie, who has dominated the game in Jamaica and the Caribbean for the last eight years, is currently at 76, while Walters is ranked at 110.

Binnie will face off with Hanson on the first day of play, while Walters will be up against Gordon. The players will then trade opponents for another round of matches on Day 2.

The event will also feature a strong undercard which will see Jamaica’s number three player, all-rounder, Bruce Burrowes going head-to-head with

rising star, Julian Morrison. Burrowes and Morrison will be back in action again in mixed doubles on Day 2 when they will be paired with 12-time All Jamaica Ladies Champion, Karen Anderson and five-time Caribbean Ladies Champion, Marlene West, respectively.

The KPMG series is being staged as a major fundraiser for the Jamaica Squash Association (JSA) as part of an effort to increase financing for its Junior Outreach Programme and also to p r o v i d e s u p p o r t f o r J a m a i c a ’s professional squash players. Binnie, Walters and Morrison currently compete on the PSA circuit which involves, travel, accommodation, medical and coaching expenses.

“We are very excited about our professional squash series because it will expose local fans and newcomers to the game to an extraordinarily high standard of squash,” said President of the JSA, Chris Hind.

“Chris and Lewis are the top two players in the Caribbean but in general they don’t get a lot of strong competition on local soil so we look forward to seeing them do battle with other world ranked professional players who will definitely test their skills.” (SportsMax)

PAGE 62

Cardinals Coach Arians Provides Positive Health Update

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ruce Arians has provided a positive health update after the Arizona Cardinals coach was taken ill. Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians was released from hospital on Monday and has

provided a positive health update through his Twitter account. Arians was admitted to hospital and underwent testing for symptoms related to chest pains. In a statement released by the team, the coach was said to be

"experiencing discomfort and not feeling well" after Arizona's game against the Vikings on Sunday. “Thank you for all the well wishes, thoughts and prayers.

I'm doing good. Everything checked out ok. Happy to be back with the guys!" Arians tweeted on Tuesday. He is expected to return to work this week and prepare his team for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons.

The 64-year-old coach is a prostate cancer survivor and was hospitalised earlier this year when he was diagnosed with diverticulitis, an inammation or infection of the digestive tract.

(SportsMax)

PAGE 63

Kompany Out For 'Weeks' With Knee Injury

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incent Kompany will again spend time on the sidelines with a knee injury he sustained during Manchester City's 2-1 win at Crystal Palace. Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany will be out for "the next weeks" with a k n e e i n j u r y, m a n a g e r P e p Guardiola has confirmed.

Kompany, who has been plagued by fitness problems over the past year, made his latest return to City's starting line-up in Saturday's Premier League match at Crystal Palace. The 31-year-old was substituted before half-time in the 2-1 victory following a collision with goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

The source of Kompany's discomfort was initially reported to be double vision as a result of the heavy impact between himself and Bravo but the Belgium centre-back

landed awkwardly and that resulted in knee damage.

“Fortunately nothing happened with his head," Guardiola told a news conference ahead of Wednesday's Champions League Group C match at Borussia Monchengladbach. "The real problem is the knee. For the next weeks he is injured." Asked whether Kompany would be included in City's squad for the knockout stages of the Champions League, Guardiola said: "Now is not the moment. First we have to qualify for the next round."

Kompany underwent groin and thigh surgery after last season's Champions League semi-final loss to Real Madrid having suffered persistent calf setbacks throughout the campaign.

A groin injury in stoppage time soured his return in the 2-1 EFL

Cup win at Swansea in September and he has featured sporadically thereafter. At half-time in the next round, a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United, Kompany told Guardiola he did not feel able to continue and a similar situation arose during the recent international break when he was named in the starting XI for Belgium's friendly with Netherlands but pulled out before kick-off. "We have to try to help him week after week to see if he can play more often," Guardiola added. "He is sad but he is in the best hands. He is travelling to a hospital in Spain so he can recover as soon as possible."

Victory at Borussia-Park will guarantee a spot in the round of 16 for City, following a stirring 3-1 home win over Barcelona last time out. Guardiola went four games without a win versus Gladbach during his time in charge of Bayern Munich and a 4-0 win earlier in the round-robin phase over a side languishing 13th in the Bundesliga does nothing to convince him a straightforward task awaits. "We were so happy with beating Barcelona," he said. "But it was just one game. We cannot be considered favourites to win.

Maybe in 10 years but we need time to achieve that. "[Gladbach] are a really good team and they have a good mentality. We will see tomorrow whether we will win."

(SportsMax)

PAGE 65

Magnificent Matthews Fires Windies To Series Sweep

O

pener Hayley Matthews slammed a scorching 47 from 22 a s We s t I n d i e s Wo m e n completed a 3-0 series sweep of India following a 15-run win at the Dr Gokaraju Laila Gangaraju ACA Cricket Grounds on Tuesday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat Matthews gave the visitors a strong start, hitting seven fours and one six as she rapidly put runs on the board. Matthews brought up the team’s fifty in just 5.2 overs, eventually dismissed in the seventh over, after being

caught behind off Poonam Yadav. Matthews was well supported by opening partner and captain Stafanie Taylor who went on to score 44 from 55 and anchored the team to

139 for four in their 20 overs.

In pursuit of the total India got off to a terrible start after losing opener VR Vanitha, who failed to score, to a firstball run-out. Meghna Singh (19) and Smriti Mandhana (6) offered only a brief respite before Veda Krishnamurthy and Harmanpreet Kaur combined to attempt a rescue mission. Kaur smashed three sixes and as many fours in her 51-ball 60 not out. The duo added an unbroken 92 for the fourth wicket, but it still proved a few runs short.

Deandra Dottin and Matthews combined to take a wicket each for the visitors.

(SportsMax)