REGIONAL
GUYANA DAILY NEWS Lack Of Fuel Might Be The Cause Of Brazilian Plane Crash PAGE 2
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
with ground controllers on Monday evening after the pilot reported an electrical fault. But after investigation have been carried, the cause of the accident is allegedly mainly for a total lack of fuel. The 2,972km flight path from Santa Cruz in Bolivia to Medellin was right at the edge of the aircraft's capacity.
Logo of The Chapecoense Brazilian team to the left, crash of flight LaMia 2933 to the right As the hours go by, details about the tragic accident suffered by flight 2933 of LaMia on Monday night, emerge. The plane was carrying 77 passengers, including the Brazilian football team ‘The Chapecoense’ when it crashed on its way to Medellin, capital city of Colombia, on Monday night. Around the 22:15hr local time. According to updates, 6 persons survived the crash. This are Chapecoense team players Alan Ruschel, Jackson Follmann and Hélio Hermito Zampier (Neto), airhostess Ximena Suarez, journalist Rafael Va l m o r b i d a a n d fl i g h t technician Erwin Tumiri. Two of the survivors were last night reported to be in a grave condition. Investigators are currently analyzing the cause of the a c c i d e n t . B u t inconsistencies between the data revealed by the black box of the aircraft, the forensic evidence, and the statement of survivors, gives several theories. Reports say that the plane lost contact
At around 22:15hr local time, LaMia Flight 2933 plunged in the mountains of Cerro Gordo, just 30km from the Colombian city of Medellin, leaving 71 fatalities. The case is still under investigation, with the Brazilian and Colombian authorities joining forces to put an end to the endless questions raised by the family members, friends and fans of the victims. Source: http://www.el-nacional.com/GDA/AccidenteChapecoense-sobrevivio-instante... Image of survivors of the crash(from top left)flight technician Erwin Tumiri, journalist Rafael Valmorbida, Jackson Follmann, Alan Ruschel and airhostess Ximena Suarez.
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
LOCAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Long Proposed Anti-Drug Agency To Be Launched In December
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan.
The government will officially launch the National Anti-Narcotic Agency (NANA) in December. This according to Minister of Finance Winston Jordan. NANA is expected to promote greater coordination between agencies that are involved in the fight against illegal drugs and transnational crimes such as contraband smuggling, and gun and people trafficking, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan said during his budget presentation in the National Assembly, Parliament Buildings, Brickdam on Tuesday. The establishment of the NANA stems from the National Drug Strategy Master Plan which was completed earlier this year. The setting up of NANA is expected to see the merger of the Police Narcotics
Unit and the Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU). “The National Drug Strategy Master Plan and a draft of the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Master Plan, both of which were completed in 2016, will serve as a strategic guide for our efforts going forward,” Minster Jordan noted. Talking of the proposed establishment of NANA has being ongoing since October, 2015. President David Granger had announced back then that his administration will roll out a National Drug Strategy Master Plan while simultaneously establishing the National Anti-Narcotic Agency (NANA). Based on the theory that criminal violence results from the drug trade, President Granger had acknowledge then that there was still a high level of crime at the time.
PAGE 5
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
LOCAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Worst Budget In The History Of Guyana – Jagdeo Says
Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo has labeled the 2017 budget as the worst he has ever seen in the history of Guyana. Jagdeo, a former Finance Minister and former President, said that the fiscal package was “ominous” and that not much thought had gone into its formation. Jagdeo deemed the entire budget presentation as “immensely unresourceful” highlighting that it may more than likely “kill the Private Sector.” Speaking at a post budget presentation
press brief, the opposition Leader said that the proposed tax measures outlined in the Minister’s presentation will no doubt bring untold hardships on ordinary people and be remembered for the “disincentives” to private investment.
and the list of other proposed tax measures will have a negative effect on citizens. “The tax measures are so numerous that it will wreak havoc. Imagine a logger is at home now thinking what he will do next.
“I was sitting there; one thought came to my head. That it was immensely unresourceful, but as we got to the latter part of the Budget, particularly when he (Finance Minister Winston Jordan) announced the measures, I changed that assessment to immensely ominous for the future of Guyana, for the future of job creation and growth, and business development and for the future of welfare and growth in benefits to ordinary people,” Jagdeo expressed. The former president pointed out that the imposition of a 14 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on water and electricity consumption,
These tax measures will kill the Private Sector. At one point I was taking notes and I stopped. It is unbelievable. I did not expect this,” Jagdeo said. The Opposition Leader heavily criticize the government on the “increased” taxation, which he said can be linked to the ‘fact’ that Government has no strategy to generate revenue so they sought to tax average Guyanese in an already depressed economy. Jagdeo said the budget was filled with lots of old rehashed information and his party would highlight these issues when the debate begins on December 5.
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
LOCAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Magistrate Dismisses Matter Against F o r m e r G G Bfailed Eto establish m pa casel against o ythe defendant e e Ronald Singh and dismissed the case.
Ronald Singh, a Former laboratory technician attached to the Guyana Gold Board was today freed of the wrongful charge of simple larceny made against him by the Guyana Gold Board through his lawyer George Thomas. Prosecutor failed to establish any wrongdoing by the defendant during his deliberation in court today, George Thomas the attorney for the defendant argued that the prosecution case lack of evidence, baseless and did not warrant a simple larceny charge. The Magistrate Judy Latchman in this case attentively listen to both sides argument and concluded that the prosecution have miserably
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
LOCAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Government To Reduce Use Of PreTrial Detention For Minor Crimes The government will review its pre-trial detention policies and push for alternative sentencing as it work towards reforming the justice sector in the coming year. Minister of Finance Winston Jordan, during his 2017 budget presentation on Monday in the National Assembly, said that the government will reduce the burden on the prison system by implementing a comprehensive institutional strengthening programme aimed at influencing the use of penal and rehabilitation policy and law. This will be done through the “Support for Criminal Justice System Programme”, Minister Jordan pointed out. “Ultimately, we intend to reduce the use of pre-trial detention for persons accused of minor, non- violent, offences by aggressively promoting the use of
alternative sentencing options such as probation, community service, restitution, and fines,” Minister Jordan explained. The strengthening of the legislative framework is also being done to enhance capacity to prevent money laundering and arrest the financing of terrorism. “To this end, the Government has embarked on a tailored technical cooperation programme aimed at formally assessing the money laundering and terrorist financing risks,” Minister Jordan noted. While Guyana, was cleared from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) watch list in October in this regard, the government must prove its effectiveness in being able to convict those who launder money and pilfer state assets if it is to remain off the watch list. The capacity of the judicial system will
have to be developed in order to meet this requirement. “The Government continues to place the highest priority on the maintenance of a strong justice system, given its role in upholding our civil liberties and maintaining the rule of law,” Minister Jordan said. Additionally, the government pledged to work assiduously in the area of constitutional reform. “An administrative secretariat will be established to manage the reform process and support the consultations,” Minister Jordan stated. Minister Jordan said that in 2017 consultations across the 10 administrative regions will be done by the Constitutional Reform Commission. The consultations are expected to last for two years with over 100 communities being engaged in the process for which $80M has been allocated.
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
LOCAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Guyana Hindu Sabha Hosts Successful Kala Utsav
President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud, and participants of the Kala Utsav
The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha hosted its annual festival of arts, Kala Utsav, on Sunday last at the Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra, in Prashad Nagar. The festival opened its doors at 10:00hrs to welcome all the youngsters interested in different art manifestations with the subtle touch of tradition. The Utsav saw more than 200 youngsters, under the age of 25 participating in friendly competitions, 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 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. Prior to the final Utsav, each of the Sabha’s Praants held Preliminary Utsavs in their communities to pick the best to represent them at the finals. Participants came from Upper Corentyne, Central Corentyne, East Berbice, West Berbice, East Coast Demerara, Georgetown, East Bank Demerara, West Coast Demerara and Essequibo. The festival saw its climax with the Ramayan chanting and the dramatic depiction, featured by local talents. The Kirtan and Folk Dance segment, took the stage by storm. Remaining as one of the favorite segments of the festival. 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. The visiting troupe from the National Ramlila Council of Trinidad, also presented a short piece to open the Utsav. At the end of the day, the East Berbice Praant was awarded with the best Praant Trophy.
LOCAL
GUYANA DAILY NEWS Port Kaituma Man Remanded For Causing Bodily Harm PAGE 11
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Royston Jones today appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with the offence of causing grievous bodily harm. He was remanded and will return before the Chief Magistrate on December 13, 2016. Unrepresented before the court, the accused pleaded not guilty before hearing the police prosecution make an objection to bail stating the severity of the offence as their major reason. The court also heard that the virtual complainant is currently hospitalised and in critical condition. It is alleged that on November 27, 2016 at Main Road, Port Kaituma the accused caused grievous bodily harm towards Anand Edwards with intent to maim, disfigure or disable.
Labourer Remanded For Alleged Cocaine Possession Thirty-Three - year old Labourer Michael Deonarine was this morning remanded to prison after he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with allegedly being in possession of cocaine. The accused will return before the court on December 13, 2016. Deonarine who was without representation, pleaded not guilty to the charge as Police Prosecution objected to bail since the accused was unable to provide the court with a fixed place of address and as such bail was denied. It is alleged that on November 26, 2016 at Bourda Market, the accused had in his possession four grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
LOCAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Rohee Calls For Year-End Bonus For Public Servants General Secretary of the in power, which were awarded to the joint services and People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Clement Rohee is calling for more take home pay for the working class citizens of Guyana. The Parliamentarian believes that appreciation must be shown to those who work for the betterment of the country. He is urging the government to bring back the year-end bonuses that were given to the working class citizens of the country while the PPP was
ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU). According to the General Secretary, at the yearend the bonus was tax-free and given to ranks by the administration, nothing that the ranks were deserving of the bonuses. Rohee is also calling for the annual incentives that is given to the sugar workers at year end. “Public servants must stand in solidarity with sugar workers and the Joint Services must stand in solidarity with public servants and sugar workers,all of whom toil year in year out, either in the services or the productive sector and who deserve a bigger and better slice of the National Cake so as to improve their daily livelihoods,” the General Secretary noted.
REGIONAL
GUYANA DAILY NEWS Jovenel Moise Wins Presidential Election In Haiti 118,142 votes (11.04%) Maryse PAGE 14
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Narcisse (Fanmi Lavalas) -- 96,121 votes (8.99%) "The Haitian people made their choice and elected me in the first round. Now, in a spirit of gathering, I invite you, dear compatriots, to join with me on the road of endogenous development for a Haiti to the height of its historical performances and its legitimate ambitions,” Moïse said.
President-elect Jovenel Moïse By Caribbean News Now contributor PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti -- Jovenel Moïse, of Parti Haïtien Tèt Kale (Haitian Bald Head Party) and the chosen successor of former president Michel Martelly, won the first round of Sunday’s presidential election in Haiti with 595,430 (55.67%) of the votes. Since Moïse won with more than 50 percent of the votes, a runoff election will not be required. However, the result triggered protests and claims of fraud from opponents, especially as Moïse also came first in the aborted October 2015 vote, which was annulled following allegations of fraud. The 48-year-old Moïse is a successful businessman, running a banana export company he sees as a model for rural development. As president, his task will be to revive Haiti’s economy and rebuild that country as it recovers from a devastating earthquake in 2010, as well as Hurricane Matthew. The results followed a week of protests
and unrest led by supporters of former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s Fanmi Lavalas Party, which claimed victory for its candidate, Maryse Narcisse, soon after the election. According to HaitiLibre, the results announced by Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) president Léopold Berlanger late Monday night indicated that Moïse’s closest rivals were: Jude Célestin (Ligue Alternative pour le Progrès et l’Émancipation Haïtienne) (LAPEH) -- 208,837 votes (19.52%) Jean-Charles Moïse (Pitit Dessalines) --
“My brothers and sisters, it is together that we will change Haiti, it is together that we must work to allow every Haitian to live better… I appeal to the youth of the country, to all the Haitians who live abroad, to all the professionals of the country, to engage at my side to put the country upright, because Haiti is on its knees,” he added. In a statement on Tuesday, the electoral observation mission of the Organization of American States (EOM/OAS) in Haiti said the preliminary results show significant margins between the number of votes obtained by the candidates contesting the election and are in line with data collected by OAS observers at polling stations on election day. The mission said it observed substantial advances both on election day and during the tabulation phase compared with prior electoral processes. The EOM called upon all actors to respect the will of the Haitian citizens, expressed emphatically through the polls. (Caribbean News Now!)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
REGIONAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Government Suffers Losses In Trinidad Local Elections; Opposition Gains Ground
Trinidad’s 2016 local government electoral map. Graphic: CNC3 Television By Marcia Braveboy Freelance Journalist PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- A nail biting finish to the 2016 local government elections in Trinidad and Tobago saw the People’s National Movement (PNM) government clinching a victory amid losing several districts in a few of the island’s municipalities and losing the popular vote to the opposition United National Congress (UNC). UNC picked up a dozen districts held previously by the PNM and won the popular vote, amassing 122,558 (51%), some 200 more votes than the 2013 local election; while PNM got 117, 054 (49%), over 71,000 fewer votes than the 2013 local election. Political analysts decried the election, calling it a loss for the people of Trinidad and Tobago because it was the lowest voter turnout recorded in a local election in recent history. In spite of losing ground, Prime Minister Keith Rowley nevertheless told supporters in Port of Spain that the election was a handsome victory for the PNM. “We're very pleased with results; it was a handsome victory for which we're grateful,” he said. Opposition leader Kamla Persad Bissessar said it was a victory for the people of Trinidad and
Tobago. “Tonight I believe is a victory for the people of Trinidad and Tobago. We asked that the people send a message to the Government that there was so much pain and suffering that the time for change has come. We trust that the Rowley Government received that message,” she said. Monday’s election saw a perplexing result that initially showed both parties drawn down the middle, with seven corporations each going to the PNM and UNC respectively. But later into the night, PNM’s chairman Franklin Khan said the results showed seven corporations for the PNM, six for the UNC and there was a tie in the now highly controversial Toco/Sangre Grande Corporation. Both PNM and UNC won four districts each in that corporation, with initial results from the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) declaring a victory for the UNC in the corporation as they attained over 500 more votes than the PNM. However, in a hastily called news conference on Tuesday, the PNM’s chairman told the media it was his party that edged out by a little over 500 votes. In what looked like an unprecedented and strange case of a political party usurping the authority of the EBC, Khan said, “According to their figures, the PNM won 10,399 votes in Sangre Grande and the UNC 9,959.” In response, the UNC political leader Persad-Bissessar called Khan’s claims “nonsensical”. “Mr Khan made these arrogant and incredible claims based on a nonsensical legal interpretation about selection of a chairman, viz., incumbency of the PNM’s SG chairman, the ‘popular vote’ and ‘spirit of the law’. “This is patently false and demonstrates willful ignorance and arrogance on the part of the Rowley PNM,” she said. Calls to the EBC’s communications manager ’s phone, Dominic Hinds, went unanswered. Other media outlets complained about the EBC’s refusal to
respond to the PNM’s claims. Khan saw the elections as a victory for the PNM on election night and a loss for the UNC, claiming the Sangre Grande seat was a tie. Yet the same PNM chairman in his Tuesday news conference, as he claimed victory for the Sangre Grande Corporation, said the PNM now has eight corporations and UNC six, rolling back his initial conclusion that the position of parties holding four districts each is a tie. By the proportional representation system, both PNM and UNC will be allotted two aldermen each in the deadlock scenario. EBC’s ongoing challenges Despite being hauled before the courts by the UNC for major election law breaches following the 2015 general elections, the Elections and Boundaries Commission once again rattled UNC executive members on election day, when they (the EBC) shifted polling stations from one area to the other, but only in the UNC strongholds of C h a g u a n a s a n d t h e Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo regional corporation. Polling stations were moved between schools, causing chaos for voters and frustrating the voting process that saw UNC officials scampering for transportation to get voters to the other locations to vote. There were other complaints from UNC campaign managers from other parts of the island about the EBC shifting polling stations from one area to the other unknown to the UNC and their candidates. In another UNC stronghold in the Princes Town area, the polls opened for voting at 8:00 am instead of the legal 6:00 am time. The EBC simply called the infractions an administrative error. UNC MP, Rudy Indharsingh told Caribbean News Now that the UNC filed a complaint with the EBC’s CEO Ramesh Nanan.
Continued on next page...
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
REGIONAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Government Suffers Losses In Trinidad Local Elections; Opposition Gains Ground (Cont’d) “It’s highly suspicious; shifts were candidates for the Tunapuna/Piarco Siparia: 4 PNM; 5 UNC Chaguanas: 3 done so suddenly in this PNM-held seat. EBC didn’t notify any level of the UNC. Voters were confused and upset - totally unsatisfactory on EBC’s part,” Indharsingh complained. This follows a litany of flaws coming out of the EBC that has affected mainly the UNC. Two weeks ago, the EBC published names of local government candidates in the Trinidad Express newspaper and placed the PNM’s logo next to the names of UNC candidates, while they never published the names of the UNC
Regional Corporation at all. The following Wednesday, an EBC official and returning officer for the Siparia Regional Corporation was seen having lunch with PNM minister, Lovell Francis, at a restaurant in San Fernando. Persad-Bissessard hinted at possible legal action against the EBC on those matters. She also insisted that the outcome of the local elections is a “sign of victory to come”. Allocations of seats in Regional Corporations: Arima: 7 PNM; 0 UNC
PNM; 5 UNC Point Fortin: 6 PNM; 0 UNC Penal/Debe: 0 PNM; 9 UNC Princes Town: 2 PNM; 8 UNC Port of Spain: 12 PNM; 0 UNC San Fernando: 9 PNM; 0 UNC Diego Martin : 10 PNM; 0 UNC Sangre Grande: 4 PNM; 4 UNC Mayaro/Rio Claro: 2 PNM; 4 UNC Tunapuna/Piarco: 14 PNM; 2 UNC San Juan/Laventille: 11 PNM; 2 UNC Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo: 0 PNM; 14 UNC (Caribbean News Now!)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
REGIONAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Fraud, Forgery And Money Laundering Investigation In St Maarten Results In SearchestheAnd Seizures contract signed between the
PHILIPSBURG, St Maarten -- House searches and seizures have been taking place in St Maarten since early Monday morning in an ongoing tax fraud, forgery and money laundering investigation code-named ‘Emerald’. The special anticorruption taskforce TBO of the Kingdom Detectives Cooperation Team RST, together with the National Detectives Agency St Maarten has searched a number of premises. The house of a suspect and some of his companies have also been
searched. A search was also conducted at the offices of the St Maarten Port Authority. The searches were still ongoing, and more searches cannot be excluded. A 35-year-old man from St Maarten was arrested on Monday morning on suspicion of tax fraud, forgery and money laundering. The ‘Emerald’ investigation started in April 2016, following reports in local media and questions asked in Parliament about
suspect’s security company and the Port Authority of St Maarten. During this investigation, suspicions arose about tax fraud, forgery and money laundering The investigation is still ongoing. In addition to the searches a number of bank accounts have been seized. In close cooperation with the authorities on the French side, a yacht has also been seized. The investigation is part of a joint intensified fight against international fraud and corruption. Corruption and money laundering threatens the security and economy of the countries in the Caribbean part of the Dutch Kingdom. The special anti-corruption taskforce, TBO of the RST, together with the National Detectives Agencies (Landsrecherches) of Curacao and St Maarten and the Prosecutor’s Office have joined forces to combat corruption. Orders to recover proceeds of crime fit in within the new policy of t h e P r o s e c u t o r ’s O ffi c e . T h e Prosecutor’s Office will be submitting more of such claims. (Caribbean News Now!)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
REGIONAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
US Supreme Court Denies Stanford Certiorari Petition rest of his life in custody; this may not Allen Stanford By Kenneth Rijock WASHINGTON, USA -- On Monday, the United States Supreme Court denied the petition for a writ of certiorari filed by Allen Stanford, whose prior District Court conviction and sentence was affirmed by the Fifth Circuit. Stanford's best opportunity to revisit his criminal case has failed; any post-conviction relief that he seeks in the future is entirely discretionary with the District Court, and generally has a poor chance of success. Stanford's presumptive release date is April 17, 2105, meaning that he will spend the
satisfy his many victims, but it does more or less close the chapter on his criminal prosecution. His Antigua and Barbuda-based Stanford International Bank left victims strewn all over the Western Hemisphere, and the Ponzi scheme Stanford operated cost many Americans their life savings. A sentence, such as the one in this case, which exceeds the life expectancy of a major Ponzi schemer, though stiff, could serve to deter future potential Ponzis from engaging in this type of criminal conduct. (Caribbean News Now!)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
REGIONAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
OECS And Mexico Cllaborate On Sustainable Strategic Tourism Master Plans
(L-R) Ambassador of Mexico to the OECS, Luis M. Lopez Moreno, OECS Tourism Specialist Dr Lorraine Nicholas and Third Secretary of the Embassy of Mexico Imanol Belausteguigoitia CASTRIES, St Lucia -- The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission met with representatives from the government of Mexico to explore collaborating to develop sustainable strategic tourism master plans (SSTMP) in OECS member states. The ambassador of Mexico to the OECS Luis M. Lopez Moreno, third secretary in charge of cooperation of the embassy of Mexico Imanol Belausteguigoitia, the OECS tourism specialist Dr Lorraine Nicholas, OECS tourism permanent secretaries and directors of tourism met virtually to gain insight from Mexican experts on the concept and methodology for developing SSTMPs in the OECS. OECS director general, Dr Didacus Jules, said the OECS
has enjoyed strong relations with Mexico across a number of functional areas of cooperation and the potential now existed to deepen that commitment through the elevation of SSTMPs as a key driver of economic growth in the OECS. “The potential exists for a deeper diversification of the OECS tourism product and the SSTMP’s will be imperative in creating a sustainable framework to identify and then capitalise on these unique opportunities,” Jules said. Nicholas said that Mexico’s tourism industry has performed remarkably well in the past few years, with Mexico welcoming a record of number of 32 million tourists in 2015, an increase of ten percent over 2014 figures. “Revenue from the sector also grew by eight percent which accounted for surplus of seven billion dollars and the ministry of tourism in Mexico strongly attributes this impressive performance in the tourism sector to effective planning," Nicholas said. “Tourism master plans were developed by tourism professionals in Mexico for each of the main tourist destinations (cities) in Mexico and the development of the sector has been guided by these plans. “The government of Mexico is now keenly interested in replicating the concept of one of Mexico’s major tourism product “Los Pueblos Mágicos” (Magical Towns) in the OECS. “This program was developed by the ministry of tourism to highlight the key tourism assets in select towns, particularly those towns that have preserved their cultural and historical resources,” Nicholasexplained. As part of the Mexico/OECS cooperation agreement, the Mexican government has agreed to provide technical support to the OECS member states to develop their respective SSTMP. The Mexican delegation
provided an overview of the concept and methodology to develop SSTMPs as a tool for a participatory planning, which is intended to improve the performance of the tourism sector. The plan is intended establish the guidelines for collaboration and coordination between the different agencies and entities, among the different stakeholders in the private and social sectors. The methodology to develop the plan comprises the following activities: 1. Undertake secondary research involving the compilation of key documents that contain information that is relevant to the development of tourism; 2. Conduct field visits to undertake a situational diagnosis of the OECS tourism sector (through interviews with key stakeholders, administration of surveys and observations); 3. Analysis of findings; 4. Formulation of the SSTMPs for OECS territories; 5. Elaboration of the SSTMPs for OECS territories; 6. Develop a portfolio of viable projects to be considered for execution in the next few years; and 7. Workshop to present and validate the OECS sustainable strategic master plans. This project is expected to commence in December 2016 and the SSTMPs are expected to be completed by July 2017. (Caribbean News Now!)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
REGIONAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Arriving Passenger From Suriname Arrested At JFK Carrying Cocaine In Suitcase
Cocaine found concealed inside suitcase lining NEW YORK, USA -- An arriving passenger from Suriname had more than clothes in his suitcase when encountered
by US Customs and Border Protection Officers at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. On Sunday, CBP officers stopped Dhroepchand Badal, who arrived on a flight from Paramaribo, Suriname, via Port of Spain, Trinidad. During the course of the inspection CBP officers noticed his suitcase was unusually heavy and the sides were thicker than normal. The officers probed the bag and discovered a white powdery substance, which tested positive for cocaine. Badal was arrested for the importation of
a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. The total weight of cocaine seized was approximately 15 lbs with an approximate street value of more than $255,000. “Our CBP officers continue to demonstrate daily vigilance and excellence in detecting those who would try to smuggle illegal narcotics,” said Robert E. Perez, director, field operations New York. Badal now faces federal narcotics smuggling charges and will be prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office in the US Eastern District Court of New York. (Caribbean News Now!)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
REGIONAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank And OECS Commission Strengthen Strategic Alliance
ECCB headquarters in Basseterre, St Kitts CASTRIES, St Lucia -- The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) have signed a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) that strengthens their institutional arrangements for collaboration. The virtual ceremony between the two Institutions took place on Tuesday, November 22, at the OECS Commission and was attended by the director general of the OECS, Dr Didacus Jules, and ECCB governor, Timothy Antoine. Jules said the signing of the MOU signified a new strategic positioning of the historic association between both institutions to better collaborate on policy areas in the face of a number of regional opportunities and global development such as Brexit and the new incoming US administration. “The work of both institutions across macroeconomic policy, financial sector development, consolidating the
Economic Union to trade policy and private sector development, as some examples, necessitates closer alignment if we are to share knowledge and expertise to ultimately deliver better outcomes to the people of the OECS,” Jules said. Antoine hailed the MOU as a new era of cooperation for both Institutions. "Such cooperation is essential as we collectively strive to secure higher levels of growth, competitiveness and employment in the OECS. “We have an opportunity to deliver some real benefits for the people of the OECS and seize it we must,” Antoine said. (Caribbean News Now!)
INTERNATIONAL PAGE 26
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Trump Says He Will 'Leave Business' To Focus On Presidency President-elect Donald Trump has announced he is to leave his business empire to focus on the presidency and avoid perceived conflicts of interest. Mr Trump gave few details but said he would expand on his plans at a press conference next month. He has previously dismissed concerns over potential conflicts between his businesses and the presidency. Meanwhile, former Goldman Sachs executive Steven Mnuchin confirmed he had been picked as treasury secretary. Mr Mnuchin, who was Mr Trump's former campaign finance director, also said billionaire investor Wilbur Ross had been chosen for commerce secretary. Mr Trump and his transition team have yet to confirm the appointments. Instead, Mr Trump chose to focus on his plans to distance himself from his business in a series of four tweets released over 20 minutes. A tweet from Donald Trump reads: As Mr Trump noted there is no legal requirement to liquidate assets but past US presidents have set aside their business dealings. Mr Trump's rivals have raised repeated concerns this may cause problems in the coming months. The property tycoon is said to be currently worth $3.7bn (£3bn) by Forbes magazine, with more than 500 different enterprises in his business empire. Mr Trump, who takes office on 20 January, had previously indicated to the New York Times that he was considering separating his two areas of responsibility but was confident he could run both "perfectly". He has also previously suggested he
could hand over his sprawling business interests to his three eldest children - Ivanka, Eric and Donald Jr, who already hold roles within his empire. However, Reince Priebus, Mr Trump's incoming White House chief of staff, refused to say on MSNBC's Morning Joe whether he was handing the business to his children or putting it into a blind trust, which would place the management of his assets in the hands of other experts. "I'm not ready to reveal that really," he said, adding Mr Trump had "got the best people in America working on it". (BBC)
Donald Trump has announced he will be leaving his business "in total"(AP)
INTERNATIONAL PAGE 27
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Aleppo Battle: Shellfire Kills Civilians In Rebel-Held East Many civilians have been killed in the Syrian city of Aleppo as government forces intensify their assault on besieged, rebelheld districts. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, said at least 26 people died when government shell fire hit the Jubb al-Qubbeh area. Eight others were reportedly killed by rockets that hit government-held areas. Troops and militiamen have retaken more than a third of the rebel-held eastern half of Aleppo since the weekend. Tens of thousands civilians have been displaced by the fighting, and the UN is extremely concerned about the fate of those still inside besieged areas. Aleppo was Syria's largest city and its commercial and industrial hub before the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in 2011. It has been divided in roughly two for the past four years, with the government controlling the west and rebels the east. But in the past 11 months, Syrian troops have broken the deadlock with the help of Iranian-backed Shia Muslim militias and Russian air strikes. In early September they reinstated a siege of the east, trapping the 275,000 people living there, and launched an all-out assault later that month. On Wednesday, two days after the entire northern portion of the rebel enclave was recaptured, the government ground offensive and aerial bombardment continued. The Syrian Observatory, which monitors the civil war through a network of sources on the ground, reported that women and children were among the 26 people killed when shells struck rebel-held Jubb al-Qubbeh. Many people were still trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings, it added. The Syria Civil Defence, whose rescue workers are also known as the White Helmets, put the death toll at 45 and said a group of displaced civilians was hit. Syrian state media also reported that eight people, two of them children, had been killed in government-controlled districts by rebel rocket fire. Syrian and international aid agencies operating in those areas meanwhile tried to mobilise resources to help civilians crossing the frontlines in search of safety. The International Committee of
the Red Cross said about 20,000 had fled in the past four days, while the Syrian Observatory put the figure at more than 50,000. The situation for civilians trapped in rebel-held areas continues to worsen, with food stocks practically finished and no functioning hospitals left. A spokeswoman for the UN's World Food Programme, Bettina Luescher, said civilians were enduring a "slow motion descent into hell". The UN Security Council will meet to discuss their plight later on Wednesday. France, which backs the rebels, called for the session. Its permanent representative, Francois Delattre, said it could not "remain silent in the face of what could be one of the biggest massacres of civilian population since World War Two". But the BBC's Lyse Doucet in Damascus says the Syrian government and its allies are unlikely to heed calls to halt an offensive it describes as a campaign against terrorism. They are hoping to retake Aleppo before the inauguration in January of US President-elect Donald Trump, who they hope will see their campaign in the same way, our correspondent adds. (BBC)
The Syria Civil Defence posted a photo of the aftermath of the attack in Jubb al-Qubbeh(AP)
INTERNATIONAL PAGE 29
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
CIA Chief Warns Trump: Scrapping Iran Deal 'Height Of Folly’ The director of the CIA has warned US President-elect Donald Trump that ending the Iran nuclear deal would be "disastrous" and "the height of folly". In a BBC interview, John Brennan also advised the new president to be wary of Russia's promises, blaming Moscow for much of the suffering in Syria. In his campaign, Mr Trump threatened to scrap the Iran deal and also hinted at working more closely with Russia. Mr Brennan will step down in January after four years leading the CIA. In the first interview by a CIA director with the British media, John Brennan outlined a number of areas where he said the new administration needed to act with "prudence and discipline" - these included the language used regarding terrorism, relations with Russia, the Iran nuclear deal and the way in which the CIA's own covert capabilities were employed. 'Beware Russian promises' Mr Brennan offered a bleak assessment of the situation in Syria, arguing that both the Syrian regime and the Russians were responsible for a slaughter of civilians, which he described as "outrageous". The administration of President Barack Obama has pursued a policy of backing moderate rebels fighting the Assad regime in Syria. The CIA director said that he believed the US needed to continue that support to help rebels withstand what he called an "onslaught" carried out by Syria, Iran, Hezbollah and Russia. Russia continued to hold the key to Syria's future, he said, but he expressed scepticism about its willingness to come to any kind of deal. He said Moscow had been "disingenuous" in negotiating tactics, seeking to draw the process out in order to "choke" Aleppo. "I do not have confidence that the Russians are going to relent until they are able to achieve as much tactical battlefield successes as possible," he said. The incoming Trump administration has suggested it may try to work more closely with Russia on a number of issues. "I think President Trump and the new administration need to be wary of Russian promises," Mr Brennan told the BBC, arguing Moscow had failed to deliver in the past. Hackers warned On the role of Russia in trying to influence the US election by hacking and releasing information, the CIA director confirmed Russia had sought to carry out such activity but said he would defer to domestic counterparts as to the impact. He did confirm that he had had conversations with his Russian opposite numbers to challenge them over these actions and warn them that they would backfire. The US should not "stoop to their level" or risk escalation by responding in kind to Russian hacking but, he said, there were other ways of ensuring Russia understood such activity was unacceptable. 'Don't tear it up' He also warned Donald Trump's incoming team over their position taken during the campaign to abandon the nuclear deal with Iran. "I think it would be disastrous," Mr Brennan told the BBC. "First of all, for one administration to tear up an agreement that a previous administration made would be unprecedented." He said such a move would risk strengthening hardliners in Iran and risk other states pursuing nuclear programmes in response to a renewed Iranian effort. "I think it would be the height of folly if the next administration were to tear up that agreement," he said. In 2015 Iran agreed a long-term deal with six world powers - the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany - under which it agreed to restrict sensitive nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of tough economic sanctions. The Obama administration has argued that the deal will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon but during his election campaign Mr Trump described it as a disaster and said he would dismantle it. Since his election Mr Trump has not mentioned Iran but his choice to succeed Mr Brennan, Mike Pompeo, is an ardent critic of the deal. IS 'very active' Terrorism remains an overriding concern. The team planning external attacks within the so-called Islamic State remained "very active", Mr Brennan said, and was seeking to demonstrate that - despite setbacks on the battlefield - the group still had the ability to carry out attacks against the West. The CIA director said he had not yet sat down with the new team to discuss the capabilities and programmes the CIA had but he was ready to do so. "There are a lot of people out there who read the papers and listened to a news broadcasts where the facts may be a bit - you know - off. And so I want to make sure the new team understands what the reality is. It ultimately will be up to them to decide how to carry out their responsibilities." Some members of the new administration, such as Gen Michael Flynn, have talked of the US needing to recognise it was in a "world war" with Islamist militants. When asked if language about "world wars" was helpful, the CIA director said the new team needed to be "disciplined in the language that they use [and] the messages that they send. Because if they are not disciplined, their language will be exploited by the terrorist and extremist organisations as a way to portray the United States and the government as being anti-Islamic and we are not." Mr Brennan said President Obama had asked US intelligence to "dig down" on whether the transition period might be exploited by adversaries. Waterboarding lessons The CIA is charged with gathering intelligence and acting as the covert arm of the president. Its activities are usually secret and often - when revealed - controversial. One of the most public challenges that John Brennan faced during his tenure was dealing with the fallout of the CIA's use of techniques such as waterboarding on detainees after the 9/11 attacks. President-elect Trump has said he would consider resuming waterboarding if he thought it would be effective. John Brennan made clear he thought that would be a mistake. "Without a doubt the CIA really took some body blows as a result of its experiences," he said. "I think the overwhelming majority of CIA officers would not want to get back into that business." The pace of drone strikes increased during the Obama administration although responsibility for many of them has shifted to the military rather than the CIA. When John Brennan ran counter-terrorism operations in the White House, he was instrumental in putting in place a series of rules over drone strikes. So could a new administration simply rewrite the rules on drone strikes as well as the handling of detainees? "This is where there is tremendous responsibility on the new administration…to make sure that they use the great capabilities that this government has as effectively and as judiciously as possible," he told the BBC, arguing that if powers such as drone strikes were misused, they could prove counterproductive to US security. (BBC) Civilian casualties have mounted in
the Syrian city of Aleppo(AFP)
INTERNATIONAL PAGE 30
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
India Cinemas Ordered To Play National Anthem India's Supreme Court has ruled that the national anthem must be played in every cinema before a film is screened. Judges said the order should be enforced within 10 days and audiences must stand when the anthem is played. In the 1960s and 1970s, cinemas regularly played the anthem, but the practice declined. Opinion on the court move is divided on social media. There is no uniform law in India regarding the anthem and the 29 states have had their own laws on the issue. In 2003, the western state of Maharashtra made it compulsory for cinemas in the state to play the anthem, but last year, the Madras High Court ruled against such a move in Tamil Nadu state, saying that doing so might create disorder and confusion. On Wednesday, the twojudge bench of Justice Dipak Mishra and Justice Amitav Roy ruled that the anthem must be played in all cinemas, accompanied by an image of the Indian flag. "The people should stop following individual notions of freedom and have a sense of committed patriotism," Indian media reports quoted the judges as saying. The judgement has caused a stir on Indian social media, with opinion on the judgement sharply divided. Some people were of the opinion that the judgement was unnecessary while others said there was nothing wrong with it. Many, though, found humour in the situation. The hashtag #NationalAnthem was one of the top trends on Twitter India on Wednesday afternoon. The BBC India Facebook page asked its followers if they agreed it should be compulsory for cinemas to play the national anthem before screening films and drew a mixed response. "Supreme court also towards symbolic patriotism? Why are we moving backwards! Patriotism is something through education through better society one has to build in younger generation its not imposition...! Playing anthem before the movies of present day will disrespect it," wrote Facebook user Krushik AV. But Sachin Sudheer disagreed saying: "Its a really good idea... in my place the carnival cinemas always shows national anthem and its a wonderful feeling to stand up with everyone." Debate over anthem Although there is no specific law that mandates standing for the anthem in India, the home ministry's rules,
which carry the force of law, specify that it is compulsory to stand to attention when the anthem is played. And cinemas that play the anthem often display messages asking audiences to stand up. The debate about India's national anthem comes amid concerns over growing intolerance in the country and there is some concern that people could be targeted for not "respecting" the national song. In October the BBC carried an article by a disabled man who described how he had been assaulted for not standing up for the anthem in a cinema. Last year, a group of people were thrown out of a cinema hall for not standing for the national anthem. It is unclear where the incident occurred, although some reports said it took place in the city of Mumbai. In 2014, a man was beaten by a mob in Mumbai after his South African friend refused to stand for the national anthem. Another man in the southern state of Kerala was charged with sedition the same year for also refusing to stand. Bollywood actress Preity Zinta found herself mired in controversy after she forcibly removed a boy from a theatre hall for doing the same. However, many Indians have also questioned the need to "wear patriotism on your sleeve" and the relevance of token gestures like simply standing for a national anthem. (BBC)
It is compulsory to stand to attention when the anthem is played(AFP)
INTERNATIONAL PAGE 32
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Kansas Sperm Donor To Same-Sex Couple Not Liable For Child Support A Kansas man who donated sperm to a same-sex couple is not legally the child's father and cannot be forced to pay child support, a court has ruled. William Marotta, from Topeka, answered a classified ad in 2009 from two women who wished to have a child. The couple later separated and the birth mother received state assistance. The state's department for children and families, however, had sought to recoup costs and force Mr Marotta to pay ongoing child support. County District Judge Mary Mattivi ruled that the birth mother, Jennifer Schreiner, and her former partner, Angela Bauer, should be considered the child's legal parents. Mr Marotta was paid $50 (£40) for each donation and the insemination occurred at the women's home with a syringe. He has had very limited contact with the child and never intended to provide financial support. Ms Bauer is unable to work and is receiving disability payments. The department for children and families filed a petition to have Mr Marotta declared the child's legal father in 2012, seeking to reclaim expenses related to the child's birth, plus ongoing child support payments. A Kansas law says a man who provides donated sperm to a doctor for an insemination is not the child's parent, unless there is a written agreement to the contrary.
However, the department had argued that Mr Marotta was legally obliged to pay because a doctor had not been involved during the insemination. A department spokesperson said the law pertaining to sperm donors was "clear and was ignored in this ruling". The department has not yet said if it plans to appeal. (BBC)
William Marotta(AP)
Turkish Dorm Fire: Six Held After 11 Schoolgirls Die A dormitory manager and five others have been detained in and the roof eventually collapsed, officials said. Adana southern Turkey after a fire claimed the lives of 11 schoolgirls and a teacher, reports say. The fire swept through the secondary school dorm in Aladag in Adana province and authorities said it may have been caused by an electrical fault. However, there were fears that the girls may have been unable to escape. The mayor said it was likely that a fire door had been locked. The girls who died were 14 or younger. The dormitory housed girls from impoverished families in nearby villages, reports said. One of the girls who died was Zeliha Avci, 13. Her father was waiting on Wednesday for the authorities to allow him to collect her body for burial in her village. "No-one has called me," Mustafa Avci complained. "We learned about the fire from the news and ran to the scene. Our children have been burnt to death and no-one gives us any information." Mr Avci last saw his daughter at the weekend. "She was very keen to go to school and get educated, but her days are over now," he said. Her old state-run dorm, he explained, was torn down in 2015 and he was unhappy about the new one. "This was the only dorm in town. We didn't want to send her there, but we had no other option." Although it was widely reported that the girls had been trapped on the second and third floors of the building, Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak said that according to initial investigations the fire escape door had not been locked. TV footage showed flames leaping from the roof of the building as firefighters battled for hours to put the fire out. It spread quickly because of the building's wooden floors
governor Mahmut Demirtas said some students had been injured when they jumped from windows to escape the fire. He said 34 students had been staying in the dorm and 22 were taken to hospital. Turkish authorities imposed a media blackout on local coverage of the disaster. Anadolu news agency said the six people in custody included the head of the dormitory, three teachers and two other staff. They were being investigated on suspicion of causing death by negligence. (BBC)
The dormitory housed impoverished girls from villages with no schools(AFP)
INTERNATIONAL PAGE 33
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
Syria Conflict: 'Israeli Jets' Strike Outside Damascus Syrian state media say Israeli jets have fired two missiles from Lebanese airspace which struck outside Damascus. A military source told the Sana news agency that the missiles landed in the Sabboura area but caused no casualties. The source did not say if anything was hit, but the highway from Lebanon to Damascus runs through the town. The Israeli military has not commented. It is believed to have bombed weapons shipments intended for Lebanon's Hezbollah movement in the past. Hezbollah, which fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006, has sent thousands of fighters to Syria to support President Bashar al-Assad's forces in the country's civil war. The Syrian military source said Wednesday's missile strikes were "an attempt to distract attention" from the Syrian army's "successes" and a "bid to raise the morale of the collapsing terrorist gangs", an apparent reference to recent rebel losses in Aleppo. The progovernment Al-Masdar News website reported that the Israeli warplanes had fired Popeye missiles at Sabboura, 8km (5 miles) north-west of Damascus "The overnight explosions were so loud they could be heard by an Al-Masdar News field correspondent in downtown Damascus," it added. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, and social media users also reported hearing loud explosions overnight. Al-Masdar said it was likely the strikes targeted a Hezbollah location or a senior member of
the Shia Islamist movement. The London-based Arabic news website, Rai al-Youm, meanwhile cited sources as saying that the first target was an arms depot belonging to the 38th Brigade of the Syrian army's 4th Division. The second target was a group of vehicles believed to be part of a Hezbollah weapons convoy, the sources added, stressing that no leaders were targeted. The Israeli military declined to confirm or deny the reports. (BBC)
CLASSIFIEDS PAGE 35
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
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PAGE 36
Bolt Finds Another Challenger In Aubameyang Usain Bolt has found yet another challenger from another sport who believes he can best the big sprinter. According to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, speed is an important part of his life. He likes fast cars and has worked hard on being fast on the pitch. "Speed is a part of me. I think I was born with that, and nowadays a fast player, I need a fast car, too. I have a passion for fast cars. To drive them means pure joy to me," said Aubameyang. The Borussua Dortmund striker also likes to be the best at everything he does, and since running fast is an important part of his football, beating the best over a short sprint would be just up his ally. The best, is Usain Bolt. And that puts a bulls eye on the back of the 6'4" sprinter. a few years ago I did 30m in 3.7 seconds. Whether that makes me quicker than Bolt, I don't know! We all know Usain is the best. I would love to have a race against him one day! It would certainly be a good challenge for m, said Aubameyang in an interview with Xinhua. Like Bolt has tried to portray in his documentary I Am Bolt, running fast doesn't happen by accident and it
takes a lot of hard work. Aubameyang had to put in that work when he played at AC Milan and he is very proud of that. "At Milan when I was younger, I worked a lot on the leg press because I'd lost a bit of my natural speed as my body was changing. I was growing too fast for the rest of my body to cope and I had some knee problems. I worked really hard in the gym to regain these fast sprints. That makes me very proud." (SportsMax)
'Our Fans Would Never Forgive Us' - Bayern Won't Sell Muller To Manchester United Bayern Munich's fans would never forgive the board if Allianz Arena and they have been linked with a move for they sold Thomas Muller to Manchester United, a club official has warned. Bayern Munich have warned Manchester United that they will never allow Thomas Muller to follow in the footsteps of Bastian Schweinsteiger and let him move to Old Trafford. United previously lured Schweinsteiger away from the
Muller on more than one occasion. Nevertheless, supervisory board member Edmund Stoiber has stressed Muller's situation is nothing like that of Schweinsteiger back in 2015. "It should not be happening that someone like Thomas Muller plays for Manchester United," Stoiber told Bild. "The fans were already a bit unhappy when Schweinsteiger left us for Manchester United. But he was already 32 and wanted a new challenge. But our fans and members would never forgive us if we sold Muller. "He is the opposite of someone like Cristiano Ronaldo. He is much more than just a great player. Muller is part of our DNA. "He represents key values for us and is someone the fans love." Muller has made over 350 appearances in all competitions for Bayern since breaking into the first team in 2008-09, winning five Bundesliga titles, four DFB-Pokals and the Champions League over the past nine seasons. (SportsMax)
PAGE 38
Groves Launches Crowdfunding Campaign For Comatose Gutknecht Eduard Gutknecht remains in a coma following his fight with George Groves, who wants to help ease the burden on his opponent's family. George Groves has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for German boxer Eduard Gutknecht, who remains in a coma following their bout earlier this month. After Groves triumphed in their one-sided super-middleweight fight at Wembley Arena on November 18 by unanimous decision, Gutknecht reportedly collapsed in his changing room and was taken to hospital. The 34-year-old underwent surgery and remains under observation, with Groves hoping to help ease the situation for his family through an online appeal. "Out of respect for Eduard and his family's privacy I haven't tweeted anything about his medical condition so far," Groves wrote in a Twitter post. "However, he is still in hospital in a coma after having surgery the night of our fight 12 days ago. "He's a husband and a father and the money raised will go towards helping his family be with him at this difficult time. "My team are also in the process of organising an auction with celebrity items people can
bid on, and all money raised will also go to Eduard's family. "Thank you to my friends and family who have already donated, it's much appreciated." (SportsMax)
Hafeez Cleared For Bowling Return Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez is eligible to bowl again after remodelling his action under supervision from the ICC. Mohammad Hafeez has been cleared to resume bowling by the ICC after making changes to his action in recent weeks. Pakistan's off-spinning all-rounder has fallen foul of ICC regulations twice in recent years, which led to a
12-month ban from bowling in June 2015. That ban came two months after being cleared to resume bowling having initially been punished by the governing body in November of the previous year. An ICC statement read: "On 17 November, Hafeez underwent a reassessment of his bowling action at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane where it was revealed that the amount of elbow extension for all his off-spin deliveries was within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC regulations for the review of bowlers reported with suspected illegal bowling actions. "The umpires are still at liberty to report Hafeez if they believe he is displaying a suspect action and not reproducing the legal action from the reassessment. "To assist the umpires, they will be provided with images and video footage of the bowler ’s remodelled legal bowling action." (SportsMax)
PAGE 39
Alonso Open To New Bayern Munich Contract His contract runs out next year and speculation over his future is mounting, but Xabi Alonso is open to a new deal with Bayern Munich. Xabi Alonso says he would be happy to extend his contract with Bayern Munich beyond the end of the season. The former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder has enjoyed great success in Germany since leaving the Spanish capital in 2014, winning two Bundesliga titles, the DFBPokal and the German Supercup. The 35-year-old has missed only one league game this season, but with his contract set to expire next June, his future remains uncertain. Alonso, however, admits that he could prolong his stay at Bayern and that his family feel settled in the area. "I would like to stay here," he told Sport1. "I feel good, my family and I feel comfortable in Munich. "The season is long and we will get together soon, for sure." Alonso had earlier stated that he is yet to make any decisive plans over his future.
"My contract ends in the summer and I still haven't made a decision. I don't know what I'll do," he told Onda Cero. "For the time being, I'm just focusing on enjoying the moment and once I know what is best, then I will make a decision." (SportsMax)
Foley Wants Wallabies To Be Smart Against England Bernard Foley has stressed the importance for Australia not to let England dictate proceedings at Twickenham this weekend. Australia must learn from their whitewash at the hands of England earlier this year if they are to end the 12-game winning run of Eddie Jones' side at Twickenham on Saturday, says Bernard Foley. England won all three Tests against the Wallabies in June to seal their first series triumph down under, and maintain their impressive form since Jones replaced Stuart Lancaster in November 2015. That run has shown no signs of stopping with victories over South Africa, Fiji and
Argentina this month. Australia are next up for England this weekend and Foley says the visitors are determined to produce a much better display. "I think it's just being smart in how we engage in the play and we just pick and choose our times," he said. "In the June series, they came with a pretty simple but executed well plan and did a really good job for them. "So, for us it's just managing the game as best we can and allowing us to probably be more accurate especially at the breakdown and in our starters so that we're probably not as involved or not falling into the trap of getting targeted by them. "In a lot of those games we weren't that far off, or the attack was alright and then we were sloppy in defence or our discipline and that hurt us. "When this side's playing good footy, we match it with anyone in the world and that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to be consistent." Team-mate Rob Simmons believes the Wallabies have improved game on game since the losses to England and says the performance of Australia's pack could be crucial at Twickenham. "It's something we've been trying to raise the bar in is physicality, especially for the tight five," he said. "It's an area the tight five need to own and the team runs off the back of that. "If we can set up a platform, especially for the ball players, it makes it a lot easier for the rest of the team." (SportsMax)
PAGE 41
Bellew Shocked By Haye Behaviour The war of words between David Haye and Tony Bellew has begun with the pair coming to blows ahead of their March 4 bout. Tony Bellew was shocked when a news conference melee saw David Haye throw a punch at the WBC cruiserweight champion. Speaking at the first media event ahead of their fight on March 4 the pair traded insults across the table before things spilled over when they posed for pictures. Bellew was left stunned when Haye threw, and missed, with a left hook having been pushed away by the Liverpudlian in front of photographers. "He [Haye] can be shook and he can be hurt. He is nothing special. He got angry and shaken. I have never seen him so shaken," Bellew told Sky Sports News. "I am cool. I am from somewhere he can't imagine. I am used to drama. "I am shocked he has thrown a punch at me. I don't want our sport to be put across like this. I have pushed him to get him out of my face and he has thrown a punch." After barbs from Bellew about Haye spending his time in nightclubs, Haye responded by telling the champion he would knock him out in the fight at the O2 Arena. "You and your whole team are going to get destroyed," he told Bellew. "Whatever I do now in my life is irrelevant because on fight night, you're going to get knocked out. "I could go clubbing every night. From now until the fight... get smashed out of my mind every night, and I'll still knock you out. "I will turn up, drunk out of my head, and you'll get knocked out." Bellew, meanwhile, insisted he did not fear the former WBA heavyweight champion before describing Haye
as the "biggest diva in boxing". "I don't fear him," he said. "He's got this thing that I'm scared of him. "All those demands, all those stipulations you put in. 'I want the ring this size, I want the mat that size'... Listen mate, I'm not going to run from you. I know you believe I'm going to run. "All these stipulations he put in, I'm surprised he didn't ask me to carry him to his seat in the press conference, to be honest. "Do you want me to do your hair as well? The man is unbelievable. My demand was - let me pick my own gloves and get in the ring. "He's unbelievable - the biggest diva in boxing I have ever seen." (SportsMax)