November 4, 2016

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Government Must Consider Economic Benefits Of Guysuco

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon Minister of State, Joseph Harmon has noted that the government is considering the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). When asked to list some of the recommendations of the CoI at a post cabinet media briefing on Thursday, Mr. Harmon said, “There were a range of options that have been presented to Cabinet and I would not want to be very specific with these options but I gave you what I call the continuum of opportunities

and that is to say from doing nothing which is maintaining the status quo to diversification.”

When further pressed as to the secrecy and the possibility of closure of more estates, Mr. Harmon said that the government has to be careful with the information it feeds the media. However, many cane harvesters told the Guyana Daily News that they are very worried about these statements by the Minister of State, since they are unsure about their future. Many economists, both in Guyana and New York, have questioned the government’s move to close the Wales and LBI estates and the possibility of closing more in

2017. They believe that this might be done through spitefulness against PPP supporters.

The economists further stated that the government is incapable of managing the affairs by maintaining the current income pattern of the state and is unable to create new revenue. One prominent economist and political commentator said that the sugar workers should not be the victim of the government’s lack of vision and inability to run the country. The economists recommend that the government should continue to subsidize the industry and diversify the sector slowly over a five year period.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

OP:ED- Guyana Should Not Get The “Dutch Disease”

With the recent oil finds, Guyana has been placed on the international scene, however if the government does not implement the right economic policies, then the country can very well implode with further corruption and economic decline.

Guyana is ranked among the most corrupt countries in the world by Transparency International’s (TI). The latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks Guyana of 119 and a score of 29.

The present government is in the spot light for alleged corrupt practices which will eventually have a humongous impact on the country’s new found wealth, for example, in the current state of the oil agreement, Guyana is the

Landlord.

Upon collection of revenues from Exxon, the government will less the burden on the tax payers and duties among others, hence there will be less cry of corruption because there can be complacency when examining the actions of the government.

This finding is supported by extremely low Transparency International Corruption Perception Indices for Nigeria, Libya, Sudan, Venezuela, Yemen, etc. but we know of the Socioeconomic impacts of these countries. According to Paul Collier, The Bottom Billion, one of the main determining factors that continue to plague the developing nation is that of the

resource curse.

Nations faced with the imminence of riches from resources are faced with many more problems than solutions. In 1970 and 1980s, economists came up with an explanation known as the ‘Dutch Disease’, after they observed that the crippling effects of the North Sea gas discovery on the Dutch economy. In other words, this disease causes the currency of the country under focus to rapidly increase in value against other currencies. Guyana can easily fall into this category with its low value.

So what will happen to the produces that we export, rice, sugar, timber, etc? There should more focus on checks and balances than focusing on programs that are geared on community development.

Guyana’s chances of failure are very high because of corrupt practices. The country cannot afford another stint as was under the PNC regime. Guyana’s new found wealth, we might be able to benefit, but if the government continues in its current form we will be the next Venezuela or Nigeria. The government must stop playing the witch-hunting game and focus on the things that are necessary for the development of its citizens and not white elephant projects like the Durban Park.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Linden Wary Of Toll Booth Operations

Linden recently opened toll booth With the opening of the new toll booth in the mining town earlier this week, Lindeners are divided on the implementation of the toll booth. While most of the residents are in favour of the toll since it will generate much needed revenues for the town, others are not, nothing that the toll also applies to Lindeners. The Guyana Daily News spoke with several residents today who are not in favour of paying the feel. One Food Store owner decried that Linden cannot pay any toll right now, at least not in the current economic situation facing the town. She suggested that the officials in charge should hold off on making residents pay any toll until the people of the town can

afford to do so.

The food vendor reasoned that when the toll operations gather enough money to fix some of the problems that Linden faces then she is sure the people would have no problem paying the toll.

However, she noted that she is not willing to pay any toll even as at a 25% reduction because she simply cannot afford to do so. Another resident, who is a Canter driver, expressed that the toll booth is inconvenient to drivers of the area.

He related that while he understands that it is necessary for the toll booth to be in place, it has some unwanted effects. He said that during his work if he has to pass the booth five times per day, he has to stop at the toll booth.

The driver said that he wasn’t aware of the 25% reduction for the t o w n ’s p e o p l e . T h e d r i v e r suggested that a pass of some sort should be issued to domestic vehicles that do not venture out of the town. The toll booth operations saw the imposition of tolls for 18 categories of vehicles; the tolls mostly target vehicles passing through the town with fuel, lumber or merchandise. These includes canter selling fruits, vegetables, dry goods, trucks, machine haulers, container rucks and etc.

Linden registered businesses will also have to pay the tolls but at a 25% for their category vehicles.

Hire cars, private cars and vehicles entering the town will not be subjected to pay the tolls.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Rice Production To Be Increased

The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is intensifying its efforts to produce aromatic rice on a larger scale through collaboration with private farmers. The aromatic rice is said to be a cost-effective and beneficial economic source of commodity, s according to Research Scientist, Dr Mahendra Persaud. Dr. Persaud, who is stationed at GRDB’s research station, Burma, told the Government Information Agency

(GINA) that previous trials were carried out on a number of other rice varieties, but the GRDB decided to go large scale with the production of the aromatic variety.

“We are expanding the production and marketing, and it has been going well.

From last season we had around 300 acres in the farmers’ fields, and this current season, harvesting is around 3,000 acres and that is, in collaboration with the millers, destined for export,” Dr Persaud

explained. Dr. Persaud said research has been further extended to develop other aromatic rice varieties which will further expand the local rice line.

“We have a back-up programme, we have an organised breeding programme to deliver more aromatic varieties in the future because we thought it’s the way forward for the rice industry, and are providing more options to the farmers and millers and everyone,” Dr. Persaud said General Manager of the GRDB, Nizam Hassan said that, “the price being paid for specialty rice was in some cases more than 100 percent of what was being paid for regular white rice, and so that became very attractive.

Prices meet as much as $1200 per ton when it’s being traded globally, so you can see, once Guyana can respond to an increasing demand for specialty rice and get the rice to be grown in larger volumes, larger acres which would mean more tons being produced, then we can tap into the appropriate markets, then we can have economic benefits for the stakeholders.”

In 2015, the Ministry of Agriculture launched a new line of the aromatic rice variety. The product has already been presented to the international market through surveys, boosting awareness.

The Government is currently at the stage of securing export markets for the rice.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Dominican Republic National Remanded For Alleged Forgery

Dominican Republic National, Providencia Guzman was today fined GY$60,000 and remanded to prison after she appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with one

count of overstaying her granted time in Guyana and one count of conspiracy to commit a felony.

She will return before the court on November 14, 2016. She pleaded guilty to the charge of overstaying; the court heard that between April 14 and October 13, 2016, she failed to comply with the terms of her stay in Guyana and overstayed the allotted time of one month.

However, Guzman pleaded not guilty

to the charge of conspiracy to commit a felony which read that between April 14 and October 26, 2016 she along with others conspired to commit the crime of forgery. The accused who entered Guyana on April 14, 2016 and was granted one month’s stay by an immigration officer, allegedly forged a passport stamp for an extension of three months stay in Guyana, in favour of herself.

More Needs To Be Done To Secure Justice For Abused Victims – Min Lawrence Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence said that while the legislations to protect girls and others from abuse are “some of the best pieces” there is need for timely enforcement of the laws. “We have to ensure that we strengthen our police force so that when they write those charges that they are done in such a way that they can hold,” an impassioned Minister Lawrence told the Guyana Information Agency (GINA) The Minister lamented the “length of time it takes” to process these matters in the courts, and added that “that in itself in another punishment” for the victims of heinous crimes such as sexual abuse.

The Minister said, “It is unbearable hurt” when a victim endures a lengthy court case with no justice in the end. The pain is tremendous when a person, or a victim, one of our girls, would have gone through all the years of waiting, going to all the court dates and so on and then at the end this matter is thrown out,” the Minister said. “And that is what we must fix,” Minister Lawrence

stressed. The Ministry of Social Protection has been building the capacity of its social workers and other staff “to correct the deficiencies which existed within the departments”. Additionally, the Ministry has been collaborating with sister ministries and other agencies to work towards ensuring that justice for victims of abuse is delivered in a timely manner.

“That is why we are partnering to ensure that we get it right at that end, to get it right so that our young victims can understand that we do care, and that there is justice, and that the perpetrators will not just walk away with a smile on their face,” Minister Lawrence said. The Ministry has been collaborating with the Director of Public Prosecution, the Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Commissioner of Police to develop a holistic approach towards the protection of victims, particularly children, Lawrence noted. “We want to ensure that whether it’s an issue of trafficking, whether it’s an issue of abuse, whether it’s an issue of child labour that our approach is correct so that when these matters go before the court, we can be successful,” Minister Lawrence said.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Government Must Be Transparent On New Housing Program Spending

Many prospective home owners are questioning where the Central Housing and Planning Authority will get GY$100B to invest in some 10,000 housing units and duplexes, when the government criticized the PPP administration for leaving the treasury bankrupt. According to Hamilton Green, Chairman of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) “The current administration inherited an overly ambitious programme that sought to provide a serviced house lot to anyone desirous of acquiring one and latterly the provision turnkey units.”

He further explained that the administration recently came up with the idea of a new model to improve the housing system in Guyana and to address the backlog of 25,000 applicants, particularly the 17,851 who can be categorized as low income households.

“This new model seeks to move beyond the provision of serviced lots to create livable and wholesome communities through the provision of full infrastructure; the necessary social facilities and services and the supply of housing units.”

hinterland Indigenous households. It incorporates an urban renewal component to restore and beautify open spaces/reserves through the relocation and re-settlement of squatters living under disastrous and unsafe conditions to livable and wholesome communities.” Mr. Greene said the projected cost of construction of approximately half of the 10,000 housing units-apartments and duplexes – inclusive of infrastructural works – is around $50 billion (US$250M).

The Guyana Daily News spoke to several applicants of the CH&PA for house lots, who said, “if the government is spending GY$50B on 5000 apartments then one will cost GY$10,000,000, now if one of those apartment cost $10,0000,000 what will be the selling price, and since the government is targeting low income families, how will they afford that kind of money?” Applicants want the government “ T h e p r o g r a m m e a l s o p r o m o t e s to make available the specifications of inclusivity and good planning practices, these apartments, such as size, finishes, since it focuses on improving the living locations etc. conditions of both coastal dwellers and

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Trinidadian Charged For Defrauding City Hotels In Guyana

Twenty eight year old Trinidadian resident Anthony Nestor today appeared before city Magistrate Judy Latchman in the the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with two

c o u n t s o f Incurring debt under false pretenses. He was remanded and will return before the court on November 18, 2016.

Represented by Attorney at Law, James Bond, the accused pleaded not guilty as Bond made an application for bail stating that his client is willing to comply with any of the conditions set by the prosecution if

granted bail. Police Prosecution however objected to the application and its terms stating that is their belief that since the accused is a Trinidadian National he will not return before the court if granted bail.

It is alleged that between April 1 and 15, 2016 Nestor incurred a debt of just over GY$200,000 at the Bransville Hotel, Campbellville, Georgetown, while falsely declaring that he was the holder of a valid credit card. It is further alleged that between April 15 and 18, 2016 the accused also incurred a debt of GY$66,000 at Opus Hotel located at Croal Street, Georgetown under the same false pretense.

Father Of Seven Charged With Armed Robberies

Magistrate Fabayo Azore today remanded 35-year-old Patrick Smith after he appeared before her in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court slapped with two counts of robbery under arms which he allegedly committed on June 26, 2016 in the

vicinity of Georgetown. He will return before the court on November 18, 2016 for continuation of the matter.

Smith, a father of seven of Albouystown, Georgetown, initially entered a plea of guilty with an

explanation to the charge but after revealing to the court the reason behind his plea, Magistrate Azore entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

He was however denied bail after the Police Prosecution objected, citing the nature and severity of the offense.

It is alleged that on the day in question at the mentioned location, Smith while in the company of others and armed with a gun robbed Gajraj Vidgelall of cash and items, totaling GY$700,000. It is further alleged that on the same day in question the accused while armed with a gun and in the company of others robbed Carletta Vidgelall of cash and items totaling GY$475,000.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Some 20,000 Jamaicans Deported From The US Over The Past Ten Years

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks, delivers the keynote address at the inaugural Jamaica Diaspora Northeast Trailblazer Awards in Queens, NY, on Saturday, October 29, 2016

By Derrick Scott WASHINGTON, USA -- Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks, has revealed that some 20,000 Jamaicans have been deported from the US to Jamaica over the past ten years. Jamaica has also received the highest share of individuals deported from the US on criminal grounds, with those convicted of criminal offences accounting for 90 percent of Jamaicans deported, the ambassador said.

“Nearly 90 percent of Jamaicans returned from all countries, namely the United Kingdom and Canada, during this period were deported for reasons unrelated with violent crimes, the most common offences being immigration and drug related offenses,” Marks said.

Speaking in New York last Saturday, Marks said it is now time to bring the full force of the talent and resources of the Diaspora to this problem. “We must stop the deportation of young members of the Diaspora that have spent most of their lives right here and currently are more American than Jamaican,” she said.

The ambassador called on Diaspora organizations throughout the United States to unite as mentors and protect marginalized immigrant youths from being recruited into criminal activities.

The ambassador commended the creation of the Diaspora Crime

Prevention Task Force, but pointed out that the task force does not need to make another fact-finding trip to Jamaica “as the problem starts here and your talents are right here and if organized into an intervention force in Jamaican communities throughout the US, you can put a dent in exporting the crime problem back to Jamaica.”

“We need to, firstly, ensure that every eligible Jamaican green card holder become a citizen,” the ambassador said, “because I am seeing too many cases of young men who came here at basic and primary school age and are now being deported back to Jamaica when they are at college age with no opportunities for a second chance in Jamaica.” Marks said there was a need to create a path to college program and stop the supply of deported criminals to Jamaica, mostly from the United States. (Caribbean News Now!)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

IICA Holds Workshop On Food Labelling For Agro-processors In St Kitts-Nevis

Food labelling workshop participants pose for a group picture on the final day. Presenter Jihan Williams is standing (front row) 2nd right BASSETERRE, St Kitts -- Small-scale agro-processors in St Kitts and Nevis are now better positioned, as business proprietors, to contribute to sustainable agriculture development thanks to the timely intervention by the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), which conducted a one-and-a-half-day workshop on food labelling. Assistant secretary in the federal ministry of agriculture, Natasha Daniel, who opened the workshop held in Basseterre on Thursday, October 27, commented that the workshop had come on the heels of a recently held marketing workshop for agro-processors.

“Today we move to another level of the marketing chain, labelling, where processors can better position themselves as business proprietors, contribute to sustainable agricultural development, assist in the reduction of poverty and malnutrition and reduce food wastage through agro-processing,” Daniel said.

The workshop, which was organised by Augustine Merchant, IICA representative for the St Kitts and Nevis delegation, was facilitated on the first day by Oriel Walters from Koncep Branding Antigua and I-Ronn Audain from the St Kitts Bureau of Standards, while on the final day (Tuesday, November 1) by Jihan Williams from the federal government

intellectual property rights office.

Audain’s presentation was on ‘Labels Standards and Regulation’ and Walter’s presentation was on ‘Labelling Design’, while Williams’ presentation on the final day was on ‘Intellectual Property Rights’.

Also in attendance on the first day was the IICA representative for Antigua and Barbuda Craig Thomas. Chairing the session was Andy Blanchette, institutional liaison to agriculture. “This workshop is being held with funding from the 10th European Development Fund Agriculture Policy Programme,” Merchant said. “This programme is being executed through an agreement signed between the European Union and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture with other implementing bodies such as the Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the CARICOM Secretariat.”

According to Merchant, the programme is being implemented within the context of two major challenges which agriculture faces in the CARIFORUM states, namely an increasing regional food import bill estimated at over $5 billion annually; and climate change, which is of particular significance to the Caribbean, comprising largely of small island developing states with low lying coastal areas and deemed the second most prone in the world to natural hazards. He said the main aims of the workshop were to enable small-scale enterprises in St Kitts and Nevis, including women and youth, to strengthen value added processes and marketing opportunities to meet the demands of retailers and consumers, and to strengthen the capacity to increase the volume, quality, standard and differentiation of local value added products.

“The label is the first point of contact between the consumer and producer,” Merchant informed the workshop participants. “It is used to identify one

product from another and also to make a discussion over which product to purchase. The label is therefore the most important marketing tool for a product.

“It should be attractive and eye-catching while at the same time being informative.

A dirty confusing and untidy label will not help to sell a product. Small scale food processors should aim to label their products with the best label they can obtain or afford in relation to the product.”

On the first day the workshop participants were divided into four groups where they worked on label designs, and presentation of the work groups was done by group leaders, while feedback on presentation made by the groups was presented by Walters. A number of the agro-processors brought their labels that they put on display, and which caught the eye of Daniel. “Labels should be attractive, eye catching while at the same time informative,” she said. “I take pride in our very own local products, produce by the Agro-processing Unit and other agro-processors such as Ms Connor’s DLightfully Sweet, Grandmas Special, which is nicely designed with our National Anthem theme, ‘Oh Land of Beauty’.

“We are on the right path. A dirty, confused, untidy label will not sell a product. Hence the importance of this workshop, to provide the guidance, techniques and know-how in order to better improve your product while at the s a m e t i m e m a k i n g m o n e y. ” S h e encouraged the agro-processors to try their best to label their products with the best labels available and affordable in relation to the value of the product, pointing out that “the ministry is here to support you and provide the necessary assistance to attain your goals.”

(Caribbbean News Now!)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

FA O S e t s 2 0 2 0 D e a d l i n e T o R e m o v e Caribbean Countries From World Hunger List

FAO Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Raul Benitez GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands -Regional representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Raul Benitez says his organization is working towards eradicating hunger in eleven Caribbean islands by 2020. “I would like to propose 2020 as a deadline to remove the eleven countries of the English speaking Caribbean states that still remain in the FAO’s Hunger Map,” said Benitez, while addressing t h e 1 4 t h C a r i b b e a n We e k o f Agriculture (CWA) held in the Cayman Islands last week.

“In figures, less than 180,000 people need to achieve food security in order to reduce the prevalence of undernourishment to below 5 percent and attain this task,” said Benitez, who is FAO’s Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). FAO's focus is on the eradication of hunger, food insecurity

and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the promotion of economic and social progress for all; and, the sustainable management of natural resources, for the benefit of present and future generations.

According to an FAO document titled the CELAC Plan for Food and Nutrition Security and the eradication of Hunger 2025, Latin America is the subregion that has made the most progress, achieving both the M i l l e n n i u m Development Goal target to reduce the prevalence of undernourishment from 14.4 per cent in 1990/1992 to 5.1 per cent in 2012/2014 as well as the more ambitious target set by the World Food Summit (WFS) of 1996 where Latin America also reduced

the number of people suffering from hunger from 60.3 million to 29.5 million in the same period. Benitez indicated that the 2020 deadline would not be easy to meet but that it would be a significant achievement once it was achieved.

“This is no easy task, however, it is possible, and for us all, it would be an excellent achievement that no country in the English-speaking Caribbean appears in the hunger map,” he said while addressing a ministerial session at CWA. The CWA is one of the region’s premier agricultural events and attracted delegates from over 15 Caribbean countries and several islands in the Pacific. Ministers of agriculture from several islands as well as policy and decision-makers from around the region participated in the week of discussions. At the end of the week key recommendations for action were tabled for the ministers to work on after the meeting. (Caribbean News Now!)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Turks And Caicos Airline Boosts Regional Connectivity Tortola, BVI, 4x weekly via San Juan onward to Antigua Connections link the above cities via a typical 45-minute hassle-free transit in Providenciales.

PROVIDENCIALES, TCI -- With its new enhanced winter timetable, interCaribbean Airways substantially boosts regional connectivity and convenience via its fast-growing hub at Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). "Both the passenger's connecting experience at Providenciales, and the flight connecting schedules are now much improved," explained CEO, Tr e v o r S a d l e r. C o n n e c t i n g passengers will in the very near future, bypass immigration, proceeding directly through international security screening and into the departures lounge. This "via Provo" connection for transit passengers will be completely hassle-free following global best practices and avoiding major hubs.

"We can now focus on the needs of travelers in the region," said interCaribbean Chairman Lyndon Gardiner, adding that good air service is crucial and integral to business location decisions. The Tu r k s a n d C a i c o s A i r p o r t s

Authority CEO, John Smith, said, "We are pleased to partner with Immigration and interCaribbean in facilitating in-transit passengers at Providenciales." Effective November 14, interCaribbean will operate these services to/from the Providenciales hub: San Juan, Puerto Rico, 4x weekly

The TCI isn't the first small territory to energetically position itself as a connecting hub, look at Antigua, Panama, Iceland, Dubai, Singapore and other such "mice that roared," noted Gardiner. Inter-island travel difficulty has been documented and lamented by countless economists, executives, development experts, politicians, NGOs and others.

Caribbean islands near each other have been mutually accessible only through extraordinarily circuitous and expensive airline routings via distant hubs.

"We are changing this, with huge passenger savings in time, comfort and trip expense," said Gardiner.interCaribbean, founded 25 years ago, is based in the TCI. The company operates EMB 120, Tw i n O t t e r, B E 9 9 a i r c r a f t connecting the TCI, Antigua, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 4x weekly Tortola, Puerto Rico, Dominican Cap Haitian, Haiti, daily Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Bahamas and Cuba; and domestic flights in Santiago, Cuba, 3x weekly Jamaica between Kingston and Havana, Cuba 2x weekly Montego Bay. The TCI as a UK territory applies rigorous airline Kingston, and Montego Bay, regulatory standards. (Caribbean Jamaica, daily News Now!) Santiago, Dominican Republic, 4x weekly Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 4x weekly Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, 3x weekly

Nassau, Bahamas, 6x weekly

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

St. Vincent And The Grenadines To Outlaw Killing Of Sea Turtles

Photo taken from: Awesomeocean.com KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent Nov 3, C M C - S t . Vi n c e n t a n d t h e Grenadines will as of January 1, make it illegal to catch or kill sea turtles or disturb their nest. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves announced the planned change in the law on Tuesday at an event in Calliaqua, to the south of here , held to upgrade the fisheries facility in the town. Under the current law, sea turtles are protected species in St Vincent, with the open season running from August 1 to February 28. But during the open season, it is illegal to catch, sell, buy or have in one’s possession undersized turtles or their shells.

The minimum weights for sea turtles that can be caught during the open season are: leatherback turtles — 350 lbs; green turtles — 180 lbs; hawksbill turtles – 85 lbs; and loggerhead turtles — 160 lbs. It is always illegal to interfere with the

eggs and nests of sea turtles and anyone found violating these regulations is liable to a fine of up to EC$5,000. According to Gonsalves, the government has been working with the SVG Preservation Fund to upgrade the facility that was funded

by Japan under a US$4.6 million grant secured in 2014. Gonsalves also addressed the issue of whaling as humpback whales are being killed in Bequia and pilot whales are killed in Barrouallie.

“And there is nothing inconsistent with our traditional whaling and whale watching,” Gonsalves said.

“And I know a lot of our young folk are interested not so much in the actual traditional whaling, but in whale watching, which is a legitimate activity. I think you do it in Japan too,” Gonsalves said. The Prime Minister was address Japan’s Ambassador to the island Mistuhiko Okada who also attended the c e r e m o n y. T h e A m b a s s a d o r expressed appreciation to St Vincent for the “valuable cooperation” it has

extended to Tokyo in International Whaling Commission (IWC) matters. It is speculated that the fisheries facilities built by Japan in countries such as St. Vincent are payback for their support in the IWC. According to conservationists, Japan uses its money to dominate in order to continue commercial whaling under the guise of scientific research.

But Gonsalves said he wanted to indicate to the Japanese that there is a strong conservation movement that is growing, “which means that we have to have a proper education about the sustainable use of marine resources. I want to say, and I’ll make this announcement because Cabinet has already decided that as of January the 1st, in keeping with the mantra, no extinction in our generation, that we are imposing a complete ban on the hunting and killing of turtles and also of the eggs.”

Gonsalves said that a project for turtle watching was already being devised. He said that the beaches between Colonaire and Black Point and up at Sandy Bay at Big Sand on St. Vincent’s north-eastern coast are two main places in St. Vincent where turtles nest. The prime minister further said his government is doing a lot of education in schools, adding that while there is a conservation “challenge” with one specie of turtle in local waters, his government will protect all four species that live here.

However, he made it clear that he was not talking of banning traditional whaling. (Antigua Observer)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

St. Lucian Man, 2 Other Caribbean Nationals, Nabbed In St. Maarten For Human Smuggling A St. Lucian man along with two other Caribbean nationals were detained by Dutch authorities in St. Maarten after being suspected of being involved in human smuggling. The men were captured after Dutch coast guard vessels spotted them in a boat in Dutch waters. The men were accompanied by at least 11 Cubans whom they are suspected of attempting to smuggle to the US Virgin Islands. The other men were of Montserratian and Antiguan origin. The men have not been charged as yet as Dutch police is still investigating. (St. Lucia News Online) Jaguar P810, one of three cutters operated by the Dutch Caribbean

Coastguard. Photo credit: Pbase.com

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Government To Borrow Funds From To Improve Water Quality

Source: benonicitytimes NASSAU, Bahamas, Nov. 3, CMC – The Perry Christie administration will be borrowing US$28.3 million from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), in an effort to improve the access and quality of water across the country. Minister of State in the Finance Minister, Michael Halkitis in tabling the resolution for the Water and Sewerage Water Supply Improvement Project in Parliament on Wednesday said the

government will get a “five day holiday” and will not a have to start replaying the loan until five years after the date of execution. The payments will be made in 48 quarterly installments.

Halkitis went on to defend the government’s need to borrow the money, telling Parliamentarians that water is essential. “Water is a necessity, it is far from a luxury.

Good, clean healthy water is a necessity and to give people access to it, it is an indication of human

development, it enhances property value, and it improves peoples lives.” “We will be able to provide water for communities that really need it. I expect during the debate, I am sure members will be able to testify on the long suffering of their constituents. My constituency will a l s o b e a ff e c t e d ; w o r k s a r e underway in Coral Lakes and Boatswain where no water infrastructure has been in place.

When you look at the amount of funds that we are borrowing, it is a relatively small amount,” he said.

The scope of the project involves pre-investment studies, the acquisition of land in certain islands for the execution of the project, a public health and education awareness programme as well as the upgrade of the supply and distribution systems on the islands of New Providence, Crooked Island, Harbour Island, Eleuthera, Long Island, San Salvador and South Andros. (Antigua Observer)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Bahamas To Establish Drug Treatment Court

National Security Minister Bernard J. Nottage addressing CICAD conference. (Photo: CMC) NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) — The Bahamas Government says it is in the process of establishing a drug treatment court to provide an alternative to incarceration for drug-dependent offenders through treatment and rehabilitation. National Security Minister Bernard J Nottage addressing the 60th regular session of the InterAmerican Drug Abuse and Control Commission (CICAD), said The Bahamas has embarked upon on a series of initiatives focused on at-risk youth including the establishment of Community Youth Centres that will provide healthy alternative services and programmes.

He said the focus is as a result of youth being “overwhelmingly represented as both victims and perpetrators of drugrelated crime and violence locally.

“Participating youth will receive training in hospitality, self-esteem building, motivational and personal development.

These centres will be a space where youth can have positive interactions and hopefully be dissuaded from using illicit

drugs, joining gangs or engaging in conflict with the law,” Nottage told delegates, adding that Nassau is “resolved” in its responses to the drug problem.

“The Bahamas is a willing and committed partner and confident that underpinning the discussions of this 60th regular session, the resolve is united to improve the effectiveness of our responses to the drug problem in the mutual interests of all member states. “It is our hope that ideas and experiences shared over the next three days will bolster our efforts in addressing the world drug problem.” CICAD was established by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1986. Each member government appoints a high-ranking representative to the commission that meets twice a year.

CICAD promotes regional cooperation and coordination among OAS member states through action programmes, carried out by CICAD’s Executive Secretariat, to prevent and treat substance abuse; reduce the supply and availability of illicit drugs; strengthen national drug control institutions and machinery as well as improve money

laundering control laws and practice.

Nottage said that the meeting here is significant because this year, CICAD commemorates its 30th anniversary.

“We congratulate the Organization of American States (OAS) for seeing it imperative to establish a branch with the responsibility to promote regional partnerships and coordination among member states to reduce drug production, trafficking and use of illicit drugs, while addressing public health, social and criminality of the drug trade,” Nottage said. He told delegates that the Bahamas has been on the “frontline” of drug control and reduction and has committed itself to “weakening illicit drug enterprises that exist around us regionally and globally” over the past four decades. “Even though the Bahamas is not a major producer of illicit drugs, our country is strategically situated within the transhipment zone between markets in North America and Europe.

Due to our sparsely populated archipelago and vast water borders, transnational criminals continue to traffic drugs through our maritime borders and ports of entry.” Nottage said cocaine and marijuana – which he called the signature drugs produced in the region – are the principle drugs in the transit traffic through The Bahamas.

“Some of the drugs that are moved through our country make their way on our streets and negatively impact our communities and the most vulnerable among us, in particular our youth.”

Nottage said the programmes the government has implemented and will implement, will help to reverse those negative impacts on the country’s at-risk youth insofar as crime, criminality and violence are concerned. (Jamaica Observer)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Barbados Records Increase In Dengue Fever Cases

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Barbados is reporting a significant increase in dengue fever this year as compared to the same period last year. However, there are no deaths

associated with the illness. The Ministry of Health said that for the week ending October 8, the island had recorded 467 confirmed cases and 1,378 suspected cases as against 70

confirmed cases, 309 suspected cases and one death last year. In 2014, there were 1,858 suspected cases reported to the ministry and 337 confirmed.

No deaths were recorded. The Ministry of Health said the majority of confirmed cases were recorded during January, February, August, and September, when outbreaks occurred. The figures also show that there were 625 suspected Zika virus-related cases with 30 being confirmed. Three of the confirmed cases occurred last year. “The total number of pregnant women infected now stands at 23.

There have also been two suspected cases of Zika-associated congenital syndrome identified so far this year, and four cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome,” the Ministry of Health noted. It said that the authorities here continue to work closely with the Trinidadbased Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on laboratory confirmation of the mosquito borne Zika virus and urged Barbadians to do everything in their power to reduce the Aedes aegypti mosquito population on the island. (Jamaica Observer)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

West Demerara Coops To Government… ‘Don’t let us sink’

people will be able to determine for themselves whether it is a proposal from Chinese or it was something coming from the Bahamian ambassador to this minister. That’s the essence of it. I have nothing else to say about it.” Gray’s letter to Gomez started on the front page of Wednesday’s Nassau Guardian and continued in full on page three. The letter summarizes ‘The Proposed China-Bahamas Agriculture and Fisheries Initiative’.

Gray’s letter does say no foreigner will be allowed on fishing vessels, but it says they can own processing and packaging houses for agriculture and fishing products. The letter states: “Furthermore, and central to your discussions with representatives of the Chinese government, it is important to emphasize that it is the Bahamas government’s policy that no foreigner is allowed to physically fish in Bahamian waters by himself or in partnership with others, and therefore only Bahamians are allowed on the fishing vessels. This is non-negotiable, and your report should therefore reflect this policy position of the government.

Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Alfred Gray

N

ASSAU, Bahamas -- Bahamas minister of agriculture and marine resources Alfred Gray falsely claimed in the House of Assembly on Wednesday that his letter to Bahamas ambassador to China Paul Andy Gomez giving him authorization to develop further a proposed $2.1 billion joint venture initiative with the Chinese was not published in full by the press. But that statement by Gray was false.

Gray’s full letter was in fact published in The Nassau Guardian on Wednesday, as the newspaper pointed out on Thursday under the headline “Gray tells a lie”.

A day after he claimed The Guardian’s story on Tuesday revealing that Gomez was given authorization to further pursue the possible joint venture initiative with the Chinese was “utterly false”, Gray also acknowledged in the House that he did in fact give the ambassador permission to discuss the investment with investors. The matter exploded in Parliament after opposition MP Loretta Butler-Turner said the minister needed to provide answers. Rising on a point of order, Gray said, “Mr Speaker, the truth is this: I said in a statement that there was no proposal before the government of The Bahamas or this minister for any Chinese to enter into fishing in The Bahamas and that is true.

“Mr Speaker, there could be no way that this minister or this government would give foreigners, whether Chinese, American, Dominican, no foreigners will ever get a licence to fish in The Bahamas. Full stop. And that’s part of what my letter said. “That’s why they don’t want to print the whole letter. If you print the letter, you would see the letter said that is a non-starter, don’t even bring it up, non-negotiable is the term I used.

“Don’t even bring it up because it cannot happen. And Mr Speaker, the letter I wrote was to the Bahamian ambassador to China; I never spoke to any Chinese... The Bahamas ambassador presented me a few initiatives that he was considering and he was approached by investors and he wanted my permission to discuss those initiatives that he had for investment in The Bahamas, and we gave him the permission to discuss it.

“Now, Mr Speaker, if you consider giving the ambassador permission to discuss investment, a proposal... Mr Speaker, that is the extent of the letter, and I challenge the press to print the whole letter. Print it. Not a little piece there. Print the whole letter, and Mr Speaker the Bahamian

“Also, and consistent with the government’s policy, foreign investors may own and may participate in the ownership of related land-based activities, such as processing and packaging houses for agricultural and fishing products.” In the same letter, Gray gave Gomez approval “to initiate discussions with the Chinese Embassy here in The Bahamas, and with the relevant Chinese government agencies in China, in order to produce a comprehensive report on the viability of the proposed initiative”. According to the proposal, the initiative will entail the incorporation of 100 Bahamian companies under the Companies Act of 1992 and each of the 100 companies will be owned 50-50 by both China and by Bahamians or Bahamian entities.

The initiative would see China or its substantive representatives contributing to the 100 participating companies the $2.1 billion in cash (for working capital), agricultural and farming equipment as well as skilled expertise. If the proposal is approved, the Bahamas government would lease with an option to renew the lease for additional years, to all 100 companies, 10,000 acres of Crown land in Andros. Lease options would be available to each company for an additional 100 acres, provided certain clearly defined performance benchmarks are achieved.

The Bahamas government would also grant to each of the companies fishing licenses consistent with existing Bahamian laws.

The letter said, “Only Bahamian farmers and farm labourers, along with Bahamian fishermen, will make up the initiative’s workforce. The Bahamas government recognizes that each entity will probably require the service of one fishing and one farming expert, for a limited period, who will probably be Chinese.” When she addressed the matter in the House yesterday, Butler-Turner said “they need to explain to the Bahamian people what sort of deal they are doing with the Chinese”.

She noted that Gray’s letter was in Wednesday’s paper. Butler-Turner also said: “Let me tell you something, we have one resource in this country, besides our water and that is our fisheries and we have a minister of this government that has the audacity to be entering into discussions to sort of [give away] our wonderful resources that belong to the Bahamian people, but Mr Speaker, it’s not going to happen, because the Bahamian people aren’t going to stand for it, so when that minister gets an opportunity to talk, get up and talk about his deal with the Chinese.”

(Caribbean News Now!)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Missing South Carolina Woman Found 'Chained Like A Dog’

was "obviously traumatised" after her time in the container. It was described by Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright as "a hellish place to be locked in hot weather. No lights, no Banging noises and screams windows, no air flow". Four from inside a metal shipping container alerted deputies searching for Kala Brown on a 100-acre South Carolina estate. They found her alive "chained like a dog" to the inside of the box, a local sheriff told US media. Ms Brown went missing in late August this year with her boyfriend, Charlie Calver, who is yet to be found. Registered sex offender Todd Kohlhepp, 45, was arrested on Thursday in connection with the incident.

Ms Brown told police that she had been fed twice a day but Kala Brown was found alive but boyfriend Charlie Calver is still missing(FACEBOOK/FIND KALA AND CHARLIE)

people may be buried on the p r o p e r t y, a c c o r d i n g t o a testament given by Ms Brown to Sheriff Wright.

“We're trying to make sure we don't have a serial killer on our hands," Sheriff Wright said. "It very possibly could be what we have." Sheriff Wright added that a cadaver dog, trained to smell human decomposition, had picked up on "something, it's not clear what", while searching. Officers had been led to the 100-acre property thanks to a tip-off by a sexc r i m e i n v e s t i g a t o r. U S broadcaster WYFF say a massive investigation is now underway. (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Syria Conflict: End Of Aleppo Ceasefire Looms

This picture - released by Fatah alSham Front rebels - purportedly shows black smoke rising from a bomb attack against Syrian government forces in western Aleppo(AP) A temporary ceasefire by Russian and Syrian government forces in Aleppo, described by Russia as the final chance for rebels to leave besieged areas, is nearing its end.

Rebels have rejected the 10-hour pause and continued a counteroffensive aimed at breaking the siege. No-one appears to have left.

Russia said two of its soldiers were wounded by rebel shelling. About 250,000 people are trapped, enduring food and medical shortages. Text messages sent to residents by the Syrian government urged civilians to leave eastern Aleppo, telling the opposition to "stop resisting or die".

It added that they would "destroy group leaders". Rebels can leave unharmed and with their weapons using two specially created corridors between 09:00 and 19:00 (09:00 and 16:00 GMT), the Russian defence

ministry said. Six other routes were to be opened for civilians. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, no-one had left the areas in the first hours of the so-called "humanitarian pause". Zakaria Malahifji, a Turkey-based official from the politburo of the Fastaqim group, which is present in Aleppo, said: "Nobody will leave and the Russians will escalate. The Russians declared this." Syrian state media accused the opposition of preventing residents from fleeing.

It reported that rebels fired rockets at one of the evacuation passages. And Russia's defence ministry said two soldiers who were monitoring the ceasefire were lightly wounded by shelling from home-made gas canister bombs and mortars that hit the western part of the key Castello road route. Rebels in eastern Aleppo had increased their attacks on western government-held areas of the city on Thursday. At least 12 people had died and 200 were injured in rocket fire, gunfire and car bombs, state media reported. Government

forces have been besieging the rebelheld east almost continually since July.

This is the second time Russia and the Syrian government have said passages are open for evacuations, but their last unilateral ceasefire in October ended with almost no-one leaving over three days. The UN said it could not use this temporary ceasefire to deliver aid to the besieged areas because it did not have the needed security guarantees. And a spokeswoman for UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said the organisation was also against the evacuation of civilians unless it was voluntary. "Our position remains the call for a complete nationwide cessation of hostilities but of course anything that contributes to saving lives, we welcome it," Jessy Chahine-Mankouche said.

And Save the Children warned that injured children in eastern Aleppo would remain trapped in the besieged city, without access to vital medical treatment and unable to leave, as the corridors failed to offer a viable solution for civilians in need. Russian and Syrian warplanes are expected to resume attacks on rebel areas when the truce ends. Meanwhile, a Russian helicopter was damaged by mortar fire while delivering aid, near Palmyra in Homs province, the country's military said. It could not fly back to base but the crew were rescued and are safe. The so-called Islamic State group may be behind the attack. It claimed to have shot down a Russian attack helicopter in Homs province in a strike which it said killed the crew. (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Parents In Spain Go On Homework Strike

They spend longer hours bent over their homework, but does it amount to better results for Spanish students?(REUTERS) Thousands of parents in Spain are going on strike against state schools this weekend over the large amount of homework given to their children.

Students from 12,000 schools nationwide will be told not to do their weekend homework for the month of November. The Spanish Alliance of Parents' Associations (CEAPA), which called the strike, argues that homework is detrimental to children. Spain was high up on a homework league table in a 2012 education report. The PISA study, by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, found that Spanish children and teenagers have 6.5 hours of homework a week, compared with an average of 4.9 from a group of 38 countries.

Spain ranked 11th on a list of 64 countries or locations in a PISA table covering the amount of homework given. The workload does not necessarily translate in better results for Spanish students - they have traditionally scored low results in

maths, reading and science in other PISA reports. By contrast, in Finland and South Korea, two of the countries with the best student performances according to PISA - the average time spent on homework every week was less than three hours. So what does this say about the learning methods used in Spain? CEAPA president Jose Luis Pazos says education in Spain has been very reliant on the traditional method of

rote-learning - memorising work. He stresses that what children have to learn is how to manage information and how to decide what to memorise and what not.

"Society has changed deeply, but the environment in the classroom hasn't," he says. The homework debate has been raging in other countries too, and it is not just parents who are concerned. In the US state of Texas, a secondary school teacher near Dallas sent a letter to parents telling them that she will not be assigning homework to students this year. Instead, she said she wanted them to spend more time with their families.

A high school in Britain scrapped traditional homework at the start of term in favour of a more "independent" approach to learning. And even in South Korea, the authorities are considering reducing homework for younger pupils even further. The Yonhap news agency reported in August that the city education ofďŹ ce in Seoul was banning primary schools from giving homework to lower grade students, starting next year. (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Scott Ludlam: Australian Senator Takes Leave To Treat Depression And Anxiety

Senator Scott Ludlam said he was "getting the very best of care" and would return to work as soon as possible(GETTY IMAGES) An Australian senator has been flooded with support after announcing he is taking a leave of absence to treat depression and anxiety. Scott Ludlam, 46, who is deputy leader of the Australian Greens party, made the announcement in a Facebook post. He said he had been dealing with mental health issues "for a while". "I will return to work as soon as I'm able to give the commitment the work demands," Senator Ludlam wrote. "I am fortunate to be getting the very best of care from my friends and family, and my health professionals," he added. Figures from across Australian politics wished Mr Ludlam well on social media, praising his honesty. "Wishing my dear friend and colleague @SenatorLudlam all the best for a speedy recovery.

We love you Scott," Australian Greens chief Richard Di Natale tweeted.

Western Australia Labor Leader Mark McGowan wrote: "Thinking of you @SenatorLudlam. A brave thing to do today. All WA parliamentarians wish you the very best. MM." As the news spread on Twitter, many Australians spoke of

their respect for the Greens leader, suggesting that his openness would help others who are fighting mental health battles. During his absence, Senator Ludlam will be offered a "pair" in the Australian Senate.

This means a single vote on the opposing side of debates will be cancelled out for as long as he is on leave. Mr Ludlam is a popular figure among young left-wingers in Australia, and has been vocal about online privacy issues.

In 2015 he branded the Australian government's new national security legislation a privacy invasion, and provided a list of ways for people to circumvent data retention laws. The senator said his work for Western Australia - which includes communications, international aid, defence, foreign affairs and nuclear technology spheres - would be handled by "senate colleagues" and "the team in my office". 'Absolute hell' According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a large number of Australian MPs have admitted privately that they struggle to cope with alcoholism, feelings of isolation, and stress from marriage breakdowns or scandals.

Warren Entsch, a Liberal party leader and former MP, told the Herald he was left in "absolute hell" back in 1999 when the opposition Labor party were pursuing him over a defence contract they said was dodgy. "I was sick. I was devastated. I had to go to Canberra Hospital for chest pains. There were a couple of days where I couldn't get off the couch in my office," he said. "I always feel for someone who is getting beaten up by the media - what you go through from a mental health perspective is absolutely intense." Former MP Doctor Malcolm Washer, a qualified GP who was known as "the doctor in the

house", has claimed there is a "significant" amount of depression among Australian politicians, adding that the job is "very isolating".

He has estimated that around 20% of people working in Parliament House are taking anti-depressants, and many more are on sleeping pills. Mr Ludlam is not the first senior leader to go public about his depression. Former Liberal MP Andrew Robb took leave for six months in 2010 to address the condition, and is now a passionate advocate for mental health. Scott Ludlam is one of a number of high-profile figures who have spoken about their mental health issues in recent days. Singer Zayn Malik, a former member of the wildly successful boyband One Direction, has talked about his battle with "extreme anxiety", saying: "Anxiety is something people don't necessarily want to advertise because it's seen, in a way, like a weakness."

The 23-year-old said he had pulled out of several live performances earlier this year due to mental health struggles. "I speak about it so that people understand that it doesn't matter what level of success you have, where you're from, who you are, what sex you are, what you do - you can still experience these things," Mr Malik told ES magazine.

Another world-famous singer, Adele, shared her experience of postnatal depression after the birth of her son Angelo. She told Vanity Fair that while she "loves her son more than anything", she sometimes felt she had made "the worst decision" of her life as she struggled to adjust to motherhood. She told the magazine a breakthrough came when she opened up, admitting: "One day I said to a friend, 'I ****** hate this,' and she just burst into tears and said, 'I ****** hate this, too." (BBC)

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Brexit: May 'Confident' Of Winning Article 50 Case Appeal He told Radio 4's Today that he also wanted to give the public "a say" on the final deal after EU negotiations are complete. The government's appeal is expected to be heard in early December by the full Supreme Court - 11 judges - for the first time in its history. The judgement may not be handed down until January. If the appeal fails, it is thought the government will then have to bring forward legislation - which would Theresa May and Jean-Claude Juncker have to be approved by both Houses of spoke by telephone(GETTY IMAGES) Parliament. The bill could be subject to amendments. MPs and peers may push for Theresa May has said she is "confident" that more details of the government's negotiating the government will win its appeal against a strategy or possibly for a second High Court ruling on triggering Brexit talks. referendum.

She told European Commission president The government wants to trigger Article 50 Jean-Claude Juncker and Germany's Angela by the end of March 2017 so any legislation Merkel she was committed to triggering would need to be approved by then if the Article 50 by March 2017. Three judges timetable is not to be pushed back. "These ruled that she cannot do so without are fundamental issues which, of course, as Parliament's support. It comes as MP part of this process need to be brought before Stephen Phillips said he was quitting due to MPs, and MPs should feel free to scrutinise "irreconcilable" differences with the them," he said. "And if they believe that the government. government is pursuing an unnecessarily Mr Phillips has been among Tory MPs hard, in other words an unnecessarily selfpushing for Parliament to be consulted over harming version of Brexit, then of course the UK's negotiating strategy, accusing MPs should be free to reject that." But ministers of trying to "ignore their views". former Conservative cabinet minister The government is appealing against Theresa Villiers told the programme: Thursday's ruling to the Supreme Court - all "Frankly I think it would be a constitutional 11 judges are due to hear the case in early outrage if unelected Liberal Democrat peers December. The prime minister called Mr were to stand in the way of implementing the Juncker and Mrs Merkel on Friday morning. clear result of a referendum in which 33 Her spokesman said she told them the million people took part." government was "disappointed" at Thursday's High Court ruling found that the Thursday's court ruling but that "the focus of government could not trigger Article 50 of the government is on the Supreme Court the Lisbon Treaty alone, without the backing case. We are confident of winning that case of Parliament - which would require and proceeding with Article 50". publishing legislation to be debated by the Jump media playerMedia player help If it Commons and the Lords. The government loses that appeal, it is expected that the has argued that it cannot "show its hand in government will have to publish some form detail" ahead of negotiations with 27 other of new law for MPs - and the House of Lords EU member states, despite calls from MPs - to vote on. But former deputy prime to clarify her plans. Communities Secretary minister Nick Clegg - now the Lib Dems' Sajid Javid told BBC One's Question Time Europe spokesman - said his party would that the ruling by the High Court was a "clear seek to join with others "in both the House of attempt to frustrate the will of the British Commons and the House of Lords to amend people" despite a "very, very clear" result the legislation" to tell the government to from the EU referendum. Early election? pursue a "soft Brexit" that would keep the For Labour, shadow foreign secretary Emily UK within the EU's single market.

Thornberry said that while she thought "that

in the end Parliament will vote for Article 50 to be triggered" the judgement meant the government would have to give MPs "some basic terms on which they are going to negotiate Brexit".

And Conservative peer Lady Wheatcroft told BBC Radio 4's Today she was willing to table an amendment to future legislation to delay the Brexit process, saying it was "only right to delay triggering Article 50 until we have a clearer idea of what it actually entails". However Labour MP Lisa Nandy told Question Time: "Britain is leaving the EU and whether or not Parliament has to vote to trigger Article 50, this will happen because, in reality, there are no more than a handful of parliamentarians who would seek to block that decision." The prime minister's spokeswoman has played down suggestions that Mrs May may call an early general election if she cannot get Parliamentary support, saying that the prime minister believed "there shouldn't be an election until 2020 and that remains her view".

The government had argued it could use ancient prerogative powers to give effect "to the will of the people". 'Line crossed' But the three judges looking at the case found there was no constitutional convention of the royal prerogative being used in legislation relating to the EU. They added that triggering Article 50 would fundamentally change UK people's rights - and that the government cannot change or do away with rights under UK law unless Parliament gives it authority to do so.

Speaking to the BBC's Daily Politics, UKIP leadership contender Suzanne Evans said the line was being crossed by "increasingly politically active" judges. "Judges are allowing pressure groups and campaigners to bring cases for judicial review and making rulings which would not stand up to scrutiny at the ballot box," she said. The UK voted by 52% to 48% to leave the European Union in a referendum on 23 June. The EU's other 27 member states have said negotiations about the terms of the UK's exit - due to last two years - cannot begin until Article 50 has been invoked. (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

South Korea's Park Denies Following Cult As Scandal Continues

Ms Park said she had "put too much faith" in her friendship with Ms Choi(AFP) The South Korean President, Park Geun-hye, has publicly denied falling victim to a religious cult as scandal threatens to engulf her leadership.

Appearing close to tears in a televised address, she apologised for allowing a long-standing friend inappropriate access to government policy-making.

She agreed to be questioned over the scandal but did not offer to resign. Choi Soon-sil is suspected of using their friendship to solicit donations to a nonprofit fund she controlled. Ms Choi is in detention facing charges of fraud and abuse of power. The main opposition party said the president's apology lacked sincerity and it called on Ms Park to step back from state affairs.

Scuffles broke out between police and demonstrators demanding Ms Park's resignation in central Seoul on Friday.

'Absolutely not true' Ms Choi, a longtime friend of Ms Park's, is the daughter of Choi Tae-min, a shadowy

quasi-religious leader who was closely linked to Ms Park's father, thenpresident Park Chung-hee. On Friday, Ms Park went on TV to deny allowing cultish rituals to be held in the presidential palace. "There have been claims that I fell for a religious cult or had [shamanist rituals] performed in the Blue House, but I would like to clarify that those are absolutely not true," the president said.

She said she took sole responsibility for access to government documents and was willing to be investigated. She had, she said, "put too much faith in a personal relationship and didn't look carefully at what was happening".

Anyone found to have done wrong would be punished, she said, and "if necessary, I'm determined to let prosecutors investigate me and accept an investigation by an independent counsel too". The scandal has left Ms Park with an approval rating of just 5%.

She has already replaced her prime minster, reshuffled her cabinet and dismissed several aides, but there are growing calls for her resignation or impeachment. Choo Mi-ae, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, said she did not believe the apology was genuine and called on her to accept a new prime minister recommended by parliament. Ms Park became her country's first female president when she was elected in a close-run contest in December 2012. (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Turkey HDP: Blast After Pro-Kurdish Leaders Demir tas And Yuksekdag Detained

Selahattin Demirtas (L) and Figen Yuksekdag have been detained as well as other MPs from their party(AP/REUTERS)

T

he joint leaders of Turkey's proKurdish opposition party, People's Democracy (HDP), have been arrested along with at least nine other MPs. Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag are accused of spreading propaganda for militants fighting the Turkish state. Hours after Mr Demirtas was arrested in Diyarbakir, a car bomb killed eight people and injured more than 100.

Militants have been fighting for years to achieve independence for the Kurds, Turkey's biggest ethnic minority.

Turkey remains under a state of emergency that was imposed after a failed military coup in July.

The emergency allows President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his cabinet to bypass parliament when drafting new laws and to restrict or suspend rights and freedoms. The government says those detained had failed to respond to a summons for questioning

and issued an arrest warrant for two other HDP MPs currently abroad. This is a major escalation of a clampdown that has seen Kurdish media closed down and the mayor of Diyarbakir arrested. Hopes of an end to Turkey's decades-long Kurdish problem have evaporated since a ceasefire with the [Kurdistan Workers' Party] PKK broke down in 2015, leading to a wave of titfor-tat attacks.

Mr Demirtas elicited international support with his liberal politics but critics say he has failed to distance the party sufficiently from the PKK. Friday's detentions are likely to provoke more tension among Kurds and more violence too. Why were the party leaders arrested? The government says they were detained for failing to co-operate with a counterterrorism investigation, which the two leaders vowed to boycott in June.

Defending the arrests, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said: "They did not respect the law." The MPs are also accused of spreading propaganda for the PKK, the Kurdish group suspected of a wave of recent attacks including

Friday's car bomb.

Deemed a terrorist organisation by the US, the EU and Turkey, the PKK has been fighting the state since the 1970s in a war which has claimed at least 40,000 lives. Can MPs really be arrested just like this in Turkey?

Turkish politicians normally have immunity from prosecution but this was removed from the HDP and some other MPs in May. Last month, the joint mayors of Diyarbakir, Turkey's largest Kurdish-majority city, were also arrested as part of a terrorism investigation. Is the HDP linked to the PKK? While commonly seen as the main pro-Kurdish party, HDP is an eclectic grouping which also appeals to leftists, liberals, environmentalists, gay rights activists and pious Muslims.

That explains why it is Turkey's thirdlargest party.

It entered parliament for the first time last year, winning 59 seats. During the election campaign, it carried a moderate message despite dozens of attacks against party supporters and offices, culminating in a deadly attack on its largest election rally in Diyarbakir two days before the vote.

The party strongly denies any links to the PKK. Mr Demirtas and others accuse President Erdogan of seeking to push the party out of parliament and increase his own power. One MP, who is currently abroad, told the BBC the government was acting like Nazis.

"This crackdown tonight is nothing to do with procedural law, criminal law, any law whatsoever or the constitution," Ertugrul Kurkcu said.

"This is an unlawful hijacking of HDP parliamentarians." (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Jordan Shooting: Two US Military Trainers Killed At Air Base

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wo US military trainers have been shot dead in an exchange of fire at an air base in Jordan, Jordan's military says. The shooting occurred when the car they were in failed to stop at the gate of the al-Jafr base in

the south of the country and it was fired upon by Jordanian security forces, a military statement said. The US embassy in Jordan confirmed that an incident had taken place.

At least one person was also wounded in the gunfire. "There was an exchange of fire at the entrance to the base after an attempt by the trainers' vehicle to enter the gate without heeding orders of the guards to stop," the Jordanian statement said. The wounded person has been taken to hospital and an investigation is under way to determine the cause of the shooting, the statement said. Jordan is a

close ally of the US and a member of the US-led coalition fighting the so-called Islamic State (IS) group in Syria and Iraq.

US forces have trained a small group of Syrian rebels in Jordan as well as Iraqi and Palestinian security forces. Last November, a Jordanian police captain opened fire at a police training centre near the capital Amman, killing two Americans, a South African and two Jordanians. The Jordanian government subsequently said the police captain had been a troubled individual. (BBC)

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Mosul Battle: Iraqi Army Fights Its Way Into New Suburb

T

roops advanced rapidly after BBC Arabic's Feras Kilani, who is with breaking down IS defences the elite force. Inside al-Zahra, militants continued to fight back and a coalition (Picture: Feras Kilani) air strike was ordered to destroy an IS Iraqi government forces have battled position.Map of Mosul districts There their way into another suburb of Mosul, were no civilians to be seen but the northern city held for more two years commanders repeatedly instructed by the Islamic State (IS) group. Troops troops via walkie-talkies to spare them broke through IS defences and reached any harm. the eastern district of al-Zahra, which A military spokesman said IS was they say is now 90% under their control. putting up stiff resistance. "The battle is Special forces have been fighting the currently going on, the enemy is using jihadists in the streets and alleys. snipers, car bombs and directed Meanwhile, the UN says there is missiles," said Lt Gen Abdel-Wahab algrowing evidence of IS atrocities in and Saadi. "God willing, we will return fire around Mosul. It has already expressed and will liberate the neighbourhood (of concern for the estimated 1.5 million al-Zahra) soon."Residents who spoke to civilians living in the city amid reports our correspondent said IS had been of mass killings and people being expecting the attack and had withdrawn two days earlier, leaving behind four rounded up for use as human shields.

Government and Kurdish forces began a pockets of resistance to slow down the US-backed offensive on 17 October to government advance. Three IS suicide drive out the jihadists. They have attackers tried to drive explosives-laden already retaken dozens of villages and vehicles at government troops but were towns in the surrounding area. Troops destroyed. from the Counter-Terrorism Service One was a bulldozer hit by an air strike, began their push towards al-Zahra, Lt-Col Muhanad al-Timimi told the formerly known as Saddam district, at Associated Press news agency. Troops 07:00 (04:00 GMT), advancing rapidly came under fire from mortars, automatic after breaking down IS defences, said weapons, snipers and anti-tank rockets.

Iraqi forces trying to enter another Mosul suburb - Karama, south of alZahra - had to partially pull back when IS launched fierce resistance. "We The UN humanA contingent of 200 Iranian Kurdish women fighters have joined the fight against IS around Mosul, Reuters news agency reports. They are now part of a larger unit of some 600 fighters aligned to the Kurdistan Freedom Party.

"We are working hand in hand with the men who are fighting, our brothers, we fight together and co-operate with each other," said one of the women, Karin.

"We work together to protect our land from any threats it might face." rights office (UNHCR) provided more evidence on Friday of human rights violations taking place in and around Mosul. It said that IS had shot around 50 of its own fighters for desertion on Monday and added that 180 government employees may also have been killed by the group. UNHCR spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said that more than 1,000 civilians were reportedly taken from the town of Hamam al-Alil to Tal Afar, possibly for use as human shields, and families in Hamam al-Alil were told to hand over children, especially boys over the age of nine, in an apparent attempt to recruit them as child soldiers.

"Apparently they have also been using loudspeakers mounted on the back of pick-up trucks or at the back of vehicles, and threatening severe punishment for families that do not comply with their order," she said. expecting such resistance. They had blocked all the roads," said one officer, quoted by AFP news agency. "There are large numbers of jihadists. It was preferable to pull back and devise a new plan." (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 41

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Michael Buble 'Devastated' After Son Noah Diagnosed With Cancer

importance of family and the love Michael Buble and Luisana we have for our children.

Lopilato said Noah is having treatment in the US(REUTERS) Luisana and I have put our careers on hold in order to devote all our Singer Michael Buble and his time and attention to helping wife Luisana Lopilato have said Noah get well. "At this difficult they are "devastated" after their time, we ask only for your prayers three-year-old son Noah was and respect for our privacy. "We diagnosed with cancer. The have a long journey in front of us Canadian star broke the news on and hope that with the support of his Facebook page. He did not family, friends and fans around give any details about the type of the world, we will win this battle, cancer. He said he and Lopilato, a God willing." Buble and Lopilato model and actress, were giving up have another son, nine-month-old work commitments to concentrate Elias. During a recent appearance on "helping Noah get well". Buble on ITV's Loose Women, the 41has appeared on TV and radio in year-old crooner said: "I had no recent days to promote his new idea how much I would love being album. 'Long journey' ahead His a dad. "That's it, that's all I care s t a t e m e n t s a i d : " We a r e about... I love them too much devastated about the recent cancer probably, if there was such a thing. diagnosis of our oldest son Noah "It's made everything else so who is currently undergoing insignificant, moments that I was treatment in the US. "We have afraid of and moments that would always been very vocal about the overwhelm me have now become

a joy because I've realised how not serious they are compared to what is really important, which is Noah and Eli and that's it."

Forthcoming plans Buble's scheduled appearances in the coming months include a slot at the BBC Music Awards on 12 December. He is also due to host the Brit Awards in London on 22 February and the Canadian equivalent, the Juno Awards, in Ottawa on 2 April. His spokesman said he did not know "anything more at this stage" about whether these and other engagements would be called off. Buble's new album Nobody But Me went into the UK chart at number two last week. An average of 3.2 million people watched a TV special, titled Buble at the BBC, on BBC One on Thursday, according to overnight ratings.

On Monday, Lopilato, from Argentina, announced that she was working on a new film titled Los Que Aman, Odian (Those Who Love, Hate), adapted from the novel by Adolfo Bioy Casares and Silvina Ocampo. To mark Noah's third birthday in August, she posted five of her son's "best moments" on her website, including a shot of him just after birth and a video of him on stage singing with his father on New Year's Eve 2015. (BBC)

FUN CORNER PAGE 42

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HOROSCOPE PAGE 45

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Daily Horoscope

Source: www.starlightastrology.com

Don't believe everything you hear. You're ready to take action and take over. Your ability to work with detail could help you achieve your goals.

You can pick up valuable information if you listen to those with more experience. This will not be the best day to make changes or renovations to your residence. Romance may be likely if you travel.

Refrain from overspending on entertainment or luxury items. You can pick up valuable information if you listen to those with more experience. Try not to allow your partner to lead you astray or upset your routine.

Visitors are likely to drop by and chances are, they may even stay a little longer than you want them to. Ask a close friend for advice. Don't overspend to impress others.

Talk to people who can give you important knowledge. You will do well with clients today. You will be highly sensitive to comments made by your lover.

You may find that you can be the recipient of valuable information if you're willing to be a good listener. Find an outlet for any mounting frustration. Consider a creative hobby. Avoid joint ventures and steer clear of groups that want you to contribute financial assistance.

Depression may put a damper on your day. Don't push your opinions on others today or you may find yourself in the doghouse. Opportunities for new and exciting relationships will be yours if you get out and join groups.

Look out for yourself today. Purchases will be well worth it and they will last a long time. You will feel the limitations if you have been overdoing it.

Get involved in competitive sports. Friends will appreciate your attention and playful nature. Travel will be fun, but expect it to cost you. Your sensitivity toward those you love will capture their hearts

Someone you like may be receptive and actively seeking your company. Your partner may be erratic today if you haven't paid enough attention to him or her. Travel and communications will not run as smoothly as you had hoped.

You must act quickly. Don't torment yourself.

Disharmony in the home will be extremely stressful.

Do your work at home, if you can. Someone may be trying to make you look bad.

Get involved in groups that will help you meet established individuals. Travel should be on your mind. Talk to an older, established individual about your present situation

PAGE 47

Injured Rohit Could Miss England ODI Series

Rohit Sharma is expected to be out for longer than first anticipated and will travel to London to see a specialist. India batsman Rohit Sharma could also play no part in the one-day

international series against England as well as missing all five Tests due to a thigh injury.

Rohit was initially thought to be facing up to eight weeks out of action due to the thigh problem

he sustained in the ODI seriesclinching victory over New Zealand last week.

But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday revealed that the 29year-old is now expected to miss out for between 10 and 12 weeks. Rohit will fly to England next week to see a consultant and is set to miss the entire Test series against Alastair Cook's men - starting next Wednesday.

He could also sit out of the three ODI encounters with England in January, which take place in January before two Twenty20 internationals. Hardik Pandya received a maiden call-up for the opening two matches of the Test series in the absence of Rohit. (SportsMax)

PAGE 48

Kane Back In Spurs Squad To Face Arsenal

Tottenham have been boosted by the return of Harry Kane for the derby at Arsenal, with the striker back from an ankle injury. Harry Kane will return to the Tottenham squad to face Arsenal in Sunday's derby,

manager Mauricio Pochettino has conďŹ rmed. Kane last featured for Spurs in a 1-0 win over Sunderland on September 18, where he scored the winner before suffering an ankle ligament injury.

The England striker will hope to boost Pochettino's side, who are winless across six matches in all competitions since beating Manchester City 2-0 a month ago and lie three points behind second-place Arsenal in the Premier League table.

"Harry Kane will be in the squad," Pochettino said at a news conference ahead of the match at the Emirates Stadium.

Toby Alderweireld has not recovered in time from his knee injury to feature, while Mousa Dembele will be assessed after going off during the ďŹ rst half of Wednesday's 10 Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen and Erik Lamela (hip) is also a doubt.

(SportsMax)

PAGE 50

WICB President Lauds Team On Historic Win Against Pakistan

1 West Indies Cricket Board president Dave Cameron has praised the West Indies cricket team on its historic win over Pakistan on Thursday in the UAE. Resuming from their overnight score of 114 for 5, from a target of 153 to win, Kraigg Braithwaite and Shane Dowrich both scored unbeaten 60s as they got the additional 39 runs required without any

additional loss. It was the first win for the West Indies against Pakistan on the tour and had several historical implications.

The West Indies had not beaten Pakistan away in 26 years and it has been just under a decade since they had beaten a team ranked above them away from home. “We salute the efforts of the entire team; but we are elated at the efforts of Kraigg

Brathwaite who was not out in both innings of the third Test, making him the first to achieve this along with his four man-ofthe-match awards in Tests,” said WICB president Dave Cameron in a statement issued on Thursday.

“Shane Dowrich must also be congratulated for his 47 and 60 not out. Captain, Holder was also outstanding in his fivewicket haul and Devendra Bishoo for his four wickets in the first innings and 18 overall in the series.” Cameron said the victory was a true team effort. “ We c e l e b r a t e y o u , a n d anticipate more competitive and winning performances for tournaments to come.

We use this opportunity to say well done. We offer best wishes to the one-day-international team against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe,” Cameron said.

Cameron also congratulated t h e ' A ' Te a m ’ s o v e r a l l performance in Sri Lanka “which was also inspiring - the three-nil win in the one day series and the competitiveness of the 4-day team in the 1-2 loss.” (SportsMax)

PAGE 51

Cummins, Dowrich Called Up For WIndies Zimbabwe Tour

Miguel Cummins and Shane Dowrich have been named to a West Indies 15-man squad for the upcoming one-day-international Tri-Nation series in Zimbabwe.

Cummins comes in for youngster Alzarri Joseph and Dowrich replaces Marlon Samuels in the squad that will be captained by Jason Holder.

The tour is scheduled for November 12 – 30 and will consist of seven ODIs. The West Indies will open series against Sri Lanka in Harare on Wednesday, November 16. The full squad reads Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, J o n a t h a n C a r t e r, J o h n s o n Charles, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder (Captain), Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Sunil Narine, Ashley Nurse and Rovman Powell.

The West Indies play Sri Lanka in Harare. They then play Zimbabwe on November 19, Sri Lanka on November 23 and Zimbabwe on November 25 in Bulawayo. The ďŹ nal is set for November 27. (SportsMax)

PAGE 53

Ozil Left Out Of Germany Squad Serge Gnabry have all been called up for the first time. "We want to see Serge Gnabry, Yannick Gerhardt and Benjamin Henrichs. Their good performances in the last few months have been noted," Low said. Leroy Sane, Andre Schurrle and Antonio Rudiger have also been left out, with the latter two still battling to recover full fitness.

Squad in full:

Joachim Low is keen to give top Germany players a rest, with Toni Kroos expected to play just once and Mesut Ozil left out altogether.

Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has been left out of the Germany squad for this month's international matches against San Marino and Italy. The in-form midfielder has been given a rest by head coach Joachim Low, whose side face a World Cup qualifier in Serravalle November 11 before a friendly with Italy four days later. Low is keen not to overwork the key players in his squad who will not enjoy the same winter break as those who play in the Bundesliga, with Real Madrid's Toni Kroos and Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira expected only to play in one of the two matches while Ozil is not included at all.

"The players in other top

international leagues don't have a winter break, like in the Bundesliga, so it's a good thing in some cases to give these players a break," Low told a news conference when asked about Ozil's omission. "We do not want to be arrogant against San Marino, we will be very focused and serious about our tasks. For them, the game against the world champions is of course something special. "Italy are traditionally one of the big footballing nations, of course, with whom we have a great rivalry. These are the games everyone looks forward to. "We're sure they'll be motivated but, for us, the result is secondary.

We h a v e t h e c h a n c e t o t r y s o m e t h i n g o u t . " Yo u n g s t e r s Benjamin Henrichs of Bayer Leverkusen, Yannick Gerhardt of Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen's

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern München), Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona).

Defenders: Jerome Boateng ( B a y e r n M ü n c h e n ) , Ya n n i c k Gerhardt (Wolfsburg), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Benjamin Henrichs (Bayer Leverkusen), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels, Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munchen), Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal), Sebastian Rudy (Hoffenheim), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen).

Midfielders/Forwards: Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Serge Gnabry (Werder Bremen), Mario G o m e z ( Wo l f s b u r g ) , L e o n Goretzka (Schalke), Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Max Meyer (Schalke), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munchen), Kevin Volland (Bayer L e v e r k u s e n ) , J u l i a n We i g l (Borussia Dortmund). (SportsMax)

PAGE 54

Ranieri 'Confident' Leicester In Good Hands With Zieler

Kasper Schmeichel is set for a prolonged period out due to injury, but Claudio Ranieri is confident Leicester City will cope. Claudio Ranieri is confident that Leicester City are in good hands with RonRobert Zieler as Kasper Schmeichel prepares for a period out with a fractured hand. The Denmark international suffered the injury during Leicester's 0-0 draw with FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday, but he continued to play and only came to realise the pain when in bed that night.

Schmeichel had surgery on his hand on Thursday and revealed that the procedure "went well", and though Leicester are unwilling to put an exact timeframe on his absence, he is definitely out of Sunday's visit of West Brom. Ranieri suggested the

29-year-old could be out for any amount of time between two and seven weeks, before declaring his faith in Germany international Zieler. "The hands for keepers, like the hands for boxers, are very, very important," Ranieri said in his media conference on Friday. "I don't put a deadline because every man is different. Maybe two weeks, maybe three.

Maybe five, six, seven - I don't k n o w. K a s p e r wants to play S u n d a y. I t ' s normal. "Only in the night he felt something. It's unbelievable.

Maybe [it was because of] the adrenaline, the concentration, that he didn't feel anything [during the match]. "I'm very confident with Zieler. Of course Kasper was in great condition but Zieler gives me confidence." Leicester host West Brom having not lost any of their last four games in all competitions and Ranieri is happy to see the team gradually improving, while he also retains belief in Jamie Vardy in the midst of a goal drought which stretches back to September 10.

"We want to keep going and improve in the table," he added.

"We're getting better but it's not only the defenders. All the team are getting better with the fighting spirit. "Jamie Vardy's a goalscorer.

All strikers have good and bad periods. It's important to stay calm and sooner or later he'll score."

(SportsMax)

PAGE 56

Mahrez Joins Messi, Ronaldo On FIFA Best Player Shortlist captains and players, selected media representatives, and a global fan poll.

The Best FIFA Men's Player 2016 shortlist: Sergio Aguero, Gareth Bale, Gianluigi Buffon, Kevin De Bruyne, Antoine Griezmann, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andres Iniesta, N'Golo Kante, Toni Kroos, Robert Lewandowski, Riyad Mahrez, Lionel Messi, Luka Modric, Manuel Neuer, Neymar, Mesut Ozil, Dimitri Payet, Paul Pogba, Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Alexis Sanchez, Luis Suarez, Jamie Vardy. (SportsMax) 1 Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy have joined Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on The Best FIFA Men's Player 2016 shortlist.

Three stars behind Leicester City's Premier League triumph have joined the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the shortlist for the FIFA Best Player award. N'Golo Kante - now of Chelsea - has been nominated along with Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy for the prize, which is given to the player deemed the best in the world in 2016.

Sergio Aguero, Gareth Bale, Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Luis Suarez are all on the 23man shortlist, as is West Ham midďŹ elder Dimitri Payet. Sergio Ramos is the only defender on the list, as Atletico Madrid's Diego

Godin - who was nominated for the Ballon d'Or - misses out, along with Pepe, who won both the Champions League and Euro 2016. Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Juventus duo Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala as well as Bayern Munich pair Thomas Muller and Arturo Vidal also missed out on nominations, despite making the Ballon d'Or shortlist.

Similarly, goalkeepers Hugo Lloris and Rui Patricio fail to make the list, as does Atletico Madrid star Koke. The list was decided by a FIFA panel of experts known as the FIFA Football Committee, with the winner to be decided by a vote split between national team

PAGE 57

Ocean's XI: Bayern To Wear Kit Made From Recycled Sea Plastic

Xabi Alonso spoke of his pride at the unveiling of Bayern Munich's commitment to environmental awareness: a kit made of ocean plastic. Bayern Munich will wear a special kit made entirely of recycled

plastic recovered from the ocean in Saturday's Bundesliga game against Hoffenheim. The one-off strip, which was unveiled on Friday, has been manufactured from so-called Ocean Plastic - ďŹ bres produced from recycled plastic material collected from coastal areas around the Maldives.

It is hoped that the kit, which Bayern state was produced in an "eco-friendly process", will raise awareness of the Parley for the Oceans campaign - co-founded by the club's primary kit manufacturer, Adidas - that is seeking to end

pollution of the world's waters. "I'm a child of the beaches of Spain, so I'm really happy to wear a shirt entirely made of recycled ocean waste.

It's a great opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the oceans," said midďŹ elder Xabi Alonso. It is believed that Real Madrid may sport a similar one-off kit in the coming weeks.

Bayern are looking for a third win in a row to consolidate their place at the top of the Bundesliga, although thirdplaced Hoffenheim are still unbeaten after nine games. (SportsMax)

PAGE 59

Conte: Too Early To Discuss Fabregas Future

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says November is not the right time to discuss Cesc Fabregas' future at the club. Antonio Conte has refused to offer Cesc Fabregas any reassurances over his Chelsea future, stating November was too early to discuss his plans for the midfielder.

Fabregas is working his way back from a thigh problem that has kept him out of Chelsea's last four games but that has not stopped speculation linking him with a loan move away from Stamford Bridge in the January window. Conte was asked about the Spain international at his news conference ahead of Saturday's game with Everton, and said: "We are at the start of November and it is important to be in the present.

"For this type of situation it is too early to talk. Fabregas is Chelsea's player and I'm very happy to have him in my squad. Now it's time for

him to recover and find the right form and then stay with the team for the rest of the season." On Fabregas' injury, and that of France defender Kurt Zouma, Conte said: "Cesc and Kurt Zouma started to train with the team this week. It is normal when you start after a long period of rest you need to find the best form or the best shape and I think after the

international break they will be available for selection. "I'm pleased for Cesc because he is important for us and also for Kurt, I’m pleased for him. He played two games with the Under-23s and he will play another on Tuesday.

He is recovering, he is very good.

Now we hope he can stay with us for the rest of the season." Conte was equally vague about the future of John Obi Mikel, who has yet to feature under the Italian since his arrival and whose contract expires at the end of the season. On the Nigeria midfielder, Conte added: "It's normal in every squad to have players who arrive at the end of their contract.

Together with the club we will make a decision. "The most important thing is that Mikel is working very well as in the past he has had some injuries. "Have I spoken with him?

No, but it's important to focus on the championship and on [what is happening] on the pitch. Then we can face other situations." (SportsMax)

PAGE 60

D o r t m u n d B o s s T u c h e l Ta l k s O f 'Relationship Of Trust' With Aubameyang

Thomas Tuchel is confident the matter of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's suspension is closed ahead of Dortmund's trip to bogey-team Hamburg. Thomas Tuchel insists his relationship with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains one of trust despite Borussia Dortmund suspending the striker for the midweek Champions League win over Sporting CP. The Gabon international was dropped from Wednesday night's squad at the last minute with reports suggesting he had attended a party in Italy without the club's permission earlier in the week.

Tuchel admitted the sanction had "changed the dynamic in the squad" but said he had no issue with the player and that the matter was now closed.

At Friday's news conference, Tuchel told reporters: "The relationship of trust between Aubameyang, myself, and the team will remain intact. "Such

a measure [the punishment] doesn't come completely out of the blue.

Obviously it changes the dynamic of a group to some extent. "But I'm confident Aubameyang can shake off the issue. It was over and done with by full-time against Sporting." Aubameyang will be in the squad for Saturday's trip to Hamburg, traditionally a fixture Dortmund struggle in having won just once in the northern city since 2006. Tuchel said he expects another tough encounter despite Markus Gisdol's men propping up the Bundesliga having claimed just two points from their opening nine games.

He added: "There is no

better time than tomorrow to turn the record around against Hamburg. "I expect a highly emotional, diligent and intense HSV. We have to hope that our individual class will make the difference after the war of attrition."

Raphael Guerreiro is not expected to play after sustaining a knock against Sporting, Nuri Sahin is out due to a stomach bug while the match comes too soon for Marcel Schmelzer, Erik Durm and Marco Reus. Germany international Reus has stepped up training this week and is not far from a return, according to Tuchel. "It's a joy to watch Marco Reus in training," he said. "He's in top-form, but we're not thinking about his integration yet. "He has been training more intensively than the rest and I don't think it will be long before he can play for us again."

(SportsMax)

PAGE 61

Guardiola: Toure Apology Good News For City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes Yaya Toure apologising for his agent Dimitri Seluk is "good news" after holding talks. Pep Guardiola has welcomed Yaya Toure's apology for agent Dimitri Seluk's outbursts against him, describing it as "good news for Manchester City". Toure posted a statement on Facebook, saying sorry "on behalf of myself and those who represent me" after inflammatory comments made by Seluk in the wake of the midfielder being left out of City's Champions League squad prompted Guardiola to rule out selecting him for firstteam matches.

Seluk was on typically erratic form on Friday, conducting a radio interview with talkSPORT to insist

he would not apologise to Guardiola despite earlier pledging in an article in the Daily Mirror never to criticise

the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss in public again – his desire to "make the first step towards peace, respect and friendship" seemingly paving the way for Toure's post. But Guardiola has chosen to focus on the player's step towards a detente and confirmed to a news conference ahead of Saturday's Premier League match against Middlesbrough at the Etihad Stadium that he held talks with Toure earlier that morning.

“I spoke with Yaya today, of course it's a private conversation. It's good n e w s f o r M a n c h e s t e r C i t y, " Guardiola said. "Yaya is in all our meetings and all our training sessions. I spoke with him and it's good, that's all. Now we focus on Middlesbrough." (SportsMax)

PAGE 62

Bolt Ro Race For A Million Dollars In Australia Next Year

Leave it to Usain Bolt to do something

incredible. The nine-time Olympic champion is set to race for a million-dollar purse in Australia in 2017 in what is expected to be his swansong season, media reports are suggesting. There, he might also be racing one of his fiercest rivals, as American Justin Gatlin has also been linked with the occasion.

The 30-year-old track legend will be racing in Australia for the very first time when he steps onto the track at the Nitro Summer Series in February, next year. Bolt’s swansong comes later in the year as he has

already announced that he will retire from the sport after the August 5-13 world championships in London.

Bolt set a new standard in August at the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil, where he became the first man to win three gold medals in three straight Olympics. Bolt won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay replicating his performances at the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. In doing so, he equalled distancerunner Paavo Nurmi and American sprinter and long jumper Carl Lewis as the most successful Olympic track and field athletes.

(SportsMax)