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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
Government To Honour Court Order Against Carvil Duncan Tribunal
Carvil Duncan The government will honour the court order against the Presidential Tribunal appointed to look in to the Carvil Duncan matter. This is according to the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. “We are a law abiding government…since there is an order of Court we respect the order of Court,” Harmon said at a Post Cabinet press briefing on Friday. President David Granger had appointed a Tribunal to determine whether Duncan should be removed from his post as head of the Public Service Commission and as a member of several other constitutional
bodies, following fraud charges that were brought against him. Duncan had subsequently secured an Order Rule Nisi from the High Court to halt the works of the Tribunal while the magistrates’ court determines whether there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial. However, Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams is adamant that the government does not have to await the conclusion of Carvil Duncan’s criminal matter in the court to move administratively against the public servant. “We don’t have to wait for no criminal matter to be completed to move administratively against anybody; that’s always been the rule,” the AG said that a press brief on Wednesday. The High Court order stated that the tribunal was set up based on unconstitutional advice given by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to President David Granger. However, the Attorney General said the Tribunal does not have to await the decision on Duncan’s criminal matter. “If you are a public servant and you are charged for any offence in Guyana what happens to
you? You’re interdicted,” AG Williams pointed out. “Any lawyer worth his salt will know that if you have a criminal offence and you are working with an employer the employer doesn’t have to wait to see whether you are convicted before the employer can decide whether you are good for his employment or not because administratively you could proceed,” the AG explained. The government is preparing to submit its response to the Order. “The return date on that order is the 31st of October and therefore the attorneys who represent the state will be given sufficient instructions to move to the court to have that order vacated,” Harmon said. Although the court has order the works of the Tribunal be halted, Harmon related that the Tribunal has already completed its investigations and will present its recommendations to the President when the court matter is resolved. “The work is not concluded until the tribunal hands over its report to the President and that is the stage where I believe we are at,” Harmon said.
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS A response to the Attorney General
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
By Mohabir Anil Nandlall MP, Attorney-at-Law Carvil Duncan, has filed legal proceedings in the High Court challenging the actions by the Executive to remove him from office as Chairman and a member of the Public Service Commission, a member of the Judicial Service Commission and a member of the Police Service Commission. The quintessential issue for the determination of the court is whether or not it is lawful for the Government to have embarked upon this path, in light of the fact that there are pending criminal proceedings in the Magistrate's Court, to which Carvil Duncan has pleaded not guilty and whereof he is protected by a Constitutional doctrine which presumes him innocent until proven guilty in those proceedings. Notwithstanding the existence of these pending proceedings in the High Court, in flagrant violation of the sub judice principle, the Attorney General has chosen to speak, publically, on the very issue which is engaging the attention of the Court. At a recent Press Conference, the Attorney General contends that the Government can lawfully remove Mr. Duncan from office during the pendency of the criminal proceedings and before their determination. Whether this is so or not, is the very pith and substance of the issue which the High Court is to determine. The Attorney General is no ordinary litigant. He is the head of the Bar and the Executive's principal legal representative. His official influence can be overwhelming and he has publically signaled to the Judiciary and the particular judge, the Executive's view and I dare say, its expectations. Is the Attorney General attempting to prejudice the outcome of the pending case? Is this the example the head of the Bar is setting for other lawyers? Should lawyers now engage in public articulation of cases which are the subject of pending litigation? It is my considered view that the Attorney General has satisfied all the ingredients of the offence of Contempt of Court, for breach of the sub judice rule. In any properly functioning judicial system, Mr. Williams would have been hauled before the Judge for Contempt. But it is now a matter for the
Judiciary. Since Mr. Williams has chosen to express his view on the merits of the pending litigation, justice and fairness compel a response. Almost every legal contention which the Attorney General posited at that Press Conference is misconceived and wrong. He labels Mr. Duncan a “Public Servant”, and then proceeds to wrongly apply his interpretation of the Public Service Commission Rules to Mr. Duncan. The Press Statement issued by GINA on 2016/10/25, reads: “The Attorney General (AG) is adamant that the Government does not have to await the conclusion of Carvil Duncan's criminal matter in the court, to move administratively against the public servant. “We don't have to wait for no criminal matter to be completed to move administratively against anybody, that's always been the rule”, Attorney General, Basil Williams, told the press today, at a press briefing held at the Ministry of Legal Affairs … “If you are a public servant and you are charged for any offence in Guyana, w h a t h a p p e n s t o y o u ? Yo u ' r e interdicted…”. Mr. Duncan is the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, a high constitutional office whose function is to employ, transfer, promote and discipline Public Servants. This office holder has a strong regime of security of tenure akin to that of a judge of the Supreme Court. By what rational process of reasoning and logic can such an office holder be equated to a public servant? The Public Service Commission Rules have no applicability whatsoever to Mr. Duncan. Indeed, it is Mr. Duncan's responsibility to apply those rules to Public Servants. It is the constitution, the Supreme law, which applies to Mr. Duncan. Therefore, not even by analogy, can Mr. Duncan be sensibly equated to a Public Servant or can the Public Service Commission Rules apply to him. In any event, Mr. Duncan was not “interdicted”. The President established a disciplinary tribunal to investigate his removal from office. Long after the establishment of the t r i b u n a l , M r. D u n c a n w a s t h e n “suspended”. Therefore the disciplinary
process to remove Mr. Duncan from office commenced long before his suspension. B u t e v e n w o r s e , M r. Wi l l i a m s i s misrepresenting or misinterpreting the Public Service Commission Rules. In fact, I do not think he ever read them. These rules clearly provide that if a public servant is charged with a criminal proceeding no disciplinary action can be taken against him until those criminal proceedings are determined. The rationale is clear: to proceed with disciplinary proceedings while the criminal charges are pending, would not only abrogate the presumption of innocence, but would also prejudice the criminal proceedings. Rule 80. (1) of the Public Service Commission Rules provide: “Where criminal proceedings have been instituted in any court against an officer, Permanent Secretary or the Head of Department, the Commission shall not institute disciplinary proceedings against the officer upon any grounds arising out of criminal charge until after the court has determined the matter and the time allowed for an appeal from the decision of the court has expired; but where an officer, on conviction, has appealed, the Commission may commence proceedings after the withdrawl or determination of the appeal.” Applying the most elementary principle of common sense and logic to this situation, if a lowly ranked public servant has the kind of protection which rule 80 accords, does it not follow that the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, a high constitutional office holder who enjoys security of tenure similar to that of a judge of the Supreme Court, not entitled to, at a minimum, the same or, moreover, greater protection? Therefore, the Attorney General's argument that one can move administratively against a public servant who is facing criminal proceedings. The striking similarity between the Attorney General's contentions and that of the Chairperson of the Tribunal established to investigate Mr. Duncan's removal from office, articulated when I appeared before that tribunal for Mr. Duncan over two weeks ago, has not escaped me. …. 2016-10-29
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
COI In CANU Finds “Deficiencies” found “deficiencies” within Guyana’s main drug fighting agency. Minister Ramjattan confirmed that these deficiencies were unearthed during a recent investigation into the unit’s operations.
Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan on Friday disclosed that a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into claims by self-confessed drug lord, Barry Dataram against the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has
The government had ordered the investigation after the now convicted Dataram had made some damning allegations of corruption against officials of CANU. Dataram who appeared on the News Cast “HGTV Nightly News” had claimed that the CANU was involved in the drug trade and that the Drug fighting Unit had agents who were allowing cocaine to pass through the Cheddi Jagan Airport. The Public Security Minister said the deficiencies at CANU were “not uncommon and so abnormal” and believes that these deficiencies can be remedied. Ramjattan said he expected the proposed umbrella organizationNational Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA) would help correct those
deficiencies. He reasoned that the treatment to address deficiencies should include greater coordination among the Customs and Trade Administration of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Guyana Police Force, and CANU. “It is not uncommon and so abnormal and I believe that the fact that we are now making an umbrella organization with CANU coming under it, the GRA coming under it, Police Narcotics coming under it, what we now call National Anti-Narcotics Agency those all will be deficiencies that will be corrected with that integrated, more absorptive umbrella organization. So we feel that that will be the remedy,” he said. Minster Ranjattan also said Guyana has received no recent request from the United States for Barry Dataram’s extradition, adding that the U.S wants him to remain in Guyana. The US had previously requested Dataram’s extradition but though legal tactics he was able to avoid his transferal to the United States.
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
PSC Calls On Government To Intervene In Crime Situation The Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Friday joined several stakeholders to register its concern over the “inability” of the State to generally protect them from widespread gun inspired crime threatening their wellbeing and safety. At a press conference, PSC chairman Eddie Boyer said citizens feel threatened regardless of where they happen to be, and urged that steps be taken to adequately equip local law enforcement agencies and personnel to better secure the country’s borders in order to arrest gun-smuggling from neighbouring countries. The Commission said the first step in addressing the crime situation is for the government to publicly acknowledge that there is a problem with crime in Guyana. The PSC chairman is calling on President David Granger to publicly
order the Police Force to bring some order and control as it relates to criminal gangs and individuals terrorizing the Guyanese community. “While we commend the Minister and the Commissioner of Police for the recent reduction in serious crime, our c o u n t r y, n e v e r t h e l e s s , r e m a i n s unprotected from guns flowing across our borders into the hands of violent criminals virtually without restraint; our country remains with a Police Force which is inadequately staffed, insufficiently trained and underequipped to meet the challenge,” he asserted. Major General (retired) Norman McLean, the Vice Chairman of the Security Committee called on the President, Government Ministers and all stakeholders to send a strong signal to criminals that crime will no longer be tolerated. The PSC had disclosed that
on October 12, the Commission, through its Sub-Committee on Security, met with Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan to express concerns. During the meeting the commission said that the Minister admitted that while there has been an overall 16 per cent reduction in serious crimes this year compared to last year, criminal access to guns coming into Guyana, mainly from Brazil, is an increasing threat and remains a challenge because of the extent of the country’s borders.
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
38.5% Increase In Number Of “A” Division Road Fatalities
Ramesh Ashram As the number of road fatalities continue to rise there has been a call by Officer in Charge of the Traffic Department of “A” Division, Superintendent Ramesh Ashram for road users to begin adhering to the set road rules and regulations in an attempt to decrease the amounts of deaths. According to a report from the Government Information Agency, a review and comparison of the figures show a 38.5% increase in the number of road fatalities moving from 26 in 2015 to 36 in 2016. Stressing on the importance of drivers being properly educated before taking to the roads, Superintendent Ashram spoke of the multiple educational opportunities that are afforded to potential drivers such as in company driving training and radio and television programs which share education on Road Safety, Defensive Driving and the 5 C’s (Care, Courtesy, Consideration, Common Sense and Caution.) of being a good driver on the roadways. The Officer further revealed that the majority of road accidents have been as a result
of drunk drivers and drivers failing to observe road signs and as such the Force has noted this and have begun countermeasures such as the location of ranks in so called “Black Spots.” Complementing the Guyana Police Force’s ongoing Operation Safeway, Ashram revealed figures which show that since the commencement date of September 15, 2016 there has been 781 cases of speeding while there has been 158 persons who have been tested and charged for driving above the prescribed limit of alcohol. In addition there has been 46 cases of individuals who have been charged for failing to adhere to Police Sirens. In offering a solution to the problem, Superintendent Ashram said that the force over the years has been proposing that fines for the respective offences be increased which should deter drivers from taking risks and committing any offence. The Officer reiterated the importance of road safety and knowledge, pointing out that the upcoming month of November is commonly known as ‘Road Safety Month’ and as such there will be multiple activities which will be held so as to educate road users. In addition there will be exercises which will be carried out such as the painting of road signs which are expected to make road ways safer.
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
Line Of Credit Obtained For North West, Berbice Ferries Construction In an attempt to increase the rate of transportation to distanced areas such as North West and along the Berbice River the Government of Guyana has secured a line of credit with India for the building of two new ferries which will service the areas, the Government Information Agency has noted. Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson said it has been observed that due to the lack of transportation the farmers in the mentioned areas have cut down on production since it is difficult to move the goods to markets to sell. As such it is the hope of his Ministry that with the introduction of the ferries that the Farmers will see the effort and recommence their large scale production. According to the Minister, the contract will be officially signed on November 9, 2016 after which there will be a process for the selection of the Fabricator who will be in charge of the construction of the ferries. Patterson in
his statement reassured the Government’s commitment to keeping its promises stating that “They might be slow but they’re sure”. Also speaking to GINA was Minister in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson who spoke of the Government’s commitment to bringing back the Berbice Ferry Service as an alternative for those who have to use speedboats instead and as such bringing a form of alleviation to those farmers who have to transport their produce out of their community. At the moment, Ferguson revealed that they are unable to introduce the service since there is no available vessel in the fleet to be deployed. The introduction of the ferry to run the North West Route was initially considered in 2013 but it was until January of last year that the source of credit was secured from the Government of India.
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
Stray Bullet Wounds 8-Year-Old; Investigations Underway Police are investigating the circumstances which resulted in an 8 years old receiving a wound to her right thigh, caused by a warhead fragmentation of a small calibre ďŹ rearm. The child who hails from New Amsterdam, Berbice, was asked by her mother to go and close a bathroom door in the yard and shortly after a loud noise was heard and the child called out to her mother. Upon examination a laceration was seen on the child’s right wrist and a wound to her right thigh which was later ascertained to be that if a gunshot. She was rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where she was treated and admitted a patient in a stable condition. The Guyana Police Force has always acknowledge the signal role of the media in a developing society, however when excitement abounds over a newsworthy item, and the
excitement is not controlled, a huge disservice is perpetuated. Guyana Police Force Press Release
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
Construction Worker Charged For Stealing GY$1.8M In Tools, Appliances Forty-five-year old construction worker, Chanderpaul Mangroo recently appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with committing the offense of larceny. The accused was granted bail in the sum of GY$100,000 and is expected to make his next appearance before the court on November 21, 2016 for continuation into the matter. Represented by Attorney at Law, Moti Singh, Magroo pleaded not guilty to the charge as Singh led his client’s defense stating that the items recovered during the investigation are all property of his client and was found in his client's storeroom at his home in Houston Housing Scheme. It is alleged that between May 28, 2014 and October 26, 2016 Chanderpaul Mangroo, father of three,
stole from Abdul Gafoor a quantity of appliances and tools, of total value of GY$1.8M.
LOCAL
GUYANA DAILY NEWS Diwali Ignites Fresh Hopes – Diwali Message Honourable Moses Nagamootoo Prime Minister And First Vice President Of The Cooperative Republic Of Guyana Diwali greetings to all Guyanese in as we lay the foundations for a clean PAGE 14
O ffi c e o f t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r, Guyana,Saturday, October 29, 2016 The Government of Guyana extends
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
particular our Hindu brothers and sisters. This Festival of Lights has great religious as well as social significance. Diwali signifies the emergence from the darkness of ignorance to the light of wisdom. It also symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, hope over negativism and gloom, Today, as we continue to emerge from the clutches of despair and division, we can see flickers of the new light of hope
and green Guyana. Diwali gives us an opportunity to bury our differences, and to embrace as one Guyanese fraternity. It is the sincere hope of the Government that Diwali 2016 will serve to rekindle the fire in our heart for a cohesive society in which all will share in the good life. It must imbue us with a positive resolve to love life, to love Guyana. Shub Diwali! (GINA)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
First Lady Participates In Breast Cancer Awareness Walk
First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger and representatives of other groups march through the city streets, this morning, to raise awareness about breast cancer. Georgetown, Guyana – (October 29, 2016) Scores of persons assembled, this morning, at Parade Ground, Georgetown, joined by First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger in the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, which was organised by the Ministry of Public Health to raise awareness about the importance of early detection in the treatment of breast cancer. The First Lady was joined by Minister Public Telecommunications and Member of Parliament, Mrs. Catherine Hughes, Dr. Latoya Gooding, nurses and other representatives of the Oncology Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), representatives of the Ministry of Social Protection, the Cancer Institute of Guyana, the Periwinkle Club, the Giving Hope
Foundation, the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, cancer survivors and their relatives and friends, all marching under the theme ‘I have hope!’. The walk commenced from Parade
Ground, proceeded east along Middle Street, south into Waterloo Street, east into Church Street, north into Irving Street, west into Lamaha Street, south into Camp Street then headed west into Middle Street to culminate at the starting point. Along the way, marchers paused at Merriman’s Mall on Church Street and at the cancer treatment ward of the GPHC on Lamaha Street to spread the message that “early detection saves lives”. They also waved at several cancer patients warded at the hospital who looked out their windows in response to their chant. The Guyana Police Force Band provided musical accompaniment along the route. Today’s walk is one of several activities the First Lady has thrown her support behind to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2016. MOTP Press Release
First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger and other marchers move apace, along Church Street.
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
Shubh Diwali! provide a week of entertainment and enlightenment. Rangoli
Diwali, Deepavali or the festival of lights is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in autumn in the northern hemisphere spring in southern hemisphere. It signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. The festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five day period. Its celebration includes countless lights shining outside doors and windows, around temples and other buildings in the communities and countries where it is observed. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to god for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor and fame. Before Diwali night, people clean, renovate, and decorate their homes and offices. On Diwali night, people dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light up diyas (earthen lamps and candles) inside and outside their home, participate in family puja (prayers) typically to the goddess of fertility and prosperity, Lakshmi. After puja fireworks are lighten, then the family gathers to enjoy a feast. In West and certain Northern parts of India, the festival of Diwali marks the start of a new Hindu year. This festival it’s an official holiday in Fiji, India, Pakistan Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. Hindus across the world celebrate Diwali in honor of the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana from a 14 year exile in Lanka, the home land of the ten headed demon Ravana. Sita, Lord Rama’s wife, was abducted by Ravana, causing the confrontation between this two entities and Lakshmana. Confrontation that ended in the defeat of Ravana and the rescue of Sita. On their way back home (kingdom of Ayodhya) villagers lighted diyas to celebrate the death of the demon Ravana. Battle that was latter seen as the victory of light over darkness or good over evil. Therefore, lighting a lamp symbolizes the destruction, through knowledge, of all negative forces- wickedness, violence, lust, anger, envy, greed, bigotry, fear, injustice, oppression and suffering. Diwali also celebrates the return of Pandavas, the five sons of the King Pandu of Hastinapur (city of the northern Indian state, Uttar Pradesh) after 12 years of Vanvas (exile) and one year of Agyatavas, as described in the ancient Hindu text ‘Mahabharata’. In Guyana several activities take place during this five-day celebration. The Hindu community join forces to
competitions can be seen in educational institutions all over the country, artist display religiously themed works in galleries and museums, this accompanied by nocturnal parades that take over the communities streets, for five consecutive nights. On Diwali night, Georgetown, the capital city is turned into a ball of light and music. The procession of motor vehicles adorned with colorful lights, and carrying the personification of the worshipped deities, take the avenues by storm with a massive display of lights and bhanjas (devotional songs). The ‘Motorcade’ as the parade is denominated, departs from one of the main Mandir (Hindu temple) of the city, and takes over the principal avenues of Georgetown, followed by the multitude. The parade ends in the LBI Community Center, a large ground located few miles away from its starting point. There, national and international artists amuse the masses with a varied show that last couple hours. Diwali serves not only to enjoy the glares of the night sky or the colorful display of a yearly parade. Is a time for miracles, joy and self-encounter, redemption and purification. A new beginning, an opportunity to write over blurred lines, a chance to start over with a purified and enlightened soul, a material representation of blessings. Happy Diwali! S o u r c e : http://hinduism.about.com/od/diwalifestivaloflights/a/diwali.ht m
STOCK MARKET PAGE 18
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
GUYANA STOCK MARKET UPDATE
GASCI reports that session 692's trading results showed consideration of $18,415,453 from 740,246 shares traded in 13 transactions as compared to session 691's trading results, which showed consideration of $419,820 from 10,191 shares traded in 3 transactions. The stocks active this week were DIH, DBL, DDL, DTC, BTI and RBL. Banks DIH Limited's (DIH) four trades totalling 707,310 shares represented 95.55% of the total shares traded. DIH's shares were traded at a Mean Weighted Average Price (MWAP) of $22.5, which showed no change from its previous close. DIH's trades contributed 86.42% ($15,913,660) of the total consideration. DIH's first trade of 1,631 shares was at $22.0, while its second to fourth trades totalling 705,679 shares were at $22.5. Demerara Bank Limited's (DBL) two trades totalling 6,000 shares represented 0.81% of the total shares traded. DBL's shares were traded at a Mean Weighted Average Price (MWAP) of $38.0, which showed no change from its previous close. DBL's trades contributed 1.24% ($228,000) of the total consideration. Both of DBL's trades were at $38.0. Demerara Distillers Limited's (DDL) three trades totalling 23,065 shares represented 3.12% of the total shares traded. DDL's shares were traded at a Mean Weighted Average Price (MWAP) of $23.3, which showed an increase of $0.3 from its previous close of $23.0. DDL's trades contributed 2.91% ($536,595) of the total consideration. DDL's first trade of 16,965 shares was at $23.0, while its second and third trades totalling 6,100 shares were at $24.0. Demerara
Tobacco Company Limited's (DTC) two trades totalling 555 shares represented 0.07% of the total shares traded. DTC's shares were traded at a Mean Weighted Average Price (MWAP) of $1,020.0, which showed no change from its previous close. DTC's trades contributed 3.07% ($566,100) of the total consideration. Both of DTC's trades were at $1,020.0. Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited's (BTI) single trade of 2,389 shares at $449.5 represented 0.32% of the total shares traded. BTI's shares were traded at a Mean Weighted Average Price (MWAP) of $449.5, which showed an increase of $24.5 from its previous close of $425.0. BTI's trade contributed 5.83% ($1,073,856) of the total consideration. Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited's (RBL) single trade of 927 shares at $104.9 represented 0.13% of the total shares traded. RBL's shares were traded at a Mean Weighted Average Price (MWAP) of $104.9, which showed a decrease of $0.1 from its previous close of $105.0. RBL's trade contributed 0.53% ($97,242) of the total consideration. Best bid: The highest price that a buyer is willing to pay for a security. Best offer: The lowest price at which a seller is offering to sell securities. TERM OF THE WEEK: Cum Dividend/Cum Interest: The purchaser of the bond or share is entitled to receive the next interest or dividend payment. The alternative is ex-dividend or ex-interest, where the seller retains the right to receive the next interest or dividend payment. Source: Dictionary of Financial and Securities Terms.
REGIONAL
GUYANA DAILY NEWS Venezuela Court Halts Probe Of Missing $11bn At State Oil Company PAGE 20
CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuela's Supreme Court on Thursday granted an injunction halting a congressional probe that found Rafael Ramirez, the former president of state oil company Petróleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA), was responsible for corruption and malfeasance that resulted in the disappearance of $11 billion from the firm. A congressional commission said this month that the funds had gone missing during Ramirez's time in charge, from 2004 to 2014, citing 11 cases of alleged corruption including overpricing of drilling rigs and a scandal over money laundering through an Andorra bank, Reuters reported. Ramirez, who denies the charges, had requested an injunction from the Supreme Court to block the investigation. A summary of the decision posted on the court's website said the injunction request had been granted. Ramirez, contacted by Reuters, confirmed the decision. The report also accused other top executives, including the company's current president, Eulogio Del Pino, of corruption. PDVSA has been at the center of a number of corruption scandals over the years, the most recent case involving a group of Houston-based businessmen who pleaded guilty in the United States to running a $1 billion kickback scheme to obtain contracts.Last year, financial authorities in Andorra intervened in a small bank called BPA following an accusation by the United States that it
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
was linked to billions of dollars in laundered funds including money illegally taken from PDVSA. Switzerland has given around $51 million in formerly frozen assets to the United States in connection with a US investigation into alleged corruption at PDVSA, the country's authorities said on Tuesday. (Caribbean News Now!)
Rafael Ramirez. (Photo: Wikimedia)
REGIONAL
GUYANA DAILY NEWS Legal Case Against Former Speaker Will Not Be Dropped, Says St Kitts-Nevis AG PAGE 21
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (SKNIS) -- Attorney General Vincent Byron said that the previous Douglas-led administration in St Kitts and Nevis “walked on the constitution” when for 26 months the former speaker of the house, Curtis Martin, “refused to table a motion of no confidence that had been filed with the clerk as the constitution required, as following the rule of law required.” He made these comments at the prime minister’s monthly press conference on Wednesday. “And for 26 months, there was a song and dance in this country, dragging us through all sorts of hoops without having a motion of no confidence,” said the attorney general, while adding “there was talk that it was not necessary -- as soon as possible they could decide when it was. Clearly there had been a serious breach.” The attorney general dismissed calls by the defeated Douglas-led St KittsNevis Labour Party (SKNLP) to dismiss the case against Martin because it was no longer in power: “I’ve heard; it has been reported to me that one member of the opposition, member for number two (chairperson of the SKNLP, Marcella Liburd), has said why are we bothering with it; why we don’t go to the House and fix it; in other words, sweep it under the table, sweep it under the carpet, forget about it, that this country has been put through one of our lowest periods in our history when for 26 months there was a refusal to do what was right, what the constitution mandated and so for months, we had filed all the papers in our claims months and months ago and we were waiting for the court to establish a date, to establish what the constitutional mandate is. “We will get the court to say what it is and so that date has been set down… there will be no witness cross-examination. All that is required now is for there to be oral arguments by lawyers representing the speaker and lawyers representing the claimants, the Team Unity government.” Byron said that a date had been set down for October 27-28 but that that date had to be postponed because the lawyer representing the former speaker had another engagement. However, he said that “this matter will be settled
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shortly and so for the benefit of the people of St Kitts and Nevis and for jurisprudence anywhere in the world, we will be able to establish what is the right thing to do and this Team Unity government will uphold the rule of law”. “We will uphold the constitution and do what is right,” Byron said. Former acting chief justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Sir Brian Alleyne said, “It is very unprincipled to evade a motion of no confidence.” “My view is that motions of no confidence should be heard and should be given high priority. Delaying the hearing of motions of no confidence is very contrary to all the principles of democratic governance and of parliamentary governance,” said Alleyne, a retired jurist and former Dominican parliamentarian, who held a number of portfolios as a government minister in the Eugenia Charles administration. (Caribbean News Now!)
Former speaker of the house, Curtis Martin. (File photo)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS Caribbean Poultry Sector Looks For Import Restrictions To Defend Industry PAGE 23
By Ivan Cairo Caribbean News Now contributor GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands -- While poultry farms are making serious efforts, including financial investments, to make the region self-sufficient, several issues such as illegal imports from Brazil and cheap ‘dump chicken’ from the US are harming the industry, local entrepreneurs say. According to Trevin Nairne, export manager with Jamaica Broilers, throughout the Caribbean B-grade chicken is being imported from the US “that clearly is being dumped”. Meanwhile, Brazilian, Mexican and Chilean chicken is also entering the regional market. Nairne wondered how it is possible that a large facility such as Jamaica Broilers, which produces high quality products, exists in the region and yet inferior quality chicken is allowed to enter the regional market. During several events at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2016 in the Cayman Islands, representatives of international and regional institutions, policymakers and farmers lamented the fact that unhealthy foods especially are entering the Caribbean in staggering amounts. Desmond Ali, executive director of the Caribbean Poultry Association (CPA), said that for some time the organization has raised its concerns regarding the influx of chicken from outside the region. He stressed that “a lot of poultry is coming illegally into the region from places as Brazil, which are not approved exporters into the region”. There are also concerns about “dark meat such as leg quarters, backs and necks that is coming from the US”. According to Ali, the US currently has around one billion pounds of dark meat in frozen stock, which had to be sold somewhere since countries as Russia and China dropped the amount of dark meat that they used to import from the US. Russia used to buy one million pounds a year but that has dropped to 300,000 pounds. “So the US has to send this dark meat somewhere and we in the Caribbean are one of the markets that they are coveting,” Ali said. He warned that the region should be “extremely careful and cautious about defending our industry”. With sales reaching US$650 million a year, employing about 135,000 people and a production of 286,000 metric tonnes of meat, the poultry industry is the largest agri-business in the Caribbean, “larger than most agri-businesses put together”. “We are a big industry in terms of our socio-economic impact and we need to defend that industry,” the CPA official said. In a bid to prevent illegal and sub-standard cheap products from interfering and disrupting the regional market, a Caribbean poultry meat standard was developed and subsequently approved by the Caribbean Regional Organization for Standards and Quality. The CARICOM Council on Trade and Economic Development (COTED) approved these standards in December 2012. These standards should now be implemented throughout the region, said Ali. Two important components of these standards are that: any meat that has been frozen cannot be thawed and sold as chilled meat, nor can it be thawed and refrozen. “Secondly we are saying that any meat that is more than 180 days old cannot be sold for human consumption,” Ali noted. The CPA is seeing poultry meat from outside the region “that’s two and three and four years old”, which is posing serious health risks for consumers. The CPA chief further said that the organization is also looking into phytosanitary measures to block unwanted products from entering the region. Speaking to journalists, Caribbean sub-regional director of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Lystra FletcherPaul, noted that countries in the region should seriously consider measures to prevent the importation of certain unhealthy foods once
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they are in a position to produce healthier substitutes. She said that while the food import bill of CARICOM nations reached almost US$5 billion annually, at the same time the peoples in these countries are eating themselves to death with the extra-regional food. Hypertension, heart disease and diabetes are the deadliest health issues in the Caribbean, she said. The FAO representative stressed that, when the region can produce and transport high quality food that can substitute for imported products, restriction mechanisms should be put in place to keep certain foods out. According to Fletcher-Paul, within the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) there is room for countries to ban certain foods. Government entities such as the ministries of agriculture and foreign affairs should have closer cooperation, which would enable the countries to take advantage of the WTO rules. According to Nairne, there need to be some kind of guideline or re-evaluation of what currently exists to determine what kind of food, including poultry, is suitable to enter the Caribbean market. The region, he added, could be saving money or spend the money within the region to raise poultry “here to help us grow”. The manager stressed that, if the regional farmers increase production, the price of chicken would certainly drop. “As you know, with increasing scale, the unit prices will drop, which clearly means that the more we produce the more affordable the chicken will be,” he said. Three years ago, Jamaica Broilers was operating only in Jamaica, now it is in six countries selling “hormone-free” products. Nairne noted that, while poultry farms in the region are under strict veterinary monitoring and regulation about what is being exported, such is not the case regarding chicken that is brought to the Caribbean Although farmers don’t have a direct influence on discussions in COTED, the manager hoped that the “government officials would speak on our behalves” at the CARICOM table. He argued that some tax mechanism should be put in place to protect regional producers from the influx of cheaper “heavily subsided” products from outside the Caribbean. Jamaica Broilers, which produces ‘The Best Dressed Chicken’ brand, is currently producing 800 to 900 tonnes of chicken weekly, which according to the manager could be easily increased to 2-3,000 since the production facilities are underutilized. Nairne said that his company offers numerous jobs to people from all over the Caribbean, including Guyana, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago and the Cayman Islands. He lamented that the money that is being spend on imported chicken doesn’t flow back to region. (Caribbean News Now!)
Desmond Ali, executive director of the Caribbean Poultry Association, explains some of the challenges in the regional poultry industry. Photo: Ivan Cairo
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS Private Company To Invest $30 Million In USVI Horseracing Industry PAGE 24
ST THOMAS, USVI -- The US Virgin Islands will soon be home to two first class horse racetracks thanks to an unprecedented agreement with a private company that will invest more than $30 million in the expansion and modernization of local horse racing facilities. In keeping with the administration’s commitment to sports tourism and economic revitalization, Governor Kenneth Mapp announced details of the landmark deal during a Thursday morning press conference at Government House on St Thomas. The new facilities and substantial purses are expected to attract racing enthusiasts and horse owners from around the world. The agreement calls for VIGL Operations LLC to take over the management of both the Clinton E. Phipps racetrack on St Thomas and the Randall “Doc” James racetrack on St Croix. VIGL will partner with the government to transform the local horse racing industry and bring new revenue streams and jobs to the territory. VIGL currently operates the renovated Caravelle Hotel & Casino in Christiansted and, as such, has already been vetted and licensed by the Casino Control Commission. Its parent company, B & B Amusements, designs and operates entertainment venues in Illinois and Louisiana. “Today I present to the people of the Virgin Islands a comprehensive package of agreements and related documents between the Government and VIGL Operations, LLC, an experienced manager of horserace tracks and gaming facilities, for the revitalization and operation of the horserace tracks on both St Thomas and St Croix,” the governor said. “I also present legislation amending the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Industry Assistance Act of 2010 that will help to modernize our horseracing industry – making it a source of pride and economic value to the people and the government.” Mapp sent correspondence to the Legislature on Thursday calling the body into special session on November 28,
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2016, in order to ratify the franchise Clinton E. Phipps facility. More than 40 agreement and update the laws now percent of the redevelopment must be governing local horseracing. He said the finished within two years and the projects newly proposed regulations will be in must be “substantially completed” line with other “great horseracing within 42 months. As part of the jurisdictions” in the states. The contract, agreement, VIGL will be allowed to which calls for state of the art facilities to operate “racinos” with a limited number be developed on both islands, includes of gaming machines at each site. The very specific execution timelines and the governor said VIGL will not be eligible posting of a $25 million performance for tax benefits. In fact, the business will bond. If VIGL does not meet the required be required to pay higher taxes on its terms the government retains the right to gaming revenues than the standard taxes terminate or revoke the 20-year now paid by casino operators. VIGL will concession agreement, the governor also be subjected to annual license fees, franchise taxes and rent payments of said. $108,000 annually on St Croix and Terms of the deal include: • The refurbishment and expansion of the $24,000 annually on St Thomas – a lower rate as a result of the land purchase. territory’s two racetracks. • Construction of bars, restaurants, “Horseracing has a long history in the lounges, restrooms, viewing stands, territory, but has fallen on hard times here parking, jockey locker rooms and vendor and elsewhere,” the governor said. The agreement we have reached with VIGL, kiosks. • New barns, quarantine areas and and the legislation that will accompany it, will bring a substantial infusion of veterinary care facilities for horses. • A minimum of 18 live race days investment into the territory, a fresh annually on both St Thomas and St Croix source of government revenues, and the in the first three years and a minimum of rebirth of the Virgin Islands’ storied horse racing industry.” (Caribbean News 24 each year thereafter. • Minimum purse sizes of $100,000 per Now!) race day with much bigger purses guaranteed for the annual Carnival and Festival horseraces. • Training and scholarships related to horse racing of up to $100,000 annually. • Establishment of a new ninemember Horse Racing Commission to oversee operations in both districts. The end result will be two new racetracks,” the governor said. “Numerous new jobs will be created in both the construction and operations phase and we anticipate substantial new revenue streams.” Mapp said that, under the terms of the deal, VIGL will make a $30 million capital investment at both tracks, including the purchase of 12.5 additional acres of land on St Thomas in order to expand the Governor Kenneth Mapp
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS CDB Engages Regional Water And Waste Management Specialists In Trinidad PAGE 26
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) recently partnered with the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA), to host the largest gathering of water and waste-management specialists from across the Caribbean at the CWWA 2016 Conference and Exhibition. “Clean water is one of the key pillars of human development and its importance cannot be overstated. The use and management of water impacts all of today’s leading global challenges, including: energy generation and usage; food security; natural disaster management; and the management of the environment. CDB therefore, has a vested interest in the well-being of the water and sanitation sector because it is key to us achieving our development mandate,” said L. O’Reilly Lewis, portfolio manager, CDB during the opening ceremony for the CWWA Conference. The bank sponsored a high level forum (HLF) for water ministers in the Caribbean, which included presentations from CDB representatives, and also engaged with conference attendees at its booth in the exhibition hall. The high level forum is a key mechanism for water-sectorrelated policy dialogue, bringing together government ministers and senior officials from across the Caribbean, as well as development partners and key stakeholders. “CDB was instrumental in the establishment of HLF, playing an integral role in the planning and financing of the first forum in 2005 in Barbados… There is a commonality of challenges facing Caribbean countries and recognition of the fact that the sharing of experiences, expertise and knowledge -- including best practices -- is key in promoting more strategic approaches at the regional and national levels,” said Daniel Best, director of projects at the CDB. Topics covered included economic drivers that must be considered in investments in the water and wastewater sector in the Caribbean, promoting the regional water agenda linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 6) and SAMOA in the context of climate change and disaster reduction and case studies, focusing on drought conditions in Jamaica and the impact of Tropical Storm Erika
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on the water sector in Dominica. CDB also participated in a panel discussion on how countries can access concessional funding, specifically through the Adaptation Fund, and the Green Climate Fund, which recently accredited the bank as a partner institution. “This important policy dialogue on climate financing for the water sector is central to the bank’s strategy… This forum provides the bank with a timely opportunity to build awareness of its role as an accredited body to facilitate access to concessional financing from the Adaptation Fund, and the Green Climate Fund, for much needed water infrastructure investments in the Caribbean,” said Best. The CWWA conference took place from October 25-27, in Trinidad and Tobago. This is the 25th year that the conference is being held. (Caribbean News Now!)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS St Croix Electrical System Is Now Entirely Powered By Lower Cost Propane PAGE 27
ST CROIX, USVI -- The US Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) has completed the commissioning for two of three generating units on St Croix, and the island district is now completely powered by propane (LPG). WAPA executive director/CEO Julio Rhymer provided the Authority’s governing board with an update on the LPG conversion project at Thursday’s monthly board meeting. “For about two to three weeks now, the island of St Croix has been 100% powered by propane. The commissioning of Units 16 and 20 is now complete, the units are burning propane to generate electricity and those two 20-megawatt generators are powering St Croix,” he said. Rhymer said work is continuing on a third generating unit, Unit 17, which has been converted to burn three fuel types: propane, oil and natural gas. On St Thomas, Rhymer said commissioning of two converted generators, Units 15 and 18, is expected to begin by the end of this month with the islands of St Thomas, St John and Water Island expecting to be powered by propane in December. “Once online, the two 20-megawatt units will contribute just over 50% of the district’s peak power demand. It is our intention to complete the commissioning of the two units on St Thomas and have the district powered by a combination of propane and oil by the end of this year,” he said. The governing board on Thursday also approved a contract for brokerage services by IFS Securities. The company will act on WAPA’s behalf as it seeks out the design, installation and financing of a lighting and solar project. Rhymer told board members the lighting project consists of the retrofitting and installation of smart lighting solutions to more than 15,700 streetlights. The project will also include 100-watt LED fixtures and replacement lights, a controller, a WI-FI communication network and remote controls for the light’s operation. The estimated cost of the lighting project is $18.1 million. The solar project consists of the retrofitting and installation of 3.5 megawatt solar power generation on 10,425
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streetlight poles, including high efficiency 240-watt panels, micro-inverters, a communication network and remote control. The solar project has an estimated cost of $10.9 million. (Caribbean News Now!)
WAPA Executive Director/CEO Julio Rhymer
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
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Press Freedom Organisation Condemns Harassment Of Journalist By Venezuelan Government PARIS, France -- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has and social crisis, with massive street demonstrations being held condemned the Venezuelan government’s harassment of Globovisión’s well-known TV host Melissa Turibbi. In the latest serious violation of her rights, at a time of great tension for the opposition media, intelligence officers searched and ransacked her home on 24 October. The raid was carried out by five members of the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN), the government’s espionage and counter-espionage agency, who said they were looking for her when they arrived at her home and then entered without a warrant or any other authorization. Turibbi was away on work trip at the time. The only persons there were her son, who suffers from autism, and his nanny. After shutting the boy in a room, the agents proceeded to conduct a thorough search and ransack the apartment. They seemed to be looking for her computer and personal documents and left after finding nothing. This is not the first time Turibbi has been subjected to this kind of pressure. A specialist in politics and military affairs, she is well known in Venezuela for being outspoken and for criticizing President Nicolás Maduro’s government, especially on “Reportes Estelar,” the programme she hosts for Globovisión. After temporarily losing consciousness in a car accident on 11 February, Turibbi was found by members of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB), who recognized her and asked her to accompany them. During the ensuing interrogation, she was insulted and, while her hands were bound, she was roughed up and accused of “resisting the authorities”. She was then taken from one police station to another and subjected to further physical violence without being allowed to contact her family or lawyer. She was finally released the next day after several hours in a hospital with respiratory problems. She filed a complaint with the public prosecutor’s office but no action was taken. “We condemn this grave violation of Melissa Turibbi’s rights and urge the government to stop harassing and censoring Venezuelan journalists, regardless of their political views or the editorial policies of the media they work for,” said Emmanuel Colombié, the head of RSF’s Latin America desk.“The medieval methods used by Venezuela’s authorities to censor the government’s critics are unacceptable and very worrying for the future of the media in country currently embroiled in a major crisis.” When reached by RSF, Turibbi said she would not file a complaint about the burglary attempt because no action was taken in response to her previous complaint. Turibbi used to co-host a programme with Vladimir Villega called “Melissa y Vladimir” but was removed on 24 May after interviewing the then parliamentarian Ricardo Sánchez, who was very critical of the pro-government militias. She attributed her removal to direct government pressure. Tense street protests Venezuela is currently experiencing a major economic
in Caracas and the rest of the country in recent weeks and the opposition now calling for a general strike. The climate is extremely tense and many attacks on media personnel have been reported. During an extraordinary session of the national assembly on 23 October, a group of armed governmentsupporters stormed into the chamber and disrupted the proceedings. Three journalists were threatened at gunpoint, one was physically attacked and equipment was stolen from many others. Espacio Público, a local NGO, reported that three Peruvian journalists working for the Mexican TV channel Televisa – Ricardo Burgos, Leonidas Chávez and Armando Muñoz – and Rodrigo Abd, an Argentine photographer with the Associated Press, were denied entry to Venezuela on Wednesday, shortly after landing in Caracas with the aim of covering a major anti-government demonstration. Immigration officials at Caracas international airport said they did not have valid work visas and them put on flights back to their home countries. RSF condemned the use of such censorship methods on the eve of big protests on 1 September. According to Espacio Público, no fewer than ten journalists were attacked during Wednesday’s demonstrations. Venezuela is ranked 139th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2016 World Press Freedom Index. (Caribbean News Now)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS Venezuela: General Strike Staged Against Nicolas Maduro PAGE 30
Opposition leaders in Venezuela have staged a general strike to push for a referendum on removing President Nicolas Maduro from power. Many shops, businesses and schools stayed closed on Friday and public transport was quieter than usual. But adherence to the strike was patchy and poorer areas largely ignored it. Mr Maduro, who had warned companies they risked being seized if they joined the strike, said the walkout had failed. Speaking to crowds of supporters, he said the oil industry had ignored the strike, as had basic industries, banks, schools and transport. What's behind Venezuela's turmoil? Mr Maduro also announced measures to offset economic hardship - mostly caused by plummeting oil prices - by promising to implement a 40% rise of the minimum wage. It was the fourth increment this year. The move has been dismissed by analysts as insignificant when the country faces spiralling inflation. The centre-right opposition coalition is also angry over a decision to block a referendum on removing Mr Maduro from power in the oil-rich South American country. The coalition won a majority in the National Assembly last December and staged huge anti-government protests earlier this week. The mass demonstrations came after a recall referendum process - an attempt to remove Mr Maduro from power - was suspended. Opposition activists had gathered about 1.8 million signatures petitioning for the referendum, 400,000 of which were validated by electoral authorities. But the process was halted last week after officials said the signature collection process had been marred by fraud. Parliament voted on Tuesday to open a trial against Mr Maduro, whom MPs accuse of violating the constitution. He called it a "political trial" and said anyone who violated the constitution by launching it should be jailed. Mr Maduro, a former bus driver and union leader, is blamed by the opposition for Venezuela's dire economic situation and widespread food shortages. In turn, he has accused the opposition of having links to foreign states, the US in particular, and of seeking to overthrow him to "lay their hands on Venezuela's oil riches". Under Venezuela's constitution, a recall referendum can be held
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once a president has served half of his term in office and the requisite steps are met. So far, the opposition has only completed the first step of the process. (BBC)
Hundreds of thousands rallied against President Maduro on Wednesday
Supporters of Mr Maduro have also taken to the streets this week
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Queensland Theme Parks Get 'Safety Blitz' After Dreamworld Tragedy
Local resident Nicole Baker and her daughter Charlize lay flowers at Dreamworld after four tourists were killed there. The Australian state of Queensland has ordered what it called a "safety blitz" of all theme parks, following Tuesday's accident at Dreamworld where four people died. Specialist inspectors will examine the rides and
maintenance records at all theme parks in the region. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the state's health and safety laws would also be audited. And a new offence of gross negligence causing death could be created. Penalties for workplace-related deaths and injuries may be increased. Two men and two women were killed when Dreamworld's Thunder
River Rapids ride malfunctioned on Tuesday. Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson said the park would not reopen until after the funerals of the victims, while the rides will remain closed until police investigations are finalised. The Queensland audit also follows another accident earlier this month when two men in their 20s were crushed to death by a concrete slab at Brisbane's Eagle Farm Racecourse. The tourist attractions under scrutiny attract around 1.8m visitors each year. They include Australia Zoo, owned by the family of the late "Crocodile Hunter", Steve Irwin, and Sea World and Movie World on the Gold Coast. The audits should be finished by the end of November. At present, the maximum penalty under health and safety laws in Queensland is five years' imprisonment. Individual officers can be fined up to $600,000 (£373,940 / $455,910) and corporations up to $3m (£1.8m / $2.2m). (BBC)
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US Election 2016: Clinton Demands Details Of New Email Probe
Hillary Clinton has urged the FBI to explain without delay why it is carrying out a new investigation into her use of emails. Americans "deserve to get the full and complete facts immediately," she said. The FBI says it has fresh emails which may be "pertinent" to a previous inquiry into her use of a private server when she was secretary of state. Republican presidential rival Donald Trump said the move was the "biggest political scandal since Watergate". The FBI's announcement was made on Friday, just 11 days before the election. The latest emails were discovered as part of a separate investigation into the estranged husband of top Clinton aide, Huma Abedin. Devices belonging to her and Anthony Weiner, a former highflying congressman, were seized in an investigation into whether he sent sexually explicit emails to a 15-yearold girl in North Carolina. How damaging is this for Clinton? What is her email scandal all about? 18 revelations from Wikileaks Clinton hack Anthony Weiner: Behind the scenes of a political marriage The discovery of the new emails was revealed by FBI director James Comey in a letter to Congress on Friday. Mr
Comey said while he did not yet know the significance of the findings, the FBI would investigate if any of the emails contained classified information. Democrat presidential candidate Mrs Clinton said she was "confident" the investigation into the emails would not change the FBI's original finding in July. The FBI decided she should not be prosecuted for her use of a private email server as secretary of state - a position she held between 2009 and 2013. “It's imperative that the bureau explain this issue in question, whatever it is, without any delay," she told reporters on the campaign trail in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday. A senior media adviser on her campaign, James Rubin, told the BBC on Saturday that "when this is all over, this is going to be a gigantic tempest in a teapot". He also suggested the FBI decided to send the letter now to prevent it being criticised by the Republicans after the election. For his part, Donald Trump told a crowd of supporters at a rally in Iowa: "It's everybody's hope that justice at last can be delivered." "The FBI would never have reopened this case at this time unless it were a most egregious criminal offence." He compared the latest development to that of the 1970s Watergate scandal that engulfed then-Republican President Richard Nixon. 'October surprise' for Clinton - US media react Front cover of New York PostImage copyrightNEW YORK POST "The question will be how badly damaged was Ms Clinton's candidacy by the 11th-hour re-eruption of a controversy that never should have generated so much suspicion or accusation in the first place" - Wall Street Journal "Mrs Clinton's apparent effort to blunt scrutiny by means of that private server has only led to far more damaging scrutiny and suspicion, with
no end in sight" - New York Times "It would be nice if Comey could expedite this "overtime" investigation: Having it run past 8 November raises even more complications" - New York Post "Dashed are the hopes that the campaign could come to a conclusion on a high note, instilling in Americans a feeling that casting a history-making vote for Clinton is something more than merely a repudiation of Donald Trump" - Politico's Annie Karnie "If past is prologue, and it usually is, then a Hillary Clinton presidency may be engulfed and disabled by scandal. As a consequence, she is likely to accomplish little on behalf of the American people. In other words, her presidency could be dead on arrival" Fox News' Gregg Jarrett "Hillary Clinton's biggest concern will not be the very remote possibility of future criminal charges, but the much likelier chance that a few too many voters in key states will have second thoughts about pulling the lever for a presidential contender still under suspicion of wrongdoing by the FBI" - CNN's Buck Sexton The FBI has already established the Democratic candidate had classified information on a private email server. In July, Mr Comey said Mrs Clinton's handling of sensitive material during her tenure as secretary of state was "extremely careless", but cleared her of any criminal wrongdoing. The revelation that she handled sensitive information while breaking federal rules by running her own email server out of her upstate New York home has dogged her campaign since last year. Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta criticised the FBI's "extraordinary" timing. Opinion polls suggest Mrs Clinton is four points ahead of Mr Trump, according to a Real Clear Politics average. (BBC)
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Central African Republic: Clashes Leave 25 Dead - UN
UN peacekeepers were sent to CAR in 2014 Twenty-five people have been killed in two days of violence in the Central African Republic, the UN peacekeeping mission has said. On Thursday, 15 people died in clashes
between Muslim fighters of the former Seleka militia and the Christian vigilante anti-Balaka group, it said. Six police officers and four civilians died in an ambush on Friday. The Central African Republic has been wracked by conflict along religious and ethnic lines since 2013.
In a statement on Saturday, the Minusca mission said "clashes between elements of the anti-Balaka and exSeleka caused 15 deaths and a number of wounded" in the town of Bambari, about 250km (150 miles) north-east of the capital Bangui. It added that "six gendarmes and four civilians lost their lives on Friday morning in an ambush on the Bambari-Grimari road". The UN mission urged all armed groups to end "the cycle of attack and reprisal". Seleka rebels briefly seized power in March 2013 and deposed the Christian President Francois Bozize. The Seleka group was itself then ousted, leading to a wave of violent reprisals against the Muslim population by the Christian anti-Balaka militia. Thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced in the CAR since 2013. More than 12,000 UN peacekeepers are deployed in the country. (BBC)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
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Nigeria 'Rickshaw Bombs' Leave Seven Dead In Maiduguri
The two bombers were driving motorised rickshaws, officials said Two suicide bombers on motorised rickshaws have killed at least seven people in Maiduguri in the northeast of Nigeria, officials say. A female suicide bomber blew herself up outside a camp for displaced people, killing five men, the army said. Within 30 minutes, another bomber detonated explosives near a fuel depot. Boko Haram Islamists are the key suspects, remaining able to stage frequent attacks despite major recent government gains against them. Nine bodies, including
The main suspects, Boko Haram, have staged many attacks in the area
those of the two suicide bombers, were recovered. Twenty-four people wounded in the explosions were evacuated to nearby hospitals, said Sani Datta, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency. The agency said the first bomber tried to enter the Bakassi camp, which is estimated to house 16,000 people displaced during the government's seven-year battle against Boko Haram. A military spokesman said the second bomber was following a fuel tanker "with the sole aim of gaining entry to cause maximum damage and casualties." (BBC)
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Mosul Iraq Battle: Shia Militias Aim To Take Tal Afar
Shia militias say they want "to liberate Tal Afar” Iraq's Shia militia groups say they have launched an attack against Islamic State militants west of Mosul, as the offensive to retake the city continues. The Hashid Shaabi groups say their aim is to oust IS from the town of Tal Afar, cutting jihadist supply routes to Mosul from
Syria. Tal Afar had a Shia majority before IS overran it in 2014. Mosul is a Sunni city, and the Shia militias have pledged not to enter it. Iraq began the offensive last week. Iraqi, Kurdish and allied forces, backed by US air power, have advanced in their push to retake Mosul, IS's de facto capital in Iraq. "The operation aims to cut supplies between Mosul and Raqqa (IS's de
facto capital in Syria) and tighten the siege... in Mosul and liberate Tal Afar," Hashid Shaabi spokesman Ahmed al-Assadi told the AFP news agency. He added that the operation was launched from an area south of Mosul. During previous military campaigns against IS, Shia militia groups have been accused of committing serious crimes, including war crimes, against Sunni civilians. As many as 1.5 million people are believed to remain in Mosul. There are fears IS could use them as human shields as the operation closes in on the city. On Friday, the UN said that IS militants had abducted tens of thousands of civilians from areas around the city to use them as human shields. The jihadist group has also killed some 190 former members of Iraq's security services and 42 civilians, apparently for refusing to obey its orders, the UN added. (BBC)
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Chicago O'Hare Plane Fire: American A i r l i n e s J e t A b o r t s Ta ke-Off runway. 'Windows melting' Sarah
An image of the plane on fire that was taken from a video filmed by one of the passengers An American Airlines plane has caught fire on the runway of Chicago's O'Hare airport while taking off. The Boeing 767 bound for Miami experienced an "uncontained engine failure", officials involved in the investigation said. The pilot aborted the take-off and evacuated everyone on board via emergency chutes as
black smoke billowed from the plane. Twenty people suffered minor injuries, the fire department said. Nine crew members and 161 passengers were on board. A federal official quoted by the Associated Press news agency said the plane appeared to have suffered a rare and serious type of engine failure in which parts break off and are spewed outside the engine. Passengers reported an explosion followed by flames and black smoke as the plane was speeding down the
Ahmed said everyone on the right side of the plane rushed from their seats and moved to the left side. "People are yelling, 'Open the door! Open the door!' Everyone's screaming and jumping on top of each other to open the door," she told WLS-TV. "Within that time, I think it was seven seconds, there was smoke in the plane and the fire is right up against the windows, and it's melting the windows." The incident took place at 14:35 local time (19:35 GMT). An initial statement by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the plane had burst a tyre, but that information was later deleted from the statement. Why do people grab their bags after a plane crash? American Airlines said passengers who still wanted to travel had been put on another flight to Miami. Elsewhere, a FedEx plane caught fire at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, airport after its landing gear collapsed on landing, the FAA said.(BBC)
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Calais 'Jungle': France Urges UK To Take More Children
Shelters at the camp are being pulled down France's president has urged Britain to take its share of responsibility for migrant children who remain in Calais after the "Jungle" camp was cleared. Francois Hollande said 1,500 unaccompanied minors who were still in the port city would be taken to accommodation centres very shortly. Migrants fleeing war and poverty had used the sprawling Jungle site as a staging post to try and reach the UK. The UK has so far agreed to take in about 250 of the children from there. The Jungle had been seen as a key symbol of Europe's failure to deal with the worst migrant crisis since World War Two.At least 1,500 minors have been staying at a special container camp at the site, but it has been full and many children have also reportedly been sleeping rough. Mr Hollande said he and UK Prime Minister Theresa May had discussed British officials processing them in France with a view to rehousing them in the UK.
Some of the child migrants at Calais have been sleeping rough, aid workers say "I talked yesterday [Friday] with the British prime
minister, as [French Interior Minister] Bernard Cazeneuve did with his British counterpart, so that the British can go to those centres with those minors and take their share to welcome them in Britain," he said. Mr Hollande was speaking during a visit to an accommodation centre for migrants in Doue-laFontaine in western France. He hailed the evacuation of the Calais Jungle as a success. "There were no incidents from start to finish," Mr Hollande said. "We had to rise to the challenge of the refugee issue. We could not tolerate the camp and we will not tolerate any others." He added the encampments springing up in the capital Paris would be forced to close. Many of the 5,000 people evacuated from the Jungle have been taken to reception centres around France, where they are being processed and will be able to apply for asylum. But aid workers believe that hundreds, or perhaps even thousands of migrants, might have fled the area before the clearance operation began last Monday. Demolition work is continuing and the local authorities say the clearance will be completed by Monday. (BBC)
INTERNATIONAL PAGE 42
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
Taiwan Gay Pride: Thousands Throng Taipei Streets
The rainbow flag, which represents the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, was visible across Taipei on Saturday Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Taiwan's capital, Taipei, to participate in Asia's biggest gay pride parade. Many of those who attended carried placards calling on the government to legalise same sex marriage. Dressed in colourful costumes and carrying rainbow flags, they paraded in front of Taiwan's presidential palace. Taiwan is more liberal than much of Asia on LGBT rights but moves toward marriage equality have stalled. The
ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which controls Taiwan's parliament and took power five months ago, is widely considered sympathetic to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Many are hopeful that samesex marriage will become a reality under the DPP. Earlier this week, the DPP announced new measures to allow homosexual party employees the same honeymoon leave and wedding gift entitlement that heterosexual couples g e t , t h e Ta i p e i Ti m e s reports. "The call for marriage equality feels stronger than last year,"
People from across the region, including these South Koreans, took part in the march Corinne Chiang, who works in IT, told the AFP news agency. "We hope same-sex marriage can be realised as soon as possible so our child can have two legal moms. "Proposals for gay marriage in Taiwan have stalled in recent years because of resistance from the Kuomintang (KMT) party, which was unseated by the DPP in May. But the new president, Tsai Ing-wen, has voiced her support for samesex marriage and parliament is expected to consider fresh proposals on the issue soon. If it goes into force, Taiwan will become the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage. (BBC)
INTERNATIONAL PAGE 44
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
Italian Bridge Collapses On Busy Road In Lecco was using the bridge. At least four other cars were involved in the accident - one was completely crushed underneath the fallen bridge. Anas, Italy's road authority, insisted it had asked for the bridge to be closed at about 14:00 after one of its workers spotted problems.
A car is precariously balanced - a lucky escape for the occupants One man has been killed and ďŹ ve other people have been injured in Italy after a bridge collapsed over a busy road. The bridge, in Lecco province near Milan, fell when a heavy goods vehicle was crossing, crushing cars below. The company which runs Italy's main roads has blamed local authorities, saying it had demanded the immediate closure of the bridge hours before Friday's accident. A preliminary criminal investigation has been opened. The accident occurred around 17:20 (15:20 GMT) as an articulated lorry carrying a specially authorised heavy weight (108 tonnes)
One car was completely crushed It said Lecco province oďŹƒcials had demanded the information in writing - which required a formal inspection of the site. However, the bridge had collapsed before an inspector could reach it. Lecco authorities have denied Anas's version of events. (BBC)
INTERNATIONAL PAGE 45
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
Exeter Fire: Royal Clarence Hotel Collapses As Blaze Rages
The blaze started at 05:00 BST in buildings on Cathedral Green A hotel has begun to collapse in a massive fire that has raged throughout the night. The front of the Royal Clarence, described as England's oldest hotel, has started to fall away in the blaze in Exeter, Devon. The fire broke out at about 05:00 BST on Friday in buildings on Cathedral Green before spreading to the hotel, which dates back to 1769. The gas supply has been turned off after a ruptured main fuelled the fire. Police believe the fire in the hotel is now largely out. They are bringing in a drone to assess the structure of the building. Structural engineers I have spoken with expect the facade of the hotel to crumble further. The fire did spread into the Laura Ashley store on High Street but that has been contained. Services and a concert at Exeter Cathedral have been cancelled and there is an overwhelming sense of sadness in the city. line break
The fire broke out above the Castle Fine Art gallery where renovation work was under way, before spreading to the Well House Tavern, a cafe and the Royal Clarence Hotel. A spokesman for the fire service said the gallery and hotel had been destroyed by the blaze, but that the cause of the fire was unknown. Fire crews are expected to remain at the scene until Sunday. Chief fire officer Lee Howell said: "We're grateful no one has been hurt in this incident but the community has lost a historic building which is a landmark of the city. "We kept significant resources at the scene to ensure we were able to deal with every eventuality and we will continue to do everything we can to protect the heritage of this city. "I'd like to thank the public for their support and we will be working with other agencies to reduce disruption in the city centre as much as possible." Despite the road closures, fire officers, and crowds of onlookers, Nikki
and Fraser Burling-Hobbs managed to get married at the Guildhall, just across the road from the partially collapsed Royal Clarence Hotel.
the night to the nearby Mercure. There were no reported casualties. Lucy, from Australia, told Radio Devon: "I was woken up by the fire alarm at five o'clock. Someone was
From above the hotel appears to have been gutted A statement from the hotel owners, Andrew Brownsword Hotels, said: "We are immensely grateful for the tremendous efforts made by all the emergency services and especially the fire service, who have worked with such focus and determination throughout the night. "The support offered by the Mercure Hotel, Exeter City Council and colleagues in Exeter at this difficult time has been overwhelming, and we thank everyone involved for their outstanding efforts and g e n e r o s i t y. T h e g r o u p thanked its own "incredible team of staff" who behaved with "positivity and professionalism" in managing the situation. Guests were evacuated from their rooms in the middle of
banging on the door and all I could see were orange flames through the window. "I grabbed my passport there was a lot of fiery ash falling down. The building was totally in flames." Building control engineers told the BBC, the facade of the historic hotel was expected to crumble away. Canon Anna Norman-Walker, from Exeter Cathedral, said: "Moments ago another great crash happened and the front facing is starting to come away. "It's really heartbreaking to see because it's such a magnificent and beautiful building and so much a part of our heritage here in Exeter." Firefighters have been using water from the River Exe hundreds of metres away to help extinguish the blaze. (BBC)
INTERNATIONAL PAGE 47
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016
A Day Like Today
American Actress, Winona Laura Horowitz Winona Ryder, Johnny Depp’s first love, the passionate brunette with fire eyes or Hollywood’s damsel is turning 45 today. Winona Laura Horowitz was born on October 29, 1971, in the county seat of Winona, Minnesota U.S.A. Her parents were both writers and editors of local papers. Around 1978, the family moved to California looking for better business. From small age, had an inclination for acting. She would normally perform as the leading actor of a school plays, or impersonate a classic personage in the local theatre. After joining the American Conservatory Theater in nearby San Francisco, at the age of 12, she started to take her acting career seriously.
After graduating from Petaluma High School in 1989, she dedicated her full attention to what slowly became her passion. Winona made her film debut in the 1986 tragicomedy ‘Lucas’. In 1988 she got the attention of American film director and producer, Tim Burton who gave her the controversial role of ‘Lydia’, in his fantasy film ‘Beetlejuice’. The movie was a critical and commercial success, giving Winona a well deserve recognition. She continued to work in the line of cult films (passionate motion pictures). In 1990 she played ‘Charlotte Flax’ in the comedy-drama film ‘Mermaid’, paper that earned her a Golden Globe nomination. On that same year the dark-fairy tale ‘Edwards Scissorhands’ debuted on the big screen, giving her the opportunity to work alongside to Johnny Depp. The movie was a blockbuster, catapulting the name of Burton, Depp and Winona high in the Hollywood charters. During the years that followed, her career and personal life was filled with ups and downs. Even though some of her films weren’t well received by the critics, such as the 1991 film ‘Night on Earth’ and the 1993 melodrama ‘The house of Spirits’. Others helped to lift her prestige, such as the 1993 American film adaptation of Edith Wharton's 1920, ‘The age of Innocence’. Her role of ‘May
Welland’ won her a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting
Actress, and an Academy Award nomination in the same category. Ryder and Depp on the filming of 1993 dark-fairy tale ‘Edwards Scissorhands’. The decades that followed were fruitful for the young actress career. She collaborated with ‘giants’ of the film industry of the size of Al Pacino and the Woody Allen. Crafting her way to fame, from ‘star dust’. On October 6th 2000, Winona received a star on the Hollywood walk of fame, as a life time recognition for her contribution to the film industry. To d a y Wi n o n a Ry d e r i s considered one of the most profitable and iconic 90s actresses. With a professional background that stands as high as her undisputable talent. Source: http://www.famousbirthdays.co m/people/winona-ryder.html
PAGE 48
Bartomeu Determined To Defend Barcelona's Honour
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has maintained the innocence of his players after accusations they incited crowd trouble. Josep Maria Bartomeu insists Barcelona will fight to the end to defend the honour of
the club's players after they were accused of inciting disorder a m o n g Va l e n c i a supporters. Neymar and Luis Suarez were among the players struck by objects thrown from the stands at Mestalla as they vociferously
celebrated Lionel Messi's late winner in a 3-2 away victory last weekend. While Valencia were fined, Barca were also criticised for "reproachable behaviour" by the C o m p e t i t i o n Committee of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the visitors having been deemed to have antagonised the home fans. That judgement prompted the reigning champions to request Spain's Administrative Court of Sport (TAD) to take action against
LaLiga president Javier Tebas and the RFEF Competition Committee. And Bartomeu, speaking at the club's annual general meeting, showed no indication of taking a backward step in the deepening row. "I will talk today about an attack against us through the imprudent and irresponsible comments of Javier Tebas and the C o m p e t i t i o n Committee," the club president said. “The remarks are an example of those that should never be made
by people and o rg a n i s a t i o n s w h o should be making r e s p o n s i b l e statements. "We won't stop the fight and we'll go to the end. We have to defend the honour of our players. "We're tired of these campaigns that distort reality and that respond to partisan interests. They try to achieve off the pitch what they can't manage on it. " We ' l l c o n t i n u e defending, you can have no doubt of that." Barca are at home to Granada in LaLiga on Saturday. (SportsMax)
Bartomeu Determined To Defend Barcelona's Honour
Asafa Powell, on Friday, donated J$560,000 (approximately US$4400) to the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) to buy linen for the resource-starved 240-year-old institution. The donation was made through the soon-to-be relaunched Asafa Powell Foundation and helps fill a need to provide linen for the hospital’s beds. “Asafa wishes for it to be spent on linen so we have an initiative to purchase some well-needed
linen and have them installed on our wards,” said Ruel Rainford, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the KPH. The ceremonial cheque was handed over to the hospital during a brief ceremony at the KPH boardroom before senior administrative staff and the media. There, Powell explained what prompted the decision to raise funds for the hospital. Asafa’s late brother, Ricardo Powell, spent some time at the hospital a few years ago and complained that while the doctors and nurses provided the best possible care, the staff there worked under “some really tough conditions”. The former world record holder eventually launched the SpreadABed4KPH
crowdfunding campaign and promised to match any amount that was raised from his pocket. “The reception was really tremendous. I think we cut it off a bit early or it would be more,” said Asafa, revealing that there would be more efforts to raise funding for the cash-strapped institution and others needy entities. “We started a relationship here with the hospital and we have been searching for a few places that the foundation would want to take under our wings. It’s the start of a new relationship.” Asafa said helping the KPH goes beyond the fact that his brother was a patient there. “My brother is no longer here but this is where all Jamaica comes when they’re sick, so I am trying help Jamaica, trying to give back to Jamaica through this process.” At its peak, the KPH handles more than 10,000 emergency and non-emergency cases every week. Each day, it admits 70 patients which puts a strain on the hospital's 475 beds. (SportsMax)
PAGE 50
Sunderland 1 Arsenal 4: Super-sub Giroud Keeps Gunners Rolling
Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez each scored twice as Arsenal overcame Sunderland 4-1 at the Stadium of Light. Substitute Olivier Giroud's first two goals of the season - from his first two touches of the match - secured a 4-1 win for Arsenal in Saturday's Premier League visit to Sunderland. The France international, whose last goals came when he hit a hat-trick against Aston Villa on the final day of last season, turned in Kieran Gibbs' cross 19 minutes from time before glancing in a corner to seal a fourth away league win in a row for the Gunners. Alexis Sanchez had put Arsenal ahead with a fine first-half header, and Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were both guilty of missing one-on-one chances to double
that advantage. Sunderland, who came into the match without a league win under David Moyes, grabbed an equaliser after 65 minutes when Jermain Defoe converted from the penalty spot following a Petr Cech foul. Giroud, who made his return from injury against Reading in the EFL Cup in midweek, put Arsenal back in front two minutes after coming on before netting a second just five minutes later to take his tally to seven goals in seven games against Sunderland. Sanchez added a fourth with 12 minutes to play to resounding boos from the home fans who began to file out of the Stadium of Light, as the visiting faithful celebrated a win that puts Arsenal temporarily three points clear at the top of the table.
Arsenal started the better of the teams and Jordan Pickford twice rescued his side following slack defending, denying Ozil from close range before blocking at the feet of the charging Francis Coquelin. But Pickford could do nothing to stop Sanchez giving Arsenal the lead on 19 minutes as the home side's poor concentration was punished. OxladeChamberlain burst past Duncan Watmore down the right and curled a cross towards the penalty spot, and Sanchez raced in front of the static Lamine Kone to steer a fine header into the far corner. Defoe was denied an equaliser when Wahbi Khazri was flagged offside before cutting back for the striker to turn home, though Alex Iwobi then almost doubled the lead
with a dipping effort from 20 yards. Pickford did well to snatch an Ozil lob from the air, but Sunderland's task became even tougher when captain John O'Shea - making his 350th Premier League start was forced off with a hamstring injury just before half-time. OxladeChamberlain dragged a poor shot wide on the break for the Gunners, but Sunderland started the second half with greater resolve. Sanchez felt aggrieved not to win a penalty when he went to ground easily after tumbling under pressure from Kone, and just minutes later, Sunderland found themselves level. Shkodran Mustafi misjudged a bouncing ball to allow Watmore to drive into the penalty area, and after the onrushing Cech tripped the 22-year-old with his head, Defoe swept high into the net from the spot with Sunderland's first shot on t a r g e t . A r s e n e We n g e r responded by introducing Giroud, and the 30-year-old wasted little time in making an impact, steering a low leftfooted finish beyond Pickford after Gibbs' clever cross from the left. Giroud glanced Ozil's corner up and over Pickford into the far corner five minutes later, before Sanchez added gloss to the scoreline as he collected a rebound from the returning Aaron Ramsey before turning around Pickford and slotting home. (SportsMax)
PAGE 51
Verratti Rejected Real Madrid For PSG Stay
Marco Verratti continues to be linked with a transfer, but he says he has already snubbed Real Madrid to stay at Paris Saint-Germain. Paris
Saint-Germain midďŹ elder Marco Verratti claims he rejected the chance to join Real Madrid and is happy to stay with the Ligue 1
champions. The Italy international has been linked with a move away from Parc des Princes in recent weeks after a reported bust-up with head c o a c h U n a i E m e r y, following his angry reaction to being substituted in last week's 0-0 draw with Marseille. Verratti's agent, Donati Di Campli, suggested this week that media scrutiny on his client could force him to leave France in favour of a possible return to Serie A, with Juventus and AC Milan rumoured to be interested. However, the 23-year-old insists he is happy with life at
PSG and has already rejected the opportunity to hold talks with Madrid. "It's more than a refusal - I refuse to negotiate with other clubs when I'm happy in my team," he said, as quoted by Le 10 Sport. "I was pleased by the interest, but I decided to stay to win again. "Juventus are on another level in Italy, and they'll win the title, like Bayern Munich in their championship, Manchester City, Real Madrid and us." Verratti played an hour of PSG's 1-0 win away to Lille on Friday, in which Edinson Cavani scored the only goal. (SportsMax)
PAGE 53
Besiktas Lose Talisca To Fractured Metatarsal
A n d e r s o n Ta l i s c a h a s fractured a bone in his foot
and could miss the remainder of Besiktas' Champions
League group stage campaign. On-loan Besiktas midfielder Anderson Talisca is facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines after sustaining a fractured metatarsal. Talisca joined the Super Lig side from Benfica on a temporary deal for the 201617 season, passing up reported interest from Wolves in the second tier of English football. The Brazilian denied his parent club a victory by earning Besiktas a 1-1 draw in the Champions League in September, and repeated the feat against
Genclerbirligi on Friday. Although Talisca stayed on for the entire 90 minutes, examinations have discovered a foot injury that w i l l r e q u i r e s u r g e r y, potentially ruling him out until the new year. A Besiktas statement read: "In the match played against Genclerbirligi, Anderson Talisca sustained a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of the right foot. AndersonTalisca will be operated upon today [Saturday]." (SportsMax)
Kerber Crushes Radwanska To Reach Singapore Final three sets when the pair met on the opening day of the tournament. The opening three games of the match went against serve, Kerber claiming two breaks to Radwanska's one.
Agnieszka Radwanska's hopes of defending her WTA Finals title were swiftly ended on Saturday as Angelique Kerber turned on the style. Angelique Kerber maintained her perfect record at the WTA Finals in emphatic fashion, trouncing defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska to set up a final showdown with Dominika Cibulkova in Singapore. World number one
Kerber was the only player to avoid defeat in the round-robin phase and appeared at the top of her game on Saturday. The Australian and US Open champion proved dominant from the back of the court as she beat Radwanska 6-2 6-1 in an hour and 16 minutes. Kerber and seventh seed Cibulkova will now contest Sunday's final, the German having triumphed in
However, the Pole was soon up against it as her opponent swiftly took charge with a succession of powerful groundstrokes. It was a similar story in the second set, Radwanska again responding to being broken in the first game by immediately drawing level, only f o r K e r b e r t o s u rg e c l e a r thereafter. A seventh break of the Radwanska serve wrapped up victory for the top seed, who will surely take some stopping in the final. S T A T I S T I C A L BREAKDOWN Angelique Kerber [1] beat Agnieszka Radwanska [2] 6-2 61
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS Kerber - 17/23 Radwanska - 18/28 ACES Kerber - 0 Radwanska - 0 BREAK POINTS WON Kerber - 7/13 Radwanska - 2/2 F I R S T S E R V E PERCENTAGE Kerber - 56 Radwanska - 54 PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE Kerber - 56/62 Radwanska - 42/36 TOTAL POINTS Kerber - 65 Radwanska - 44 (SportsMax)
PAGE 54
Zouma Close To Chelsea Comeback
Antonio Conte has revealed that Kurt Zouma will be considered for a first-team
comeback if he gets through another Under-23 game. Kurt Zouma is closing in on
a return to Chelsea's side after eight months out with a serious knee injury. The France defender landed awkwardly during a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge last season, rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Zouma missed Euro 2016 as a result, and is yet to demonstrate his skills to new coach Antonio Conte, but came through 45 minutes for the Blues' Under-23 side this week. And Conte has revealed that
another youth-team outing is scheduled for Zouma on Monday, after which he will be considered for a firstteam return. "Zouma played a game with the Under-23s and the physical answer was good," Conte said. "Now we prefer him to play another game on Monday and if it's all okay he will come back to us. "I am very happy because I can have another central defender and a good central defender, a young one with great potential." (SportsMax)
Woakes Hoping For Repeat Collapse From Bangladesh
Bangladesh lost nine wickets for 49 on Friday and England all-rounder Chris Woakes said: "They'll have that in the back of their heads." Chris Woakes is hoping Bangladesh's dramatic first-innings collapse in Dhaka could play on the mind of the hosts as they seek to set a challenging target for England in the second Test. Another thrilling day of action at the Shere Bangla National Stadium
ended with Bangladesh 128 a h e a d o n 1 5 2 - 3 , Mahmudullah's dismissal at the hands of Zafar Ansari from Saturday's final ball providing a welcome boost for the tourists. Bangladesh had initially taken charge by reducing England to 144-8, only for Woakes (46) and Rashid (44 not out) to respond with a ninth-wicket stand of 99 that enabled their team to reach 244 all out and an unlikely first-
innings lead of 24. Debutant Ansari and Ben Stokes then struck in successive overs to peg the Tigers back after a swift start to their second innings, but Imrul Kayes (59 not out) and Mahmudullah (47) ensured the hosts had their noses in front at stumps, despite the latter throwing his wicket away with an ill-advised sweep. On a pitch that has offered significant turn, England will be aware of the need to claim early wickets on day three. Yet Alastair Cook's men can take heart from the fact Bangladesh were dismissed for 220 on the opening day despite having been 171-1. Woakes told Sky Sports: "They've got a couple of important wickets coming up in Mushfiqur [Rahim], Kayes who is already in and Shakib [Al Hasan]. We saw what happened in the first innings, they'll have that in the back of their heads as well. On the wicket of Mahmudullah, the England all-
rounder added: "I wouldn't have liked to be walking back into the dressing room after playing that shot in the last over of the day. It lifts us in that dressing room. We know we can knock these boys over, particularly if we get them four, five, six down. "Zafar getting two [wickets] was really important for us and a nice way to finish the day for us." Despite batting at nine and 10 in this Test, Woakes and Rashid boast a combined tally of 19 first-class hundreds and provided timely demonstrations of their ability with the bat on Saturday. "It was nice to put on a crucial partnership and get us ahead," added Woakes. "I think the longer you spend at the crease in these conditions, the easier it gets. The plan was just to try to get in, tick over and hopefully they get bored and you put the boundary ball away." (SportsMax)
PAGE 56
Matsuyama Maintains Control In Shanghai
Antonio Conte has revealed that Kurt Zouma will be considered for a first-team comeback if he gets through another
Under-23 game. Kurt Zouma is closing in on a return to Chelsea's side after eight months out with a serious knee injury.
The France defender landed awkwardly during a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge last season, rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Zouma missed Euro 2016 as a result, and is yet to demonstrate his skills to new coach Antonio Conte, but came through 45 minutes for the Blues' Under-23 side this week. And Conte has revealed that another youth-team outing is scheduled for
Zouma on Monday, after which he will be considered for a first-team return. "Zouma played a game with the Under-23s and the physical answer was good," Conte said. "Now we prefer him to play another game on Monday and if it's all okay he will come back to us. "I am very happy because I can have another central defender and a good central defender, a young one with great potential." (SportsMax)
Ronaldo Only Truly Happy When He Scores - Sanchez
H u g o S a n c h e z understands Cristiano Ronaldo's frustration with his lack of goals and still backs the Real Madrid ace to win the Ballon d'Or. Former Real Madrid attacker Hugo Sanchez
believes winning games is not enough for Cristiano Ronaldo to be truly happy as he is only really pleased with a victory if he also scores himself. Ronaldo has been struggling to find his best
form this campaign, scoring just twice in six LaLiga appearances, and he cut a frustrated figure in Madrid's 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao last weekend. Sanchez thinks Ronaldo's hunger for goals is the main reason behind his behaviour, although he still backs the Portugal captain to win the Ballon d'Or following a superb 2016. "Cristiano has the same hunger I had when I still played. He is satisfied when Real Madrid win, but he is only truly happy when Madrid win and he scores," Sanchez was quoted as saying by AS.
"Defenders are getting to know him and how he plays. They are marking him more closely than ever before. "I don't know if that is the reason why he is now prowling in the area more often. But he is not a striker who feels as much at home in the area as he does when he starts from the left. It is complicated to play with your back towards goal. He does not have the characteristics of a real number nine. "But h e r e m a i n s a n extraordinary goalscorer. I would say it is clear he deserves the Ballon d'Or. He has had a spectacular year." (SportsMax)
PAGE 57
Montella Accepts Greater Expectations At Milan
AC Milan are desperate to get going against Pescara on S u n d a y, a s Vi n c e n z o Montella's side look to bounce back from their Genoa thrashing. Vincenzo Montella is happy to work under greater scrutiny at AC Milan, accepting that "expectations have been raised" by his exciting side. Featuring young stars such as Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alessio Romagnoli and Manuel Locatelli, the
Rossoneri have muscled their way into the title picture, the highlight being the 1-0 defeat of Juventus last weekend. However, Montella's men were brought back down to earth with a bump after beating the champions, going down 3-0 at Genoa - a heavy defeat capped by Gabriel Paletta's ludicrous twofooted lunge that resulted in a sending-off. Struggling Pescara are next up for Milan on Sunday and Montella says his players are keen to atone for their midweek horror show. "We are eager to get back on the pitch and prove ourselves," Montella said. "Expectations have been raised and that is something
to be proud of. Perhaps there was more tension when we were preparing for the Sampdoria game with two defeats behind us. "I knew Genoa was going to be difficult, but did not expect to lose, especially like that." Pescara have just one win to their name so far this season, awarded to them after Sassuolo fielded an ineligible player, but Montella is not taking them lightly. "Frankly I have seen many Pescara games, they play excellent football and are very good at playing between the lines," he said. "It's a team that must be faced with the right level of concentration. It’s a delicate
match. "It would be a mistake for us to go into this game already thinking of the next test. We must take it one game at a time and focus entirely on Pescara. "I think Milan's strength this season has been in the players who came off the bench, as they always gave us something extra. Gianluca Lapadula is one of them. The strength of a team is valued on these issues. "I hope Gabriel Paletta won't be too sorely missed during his ban. Giancarlo Gomez is adapting to our style of football and understanding the movements that are completely different from in South America."
Former U.S. Int’l Conor Casey Retires
Columbus Crew SC forward Conor C a s e y, a f o r m e r U n i t e d S t a t e s international, announced Thursday his retirement from football. After starting his professional career in Germany in 2000, the 35-year-old played 10 years for multiple clubs in Major League Soccer. With 71 career goals in 195 MLS games, Casey is tied for 23rd all-time on the scoring list, earning an MLS Cup title with the Colorado Rapids in 2010. “I feel very fortunate today. I've been able to make a life from doing what I love,” he said.“This beautiful game has brought me all over the world, shown me places
and people I would have never seen. From empty training fields to packed stadiums with screaming fans, it has given me back everything I've poured into many times over.” Casey signed with Germany’s Borussia Dortmund in 2000, also going on to play for Hannover 96, Karlsruher SC and FSV Mainz 05, totaling 44 appearances in the 1. Bundesliga and 49 in the 2. Bundesliga. In 2007, he returned to North America after joining Toronto FC. Casey was traded to Colorado on April 19 of that year, where he went on to score 50 goals in 119 matches with the club. Prior to the 2013 campaign, Casey moved to the Philadelphia Union, where he notched his fourth double-digit MLS goalscoring season that year (10 goals). Internationally, Casey won 19 caps for the United States, scoring two goals. He made his senior debut on March 31, 2004, against Poland. On October 10,
2009, he netted two goals at Honduras in a CONCACAF qualifier for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Casey also competed in the 2000 Olympic Games. Casey’s MLS Cup title with the Colorado Rapids came back in 2010, his fourth year with the club. He scored the game-tying goal in the 57th minute of the 2010 MLS Cup against FC Dallas and was named MLS Cup MVP following the match. In 2009, follow ing a career-bes t 16 goal campaign, Casey was named to the MLS Best XI. “I want to congratulate Conor Casey on a long and prosperous career in professional soccer,” said Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. "I have had the pleasure of getting to know Conor and throughout our time together, Conor was a consummate professional, a prolific goal scorer and had a tremendous work ethic that I admired.” (SportsMax)