LOCAL PAGE 2
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
PPP Commissioners Hit Brick Wall At GECOM Commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), representing the interest of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) say they are facing a “brick wall” when it comes to accessing information at the Commission. Bibi Shadick told a news conference at Freedom House today that she along with the other Commissioners have repeatedly asked Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally about the day to day functioning of the Secretariat but never received a response. Shadick further stated that the Commission is responsible for the hiring of all the staff of the secretariat including
polling day staff and therefore the PPP commissioners should have privy to the names on the staff of the agency. “We meet a brick wall every time we ask a question concerning staff at Gecom,”she said. The PPP Commissioners are of the view that the nature of secrecy at GECOM is the reason why people have a high level of distrust for the Commission. Other PPP Commissioners include Robeson Benn and Sase Gunraj. APNU C o m m i s s i o n e r s i n c l u d e Vi n c e n t Alexander, Charles Corbin and Sandra Jones
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
OP-ED THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
OP-ED: Government Failing Miserably At Education Sector
Parents are complaining that their children are not receiving quality education when comparing to previous years. The Ministry of Education has no plans for the development of the all-important sector. The APNU+AFC government was very critical of the PPP government policies on the education system, however, their antiquated approach to the education system such as distributing boots, bus, bicycle, boats etc. is proving to be irrelevant to the interests of the business sector, future development in oil and gas sector, beyond the borders of Guyana, parents and the students themselves. This is contributing to the increasing incidence of violence and indiscipline in schools, the high level of school drop outs and illiteracy. This leaves the parents and students to find solutions to the country’s failing education system and reflects a serious disconnect between the government’s idea of schooling and theirs. The many underprivileged students have not been able to access the schooling opportunities. Many students are underprivileged and are simply not prepared to access the schooling opportunity, and are thus doomed to failure even before they start. Therefore, the APNU+AFC government’s laidback approach to the education system may have a severe negative outcome. What policies does this government have to fix the education system? Has the Ministry of Education recognized there is a growing problem, and if so, when will they implement a plan to fix it? The Ministry of Education and the Government must realize is that this problem is like wild fire, if measures are not put in place early, the entire country will be consumed by
ignorance and corruption. The Government cannot be given any more time to come up with relevant policies to boost the education system, too late shall be the cry. The education Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnarine and those in authority must accept the fact that their approach to education in the 21st century is seriously flawed. The APNU+ AFC government and the Ministry of Education is failing at the true nature and purpose of education in Guyana. There is no national developmental goals and objectives for the future of Guyana’s children in this sector. Education must be seen as the means by which each and every individual can realize their maximum potential in order to make a positive contribution to the advancement of society and a means by which they can eradicate poverty and develop the country. -By- Edward Johnson
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LOCAL PAGE 5
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Guyana Foreign Currency Shortage Failing The Economy on to the consumers adding to price inflation. A
The current shortage of foreign currency in the local banks is creating major problems for businesses in Guyana, especially the importing companies. Due to the lack of availability in foreign currency, many importers have not been able to make purchases from foreign suppliers, such currencies include the most widely traded currencies are the United States dollar, the British pound, and the Canadian dollar. The lack of foreign currency may drive up the prices for imported consumer goods such as food items, personal care, house hold electronics and other major imported items. Manufacturers will also find their cost of production rising due to the increased cost of imported inputs and parts. This increased cost will finally be passed
devaluation would also cause the level of foreign debt to go up. Companies with foreign-exchange loans would be in trouble, and a larger share of the government’s expenses would have to be allocated to servicing its foreign debt. Shortage of Foreign exchange has a number of effects on the economy, which needs to be addressed now if the APNU+AFC government wants to sustain economic growth, low inflation rate, low interest rate and food affordably. Foreign exchange is lifeline to the growth of Guyana’s economy and should always be in full supply if the life of the good economy is to be sustained. A shortage of foreign exchange will also affect areas of the economy such as fuel, fuel drives the economy in many ways. No fuel means no transportation of goods, no production and manufacturing of products, no running of generators in hospital if a patient is in operation room, no long distance travel between points, etc. Fuel shortage is fueling inflation of crucial commodities and services in the country. The health sector is also one of the sectors that is highly affected by foreign exchange shortage. Procurement of drugs need huge forex since they are very expensive. Many patients complained that in most hospitals in Guyana they are only given pain killers because of the lack of drug in the country.
LOCAL PAGE 6
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
PPP Commissioners Awaiting Final Report On General, Local Government Elections Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) Commissioner for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Sase Gunraj told a news conference today that the Commission has not received a report on the May 2015 General and Regional Elections. When asked by the Guyana Daily News, what action the commissioners can take in order to get the results submitted, Mr. Gunraj said that, the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) is contending that as a result of the pending elections petition in the High Court that was filed by Ganga Persaud, producing a report on the May 2015 elections will affect the evidence that is to be tabled in Court. He however noted that it is the statutory duty of
the CEO to produce the report. Mr. Gunraj further stated that Commissioners for the PPP had extensive discussion on the issue and is suggesting that the commission come to a compromise for the courts deduce the evidence of the May 2015 elections report from the case. The Commissioner further stated that the commission is also not in receipt of a financial report from the CEO for the May 2015 General and Regional Elections nor the March 2016 Local Government Elections. He further stressed that with regards to the 2 Local Government Elections, there is absolutely no impediment with the production and release of the final report despite several demands.
GPF Should Review Use Of Firearms In Crowded Area firearms, especially against children. In general, firearms
An exchange of gunfire at the Timehri bus park on Tuesday evening between an unknown suspect and a police officer has left 54 - old - year Jean Rodrigues injured. According to reports, the shootout between the police and the alleged suspect started in High Street and culminated at the bus park where Rodrigues was said to have been shot in the lower back. It is alleged that the police officer has since taken the spotlight off himself by claiming that it was the suspect who shot the woman. However, the family of the woman is contending that it was George (only name given for the officer) who shot Rodrigues. Although an investigation is currently underway into the matter, Acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine today told a section of the media that he is unaware that allegations were made against the police in relation to the bus park shooting incident. He said it warrants an internal investigation. Many have questioned why an officer would open fire in a crowed area even if in pursuit of a criminal suspect. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in the past had to deal with “trigger happy” officers and the allegations come at a time when the GPF is trying to rebuild its tarnished image. Many have questioned the behaviour and conduct of police offers and have long called for the GPF to start observing international practices such as the United Nations’ Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials The UN in its Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials of which Guyana is currently a member of states in Article 3, “Law enforcement officials may use force only when strictly necessary and to the extent required for the performance of their duty.” It explains that “the use of firearms is considered an extreme measure. Every effort should be made to exclude the use of
should not be used except when a suspected offender offers armed resistance or otherwise jeopardizes the lives of others and less extreme measures are not sufficient to restrain or apprehend the suspected offender. In every instance in which a firearm is discharged, a report should be made promptly to the competent authorities.”
LOCAL PAGE 8
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
NCN Boss Continues To Make Pregnant News Anchor Target Practice The saga continues at the state o w n e d N a t i o n a l Communications Network (NCN) Inc. involving its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lennox Cornette and pregnant news anchor Natasha Smith. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had recently instructed Cornette to apologize to Smith after he ordered her removed from anchoring the news due to her pregnancy. Smith was reinstated to read the evening news cast after several calls were made by the Guyana Press Association, Women rights bodies, the Ministry of Social Protection and Nagamootoo. But the NCN boss seems to have his mind made up about Smith and continues to make her his target practice for her appearance. Smith today vented her frustration on social media while in the hospital after delivering her baby four weeks prematurely, about the pressure she faces at the State run entity by the Management led by Cornette over her wardrobe. She indicated in her Facebook status the current state of play,
where the CEO continues to be displeased about the way she dresses for TV and the tightness of her outfit. Smith’s frustration was also vented in a month where the indigenous people are recognized for their contribution to Guyana and Smith being one such professional in the field of journalism. She also blamed the pressures from work for her premature delivery of her baby and signaled her acceptance of being fired for making such a statement out of frustration via Facebook. Smith over the last few weeks has seen support from all corners with her colleague Jocelle Archibald-Hawke who was suspended by Cornette for remarks allegedly to another colleague via facebook. Hawke was suspended for one month without pay until calls were made by the same support vein as Smith with the latest being President David Granger, who thought that there should be a more lenient way to deal with such administrative matter. Hawke remains on suspension and a
decision for her to be paid for the month was made. NCN Inc. offers no alternatives or fashion solution for on-air presenters in the form of allowances et al but keeps its position, high standards and expectations for presenters to look a certain way. Only a presenter’s allowance is paid and is insufficient for outfits to read the news or TV presentations. This was also highlighted by Smith in her Facebook status. Over the last few months, employees of NCN Inc. have been complaining of the treatment and pressures they have been receiving from Management
while carrying out their jobs in a time when jobs are difficult to secure elsewhere. The state owned company has also seen a high volume of resignations from senior managers and junior staff within the last three months. There continues to be a call for the Office of the Prime Minister to intervene in the state of affairs at NCN and for the CEO to be brought in line with what is expected from the organization through its employees. An extract of Smith’s Facebook post is inserted within this article for your information.
LOCAL PAGE 9
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Guyana Press Association Statement On NCN
The Guyana Press Association (GPA) is disturbed by the continuing ludicrous, inhumane and degrading positions and actions being taken by state broadcaster NCN against its employees, particularly Ms Natasha Smith and Mrs Jocelle Archibald-Hawke. By way of review, please consider these facts: 1. At a meeting with the GPA on September 6, 2016, the Chief Executive Officer Mr Lennox Cornette, along with his Human Resources and Programme Managers, vehemently denied that Ms Smith was removed as news anchor because of her pregnancy and gave an undertaking to the GPA that Ms Smith would be reinstated as news anchor. 2. After the meeting with the GPA, the Human Resources Manager apologised to Ms Smith and she was back on air the following day as the news anchor. 3. The minutes of the August 8, 2016 management meeting showed that Ms Smith was indeed removed by the CEO because of her “present condition” and instructed a “tight shot” to “remedy the view.” That decision was communicated to Ms Smith by other managers, who all understood the CEO’s direction to be that a pregnant Natasha Smith could not continue as news anchor. 4. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, on September 7, 2016, stated thus: “From information received and explanations given by the CEO, I am in no doubt that the removal of Ms. Smith was due to her state of pregnancy, and that the act is an attack on her as a woman and as a professional journalist.” 5. The Prime Minister, who has oversight of the state media, advised the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Communications Network (NCN) to tender an unqualified apology to Ms. Natasha Smith for using her pregnancy as reason to remove her temporarily as News Anchor. Mr Cornette issued that apology, expressing regret over the hurt and pain Ms Smith may have experienced. The GPA was satisfied that Ms Smith was returned to anchoring the news. However, the Association was appalled to learn that the management of NCN summoned Ms Smith to a meeting, in the presence of a consultant, namely Mr Abraham Poole, Monday last to again address the issue and to deny that Ms Smith was removed from anchoring the news because of her pregnancy by this time suggesting that her clothing was “too tight.” Further, callously, Ms Smith was asked if she would be willing to retract her statement given the “explanation” she was given. In addition, Ms Smith was being asked to disclose the names of the managers who informed her of the decision of the CEO at the management. We salute Ms Smith for refusing to withdraw her statement of
the events that followed the August 8, 2016 board meeting. The GPA is disgusted that Ms Smith continues to be subjected to this sort of harassment and stress over an issue we thought was over with. The matter has long been ESTABLISHED, as outlined above, that Ms Smith was removed because of her pregnancy and NCN’s latest attempt to resurrect the issue by dragging Ms Smith into the ugly episode she has been enduring for the past two months to seek to exonerate itself is most inexcusable. If NCN wants to do damage control, it would do well by NOT seeking to intimidate and harangue Ms Smith during this crucial time of her pregnancy. Regarding Mrs Archibald-Hawke, the GPA supports her decision not to attend NCN’s management meeting without a representative of the Union. NCN’s statement Wednesday that it was the company’s “compassion” that caused it to review the one-month suspension against Mrs Archibald-Hawke is most unfortunate. NCN should desist from flaunting lofty principles it is failing so miserably at by breach workers’ fundamental rights. NCN can go to the moon and back about why Mrs ArchibaldHawke was suspended; the fact remains that Mrs ArchibaldHawke was suspended SOLELY on the grounds of a post she made on social media against another colleague; NCN should therefore drop the hogwash about her past record. As far as the GPA is aware and NCN’s record could thus prove, Mrs Archibald-Hawke received an excellent performance rating just before she was suspended and received her gratuity in full; it was clear that whatever may have been management’s grouse with her in the past were never considerations for disciplinary action and by suggesting that her suspension had anything to do with her past infractions is disingenuous and an attempt to discredit her character and work, and to drag her through the mud. The GPA maintains that: 1. Mrs Archibald-Hawke was never reprimanded by the company over her comments on social media 2. NO Social Media Policy exists at NCN from which any sanction can be imposed against staff The GPA maintains that the management of NCN is instituting willy-nilly sanctions against employees that are not grounded in any stated management directive or policy. We urge that this practice be discontinued forthwith. Further, the GPA once again hereby issues a call for the intervention of the Chairman and Board of Directors of NCN and the Office of the Prime Minister to look into the operations of NCN. Guyana Press Association Press Release
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Guyana Among 60 Countries To Have Ratified Paris Agreement On Climate Change
New York, United States – (September 21, 2016) President David Granger was the first Head of State to be congratulated this morning by United Nations' Secretary-General Ban Kimoon at a special “High-Level Event on Entry into Force of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change”. The event was convened to specially recognise the deposit of the instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession to the Paris Agreement on climate change by those countries that have already completed that process.
President Granger being congratulated by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Guyana's ratification of the Paris Agreement on climate change
As of today, 60 of the 197 parties to the Convention have ratified that Agreement, which was signed on April 22, this year. With more than 55 countries having formally joined the Paris Agreement, the first of the two required thresholds to bring it into effect has now been crossed. The second threshold will be met when countries representing a total of 55 percent of global emissions officially sign on. So far, that percentage stands at 47.5 percent. President Granger has indicated that Guyana’s ‘green agenda’ is consistent with the Paris Agreement and the country has demonstrated that it is a reliable partner in the fight against the effects of climate change. “Our forests actually help the earth to breathe and in that regard, Guyana is an asset to mother earth,” he said. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged countries that have not yet ratified the Agreement to accelerate their domestic processes. He said, “I am confident that, by the time I leave office, the Paris Agreement will have entered into force.” At COP 21 in Paris, held from November 30 to December 11, 2015, a landmark agreement to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future was reached. One hundred and seventy five countries signed on to that Agreement on April 22 at a signing ceremony in New York. MOTP Press Release
REGIONAL PAGE 12
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Leaked Bahamas Corporate Data Published In Offshore Database By Will Fitzgibbon WASHINGTON, USA -- New revelations published on Wednesday by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung a n d n e w s organizations from Europe, South America, Asia and Africa reveal fresh information about offshore companies in The Bahamas. Alongside detailed reporting, ICIJ, Süddeutsche Zeitung and other media partners are making details from The Bahamas corporate registry available to the public. This creates, for the first time, a free, online and publiclysearchable database of offshore companies set up in the island nation that has sometimes been called “The Switzerland of the West.” “We see it as a service to the public to make this basic kind of information openly available,” said Gerard Ryle, the director of ICIJ. “There is much evidence to suggest that where you have secrecy in the offshore world you have the potential for wrong doing. So let's eliminate the secrecy.” The cache of documents from the island nation’s corporate registry provides names of directors and some owners of
more than 175,000 Bahamian companies, trusts and foundations registered between 1990 and early 2016. The leaked Bahamian files reveal details of the offshore activities of prime ministers, ministers, princes and convicted felons. Those whose names and offshore links are being revealed for the first time include Neelie Kroes, a former European Union commissioner for competition policy. Kroes confirmed her former directorship of the Bahamian company, Mint Holdings Limited, but said she did not declare her role because the company never became operational. In The Bahamas, company documents can be consulted in person. While the online registry is designed to serve a similar purpose, the
electronic registry information maintained by the Bahamian government is often incomplete. In addition, retrieving one company’s documents will cost at least $10, in conflict with the recommendation of the international association of company registries, which discourages search fees. Jason Sharman, who coauthored a survey of information from 40 corporate registers around the world, said the names of offshore company directors is basic information that should be easily accessible to the public. This information has been combined with data from the Panama Papers and other leaked offshore documents to add additional heft to one of the largest public databases of offshore
entities in history. The Offshore Leaks Database now contains information on close to 500,000 entities linked to 200 countries and territories. The full dataset is searchable and embeddable via ICIJ's online application – visit the dedicated Offshore Leaks database website for more information about the data, tips on how to search and instructions for downloading a raw copy of the database. (Caribbean News Now!)
REGIONAL PAGE 14
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
LBGT Activist Calls On UK To End Discrimination In The Cayman Islands
GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (CNS) -- A representative from Colours Cayman, the only organisation in the Cayman Islands campaigning for equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community has called on the UK to end the inequity, discrimination and mounting hostility against them. Billie Bryan, who founded the grassroots organisation, is urging the territory’s Governor Helen Kilpatrick to help pave the way for a legal framework providing rights for LGBT people and for the registration of same-sex relationships. Given the absence of local political support, the activist is asking the British to make an order in council to legitimise same-sex unions. With the mounting hostility and the almost total political discrimination against the gay community, Bryan wants the UK to step in and protect their rights and to ensure that the “power of the church” locally is no longer allowed to fuel the discrimination, which, she said, is such that “no politician” has dared to challenge the “legally enforced discrimination that LGBTQ people suffer in the Cayman Islands”. Bryan pointed out that, while the current premier has asked people to be fair and stop the intolerance, he has nevertheless made it quite clear he will not be introducing any rights for the LGBT people to enjoy a family life like other members of the wider community, even though this is contrary to the Cayman Islands constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. Premier Alden McLaughlin is also refusing to introduce any legal framework that would accommodate even the registration of samesex relationships. The LGBT community also has little hope of redress through the courts. With a lack of options, Bryan is seeking the help of the governor and Britain’s overseas territories minister. She has asked to meet Baroness Joyce Anelay, who is visiting Cayman next month and who has been open about her committed support for equity for the LGBT community everywhere in the world. However, when government released details of her visit, there was no indication that Bryan or any other Colours Cayman representative will be allowed to talk to someone who could change the unfair and inequitable treatment and stop the very public discrimination
Members of Colours Cayman in peaceful protest against discrimination of the LGBT community
currently suffered by this community. If the local LGBT community could find the money to challenge the issue in the courts, the outcome, given legal precedent elsewhere, would likely be in their favour. However, the ruling of the court would be limited to a statement of incompatibility with the constitution and would still require the legislators to act. From the 18 members currently elected to parliament, financial services minister Wayne Panton is the only MLA who has offered his support to the gay community and backed the ultimate introduction of a legal framework for same-sex unions. The recent blatant discrimination and intolerance towards the LGBT community, which is being described as an ‘alternative lifestyle’ by those who oppose their right to their own sexuality, also makes a court case very challenging. Bryan said many members of the community have “a real, legitimate fear of losing jobs and being expelled from family and society” if they were to take such public action, especially as there are no laws to protect them. Concerned that almost all legislators have committed to preventing LGBTs ever achieving equality and that the current administration has ignored requests to address the concerns highlighted by the Human Rights Commission, the only course is for the community is to petition the UK to impose some form of legal framework by an order in council. “The LGBTQ people of the Cayman Islands are a minority to which the majority has made its quest to discriminate by legally oppressing and segregating, while the Cayman Islands’ leaders have collectively said ‘no’ to its LGBTQ people. There is nothing within our power to legally change this,” Bryan has said in an open letter to the governor. “It has left no room for the UK not to take action, otherwise it will ultimately be held accountable and face consequences for failing to ensure compliance by the Cayman Islands of its obligations under the European Convention.” Bryan raises the fact that the UK has intervened in many local issues, including ones relating to fiscal prudence and the financial services sector. She said that human rights “should, at the very least, be afforded equal importance” as fiscal concerns. As the LGBT community is wholly disfranchised from the political system, without any hope of making a difference in any elections, Bryan has clearly pointed out the lack of options and asked for either the Equal Marriage Act, 2013 to be extended to the Cayman Islands or at least the Civil Partnership Act, 2004. Although the governor has appeared sympathetic to the cause and her daughter has led a number of initiatives via the local law school to elevate the debate about the rights of gay and lesbian people in the Cayman Islands, the governor has made no comment about the introduction of sanctioned same-sex unions. When Grant Shapps stood-in for the former overseas territories minister, James Dudderidge, on a visit to Cayman in 2015, he said that the issue of same-sex unions was a matter for the local government, though he pointed out that the UK does not support discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. However, Baroness Anelay has proved to be more of an advocate for human rights than her former ministerial colleague. She has advocated to defend LGBT rights and supported civil society organisations in other parts of the Caribbean. (Caribbean News Now!)
REGIONAL PAGE 15
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Bahamas AG Stopped Sandals Prosecution On Same Day As Controversial Redundancies
By Artesia Davis Nassau Guardian Senior Reporter NASSAU, Bahamas -- The Bahamas attorney general stopped a private prosecution against the top management of Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort on August 15, the same day the property made 600 jobs redundant, it was revealed on Tuesday. Trade Union Congress president Obie Ferguson said it’s no coincidence. “Obviously from August 15 this nolle prosequi was signed and on August 15 all 600 workers were terminated,” Ferguson told The Nassau Guardian. The dismissals came five days after Sandals general manager Gary Williams and financial controller Ronnie Mirza were arraigned on a private prosecution on allegations that they failed or refused to enter into contract negotiations with the Bahamas Hotel Maintenance and Allied Workers Union (BHMAWU) during the period of November Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson 16, 2015 through July 12, 2016. Williams and on the 15th, and these people were fired on the 15th, and if they met Mirza were accused of intimidating three workers and union officials and firing them unlawfully. BHMAWU with us and they never disclosed to us what they did, that speaks assistant treasurer Santino Higgs, assistant general secretary Latoya volumes.” Asked if the timing of both events could be merely a coincidence, Ferguson said, “It can’t be coincidence. They knew Archer and secretary general Rhonda Huyler were fired on July 20. Although Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson directed the people were going to be fired that morning.” (Caribbean News Now!) criminal case stopped more than a month ago, Ferguson said he just became aware of this on Monday. Ferguson said he remained in the dark about the AG’s position, despite holding two meetings with her subsequent to the redundancies. He said he met with Prime Minister Perry Christie on three occasions. Ferguson said he was assured that both officials were “trying to find a resolution to the matter”. “They should have mentioned to us from August 15, they had already signed off on the nolle prosequi. They should have indicated to us that they intended to discontinue that,” he said. “What is sad is that the Bahamian workers who were charged, their matter is going on. So why wouldn’t the government nolle it? On October 23 they have to be in court. Is The Bahamas for Bahamians or what?” Ferguson was referring to the obstruction case of Omar Bernard, 51; Dwayne Frazer, 44; and the three complainants in the private prosecution. They are accused of blocking access to the resort during a protest on July 15. Although attorney Murrio Ducille, who acted as the prosecutor in the criminal case, said that the matter could be refiled, Ferguson said, “It doesn’t make sense.” “The government controls prosecutions. Even if we bring it back again, we have no control of it,” he said. “We’d just be running around in circles, and as I’ve now discovered that’s what we’ve been doing since the 15th.” “The united labour movement will be taking a position on this matter to bring it to some resolution,” Ferguson said. “We have done what I think any responsible body ought to have done; that is to deal with the government up front, but it’s quite obvious that if the AG signed off
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REGIONAL PAGE 17
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
St Kitts-Nevis Government Updates Private Sector And Civic Partners On Presence Of RSS Troops
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (SKNIS) -- Leaders from the private sector and civil society in St Kitts and Nevis met with senior government officials headed by Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris on Tuesday to receive an update on ongoing measures to enhance public safety. Deputy Prime Minister Shawn Richards; premier of Nevis, Vance Amory and Attorney General Vincent Byron Jr.; along with the Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley and Commander of the St Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF), Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Wallace, met Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris at the head of table (right) chaired with representatives from the the meeting between government and private partners. SKNIS Photo Chamber of Industry and in Nevis,” he stated, repeating the calls by the public to seek Commerce, the Hotel and Tourism Association, the assistance from Scotland Yard in the United Kingdom or the Evangelical Association, the Contractors’ Association and the Federal Bureau of Investigations in the United States. Institute of Chartered Accountants. The recent addition of security personnel from the Regional “Poor security is a threat to prosperity and that is something that Security System (RSS) to buttress local security operations was we cannot continue to allow to happen,” he noted. Amory added the primary topic. Harris said the request for RSS assistance to that the Cabinet had a lot of serious discussions on the decision curb crime represents a serious commitment by his government to seek RSS assistance but in the end was focused on improving to reduce antisocial activities. “We are taking a stand on behalf the security situation. He said that there is distrust by some in of the country and I feel assured that we’ll have the full backing the public, who feel that information relayed to local law of every right thinking person in the country,” he said, enforcement on criminal matters will not remain confidential. dismissing criticisms in some quarters that the move is The use of RSS personnel should therefore help increase excessive. intelligence gathering and enhance another avenue to reduce Harris, who holds the ministerial portfolio for national security, crime he stated. (Caribbean News Now!) stated that the addition of the RSS troops will provide relief for local officers who have been working extremely hard so that they can “renew their strength.” He told the business and civic leaders, “You have met with the police and each time you ask about sustainability you hear the issue of manpower. When we asked Colonel [Wallace] to put on special operations … there was a question of manpower.” To free up soldiers to carry out some of the special duties, Harris said civilians were assigned to do the chores at the SKNDF Base at Camp Springfield that are usually performed by the men and women of the ranks. Meanwhile, Amory reassured the private sector officials that the measure does not signal any emergency plans, but rather is a response to public concerns for the government to heighten its response to criminal elements. “What that is doing for us is responding to the cries of the people. I have had to deal with that
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Poll Shows That 90pct Of Voters In Curacao Believe Their Vote Doesn't Make A Difference
By Josefina Josepha Caribbean News Now Curacao correspondent WILLEMSTAD, Curacao -- The independent polling research for the 2016 Curacao general election conducted by Caribbean News Now indicates that almost 90 percent of those surveyed believe that their vote would not make a difference, compared to nine percent who believe it would. The question of whether the voters feel that the political race is fixed, and has a fixed outcome was neither asked nor suggested. But it leads to the belief that there might be a low voter turn-out on election day 2016 in Curacao, if everything goes as predicted. The survey also showed that there is a very small percentage differential for the four leading political parties, sufficient to fall within the margin of error, which is an example of how close the 2016 election is predicted to be according to the polling research and the data gathered. The research was conducted over three days of gathering information and covered the areas of Banda Ariba, Central Curacao and Banda Abou; respectively 22.48%, 44.96% and 32.56%, and via three methods of collecting the data, namely in vivo, via mobile and mobile app, and online questionnaire forms. The results also illustrated that approximately 61 percent were in favour of allowing all parties that participated in the primary selection days of August 20 and 21 to participate in the national general election of September 30. In addition, approximately
71 percent of the sample said they did not trust the political parties that are running in the national general election, compared to 12 percent who said they did trust the political parties and 16 percent who were undecided. It is believed from trends that in the face of a low voter turn-out, a combination of KDNT-MFK-MPAS could potentially get greater than 44 percent of the votes to be cast in the general election, but that depends on: • A "quiet" Democratic Party, not bringing issues to the forefront of the public eyes; • The Movementu Progressivo political party being passive and not nullifying or putting their "Schottetje" on the backbench, the far backbench; • UKH becoming more assertive and critical of the difference between their leader and the other parliamentarians of SVC-2 and that UKH realizes that neither the LGBT nor the youth vote may be in their favour. The major concerns that the voters surveyed expressed: I. That by an overwhelmingly majority of 64 percent they wanted a number of major problems resolved in the order of (1) the economy; (2) Wiels’ death and then a virtual tie between (3.1) the national debt and (3.2) unemployment.
II. The other roughly 18 percent were "Other responses" that were individually expressed and written in by the voter. However, this seemed only to be evident when there was a completely sense of anonymity – for example, when a voter is in the voting booth. When the sample was able to answer in complete anonymity a large majority of the "Other response" were categorized accordingly: "Put Schotte in Jail" - 44% of Other Responses "Cut Parliamentarians Salary" - 17% of Other Responses "Get Rid of Alex Rosaria" - 13% of Other Responses "Get Rid of Navarro" - 13% of Other Responses "Remove Whiteman and Wiels" - 5% of Other Responses "Dishonest Parliamentarians" - 4% of Other Responses "Remove the Dutch Judges from the Curasaleno Courts" - 4% of Other Responses III. The remaining 18 percent of the concerns of the sampling were split between the following stated responses in descending order of value: - Crime - Education - Healthcare and pensions - Equal for everyone - Terrorism. (Caribbean News Now!)
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Broadcasting Authority To Launch Investigation Into Corrupt Directors
Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) Leonard Craig said allegations of corruption against board members Anthony Vieira and Victor Insanally will be fully investigated. In the Wednesday edition of Kaieteur News it was reported that a broadcaster in Essequibo is claiming that two members of the GNBA Board tried to force him to sell his operation to a prominent businessman. Mr. Craig via a press release said that following rounds of meetings which were held so that unregulated cable operators can arrive at a negotiated settlement only with respect to payment of fees up to the end of 2016, one Cable Broadcaster, Mr. Kenwin Charles of Northwest TV Inc. asked to meet with him to highlight several concerns. At that meeting he made a complaint essentially accusing Mr. Anthony Vieira and Mr. Victor Insanally of trying to improperly force him out of doing business on the Essequibo Coast where he had made significant capital investments. Craig said if the allegations can be substantiated, it will constitute a major blow to the integrity of the members concerned. “I will carry out a complete investigation of the facts relating to matters raised by Mr. Charles, I will review the reports of the meetings, elicit a response from the members concerned and will release an official statement in the coming days,” he said. Mr. Craig stated that Mr. Charles indicated to him that he met with the Prime Minister where a similar complaint was lodged. In the article Kaieteur News reported that the Director of Public Information, Imran Khan revealed that a broadcaster had a meeting with them and communicated that there were some issues he had with regards to the functioning of the GNBA and specifically the actions of some members of the Board and that the Prime Minister’s Office is currently reviewing the complaint. Addressing claims made by the newspaper that he and Mr. Vieira do not get along, and because of this works of the board has been hampered, Craig, while not fully denying all the claims said however, “I wish to strongly deny the statement appearing in the Kaieteur News dated Wednesday September 21, 2016 that “Craig and Anthony Vieira - the two main members who seem to despise each other…” as being very
suggestive of my unwillingness to work with Mr. Anthony Vieira.” Craig said that despite Mr. Vieira “abusive” and “obstructionists” views towards him he has always excised restraint and patience. “I have displayed extreme restraint and immeasurable patience and have continually pledged to work with him and all other members of the Board to achieve the best objectives and ensure Public Interest is served,” he said. The chairman went on to say “On the question of the slothfulness of the Board I wish to admit that our work is not as advanced as I had envisaged it should have been at this juncture. This is attributable to the fact that when we assumed office the Authority was a far cry from what a regulator of this nature should be. As much as there was a regulator in place the Broadcasting landscape remained largely unregulated, weak administrative and compliance structures existed. As such, through its various committees we set out to build an Authority literally from scratch.” Craig concluded by saying he is working hard to guide the Board in the direction of reviewing all existing licences and grant new ones in time for January 2017.
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Regional Stakeholders Discuss Caribbean Coastal Zone Issues
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- Countries Participants during the conference from left to right: Karima in the Caribbean need to find new, Degia, Baird & Associates; Elizabeth Riley, Caribbean efficient and sustainable approaches to Disaster Emergency Management Agency; Pearline George, manage their terrestrial and marine Conservation and Fisheries Department, British Virgin Islands resources. Daniel Best, director, projects at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), made this recommendation, noting that these approaches must also prevent further degradation of these resources. He was speaking at the opening of the first Biennial Caribbean Coastal Conference held at CDB’s headquarters in Barbados on September 14-15, 2016. Best told participants that this initial dialogue on the coastal agenda in the Caribbean should lay the groundwork for galvanizing action, improving policy and guiding management of this critical resource. “More than 60% of our region’s population live in coastal areas and almost all of the region’s main urban centres, critical explored hot-button topics, including: the characteristics and infrastructure such as ports and transportation corridors, are economics of coastal resources; regulating and managing the located less than one kilometre from the coast. “Our coastal coastal zone; underused and overlooked critical tools for environments not only provide these socio-economic services sustainable coastal management; and climate change but also important ecological services to which we hardly give implications and solutions. Perspectives shared during the serious consideration: storm protection, erosion control, conference will lead to the preparation of an indicative roadmap freshwater storage and retention, nutrient recycling and for addressing critical coastal zone issues, particularly concerns regarding building resilience to climate vulnerability and atmospheric and climate control,” he said. change in the Caribbean. (Caribbean News Now!) In the Caribbean, there has been increasing conflict around the use of coastal space. Growing environmental challenges also pose a threat to the sustainable use of these resources. Best notes that while climate change and climate variability are expected to further exacerbate these already complex coastal management issues, efforts have to be made to address the situation. “This is no easy task. It requires a number of key actions: applying crosssectoral approaches to policy and management; the development of national and local plans appropriate for local conditions and circumstances to prevent damage and restore infrastructure where it occurs; the development of tools and guidance resources; and capturing, archiving and giving stakeholders access to a range of data and information needs,” he said. The two-day conference on the advancement of the coastal agenda was organized in collaboration with Caribbean coastal engineering company, Smith Warner International Ltd. Nineteen representatives from CDB’s borrowing member countries
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
St Kitts-Nevis And Germany Ratify Agreement On Exchange Of Tax Information
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (SKNIS) -- On its 33rd anniversary of independence on September 19, 2016, St Kitts and Nevis signed the instrument of ratification with Germany on assistance in civil and criminal tax matters through exchange of information. Prime minister Dr Timothy Harris, said that St Kitts and Nevis appreciates signing the instrument of ratification because it is a responsible member of the international community that believes in accountability, transparency and good governance with other member states. He said that in an era where issues such as correspondent banking is a topical subject, putting in place this necessary instrument of ratification becomes even more significant. Signing on behalf of Germany, Ambassador Lutz H. Görgens thanked the government of St Kitts and Nevis for its cooperation in signing the instrument, while emphasizing its importance in today’s world. The agreement was negotiated between the governments of St Kitts and Nevis and Germany and laid in the National Assembly of St Kitts and Nevis on August 18, 2014. (Caribbean News Now!)
Massive Protest Of Bus Drivers Creates Chaos In Caracas Hundreds of bus drivers gathered in the main avenues and Public transportation has become one of the main targets for highways of Caracas Wednesday to demand an increase in the rates paid for public transportation. This request is a desperate measure to alleviate the lack of replacement parts for their vehicles, and a way to avoid the continuous attack of criminals. Violence in Venezuela has been rapidly increasing, parallel to the deterioration of the country’s economy.
public assaults, due to civilians being more vulnerable in an enclosed space becoming an easy ‘pray’ for vicious criminals. According to BBC. EL Mundo, the massive protest exploded after the National Electoral Council (CNE) announced that in case the Revocatory Referendum needed to be implemented against President Nicolas Maduro’s mandate, the validation of this document wouldn’t be official until next year.
Streets in Caracas were blocked by striking driverso(AFP) (BBC/File Photo)
The National Transport Federation (FNT) reported that around 100,000 busses were inactive in the country for a period of 8 hours. The protest was interrupted after government officials and drivers ‘entered a round of negotiations’ that will last until Thursday coming. Bus drivers however pointed that if the government don’t answers their demands, the protest will be repeated. It is reported that the Democratic Round Table (MUD) is arranging a set of public demonstrations against the CNE’s decision. S o u r c e : http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticiasamerica-latina-37438581
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Gang Leader Erects Barricade At Hell Yard
A “mystery” iron barricade has been erected across the public road at HellYard, Beetham Gardens, and senior police officers have seemingly reached a dead end in finding out who is responsible for constructing it. Once the person responsible is located,he or she will have to give answers,Snr Supt of the Porto f - S p a i n Division,McDonald Jacob, said yesterday.When the T&T Guardian went intothe area yesterday, the barricade, paintedin black and white, The illegal barricade which was erected at Hell Yard, Beetham, was fixed acrossthe road, that is engaging the attention of police. (Source: guardian.co.tt) which is located north of HellYard and parallel with aretrying to find out is who put that “No, because if the applicationwas made the Priority BusRoute. Residing beyond barricadethere because we want to get to Town and Country thenit would have to the barricade is saidto be one of itdown. That is the public road. come to the buildinginspector for the Beetham’s notorious gangleaders and We aretrying to see if anybody authorised region and he saidthat he is not aware of it rumours have it that he isthe one allegedly it,”Jacob said. Asked if the San either.” Asked if it could be a move by responsible for erectingthe barricade. Juan/LaventilleRegional Corporation residents for protection, Lambkin said A police officer assigned to the Portof- (SLRC) was contactedabout it, Jacob said that while they understand people may Spain Division said they too hadheard the yes. He saidalso contacted councillor feeling secure and would try to protect rumours and added it waspossible the Franz“Delamo” Lambkin but admitted t h e m s e l v e s , t h e y ( t h e r e l e v a n t barricade was put there totransform that thatthey were yet to get real answers.“We authorities)could not allow anyone to particular area to a“gated community” in were told that it was not thecorporation take the law of the land into their own a bid to keep“outsiders” from entering. and that it could be someonefrom Town hands, because the road was a public one. “We, the police, can pass but if astrange and Country but whenwe checked we He said anyone responsible for the road’s car enters the area those vehiclesare not were told that they arenot aware of any obstruction could be charged. (Antigua allowed to enter. “There are residents who permission beinggiven. Observer) are stationedaround to monitor people But still we are still trying to findout comingin and going out of the area,” because we cannot just go in anddemolish theofficer said. it, especially if someone A resident who lives close to wherethe gaveauthorisation. If someone did they b a r r i c a d e i s l o c a t e d t o l d t h e willhave to give some answers,” Jacob T&TGuardian, under condition of said.Lambkin yesterday confirmed anonymity,that it was erected by one thepolice had enquired about the resident(the notorious gang leader) in a barricade. He also admitted no official bid tobring control and his “own law permissionwas granted to anyone to erect andorder.” Contacted on this Jacob the barricade. He said in order for confirmedthat the T&T Police Service someone to havea closed community was currentlydoing inquiries surrounding there must beownership of the land by the thebarricade.“So far, what we were told principlesintended and an application was thatthe concrete wall that was erected must thenbe made to Town and Country wasdone so by the Government and it forapproval. wasdone by a contractor but what we Asked if that was done, Lambkinreplied:
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
T&T Water Supply Under Threat
Source: guardian.co.tt The water supply throughout T&T is now under threat after 75 per cent of the Water and S e w e r a g e A u t h o r i t y ’s (WASA) water treatment plants were shut down last night. The state-owned company is now being told to get its house in order. At about 9.30 last night, approximately 75 per cent of WASA’s water treatment plants were shut down by workers led by Public Services Association president Watson Duke. The workers, numbering close to 80, gathered outside WASA’s public education centre at Farm Road, St Joseph, soon after their action. Shortly after 10 pm, a “crisis talks” meeting was called with WASA chairman, Romney Thomas, chief executive officer Alan PoonKing, other executive members and members of the board of directors. That meeting lasted until 24 minutes past midnight and the workers were seen walking out of the building with Duke after its completion. Some workers complained that they were threatened by their respective supervisors that they pay for last night would be withheld as a result of their action. However, the workers said it was the least of their concern, as serious health and safety matters need to be addressed urgently by the company. Speaking with the T&T Guardian shortly after he emerged from the meeting, Duke said WASA has been
neglecting its workers for months. “Tonight (last night) the union met the management in a crisis talks in an effort to work with management to keep WASA afloat because of months of neglect by the management to the workers, in so far as providing requisite protective clothing and endangering the lives of the workers by neglect,” Duke said. He assured Thomas that the union is willing to work with him to “get WASA back up and running.” “WASA has shut itself down. It has nothing to do with the workers and the union, it has everything to do with the management,” Duke said. “They have failed to supply the workers with the adequate clothing and devices to protect their health. People are dying on the job and persons are being pursued on the job by strange people. This is too much for
the workers to bear.” He reiterated that “the union is here to work with the management to get WASA up and running so as to provide a r eliab le p o r tab le w at er supply to the nation and it has nothing to do with workers, everything to do with management and their neglect and incompetence.” Duke and the workers are expected to return this morning (Thursday) for further talks with WASA’s
executive to see how best the situation can be resolved in quick time. After the workers dispersed last night, WASA’s executive remained in a closed-door meeting until 1.20 am. Approached by the T&T Guardian afterwards, Poon-King only assured that the country’s water supply would not be affected and added that he will make a further comment on the issue later today (Thursday) (Antigua Observer)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Beware Of Emails On Motor Vehicle Auction — Ja Customs must be paid directly at the Jamaica which is not sold at that auction is put up
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Scammers are allegedly scouting for targets through an email advising of a motor vehicle auction by the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA). The perpetrators, according to JCA, are purporting that the email is from CEO/Commissioner of Customs Major (Ret’d) Richard Reese, and bears the email address reeserr4@gmail.com. “The email contains information about 2014 vehicles in showroom conditions to include payment information, deadlines for payment and processing of paperwork, and a bank account number,” JCA said in a release. Reese informed that all Public Auctions are advertised in the newspapers 30 days prior to the date of the auction sale and all payments – cash or managers’ cheque
Customs Agency Cashier on the day of the auction. All cheques must also be written in the name ‘Collector of Customs’. He further indicated that at no time should people make payments to anyone or entity, outside of these accepted payment channels. Additionally, the agency or the commissioner will at no time use an email to communicate to anyone or the public regarding auction sales, JCA added. The commissioner further advised that the JCA will not sell any item or good, outside of the guidelines that are laid out in the Customs Act and its regulations. He further informed that any item placed on auction, such as a motor vehicle,
for resale by the JCA, at a subsequent auction. “All persons wishing to participate in an auction must register through the JCA. Registration takes place at the Queen’s Warehouse - 230 Spanish Town Road; Queen’s Warehouse - Norman Manley International Airport; and Queen’s Warehouse - Sangster International Airport (SIA); Monday – Friday between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. Registration of bidders closes at 3:00 pm on the day prior to an auction. “All motor vehicles are sold through a competitive bidding process and no individual Bidder is accorded special treatment,” JCA explained. (Jamaica Observer)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Syria Conflict: Warplanes Set Rebel-Held Aleppo Ablaze convoy on Thursday into Muadhamiya, a Mashariqa.
Rebel-held areas of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo saw the heaviest air strikes in months overnight, activists say, as a week-old truce collapsed. An AFP news agency journalist reported that his entire street in the Bustan al-Qasr district was left burning after warplanes dropped incendiary bombs. At least seven people, including three children, are believed to have died. Fighting also erupted in the southern district, where rebels are attempting to break a siege by government forces. Aleppo, once Syria's commercial and industrial hub, has been divided roughly in two since 2012, with the government controlling the west and rebels the east. Two million people are caught up in the battle for the city, and getting aid to them had been a key part of the cessation of hostilities deal brokered by the United States and Russia. However, no deliveries have taken place so far. A deadly attack on an aid convoy and Syrian Arab Red Crescent warehouse outside Aleppo on Monday, for which Washington and Moscow have blamed each other, prompted the UN to temporarily suspend deliveries across the country. But a spokesman said it was sending a
suburb of the capital, Damascus, where some 40,000 people are living under siege. A tweet from the UN's Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs for Syria later confirmed the convoy was entering the suburb. The spokesman hoped the UN could reach Aleppo "in the near future". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Thursday that 14 air strikes had hit Aleppo's rebel-held southern Bustan alQasr district and neighbouring Kallasa, leading to "massive fires", amid clashes between rebel and troops. The UK-based monitoring group's director, Rami Abdul Rahman, described them as "the most intense strikes in months" on the two areas and said they had left seven people dead, including three women and three children. The Aleppo Media Centre said the fires were caused by "incendiary phosphorus bombs". Video footage posted by it and another pro-opposition activist group, Thiqa, showed intense blazes lighting up the night sky. The Syrian Observatory said the Amariya, Old City and Project 1070 areas also came under aerial attack, while rebel shells fell on governmentcontrolled Bustan al-Zahra and
Russia and the US, which support Syria's government and opposition respectively, are attempting to revive the cessation of hostilities and will co-chair a meeting of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) in New York later on Thursday. But the prospects for progress are thin, says the BBC's James Longman in Beirut. In an address to the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that there would be "no more unilateral pauses" by Syrian government forces. US Secretary of State John Kerry meanwhile called for all military aircraft in Syria to be grounded in the wake of the aid convoy attack. US officials told the BBC on Tuesday that their information clearly indicated that it was an air strike, and that two Russian Su-24 ground attack aircraft were in the sky above the convoy at the precise moment it came under fire. Russian officials have vigorously denied the allegation and said that a US Predator drone was flying above the area at the time. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad also defended his key ally on Thursday, insisting that whatever American officials said "had no credibility" and were "just lies". In an interview with the Associated Press, he also said an air strike by the USled coalition against socalled Islamic State in the eastern city of Deir al-Zour on Saturday, which killed dozens of Syrian soldiers, was "definitely intentional". "It wasn't an accident by one airplane," he said. "It was four airplanes that kept attacking the position of the Syrian troops for nearly one hour, or a little bit more than one hour. You don't commit a mistake for more than one hour." (BBC)
Video from the pro-opposition Thiqa news agency showed a blaze lighting up the night sky(THIQA AGENCY)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Egypt Migrant Boat Capsize: Hundreds Feared Dead Survivors from a boat which capsized off the Egyptian coast on Wednesday have told the BBC that hundreds of people may have drowned. The boat was carrying about 550 migrants when it capsized eight miles (12km) off the coast, they say. Authorities have rescued 163 people and recovered 42 bodies so far off the port city of Rosetta. Four crew members have been arrested in connection with incident, Egyptian officials said. They are suspected of involuntary manslaughter and human trafficking, judicial officials were reported as saying. The incident came after the EU's border agency warned that increasing numbers of Europe-bound migrants are using Egypt as a departure point. The UN says that more than 10,000 people have died crossing the Mediterranean towards Europe since 2014. The boat was kept off the coast for five days as more and more migrants were brought on board, survivors told the BBC's Orla Guerin in Rosetta. Just over 100 of those rescued were Egyptians. Migrants were charged extra if they wanted to wear life jackets, she reports. The boat is said to have capsized after a final group of some 150 people were crammed on board. Authorities have been accused of failing to send help fast enough. "Anyone who was saved here, was saved by the local fishing boats,"
fisherman Abdelrahman Al-Mohamady told the Reuters news agency. The victims so far include one child, 10 women and 31 young men, an official in Rosetta told AFP. The boat was transporting Egyptian, Syrian, Sudanese, Eritrean and Somali migrants. Many survivors are now being held in police custody. Rescuers are focusing their efforts on the boat's cold storage room, where it is believed around 100 people took refuge during the capsize. Some teenage Egyptian survivors, huddled together in the basement of a police station, told the BBC they were trying to reach Italy to find work. The Egypt office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) say high birth rates and few job opportunities are pushing young Egyptians into taking the risk of a dangerous sea voyage. Authorities say Egyptians in police custody will soon be released but foreign nationals will be held for a few days for questioning as to how they entered the country. Human rights researchers warned last month of a "devastating" lack of information for families of migrants thought to have drowned in the Mediterranean, IOM figures, released in July, suggest 2016 could become the worst year to date for migrant deaths. It said about 3,000 migrants and refugees
Rescue efforts continue as migrants wait for missing relatives(REUTERS)
had lost their lives so far this year trying to cross the Mediterranean. EU border agency Frontex says more than 12,000 migrants arrived in Italy from Egypt between January and September, compared with 7,000 over the same period in 2015. It says Egypt is the "new hotspot" for people smugglers, with concerns that its population of about 80 million people may pose a major problem should it descend into chaos. Frontex director Fabrice Leggeri said that work was being done to determine whether there was a link between the drop in numbers departing from Turkey - where only about 50 people a day are trying to make the journey to reach Greece compared to thousands this time last year - and the increase in numbers from Egypt. However, officials say Libya still remains the biggest departure point with flows at around the same level this year as last year. (BBC)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
US Boy Offers HomeFacebook. To Syrian Refugee In Letter To Obama "Dear President Obama, many users applauded the president's
A six-year-old American boy's letter to Barack Obama, offering a place in his family to a Syrian refugee, has gone viral. Alex, from New York, wrote the letter after seeing the photograph of bloodied and dazed Omran Daqneesh, which prompted outrage around the world. Mr Obama said the letter was from a child "who hasn't learned to be cynical, or suspicious, or fearful". The video has been shared more than 60,000 times on
Six-year-old Alex wrote to Barack Obama, offering a place in his family to the Syrian refugee Omran Daqneesh
remember the boy who was picked up by the ambulance in Syria?" Alex wrote in a letter published by the White House. "Can you please go get him and bring him to our home ... we'll be waiting for you guys with flags flowers and balloons. We will give him a family and he will be our brother." Mr Obama quoted Alex's words at a United Nations summit on the refugee crisis this week, before the White House recorded Alex reading them h i m s e l f . " We should all be more lik e A lex , " th e President wrote. "Imagine what the world would look like if we were. Imagine the suffering we could ease and the lives we could save." On social media,
approach - but reserved most of their praise for young Alex. "A six year old who has more humanity, love, and understanding than most adults. Kudos to his parents," a Texas woman commented on Facebook. "I heard this earlier today, as read by my president," said another. "Even with that preconditioning, made me cry while reading it just now. "Neither of these sweet little boys, someone's sons, are Skittles," she said - referencing a controversial Donald Trump campaign advert likening Syrian refugees to the popular brand of sweets. The US President has urged developed nations to do more to help refugees from the Syrian crisis. In August, the White House said it had admitted 10,000 Syrian refugees to the United States this year. It plans to to take another 110,000 in the 2017 financial year, Mr Obama said. More on the refugee crisis A Syrian family adjusting to a life in Canada experience an emotional reunion. (BBC)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Charlotte Shooting: State Of Emergency Amid Protests viewed by Charlotte's mayor but will not to drop his gun.
North Carolina's governor has declared a state of emergency in the city of Charlotte, after violence erupted during a second night of protests over the police killing of a black man. Keith Lamont Scott was shot dead by a black officer on Tuesday. One protester remains in a critical condition after a "civilian on civilian" shooting, police said. Mr Scott was the third black man killed by US police in a week. Such shootings have sparked nationwide protests. Riot police in Charlotte used tear gas as they faced hundreds of protesters. The local police department said four officers were injured. Earlier North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory said he had "initiated efforts" to deploy the national guard and highway patrol to help deal with the protests. "Any violence directed toward our citizens or police officers or destruction of property should not be tolerated," he said. The demonstrators are angry that Mr Scott, 43, was killed by police on Tuesday afternoon at a block of flats in disputed circumstances. Police were serving an arrest warrant on another person when they say they saw Mr Scott get out of a car with a handgun. Officers say he was repeatedly told to drop his handgun before he was shot but his family say he was reading a book, as he waited for his son to be dropped off by the school bus. Police video of the incident will be
be released to the public "at that time", the city said. City leader Jennifer Roberts said Mr Scott's family will also be allowed to watch the footage, local television station WBTV reported. It is legal to openly carry a handgun in North Carolina, but a special permit is required to carry a concealed weapon. Bottles and fireworks Governor McCrory declared the state of emergency as rioters clashed with police, breaking windows and setting small fires. The second night of protests had begun peacefully but the demonstration was interrupted by gunfire and a man in the crowd was injured. The city initially said he had been killed but then issued a clarification. Protesters then threw bottles and fireworks at the officers, who were lined up in riot gear. Police fired flash grenades and tear gas to repel the crowds. Several journalists were also reportedly attacked. A reporter and cameraman for Charlotte's WCNC-TV were taken to hospital and a CNN journalist was tackled on live TV, local media report. A boy, 13, shot dead in Ohio after allegedly pulling an air gun from his waistband during arrest An unarmed, stranded motorist, Terence Crutcher, was killed in Tulsa, Oklahoma Keith Lamont Scott shot in Charlotte and died in hospital Police in Charlotte defended their actions in the death of Mr Scott by insisting he had been repeatedly warned
The protest began peacefully but turned violent afterwards
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney told a news conference Mr Scott first got out of the car with a gun, then got back into his vehicle when officers told him to drop his weapon. He was shot when he emerged from his car holding his weapon. The police chief was unable to say if Mr Scott had been pointing his weapon at officers. After her father's death, Mr Scott's daughter posted a video on Facebook in which she said her father had been unarmed and reading a book. Mr Putney said no book was found. Charlotte: Facts A major banking and financial centre in the American South, with a population of 827,000 The city's population is about 35% black, compared to 13.3% across the US Police chief Kerr Putney is African-American A white police officer was charged with voluntary manslaughter in 2013 for shooting an unarmed black man reportedly looking for help after a car crash. The charge was dropped last year after a jury could not reach a decision. The case sparked protests but no violence. Mayor Roberts voiced her shock at the violent protests, which saw 16 police officers injured on Tuesday night. "Charlotte is a city that has worked very hard to build good community police relations," she told the BBC. "We have been a model of community policing. We have actually trained other police forces. This is not who we are as Charlotteans and I'm hoping we can move past these protests very quickly, move into more peaceful protests and back into dialogue." The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's North Carolina state chapter has called for the "full release of all facts available", including video. "In these days of ready video and audio recordings, we believe that reviewing these recordings can and will help both sides get to the truth," it said in a statement. The group said it supported peaceful protests but was against "unjust, random or purposeless acts of violence". (BBC)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
A Day Like Today
“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.” ― G. Randolf ‘Friends’ is one of the most viewed American Sitcoms of the 2000s, debuted a day like today 1994. The idea of producers David Crane and Marta Kauffman, was to show the pros and cons of friendship with a burlesque touch. The script was presented to the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), and after several changes the series was approved to be aired. The plot of the series features six friends, living in Manhattan
dealing with hilariously complex situations on the daily basics, situations that would constantly put their friendship to the test. The ingenious ways in which they always managed to keep their ‘bond’ undamaged, was the key for the huge success of the show. ‘Friendship Above All’ was the simple principle that kept the audience captivated for over 10 years. Not only the basic context that the show followed attracted the audience, the cast that brought the script to life was the ultimate
American Television Sitcom 'Friends' (1994-2004)
secret ingredient. A mixture of relatively new actors, who were ready to take Hollywood by storm with their explosive performances on TV. They were: Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer. Once the camera was on, they transformed into something more than actors, neighbors or friends, they were family. After years of sharing the same studio, seeing the same faces and sharing personal experiences camouflaged on a white paper sheet, ‘Friends’ evolved from team to nucleus. The show lasted 10 seasons. Accumulating a renowned prestige between the best Sitcoms of the decade. Its last episode was aired on May 6, 2004 watched by more than 50 million persons, making it the fifth most watched series finale in television history. The series was nominated for 62 Primetime Emmy Awards, winning the Outstanding Comedy Series award in 2002. It ranked number 21 on the TV Guides 50 Greatest Shows of All times. In 2013 ranked between one of the Best Writing TV Series of All Times, and one of the 60 Best TV Series of All Times. Source: http://www.history.com/thisday-in-history/friends-debuts
INTERNATIONAL PAGE 36
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Afghanistan Signs Deal With Militant Hekmatyar
The Afghan government has signed a peace agreement with Hezb-e-Islami, the country's second largest militant group. Representatives of the movement and Afghan officials signed the accord in a ceremony shown live on TV. The deal grants impunity to the group's leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, an Islamist warlord accused of numerous atrocities. He was not present at the signing, which is intended to pave the way for him to return from hiding to Kabul. Mohammad Amin Karim, head of the insurgent delegation, was present at the ceremony. He said: "This is not just a peace deal between Hezb-e-Islami and the government of Afghanistan, it is a beginning of a new era of peace all around the country." Under the terms of the deal, Mr Hekmatyar agrees to accept the constitution and abandon violence. He must still sign the accord with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani for it to come into force. The two sides have still to agree when and where that will happen. Who is Gulbuddin Hekmatyar? Mr Hekmatyar is a former Afghan prime minister, warlord and one of the most controversial figures in the country's modern history. He was one of seven anti-Soviet faction chiefs who led a large number of mujahideen fighters in the war against Soviet occupation in the 1980s. He received significant Western aid and funds during the Cold War. But he is remembered mostly for his role in the bloody civil war of the 1990s, when the Hezb-e-Islami clashed violently with other mujahideen factions in the struggle for control of the capital, Kabul. The Hezb-e-Islami was blamed for much of the terrible death and destruction of that period, which led many ordinary Afghans to welcome the emergence of the Taliban. The civil war also led to Mr Hekmatyar's fall from grace - he quickly became one of the most reviled men in the country and he and his men were forced to flee Kabul when the Taliban swept into power in 1996. In 2003, the US state department designated him as a terrorist, accusing him of taking part in and supporting
The signing ceremony was carried live on television(REUTERS)
attacks by al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Will the deal change anything, and will it hold? It is still too early to tell if the deal will last. Mr Hekmatyar has a history of shifting allegiances. Hezb-e-Islami has played a minor role in the Taliban-led insurgency in recent years and so the deal is not expected to improve security in the country. The accord is highly symbolic, however. It is the first first deal done by Afghans with no UN or international mediation. And Hezb-e-Islami has supporters across the country, meaning the peace agreement could encourage some Taliban leaders to consider joining the process. BBC Afghan Service editor Waheed Massoud says Mr Hekmatyar appears to have calculated that he will be more significant as a political leader in Kabul than as the leader of a group of fighters up in the mountains who are also competing with the Taliban for influence. Afghan peace deals have failed before, and a lot remains to be worked out. Mr Hekmatyar still has to negotiate with the Afghan government over where and when he and Mr Ghani will sign the accord, and under what circumstances he will return to Kabul. There are also concerns about his future role in Afghanistan. Seen as a controversial and attention-seeking figure, he could become more of a headache for Kabul than when he was a rebel leader - potentially forming new coalitions and challenging the government. What was the reaction to the agreement? Franz-Michael Mellbin, the European Union's special representative for Afghanistan, said of the agreement "proves peace is possible". "The political space to say no to peace in Afghanistan is now virtually non-existent," he said, adding that the deal "creates a new narrative that has been missing for many, many years". Ahmad Gilani, the chairman of the Afghan High Peace Council, welcomed the agreement: "I am happy and confident on the finalising of this agreement, that it will be a good start for long lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan." But New York-based Human Rights Watch issued a statement referring to Mr Hekmatyar as "one of Afghanistan's most notorious war crimes suspects". Researcher Patricia Grossman said his return would "compound the culture of impunity that the Afghan government and its foreign donors have fostered by not pursuing... Hekmatyar and other warlords". A group of activists protested in Kabul, holding placards portraying Mr Hekmatyar with blood spilling from his mouth and a rocket piercing his nose. One placard read: "We cannot forgive the executioner of Kabul." Some ordinary Afghans welcomed the agreement. Mohammad Hanif, 62, a shopkeeper, told the Associated Press: "We are thirsty for peace and we welcome anyone who comes in peace, the past is the past." Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said it was too early to comment on the deal. (BBC)
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INTERNATIONAL PAGE 38
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
China Rights Lawyer Xia Lin Jailed For 12 Years
A Chinese rights lawyer has been jailed for 12 years - in a move his supporters say is designed to silence him. Xia Lin, whose clients include artist Ai Weiwei, was found guilty of fraudulently obtaining $700,000 (£550,000) to pay off gambling debts. But supporters say he is innocent and that the move is designed to intimidate human rights lawyers. Last year, China detained hundreds of rights lawyers, in what critics described as an organised crackdown. Many lawyers have since been released - but several remain in detention, with their wives and families denied access to them. 'Chill' Maya Wang, Asia researcher at Xia Lin was arrested in November 2014(AP) Human Rights Watch, said the 12 year jail term was likely to send a "chill" group called the sentence a "severe retaliation against a human through the human rights community. She told AFP: "The rights advocate who defended the rule of law". There was no sentence is shocking, not only because of its length, but also immediate comment from the court. (BBC) because it was handed down to a rights lawyer who has tried to protect himself by deliberately taking a low-profile, technical approach to his work." Xia Lin is known for defending Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei. He also represented fellow human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang, who was detained after a private seminar discussing the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, while in 2009 he successfully defended a hotel worker who killed a local government official who had tried to rape her. Xia Lin was arrested in November 2014, as he was preparing to defend Guo Yushan, a rights activist and head of a Chinese think tank. Chinese state media have not reported on the 12-year sentence for Xia Lin, so social media users have mainly been learning of the news via independent publications, or word of mouth. Luo Changping, a journalist at the independent Caijing magazine, posted a picture of Lin Ru, Xia Lin's wife, crying in someone's arms. The image has been shared widely, with hundreds of sympathetic, yet resigned comments. Many social media users refused to accept the verdict - but also acknowledged that the likelihood of a successful appeal was low. User Zhanzhan080808 wrote: "Xia Lin is innocent", while user Liu Suli said: "I curse this court, and those behind it and their strength. History will not forgive this trial." The trial against Mr Xia opened in June this year. He was originally charged with fraudulently obtaining 10m yuan ($1.5m; £1.1m), but his lawyer Dong Xikui said the court eventually accepted a lower figure of 4.8m yuan. However, friends say they loaned the lawyer the money willingly. Mr Xia's wife, Lin Ru, said: "I firmly believe that my husband is innocent. So we need to appeal." The Chinese Human Rights Defenders
INTERNATIONAL PAGE 39
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Sierra Leone Police Free Woman Accused Of FGM
Sierra Leonean police have released a woman accused of female genital mutilation following pressure from a powerful society of circumcisers. Elsie Kondoromoh was "tentatively" released after a large number of cutters protested against her arrest, police inspector Marty Ta r a w a l l i e s a i d . S t i c k wielding cutters have also protested at a hospital where her alleged victim is being treated. Female circumcision is currently banned in Sierra Leone.The ban came in force following the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the region in December 2013, killing some 11,000 people. But female circumcision, which traditionalists see as a passage to womanhood, has been revived in recent months, reports the BBC's Umaru Fofana from the eastern region of Kenema, where the incident happened. Many activists accuse the authorities of failing to stop it because of the enormous power circumcisers wield within their communities, he adds. On a local radio station on Wednesday, a caller said they were prepared to "die and to kill" to continue practising female circumcision. The uniform-clad cutters have a society, known as Soweis, representing them. Ms Kondoromoh is the national vicepresident of the Soweis council. 'Blindfolded' Alleged victim Khadija Balayma Allieu, 28, said that she was blindfolded and dragged into a room at a home in Kenema by up to five or six cutters. "One sat on my chest, one each held my hands. Another two held my legs and spread them open. They gagged me as I shouted. Then she [Ms Kondoromoh] started cutting," Ms Allieu told the BBC. "I felt her cut towards my vagina. She dipped her hand inside my vagina and I felt her pull something and cut it. They held my head down and continued
Activists have waged a long campaign across Africa to stamp out the practise(GETTY IMAGES)
cutting. I started bleeding profusely. I tried screaming but there was [a] cloth inside my mouth," she added. Ms Kondoromoh has denied any wrongdoing but has admitted to circumcising her. She said that Ms Allieu met her at her home saying that she was being "taunted" by her fellow women because she had not been circumcised. line Types of FGM •Clitoridectomy - partial or total removal of the clitoris •Excision removal of the clitoris and inner labia (lips), with or without the outer labia •Infibulation - cutting, removing and sewing up the genitalia •Any other type of intentional damage to the female genitalia (burning, scraping et cetera) line Ms Kondoromoh added that she cared for Ms Allieu after she was circumcised. "She told me that she would be taunted and further provoked if she went back home and so wanted to spend time with me to recover," the cutter said. "I told her she could stay with me as we were only three in my house. I bought provisions for her. I woke up every morning to prepare food for her before leaving home."
Our correspondent says police rescued Ms Allieu several days later after she managed to call them, and said they found her in a "weak and hopeless state". Ms Allieu seemed to be in excruciating pain when he met her at a hospital, with medical staff describing her condition as serious but stable, he adds. With fears for Ms Allieu's safety growing after a group of circumcisers went to the hospital with sticks to demand that she be handed over to them, activists are calling for her evacuation from Sierra Leone, our correspondent says. Insp Tarawallie told the BBC that investigations were continuing. She defended the decision to release Ms Kondoromoh from custody, saying that cutters "are around us". "They were singing above their voices demanding that we should release that woman," Insp Tarawallie added. (BBC)
INTERNATIONAL
GUYANA DAILY NEWS Digital Technology Reveals Secret Of Ancient Biblical Scroll PAGE 41
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
The oldest hand-written passages from the Hebrew Bible identical to versions in use today have been identified by researchers using digital technology to read an ancient scroll. The relic, which had been too fragile to unwrap, was deciphered by Israeli and US experts using an X-ray scan. It contains passages from the Book of Leviticus dating back to at least the 3rd or 4th Century AD. The charred scroll was found in 1970 amid the remains of an ancient synagogue. Archaeologists found it buried in the ark of the synagogue near the Dead Sea, where it would have been used for prayers. Researchers were able to read the ancient scroll using three 'Amazing quality' Researchers in dimensional digital analysis of an X-ray scan(SCIENCE ADVANCES) Kentucky and Jerusalem were able read it using three dimensional digital centuries, said Dead Sea Scroll scholar will enable them to read other antique analysis of an X-ray scan, the Science Emmanuel Tov from the Hebrew parchments like some Dead Sea scrolls Advances Journal announced. "Not only University of Jerusalem, who participated and papyrus scrolls that are too brittle to were you seeing writing, but it was in the study. unwrap. "You can't imagine the joy in the readable. At that point we were absolutely This was the first time researchers had lab," said Pnina Shor, head of the Dead jubilant," said William Brent Seales of the been able to read ancient documents Sea Scrolls preservation lab at the Israel University of Kentucky's computer without physically opening them. "We Antiquities Authority. Prior to this science department. were amazed at the quality of the images," discovery, the oldest known fragments of Scholars say the text in Ein Gedi - in said Michael Segal, head of the School of standardised biblical text dated back to standard Hebrew - offer the first physical Philosophy and Religions at Hebrew the 8th Century AD. Researchers said the evidence of a long-held belief that the University of Jerusalem. "Much of the discovery held great significance for version of the Hebrew Bible used today text is as readable, or close to as readable understanding the development of the goes back 2,000 years. The text is "100 as actual unharmed Dead Sea Scrolls or Hebrew Bible. (BBC) percent identical" to the version of the high resolution photographs of them." Book of Leviticus that has been in use for Researchers hope the new technology
INTERNATIONAL
GUYANA DAILY NEWS Taiwan Asks Google To Blur Images From Disputed Island PAGE 42
dispute? Rival countries have wrangled over territory in the South China Sea for centuries, but tension has steadily increased in recent years. Its islets and waters are claimed in part or in whole by Taiwan, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. China has backed its expansive claims with island-building and naval patrols, while the US, which has also sailed through the disputed waters, says it opposes restrictions on freedom of navigation and unlawful sovereignty claims by all sides. The frictions have sparked concern that the area is becoming a flashpoint with possible global consequences. Taiwan Defence Ministry spokesman Chen Chung-chi s a i d o n We d n e s d a y that "under the precondition of protecting military secrets and security, we h a v e requested Google blur images of Some commentators have speculated the new important facilities may be for artillery(GOOGLE EARTH)
Taiwan has asked Google to blur satellite images of what appear to be new military installations on a disputed island in the South China Sea. Taiping Island, also known as Itu Aba, is part of the Spratly Island chain, embroiled in increasingly tense South China Sea territorial disputes. Although it is controlled by Taiwan, the island is also claimed by mainland China, Vietnam and the Philippines. Four new structures have appeared since Google Earth's last satellite images. The images showed four three-pronged structures in a semi-circle next to an upgraded airstrip and near a sizeable new port. What is the South China Sea
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
military facilities". The country's Coast Guard Administration also confirmed to the BBC that it was in talks with Google, which they said may not have been aware it was a military zone. The Coast Guard said it believed other countries would have similar issues with images of such restricted zones. Google has said that it is reviewing the request. "We take security concerns very seriously, and are always willing to discuss them with public agencies and officials," Google spokesman Taj Meadows told the BBC. It has not blurred imagery in response to similar requests in the past. Much of this imagery comes from third party providers, which means that it is likely to be available through a number of other commercial routes. The increasing militarisation of the South China Sea, where China is rapidly building islands to buttress its territorial claims has stoked tension in the region. An international tribunal recently ruled against China's claims, backing a case brought by the Philippines. The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled Taiping was classified as a "rock" rather than an "island" and therefore not entitled to a 200 nautical mile exclusion zone. The verdict was rejected by both Beijing and Taipei. (BBC)
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
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GUYANA DAILY NEWS
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HOROSCOPE PAGE 47
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Daily Horoscope
Don't let children or elders put demands on your time. Take a look at the possibilities of starting a small part time business with friends or relatives. Spend time getting into physical activities with your lover.
A lack of support and negativity have been the main problems. You will find yourself tied to the phone. Stick to travel or do things in conjunction with groups.
Your ability to get the job done will result in added responsibility and possible promotion. You will be up and down emotionally. You will be misinterpreted if you get involved in other people's problems.
You can accomplish a lot if you put some effort into household duties or redecorating plans. You should get into some of those creative hobbies that you always said you wanted to do. You need to keep busy doing things that you both enjoy.
Your dramatic nature may be too much to handle. If you're looking to do something worthwhile, consider volunteer work. Partnerships could be tense. Don't push your luck.
Don't hold yourself back because you think you're too old. Make changes regarding your status in society. Your high energy and discipline will enable you to complete any seemingly insurmountable tasks.
Include the whole family or those you love. Do not ruffle feathers if possible. You will have to be careful not to let others find out about your intentions.
You should expect to have changes in your home. Try to visit a country that excites you. You may find that getting together with colleagues after hours will be worthwhile.
You'll only hurt your lover if you don't. You can stabilize your situation if you compromise. You can persuade even the toughest opponents to think your way.
Conflicts over joint finances are likely. You will meet some interesting people if you attend promotional functions. Your boss won't be too thrilled if you leave things unfinished.
Don't be taken advantage of by any fast talking salesperson trying to part you from your cash. You can visit clients and make a big impression just by giving them some hands-on help. Attend trade shows that will allow you to look at new products.
Get busy making those changes to your home. Try not to use emotional blackmail; it will only make matters worse. You may be sensitive concerning friends and their situations.
RECIPE PAGE 48
Ingredients
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
RECIPE OF THE DAY: PUMPKIN PIE
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin 1 (14 ounce) can MOI* Condensed Milk 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ¹⁄ teaspoon ground ginger ¹⁄ teaspoon ground nutmeg ¹⁄ teaspoon salt 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust **Imported and distributed by SUPERFOODS Preparation Preheat oven to 425 OF (218oC). Whisk pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, spices and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Pour into crust. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from crust comes out clean. Cool. Garnish as desired. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.
PAGE PAGE 50
T&T Football: SSFL To Review Safety Measures In Wake Of Manning Cup Tragedy The Trinidad and Tobago Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) has pledged support for its Jamaican counterparts in the wake of the tragic death of St George’s College Manning Cup team Dominic James. James, the captain of the G e o rg e ’s t e a m , collapsed on the pitch during a schoolboy football match on Tuesday and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. “As a league we empathize with the situation. We want to send
condolences to the parents of the young man and I hope that the league would look at ways of probably making sure things like this don’t happen in the future,” first vice-president of the SSFL William Wallace told Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. The official admits that while the situation is difficult to access at the moment the SSFL are already considering adjustments to safeguard the health of students. Concerns have been raised since the incident regarding the availability of sufficient medical care at games. “The thing is the person collapsed and died so I am not sure whether how much safety we could have put in place or anybody could put in place to deal with that. However, it is something that we would have to definitely take into consideration whether it is we get persons doing medicals before they embark on playing for their schools,” Wallace added. At current medical testing for the teams is not compulsory. (SportsMax)
Jankovic Dumps Out Birthday Girl Lisicki, Begu Dethroned In Korea
Defending champion Jelena Jankovic failed to read the script on Sabine Lisicki's birthday, while Irina-Camelia Begu was surprised in Korea. Jelena Jankovic was in no mood to hand out any gifts on Sabine Lisicki's birthday as she denied the German a place in the Guangzhou International Women's Open semi-finals. Lisicki was unable to celebrate turning 27 with a victory, losing 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 to defending champion
Jankovic in the WTA International hard-court event on Thursday. Second seed Jankovic has not dropped a set on her run to the last four and the former world number will face Ana Konjuh in the semi-finals as she eyes her first title of the year. Lisicki served six double faults and could only manage a first-serve percentage of 57 as she squandered a 2-0 lead in the first set as well as a mini-break advantage in the tie-break, going on to lose in an hour and 46 minutes. Third seed Konjuh ousted Jennifer Brady 6-4 7-5, while Lesia Tsurenko dumped out fifth seed Alison Riske to set up an encounter with Anett Kontaveit - who saw off Viktorija Golubic in a three-setter. A new Korea Open champion will be crowned this weekend after Irina-Camelia Begu suffered a shock exit at the hands of world number 102 Jana Cepelova. The unseeded Cepelova, ranked 79 places below Begu, triumphed 6-3 4-6 6-3 in the second round, while Sara Sorribes Tormo surprised fourth seed Kristina Mladenovic by winning 1-6 6-2 6-4. Kirsten Flipkens, seeded six, also suffered an unexpected loss to Patricia Maria Tig, but Monica Niculescu got past Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in straight sets. (SportsMax)
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Emery Opens Door To Ben Arfa Return Against Toulouse Stadium Municipal, after insisting that he will make a decision
Unai Emery has kept Hatem Ben Arfa out of Paris SaintGermain's last three matches, but suggested he could face Toulouse on Friday. Hatem Ben Arfa could return to the Paris Saint-Germain side for Friday's Ligue 1 clash against Toulouse, head coach Unai Emery has suggested. The former Nice and Newcastle United man has been frozen out of the champions' matchday squad for their previous three fixtures, with his last appearance coming in the 1-1 draw with Saint-Etienne on September 9. Reports in France have claimed that Emery has lost patience with Ben Arfa, telling the 29-year-old "you're not Lionel Messi" after becoming frustrated with his attitude. Claude Puel, who was Ben Arfa's coach at Nice last season, is rumoured to be lining up a bid to bring the notoriously volatile midfielder to Southampton in January if his exile at Parc des Princes continues. E m e r y , however, has hinted at a possible recall for Ben Arfa for Friday's g a m e a t
following Thursday's training session, as he would with any other player. "All the players are working to be with the team," he said. "My decision is to choose the ones who are best prepared. It'll be in the afternoon, after training. "I said what I feel: all the players are the same. I work in the same way. I spoke with Hatem, as I do with all my players." Emery says he will be cautious with Marco Verratti, however, with the Italy international battling to recover from a calf problem. "All the players are important. So is Verratti. He has good qualities," he said. "The season is long, it's possible that he has some muscle fatigue and you have to work step-by-step with him. It's a small injury, we'll have to see when he will be back." PSG have endured a mixed start to the campaign and sit a point behind league-leaders Nice after six matches, and Emery feels any suggestion that Ligue 1 is straightforward for his side should not be taken seriously. "All games are difficult, in France, in Spain..." said the 44-year-old. "If you want to beat Toulouse, you need to be well prepared for the match. The analysis of the opposing team, of the players... "We have to respect all opponents. We're not top of Ligue 1. Our objective is to have the title after 38 matches. "Nice-Monaco was a good game. Monaco have started the championship well. Lyon also started well this summer, Toulouse are two points behind us, Bordeaux are not far away. "I'm very focused on the championship." (SportsMax)
Ancelotti Warns PSG Over Lewandowski Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti has told PSG they have no chance to sign Robert Lewandowski in the near future. Carlo Ancelotti has warned Paris Saint-Germain that Bayern Munich have no intention of selling Robert Lewandowski any time soon. The Poland international was heavily linked with a move
to PSG during the close-season as the Ligue 1 champions searched a replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but a move never materialised due to Bayern's refusal to sell Lewandowski. PSG continue to keep a close eye on the 28-year-old, but Ancelotti expects him to sign a new deal with Bayern sooner rather than later, with his existing contract due to expire in 2019. "I would not trade in Lewandowski for anyone," Ancelotti told L'Equipe. "Lewandowski going to PSG is impossible. That will never happen. Well, maybe in five or 10 years. "I think he will sign a contract renewal with Bayern." Ancelotti is believed to be a keen admirer of Marco Verratti following their time together at PSG, but he has admitted a move for the Italy international is not realistic following his recent contract renewal at the Parc des Princes. "Marco is a great player. He always manages to surprise me," he added. "He angered me numerous times, but he is unique. He has a great future ahead of him, there is no doubt that. "It is only normal that he has signed a new deal with PSG. Good players generally stay at good clubs. "He has renewed until 2021? Wow. That makes it impossible to sign him." (SportsMax)
PAGE PAGE 53
Iniesta In The Dark Over Barcelona Future Andres Iniesta has admitted he does not midfielder has a contract with the
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is keen to retire at Camp Nou, but has acknowledged it might not be up to him.
know whether Barcelona will allow him to retire at Camp Nou. The attacking
Catalans until June 2018 and he is keen to sign a renewal as he aims to remain at Barcelona until the end of his career. Barcelona have yet to open talks with Iniesta, though, and he has acknowledged it is out of his hands whether he will hang up his boots at the Spanish champions. "I would love to end my career at Barcelona," the 32-year-old told Cadena COPE. "I have a contract until 2018. We will have to ask the direction whether they want to extend my contract. "But I can only repeat that I want to retire at Barcelona." Iniesta came through the ranks of the Barcelona youth academy and has made close to 600 appearances in all competitions for the Catalans since making his official debut in 2002-03. He has won eight LaLiga titles during his time at Camp Nou, while also lifting the Champions League on four occasions. (SportsMax)
Mourinho Slams 'Football Einsteins' For Undermining Manchester United Efforts Football is full of "Einsteins" who have tried to undermine Manchester United in the past week, according to Jose Mourinho. Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has hit out at "football Einsteins" who he claims have tried to dismiss his career triumphs during a difficult week for the club. United beat Northampton Town 3-1 on Wednesday to move into the fourth round of the EFL Cup and end a run of three consecutive defeats against Manchester City, Feyenoord and Watford. Mourinho conceded afterwards that the club's supporters were justifiably upset at the manner of those losses, but accused critics of attempting to undermine the legacies of both himself and the club. "We now have three games at home in a row. It's always good to be at home," he told MUTV, with United facing Leicester City, Zorya Luhansk and Stoke City at Old Trafford before the international break. "I can understand completely if the fans are disappointed with the last week. But I'm sure they'll be behind the team like they always are. "We had a bad week. I know that some football Einsteins - football is full of Einsteins they try to delete 16 years of my career, to delete an
unbelievable history of Man United and focus on a bad week. "But that's the new football. It's full of Einsteins." Northampton cancelled out Michael Carrick's opener thanks to Alex Revell's penalty just before half-time, but further goals from Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford sealed the victory for United in the second half at Sixfields Stadium. Mourinho felt the home side were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men following Jak McCourt's two-footed challenge on Memphis Depay, but was happy with United's overall control in proceedings. "We deserved it. It was as I was expecting. We were totally in control for the first 35 minutes and then we were back in control for the last 25 minutes," he said. "The game could and should have been easier, because normally it is easier against 10 men – we should have been playing against 10 men very early in the second half. But they fought and they played with their strength. "They tried to cause us problems, which they did at times, so it was a difficult match but overall it was a positive performance." (SportsMax)
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Black Caps Restrict India Onproved Day One Of Historic Test to be a fruitful day for the tourists after a tough start.
Mitchell Santner and Trent Boult took three wickets apiece as New Zealand fought back with the ball on day one of the first Test. New Zealand hit back strongly with the ball after India got off to a promising start on the opening day of their 500th Test in Kanpur on Thursday. India, replaced by Pakistan at the top of the rankings last month, collapsed from 154-1 in the afternoon session to 291-9 at stumps after several batsmen got starts but failed to go on. Murali Vijay (65) and Cheteshwar Pujara (62) were the only batsmen to make half-centuries after Virat Kohli won the toss on a day in which all three New Zealand spinners and the seamers made an impact. Mitchell Santner (3-77) led the way, while Trent Boult (3-52) claimed three wickets in a magnificent spell with the second new ball in the evening session on what
Lokesh Rahul (32) stated his intent by finding the boundary twice in the first over of the day from Boult and continued to take an aggressive approach as India got off to a flyer. Santner was launched for six by Rahul in his second over, but the spinner had the last laugh when he zipped through a quicker delivery and wicketkeeper BJ Watling took a sharp catch to end an opening stand of 42. A patient Vijay and the elegant Pujara, who used his feet expertly, rotated the strike well and picked out the bad balls in a century stand to put India in a promising position. The pair brought up their half-centuries in quick succession during the afternoon session, but Santner was rewarded for his persistence when Pujara gifted him a simple catch off his own bowling. Kohli (9) fell into Neil Wagner's (1-42) trap when the skipper top-edged a bouncer and was caught at deep square-leg before Vijay feathered Ieg-spinner Ish Sodhi (1-50) behind. India had lost four wickets for only 55 runs when Mark Craig (1-59) tossed up a flighted delivery which Ajinkya Rahane (18) could only fend to short-leg. Rohit Sharma (35), whose Test place has been called into question, took 14 off an over from Sodhi - including a six wide of midwicket - but gave his wicket away by chipping Santner to Sodhi to end a stand of 52 with Ravichandran Ashwin. There were some classy drives from a composed Ashwin (40) but a fired up Boult ended his knock after cleaning up Wriddhiman Saha and the left-armer also bowled Mohammed Shami without scoring in a brilliant spell with the new ball late in the day. (SportsMax)
Black Caps Restrict India On Day One Of Historic Test "Development doesn't stop after a year. League on Saturday, signed Sadio Mane,
Liverpool will be successful if they can achieve continuity in the make up of their squad from one season to the next, says Jurgen Klopp. Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool's future success hinges on maintaining a consistent squad, where the need to dip into the transfer market is less urgent. The German insists the Reds should not be a selling club, despite having been forced to allow the likes of Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling to leave in recent years. He wants to reach a position where he has a settled group to pick from, avoiding frenetic transfer windows. "The summer was quite busy and I don't want to have that busy transfer windows," said Klopp.
"Success is about having consistency. Big teams don't change a lot. There is no need to be a selling club. We don't need money, but it's about finding the right squad. "I'm not that busy usually, but it was the situation. We needed to do a few things. If everything is going well then we don't have to buy another s i x n e x t y e a r. We f e e l confident with the squad. "Change is sometimes good, [but] let's try to bring more consistency." Liverpool, who host Hull City in the Premier
Georginio Wijnaldum, Joel Matip, Ragnar Klavan, Loris Karius and Alex Manninger this season. (SportsMax)
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GMR&SC Prepares Tracks For The ‘Drag Of Wars’ The Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) is preparing the tyres and engines of their best vehicles, to participate in the ‘Dragz War 2’ International Meet on October 2, at the South Dakota Circuit. The Guyanese team last felt the tension of the tracks during their outstanding participation on the MotoSur’s Suriname Drag Fest, celebrated last August, in Surinamese tracks. The ‘Battle of Guyana’ was witnessed by enthusiasts of the speed and class of Caribbean racers. The Guyanese contingent were represented by Rondel and Peter Daby, Sanjay Persaud, Anand Ramchand and Shawn Persaud, who ‘dragged’ their
rivals to a point of no return, bringing home three major titles. They will be facing their opponents one more time on local asphalt on October 2. For the last two years, racing sports have been taking over the spotlight on the most prestigious racing venues in Guyana and the Caribbean, stimulating competitors, organizers and sponsors to invest time, dedication and capital into the development of better tracks, vehicles and events. For the Arrow Headed flag nation, it has been a sudden explosion that has provided for local enthusiast to enjoy of a different kind of recreation and for national talents, to show their skills on home grown and
international shores. The Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) incites the audience to stay tune, and assist to the ‘second take’ of this thrilling event. The ‘Drag War 2’ will be starting from 09:00 hrs. The price of admission is children $500 and adults $1000. The event is sponsored by GTT, Fly Jamaica and Ansa Mcal. When the ‘curtains close’ for the ‘Drag War 2’, the ‘International Race of Champions’ will take over the South Dakota Circuit. On November 13 the venue will open its doors, one more time to welcome the masses. The Caribbean diaspora will be represented by their best riders, along with Canadian and American competitors. In an interview with Guyanese racer, and Caribbean champion Mathew Vieira, he expressed his –“excitement over the upcoming event”-expecting to give it all on the tracks, and accomplish the maximum title. The competitors who will be representing Guyana will be: Stephen Vieira, Elliot Vieira, Nikhil Seereeram Stephon Boodram, Kevin Persuade, Joel Neblett, Paul Yearwood and Carlos Rodriguez. S o u r c e : https://www.facebook.com/gmrscgy /
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James Blasts Officials After Villarreal Draw
Villarreal held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday, leaving James Rodriguez, Lucas Vazquez and Dani Carvajal unhappy with the officials. James Rodriguez accused the officials of being too lenient towards Villarreal as they held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. Madrid were chasing a 17th consecutive win in LaLiga, which would have been a record in the competition, but were forced to settle for a point as Sergio Ramos cancelled out Bruno Soriano's first-half penalty. Zinedine Zidane's side saw appeals for a penalty waved away as they piled on
pressure in the second half, with Ramos and Karim Benzema both aggrieved not to have seen decisions go in their favour. Madrid's match delegate Miguel Porlan Noguera was even sent to the stands in the closing minutes after directing his frustrations at the fourth official, while referee Jose Luis Gonzalez Gonzalez booked Dani Carvajal for protesting after the final whistle. James conceded that Madrid started the match too sluggishly, but hit out at the officials for granting Villarreal too much leeway and for only adding on three minutes of stoppage-time at the end of the second half. "We have to begin games with much greater intensity and desire," he said, as quoted by Madrid's official website. "We must say that we put in a very good second-half display and we deserved to have scored a second. You've also got to realise that we were up against a good side. "They wasted time and they were allowed to do whatever they wanted. At the end of the game there were only three minutes of stoppage time
added on and I think that it should have been five or six." Lucas Vazquez, who came on as a second-half substitute, added: "I think it was a clear penalty on Benzema and we'd like to ask the referee why he added on such little time. "We have to work hard so these decisions don't affect us. We're all angry not to have won at home and we have to learn from our mistakes." Carvajal, meanwhile, is determined to pick up maximum points against Las Palmas on Saturday in order to preserve their two-point lead over Sevilla at the top of the table. "I don't think the referee had a great game, especially in the time he added on," said the full-back. "In the second half there were five changes, constant time wasting on their part… it's not an excuse but I don't think the referee was very good in that sense. "On Saturday, we've got a difficult game in Las Palmas, where we'll give it all we've got to take the three points and keep ourselves at the top of the table." (SportsMax)
Falcao Still In Hospital - Jardim
Radamel Falcao is still in hospital after suffering a concussion in Monaco's defeat against Nice on Wednesday. Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim has
revealed Radamel Falcao remains in hospital after suffering a concussion in Wednesday's 4-0 Ligue 1 defeat to Nice and has voiced his dismay with the referee's decision not to penalise goalkeeper Yoan Cardinale. Falcao went to the ground in first-half stoppage time after a collision with the Nice keeper and was taken to hospital for a series of tests. And Jardim wants match officials to punish goalkeepers if they are guilty of reckless behaviour following the incident. "Falcao is still
in hospital after suffering a concussion on Wednesday," Jardim said at a news conference. "The referees have to pay closer attention and punish actions like this. It should have been a red card in my opinion. "When a player takes such a risk [to injure an opponent], there has to be some sort of punishment." The defeat saw Monaco drop to third place in the Ligue 1 table. (SportsMax)
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Rahkeem Cornwall Stars Again As West Indies Practice Match Ends In Draw Antiguan all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall followed up his five-wicket haul against West Indies Blue on Tuesday by scoring an enterprising 69 on day two of their practice match against the West Indies Maroon on Wednesday. Cornwall’s knock helped the Maroon, replying to 225, to close at 294 for 6 as the match ended in a
draw at the Windward Cricket Ground in Barbados. The gigantic 23-year-old Cornwall smashed five fours and three sixes in his 167-ball knock, batting for almost three and a half hours. Cornwall, who took 5 for 79 off 22 overs when the Blue team batted, arrived at the crease with the Maroons struggling at 77 for 3 with Shai Hope (13), Kieran Powell (35), and Shamarh Brooks (1) all back in the pavilion. He joined Shimron Hetmeyer but the partnership only produced 14 runs as the Guyanese batsman was dismissed by Jomel Warrican for 41 at 91 for 4. Kyle Hope joined Cornwall and
together they put on an 82-run stand. Hope dominated the stand, scoring 49 of the 82 runs before he was bowled by Jerome Jones with the score at 173 for 5. Cornwall then featured in a 53-run stand with Shamar Springer before he was dismissed by Kissoondath Magram at 230 for 6. Springer was unbeaten on 24 at the end along with Jesse Bootan, who smashed an unbeaten 58 off just 27 balls before proceedings came to a close. Bootan clubbed six sixes and three fours which entertained as the match headed towards a stalemate. Jones was the best of the Blue bowlers with 2-20. There was a wicket each for Keon Joseph, Roston C h a s e , Wa r r i c a n a n d M a g r a m . (SportsMax)
Gonsalves Quits As Chairman Of Caricom Sub-committee
Grenada Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell has quit as Chairman of the Caricom sub-committee on cricket governance, citing divisive behavior on the path of some other regional leaders as
the primary reason. While he was not specific as to which of his regional counterparts had undermined the body by making statements contrary to agreements reached at the heads of government level, Mitchell claimed the situation was untenable. “I gave it up because I felt angered by the behaviour of a couple of our leaders in the region and the way they behaved when we took a decision and I felt that they undermined the authority of the chairman of the sub-committee at the time and therefore I did not feel I could continue in that position,” the Grenadian leader said. Mitchell has hinted that he will support St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves for the post. “I spoke to Ralph and in fact I sent a message to him because I hold that position of recognising his leadership seriously. So I told him that I was going to issue a statement as the Prime Minister of Grenada and he knows my position as a cricket lover.” (SportsMax)