Tuesday, June 28, 2016

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

MPI donates 30 units of blood during successful bloaod drive

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Positive, and MPI thought it fit to play its part by encouraging staff to donate blood. The health fair also offered services such as glucose, eye, blood pressure, and HIV testing as well as mental health and dental screenings.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, was also present and stressed the importance of maintaining one’s health and its link to productivity. She further urged those in attendance to conduct more regular health check-ups and emphasised that “prevention is always better than cure”. Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, t this time of the year, the Blood A n n e t t e F e r g u s o n ( r i g h t ) , Bank is short of all blood types, interacts with a member of staff particularly O-Negative and O- during the ministry’s recent blood drive. (GINA)

he Ministry of Public Infrastructure recently held a blood drive and mini health fair, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health’s National Blood Transfusion Services (NTBS), which saw the donation of approximately 30 units of blood.

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Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson (right), interacts with a member of staff during the ministry’s recent blood drive

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Consultations on copyright legislation has started Consultations on Copy Right legislation have commenced with both government and private sector stakeholders. This is to provide a better environment for people in the creative arts industries. This was disclosed by Advisor on Cultural Policy, Ruel Johnson, in an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA). Johnson stated that in order to create an environment that is healthy for people in the creative industries, “The first thing that we have to tackle is legislation, copyright legislation.”Johnson said that he has consulted with both government entities and private stakeholder groupings. The aim he noted is to create a working group of people who would deal specifically with the copyright legislation. Johnson says he is looking at interventions that can be made over both short and long terms periods. However, even though copyright legislation is on the front burner, if creative artistes are to be fully catered for, other types of legislation must be taken into account.Taking the legislative aspect

into consideration, Johnson related to GINA that he has been in contact with the Commercial Registry, the Ministry of Business, the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.“Now we are also going to be looking at general intellectual property legislation that deals with everything from business branding, packets, to protecting indigenous cultural knowledge, traditional knowledge that doesn’t quite come under copyright but it comes under protected intellectual property,” Johnson explained. Once the consultations are complete and consensus is reached, the legislation for providing adequate grounds for creative artist will be realized. The copyright laws will help to foster an environment in which creativity and innovation can be encouraged and allowed to flourish.The laws will provide the opportunity for the producers and creators of various works

to profit financially from their efforts, which will be formally recognized.

This includes literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works, sound recordings, films, broadcasts and cable programmes. The copyright law should have provision which speaks to reproduction of any work by an artiste without the permission of the owner of the copyright who is often the author but may be the publisher, broadcaster or other person. If the need arises, persons will be required a pay a fee as a price for giving their consent. These fees vary in different circumstances. (GINA)

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Dr. Hinds rejects salary proposal by govt says all workers should be paid a living wage

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olitical commentator and executive member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Dr. David Hinds has rejected Government’s proposal of paying public servants based on their performance and offered that every worker should be paid a living wage.

According to Dr. Hinds, Government’s proposal to the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) – who are currently in wage negotiations – is one which is likely to do more harm than good.

Government has proposed to the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) that a “differentiated approach” (performancebased salary increase) replace the acrossthe-board percentage increase usually paid to public servants. And while GPSU has indicated that it will consider the proposal, the political commentator noted that he was “skeptical” of this.

“If you’re talking about performance, then that should be on top of workers being paid a living wage. I’m very skeptical about the talk of performance, because people come to the workplace with different challenges. You will have the woman who is a single parent, who has five children to deal with in the morning before she comes to work. She comes to the workplace sometimes with tremendous pressure on her head that could affect her performance on the job and if you’re talking about paying her based on performance and not taking into consideration the social situation, I think you are running into a situation,” he said.

He also suggested that instead of going that route of performance-based increases, the executive should pay every worker a living wage. “I think it is something worth thinking about. I think they are talking about paying the workers based on performance and I think there are some problems with that. I think all

workers should be paid a living wage,” D r.

H i n d s s a i d .

A former political lecturer, Dr Hinds reasoned that one has to be careful that the performance-based approach does not lead to a hierarchy at the workplace that could in the long run defeat the purpose.

He also explained that one has to also be careful that it is not being used to discriminate against workers who may be at odds with management or too vocal at the workplace. He said attention should also be placed on the social circumstances of the individual workers, because workers came from different households and they brought to the workplace their different experiences.

“There are kinds of social factors that could influence workers’ performances.

Workers from stable households may start with an advantage. The system of evaluation, therefore, has to be fair, just

and transparent. Perhaps a compromise could be reached where the bulk of the salary increases are given across the board and the remainder is based on performance,” Dr Hinds stated.

GPSU and the Government entered into negotiations last week and several proposals and considerations were made by both parties. The performance-based proposal was first recommended by President David Granger who suggested that lazy public servants should receive a l a z y person’s p a y .

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Heads roll at GRA; others promoted

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ue to an unsatisfactory performance by divisions within Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Chairman Rawle Lucas of the Governing Board of this institution, revealed that changes were needed in the organization for its improvement. After Former Commissioner General, Khurshid Sattaur was fired last January, a period of radical and ‘necessary’ adjustments has followed the institution.

As such, a decision was made to fire Ms. Archana Joshi, Head of the Human Resource and Management Division and Jameel Baksh, who was head of Customs and Excise Operations. “We were not satisfied with the extent to which our revenue was being collected,” Lucas explained to members of the media at a p r e s s c o n f e r e n c e y e s t e r d a y.

“So we thought it was in the best interest of the organization to make some changes. “It was felt that we needed to have someone who we could rely on and

understood the concept very well and could assist us in implementing the programme.” With the fall of some, others have risen as former Deputy Commissioner for Tax operations Ms. Hema Khan was promoted new Deputy Commissioner General of GRA; acting Commissioner General Ingrid Griffith will now head Corporate Services; head of Law Enforcement and Investigations Division Karen Chapman, has been reassigned to oversee G R A’ s t r a n s i t i o n programme and I n ter n atio n al Tr ad e Lawyer Lancelot Wills will now head Customs.

“But in addition to that, as the organisation is structured, it is not serving our tax payers well. For example, I was in Rupununi recently

and the representatives of the Rupununi Chambers of Commerce asked to meet with me.” “While there, one of the things they pointed at is that it would cost a businessman in Lethem close to $50,000 just to get a compliance certificate because the service is not provided (there). All the regions are being equipped to provide the full suite of services available in Georgetown,” Lucas said.

President Granger meets with German Ambassador

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r e s i d e n t D a v i d G r a n g e r , Germany, which will be observed in yesterday, met with Germany’s September of this year.Guyana and the Ambassador to Guyana, His F e d e r a l R e p u b l i c o f G e r m a n y Excellency Lutz Hermann Gorgens, at the Ministry of the Presidency. During the meeting, discussions were held on a number of local and global issues including the climate change phenomenon, Guyana’s transition to a ‘green economy’, the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, the upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government Summit, the European From left: Mr. Ben ter Welle, Honorary Consul of Germany Union and the 50th anniversary of to Guyana, President David Granger and His Excellency Lutz bilateral relations between Guyana and Hermann Gorgens, German Ambassador to Guyana.

established formal diplomatic relations in September 1966, shortly after Guyana gained its Independence in May of that year. Since then, the two nations have collaborated in a number of areas, particularly as it relates to forest preservation and climate change within the framework of the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme, which was implemented in 2004. Mr. Ben ter Welle the Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Guyana accompanied the Ambassador to the M i n i s t r y. ( G I N A )

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Cocaine bust in Essequibo Coast

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he police have arrested two persons in connection with the discovery of a quantity of cocaine in a house in the Essequibo Coast.

According to a police report, at about 17:35h on June 27, police in ‘G’ Division carried out a search at a home at Perseverance Village, Essequibo Coast and found 535 grams of cocaine.

The two remain in custody as investigations continue.

Suspected Cow thief escapes police custody

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prisoner who was being transported from Georgetown to Wakenaam via Parika, East Bank Essequibo, managed to escape police custody on Tuesday despite being handcuffed, a senior police source confirmed. This newspaper understands that the prisoner, who has not been identified as yet, was transported to the Island of Wakenaam in the Essequibo River earlier this morning. He was schedule to attend court in Wakenaam after being accused of stealing a number of cows.

However, despite being in handcuffs, the prisoner managed to escape police custody and fled into a clump of bushes on the island. Meanwhile, the Deputy Divisional Commander for the Essequibo since gone to Wakenaam to supervise the search for the man.

Other sources have also said that the man has in the past escaped from police while in custody for other offences. The prisoner has also been accused of

stealing sheep and taking them to Parika. The police source also revealed that the policeman from whom the prisoner escaped is likely to be placed under close arrest.

www.guyanadailynew.com

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

First Lady takes Self Reliance and Success in Business workshop to Mahdia

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irst Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, yesterday, took her Self Reliance and Success in Business workshop to a group of businesswomen in Mahdia, Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight), who were eager to capitalise on the opportunity to learn the necessary skills to advance their small businesses.

A large gathering of residents, who hailed from Tumatumari, Micobie, Campbelltown, Princeville, Mahdia Central and other areas warmly greeted the First Lady on her arrival at the opening session, which was held in the auditorium of the School of Excellence.

Even as she thanked them for their attendance, the First Lady pointed out that while she does not want the men to feel left out; the workshop was directed predominantly at women.

Mrs. Granger said that the workshops are funded by the Ministries of Social Protection and Indigenous Peoples' Affairs and plans are in train to continue to take them across the country. She expressed hope that at the end of the workshop both business owners and prospective business owners will have a better idea of how to grow and manage their businesses, understand their community and be better informed about how to package and market their product, all to their long-term benefit.

“I hope that you, the participants, would be excited and energised once you have completed this programme and [are] able to see benefits in whatever business venture you…engage in,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Rajcoomarie “Gloria” Bancroft, Regional Councillor and Member of Parliament, who coordinated the seminar in this region, said she hoped that having the First Lady explain her vision for the seminar has given the women food for thought.

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger “I hope the women of Mahdia can really start thinking ahead. Even if you’ve never had a business, as the First Lady said, start thinking about something to make yourself independent and not dependent,” she said. Ms. Bancroft reiterated that they should “throw off dependency” and encouraged them “to teach the youths because … the young people have to take the mantle” of leadership in coming years.

Twenty-five women and one man, who asked to be included, are participating in the session this week at the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council.

The participants include St. Lucian born Ms. Theresa Johnson, who has lived in Mahdia since the 1960s, and they own a variety of businesses, including groceries, clothing retail shops, restaurants and beverage shops.

Representatives from Interweave Solutions, Mr. Johann Puran and Ms. Crystal Baptiste said that the focus of the workshop is two-fold in that it

teaches business management skills but it also encourages the women to develop community plans, which focus on the creation of groups that would discuss and resolve issues within their community.

Businesswoman, Ms. Mathilda Leon oldly shared her work plan with the group and came in for high praise from the facilitators. “I’m very happy to be here. I’m a businesswoman but I never had the opportunity to be in this sort of session to learn more [about] how to manage my business. It is my pleasure to be here,” she said.

The First Lady expressed appreciation to s. Bancroft for organising the event, Regional Chairman of Potaro-Siparuni, Mr. Bonaventure Fredericks, the councillors and people of the region.

She also thanked Interweave Solutions, a non-governmental organisation that helps local entities in developing countries to expand their business sectors through training, for approaching her office with this new and innovative approach to help small businesswomen to amplify their economic prospects.

The workshops have their genesis in a vision of the First Lady, whose work has, over the past year, centred on women’s empowerment with a view to making an impact on families, communities and the country at large.

Over the last few months, workshops have been held in Lusignan, DemeraraMahaica Region; Linden, Upper Demerara-Berbice Region; the Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo; Mahaica Berbice, Barima-Waini regions and, most recently at Bartica, CuyuniMazaruni. (Ministry of the Presidency) www.guyanadailynew.com

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Former AG on Bail Bill...

Govt must come clean on views (Trinidad & Tobago)

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overnment must say if it sought views on the Bail Amendment Bill from those opposed to the bill in 2015 including the Law Association whose vice president Gerry Brooks is now in Government, says former PP attorney general Garvin Nicholas Government and Opposition meet tomorrow on the bill which lapses in August. Government wants to extend it for another two years due to cases in the courts. The Attorney General said he’d written the Opposition since June 2 seeking a meeting on the bill which requires Opposition support for passage.

Debate was shelved two weeks ago when the Opposition then sought a meeting on it.

Nicholas, in an interview, said, “In analysis for the way forward, research has to be done into the effect of the law and it’s also important to ascertain the views of those vehemently opposed to the bill before (in PP’s tenure) such as Mr Brooks who was part of

Former PP Attorney General Garvin Nicholas

the LATT executive which opposed it and who signed a release to that effect in 2015.” “He’s now in Government as a State board chairman of NGC and a number of other boards - has his view changed as a result, will he and LATT support extension of something which he’d opposed when he was out of Government?

LATT president Reginald Armour and Brooks didn’t immediately reply to calls on LATT’s position on the bill. Nicholas added,“The timing of such legislation comes at a period when government finds crime and murder rates unacceptable. “The escalation indicates more elements at play so it’s important to curb causes as well as gun violence and ownership, and strengthen laws on illegal firearms.”

Tomorrow’s talks will be between a five-member Government team led by the Attorney General and an Opposition team lead by the Whip, UNC officials

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Heads roll at GRA; others promoted

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ue to an unsatisfactory performance by divisions within Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Chairman Rawle Lucas of the Governing Board of this institution, revealed that changes were needed in the organization for its improvement. After Former Commissioner General, Khurshid Sattaur was fired last January, a period of radical and ‘necessary’ adjustments has followed the institution.

As such, a decision was made to fire Ms. Archana Joshi, Head of the Human Resource and Management Division and Jameel Baksh, who was head of Customs and Excise Operations. “We were not satisfied with the extent to which our revenue was being collected,” Lucas explained to members of the media at a press conference yesterday.

“So we thought it was in the best interest of the organization to make some changes.

“It was felt that we needed to have someone who we could rely on and understood the concept very well and could assist us in implementing the programme.” With the fall of some, others have risen as former Deputy Commissioner for Tax operations Ms. Hema Khan was promoted new Deputy Commissioner General of GRA; acting Commissioner General Ingrid Griffith will now head Corporate Services; head of Law Enforcement and Investigations Division Karen Chapman, has been reassigned to oversee GRA’s transition programme and International Trade Lawyer Lancelot Wills will now head Customs.

“But in addition to that, as the organisation is structured, it is not serving our tax payers well. For example, I was in Rupununi recently and the representatives of the Rupununi

Chambers of Commerce asked to meet with me.” “While there, one of the things they pointed at is that it would cost a businessman in Lethem close to $50,000 just to get a compliance certificate because the service is not provided (there). All the regions are being equipped to provide the full suite of services available in Georgetown,” Lucas said.

Gold price increase on World Market could benefit Guyana

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he increase in gold prices on the international market could help Guyana surpass its targeted production. The increase follows the UK’s vote to leave the European Union (EU) last Friday. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) in an invited comment that, “We’re happy that our (gold) prices have increased.”

However, Trotman added, “We’re not happy that our increases comes really on the back of a broken system elsewhere.” Gold is now trading at just over US$1300 per ounce on the international market. This increase on the international market is likely to help Guyana surpass its targeted production and declaration in gold locally.

Guyana’s budgeted target for gold production this year is 550,000 ounces.

“I don’t want to reveal what is our target internally but we’re working on a target that goes past 550,000 ounces. So I would say that we’re doing relatively well in the circumstances,” Trotman noted. He added that he would like to see production declaration surpass 600,000.

Additionally, Trotman told GINA that as a “citizen of the world,” the situation in Europe concerns us all. “Stability is

what the world wants so anything that disrupts the national or global order is something that we should all be concerned about,” Trotman said. “In as much as we’re happy for the increase in gold prices, very happy, we also would like to see stability and normalcy in all parts of the world including Europe,” the Minister of Natural Resources added.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Guyana Lands and Surveys to partner with UNFAO to implement Sustainable Land Development project

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he Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) will be partnering with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (UNFAO) to implement a Sustainable Land Development and Management Project. The proposed project is expected to take effect in January 2017. This is the largest collaboration of its kind in Guyana between the UNFAO and the GL&SC. The project will be funded through the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), in line with the Low Carbon Development Strategy, and in keeping with the ideals of a low emissions pathway of the Green Economy Framework.

The partnership was the outcome of a meeting, which was held on Friday at the GL&SC between Commissioner of the agency, Mr. Trevor Benn and UNFAO representatives comprising Dr. John Ronald Ford, Sub-regional Coordinator, UNFAO Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean, Dr. Lystra Fletcher-Paul, Deputy UNFAO Coordinator/ Administrative and Technical Capacity – Land and Water Divisions; Mr. Reuben Hamilton

Robertson, Guyana Country Representative of the UNFAO and Ms. Angela Alleyne, Assistant UNFAO Representative for Guyana. Also present at the discussion was Mr. Marlon Bristol, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and Head of the Project Management Office, Ministry of the Presidency.

The proposed project, among other things, is intended to; promote good environmental stewardship in a green economy to achieve a better quality of life, improve planning, monitoring and evaluation capacities to address land management needs, improve standard of living through sustainable land use and management practices, strengthen monitoring and enforcement capacity and ensure compliance with sustainable land management practices, mainstream policy and implementation by natural resource agencies and implement sustainable land development and management and monitoring using indicators for the reduction of land use conflicts and innovative problem solving initiatives.

It is also expected to increase land

reclamation of degraded public lands and reduce degraded areas in relation to total land area, improve organisational image through better client-employees relations and ensure greater coordination and improved service delivery in technical areas.

As the guardian of public lands and the National Focal Point Agency to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Commission has implemented numerous projects aimed at improving public land administration in Guyana and contributing to poverty alleviation and national development while meeting the country’s international obligations.

Recently, Cabinet has taken the bold step of approving Guyana’s alignment process to the UNCCD’s 10- year (2008-2018) Strategic Plan giving the green light for the implementation of the Aligned National Action Plan to Combat Land Degradation (NAP).

This provides further impetus to addressing issues related degraded lands. (GINA)

Mr. Trevor Benn, Commissioner of Guyana Lands and Surveys in a symbolic handshake with Dr. John Ronald Ford, Sub-regional Coordinator, FAO Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean.

In the photo, also are Dr. Lystra Fletcher-Paul, Deputy FAO Coordinator/ Administrative and Technical Capacity – Land and Water Divisions, Mr. Reuben Hamilton Robertson, Guyana, Country Representative (FAO), Ms. Angela Alleyne, Assistant FAO Representative and Mr. Marlon Bristol, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and Head of the Project Office, Ministry of the Presidency, and Ms. Andrea Mahammad, Senior Land Use Planner of GL&SC.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

High hopes for boost to global trade as Panama Canal Panamax’ ships able to navigate the access and installed gigantic cranes to COLON, Panama (VOA) — anama officially opened an canal will be stacked with containers service the massive ships. The Port addition to its fabled sea canal nearly 15 storeys high. Others will carry Authority of New York and New Jersey Sunday for a new generation of cargoes of grain, natural gas and other will spend more than US$1 billion to super cargo ships, capping a nine-year, goods nearly three times larger than raise the height of the roadway on the US$5.4 billion expansion project that before. Thousands of spectators watch bridge connecting Staten Island to will double shipping capacity and as the Neopanamax cargo ship, Cosco Bayonne, New Jersey, to accommodate impact global trade routes. Panamanian Shipping Panama, prepared to cross the the huge carriers. Leaving the clearance President Juan Carlos Varela unveiled new new Agua Clara locks, part of the of the 85-year-old bridge at 46 metres the refurbished canal as the giant Panama Canal expansion project, near would, according to economists, risk container ship Cosco Shipping Panama the port city of Colon, Panama. the eventual obsolescence of the Port of made its way through a string of locks Analysts say the canal’s annual cargo New York; North America’s largest on the 77-kilometre Isthmus of Panama. volume should double over the next seaport. Port of Miami director Juan “This the route that unites the world,” d e c a d e , s t o k i n g h o p e s a m o n g Kuryla and US Congresswoman Varela told a crowd of about 30,000 Panamanian officials the tiny Central Frederica Wilson told the Miami Herald people who gathered to witness the American country could triple the US$1 newspaper she expected the canal inaugural trip through the vital billion in annual shipping fees it expansion and the US$1.3 billion in waterway. Various foreign dignitaries, currently collects. The revitalised canal l o c a l p o r t i m p r o v e m e n t s t o including the presidents of Taiwan, has also spurred vast construction accommodate the bigger ships will Chile and several Central American projects at ports on the US East Coast bring “thousands of high-paying jobs” nations, attended. Andrew Holness, and Gulf of Mexico. The ports of to south Florida. — Additional prime minister of Jamaica, and his Miami, New York and Houston have reporting by the AP and AFP (Jamaica transport minister Mike Henry were deepened their harbours, expanded rail Observer) also in attendance. “There is evidence that the Panama Canal, with this expansion, is an important player not only for maritime commerce but worldwide,” said Panama Canal Authority Executive Vice-President Oscar Bazan. “[Clients] will benefit from not only saving time but also money because the canal is a route that shortens distance.”The latest generation of gigantic carriers — more than 46 metres wide and 275 metres long — could not fit through the 102-year-old canal. Unable to reach the US East Coast by sea, many of the mega-carriers from Asia unloaded their goods in the ports of Los Angeles and Long The Neopanamax cargo ship, Cosco Shipping Panama, approaches the new Beach for shipment by rail to the Agua Clara locks, part of the Panama Canal expansion project, near the port city of Colon, Panama, on Sunday.Photo: AP rest of the country and beyond.

Many of the so-called ‘Neo-

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Colombia army helicopter crashes in Caldas, killing 17

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eventeen members of the Colombian security forces have died in a helicopter crash north-west of Bogota, the army has said. The wreckage of the army helicopter was found on Monday in Pensilvania in the central province of Caldas, a day after the aircraft had gone missing. The army said it suspected bad weather may have been to blame for the crash.

Accidents are not uncommon in this area as mountain ranges and unpredictable weather make flying difficult. Last August, 16 police officers died when a helicopter crashed in low cloud in Antioquia province.

The latest incident involved a helicopter that had been on its way from Quibdo, in the northern Choco province, to an army base in Tolemaida when it disappeared. The army said its mission was "operational".

The helicopter that crashed is a MI-17 similar to the one shown here / Getty Images

group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), signed a ceasefire agreement.

Analysts say it would seem unlikely the Farc would risk the progress made in the peace process by attacking a helicopter. President Juan Manuel Santos 'Thorough investigation’ said there would be a thorough investigation into the There have been instances in the past when army crash. The mayor of Pensilvania, Jesus Ospina, told helicopters have been downed by rebel groups. But last Colombian radio that locals had seen the helicopter week, the government and the country's largest rebel "flying very low" and reported hearing an explosion.

Parrot squawk 'evidence' in murder trial

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prosecutor in Michigan is considering whether the squawkings of a foul-mouthed parrot may be used as evidence in a murder trial. Glenna Duram, 48, has been charged with murdering her husband, Martin, in front of the couple's pet in 2015. Relatives of the victim believe that the pet African Grey, named Bud, overheard the couple arguing and has been repeating their final words.

The local prosecutor says it's unclear if the bird can be used as evidence. "It is something we are going to be looking at to determine if it's reliable to use or if it's information we need," Newaygo Country prosecutor Robert Springstead told theDetroit Free Press.

Mrs Duram is accused of shooting her husband five times before turning the gun on herself in a failed suicide attempt. Mr Duram's ex-wife, Christina Keller, now owns Bud. She believes that he has been repeating the conversation from the night of the murder, which she says ends in the phrase "Don't shoot!", with an expletive added.

His parents agree with her. "I personally think he was there, and

he remembers it and he was saying it", Mr Duram's father told local media. His mother, Lillian Duram, added: "That bird picks up everything and anything, and it's got the filthiest mouth around." Mr Springstead said it is unlikely the bird could be called to the stand to testify as a witness during a trial. (BBC)

African Grey Parrots can live for up to 60 years/ Getty Images

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

UNC in early election petition win...

EBC documents can be used (Trinidad & Tobago)

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he United National Congress (UNC) has been granted last minute permission to extend the scope of its election petitions challenging the Election and Boundaries Commission’s (EBC) decision to extend last September’s general election by one hour due to heavy rainfall. The Opposition party yesterday emerged winner of a special sitting of the Court of Appeal to clarify two major pre-trial evidential issues, which had to be determined to allow for the start of the trial of the five petitions this morning.

The UNC’s legal team had appealed a decision by trial judge Mira DeanArmorer to strike out hearsay evidence from its witnesses which she felt was irrelevant to their case against the EBC. Delivering an oral judgment yesterday, Appellate Judges Allan Mendonca, Peter Jamadar and Judith Jones ruled that Dean-Armorer had construed the UNC’s petitions too narrowly and should have considered her power to admit the evidence. The three-member panel sent the issue back to Dean-Armorer for her reconsideration.

In a secondary appeal, the EBC had challenged Dean-Armorer’s decision to allow the UNC to refer to EBC documents, including polling station diaries and records of roving EBC officials, which included information on the closing time of individual polling stations and the number of people who voted during the extended period.

Presenting submissions yesterday, EBC lawyer Russel Martineau, SC, claimed that Dean-Armorer’s decision on the issue, last Friday, was unfair, as it did not give them enough time to respond before the start of the trial.

“It is impossible to deal with this.

Judges have to be realistic,” Martineau said as he claimed his team would be required to analyse over 1,000

documents and respond whilst preparing for the trial. Responding to claims from the UNC that the EBC should have already inspected the documents because they were in possession of them, Martineau claimed election legislation forbids the EBC or its lawyers from handling the documents in the absence of a court order.

While the head of the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) legal team Douglas Mendes, SC, agreed with the EBC that the documents should have been excluded from the case, he said his client could not agree to a deferral of the trial to accommodate the EBC. “These important matters must be determined sooner rather than later, because a cloud is hanging over the results of the election,” Mendes said.

In dismissing the EBC’s appeal, the judges ruled that Dean-Armorer had “taken into account all relevant considerations” when she gave her ruling last Friday and instituted a short timeline for responses. However, the panel felt that due to yesterday’s lengthy procedural appeals, the EBC should be granted a one-day extension to respond.

The UNC is being represented by Timothy Straker, QC, Anand Ramlogan, SC, Kent Samlal and Douglas Bayley.

The PNM’s legal team includes John Jeremie, SC, Michael Quamina, Kerwyn Garcia, Terrence Bharath and Celeste Jules. Senior Counsel Deborah Peake is also part of the EBC’s legal team.

constituencies was marginally affected by the EBC’s decision to extend the polling hours.

The UNC initially filed petitions for six marginal constituencies—La Horquetta/Talparo, Toco/Sangre Grande, Tunapuna, St Joseph, San Fernando West and Moruga/Tableland. In March, however, the petition for La Horquetta/Talparo was struck out by Dean-Armorer due to an administrative error by the UNC in filing it. Besides the petitions, Dean-Armorer has also been assigned two cases in which three private citizens are challenging the EBC’s decision.

Social activist Ravi Balgobin Maharaj has filed a judicial review seeking the court’s clarification on whether the EBC had the constitutional power to make the decision and Irwin Lyne and Melissa Sylvan are claiming that the EBC breached the constitutional rights of Tobagonians by not allowing them an extension. Both cases have been deferred as they would be directly affected by the outcome of DeanArmorer’s decision on the petitions.

(Derek A. Chong / Trinidad Guardian)

ABOUT THE CASE In its petitions, the Opposition is claiming the EBC’s returning officers acted illegally when they followed the EBC’s directive to extend the poll, as the commission did not have the power to adjust the 6 am to 6 pm time period for elections. It contends its defeat in the

UNC attorney Timothy Straker, QC, speaks to reporters outside the Hall of Justice, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, after the party won its election petition appeal.

Also in photo is former attorney general Anand Ramlogan.

Photo: NICOLE DRAYTON

HOROSCOPE Page 26

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Daily Horoscope

Your charm will mesmerize members of the opposite sex today. Investments that deal with property will pay off but could cause conflict with some family members. Dig deep to find out how costly a new venture will be before you sign on the dotted line.

Communication must be open, precise, and honest. Don't be too eager to spend money that you really don't have. You should be in business for yourself.

Be sure to find out all you can before you commit to anything. Build on friendship rather than starting out in an intimate encounter. Mingle with those who can further your goals.

Feeling under the weather may be a result of overindulgence. Try not to attempt to do something unless you are fully intent on following through with the plans. You will make new friends through physical activities You may find that relationships are not going as well as you'd like. Shopping could cost more than you bargained for. You could experience delays in shipments or mail, and should be careful while traveling Don't agree to make any of those cosmetic alterations you've been considering. Get involved in activities that will bring you knowledge about foreign land, philosophies, or cultures. Concentrate on your career Don't start a dispute unless you're prepared to accept irreversible results. Romantic encounters are evident through travel or educational pursuits. You may want to make drastic changes concerning your personal partner

Enjoy a quiet dinner for two and discuss some of the plans you have for the future. You may be likely to have difficulties with females. After all, they may have valuable information to pass on.

Your ability to work with detail could help you achieve your goals. Work on legitimate financial deals that may enable you to bring in some extra cash. New relationships will surface through work related events.

Travel if it's needed to start the ball rolling. Keep tabs on your spending. A need to express yourself may come out in creative ways

Opportunities to pamper yourself may unfold.

Involvement in groups will be favorable. Business partnerships will prove lucrative. First find out if they're married.

Try to stay calm, and whatever you do, don't nag.

Your contributions will be valued and helpful. You may find that your quick wit and charm will help you in obtaining allies.

PAGE 28

Evans sets another Bahamanian national record

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ahamian Joanna Evans continued her recordbreaking form at the 2016 RBC National Championships in Nassau over the weekend.

The swimmer, who set a new national record over the 800-metre freestyle late last week, took the senior title in the 200-metres freestyle in a new Bahamian record time of 2:01.62.

The time was an improvement on the record of 2:01.73 she set at the Longhorn Elite Invite on June 4. It was also well under the Olympic B standard time of 2:03.13. Evans is also closing in on becoming the fastest swimmer in the English speaking CARIFTA region in the 200, a record held by Jamaican swimmer Janelle Atkinson when she won silver at the 1999 PAN AM Winnipeg Games in a time of 2:01.11.(SportsMax)

www.guyanadailynew.com

Gayle, Lara, Viv make McCullum's all-time XI

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nother former international cricketer of much repute park," said McCullum.(SportsMax) has included Chris Gayle in an XI purported to represent the greatest X1 in the game. According to the former New Zealand opener and skipper, Brendon McCullum, a team, for him would have to face the opening bowlers from any opposition with the partnership of Gayle and Tendulkar.

McCullum is joining Shane Warne in the belief that Gayle is among the best. Warne recently picked Gayle as his opener in an all-time T20 World XI. Incidentally, Warne also makes McCullum's all-time XI. McCullum chooses Ricky Ponting as his number three and adds former Aussie teammates Adam Gilchrist, with Warne providing the spin from down under.

Gayle has, as West Indians in common, Sir Vivian Richards and Brian Lara in McCullum's all-time XI. New Zealand have Tim Southee and Trent Boult to provide some pace to the side's bowling, while South Africa's Jacques Khallis is the all rounder in the bunch. "I wanted someone destructive at the top of the order. Chris Gayle - there ain't much better than that," McCullum.

McCullum, who has Lara at four and Sir Viv at ďŹ ve, sees no better player to lead the team than the destructive Antiguan. "(Lara) can hopefully take the game away in a session. Sir Viv Richards comes in next and captains the side as well, with his charm, his swagger and his ability to hit the ball out of the

PAGE 30

Slow pitches stifling Windies bowling talent - Langer

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ustralia coach Justin Langer has suggested better pitch preparation to aid up and coming regional fast bowling talent. Langer, who recently led the Australian team to triumph in the Ballr Tri nation series after a win over the West Indies, claims to be very impressed with the standard of youth talent and urged the team to go back to its roots so to speak.

The Australians won Sunday’s final by 58 runs, a victory that ended the two week tournament, which had also included South Africa. During the competition the coach had the opportunity to look at bowlers around the region.

“We have watched a lot of young net bowlers over the course of this tournament – bowlers who bowl so fast.

But still, they play on such dead, low, lifeless wickets,” Langer said. “In Australia, when we think West Indies, we remember the Marshalls and Garners and Holdings and so on. We speak about their fast bowling. But when we see this, it just doesn’t make any sense to us as to why they prepare such slow pitches. Make fast pitches and your batsmen too will get used to playing fast bowling. We saw it in Guyana, Barbados – same thing,

slow pitches, and it just doesn’t make any sense to me.

They have the talent, and plenty to look forward to.

“They young guys at the nets kept bowling all day. It was bloody hot, but they love bowling – so that’s a good sign as well. I can’t remember their names, but the talent is very obvious. I saw a couple of sessions, and I was very impressed. I don’t know anything about them, but I saw there was talent.” (SportsMax)

Alves: Messi must ignore critics after Copa loss

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espite his crucial penalty miss in the Copa America final, Dani Alves has urged Lionel Messi to move on quickly. Dani Alves has told former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi to ignore his critics after his Copa America final penalty miss. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner failed from the spot in Argentina's shootout defeat to Chile and announced his international retirement after Sunday's game.

Messi lost all four of his major finals with his national team and this was a third in three years, coming after the 2014 World Cup defeat to Germany and another setback against Chile in the 2015 Copa. However, Alves, who has this week joined Juventus from Barca, had comforting words for his great friend. "I did not see the end because it was late and I had commitments," he said. "No one can take away Leo's

greatness.

"It's a pleasure to be his friend. He must be with people who respect him and not with those who disparage him. "It is a minority who criticise him and he should not give them importance." (SportsMax)

PAGE 32

War of words as Jamaica’s sports minister shuts down Jamaica’s National Arena

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amaica’s sports minister has ordered that the National Arena at Independence Park Limited in Kingston be shut down to facilitate an investigation into possible faulty electrical wiring at the facility.

Since 2014, there have been two fires at Jamaica’s Institute of Sports (INSPORTS) housed at the National Arena, the most recent of which occurred last week in the institute’s accounts department.

Preliminary checks suggest the fire was the result of faulty wiring. Administrative Director, Ian Andrews, at Insport told Sportsmax.tv Monday that the problems with the electrical wiring of the decades-old building has been a longstanding one.

“The fire occurred in one of the offices of one of our secretaries in the accounts department; as it turned out, it was the air-conditioning unit that had some faulty wiring. It is nothing new; my office burnt to a crisp in 2014 and it was from that time we found out that it was faulty wiring,” Andrews revealed. “Nothing was done then and the problem has come back to haunt us.”

Meanwhile, Major Desmon Brown the General Manager of Independence Park Limited where the National Arena is situated, is refuting the administrative director’s comments, adding that if INSPORTS needs repairs to be done, it needs to pay money it owes to IPL. Major Brown said INSPORTS owes IPL millions of dollars (Jamaican) for rent, utilities and other costs.

“I told him to pay the money he owes and we will fix the problem,” said Major Brown, who explained that the 2014 fire occurred in the southern side of the building, while last week’s incident was on the opposite end. He did acknowledge that no repairs were done on the air-conditioning unit in 2014 other than the removal of the damaged wires. In light of the

decision to close the building down, INSPORT is being temporarily relocated to Eureka Crescent in Kingston. Andrews lauded Sports Minister Olivia Grange for taking action.

“What really pleased me was when we wrote to the minister and the permanent secretary explaining the situation and even though this was not an official report, we have gotten, everything is now pointing to faulty wiring so the minister said that while she awaits the official report she wants the place to be closed and a thorough investigation needs to be done on the entire building,” Andrews said, highlighting that the safety of individuals working in the building is of paramount importance.

“The first time it happened in my office, my secretary saw the smoke coming from the AC and decided to leave and it’s a good thing she did, because the thing just exploded and what amazed me is that nothing was done about it, despite the plethora of letters and notes that were written to the minister, Major Brown and the permanent secretary then. That is why I must thank this minister for really stepping up and saying let’s get the job done.” (SportsMax)

National Arena

PAGE 34

Rio Olympics, the disaster awaits

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uyana Daily News, June 28, 2016 - Brazil, the American giant; home of endless diversity, exotic paradise for foreign lovers and curious souls, has become a questionable source of recreation. The current political and economic situation of Brazil makes the destination a vulnerable and very volatile place. As the financial bankruptcy unfolds, the tension in the country gets tangible.

High personalities of the government Ms. Dilma Rouseff, three members of her cabinet, former president Luis Ignacio Lula Da Silva along with 27 members of the PMDB (Brazilian Democratic Movement Party) of Vicepresident Michel Temer, now Acting President, are being investigated for alleged corruption. This investigation took off by the beginning of March last.

Local investigators found evidence of the alleged implication of obstruction of justice in the corrupted case of Brazilian Petrol better known as PETROBAS. As a consequence of the Petrobrasfocused corruption investigation, known in Brazil as lava jato (“car wash”), many of Odebrecht’s (Brazilian privately held company) 15 subsidiaries are refinancing up to 35bn reais ($10.4bn) in loans and stepping up asset sales.

It is a country under an economic decline, a recession, the worst one in Brazil since the 1930s. Economy is in a vulnerable status, not only the scandal of the corruption made things tighter, and the continuous dropping of the Brazilian Real to the US Dollar, but the upcoming Olympics are rising red flags among economists in the area.

Organizers are also highly concerned about the threat of the Zika virus. "I am optimistic about the games, but I have to show the reality. We can make a great Olympics, but if some steps are not

taken, it can be a big failure,” Francisco Dornelles, lawyer, economist and current Vice-governor of Rio de Janeiro, said to O GLobo newspaper.

The governmental point of view have been widely shown, but, what is the position of the Brazilian people in all this matter? More than 800 families – 90% of the original population of Vila Autódromo, a drug-free favelas in Rio de Janeiro, planned to be the location of the main Olympic Park have been giving eviction notices to its inhabitants and several houses have been bulldozed, some residents have already left.

“Some say I am being greedy, but I have personal and political reasons for holding out. My aim is to make the government look at themselves and to show humility to the people,” she says. “I’m still learning my rights, but I know enough to get in their way. If the state forces me to give up my home for public works, why do I have to lose out?” Jane Nascimento de Oliveira, resident of the area said.

There was a before and after in crime rates. The crime has increased considerably according to members of the Police force of Rio. “I’ve never had to use my gun in this battalion,” Mr. Marcus Azevedo, a police man said.

Now he has to use his 50,000 volts teaser on his daily basics to stop pick pockets crimes.

The fear of the Olympics safety comes mostly from the ‘fabelas’, the denomination for poor and highly violent communities. “We’re expecting 500,000 visitors during the Olympics, so no matter what we do to prepare, there will be more crimes because the assaults go up along with the number of people,” colleague of Azevedo, Sergeant Santana said.

"The police fleet runs the risk of stopping. We managed to stretch the

finances and we'll only last until the end of the week," Dornelles said. With so many events taking place in such a short space of time in a single city, the challenges of the Olympic traffic are greater than those of the World Cup, or other mega-events such as the pope’s visit in 2013 or the annual carnival.

A bucket of water was thrown on the Olympic flame. An action, selfexplanatory. "A total breakdown in public security, health, education, mobility and environmental management." The Rio de Janeiro state government declared.

Last May, Rio provincial state lost all chance of getting more money to finish the Subway track. Is impossible to get a next debt due to a problem with a credit payment to the Development French Agency. Thousands of athletes, volunteers, staffs and visitors are expected for this international and so expected event. At 38 days, 3 hours, 53 minutes and 57 seconds of the Game, the world is in suspense.

By Rocio Perez