GNN Online Newspaper - Dec 09, 2015

Wednesday December 09, 2015

-PAGE 2

Police kill two SUSPECTED BANDITS

PRESIDENT APPOINTS ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE AFTER CONSULTING WITH JAGDEO -PAGE 3

Police kill two in South Ruimveldt shootout

The bodies of the bandits in the back of a police vehicle. [iNews’ Photo]

Two men are now dead as the police look to confirm their identities.

The men were killed during an early morning shootout with the police in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, after they attempted to carry out a home invasion in the area.

Police sources said that they received information about the presence of the men and when they responded at about 04:00 hrs, they came under fire from the two suspects.

The police returned fire and according to reports, the exchange continued

for approximately two hours before the police were able to corner the men and kill them in an alleyway.

Divisional Commander, Clifton Hicken said that the men have not yet been identified and the police are working to have that done.

Reports suggest that the shootout left many residents and children of the area traumatized with the rapid gunshots which rang out in the area early in the morning awaking them from their slumber.

However, the swift action by the police

was commended and from all indications it shows that ‘Operation Dragnet’ continues to reap success in helping to arrest the crime situation.

At the scene the police were seen trying to garner additional information and it is not clear if the two who were killed were the only ones believed to be involved in the alleged attempted robbery.

Hicken said the police have also been able to recover two firearms from the scene of the shooting and the investigations are ongoing.

Justin Nedd confirmed as GTT CEO The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company confirmed Justin Nedd as its Chief Executive Officer.

Nedd was formerly the company’s Chief Financial Officer and has been acting in the Interim CEO capacity since June 2015.

In a statement, the GTT Board of Directors said, “Together with a fantastic executive team of Chief Technical Officer Russell Davis and Chief Commercial Officer Gert Post, Justin is steering a strong path for the company – new services and even better value plans, new and advanced network

investments, new capabilities to further improve customer service, and an exciting new brand proposition to continually Do More for the company’s customers. Justin brings the right balance of relentless customer focus, executional rigor and infectious optimism required to lead GTT in delivering the best and most compelling communications services in Guyana.”

Nedd said it is a “true honor to be entrusted with the leadership of such an important company in Guyana and at such an exciting time. We have made a brand promise

to our customers and to the country to “Do More” and we are doing so every day. From our upgrades to new blazing-fast Internet speeds earlier this year to our new-look retail store opening at the Giftland Mall in the past weeks, GTT is a company that is on the move. The best is yet to come.”

The company said 2016 will be another year of exciting new offers and capabilities, further establishing GTT as the best provider of wireless, broadband, home voice and other services in Guyana.

GTT expressed

optimism that “2016 will be the year that market players are provided the spectrum required to

Justin Nedd

offer advanced wireless services on par with the other countries in the region. We can’t wait to

bring these capabilities to our customers.”

Second shooting victim identified; both from Tuc-Ville The Police this afternoon identified the second suspected bandit killed during a shootout in South Ruimveldt this morning.

He has been identified as Sherwin James, 22 years, of TucVille, Georgetown. The other was identified earlier in the day as Edgar Blackman, 22

years, also of Tuc-Ville.

The two were killed after the Police responded to a report of a robbery in progress at the home of Arlene Mc Lean, of Pioneer Lane, South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown.

Four men entered the home and held up Mc Lean and her sister. When the Police

arrived, they came under fire from the men who were leaving the building at the time.

The Police returned fire and during the armed confrontation, two of the men who were pursued by the police ran into a yard at Reliance Place, South Ruimveldt Park, and took cover behind

a water tank from where they continued to engage the police.

During the exchange of gunfire they were shot by the police and were later pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The other two men escaped.

An unlicensed

9mm. Luger pistol with 3 matching rounds and an unlicensed .38 revolver with 4 matching rounds and 2 spent shells were recovered at the scene.

Residents who converged at the scene,

commended the Police for their action and cheered as the bodies were being removed.

Investigations are ongoing.

Economy seeing slow improvements - Dookhoo

Ramesh Dookhoo

Chairman of the Trade, Intelligence and Investment Committee of the Private Sector Commission (PSC)

Ramesh Dookhoo, is of the view that there are improvements in the economy, however he is hoping this will increase

when employees are paid later this month.

During an interview with GNN, Dhookoo noted that “I think there are improvements but you are still to see the best of those improvements, I think there is a lot of optimism in the private sector but we’ll have not a “water shed” Christmas, but we’ll have a good Christmas”.

He added that as consumption increases and as bonuses are paid, sales will also improve.

Dhookoo explained

that “the problem is disposable income, it is not where the private sector have not produced goods, have not brought in new shipment of goods; all of that has been done so I think, now as long as Christmas income is put into the hands of the employees of Companies; both in the private sector and the public sector, that improvement as we are seeing now will continue”.

During a recent interview, Minister of Business; Dominic Gaskin says

he is optimistic that the Christmas season will be no different from previous years.

He stated that “I see no reason to believe that this Christmas is going to be any less or that businesses are not going to do as well this Christmas as they’ve done in previous years.

So I am very optimistic about Christmas and our economy on a whole”.

F i n a n c e Minister Winston Jordan during the presentation of the 2015 National budget said that the

economy was expected to grow by 3.4 % at the end of 2015, below the 5.3 % that was predicted by the former Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.

According to the Mid-Year Report released by the Finance Ministry in October, the country’s economy declined some 2.5 per cent in the first half of this year when compared to the same period in 2014 Additionally, during recent meeting with the PSC, he stated that the economy is likely to improve during the Christmas season.

shown that while some employers have been grossly negligent in this regard, other stumbling blocks have been encountered

where submissions have been replete with so many inaccuracies that they further stymie efforts.

TAX REFUNDS STILL BEING DISBURSED who have been tardy in submitting Employers’ Return otherwise known as a Forms 2.

The Guyana Revenue taxpayers who for some It notes Authority (GRA) today unfortunate reason however that it is advised that efforts overpaid taxes at one the obligation of are still being made or more tax periods, the Employers, as to disburse refunds. has not been averted; mandated under

GRA in a press but to a large extent Section 93 of the statement said the has been obfuscated Income Tax Act Ch. payment of refunds to by some Employer

81:01, to submit Employers Returns (Forms 2) on or before February 28.

T h i s information would enable the GRA to reconcile with the employees’ tax returns.

GRA said assessments have

President appoints Acting Chief Justice after consulting with Jagdeo Yonette Cummings-Edwards

President David Granger today appointed Justice of Appeal Yonette CummingsEdwards to act in the position as Chief Justice following consultation with Opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

This move was made after taking into consideration that Chief Justice Ian Chang (ag) will be proceeding on pre-retirement leave on December 15 for 10 weeks ahead of his retirement in February 2016.

At a press conference at Freedom House today, Mr. Jagdeo who did not object to the President’s nominee said the replacement for Chief Justice should be

the most senior Judge on the bench. He said he does not know the Justice Cummings-Edwards personally and could not say anything about her.

Further, he suggested that a report on the nominee’s performance should be sought from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) before the appointment is made.

Questioned whether the PPP/C administration followed that procedure in appointing Justice Chang, Jagdeo said it was done but not in a formal manner.

According to Jagdeo, at today’s meeting the President never asked

him if he had a nominee for the position, however, the question was put to him by the Attorney General, Basil Williams.

He however stated that he does not have a candidate and was only made aware of the President’s nominee when he arrived for the meeting at the Ministry of the Presidency this morning.

A release from the Attorney General’s Chambers revealed that Madame Cummings – Edwards was appointed after taking into consideration that she is a woman with “many years experience as a Puisne Judge of the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature, a Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal, her competency and professionalism.”

President Granger in a statement defended his decision to appoint Justice CummingsEdwards deeming her the most suitable person to act in the position.

“We looked at the judges

In photo from left-Minister of State , Joseph Harmon, President David Granger, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams at the Ministry of the Presidency

particularly, the judges in the appeal court and we felt that Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards was the person that could carry out the duties of Chief Justice. We felt she was the most suitable person,” Granger said. The statement added that he examined her experience; the decisions that she has given, her qualifications and concluded that she was the most suitable when all these factors were taken into consideration.

“We are not looking for a permanent appointee because acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr. Carl Singh is the substantive Chief Justice so I cannot fill a position that is already occupied,” Granger said in his statement.

The statement added that the consultative process was conducted completely in line with what is required

by Guyana’s Constitution.

“The Constitution requires me to consult and having considered the potential

candidates, I have made my choice. I am satisfied that she is a good person to fulfill that function and in due course I will have to have other consultations with the Leader of the Opposition to have a permanent appointee but right now Mr. Carl Singh is the substantive Chief Justice, he is acting Chancellor and I do hope that in due course we will be able to have substantive persons in both positions”’ the President said.

Man wanted in connection for murder The Police this afternoon issued a wanted bulletin for Steve Mohamed in relation to investigations into the murder of Quacy Thompson which occurred on July 15,

Steve Mohamed

2014, at Mowassi Landing, Konawaruk.

Mohamed, who is of East Indian extraction, last known addresses were given as Lot 721 Third Street, Kaneville, EBD and Lot 321 Albert

Street, Albertown, Georgetown.

The police is asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the twentyeight year-old Steve Mohamed to contact

them on telephone numbers 226-1333, 225-2722, 226-9941, 225-6411, 911 or the nearest police station.

A l l information will be treated with strict confidence.

Guyana and the USA strengthen efforts to tackle drug crime -Background and polygraph tests for local participating ranks

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the operation of a vetted counternarcotic investigative unit programme was today signed by VicePresident and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and H.E. Mr Perry Halloway, Ambassador of the United States of America.

Ramjattan signed on behalf of the Customs AntiNarcotic Unit (CANU) and the Ambassador on behalf of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The MOU was signed at the Minister’s Office in Brickdam.

According to a release from the Ministry of Public Security, the mission of the Vetted Unit Program of the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States is to train, equip and provide necessary assistance to partner countries so that specialized units

Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and US Ambassador Perry Halloway signing the MoU today.

At right is Mr. Bryan Hunt

in those countries can meet certain mutuallydetermined standards and can increase capacity in integrity, professionalism, and competence in fighting drug crime.

The program is intended to ensure better investigations and interdictions, and to prosecute and

dismantle high-value targets in narcotrafficking networks.

The release noted that members of Guyana’s Law Enforcement sector who will participate in this Vetted Unit Program will have to pass certain background checks, plus tests as to medical and psychological fitness for

duty, polygraph testing and random drug testing.

The DEA will be responsible for all expenses for training, whether this be local or international. The MOU is to remain in force for a period of five (5) years.

During the signing, Ramjattan took the opportunity to request assistance from

Dutch-based construction and engineering company; Ballast Nedam, COWI out of Denmark, Politechnica Ingeneria Architecture of Italy in association with Marcelle Gaskin and Associates of Guyana, Howson Consulting

Engineers of the United Kingdom, Egis of France, IPRO Consulting from Germany, Mott Mc Donald of the United Kingdom in association with SRK Engineering, Sener of South Africa, Japan-based Stantec in association with Pedelta, Proficenter from Brazil, Stuart Consulting Group along with Rahmad and Associates from the United States, CBCL Ltd from Nova Scotia, Canada and Consulting and Indiabased Rites Limited.

Chinese companies are China Railway First Group, China Harbour Engineering (CHEC), Zhejiang Provincial Institute

22 bids received for new Harbour Bridge feasibility study 22 companies including Seven European and four Chinese companies have submitted bids to conduct the feasibility

study and design the New Demerara Harbour Bridge.

The bids were unsealed by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) at its headquarters, Urquhart Street, Georgetown where the bidders were disclosed as the

USA for a high-powered portable container scanner to surveil the contents of containers at various wharves in Georgetown. Mr Bryan Hunt, U.S. Deputy Head of Mission informed that the request is actively being looked into and their experts in USA are presently engaged in identifying

costs and maintenance arrangement for such a crime fighting asset.

Ramjattan was pleased over the procuring by the US Government of equipment for virtual police training by trainers out of USA through tele-conferencing. The equipment will be stationed at the Police Academy.

This can now be facilitated due to the provision of higher speed internet services provided by G T & T to the Academy.

This would allow for more extensive and intensive training of officers and ranks here without the expenses of having to bring to Guyana USA Trainers, or having to send to the USA the Guyanese Trainees. In attendance at the signing ceremony was Head of CANU Mr James Singh.

M i n i s t e r Ramjattan thanked both the Ambassador and the Deputy Head of Mission for the USA’s support.

THE CURENT Demerara Harbour Bridge

of Communications, Planning, Design and Research, and China Shandong International Economic and Technology Competition Group Limited.

Companies coming out CARICOM countries are VIKAR Enterprises of Trinidad and Tobago, CTE in association with NV Rustwijk and Rustwijk of

Suriname, WSP Caribbean Limited from Trinidad and the Guyana-based Stunning Nisi Inc. and Guyana’s CEMCO in association with NMN Group of Canada.

The Demerara Harbour Bridge which was constructed in in July 1978 was expected to last only 10 years, but its lifespan has been expanded.

Govt looking to wrap up forensic audit reports by year end-Sharma The government is looking to put a wrap on the submission of the forensic reports by the end of the year.

This was confirmed today by Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma.

Speaking to the Guyana News Network (GNN), the Minister said there has been some delays in some agencies due to the fact that some heads were on annual leave, hence the reports were stuck with the agency awaiting perusal and response.

Sharma said the audit reports are coming, however, he explained that “there is a time that limit in which you give the agency to respond so I cannot send it anywhere unless they

respond. However, if they don’t respond I will have to forward the report.”

Further, Sharma explained that when the agency has completed its response it is then sent back to the auditor who then forwards it to him. He noted that it is a work in progress.

State Minister Joseph Harmon last week refuted claims that there is a delay in the release of the reports coming out of the forensic audits. He explained that the process usually takes time.

“I don’t know what you perceive to be delays but what I can say is that when these matters get to Cabinet, Cabinet will deal with them. Let me just explain…when an audit

is done the entity which orders it receives that report, the entity will do some evaluation of it and then I believe the board of that entity has to have an opportunity to also study that report,” Harmon stated. Further, he explained that it is then taken by the subject Minister to Cabinet.

According to the Minister, “I do not understand that there is any delay in it.’

The coalition government was criticised by former President Bharrat Jagdeo at a press conference held on Saturday November 28 when he pointed out its failure to release the forensic audit reports to the public in a timely manner.

The opposition

leader called on the government to swiftly release the findings.

Jagdeo questioned “where is the audit report for the Hope Canal too? I thought they would have come up with a report for the Specialty Hospital before they decide to move forward…another audit thee because that was supposed to be corrupt. And the NICIL report why isn’t that being released along with the response by NICIL? The A Partnership or National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) administration began expending some GYD$133M on a number of forensic audits when it took office in May since it accused the

Minister Jaipaul Sharma

previous administration of massive corruption.

The only

report released so far is that of Carifesta X.

Sabotaged Essequibo pumps being fixed (GINA) noted that this intervention comes days after a high level Government The sabotaged pumps team headed by in Region Two are Prime Minister Moses now being repaired Nagamootoo, recently by the Regional visited the region.

Administration, as

Essequibo rice their functioning farmers are now in the is critical for the process of preparing sustenance and for the next crop, and de velopment drainage and irrigation of agriculture are critical to this in that region. process. GINA says it T h e was advised last month G o v e r n m e n t that of the nine pumps Information Agency owned and operated

by the Regional administration, only two were in working condition prompting the government to intervene.

“There are persons who are doing their own little mischief to ensure that the Guyana bus does not reach its destination to prosperity. So that we’re facing some hot situation but we’re dealing with the situation,” the Prime Minister explained.

Efforts are being made through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to restore the drainage pumps.

Bids are currently out for public tender.

Essequibo is one of the largest rice growing areas in the country, and these efforts by the administration are Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo geared to safeguard The coalition to addressing the the rice industry government has concerns of Essequibo which the government committed residents to ensure they says is here to stay. publicly too enjoy the good life.

Guyana, CARICOM sign €6 million project with Italy to combat climate change

Minister Raphael Trotman

Minister of Governance, with responsibility for Natural Resources

and the Environment, Raphael Trotman, along with other ministers of the

Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and Francesco La Camera,

Director General of the Ministry of Environment of Italy, today signed a €6 million project to assist Guyana and other CARICOM Member States to mitigate climate variability and change.

This project, which was negotiated between the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs) and the Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea of Italy, aims to address several issues affecting CARICOM States under the rubric of Climate Change, inclusive of mitigation, adaptation and vulnerability.

Specifically, it aims to help CARICOM Member States to adapt

to climate change, by lessening their vulnerability to sea level rise and climate variability; identifying and implementing the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs); reporting and assessing of the Member States INDCs and the development and dissemination of renewable energy sources and technology.

It also seeks to transfer scientific and technical knowledge, experiences and technology, facilitate the exchange of experts, scientists and researchers; enhance the capacities for the implementation of mechanisms under

the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its related instruments, and to promote joint ventures between the private sectors of the Parties.

The estimated timeframe for the project is five years. It was signed in the presence of the Chairman of 5Cs, Dr. Leonard Nurse, and the Executive Director of 5Cs, Dr. Kenrick Leslie, along with other dignitaries.

M i n i s t e r Trotman thanked the Government and People of Italy for their continued support and friendship shown towards the people of Guyana and the Caribbean.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation takes center stage at Carnegie’s Christmas Village The Carnegie School of Home Economics held its first Annual Christmas Village over the past two days.

The event which was hosted at the School’s compound on December 8th and 9th saw extraordinary seasonal attractions including traditional Christmas dishes, handmade craft and jewellery, local beverages and foods.

Some of the delicacies available at the Christmas Village

include black cake, garlic pork and garlic chicken, an assortment of breads, local juices and teas, cookies, peppers and chutneys.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Carnegie’s Principal, Ms. Penelope Harris alluded to the uniqueness of the activity noting that one of the differences is that “we are encouraging our students to develop the spirit of entrepreneurship. They want to partner with

The GTA Director, Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh and the Principal of Carnegie, Ms. Penelope Harris taking a tour of the Christmas Village

businesses. We want others to take a keen look at what is produced and to applaud their efforts.”

She announced that the Carnegie School of Home Economics will be partnering

with various entities/ organisations in the future, to ensure that the students’ projects and ideas can be nurtured and developed into viable business.

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority; Indranauth Haralsingh, who is also a member of the Board of Governors, congratulated the faculty and staff on the success of the inaugural event, which he described as an “excellent initiative”

“The GTA supports and encourages events such as this. It is indeed a very innovate way of showcasing the talent and creativity of the students; the activity also lends to keeping the Christmas tradition alive for locals as well as visitors,” Haralsingh explained.

He offered ideas for the expansion of the activities for other holidays and the offering crash courses on how to make traditional dishes, interior decorating, table presentations etc.

Amna Ally denies government practicing racial discrimination

Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, has dismissed claims by the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration of racial discrimination against Indo-Guyanese.

F o r m e r President Donald Ramotar took a swipe at the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government for what he deems “racial and political discrimination” against Indo-Guyanese.

Minister Amna Ally

“ T h e y continue with their racial discrimination countrywide, including the removal of street lights where majority Indo-Guyanese live,” Ramotar highlighted.

Reference was made to the removal of street lights by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure in Bath Settlement West Berbice where majority Indians reside. The reason given for the removal was the government could not afford to continue

with the lights given the related energy cost.

However, a few weeks after Minister of State Joseph Harmon donated his October salary increase to the residents of Crane, West Bank Demerara to erect street lights.

The PPP/C asked who will pay the recurring cost for the street lights in that community but said it got an answer.

In addition, last week the government announced that it took a decision to reinstate

GPHC records decrease neonatal deaths; mortality rate drops from 35% to 7% There has been a significant decrease in the number of neonatal deaths at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) directly as a result of the reinforcement of preventative measures at the hospital.

T h e G o v e r n m e n t

Information Agency (GINA) stated that the administration and doctors of the GPHC have been working closely with the Ministry of Public Health and with advice and support from Canadian- based Charity Organisation, Guyana Help the Kids (GHTK), to reduce the number of Neonatal deaths at the hospital.

The measures which have been reinforced to curb the

incidence include the full sanitisation of the maternity block at the hospital, and the closure to some rooms of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) as well as special areas, in order to house and provide care for high risk babies.

Additionally, mothers have been encouraged to remain with their babies to access further neonatal care.

According to GINA, proper infection

tax free overtime for Bauxite workers.

Harmon explained that the “reinstatement of the tax-free overtime benefits to bauxite workers” is aimed at correcting what government believes was “a punitive exercise” for not supporting the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration.

However, according to Ramotar, the coalition government is reluctant to give sugar workers a meager salary increase since most of them are perceived to be PPP supporters.

“The sugar workers are probably the hardest workers in this country and the sugar workers who have performed their output is measurable.

Here they are not giving them a cent even though they have been performing and reaching their target, while the government has done nothing productive and just about a month after coming into power give themselves increases”

However, the Social Cohesion Minister disagrees with Ramotar saying that the coalition government does not practice racial discrimination. “ T h e A P N U + A F C government recognise the ethnic blend that we endured for centuries and that is why President Granger in his wisdom established the Ministry of Social Cohesion,” Ally said.

She went on to say “we are not discriminating against Indians and I would not want to rehash examples of what transpired in the past.”

She explained that what the government

is looking to do now is to bridge the gap in society that was created by the past administration.

Commenting on the move to erect street lights in Crane while removing those from Bath Settlement the Minister said “I’m sure that Ramotar is aware of how the people of Crane got lights. It was in the newspaper. This kind of politics, we need to stop.

We don’t need that kind of attitude at this point in time,” Ally emphasised.

Ever since the coalition government assumed office the opposition PPP/C has been accusing them of practicing racial discrimination and witch-hunting.

control and strict guidelines for adourning clean clothing, gowns, masks and shoe covers have been reinforced for all personnel. One hundred percent (100%) hand washing with appropriate solutions has also contributed to the significant reduction in the number of neonatal deaths.

During the past few months, the mortality rate had been averaging 35 percent for NICU admissions and this has dropped to seven percent in the month of November.

Minister of Public Health, Dr. George

Norton along with technical officers will continue to engage the doctors of the GPHC and the GHTK to ensure the continued decline in the number of neonatal deaths.

N o r t o n applauded Dr. Sara Singh, as well as the pediatric physicians, nurses and other staff of the NICU for championing the reinforcement of these measures with support and guidance from GHTK. Unfortunately, some babies are born very premature or with significant congenital

abnormalities, both of which put them at a high risk for death.

However, the Ministry of Public of Health in partnership with the GHTK will continue to provide training for doctors and nurses as well as upgraded equipment to improve facilities at the GPHC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit while minimising the incidence of neonatal deaths.

Work is on the way to ensure that the NICUs at the West Demerara Regional Hospital and the New Amsterdam Hospital are fully functional soon.

Former President Donald Ramotar

Allicock to address Hururu residents’ complains Residents of Hururu, Upper Berbice; Region 10, yesterday staged a protest against the Hururu Village Council citing alleged misuse of funds at the Village Council.

The gathering held up placards stating “No 2016 Budget until all financial reports are correct”, “All financial transactions and decisions must be known to all councilors and not only a few”, “who authorize non-budgeted collection

and spending of funds” and “We will seek media and international community support if our problems are not addressed by the relevant authorities” among others.

The Residents carried out a peaceful protest where they requested an audit of the Village Council to be done by the Ministry of Indigenous people affairs.

When contacted

by GNN, Minister of Indigenous People’s

Affairs; Sydney Allicock said he was made aware of the protest, but not of the issues raised. In this regard, he noted that once the issues are “properly presented”, he will address them.

Noting that “protests have not been a traditional way of Indigenous Peoples”, he said he respect citizens’ rights to a peaceful protest and will address complains of the village as was done in the past.

NAGAMOOTOO TO REPRESENT GUYANA AT ARGENTINE PRESIDENT’S INAUGURATION Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, departed Guyana today to represent the nation at the upcoming inauguration ceremony of Argentina’s newly elected President Mr. Mauricio Macri

in Buenos Aires.

T h e inauguration ceremony is slated for tomorrow (Thursday, Dec, 10).

Mr. Macri; former Mayor of Buenos Aires was elected on November 22nd in

a run-off election following general elections on October 25th triumphing over Cristina de Kirchner as the South American nation Head of State.

Mr. Mauricio Macri

Streetlights installed at Timehri North A total of nine 250W lamps were installed, from the “Prison Road” to the “Amerijet Junction” in the community of Timehri North by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure ( M P I ) .

T h e streetlights were installed just about a week after Minister David Patterson visited the area.

This is according

to a statement from the Ministry which stated that “the action was taken in an attempt to make the community safer for the residents, particularly schoolchildren.”

T h e residents, during the meeting held with Minister Patterson on November 29, 2015, highlighted the lack of streetlights in the area.

“ M a n y r e s i d e n t s expressed concern for the safety of late workers and s c h o o l c h i l d re n and opined that streetlights would go a far way in reducing crime” the Ministry said.

Residents have expressed gratitude to the Ministry for its swift action.

Man killed as truck slammed into utility pole A Coverden, East Bank Demerara truck driver was killed this morning after the truck he was driving collided with a utility pole at Good Hope Public Road, East Coast Demerara.

The Police say that their investigations so far have revealed that fifty year-old Yougraj Singh at about 00:30hrs this morning was driving the truck allegedly at a fast

rate and lost control.

The truck then slammed into pole resulting in his death.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

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Guyana and Norway to formulate document to deepen ties

Minister Raphael Trotman (center ) in discussions with (from left) Andreas Tveteraas, Deputy Director of Norway’s Climate and Forest Initiative and another representative. To his right is Dr. David Singh, Head of Conservation International Guyana and Jocelyn Dow, a member of the Guyanese delegation.

(Neil Marks Photo)

Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman while attending the Climate Change conference in Paris was able to engage the Norwegian government on the future of the Guyana/Norway agreement which has been surrounded by some uncertainty.

A meeting was

held in Paris, France yesterday between the two countries, in the presence of key representatives of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Minister Trotman said both parties agreed to formulate a document, which will look at the future of the relationship

and how best it can serve both countries. Once this is done, further discussions will be held.

In the meantime, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, who is also attending the conference to aid in the negotiations for financing for Guyana, said that the meeting was

fruitful for both sides as it discussed its current status with a view to determining what would be possible in the future.

“Our position remains the same, which is that the Amaila [Falls] conception [is flawed], we cannot go ahead with it. We think that it is too costly. It hasn’t been properly studied, it has environmental, engineering and other issues, and so what we are saying is that if those can be solved, we would be happy to reconsider the project and that is what we said in the meeting and it was accepted by all sides,” Minister Jordan said.

He also revealed that the Norwegians would like to have an independent study conducted on the project so that it can be brought to finality, but this is still to be decided on. The Minister said Guyana was particularly interested

in how the US$80 million can be unlocked for the development of the country.

“We welcome that as it would bring some sort of finality. This will ensure that once for all, we will know if it’s viable and how can we find a sponsor and if it is not, how we can get the money to facilitate it. We got a confirmation in the meeting that this money (US$80 million) was for Amaila but if the Amaila does not go through, it can be channeled into clean and green energy initiatives,” Minister Jordan said.

Guyana is expected to have followup meetings in January, while Norway has invited the Guyana Government to visit the country for further discussions in June of 2016.

Minister Jordan noted that Guyana has made it clear that it would prefer timely discussions

and has asked for all future actions to be placed in a timeframe.

“We made clear that these have to be timebound. We just cannot sit and say six months or one year. We have to map out the steps that need to be taken and how long so that we can get to the final point,” he said.

Since the agreement was signed in 2009, Guyana has earned US$190 million.

However, the Agreement comes to an end this year and as such it was necessary that the two nations meet.

Of the total amount, US $69.8 million has been transferred to the Guyana REDD+Investment Fund (GRIF) while US$80 million was transferred to the Inter-American Development Bank for the delayed Amaila Falls Hydropower Power Project.

Ramotar calls Ramkarran “Bitter” as corruption allegations continue Following recent statements made by former Speaker of the National Assembly, Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran, labelling the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) as the most corrupt administration in a “post-independence Guyana,” former President Donald says he is amazed by such utterances.

Ramkarran, a former executive member of the PPP in his weekly “Conversation tree” blog lashed out at the past administration for its criticisms over the government’s decision to restart the Specialty Hospital project through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fedders Lloyd Company of India.

Ramkarran, in joining the war of words between the government and the opposition said “while

in government, every device was employed, every advantage given, every trick in the book used, to steer contracts to friends and to exclude legitimate, credible and successful bidders such as Fedders Lloyd.

Shamelessly ignoring its clearly flawed award to the corrupt Surendra Engineering, the Opposition is now clutching at straws to build a narrative of nepotism and corruption on no evidence, which they hope to use down the road in deflecting attention from its own notorious deeds.”

F o r m e r President Ramotar told the Guyana News Network (GNN) that he is astonished by Ramkarran’s utterances given the fact that he spent a considerable time of his life in the party he now deems “most corrupt.”

“Ramkarran

has been in the party and in the government almost throughout …21 of the 23 years he has been in the party and in government,” Ramotar reminded.

In addition, he made reference to the fact that Ramkarran vied for the Presidential candidacy for the PPP/C to contest the 2011 General and Regional elections.

According to the former Head of State, “it’s a pity that he (Ramkarran) seems to become bitter and very subjective in his assessment.”

This Ramotar says is very regrettable.

Former Attorney General and current PPP Member of Parliament, Anil Nandlall in a letter sent to the press took a swipe at Ramkarran saying that he has become APNU+AFC c h e e r l e a d e r .

N a n d l a l l

Former Presdient Donald Ramotar

described Ramkarran’s contention as ‘extraordinary’. He said this is so because the former PPP member sat on the party’s Executive Council for 21 of the 23 years it was in government.

Nandlall said he also served as Speaker of the National Assembly for a decade on behalf of the same PPP/C government, and yet not a word about corruption

was ever uttered by him.

This is not the first time the hypocrisy in Ramkarran’s newfound position on his former party has been pointed out. Kaieteur News columnist, Freddie Kissoon often makes similar references, Nandlall said.

The party has accused the former Speaker of trying to get in the good books of the

coalition government and to deceive the Guyanese populace through his writings.

Meanwhile, the Senior Counsel is maintaining that the PPP is the most corrupt administration, citing a number of allegations that have been made against the party by persons apart from him.

Pastor told Oprah he had a message for her from god; it was eerily accurate Oprah Winfrey has interviewed many spiritual thought leaders in her career, but there is one in particular who had a profound impact on the media mogul long before she ever had any kind of platform or public persona.

That man is Wintley Phipps, a gospel singer and pastor that Oprah met back when she was a young reporter.

Since the two first crossed paths decades ago, they have become longtime friends.

At the time of their first meeting, Phipps had just finished a gospel

performance at the Baltimore Civic Center, which Oprah had attended. She quietly approached Phipps as soon as he stepped off the stage.

“I remember coming down off the platform, and there was a tap on my shoulder,” Phipps says to Oprah.

“You said, ‘Excuse

me, sir. I just heard you sing and I feel like I can talk to you. Do you have time to talk to me?’”

Phipps agreed, and made arrangements for Oprah to visit the home he shared with his wife, Linda, for a spiritual conversation. They spoke and prayed together, and then, the pastor told Oprah that he had a divine message for her.

“I said, ‘Before you go, God has impressed me to tell you: He’s going to bless you and give you an opportunity to speak to millions of people,’” Phipps says. “And you said, ‘Do you really think God would do that for me?’”

Yet, even with this prediction, there was one aspect of Oprah’s success that Phipps says he didn’t see coming. “You know, when God impressed me to tell you that you’ll be speaking to millions of people,” he says to Oprah, “I didn’t think it was going to be every day!” (Adapted from Yahoo)

Karisma Kapoor bares it all A troubled marriage and the heart wrenching consequences have been hovering around actor Karisma Kapoor for long. Her impending divorce from estranged husband Sanjay Kapur has created quite a furore in the media. Recently, the actor withdrew her consent from the divorce petition citing Sanjay’s inability to meet financial commitment as the reason.

What is commendable is the dignity with which she has handled the situation and kept her kids away from the media glare and the difficult proceedings. Sanjay and Karisma tied the knot in 2003.Pretty soon the grapevine went into an overdrive speculating trouble in the marriage. The birth of their first child Samaira squashed all rumours for a while.

There was news about the two trying to sort things out. The birth of their son Kiaan couldn’t save the relationship and in 2010, Karisma shifted in with her mother. In India, there are many women trapped in unhappy marriages but not everyone has

the financial backing or the courage to walk out.

Karisma emphasizes the need for these women to take a tougher stand and stop being too dependent on their husbands. “It’s important for women to be strong and financially independent,” she says.

Despite being a single mother, Karisma has managed to strike the right balance between her professional career and being around for her children. The key she says is “prioritising”. “Once you have your priorities sorted, you can schedule other things around it. My work days are planned according to my children’s schedule. I always check if they have tests, assignments and try to plan my day accordingly,” she says.

Has multitasking helped her stay in shape even at 41? She smiles and says, “I have never resorted to any extreme measures like crash dieting. I love my food and enjoy it in moderation. My fitness regime is a blend of eating healthy and working out. I am also not a gym person. I avoid weights and use my own

body weight to do exercises. I also do a lot of yoga and that makes me stronger both from inside and outside.”

Karisma urges young mothers to not neglect themselves. “Even if your whole day is spent looking after the kids, take out at least 30 minutes in a day to do something that makes you happy. Read a book, cook a yummy dish or take a walk, do things that destress you,” she advises. (Adapted from Yahoo)

‘Charlie Sheen Deserves HIV Diagnosis’ - Burt Reynolds All were left shocked last month when Hollywood actor Charlie Sheen bravely revealed that he is HIV+ in an emotional, honest interview.

Since his diagnosis went public, many have blamed the star’s party-loving lifestyle, and now veteran actor, Burt Reynolds, has come forward to have his say on Charlie’s illness revealing that he has no sympathy for the actor

because he “deserves it”.

Burt’s own career was plagued with HIV rumours back in the 1980s after he suffered dramatic weight loss, and he was asked during an interview on Loose Women if he felt sorry for Charlie following his revelation.

The 79-yearold responded: “For Charlie, no, he deserves it. He misbehaved badly.

Very badly. But you know when you’re that

age, it’s tough. All those things are coming at you and it’s difficult.”

However, he does “feel bad” for Charlie’s father, Martin Sheen, who is a close friend of his, adding: “He’s handled it badly I think. His father is a very, very decent man and a dear friend of mine.

“I feel bad for him, but Charlie, I don’t feel bad for him.

He’s getting what he deserves. If you’re going to misbehave like that, they’re going to get you.”

(Adapted from Yahoo)

How to stop dry, flaky skin As temperatures chill out, your skin may freak out.

Cooler, dryer air sucks moisture from your skin, causing cracks in its outermost layer. “This is called ‘barrier dysfunction,’ and your skin starts to break down and flake off,” said Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.

The solution, he says, starts in your shower. That’s where you have the opportunity to either repair or destroy your skin’s surface. So follow these tips to make sure the only flakes you’ll see this winter are the ones falling from the sky.

3. Use Your Hands

1. Cut Your Shower Time

When you step out of the shower, avoid going gangbusters on your skin with a towel. “Many people think that they’re sloughing away any remaining flakes, but the friction of the towel fibers against your skin can actually worsen damage to the surface,” Zeichner said.

“Long, hot showers strip your skin of essential oils and lead to dryness,” Zeichner said. “Shorten your shower to no more than 10 minutes and use lukewarm water only.”

2. Skip Soap

“Soap has a high pH that can disrupt the outer layer of your skin and cause inflammation and dryness,” Zeichner said. Suds up with soap-free, soothing body wash that locks in moisture, such as NIVEA Men Sensitive or Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash

It’s more gentle than scrubbing with a washcloth or loofah—their abrasive textures can break down the surface of your skin even more. Plus, they tend to harbor bacteria. The surface of your skin is already impaired if it’s flaking, and these tools can make it worse, leaving you more susceptible to infections.

“If you insist on using a washcloth, just be sure to use a clean one with each shower,” Zeichner said. And be gentle, using less force on your skin so the washcloth won’t be as abrasive.

4. Pat. Don’t Rub

5. Apply the Right Stuff

Moisturize when your skin is still damp—every single time you step out of the shower. This helps the moisturizer penetrate your skin, to repair the damage and help prevent further flaking.

“A lot of guys skip this step because they don’t like how heavy creams feel, but with advancements in formulations, the newer products are a lot lighter and absorb more quickly than they used to,” Zeichner said, Look for products that contain a type of fatty acid called ceramides. Think of it like this: If your skin is a brick wall, ceramides are the mortar and your skin cells are the bricks. “Ceramides help fill cracks in the outermost layer of your skin, kind of like spackle,” Zeichner said.

And no breaks in the skin means less flaking. CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion and Aveeno Skin Relief Moisture Repair Cream have what you need. (Fox Health)

Hugs: The New Cold and Flu fighters?

If you’ve ever gotten a hug and instantly felt better, that embrace might have been helping more than just your mood. According to new research from Carnegie Mellon

University, a hug can actually boost the body’s ability to counter stress and fight off infection.

To conduct the study published in the journal Psychological Science, researchers

used a questionnaire to monitor the perceived social support in 404 adults’ lives, in addition to tracking the frequency of their interpersonal conflict by phone over the

course of 14 consecutive days. At the same time, the scientists also measured the amount of hugs participants received over the course of the two weeks.

After 14 days

of social-support assessments, the healthy participants were quarantined and intentionally exposed to the common cold virus. The researchers then watched for symptoms of illness, to see how well the men and women were able to fight off the infection.

Having the perception of social support from loved ones seemed to curb the risk of infection associated with stress, according to study author Denise Janicki-Deverts, Ph.D, a research psychologist at Carnegie Mellon.

“We found that greater frequency of daily conflict was associated with increased risk of infection among people who perceived having low social support, but not among those perceiving higher amounts of support,” she tells Yahoo Health.

Fur t her more, hugs had an impact similar to social support. They seemed to factor into the overall illness-buffering mechanism, accounting for 32 percent of social support’s protective

benefit.

In the participants, the greater support they felt and the more frequently they received hugs, the less severe their cold symptoms — whether or not they’d experienced significant conflicts over the prior two weeks.

Lead researcher Sheldon Cohen, Ph.D, a professor of psychology at Carnegie Mellon’s Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, has a guess. “There are two possibilities,” he tells Yahoo Health.

“One is that hugs are a marker of intimacy and closeness of a person’s relationships and are just telling us that an individual has a strong supportive network.

The other is that touch itself is beneficial and helps protect people in the face of stress.”

It’s time to tap your tightest network for a hug stat. It might be the easiest tip you come across for cold and flu season. (Adapted from Yahoo Health)

Children die in Aegean Sea in unabated refugee wave At least 11 people including children have died and 13 others remain missing after a boat carrying about 50 refugees sank in the eastern Aegean Sea, Greek authorities say.

The coast guard said the accident occurred early on Wednesday when a wooden boat carrying the refugees from Turkey sank near the islet of Farmakonisi.

At least 26 people have

been rescued alive.

The dead were five children, four men and two women. Their nationalities were not immediately known.

The latest incident happened just a day after six Afghan children drowned off the coast of the western Turkish province of Izmir, as the rubber dinghy they were in sank before reaching the Greek island of Chios. Greece is the main

entry point for refugees seeking a better life in the European Union.

More than 600,000 people have arrived in Greece this year by making the short but perilous journey by boat or rubber dinghy from Turkey to outlying islands.

Thousands more have drowned.

The latest drownings came as witnesses said Greek police started removing

hundreds of refugees stranded on the GreekMacedonian border and blocking rail traffic.

About 1,200 people mostly from Pakistan, Morocco and Iran were stuck near the northern Greek town of Idomeni, demanding to cross into Macedonia to reach northern Europe after non-EU Balkan states began filtering refugees by nationality.

The police official said the

found outside the AlAqsa Islamic Society early Monday morning.

“We all know of the terrible, thoughtless, ignorant act that someone

perpetrated in this city yesterday,” said Mayor Michael Nutter. “We will, of course, at some point in time find the coward.” Pork and pork byproducts are haram, or forbidden, in Islam.

Surveillance video shows a red truck driving by the mosque. On its second pass, someone tosses something from the vehicle and what appears to be the pig’s head rolls near the mosque’s door. The driver and the passenger of the

vehicle are not visible.

“It is too early in the investigation to determine if it is a hate crime, but I anticipate that will be the direction the investigation will go,” Philadelphia police officer Leeloni Palmiero said.

Police are investigating whether the incident has any connection to a voicemail the mosque received last month, in which a male voice said: “Are you happy about what happened

refugees would be taken to Athens on buses and will be accommodated in centres before being sent back to their home countries.

Macedonia

has erected a metal fence to keep others out and plans to extend it to cover more than 40km of the border. (Adapted from Al Jazeera)

in France?” “God is a pig!” and “God is Pork!”

The FBI has launched a parallel investigation.

At his Tuesday news conference, Nutter blasted Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who recently proposed a ban on Muslims entering the United States.

“What we’re finding is that no group is safe from his ignorance

and rhetoric,” said the mayor, who later called Trump an “asshole.”

Ibrahim Hooper, national communications director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said that his group has seen a spike in violence and anti-Muslim sentiment since last month’s terror attacks in Paris.

(Adapted from CNN)

Pig’s head left at Philadelphia mosque

Philadelphia’s mayor on Tuesday vowed to find the “coward” who left a pig’s head at the door of a Philadelphia mosque. The head was

World’s first brain-powered car being developed Automotive giants like Toyota, Nissan and Tesla have said self-driving cars are around the corner, but that may not be the only futuristic automotive tech to come our way.

A team at China’s Nankai University have developed a prototype of a car controlled by a driver’s brain signals. The team is working on technology that uses brain signals to command a car to stop, move forward, backwards, lock and unlock, according to the publication.

Zhang Zhao, one of the project’s researchers, explained that headgear comprised of 16 electroencephalogram (EEG) sensors, which detect brain activity, is worn by the driver. A computer is then able to analyse and decipher brain signals and translate them to the relevant automotive commands, he said.

Innovation within the field of consumer vehicles is at a high, with the industry being on the cusp of delivering partially autonomous cars. Google, after many years of testing out the technology, revealed its intentions to release smart automobiles for sale in the next five years. This is backed up by Toyota and Nissan, who have both pegged 2020 as the year in which selfdriving cars begin to become a reality for consumers.

The technology is still very much a work-inprogress, with the researchers at the stage where their

cars, provided by Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motors, can drive in a straight line using brain power.

The brain-fuelled automotive project was born out of the desire to help physically handicapped people drive, said associate professor and project leader Duan Feng.

It was noted by the team that there are currently no plans to massproduce the technology.

(MSN/Reuters).

Venezuela’s false dawn?

The electoral blow was obviously too traumatic for the government: the opposition won control of National Assembly by a landslide, delivering a major setback to the long-ruling socialists.

Not even in their worst dreams could government supporters have imagined the opposition winning a two-third majority.

No amount of appealing for loyalty to the legacy of deceased leftist leader Hugo Chavez - who launched the Bolivarian Revolution 17 years ago - could stop Venezuelans from punishing

their government with their votes.

Chronic shortage of basic goods including medicine; triple-digit inflation; and runaway crime and corruption have turned millions of Venezuelans, who had always voted for Chavez, against his successor Nicolas Maduro.

Two days after suffering the most devastating election defeat in the populist revolution’s history, Maduro called for his ministers to resign.

He anticipated a major shake-up to revert what he himself recognised as “a slap in the face” from

the Venezuelan people who gave “a victory to the counter-revolution”.

How he plans to stop Venezuela’s economic meltdown remains unclear. Rather than extending an olive branch to the opposition to confront the country’s economic and social crisis, Maduro has insisted on his Socialist model “at all costs”.

The opposition takes over the National Assembly on January 5 and will have enough votes to name the legislature’s president, set the agenda, name magistrates, remove ministers,

approve or reject the government’s budget, repeal key laws passed by the government, and even call for a recall referendum to oust the president.

But opposition leaders say their first priority will be to rescue the economy and pass an amnesty law to release jailed politicians regarded as political prisoners, including Leopoldo Lopez and Antonio Ledesma, the Caracas mayor.

But the ruling party, which has had complete control over all state institutions, still has

- Baroness Scotland responded that we have to work together on LGBT rights.

She pointed out that a Secretary General does not have power to change laws but is there to serve the 53 countries.

She noted that they can start the conversation and look at the aspirations and hopes are for all of the people. She said the Commonwealth charter talks about equality and both the World Trade

them were cardiac issues and scoliosis, which caused the bending of his spine.

All together, they said, that left limited space for the doctors to work to remove the tumour successfully.

Sawh equated the eight-pound growth to that of the size of a woman’s stomach when she is some months pregnant. “It is amazing somebody could actually carry that around for a year and not see something is wrong. I am loosing

three weeks to pass the laws. Maduro could ask the current legislature to approve super powers for up to three years which would allow him to pass laws by decree. President Chavez was the first to do it and his successor has followed suit.

Asked if he feared being impeached, Maduro

said: “We have to be prepared for new battles and new victories. We will create a new and powerful majority and I am prepared for whatever comes, if they come after us.” (Adapted from Al Jazeera)

Organisation and the World Bank reports a direct correlation between human and social capital and overall wealth.

Scotland said there is an economic value of equality and it is conversation that everyone in the Commonwealth is up for having. She stressed that they must work and listen to each other “respectfully”.

“And respectfully I hope we will be able to

chart a new way,” she said. She said there were some that believe that the “existential threat” of climate change would be coming in the future but for those who live in the Caribbean and Pacific they know it is not the future but “it’s now”.

She pointed out that when women lead the first people they look after is the men, then children and then the extended family and themselves “last on the list”. (Adapted from the Trinidad Newsday)

Need for conversation on LGBT rights

Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland has called for the Commonwealth

- including Trinidad and Tobago - to have a conversation on lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT)

rights. Scotland, who pledged that the first two years of her tenure would be spent persuading 40 of its member states to decriminalise homo s e x u a l it y.

Asked about Trinidad and Tobago’s immigration law banning homosexuals from entering the country - which is currently being challenged by gay rights activist Maurice Tomlinson in a case before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)

Three local doctors have made medical history. The trio — urologist and lead surgeon Dr Lall R Sawh, general vascular surgeon Dr Steve Budhooram and Dr Peng Ewe, anesthetist and intensivist — removed an eightpound tumour from a 52-year-old man at the Southern Medical Clinic, San Fernando, last week Wednesday.

According to medical records, this is the largest tumour removed in the

western hemisphere and the second largest ever in the world.

Medical records which the doctors used to base their feat, show that the largest tumor successfully removed from a patient weighed 5.018 kilos (approximately 11 pounds) and was done during a five-and-ahalf-hour surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, India, breaking the previous record of a 5.5-pound tumour removed

at Sir Gangaram Hospital, also in India.

The operating time for the local surgery was two hours whilst theatre time was three hours, allowing one hour for anesthetic preparation and monitoring by Ewe prior to the knife to skin start time.

The three doctors described the surgery as “touch and go” because of a number of pre-existing medical conditions the patient, whom they did not name, had. Among

Baroness Patricia Scotland

T&T Doctors make history; removed 8-pound tumour Urologist Dr Lall R Sawh, left, and lead surgeon Dr Steve Budhooram, right, with the assistance of head operating theatre nurse Susan Mahara remove an eight-pound tumour from the left kidney of a 52-year-old man at the Southern Medical Clinic, San Fernando, last week

weight, not feeling my usual self, in this day and age people still take things for granted,” Sawh said.

The doctors said

the case would be published in an international medical journal. (Adapted from the Trinidad Guardian)

‘Trump should be disqualified’ Donald Trump’s statement that Muslims should be banned from entering the United States “disqualifies” him from being president, the White House spokesman said Tuesday.

“The fact is what Donald Trump said yesterday disqualifies him from serving as president,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said in Tuesday’s press briefing. For a White House administration to so heavily weigh in on an opposing party’s nominating contest is a highly unusual step.

Earnest noted

first that every president must take an oath to “preserve, protect and defend” the U.S. Constitution, and thus, he said, Trump would not qualify. The GOP front-runner on Monday released a statement calling for the U.S. to refuse entry of foreign Muslims. His proposal was met with widespread criticism, including from several candidates in his own party.

But Earnest had harsh words for the GOP as a whole, too, saying all GOP presidential candidates have signed a pledge

– White House

to support whoever is the eventual nominee.

The White House spokesman on Tuesday also called Trump a “carnival barker.” “The Trump campaign for months now has had a dustbin of history-like quality to it,” Earnest said. Secretary of State John Kerry also rebuked Trump’s comments.

“I would simply say that nondiscrimination and equal treatment are a pillar of not just American values but of our immigration and our admission policies in this country and the State Department remains

totally committed to treating all religions with respect and without discrimination,” Kerry said during a press briefing in Paris.

And Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook on Tuesday said -- without hitting the Republican front-runner by name -- that Trump’s comments put U.S. national security at risk.

“Anything that bolsters ISIL’s narrative and pits the United States against the Muslim faith is certainly not only contrary to our values but contrary to our national security,” he said, using

another name for ISIS.

He also said that there are “many men and women in uniform today of Muslim faith who are serving this country patriotically.”

The U.S. is working with Muslim nations right now, Cook noted. “We want to, in essence, take the fight to ISIL with the help of Muslims around the world.”

(Adapted from CNN)

(GST) to replace a long list of state levies, in a bid to boost investment by making it easier to do business in India’s vast internal market.

But Modi needs opposition support to pass the reform in parliament’s upper house, where his party lacks a majority. Hopes were raised for the longdelayed legislation to be passed this year after Modi met Congress president Sonia Gandhi last month and both parties showed

signs of compromise.

But the two sides were at loggerheads again on Monday after a judge ordered Gandhi and her son Rahul to appear in court in a case brought by a prominent member of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.

On Tuesday, furious Congress members swarmed onto the floor of parliament and shouted at the speaker, forcing him to adjourn the session.

Modi has moved to weaken the legacy of

the Gandhi dynasty since dislodging them from power last year.

“I am not scared of anyone,” a defiant Sonia Gandhi told journalists in parliament. Parliament was adjourned until Wednesday following the protest, but Congress workers carried their protests into the streets, including shouting slogans from the top of a bus. he NehruGandhi dynasty ruled India for most of its post-

independence era after 1947 and helped shape the country’s institutions.

Detractors, including Modi, accuse the family of holding back economic development with socialist policies.

The case, brought by BJP member Subramanian Swamy, alleges the Gandhis used $13.5 million of party funds to pay debts accrued by a newspaper business. The Gandhis deny wrongdoing.

(Adapted from Yahoo)

India’s Congress blocks parliament over government Gandhi ‘vendetta’

Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi (R) and her son and vice-president of Congress Rahul Gandhi attend

India’s main opposition Congress party disrupted a parliament session and accused the government of pursuing a “vendetta” against the Gandhi family on Tuesday in a

blow to hopes of passing a crucial tax reform.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government wants to introduce a nationwide goods and services tax

Time Magazine has named German Chancellor Angela Merkel its “Person of the Year”.

The magazine cited her role in Europe’s crises over migration and Greek debt.

It also mentioned Russia’s intervention in Ukraine in its decision.

Ms Merkel has

provided “steadfast moral leadership in a world where it is in short supply”, editor Nancy Gibbs wrote.

Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was named runner-up.

Third place went to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

(BBC)

Angela Merkel is Time ‘Person of the Year’

World heavyweight champion stripped of IBF title

Fury beat Ukrainian Klitschko on points on 28 November to claim three versions

of the heavyweight crown. Lindsey Tucker, championships chairman at the IBF, told BBC Sport: “It’s true he’s been stripped of his IBF belt.”

He added: “Our challenger was Vyacheslav Glazkov, but instead Fury’s gone and signed a rematch clause with Wladimir Klitschko.” Fury, who is unbeaten in 25 professional contests, retains the WBA and WBO versions of the heavyweight title, while the WBC belt is held by American Deontay Wilder.

The 31-yearold Glazkov, also a Ukrainian, has won 21 of his 22 professional fights. The contract for last month’s title fight in Dusseldorf included

a clause for a rematch, for which the date and the venue have to be decided, and Klitschko - who had been world champion for 11 years announced last week he would take up the option.

Fury has been at the centre of controversy following his comments about women and gay people. The Manchester fighter has been quoted as saying a woman’s “best place is on her back” and has criticised homosexuality and abortion.

He subsequently said: “Tyson Fury loves his fellow humans.

He doesn’t hate anybody.”

(Adapted from BBC Sports)

their last series played in the Caribbean earlier this year.

“Even though we lost 2-0 there were moments or periods when we had them on the back foot and had their backs against the wall.

And we never really finished them off,” recalled Ambrose.

“So we believe we can compete and not only compete but we believe we can beat them and that’s our focus to beat Australia. Not just to compete but to win and, being the underdogs, sometimes it’s good to be that way”.

T h e Caribbean side was able to avoid an innings defeat against the young Cricket Australia’s X1 on the strength of a stubborn partnership between Jason Holder and Kemar Roach. But their defeat has forced former players and commentators to question their confidence going into the opening

test at Hobart.

However, the former fast bowler is insisting that given the expectation of the Australian public, the home side is the one under pressure to perform.

“We have nothing to lose. As far as we are concern Australia is the one under pressure.

They have to beat us because Australians expect them to steam roll us. So they are the ones under pressure not us,” he said.

Ambrose has described inform batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner as the main threat in the Australian batting line-up but contends that their middle order is vulnerable. (Adapted from the Trinidad Guardian/CMC)

Tyson Fury now holds just two versions of the world heavyweight title after being stripped of the IBF belt

World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has been stripped of his IBF title less than two

weeks after winning it. The Briton, 27, had to agree to fight the IBF’s mandatory

challenger Vyacheslav Glazkov but will instead face Wladimir Klitschko in a rematch.

Ambrose fires up West Indies

Fast bowling legend Sir Curtly Ambrose is seeking to fireup underdog West Indies which face top ranked Australia in the first of three Test matches from this evening Eastern Caribbean time.

First ball is 10.30 am (Wednesday 7.30 pm Eastern Caribbean Time/6.30 pm Jamaica Time).

Ambrose, the bowling consultant, is insisting that the West Indies have the manpower

to challenge the home side in the three-match rubber following their humiliating ten-wicket loss to an inexperienced Cricket Australia X1.

Australia defeated West Indies two nil in

Wednesday December 09, 2015

Urling responds to Erroneous Elite league article

Former Chairman of the Normalisation Committee (NC) of the Guyana Football Federation, Clinton Urling has rubbished claims in the Stabroek Newspaper titled “Elite League football prizes still to be funded” In a response today, Urling said that the article was “disappointing on many fronts and should warrant a formal response from the GFF

Executive Committee.”

He continued by saying, “Firstly, there is someone in the GFF who is leaking specific GFF information to the media. If this continues unchecked, it can really disrupt and jeopardize any forward initiative and planning of the new Exco (Executive Committee).”

Moving directly to the point, Urling contended that while the GFF might be going through some

cash flow issues because of the transition period from the Normalisation Committee (NC) to the new Exco, it is farfetched to say that the GFF is “cash Strapped”.

He noted that the NC has always pointed out to the members of the GFF (most recently at the Congress) that for 2015 the GFF received only half of its FIFA allocated funds while the other MAs around

the region has received their full complement of the FAP (Financial Assistance Programme) and Bonuses.

He noted that the remaining half has left the GFF in a solid financial state and because the NC has ensured that the audited financial statements for 2013 and 2014 were completed during its tenure, FIFA will within a matter of days release to the GFF US$375,000 that is due for 2015.

Moreover, the GFF will receive in January an additional US$250,000 in FAP from FIFA for a cumulative total of US$625,000 dollars by the end of January.

For whatever reason FIFA has not disbursed the US$375,000 since the new Exco was elected is another issue, but the monies should have been released upon the new Exco taking office and the NC has always operated on that assumption.

Additionally, were it not for the GFF under

the NC repaying GD$63 million in debts ($13million more that we had indicated to FIFA we would have repaid during our tenure) inherited at the beginning of 2015, the GFF would have had all these funds available.

However, we believed that it was prudent to pay off as much of the debt as possible so as to not burden the new Exco with such a large albatross hanging around them.

Urling said “Thirdly, the football community and the media has to be reminded that the Elite League was never a 3 months affair that ended in November but rather a one season league that is split in two halves and which ends next May.” Any projections and finances for the league must take this fact into account. On this score, the GFF will easily meet its obligations to fund the League.

He concluded by reminding that the Elite League has surpassed all expectations in terms of

sponsorship received and gate receipts from the first Half adding that the sponsorship received for the elite league thus far is the highest amount ever raised by the GFF for any event in its history.

Additionally, he noted, the approximate 9 million received from gate receipts also represents a significant achievement for the GFF and should these trends continue into the second half of the League, the GFF will have the makings of a very sustainable product that can be administered for years to come.

“Finally, Football has been the winner with the stabilization of the GFF and the elections of a new Exco and the entire country looks forward to a prosperous and bright future for Guyana’s football.

I remain committed to playing any part to make this a sustained reality.”