GNN Online Newspaper - JAN 11, 2016

Monday January 11, 2016

suicide unchecked

five females latest attempt victims in essequibo cementing ties...

President David Granger and Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ms. Reem Al Hashimy

Two more suicide incidents in Essequibo The unrelated incidents resulted in the deaths of twenty-three yearold Akel Shurland of Adventure and twenty-seven year-old Kaimwattie Persaud of Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast.

Shurland was involved in an accident recently and was reportedly asked to pay compensation.

It is believed that the incident led to him being dejected Akel Shurland which resulted in him It appears that the label around for a while as consuming poison. of being the country two more incidents He died a few days with the highest rate were recorded over the after at the Suddie of suicide will stick weekend in Essequibo. Public Hospital.

Persaud, who was employed with the Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) office at Anna Regina, reportedly was involved in an argument with her husband which led to her drinking poison.

These incidents followed two recent reported incidents of suicide by hanging on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve in Windsor Castle and Golden Fleece, Essequibo Coast respectively.

According to reports,

Kaimwattie Persaud

a forty-two year-old man from Windsor Castle and a twentyone year-old from Golden Fleece hanged

themselves during the recent holiday season.

Republic Bank threatens legal action against KN Kaieteur News could be slapped with a lawsuit from Republic Bank Limited (Guyana) if it does not retract and apologise over articles it published last week stating that the bank is involved in money-laundering.

The commercial bank is demanding an apology coupled with a retraction, however, the Newspaper’s owner is firm that he will not comply with

the bank’s request.

The media outfit says it will not take seriously threats of legal action made by the Bank, as stated in its column “Dem Boys Seh.” According to the column, “Dem boys ain’t know wha dem saying sarry for or wha dem must pay $5 million for… Dem boys get so much of threat in dem lifetime that dem don’t know wha fuh tek serious

and wha fuh mek joke.

However, the newspaper has until January 16 to comply with the request

before the Bank takes any official action.

The Commercial Bank in a statement said it has a rich history of integrity spanning over 175 years and views the article to be malicious, libellous and unfounded.

“In particular, the Bank denies that any deposit of cash or cash equivalents was made to the referenced account by the named party on June 16, 2011 or any other date. In light of the article which seeks to tarnish the Bank’s reputation and question its adherence to sound banking principles, Republic Bank

(Guyana) Limited will take all necessary steps, including reviewing legal options to address these false allegations, to protect its reputation and the interests of all stakeholders,” Republic Bank said in a statement.

In addition, the Bank of Guyana (BoG) last week rubbished a report carried in the Wednesday January 6, 2016 edition of the newspaper captioned “SARU probes local Bank accused of money laundering.”

BoG in a statement noted that it conducted an investigation and found no evidence of wrong doing on the part of the Bank.

“The Bank wishes to advise that, subsequent to the receipt of a letter of complaint and request for prosecution of the financial institution, the Bank conducted an examination of the relevant records of the financial

institution. Based on the documents and records examined by the Bank of Guyana, no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of Republic Bank (Guyana Limited) was found,” Central Bank stated.

Over the years Kaieteur News has been slapped with a number of lawsuits for publishing what is deemed misleading and libelous articles.

Back in 2014 then Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Anil Nandlall Slapped the media outfit with a $50M lawsuit for what he deemed attacking his character and publishing libelous statement. In another lawsuit that same year Nandlall sued the Newspaper for some $30M for causing him public embarrassment via an article that was published.

Some Region Seven students get bicycles under President’s ‘three Bs’ initiative Twenty-one students of Bartica, Region Seven recently received bicycles from the Government as part of President David Granger’s ‘Buses, Boats and Bicycles’ or ‘three Bs’ programme aimed at ensuring that all of Guyana’s children are able to attend school.

Two boats and a 30-seater bus are also expected to be added to this complement before the end of the year, to provide transportation assistance to the children of the Region.

The bicycles, were donated to the ‘three Bs’ programme in December by David and Margaret Enterprise, of Potaro, Mahdia,

Region Eight and Kent Phillips of Antarctic Maintenance and Repairs in Georgetown.

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger and Minister of Social Cohesion, Ms. Amna Ally presented the bicycles to the students at a simple ceremony held at the Bartica Secondary School.

The ‘Boats, Buses and Bicycles’ initiative started back in July 2015 when President Granger celebrated his 70th birthday and made a call for support for the initiative that aims to ensure that transportation is provided so that children can get to school safely and comfortably.

Since then, there has

been a tremendous national response, with private citizens and businesses donating boats and engines and bicycles to the programme.

In brief comments, the First Lady charged the students to take care of the bicycles, noting that it must serve to strengthen their resolve and drive to pursue their education.

Minister Ally, within whose purview the ‘three Bs’ programme falls, told the students of the Three Miles Secondary and the Bartica Secondary Schools that the donation of bicycles was received through the determined efforts of the First Lady and her drive

Minister of Social Cohesion, Ms. Amna Ally, First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger, and other government officials stand among the students as they proudly display their new bikes, courtesy of President David Granger’s ‘three Bs’ initiative.

for a better Guyana.

The minister noted that for too long, too many of the nation’s children have been denied a proper education because of poverty and other factors.

Minister Ally also used

the opportunity to encourage the students to be their brother’s keeper and to talk to a trusted relative or friend if they are experiencing hardships or depression.

She cautioned them against committing

suicide, reminding them that with support they can endure and overcome even longtime problems, and that they are Guyana’s most valuable assets. (Adapted from the MOTP)

“Mr Balmaccoon family also has an ongoing court case with another family on the estate which is a conflict of interest… The other family; a gentleman wrote to the board asking for someone else be considered for the post since Balmacoon being there will cause some bias in the case.”

Additionally, the farmers also have an issue with Dr Aowmathi; as he proposed an increase in rent for lands at the Estate from Jan 01 0f this year which was approved.

Balmacoon said “as of last year, farmers were paying $2000 per acre per year for cash crop and $3000 for rice. The new rates are; 1-5 acres = $15, 000 per acre, 6-10 = $20, 000 per acre, 1625 = $40, 000, 26- 40 = $60, 000…And anyone planting cash crop on over forty acres of land, has to pay $80,000 per acre; Permanent crops (mangoes and other large fruit trees); 1-10 acres = $100, 000 and Over 10 acres = $140, 000 per year” To this the Chairman

said there are several anomalies at the Estate which the board is working to rectify.

He said “the Estate which was registered in May, 1982, have not submitted any annual accounts to the registrar of companies (I have only been there since June), since 2009 – there are no record of audited accounts, there are no records of board directors meetings, all matters were handled by the past Chairman and General Manager. Hope estate have little monies to do infrastructural work and farmers are owing over 5 Million in rent, farmers have no signed agreement…”

GNN also spoke to Minister of Agriculture; Noel Holder who explained that Government as the sole shareholder of the estate have the right to appoint managers.

“Hope Estate have one shareholder being the Government; because of this peculiar situation, the board is appointed by the government.

Normal companies; board is appointed by the shareholders and shareholders who have a peculiar interest of the company appoints the managers and so on…In this situation, there is one shareholder and as decided by the President is the Minister of Agriculture; Boards are appointed by the President and the Minister of Agriculture is the point persons on the board, therefore since the board of directors have no vested interest and are acting on behalf of the government and consequently when they want to make appointments as in this case…thy should really come to the government and ask; this how GuySuCo works, how the rice board works as they’re 100% owned by the government,” the Agriculture Minister said.

He stated that Minister Harmon is looking at the situation to come up with an amicable solution.

Ruckus at Hope Estate; Chairman and Manger feud over appointment Minister Noel Holder

Minister of State Joseph Harmon is looking into an issue at the Hope Estate where the Chairman of the Board is reportedly refusing to accept the appointment of the Administrative Manager, thereby causing some ruckus at the facility.

GNN today spoke to Administrative Manager; Aseef Balmacoon who stated that since his appointment last month to the post by the Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, he was barred from entering the office by the Chairman of the Hope Estate Board of Directors, Dr. Lamei Aowmathi.

He stated that the Chairman had objected

to his appointment on December, 01, 2015, however he was supported by the Minister who appointed him.

He said “within the month of December, I would have made several attempts to come into the office to carry out my functions but he would have objected; he locked the door on several occasions…he said that he will not allow me…

This morning I came with the support of the farmers who forced him out of the building.”

Balmacoon added that Dr. Aowmathi is claiming to be the manager along with the chairman of the estate, but this is a conflict of interest.

However, Dr Aowmathi stated that he “was previously appointed as Manager by the board because there wasn’t enough money to pay a Manager and this was reported to the Minister.” He said he is holding to his position of not accepting the appointment on the aforementioned grounds as the Board is responsible for the appointment of the Manager and not the Minister.

He also noted that Balmacoon’s appointment is a conflict of interest since his family have an ongoing court case in the Court of Appeal with another family on the estate.

More can be done to educate Guyanese on border claims- Granger

President David Granger

Efforts are afoot to educate the younger Guyanese populace on the Guyana/ Suriname and the G u y a n a / Ve n e z u e l a border dispute.

This assurance was

given by President David Granger during his weekly television programme “The Public Interest.”

In acknowledging that the younger generation is not too clear on the

maritime issues which existed more than fifty years ago, the Guyanese leader noted that his administration will be seeking to educate and inform them.

“More can always be

done but that is our task to inform the Guyanese people about the two border claims.”

He spoke of measures that the government will be taking to ensure this young group is filly knowledgeable about the two border disputes.

“We are sure that we are on the right side and we continue to inform, educate, disseminate information to the population about those two claims,” said the President.

In this regard, he said spoke of his intention to circulate booklets and films in schools as part of its education campaign.

The Venezuela border dispute was solved since 1989, however, the issue has flared again

in May of last year after it was announced that oil was discovered here.

The President said he has been in constant contact with Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Ban Ki Moon with regard to the dispute with Venezuela. “We have written to him, I wrote him as recent as Old year’s day…I’ve met him several times during 2015 and I’m very encouraged that he has a full grasp of the issues.” Mr. Ban has been asked to identify a course of action that would result in solving the dispute between the two countries.

Meanwhile, with regard to the Guyana/Suriname maritime issue, the President said it was resolved by international

tribunal. In spite of this, Suriname’s president Desi Bouterse has made renewed statements with regard to his claim to the New River Triangle.

Questioned on the topic of the setting up of the border committee, the President noted that there has been no movement thus far. However, he made reference to a number of meetings that were held last year

by Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge whereby members of the opposition Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) were invited to participate.

There is a standing Border Committee in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

More calls for investigation into GDF rank’s death following high-speed chase The botched intelligence operation that led to the death of three persons on the night of December 30, 2015 continues to gain attention from all sections of society.

There have been many calls for a full investigation into the matter even after President David Granger has dismissed these calls initially made by the opposition Peoples Progressive Party/civic (PPP/C).

At the weekend the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) and the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) both spoke out against what transpired.

The GBA in its statement called for a Commission of Inquiry into the incident saying that the deaths and their surrounding circumstances are cause for the

gravest concern among citizens.

According to the statement, “it has now been confirmed that at the time of the officer’s death he was engaged in a surveillance operation which it is now known was directed at a public servant who is on leave. The Bar Association believes that an explanation is required for the use of GDF officers to engage in such activities and the legality thereof,” the GBA said.

With regard to President‘s statement that there is no need for a full probe into the matter since The GDF Sergeant was on official duty, the GBA said it disagrees with such position.

It said at a minimum a Coroner’s Inquest should be held.

At the very least, the law requires a Coroner’s Inquest into the death of

the three citizens while the ten issues identified are so serious and fundamental to the normal functioning of a democratic state that they require a proper, independent Commission of Inquiry, the GBA added.

Given that the President is the Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces and Chairman of the Defence Board, the GBA said Granger “would wish to avoid any perception of any conflict of interest, undue influence or political interference in the operations of the Disciplined Services, or of an operation that went horribly wrong.”

Meanwhile, the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) in its statement noted that the Crime situation in Berbice and Guyana

as a whole is out of control, and the law enforcement authorities must pursue the ruthless criminals carrying out these activities instead of going after law-abiding citizens.

The CCCC said it noted that hardworking citizens are killed in their homes without seemingly any protection from the authorities, “while the Minister of Public Security and the government as a whole, seem impotent to arrest the situation.”

The CCCC added

that “it is indeed a travesty that the army intelligence officers are pursuing law abiding citizens in movie type chases instead of these criminals.”

The body wants the army to put under surveillance known criminals and help the police to bring some semblance of order to this country.

Following the revelation that the GDF rank was on duty on a high-speed chase when he lost his life, the opposition has since stated that questioned the role of the army in the

Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU’s) mandate.

It was recently brought to light too that the vehicle that the rank was pursuing was carrying the wife of PPP/C MP, Charles Ramson Jr, Alana Seebarran, who is by no way related to Head of the National Industrial and Commerial Investment limited (NICIL) Winston Brassington.

His teenage daughter was supposed to be the target.

Bush Lot couple was murdered by teenagers The three persons who invaded the home of the Bush Lot couple on Saturday morning have all been identified as teenagers.

This was confirmed by police sources who said that two persons who are in custody are ages 18 and 19 and heve reportedly confessed to murdering the man and his wife inside.

The police are looking for the third suspect in the matter.

The two who are in custody detailed to the police how they carried out the act and also told the police how they managed to enter the home.

According to them they made their way into the home through an open veranda door

which apparently is usually open.

However, according to the source, they could not tell the police why they ended up killing the couple.

The police are expected to have the two who are in custody to be placed before the courts by Thursday of this week.

Unlicensed machine gun found in mining camp The police say that an unlicensed 9mm. sub machine gun was found in a mining camp in Arangoy, Mazaruni River earlier today.

The gun was found after police ranks in “F” Division conducted a

UAE offers technical support to Guyana

Minister of Public Infrastructure, Honourable David Patterson (third right) and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Honourable Annette Ferguson (fourth left) with UAE Minister of State, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy (fourth right) and her team. Advisor to the Public Infrastructure Minister, Kenneth Jordan (second left) is also present

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has offered technical support to the Infrastructure Ministry in desired areas. During a meeting today, between Ministers of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and representatives of the

Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Minister of State of UAE; Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy indicated that her visit to Guyana is her first in this hemisphere.

According to a statement from the Ministry, the UAE delegation

expressed interest in Guyana’s energy sector, particularly in the country’s renewable energy potential. A representative shared that UAE is an early adopter of renewable energy and invests in the sector, both domestically and

internationally.

The representative further said that UAE has been bringing together key players in the energy sector, ranging from investments to technology.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson told

search on the camp earlier today.

A man has been arrested and is in police custody assisting with the investigations.

Me a n w h i l e , following another search conducted on a man at Itaballi

Checkpoint, the police found 2 kilograms and 748 grams of marijuana.

The man been taken into custody.

the representatives that Guyana is now embarking on the greening of the nation and the harnessing of its renewable energy potential. He shared that the goal is to start on a small scale, with the aim of having 75 to 100 megawatts of renewable energy available in five years.

In response, H.E. Al Hashimy said that UAE is open to providing technical support to Guyana, particularly in the areas in which UAE thrives. She stressed the desire to improve relations between Guyana and her nation.

“We’re very willing to share our expertise… if our success can be replicated with you then that makes all of us stronger,” H.E. Al Hashimy said.

Outside of renewable energy, the Ambassador indicated that UAE is willing to offer support in other areas, including the aviation sector. H.E. Al Hashimy noted that UAE has great

strength in this sector.

This news was well received by Minister Ferguson who has responsibilities for aviation under the Public Infrastructure Ministry.

H.E. Al Hashimy further urged the Ministers to identify areas which need support under the Infrastructure Ministry.

“If you know what you want and what you need then we can match make with the right agencies. If you can articulate what you want and show how it aims towards your overall vision then we’re willing to share our support and knowledge,” she said.

Ambassador Al Hashimy’s visit to Guyana came to an end today. During her two-day visit, H.E. Al Hashimy and her team met with a number of Ministers. She explained that the aim was to “cover as many areas as possible to see how we can strengthen ties as furthest as possible.”

Nandlall’s concerns on the Granger’s “unlawful interference” rebuked

President David Granger

The Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP) today condemned comments attributed to former Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall carried in sections of the media slamming President David Granger ‘unlawful interference’ in Carifesta Avenue Collision”.

The Ministry says it believes that this is a deliberate and iniquitous attempt to misconstrue the President

comments and thereby, mislead the public.

MOTP said “at no point has the Head of State interfered in either the conduct of the operation, which was led by Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), nor the investigations following the regretful loss of three lives. President Granger, in response to questions from reporters, who were at MOTP for the swearing in of Minister Valerie Adams-Patterson,

indicated that while he is aware that there is an internal probe that will be conducted by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), because of the death of Sergeant Robert Pyle, a determination for the need for a wider investigation would be advised on by the Chief of Staff of the GDF.” Responding to a question posed by a journalist who asked whether there will be a move to have a full probe of the circumstances that may have led to his death, President Granger said that he does not “see that there is need for a probe at the present time but if after discussions with the Chief of Staff he feels such a probe is justified” then such a probe would be conducted, the Ministry clarified.

While the President

said that at this point he saw no need for a wider probe, he did not rule it out nor did he advise or instruct either the Guyana Police Force (GPF) or the GDF on how they should proceed with their investigations.

During that same media engagement, the President went on to say that he is not involved in the operational use of the GPF or the GDF and these functions are vested in the Commissioner of Police by the Police Act and the Chief of Staff by the Defence Act, respectively.

“No politician gets involved in giving directives; operational directives to the Chief of Staff or to the Commissioner [of Police],” he said.

The President did not say at any time that there

Anil Nandlall

will be no investigation.

Further, both the GPF and the GDF have investigating and reporting responsibilities in this unfortunate case as they would have with any other similar case.

The Ministry says it finds the publishing of Nandlall’s comments as unfortunate, as the President’s quoted comments never amounted to the content of his accusations, particularly since no effort was made to seek a response from the Head

of State by the newspaper, thereby abrogating his right of reply.

Nandlall is quoted as saying that no member of the Executive including the president has the authority to determine in what instances the police force should or should not investigate.

He said the investigation and detection of incidents or allegations in order to determine whether a criminal offence has occurred is a matter that is purely and exclusively under the Police Act.

Dear Editor,

Ignorance glaring on Local Government Elections I perceive that the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) will be played out as organized chaos. It seems like after the 23 years void of LGE and the reformatting of the electoral districts, everybody is ignorant and confused as to the process of the upcoming elections. The ignorance is so glaring that there are some in the race stating emphatically that they are running for Mayor.

As I understand it, the Mayors are elected from among the elected counselors. One does not and cannot run for Mayor.

If among those who are engrossed in the process there remain such blatant ignorance as to the process, imagine what eludes the minds of the electorate. With only two months left to the elections, there is yet to be any significant campaigning or sensitizing among the voting public. Except a candidate has significant funds or a huge volunteer

squad, it will be virtually impossible to satisfactorily articulate and communicate ones manifesto to his constituents.

I have decided to ask the voters in the 8th constituency (stabroek - wortmanville -werk-en-rust) to consider me as their representative. My challenge is, how do I in two months, cover this constituency which extends from the drainage canal between south road and Croal street thence along Chalmers place thence into Hadfield street at its northern extremity to Princess street at its southern extremity to Vlissengen road at its eastern extremity to the Demerara river at its western extremity?

I am wondering if there should not have been a longer time allotted to the campaigning process for such a significant election. The persons who will be putting themselves forward to represent their communities and spend taxpayers’ monies need to be vetted

and their proposals need to be clarified and expanded upon. Anybody could promise anything.

What will be needed are debates and interviews, with tough questions being asked. The voters in any and every constituency should be afforded the privilege of town hall meetings and question and answer segments involving their proposed representatives.

The intent of the LGE should not just be to fill positions. Guyana needs help and the best and brightest minds, with the most practical and comprehensive solutions, should be the ones elected to serve. And the constituents should get a good chance to make their objective evaluations of the candidates.

After all, it is from among the elected counselors that Mayors will be chosen.

President Granger has begun to extend the townships across Guyana. This will mean that persons with insight and apolitical fortitude

will have to lead in the establishment of new policies and regulations, in their respective Townships. Their roles cannot be taken lightly.

Georgetown will be the Town to watch. Recently it has begun to look alive again. One would argue that it was dead due to narrow political vindictiveness and administrative malice. Both sides of the political spectrum will argue that the other side was to blame. It will be wise therefore, for the

people of Georgetown to stay clear of electing anyone who can pivot the Town back to the former ‘dead’ days. Georgetown must elect Counselors and then a Mayor, who can attract support from whichever political party is governing the Country.

It would be a travesty of anything decent or unconscionable to allow Georgetown to become a political football ever again. So as you go to the polls, think hard and long about what

you want Guyana to become. This will depend largely upon whom you vote for. Of course this too will depend on what they say and don’t say. I just wish we had more time for vetting.

Pastor W. P. Jeffrey Practical National Movement

Cathy Hughes now responsible for GPO has now been handed the responsibility for governance and constitutional matters and parliamentary affairs.

Governance previously fell under Minister Raphael Trotman, however he has been given the responsibility for Natural Resources where Minister Simona Broomes joined him.

She was moved from the Ministry of Social Protection to be Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources.

“Minister Broomes has tremendous energy and skill, and she is going to be functioning from

the Ministry of Natural Resources. She has a very good knowledge of the hinterland, and we are concerned with the enforcement of certain practices and regulations in that Ministry,”

the President said.

To take up her previous post at the Ministry of Social Protection is Minister Keith Scott who was previously responsible for Housing at the Ministry

of Communities.

A new minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Sharpe-Patterson, has also been appointed to take up Scott’s previous portfolio.

receiving medical attention at the Suddie hospital. According to, him their families, even though very emotional, have expressed satisfaction at the level of treatment the victims have received.

The Guyana News following attempts According to the Network (GNN) to end their lives. Chairman, the persons has learnt that five Regional Chairman of who attempted persons from various Region 2, Devanand suicide are able to locations from the Ramdatt, told GNN communicate but Essequibo Coast have that he visited the noted that he cannot been hospitalized victims who are make any further

pronouncement.

GNN understands that the ages of the victims range from about 12 to 28 and that some injected poisonous substance as early as yesterday. It is not as yet clear as what would have prompted the five persons to drink poison, however, it is believed that personal issues may have led to frustration.

Unconfirmed reports

indicate that three of the persons injected Gramaxzone.

The five person names were given as 12 year old, Ferana Mohamed from Anna Regina Squatting area, 22 year old Nelina Ramesh from La Belle Alliance, 24 year old, Yosoda Munniram from Fairfield, 28 year old Sushelia Khemraj from San Souci Wakenaam and 20 year old,

Savita Sursattie from Golden Fleece Estate.

Family members are trying to grapple with the unfortunate situation while trying to understand what could have led to the five individual cases.

Over the weekend two persons, one from Adventure and one from Anna Regina committed suicide. The incidents are unrelated.

her new portfolio creates conflict of interest with her ownership of mining concessions.

She has since rubbished those concerns.

“Whether she was moved for her performance or nonperformance, we should not overlook the conflict of interest that exists,” the PPP GS lamented.

He accused Minister Broomes of going off on forays into the interior and in the process offending some supporters

of the coalition.

The Minister however has come in for commendation for her efforts in addressing labour issues and tackling trafficking in persons.

Upon assuming office Minister Brooms sought to bring relief to Guyanese workers who were being exploited by foreign investors, a move welcomed by all.

Rohee said from his assessment more changes are likely to come within the next few months.

WITH the recent a d j u s t m e n t s in ministerial responsibilities, the Guyana Post Office Corporation will now fall under the purview of Minister Cathy Hughes, who has been given the portfolio of Public Tele communic at ions and Tourism.

The entity was previously under the Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure; Annette Ferguson.

After seven months in office, President David Granger made the changes to his Cabinet two weeks ago. He said,

“The reason is that, after seven months, we detected a gap — that there is no single spokesperson in the National Assembly, a Ministerial spokesperson dealing with the digital economy [and] dealing with information technology.

So we decided that it was necessary to have a minister responsible for information and communication t e c h n o l o g y.”

The responsibility for public information remains under Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who

Minister Cathy Hughes

Five females hospitalized for attempting suicide in Essequibo

Broomes reassignment is like ‘putting cat to watch milk’ - Rohee The Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) has criticized the eight month old coalition government over its recent decision to reshuffle the Cabinet.

During his weekly press conference held at Freedom House today, PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee likened the move unto musical chairs.

However, Rohee lauded the President for his decision to move Minister Keith Scott from

the Department of Housing. According to him, “he has been an abysmal failure.”

He added that Scott killed a once dynamic housing sector within seven months.

The PPP General Secretary said the sector is currently on its dying bed and he hopes the new Minister will be able to revive it.

Turning his attention to the other Ministers, Rohee believes that the shifting of Broomes away from the

Clement Rohee

Ministry of Social Protection was to be expected. “What was not expected was her placement at the Ministry of National Resources to keep a watchful eye on Trotman the substantive

subject Minister.

The move can be characterized as putting a cat to watch milk,” he added.

Concerns were raise with regard to Minister Brooms’ new placement.

It is believed that

Police receive equipment from Canada to strengthen investigation capacity Society (JES). The JES project aims to increase evidence-led investigations with a view to decreasing impunity rates. The JES is currently conducting its second set of training activities with the Guyana Police Force on Major Case Management, Mr. Pierre Giroux Video High Commissioner system, is valued at Forensic of Canada to Guyana, CAD $22,000 (GYD Analysis and Crime Mr. Pierre Giroux, $3,043,280) was Scene Management. today officially handed handed over at a simple High Commissioner emphasized over several pieces of ceremony at the Police Giroux equipment to Minister Officers Training the importance of of Public Security Mr. Centre, Eve Leary. having the necessary Khemraj Ramjattan The donation is part tools to implement for use by the Guyana of Canada’s 2 year the knowledge gained the through training Police Force (GPF). “Strengthening Criminal and highlighted the The equipment which Guyanese includes crime scene Justice System” project particular usefulness kits, 6 Canon cameras being implemented of the forensic video equipment and an Ocean System by Canadian NGO, analysis hardware and software the Justice Education which will capitalize on

the numerous ClosedCircuit Television (CCTV) cameras around Georgetown.

The equipment will enable officers in the newly established Forensic Video Analysis Unit to extract the relevant video footage and enhance images. High Commissioner Giroux also commended the admirable work of JES, citing personal experience of successful work with JES in El Salvador.

Minister Ramjattan reaffirmed the G o v e r n m e n t’s commitment to strengthening security in Guyana and thanked the Canadian Government and

Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

the JES for their timely support in strengthening Guyana’s criminal justice system.

The Government of Canada, through its Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP), is providing CAD $750,000 (GYD $106 million) to Canadian NGO, the Justice Education Society (JES), to implement this

project over two years.

The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministries of Public Security and Legal Affairs, as well as the Office of the Chancellor of the Judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Guyana Police Force.

54 cases of Gastroenteritis confirmed in Baramita Regional Health workers and other personnel are working to contain the outbreak of gastroenteritis in Baramita, Region one by conducting several educational sessions and visits to villages to aid in improving the sanitation in the region.

Region one chairman Brentnol Ashley told GNN that the region is awaiting the results from samples of water sent for testing to move forward, however there are works

ongoing on a daily basis to contain the disease.

He said “the senior environmental health

officer has been carrying out tests of the various possible water supply that the communities

His Excellency Mr. Ross Tysoe, the present Australian High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago and NonResident Head of Mission to Guyana, today paid a farewell visit to Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, at

the Ministry of Public Security.

National Security matters of mutual interest including immigration, border security and the world drug problem among other issues were discussed.

H i g h Commissioner Tysoe is soon due to

complete his tenure of service in the Caribbean. The new Australian High Commissioner is expected to take up his assignment in the Caribbean by mid February 2016.

have to ascertain whether the water is the cause of the problem, which it is assumed that this was the reason for the problem but we are awaiting the response to be sent back to the region to determine the way forward.”

He added that have been just over 54 confirmed cases.

Ashley said “we only had one death of an 11 month old child on December, 27, 2015. However to date, there is no other

casualties as relates to the situation. They are taking steps to keep it under control. They are holding educational sessions with the residents and the school children for them to understand sanitation and hygiene and how to assist those affected.”

The Regional Chairman said visits are being conducted to each village where residents are given things to treat their water and are also being shown how to go about doing so.

Baramita, which has

a population of about 3000 and 20 satellite villages, has one Health Center, which is manned by a Community Health worker, a medic and a doctor.

Gastroenteritis is an infection of the digestive system. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites found in water, food and animals. It causes a combination of diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, and headache. Dehydration may occur as a result.

Australian envoy says farewell

GAWU denies pocketing millions to train sugar workers

Komal Chand

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) says it has noted a news story which appeared in the January 06, 2016 edition of the Guyana Chronicle titled

“GAWU pocketing millions to train sugar workers,” an accusation it has denied.

The Union deems the article “misleading and an attempt to hoodwink and misguide its

readership and the public.”

GAWU, in an explanation sought by the Guyana News Network (GNN) said the assertion that the Union received some $18M from GuySuCo for training of sugar workers at its Labour College between 2011 and August, 2015 is completely and utterly fallacious.

“The sum referred to, if correct, represent wages paid to employees who were granted paid-release to attend Union sponsored courses. This practice has been in existence for many decades now and is enshrined in the Collective Labour Agreement between the Union and the Corporation,” GAWU said in a statement.

The article also asserted that the College’s curriculum has no bearing on the sugar industry. But GAWU is

claiming that this too is furthest from the truth.

“In the short duration of a standard course, the Union in support of the sugar industry, has allotted GuySuCo six (6) sessions during each course in which the Corporation’s personnel have the opportunity to interface with participants to discuss the challenges and problems which face and confront the sugar industry,” GAWU said.

“GAWU continued “it should be noted also that the paid-release of workers to attend Union sponsored courses, or other courses, is not peculiar to the sugar industry but indeed an activity embraced by all trade unions and entities whether publicly or privately owned and has been an invaluable practice that sustains

healthy industrial relations in our society.”

GAWU called to attention that the attendance of workers to the Union courses, conferences and similar educative activities, was won out of the struggles of the workingclass and not without resistance from the ownerclass circles and their collaborators. “Today, such an activity has become, in a sense, part of the workers’ expectation and their worklife. Workers cherish this right dearly. It is a right to be steadfastly defended by the Trade Union Movement if there are attempts to rollback this hard-won gain,” the statement added.

GAWU said the Chronicle story is not only a clear distortion of what is conveyed in the Commission of Inquiry

Report but represents the latest attack on the right of sugar workers to benefit from Trade Union education and training. It added that the story cannot be delinked from the other misinformation and other assaults which have been perpetuated in recent times against the workers and their primary organizations.

“Of course, the COI’s recommendation to discontinue payment for employees’ participation in courses run by the GAWU Labour College is not only difficult to fathom but provides a glimpse of what might be further assaults on workers’ gains and benefits,” the Union stated.

beyond an internal one since the sergeant was part of a legitimate operation”.

The following statement is also attributed to the President in some of the articles: “No politician gets involved in giving directives; operations directives to the Chief of Staff or to the Commissioner [of Police]”.

“However, by the statements attributed to the President above, His Excellency has violated this very prohibition. It seems to have escaped the attention of the Ministry of Presidency that apart from an army officer, two civilians also lost their lives and the operation from which the loss of lives resulted was a civilian operation and not a military one and therefore whatever course of action the Chief of Staff has planned, it has nothing to do with the Police’s duty to carry out its mandatory obligations under the Police Act to launch an in-

vestigation” Nandlall said.

He added that “when the Commander in Chief sends out a particular signal, the Police Force appears to have collapsed into a paralysis and no investigation seemed to have commenced. The overwhelming public perception is that the President has shut down any investigation into this incident.

As a result, members of the public continue to agitate for a full investigation.”

Nandlall further alluded to the Guyana Bar Association which called for an investigation into the matter as well adding that the ministry of the Presidency should have made it clear that a full and thorough investigation into the incident by the Guyana Police Force is expected rather than “obfuscate the matter further by its statement”.

No executive should determine what should be investigated- Nandlall Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall in a statement this afternoon clarified that his contention in an interview with Stabroek News “was to establish that no member of the Executive, inclusive of the President has any authority to determine which matters should or should not be investigated by the Guyana Police Force.

He was at the time responding to a statement issued by the Ministry of The Presidency earlier in the day which accused him of an “agenda to mislead the public” after his interview with the local newspaper was published in a story captioned “Nandlall slams President’s ‘unlawful interference’ in Carifesta Avenue Collision”.

The Former AG said “the Guyana Police Force, under the Police Act, Chapter

16:01, has the exclusive responsibility to investigate any matter to determine whether a criminal offence is committed or not.

The incident under review resulted in the death of three citizens, including a member of the Guyana Defence Force. A police investigation in these circumstances is mandatory.

I made those comments in response to statements attributed to His Excellency, the President in the press.”

He alluded to the Stabroek News front page recently which carried the blazing headline “Granger: no need for full probe of operation that claimed three lives – relatives of Brassington, Ramson Jr said to be traumatized” In the article, the following statement is attributed to the President “I don’t think it requires a full probe be-

Anil Nandlall

cause Sergeant Pyle was on an official mission at the time and it was quite an unfortunate accident in which three persons died so we certainly regret the loss of life but I don’t see there is need for a probe at the present time”.

Similar statements were attributed to the President in Kaieteur News in an article carried on the 7th of January, 2016, “The Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces also responded in the negative,

when asked if a probe will be conducted into the circumstances surrounding the botched operation”.

A Guyana Chronicle article carrying the same story on 1st of January, 2016, under the sub-heading “Internal Probe” contains the following statement “he (the President) said the death of any member of the GDF results in an internal probe which if not carried out would be advisable. However, there is no need for a probe to be executed or stretched

Falklands Islands Assembly member meets President on right to self-determination

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Greg Quinn; President David Granger, Honourable Ian Hansen and Ms. Krysteen Ormond, Public Relations and Media Manager, Falkland Islands Government; after the meeting this morning

The Honourable Ian Hansen, member of the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands, accompanied by British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Greg Quinn, today, met with President David Granger, at the Ministry of the Presidency, to secure his views on the Islands’ fight for self-determination.

In an invited comment, Mr. Hansen said that the

meeting was to familiarize himself with the new President and to obtain his views on the right of the Falkland Islanders to determine their own future.

“We thought it would have been a good idea to meet with the New President because one of our [representatives] was here couple of years ago when he was the Opposition leader and then he was very supportive of the

Falkland Islands rights to self-determine their future so we thought that we would come back and it has been a very productive meeting. He is still very, very clear that we should determine our own future, obviously by peaceful means so I was very pleased with the meeting,” he said.

Mr. Hansen said the meeting also discussed the Guyana/Venezuela Border Controversy and

oil giant ExxonMobil’s recent discovery of oil, offshore Guyana.

In the meantime, the British High Commissioner said that he was there to facilitate the meeting. Mr Quinn also noted that Guyana’s relationship with the United Kingdom is at the best it has been for a very long time. (MOTP)

Music legend David Bowie Dies at Age 69 from Cancer David Bowie has died after a battle with cancer, his rep confirmed to Billboard. He was 69.

“David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer.

While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief,” read a statement posted on the artist’s official social media accounts.

The influential singer-

songwriter and producer dabbled in glam rock, art rock, soul, hard rock, dance pop, punk and electronica during his eclectic 40-plus-year career. He just released his 25th album, Blackstar, Jan. 8, which was his birthday.

Bowie’s artistic breakthrough came with 1972’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, an album that fostered the notion of rock star as space alien. Fusing British

mod with Japanese kabuki styles and rock with theater, Bowie created the flamboyant, androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust.

Three years later, Bowie achieved his first major American crossover success with the No. 1 single “Fame” off the top 10 album Young Americans, then followed with the 1976 avant-garde art rock LP Station to Station, which made it to No. 3 on the charts and featured top 10 hit “Golden Years.”

Other memorable songs included 1983’s “Let’s Dance” — his only other No. 1 U.S. hit — “Space Oddity,” “Heroes,” “Changes,” “Under Pressure,” “China Girl,” “Modern Love,” “Rebel, Rebel,” “All the Young Dudes,” “Panic in Detroit,” “Fashion,” “Life on Mars,” “Suffragette City” and a 1977 Christmas medley with Bing Crosby.

Bowie also starred in Marlene Dietrich’s last film, Just a Gigolo (1978), portrayed a World War

II prisoner of war in Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983), and played Pontius Pilate in Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ (1988).

Born David Jones in

London on Jan. 8, 1947, Bowie changed his name in 1966 after The Monkees’ Davy Jones achieved stardom.

(Adapted from MSN)

Playboy Mansion Listed for Sale for US$200M The Gothic Tudor-style mansion, which has an area of nearly 20,000 square feet (1,858 square meters) and boasts 29 rooms, sits amid five acres in Holmby Hills west of the city.

In addition to amenities such as a tennis court and a free-form swimming pool, the estate is home to the infamous Playboy grotto, which over the years served as the setting for some The iconic Los Angeles mansion of Hugh of Hefner’s most lavish, hedonistic parties.

Hefner, the founder of the Playboy empire, is The mansion, in which Hefner still lives, being put up for sale for $200 million, Playboy also has a zoo license, the company said Enterprises said, one of the highest asking prices in a statement announcing the sale. for a private residence in the United States.

“The Playboy Mansion has been a creative center for Hef as his residence and workplace for the past 40 years, as it will continue to be if the property is sold,” the statement added.

Representatives did not specifically say why the company had the decided to sell the property, which was built in 1927 and purchased by Playboy in 1971 for a reported $1.1 million, a figure property agents said was the largest real estate transaction in Los Angeles history at that time. (Fox News)

Katrina underplays her meeting with Salman Khan There were some rumours that Katrina Kaif ’s warming up to Salman Khan for the lead role in Sultan which obviously got quashed with the entry of Anushka Sharma as the lead heroine in the prestigious project which was announced on Friday evening.

And it was Pinkvilla that broke the story of Katrina bumping into her good friend Ali Abbas Zafar and ex-

flame Salman Khan at Mumbai’s Yash Raj Films’ Studio on Thursday when she had gone there for dubbing for Fitoor.

Our source had said, “When Katrina saw Salman, she sweetly went and greeted him and few minutes later, left the venue.”

But, strangely enough, Katrina chose to underplay her meeting with Salman. When she was asked if she had

gone to meet Salman on the sets of Sultan, she clarified saying, “Actually we were dubbing for Fitoor and there was some shooting going on.

Ali Abbas Zafar, who had directed Mere Brother Ki Dulhan was around…there was some shooting going on. I haven’t gone on anybody’s sets to meet anyone.”

Katrina never once mentioned or the film he was is Sultan, she stuck going on…’ (Yahoo) the name Salman shooting for which to ‘some shooting

Condition causes toddler’s brain to grow into nose

The mother of a toddler with a rare condition that causes his brain to grow through a crack in his skull is hopeful that her son,

Ollie to hold, I was so surprised that I almost couldn’t speak,” Amy Poole, Ollie’s 22-yearold mother, told Mirror.co.uk. “He was so tiny, but there was this enormous golfball sized lump on his nose. At first I wasn’t sure how I would cope, now 21 months old, but I knew I would will live a normal life love him no matter after other people ad- what he looked like.” vised her to abort him Ollie suffers from enbefore he was born. cephalocele, a rare “When they gave me type of neural tube de-

health complications, the mother and son also endure cruel comments from strangers who tell Poole she should have terminated the pregnancy.

Poole said the comfect that occurs when ly excess fluid was re- ments are “absolutethe neural tube does moved from his nose. ly heart-breaking.” not close complete- “I was so scared to let “To me, Ollie is perly during pregnan- Ollie undergo such fect. He is my little recy, leaving an open- major surgery. He al-life Pinocchio and I ing in the midline of was so fragile, and couldn’t be prouder of the upper part of the I couldn’t bear the him,” she noted Docskull, Mirror.co.uk thought of losing him,” tors are monitoring reported.

Doctors Poole told the news Ollie’s condition and first alerted Poole to site. “But doctors ex- his growth to deterthe condition during plained that he was at mine when he will her 20-week scan. risk of contracting an next undergo surgery.

Since his February infection or even men- (Fox News Health) 2014 birth, Ollie has ingitis if he tripped and undergone several knocked his nose— so surgeries to help him I agreed to the surgery.” breathe. Most recent- In addition to his

A British teenager who used cans of deodorant in lieu of bathing died from inhaling gas.

Police found 42 aerosol cans in the room of Thomas Townsend, 16, of Folkestone, Kent in southeast England.

According to his mother, Sally, Thomas would spray half a can of deodorant on himself instead of taking a shower, then spray aftershave to cover up body odor.

“He would go through

the bed in August.

He was unable to be revived by paramedics.

The boy had been in foster care for five years and moved to the home in February.

According to the investigating

Teen dies from using too much deodorant a can a week,” she told investigators. “I didn’t know he had so many cans in his room but he was a big hoarder.”

Thomas was living at a children’s home when he was found collapsed on his knees against

pathologist, the cause of death was circulation collapse caused by butane gas inhalation. His system was free of signs of alcohol or drugs, The Sun reported.

The death was ruled an accident.

“He sprayed [deodorant] all over himself and succumbed to the effects of the gas,” coroner Rachel Redman said. (Fox News Health)

Are you making Tea all wrong?

Research continues to show us that tea is one of the healthiest things you can drink. But just because an ingredient shows a beneficial effect in a lab doesn’t necessarily mean you’re benefiting from it when you eat or drink it.

It turns out the water temperature and time you take steeping your tea play important roles in how much antioxidant action you’re actually getting from it.

First, the benefits: An impressive body of scientific evidence supports the ability of tea, particularly green and white varieties, to reduce the risk of disease.

But some of the existing research notes that the precise “dose” or preparation needed to

produce health benefits is a little hazier. To help demystify how best to preserve tea’s antioxidant properties, the researchers tested two brands each of white, black, and green teas, prepared both hot and cold, to measure flavonoids, polyphenols, “ferric-reducing antioxidant power,” and free-radicalscavenging activity — in short, the elements researchers believe make tea so healthy.

Green tea is the least processed of the bunch, which is the likely reason it boasts the most antioxidants, while black tea — popular in the U.K. served with milk and sugar — has the least. To preserve as many antioxidants as possible in your favorite cup, here’s how you should drink it, according to this study: Green Tea This darling of health research is sensitive to both time and temps. Flavonoids were the same whether steeped for five minutes or two hours, but cold steeping for two hours produced tea with the most antioxidants. Most benefits were noted in green tea samples in this order: Tea prepared in cold water for two hours, in

hot water for five minutes, in hot water for two hours, and cold water for five minutes.

The Takeaway: Try cold-steeping your green tea for the maximum benefits.

White Tea This was more affected by time, not temperature overall, and retained most of its antioxidants via prolonged hot-water infusion, or by steeping in hot water for two hours. In other words, the longer it sits, the more antioxidants.

The Takeaway: Let your white tea sit a bit longer.

Black Tea In contrast to white tea, the more time black sits in hot water, the more it loses antioxidants.

The Takeaway: Steep it hot but not too long.

(Yahoo Health)

T & T Cops held for theft Four police constables assigned to the North Eastern Division Task Force were arrested on Saturday morning at the Santa Cruz Police Station while clad in their police uniforms by officers of the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) and placed in cells at four police stations in the Port-

of-Spain division.

It is alleged that on Tuesday last, the four constables dressed in full police gear went to the Kelly Village, Caroni home of a businessman and demanded $53,000. The money was handed over to the four officers and the incident was captured on surveillance cameras

at the businessman’s p r e m i s e s .

Sources revealed that on Wednesday last, the businessman was advised to report the matter to the PSB and a team of officers carried out enquiries and interviewed the businessman.

Officers then secured the surveillance footage and carried out further enquiries.

On Saturday last, as the officers were about to proceed on

a patrol, they were arrested, and told of the alleged offence.

While at the respective police stations, where they are being detained, relatives of the officers were allowed to bring a change of clothing for them and their uniforms were seized. Newsday understands that at one police station, one of the detained officers was verbally abused by a group of

prisoners in the same cell he was being kept.

Newsday also understands that the four officers are expected to be placed on identification parades today and their homes are expected to be searched.

Last year, more than 40 police officers were charged by the same unit for various offences. The officers’ ranks ranged from Constables to Inspectors.

(Adapted from the Trinidad Newsday)

Global Imports, on fire, causing more than $2M in damage yesterday.

According to officials, there was approximately $1m worth of televisions, refrigerators, small appliances and furniture in the building, which was itself valued at $1M, at the time. A forklift, a Nissan Bluebird Sylphy and two threetonne trucks which were also in the building at the time were also destroyed.

Preliminary investigations revealed that a hole had been cut in steel

mesh between the walls and roof of the building. Before the fire, the thieves loaded the two trucks and the car with stolen goods and then tried to break down the double steel gates at the building’s entrance using the forklift.

The gates did not fall, but were slightly bent at the point of impact.

When investigators ventured to the side of the building, there were several empty television boxes in

the grass, leading them to believe the thieves resorted to taking items through the gap they had entered after they failed to break down the gates.

The building was then set on fire. Nothing was recovered from the building and fire officers present said they would have to wait until the ashes cooled before venturing inside to conduct their full investigation.

(Adapted from the Trinidad Newsday)

Bandits set warehouse on fire in T & T

When burglars at a warehouse in Siparia failed to steal hundreds of

thousands dollars in goods early Sunday, they then set the building, Harry’s

Teen lifts burning truck to save her father’s life A petite 19-year-old Virginia woman who lifted a large burning truck off her father said Sunday that she just snapped into “super mode” to save his life.

Charlotte Heffelmire turned into a real-life 5-foot-6, 120-pound superhero when she rushed to her father’s aid Nov. 28. Eric Heffelmire was working on a pickup in the garage when a jack slipped,

pinning him under the vehicle. The mishap also caused a gasoline spill which set the truck and the garage on fire.

“I guess he was in the garage for about 10 minutes before I really just stumbled on him,” Charlotte told “Fox & Friends.” “I couldn’t hear anything. (I) kind of came into the garage and the garage was already on fire and really from there I kind of snapped

into that whatever super mode I had at that point and kind of do what I had to do.”

The citation for a Citizen Life Saving Award she received Thursday from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department says she was able to lift the truck twice to get her father free.

It also says she climbed into the burning truck and drove it out of the garage on three wheels,

then closed the garage doors to help contain the fire and then went into the house and got everybody out, including her sister’s baby.

And while waiting for the fire department to arrive, she tried to keep the fire from spreading to the rest of their Vienna home with a garden hose.

It seems President Obama has no intention of stepping out of the White House and fading from the limelight. No, he’s got his sights set on the world stage—this

time as secretary general of the United Nations, according to Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida.

But not all world leaders are keen to see this come to fruition, including

first and foremost, Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Washington Times reports-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly is planning payback for President Obama’s dismissing Mr. Netanyahu’s objections to the Iran nuclear deal last year. Mr. Netanyahu is said to be rallying moderate Arabs to thwart Mr. Obama’s bid to become the Secretary-

General of the United Nations after he leaves the White House next year.

Mr. Obama has already discussed the issue with Republican, Democratic and Jewish officials in the United States, according to Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida.

Mr. Netanyahu recently is said to have gotten wind of Obama’s plans which he calls the Obama Project. “Wasn’t eight years of having Obama in office enough?” Mr.

Netanyahu is quoted in the Kuwaiti daily as telling associates. “Eight years during which he ignored Israel? And now he wants to be in a position that is liable to cause us hardships in the international arena.”

Further gripes Israel has with President Obama include the U.S. “moving closer to the Muslim Brotherhood, toppling the regime of Hosni Mubarak, and attempts to ally itself with political

The Bible says, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife.” But does he have to cleave so much?

A new study from the University of Cambridge Center for Family Research and an organization called the Stand Alone Institute has found that rifts between parents and their son’s wife

are among the most common reasons for family estrangement.

The study, which was based on the responses of more than 800 men and women in England who had little or no contact with their families, found that divisions between parents and sons lasted a third longer than those between parents and daughters.

The issues most

included mental health problems and emotional abuse.

But the issues most closely associated

I had a very strong loving relationship for 25 years. He met his soon-to-be wife and our relationship and his relationships with everyone on his side slowly went away. Everyone that knew him including friends and family saw this and felt this. He disowned anyone that does with sons included not like his nowdivorce, in-laws wife.” (Fox News) and marriage.

As one respondent wrote, “My son and

Her father told Fox & Friends that while he was pinned underneath the truck he was thinking that he was a goner.

Charlotte said she doesn’t think she deserved the life-saving award.

“They almost made me believe that I deserved it, but I still don’t think that I do,” she said. Her father was quick to disagree. “I think she does and much more,” he said. (Fox News)

Report: Obama wants to become UN Secretary General; Israeli PM doing everything he can to stop him

Islam,” the paper quotes a Netanyahu aide as saying.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s term expires in early 2017, making Obama’s bid for the position a possibility.

Last year after his speech at West Point, some pointed out that he sounded an awful lot like he was campaigning for the role. (Yahoo)

Drama between wife and mother-inlaw at center of most family rifts

commonly listed as “very relevant” in the breakdown of relationships with daughters

Aid headed to besieged Syrian Towns Aid convoys have departed for besieged Syrian towns where thousands are trapped and the US says people are reported to have died of starvation. Trucks headed for Madaya, near the Lebanese border, and two villages in the northwest of the country on Monday, the Red Cross said, as part of an agreement between rival sides.

The vehicles were to simultaneously enter rebel-held Madaya, which has been blockaded for months by pro-government forces and where aid agencies have warned of widespread starvation, and Foua and Kefraya in Idlib province, which are encircled by rebel groups, including the al-Nusra Front.

The blockade of Madaya

has become a focal issue for Syrian opposition leaders who told a UN envoy last week they will not take part in talks with the government until it and other sieges are lifted.

The UN said on Thursday the Syrian government had agreed to allow access to Madaya, where the world body says there have been credible reports of people dying of starvation.

The ongoing Syrian conflict started as a largely unarmed uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in March 2011, but morphed into a fullblown civil war that has killed more than 250,000 people and turned more than 4.3 million others into refugees, according to statistics by the UN. Blockades have been a common feature of the nearly five-year-old

conflict. An estimated 400,000 people are living under siege in 15 areas across Syria, according

to the UN. (Adapted from Al Jazeera)

Al Qaeda has warned Saudi Arabia it will pay for the executions of dozens of its members, saying they were intended to be a new

year’s gift to Riyadh’s Western allies aimed at consolidating the rule of the Saud dynasty.

Though it was the killing of a Shi’ite

cleric in the Jan. 2 mass execution which sparked a crisis between Saudi Arabia and its regional rival Iran, most of the 47 executed were al Qaeda militants convicted of bombings and gun attacks in the kingdom.

In a statement dated Jan. 10, al Qaeda’s Yemeni branch and its North African wing said Riyadh had gone ahead with the executions despite a warning not to do so.

“But they (Riyadh)

insisted on offering the blood of the good Mujahideen as a sacrifice for the Crusaders on their holiday, in the New Year,” the two groups said in the statement posted on social media.

“Let them wait for the day when God will heal the chests of the families of the martyrs, their brothers and those who love them from the arrogant infidel,” it added.

Al Qaeda’s Yemen branch threatened in

December to “shed the blood of the soldiers of Al Saud” if its members were executed. Last week, Islamic State, a Sunni rival of al Qaeda, threatened to destroy Saudi Arabian prisons holding jihadists after the executions.

Both organizations are fighting against Saudi Arabia, which has declared them terrorist groups and locked up thousands of their supporters.

Though it was the executions of Nimr

al-Nimr, a prominent Shi-ite cleric and three other Shi’ite Muslims, which drove up sectarian tension with Shi-ite power Iran, analysts say they were meant mostly to send a signal to militant Sunnis.

These analysts suggest Saudi Arabia was aiming to crush support for Sunni jihadists active in the kingdom without alienating more moderate Sunnis.

(Adapted from MSN)

President Vladimir Putin acknowledged Monday in an interview with German daily Bild that Western economic sanctions over the Ukraine crisis are affecting Russia.

“Concerning our possibilities on the international financial markets, the sanctions are severely harming Russia,” he said in a long interview, calling the EU sanctions “a theatre of the absurd”.

Moscow has been hit

by US and European sanctions over the conflict between proRussian separatists and Ukrainian forces

which has claimed more than 9,000 lives since April 2014. In late December, the EU extended its sanctions by six months, arguing that the Minsk peace agreement signed by Moscow has not been fully implemented.

Putin said, however, that “the biggest harm is currently caused by the decline of the prices for energy,” according to an English-language transcript published by Bild online. “We suffer dangerous revenue losses in our export of oil and gas, which we can partly compensate for elsewhere,” he said.

“But the whole thing also has a positive side: if you earn so many petrodollars –- as we once did -– that you can buy anything abroad, this slows down developments in your own country.” Putin said Russia was now “gradually stabilising our economy”.

“Last year, the gross domestic product had dropped by 3.8 percent. Inflation is approximately 12.7 percent. The trade balance, however, is still positive. “For the first time in many years, we are exporting significantly more

goods with a high added value, and we have more than $300 billion in gold reserves.”

While Russia has since September 30 launched airstrikes in Syria, Putin called

on Western countries to collaborate more closely with Moscow in the fight against the Islamic State group.

“Yes, we should cooperate much more closely

in fighting terrorism, which is a great challenge,” he said.

(Adapted from MSN)

Al Qaeda warns Saudi Arabia it will pay for executing militants

Western sanctions ‘severely’ harming Russia-Putin

Monday January 11, 2016

West Indies ranked No. 1 T20 cricket WEST INDIES have claimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC T20 rankings after Sri Lanka, who had largely occupied the top rung since they won the World T20 in 2014, were caned

by New Zealand in Auckland yesterday.

West Indies have 118.36 rating points, and are now marginally ahead of both Sri Lanka and Australia who have exactly 118 rating points each.

West Indies have played eight matches since the end of the World T20 in April

2014 and won four of them, including a world record chase against South Africa in January 2015.

They gunned down 232 in 19.2 overs.

Coincident to that has been Sri Lanka’s fall - they have lost five of their last six matches, the latest a nine-wicket drubbing as New Zealand raced to their target of 143 in a mere ten overs.

Sri Lanka had begun the two match series with a sevenpoint lead. Losing it 0-2 meant they were yet to win a

T20 series since becoming World T20 champions (although they beat

England in a oneoff match in May) and were pushed off their No. 1 slot.

West Indies fare far worse in the other formats. They are at No. 8 in Tests, after

losing the Frank Worrell Trophy 2-0, and No. 9 in ODIs. (Trinidad Newsday)

GAPF ...Mack and Blackmon

Headline GAPF Achievements Consistent and Phenomenal performances from Powerlifting Guyana’s most outstanding and first ever Internationally ranked 16 year old female U/18 52kg Class lifter Britny Mack Listed as well as her male counterpart Rudolph Blackmon headlined the Guyana Powerlifting Federation’s 2015 year.

According to the body, Mack, currently at #9 in the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World rankings for Sub juniors and #47 in the open category dominated all her local and international

events culminating in Gold Medals at the South American, Pan American and Commonwealth Championships.

Meanwhile Blackmon, had equal success in the Men’s segment Junior U/23 male 83kg lifter Rudolph Blackmon who is Listed in the IPF World rankings at #13 in the junior category and #41 in the open category In his final year, he kept the flag flying high dominating in all his meets both locally and internationally culminating in Gold Medals at the South American, Pan American

and Commonwealth Championships.

The Federation in the early half of the year were the beneficiaries of three sets of Powerlifting equipment comprising full weights, rack stands and support equipment along with a competition platform to further promote the sport locally from the Government of Guyana under the stewardship of the then Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony.

The Federation successfully hosted seven categories of championships locally with a total combined entry

list of One Hundred and fifteen lifters ( twenty-two females and Ninety-three males) and participated at the South American and Pan American Championships in Brazil as well as the Commonwealth championships in Canada.

At the Novices Championships, the body saw an entry field of thirtyone lifters (Six female and twenty-five male) with Champion Lifters being Britny Mack with a Wilkes total of 319.41 for the females and Orin Alleyne with a Wilkes total of 435.61 for the males.

The body also hosted the sub Junior /Junior Championships , Clash of Champions, Intermediate Championships, Masters Championships as well as the Sammy Barker Memorial Unequipped Championships in Linden and the Senior Nation Open Championships It also participated in the South American Championships Ribeiro Preto and the Pan American Championships, both in Brazil as well as the Commonwealth P o w e r l i f t i n g Championships

Vancouver Canada Looking ahead, the body through outgoing president Peter Greene said, “Powerlifting in 2016 is set to enjoy another bumper year with the ladies making a challenge for the Caribbean team title against its nemesis Puerto Rico as well as the Men’s team reclaiming their team title.”

“Locally Many exciting changes and activities are planned with the aim of encouraging more unequipped alongside of the traditional equipped events taking prominence,” Contended Greene.