GNN Online Newspaper Oct 05 2015

Monday, October 05, 2015

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VAN WEST CHARLES NEW GWI CEO -page 2

VAN WEST-CHARLES NEW GWI CEO

Dr. Richard Van West-Charles

Dr. Richard Van WestCharles a former Minister within the Health, Housing, Water and Environment Sectors, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of t h e G u y a n a Wa t e r Incorporated (GWI), effective October 1, 2015, according to a media release issued by the utility company.

Meanwhile, Nigel Hinds has been appointed Chairman of the Board of

Directors. The other members of the Board are: Charles Ceres, Emil McGarrell, David D e w a r , C h r i s t i n a B i s s e s s a r, Savitri Singh Sharma, Ryan Belgrave, Patricia Chase-Green and Samantha Fedee.

The statement added that newly appointed Chairman Nigel Hinds, CPA, possesses vast experience in

Guyana's Financial Sector as the founder and Chief Executive of Nigel Hinds Financial Services.

Dr. Richard Van West-Charles, MD, MPH, former Minister within the Health, Housing, Water and Environment Sectors, has a plethora of experience in the area of public health including being responsible for Research and Bioethics.

He is the former Academic Dean of St. Helen University Medical School and Health Sciences, St. Lucia, Special Advisor Partnerships with the International Financial Institutions at the World Health Organization (WHO), Area Manager for Information and Knowledge Management, PAHO/WHO as well as P A H O / W H O Representative for Jamaica; Cayman Islands and Bermuda among other d i s t i n g u i s h e d appointments.

The newly appointed Chief Executive is a Doctor of Medicine with a Master of Public Health from the

University of Michigan and a Certificate in Health Economics from University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Dr. Van WestCharles also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Mcmaster U n i v e r s i t y, O n t a r i o Canada with other qualifications in Leadership and Social Development.

Addressing the GWI Corporate Management Team on Friday October 2, the CEO stated that access to safe, potable water is a priority on his list of areas for attention. 'Without a healthy society we cannot achieve the Guyana we are hoping to build,' stated the CE, 'paramount to maintaining good public health is access to safe water. Hence, this area along with water quality and GWI's financial viability are key issues I will be addressing immediately'.

The Corporate Management Team of GWI congratulated the newly appointed Chief Executive and expressed their commitment towards

providing improved services through GWI. He is the son-inlaw of the late founder of the Peoples National Congress (PNC) and former President, Linden

Forbes Sampson Burnham.

Singh-Sharma is the wife of CNS Channel 6 owner, CN Sharma while Chase-Green is the Deputy Mayor of Georgetown.

Savitri Singh Sharma

Patricia Chase-Green

EU TO HELP IMPROVE JUSTICE SECTOR EU Ambassador Jernej Videtic

The European Union (EU) h a s o ff e r e d t o a s s i s t Guyana in developing and implementing major reforms in the justice sector.

T h e N e w

Ambassador of the Delegation of the EU to Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and for the Dutch Overseas Countries and Territories; Jernej Videtic met with the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams today (Monday, October, 05) where ideas for the justice sector reforms were discussed.

“We are very pleased to share the areas of reform that are in line with the Human Rights aspect of everything that

is done in the courts…we heard also the possibilities where the European Union could come as a d e v e l o p m e n t partner…where we could do more to help Guyana,” A m b a s s a d o r Vi d e t i c explained.

He added that already there is a new Regional Programme called Crime and Security which is a multi-country programme that can be financed by the EU. A regional conference on the “Abolishment of the death penalty” will be organised

for November by the EU where Minister Williams is expected to attend and present Guyana's position.

The Legal Affairs Minister said Guyana was appraised of the various aspects of the EU's programme with which they can apply for loans, and which will go towards the delivery of justice and the Crime and Security Programme.

Other areas discussed at the meeting relate to the question of case backlog, the programme for the

Attorney General's Chamber as proposed in the 2016 budget, cyberc r i m e a n d t h e establishment of a permanent law reform commission, and law revision . “…Cybercrime has a regimen of its own…investigators will have to understand what's a cyber-offence, prosecutors will have to be trained and equally magistrates and judges,” Minister Williams explained.

Further, where

Attorney General Basil Williams

the backlog of cases is concerned, the administration intends to utilise the constitutional provision which allows for the appointment of parttime judges. EU relations and cooperation with Guyana are carried out both on bilateral and regional basis.

POLICE SEEK TO HAVE RANKS IN $6M BRIBE BANNED

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) through its Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations David Ramnarine will be writing to the Police Service Commission (PSC) to have the four

ranks who are embroiled in the $6M cocaine bribe to be banned from performing police duties until the outcome of the court case.

GNN engaged Ramnarine on the issue

who confirmed that he will be writing the PSC on the matter this week.

According to Ramnarine, the move which is one of the standard operating procedures of the force

an d h as b een s o f o r centuries will take immediate effect should the force get a favorable response from the PSC. At the moment the three constables who were charged and have been remanded as well as t h e A s s i s t a n t Superintendent of Police (ASP) who was bailed are not being paid by the police force.

Although the ASP is on bail he is not functioning as a police rank as his powers have been taken away and he is not authorized to perform any official functions on behalf of the GPF. He has since been made to hand over all items belonging to the force inclusive of the firearm, bullet proof vest, shoes, hat and radio set.

Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud

earlier this year told a gathering that unlike what previously obtained in the past, police ranks who are hauled before the court on certain matters will not be afforded the half month salary that they previously enjoyed until their matters are completed.

He said that from the time they are charged and placed before the court all benefits will cease and they would not be getting any form of financial assistance from the Police Force to cover transportation or legal fees as it is considered a burden on the organization.

Once the persons are found guilty of the matter for which they are charged then they are fired from the force and all benefits are forfeited including pension, years of service and other emoluments.

Constables Trevon Mckenzie, Ray Drepaul, Corporal Shawn Mcphoy and Assistant Superintendent Terrence Brown were all charged with corruption last Friday after they allegedly collected money from a group of civilians to allow a shipment of cocaine to pass without detaining the suspects.

The police officers allegedly negotiated with the suspects a settlement of $6M to allow the shipment to pass but that deal came to light after a female rank, said to be a relative of the divisional Commander reported the corrupt practice to her seniors.

The remanded ranks and the senior officer who was afforded bail will appear in the Whim Magistrate Court on October 12, 2015.

PATIENT ALLEGEDLY MOLESTED DURING SECURITY BREACH AT GPHC A sixteen year girl who was a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital was reportedly sexually assaulted while admitted to the female medical ward of the medical institution. The incident reportedly took place on Saturday morning.

According to information reaching the Guyana News Network the female who unconfirmed reports suggested is mentally unstable was approached by a m a l e w h o a t approximately 12.30 am on October 04, 2015.

The name of the suspect has been identified as Anand Persaud who according to reports approached the

security guard in the lower flat of the building and told her that he was there to see a patient. The security guard nevertheless allowed the man entry into the hospital although it was outside visiting hours.

Once upstairs the man reportedly went to the bed side of the young lady and proceeded to engage her sexually. The ordeal was observed by other patients of the ward who summoned the nurses who were on duty at the time and the man was arrested.

However later today Monday this new site received information that the 16 year old and the man

are said to be in a relationship. According to persons who are familiar with the two, the man and the woman were sitting having a discussion prior to the sexual contact inside the ward on the hospital bed.

The alarm was reportedly only raised after the other patients saw what was happening and being afraid that her parents would get wind of it, decided to cry rape forcing the nurses to cause his arrest. The man is presently being held at the Prashad Nagar Outpost but the police are now battling to determine if indeed the young lady and the man

shared a relationship and if the sexual intercourse was approved by the 16 year old who has attained the age of consent.

The matter continues to engage the attention of the Guyana Police Force. It is unclear if the matter was reported to the Child Care and Protection Agency as is mandated by law when matters of rape are reported.

Additionally there has been word on if the security guard who is part of a private security firm has been sanctioned by her employers of if the Georgetown Public

Georgetown Public Hospital New Wing

Hospital has sanctioned the security firm in relation to the breach of security at the facility that also exposed the nurses and doctors who were on duty at the time.

Today efforts to

contact the Public relations Officer of the GPHC for a comment on the issue were futile.

IMPROVED MINING METHODS, RENEWABLE ENERGY STRATEGIES - ON AGENDA FOR UPCOMING UN CLIMATE CHANGE MEETING

Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman

The climate conference by the UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) will be held in Paris, France in December.

Focusing on sustainable mining and renewable energy and Guyana has submitted its 'intended contribution' for the Paris climate agreement. he Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) include proposed actions for combating and reducing deforestation, addressing the impact of logging and implementing improved and sustainable mining methods, renewable energy paths including hydropower, and energy efficiency. Most of these will require financial, technological and capacity building support from

international climate finance entities for implementation.

The document was prepared by a taskforce established by Minister of Governance with responsibility for the Natural Resources and Environment, Raphael Trotman followed by a National Stakeholders Consultation in late August.

G u y a n a ' s submission of its INDC makes it only one of three CARICOM states to submit by October 1 deadline, with Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada having submitted earlier.

Ahead of the December meeting, Opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo joined world leaders in New York as preparations hasten by the

international community towards reaching a historic global climate agreement in Paris in December.

Among the topics raised was the effort by persons from developing countries around to provide solutions to climate change.

Jagdeo also joined former New Zealand Prime Minister and current Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme at the launch of a report by the Center for Global Development which focused on world-leading national global models for low carbon development, and highlighted Guyana's Low Carbon Development Strategy, and the fact that the Guyana-Norway partnership on forests is the world's second largest

forest payment for performance mechanism, after Brazil's Amazon Fund.

On November 30, global leaders will gather in Paris to conclude the Paris Agreement. Former President Jagdeo urged developed and developing countries to raise their sights towards an ambitious agreement to stabilise the planet's climate.

President David Granger recently told the media that he welcomed the Opposition leader's support for government's agenda. “We welcome comrade Jagdeo's support for our agenda….we are not in the business of rejecting any assistance from the former President… as far as Mr Jagdeo is concerned his intervention is welcomed,”

REGION SIX TO TENDER FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS SOON Two hundred and sixty million dollars has been provided as Capital Budget for Region six in the 2015 National Budget.

The sum will cater for the completion of the outpatient building at the New Amsterdam Hospital, and the upgrade of the theatre at the Skeldon Hospital among other projects.

Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) David Armogan stated that tender for capital projects is set to go out as early as next week.

The region will also tender for the purchase of a m b u l a n c e s , rehabilitation of the Leeds Primary School and construction and rehabilitation of sanitary blocks at Skeldon and Black Bush Polder Secondary schools.

Other capital projects for the region include; the completion of the RDC building at Springlands, the construction of revetment at Siparuta, Grant 1805 and Orealla, bridges at Mibicuri and Lesbeholden, excavation of facade from Light Town to Plegtanker, construction of bridges at A n g o y ' s Av e n u e , Courtland Village, New Amsterdam, Grant 1708/1802, Yakusari, Warren and Number 69/70 Vi l l a g e s , A r m o g a n explained.

He said that the roads at Mibicuri South, Savannah Park, Tucber, Caracas and Grant 1803 are scheduled to be rehabilitated, as are the streets at Tucber and Cumberland.

As it awaits the execution of it Capital Projects, the region has been executing

its on-going maintenance works. According to Armogan, the region has completed its road maintenance projects for 2015.

Contracts for repairs to five of the region's schools; Fort Ordnance, Belvedere and Gibraltar/Courtland Primary Schools, and the Port Mourant and Manchester Secondary Schools are at present out for tender. Armogan explained that these are part of the routine buildings maintenance that is carried out every two years.

He added that the interventions will chiefly target repairs to the roofs, walls and steps, replacement of windows and addressing bat infestation.

Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council David Armogan

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EDITORIAL

SALUTING OUR TEACHERS World Teachers' Day which is being observed t o d a y, a m o n g m a n y things, brings into focus their contributions. For many this may be something that continues to be taken for granted; the appreciation that is. One reason could be the routine of children heading to school, passing examinations and moving on. But while some may not have been expressive in their commendation for Teachers, it would be hard press to imagine a world w i t h o u t s u c h appreciation. This, of course is just reflective of diverse human behavior.

In re-examining the timeline from school to the working environment, it becomes even more difficult not to be appreciative of the efforts o f Te a c h e r s . T h e i r patience which is sometimes challenged, their commitment to the success of their pupils and the eventual derivative of helping to shape the mind and mindsets of their subjects, has been the reasons millions upon millions across the globe successfully make that journey. This is what Teachers have been doing for centuries. But how are they remembered?

Surely, all of us remember a particular Teacher or Teachers who positively impacted our lives. This serves as a source of a good story we sometimes tell or used as a reference when needed.

That in itself must be rivaling for the best means for expressing

appreciation to the Teachers in question.

Cleary, if they were privy to such articulation of gratefulness, the Teachers that is, then it becomes easy to posit that a profound sense of pride would be precipitated.

After all, humans w e l c o m e s u c h compliments. It's natural.

Te a c h e r s generally endeavor into the profession not necessarily seeking such accolades. They are more pre-occupied with the children's well-being and related academic successes. This of course is more pronounced with those who have proven over time to possess such admirable characteristics.

This is tested in a continuously evolving world which provides innumerable opportunities for young minds to become easily distracted.

The proven stalwarts, rather than allowing for these distractions to overshadow, have found innovative ways of using and incorporating some into their efforts to effectively mould pupils.

Like everything else in life, the profession has its own challenges for which some can be classified as globally general. That means some could be unique to particular countries.

Despite these challenges, Te a c h e r s h a v e a n d continue to prove their resilience by being defiant to remain steadfast to their goals. Also, again like life, there is imperfection which defines the committed from those

who are otherwise.

However, within the frame of the bigger picture, they are humans.

Unfortunately, sometimes that aspect becomes lost, maybe conveniently by some.

This particular aspect may probably be the reason why Teachers are expected to be a limitless reservoir of answers to everything.

This may be as a result of the high expectations we all hold of them and which is probably derived from the respect that is generally associated with this profession. There was a time when it was the most sought profession, but with evolution, the unfortunate reality is haunting. For one, it's no longer the most sought profession, at least here.

Our local Teachers, those who defy the challenges to contribute, are sought by recruiters beyond the shores. It begs the question as to whether the appreciation grows exponential beyond our borders.

That said, Te a c h e r s a r e n o t magicians and they are subjected to the similar trials and tribulations which affect mankind.

But what remains constant, is the fact of what they do in helping to build a nation and its work force. And this must not be allowed to become lost. On any given regular school day, they spend the vast majority of daylight with our children. Here is a good point to note the cliché of “night is made for sleeping”. With that in

mind, technically, what it means is that our children spend most of their time being engaged with a Teacher of Teachers. This of course is premised on acceptable norms.

This has cause experts to conclude that the influence some Te a c h e r s h a v e o n children may be more than parents. While that may not be an intention of the profession, it could be

reflective a reality we also tend to take for granted.

Maybe this could be the primary reason for related appreciation to be more forthcoming, if it isn't. The Guyana News Network (GNN) takes this opportunity to salute our T e a c h e r s o n Wo r l d Teachers' Day which is being observed today, October 05, 2015.

GNN recognizes the extremely important

role Teachers play in helping to mould our children and preparing them for the future. Their i m m e a s u r a b l e contributions are crucial not only for the wellbeing of our children, but for the nation. GNN commends t h e i r e ff o r t s , d e s p i t e challenges; not only on this important day, but for the profession they choose in helping to nurture our nation's children. Best wishes.

TEENS/MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED IN EBD COMMUNITY Up to late on Monday afternoon ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department were still questioning two teenagers and a 25 year old man who were nabbed on Sunday morning in Agricola East Bank Demerara.

It has been confirmed that one of the suspects, the eldest whose name was given as Dellon Henry known as “Nasty Man” is also the suspect in the execution style murder of Dexter Griffith of West Ruimveldt who was killed on 29th September in Warlock.

The police were able to make the arrest after acting on intelligence from persons in the community of Agricola. “Nasty Man” was reportedly captured

after running from one street to another an attempting to seek refuge in an abandoned house when he was cornered.

As the police decided to search the house they found that the two teenagers were inside and had in their possession a bullet proof vest and several other items. Both teenagers are said to be from the community of Supply further up on the East Bank Demerara.

They were identified as 19 year old Christopher Fernandes who provided his address as Lot 25 Supply East Bank Demerara and 18 year old John Mc Rae who provided his address as 25 N Supply East Bank Demerara.

The police were checking their background to see if they were involved in any other unlawful activities in the past and were also being prepared to take part in several identification parades in relation to murders and high profile robberies.

Henry for his part who was cornered outside of the house according to the police had in his possession an unlicensed .38 revolver with six matching rounds and two .32 live rounds of ammunition.

He was charged and remanded to prison when he was only fifteen years old. The young man was at the time said to be a member of the Rondell Rawlins “fine man” gang

The third street Agricola home in which the men were found

which reign terror on Guyana back in 2008.

Following the killing of Dexter Griffith, the police received information that two men walked up to him and one of them opened fire on him causing him to

fall into a drain from which he was later picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The man died on his way there but not before whispering the name of

the possible shooter to his mother in whose arm he died on that fatal night.

The investigations into the matter are ongoing.

WOMAN SMASHED CAR WINDSCREEN, HANDCUFFED TO UTILITY POLE The woman kept crying out for her arms which were paining and complained about being thirsty since she was sitting in the scorching sun for some time.

However, ranks from the Special C o n s t a b u l a r y

subsequently arrived at the location removed the handcuff and went away with the woman. It is not clear as to where she was taken.

Over the past couple of weeks the police have been warning persons who are in

possession of weapons, ammunition and other items that make up military kit to hand those over to the police since it constitutes a charge having those items in one's possession if they are not serving members of the Discipline Forces.

The damaged car

A woman of unsound mind was Monday afternoon chained to a utility pole on Brickdam after she smashed the windscreen of a vehicle in front of the National Insurance Scheme.

Up to the time GNN left the scene no one could give account as to

who handcuffed the woman to the utility pole or who the vehicle was registered to.

According to persons in the area, the woman who was seen walking in the vicinity speaking to herself and behaving in a disorderly manner used an object to

smash the windscreen of the vehicle PTT 2288.

The police were called in and but when ranks arrived at the location there was very little that they could have done since the woman was fasten to the post while her belongings were resting next to her.

The woman handcuffed to a utility pole

US AMBASSADOR HAILS PRESIDENT'S APPROACH TO GUYANA/VENEZUELA ISSUE

President David Granger and US Ambassador Perry Holloway

Speaking during his first press conference since being accredited, United States ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway said the world is impressed with the manner in which President David Granger has h a n d l e d t h e Guyana/Venezuela border controversy, noting that Guyana has been very good in defending its sovereignty.

“Throughout the region and the rest of the world people have been very impressed and I think that the way people do thing,” said Holloway.

Noting that both countries should strive for

a peaceful and diplomatic resolution and leave the communication channel open, he urged both countries to respect the 1899 arbitral award until another ruling is made.

“We call on all parties to continue to respect the 1899 arbitral award ruling and boundary unless or until a competent legal body decides otherwise or both parties agree on something else”, Halloway stated.

Since Venezuela renewed its aggression towards Guyana over the territory on May 26, President Granger has rallied international support for Guyana against

Venezuela's claim.

The President has successfully gained the support of CARICOM, Commonwealth, OAS and UNASUR. Ambassador Holloway was accredited on Friday, October, 02 at the Ministry of the Presidency.

He is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, most recently served as Political-Military Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan (2013 – July 2014).

AGRICULTURE MONTH LAUNCHED WITH INTERFAITH SERVICE The Ministry of Agriculture recently hosted an Interfaith Service, as part of its calendar of activities for Agriculture Month 2015, which is being held under the theme, “Exploiting our Strengths, Advancing Agriculture and Social Protection.”

The event was held in the compound of the Ministry of Agriculture and was attended by President David Granger, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, Permanent Secretary, Mr. George Jervis, Senior

Agriculturalists, Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, and a diverse representation of the different religious faiths of Guyana.

Representatives, including those from the Eccles Assembly of God Church and the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana were among those who briefly addressed the gathering.

President Granger, in an invited comment on agriculture, alluded to the fact that it is a major contributor to the country's GDP.

He lauded the Ministry of Agriculture for making sure that all the necessary steps are being taken to ensure that farmers are celebrated during the month-long activities.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, during his remarks, called for a multifaceted approach to be taken, when dealing with the challenges facing the sector. He encouraged members of society to take action which will further push food and nutrition security. (Modified from GINA)

President David Granger among the gathering at the Interfaith Service to usher in Agriculture Month 2015

OCTOBER 5-A SIGNIFICANT DAY - ROHEE It was twenty-three years ago on October 5, 1992; the People's Progressive Party (PPP) after twentyeight (28) years in opposition was elected to office with Cheddi Jagan as President.

The Party was elected to office under the elections campaign slogan “Time for Change, Time to Rebuild”.

PPP'S General Secretary Clement Rohee on Monday October 5, at the party's weekly media conference noted that it was a momentous occasion that raised the hopes and expectations of the Guyanese workers, farmers, intellectuals, the b u s i n e s s c o m m u n i t y, indeed the Guyanese people as a whole.

“Those twentythree years were the longest the PPP ever was in

office; at every single election since 1992, up to May 11, 2015, when it was once again, as was the case in 1964, cheated out of office, the PPP continuously and convincingly won each election the challenges it faced notwithstanding,” Rohee noted.

It is to be recalled that in 1953 having won the election in that year it PPP was in office for a mere 133 days following the suspension of the Constitution by the British Government which led to the Party's removal from office.

Rohee said the PPP's victory at the polls in 1992 saw the dawn of a new era demonstrated in a complete break with the dark and ominous past of the Burnham/Hoyte administration in which

many of those who now walk the corridors of power were, and still are associated.

“For twentythree (23) years the PPP labored in the vineyards at the National and Regional levels implementing people-centered policies and programmes whose fulfillment resulted in raising the living standards of the Guyanese working people, opening up opportunities for the private sector, expanding and facilitating the growth and development of the national economy and constantly re-inventing, r e s h a p i n g a n d refashioning governance structures in our country,” Rohee declared.

He said the PPP stands proud of its record in government. In observance and

celebration of October 5, 1992, the PPP will be organizing a number of events throughout the c o u n t r y. A m o n g t h e activities will be three (3)

Symposia in Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo.

October 5 t h activities include; sports competition, panel

discussions, family fundays, cultural activities, lectures and outreaches in all the ten (10) Administrative Regions.

COURTESY CALL ON MINISTER OF PUBLIC SECURITY

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan in dicussion with Ambassador of the European Union Mr. Jernbej Videtic and delegation during a courtesy call on the Minister at his office

CHURCH CRUCIAL IN FOSTERING SOCIAL COHESION - ALLY

The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church celebrated its 219th anniversary yesterday (Sunday, October, 05).

The anniversary celebration was addressed

by Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally who charged the congregation to lead efforts in eradicating poverty and fostering social cohesion in Guyana.

Minister Ally said that the church has always played a role in the promotion of peace, assisting the poor and impoverished and bringing people of

different backgrounds together. She posited that it is still a responsibility of the church to ensure that the basic tenets of humanity are upheld.

"Biblically it was the church which had initiated the process of assisting those in poverty, the elderly, the sick and promoting the notion of a socially cohesive c o m m u n i t y, w h e r e persons would love each other as themselves. The church should address racial justice peace and harmony and this government has that on the agenda. It is of utmost

importance to have the churches involved in the democratic process of a country. Now more than ever, religion will have a critical role to play in humanity and eradicating the challenges we face in the society," Minister Ally told the congregation.

She further added that the church must ensure that it maintains a relationship with its society as she reiterated government's commitment to work with religious organisations to build a society that promotes equal access to all social services.

Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally addressing members of the church

FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY BOOSTING STAFF CAPACITY

Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be working to boost its staff to improve the w o r k o f t h e m i n i s t r y.

Among these efforts includes the restructuring of the Foreign Service Institute with the help of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Subject minister Carl Greenidge says the ministry plans to engage personnel from the UNDP who have the expertise, as well as those who have served as ambassadors in major bilateral centres, including the UN system to aid in the process.

The institute will aid in the development of the professional skills of the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “This will help to take the professional staff into a space where they understand the practice of International Diplomacy, its requirements, the game of

Diplomacy along with its strategy and tactics, and how it is manoeuvred,” Minister Greenidge added.

He added that “The Foreign Service Institute was initially established by Mr. Clement Rohee (Former Foreign Affairs Minister) has not been used for that purpose.

We have looked at it with a view to making sure you bring into that agency key personnel with practical skills…we are not looking to teach a degree but to take the person who has a first or second degree and move them into a space where they can understand the practice of International Diplomacy.”

Minister Greenidge indicated that he is also looking to bring additional expertise into the Ministry, to equip staff with a wider range of skills, such as

languages, the new knowledge intensive areas like digitisation and the sciences.

“As regards the mechanisms in place, on a continuing basis, we have been identifying and sending staff for training…recently we sent a staff to Japan to learn Japanese…Chile to u n d e r ta k e a c o u r s e i n Diplomacy… those sorts of arrangements continue,” Minister Greenidge explained.

A s t h e Administration continues to press Guyana's Foreign Policy agenda, several countries have offered to assist in further training of local professional staff.

Recently Mexico offered to tutor staff, both at the graduate and post- graduate levels.

HOLDER, RAMSAMMY DIFFER ON RICE ISSUES

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder has assured that government is currently negotiating with potential rice buyers as it steps up efforts in securing markets for Guyana.

Holder during a recent media conference at his Ministry This was the assurance given by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder during a media conference held at his Ministry's said that Guyana was successful in securing an increased market arrangement with Panama, for which shipment is ongoing. He said the shipment has been

increased from 4000 to 7,200 tonnes. However, there are some challenges currently being faced with the timescale for payments to reach the millers to which the Guyana Government has intervened.

“The millers are hurting and are unable to pay the farmers; the Government will now have to get involved. The Government; through the Ministry of Agriculture and the GRDB, is prepared to honour the first level of credit to pay the millers so that farmers can be paid with a sum of approximately $500M,

and this is what the Government is prepared to do almost immediately,” Minister Holder advised.

However, former Minister of Agriculture under the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, has lashed out at his successor, for assuring the Nation that the Government is dedicated to food security when the plight of rice farmers and the rice industry is being ignored.

Dr Ramsammy, in a recent statement said Guyana is one of the few developing countries that can boast of food security,

but the danger of a downturn in rice threatens that food security. He added that this is the most opportune time for the David Granger-led Administration to demonstrate real commitment to the rice industry.

The former Minister noted that any government that does not take agriculture in Guyana seriously and treat farmers with respect is courting disaster. The statement added that even though agriculture is the most important contributor to Guyana's economic development, the present Government is being far too nonchalant in approaching agriculture.

“The government's stance on rice will have utter c a t a s t r o p h i c consequences not only to the rice industry, but to food security and the social and economic development agenda of Guyana, Ramsammy pointed out. Recently, hundreds of rice farmers protested and demanded assistance from the Agriculture Ministry and

the Government.

Dr. Ramsammy added that the PPP government intervened in the prices millers offered to farmers when they attempted to pay less than $3000 per bag for Grade A paddy. “With the prices being offered to farmers, many will be forced to abandon the fields. Many of the farmers will sink into poverty, with loans to be paid. More than 40,000 people directly depend on the rice industry for a living. Almost 100,000 people in some way rely on the rice industry to supplement their living standards,” he noted.

Meanwhile, President David Granger, on Friday announced that he engaged world leaders on the issue of buying Guyana's rice. This took place during his recent visit to the USA to attend the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit.

The President believes that the paddy farmers should be protesting in front the people who owe them monies. “We don't owe

them money, there are elements instigating protests to create the illusion that the Government is at fault, the Government did not buy paddy, we are looking for markets to help the millers and farmers,” the President said. “We want the industry to survive and to prosper. It is a millerfarmer problem not a Government rice problem,” he reiterated.

Government has recently announced that no miller is owed for rice that was taken and had called on paddy farmers to approach the millers for their payments, as the Administration had no outstanding payments to anyone. General Manager (ag) of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Nizam Hassan, told reporters that consultations are currently ongoing with potential buyers. He disclosed that it is the intention of the GRDB to involve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassies in finding international markets.

GOVT. TO CONSIDER RESTRAINTS

ON PESTICIDES SALE The unregulated access to pesticide has been cited as one of the reasons for the high suicide rate in Guyana and around the world. With this in mind, the government will be exploring the possibility of restricting access to pesticides.

During her address to participants of a workshop on mental illness and suicide today (Monday, October, 05), Minister within the Public Health Ministry Karen Cummings said one of the

measures that would be implemented by the Government to combat suicide would be some restraints on the sale of pesticides. She hinted at a bill to be tabled in the National Assembly to enable such measures to be taken. She highlighted that mental health and suicide will be tackled from all angles since the issues have many contributing factors.

The workshop was aimed at sensitizing social workers and other

stakeholders of the signs leading to mental health problems and the importance of looking for those symptoms.

Guyana has a high suicide rate with a record of 111 reports in 2013, 97 cases in 2014 and 46 in the first six months of 2015.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) in its first global report on suicide prevention revealed that Guyana is the country with the highest estimated suicide rate for

2012. It noted that for the more than 800,000 people who take their lives each year around the world, pesticide poisoning is the most frequently used method.

“Restricting access to the means of suicide is effective in preventing suicide – particularly impulsive suicide – as it gives those contemplating suicide more time to reconsider,” the report said.

Minister within the Public Health Karen Cummings

JAGDEO ADDRESSED HUNDREDS IN NY Opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo at the weekend engaged hundreds of Guyanese in Queens, New York who participated in a Town-Hall styled meeting.

The current state of Guyana's economy took center stage during the meeting.

The former President told the diaspora that the economy is in a bad shape, noting that business is slowing down and that the private sector is crying foul. This, he said is due to the incompetence of the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government.

He pointed out that a number of persons who voted for the coalition government are now regretting their decision, taking into consideration

what is taking place presently. A statement from the Opposition leader's office noted that he gave the diaspora an overview of the recent elections outcome and electoral process in Guyana.

The enthused crowd pressed for an in depth overview as to what happened with the tabulating of the ballots that caused the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to be out of office.

Mr. Jagdeo related the various inconsistencies in the overall electoral process, pointing out to the packed hall, the several instances of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM's) partisan behavior.

Additionally, Dr.

Jagdeo expressed his support to the APNU+AFC government with regard to the Guyana/Venezuela border issue. He emphatically stated that the PPP will never shy away from national issues such as this. He urged that the positive relationship that the PPP government had established with Venezuela should continue to grow under the current government.

Because of the positive relationship Guyana was able to get Venezuela to purchase its rice. He told the diaspora that “Our rice farmers got an above the market price for their rice. The current APNU regime shattered this agreement within their first 100 days and today our rice industry is in

shambles.”

Further, he emphasized his support for social cohesion, but cautioned that the timing is not right because the APNU/AFC government still seems to be in election campaign mode.

Dr. Jagdeo said the recent

wanton, discriminatory firing of several Guyanese, including almost 2000 indigenous people, because of their perceived political affiliation is just one reason why the PPP cannot participate in any discussion on social cohesion with APNU/AFC

regime at this time.

He spoke of the need to strengthen the Party to win back political power in Guyana.

According to the release, he spent over three hours answering questions from and interacting with members of the Diaspora.

RICE, SUGAR ISSUES DOMINATE PPP/C OUTREACH

Former President Donald Ramotar meeting with residents

Residents and sugar workers of region five have spoken out against the possible closure of some sugar estates. These concerns were registered when former President Donald Ramotar led a team of party officials to Region 5, at the weekend.

Speaking to GNN, the former President said rice and sugar issues dominated the meetings

given the fact that Berbice is traditionally known as a rice and sugar cultivating region.

It was announced during the ongoing Commission of Inquiry into the Guyana Sugar Corporation (guysuco) that government may not be able to continue sustaining the industry, which has proven to be making little or no

progress.

M r. R a m o t a r believes that the industry does not have to be closed but focus should be placed on more revenue stream, such as more value added measures.

“I also mentioned that the European Union when we were in government we had already negotiated $20M Euros for the

industry, that money should be available now, we don't see the need for shutting down the sugar industry,” Ramotar stated.

He stressed that the sugar workers are in dire need of help.

He lauded the production for the last crop, saying that it is testimony to the work that the past Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government has done. Guysuco has seen 9441 tonnes of sugar

manufactured in its seventh week of production – the highest weekly total since 2012.

The sugar company had said the reason production has increased immensely is the higher turnout among cane harvesters at the Skeldon, Albion, Rose Hall and East Demerara Estates. The Skeldon Estate produced 2116 tonnes of sugar, while Albion produced 2166 tonnes last week.

According to the sugar

company, these improvements in cane supplied to the factories ultimately resulted in better factory performance.

Ramotar stated that the industry has the capacity to develop and closing many of the estates w o u l d b e a d i s a s t e r.

Similar outreaches have been planned for the hinterland and region 10.

Opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo recently led a team on a three-day outreach in

NATIONAL TREE PLANTING DAY OCTOBER 3RD 2015 The Mayor and City Council on Saturday October 3, engaged in a massive tree planting exercise coinciding with the country's ďŹ rst ever National Tree Planting Day. The initiative which is slated to be an annual one is geared to raise awareness and encourage appreciation for trees since they play an extremely vital role in human life.

The Council took part in a grand motorcade, stopping at various locations to plant trees and give encouragement and support to various groups that adopted certain areas within the city for tree planting activity. Areas visited included; the Merriman's Mall, Parade Ground area, La Repentir Cemetery among others.

The Environmental Community Health Organisation (ECHO), USAID, Green Georgetown Volunteer Corps, and various schools were among the many participants.

AMAZING WORLD

WOMAN SITS DEAD FOR HOURS IN HONG KONG MCDONALD'S Hong Kong - A homeless woman lay dead at a Hong Kong McDonald's restaurant for hours surrounded by diners who f a i l e d t o n o t i c e h e r, sparking concern over the city's "McRefugees". The woman, who police say was between 50 and 60, was found dead Saturday morning and has been held up as an example of the growing number of homeless people who seek shelter in 24-hour restaurants.

Local media said the woman was slumped at a table, 24 hours after she first entered the restaurant

in the working class district of Ping Shek. She had not moved for seven hours before fellow diners noticed something was wrong, according to Apple Daily, citing CCTV footage.

The woman was thought to have regularly spent nights in the McDonald's, the South China Morning Post said.

The city's Social Welfare Department said it was "highly concerned" about t h e i n c i d e n t . " We endeavour to support street sleepers to enhance their self-reliance... the

subject is a complex social problem," a d e p a r t m e n t spokeswoman said.

There are concerns over the plight of the homeless population in the affluent southern Chinese financial hub, although the number of homeless is relatively low, estimated at more than 1,000 by local NGOs. Many are forced to live on the street as they cannot afford to rent even the tiniest home as housing prices are sky high. In sweltering temperatures and high h u m i d i t y, s o m e fi n d

shelter in air-conditioned restaurants that are open around the clock.

"McDonald's Hong Kong would like to express our grief over the unfortunate incident at our Ping Shek Estate restaurant," Wendy Lam, senior director of McDonald's Hong Kong, s a i d . " We w e l c o m e everyone to visit our restaurants any time. In order to provide a pleasant dining environment, we would not disturb our customers, but our service will be offered promptly upon request," she added.

(Yahoo News)

SANTA CLAUS IS UNIVERSITY OF RUNNING FOR CONNECTICUT CITY COUNCIL SEAT SERVING UP CRICKETS AT FOOD TRUCK Alaska - A man whose legal name is Santa Claus is running for a City Council seat in the tiny Alaska town of North Pole.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports Claus

has launched a write-in campaign for the office.

Claus, whose driver's license bears his legal name of Santa Claus, is the former president of the North Pole Chamber of

Commerce.

Two seats on the City Council are up for election. No one filed for office, however, during the regular filing period.

(Yahoo)

A food truck at the University of Connecticut is serving up roasted crickets. The Daily Campus reports the university's dining services are advertising the insects as organic, not genetically modified and earth friendly.

The crickets are high in protein and low in fat. They're a source of B vitamins, iron and zinc.

UConn says the farm that supplies the crickets uses carbon dioxide to kill them and then roasts them. The crickets are sold for 99 cents and come whole in

small plastic containers.

They're sold as a snack or a taco topping.

Dining services area assistant manager

John Smith says they sell two or three containers of crickets per day at the truck. (Yahoo)

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Regional

PROTECT THE VULNERABLE - KAMLA

Kamla Persad- Bissessar

Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, in a s t a t e m e n t y e s t e r d a y, wondered whether Finance Minister, Colm Imbert's, budget presentation today will protect people's jobs or not, in light of recent job

losses in the Public Service.

“Protecting jobs and the most vulnerable, keeping the construction sector moving and building partnerships with the private sector are

central to consolidating and building the economic strength and stability of Trinidad and Tobago. And of course, the new government's crime fighting initiatives would be most welcome given the upsurge in murders,” said Persad- Bissessar.

“Already we are seeing job losses in the Public Service and, while one may try to qualify them as short or long term, the fact is that many people are now without the incomes they had before because of Government action.” She said the Government must win the confidence of workers by ensuring their

job security, and must explain how any tough decisions will ultimately benefit the population.

Persad-Bissessar also said economic stability includes social protection for the vulnerable, as espoused by several initiatives of her own government including job training.

“I also hope that in all of the proposals examined by the Government, we do not see the burden of economic adjustment being passed on to the most vulnerable, the working class and middle class families,” she said.

Persad-Bissessar said economic stability and

sustainability can be encouraged by the Government building active partnerships with the private sector.

“Continuing such partnerships is important to ensure that momentum of the construction sector can be maintained and increased,” she advised.

“Maintaining construction momentum in housing and infrastructure will ensure we avoid spin off effects such as job losses, slowed consumer spending and a fall in confidence in the Government's ability to effectively manage the economy.” She said that although time has been

short for the new Government, their predecessor, the People's Partnership (PP), had left a solid economic and financial platform. “ A p p l i e d competence will therefore play a much greater role in managing the economy through challenges than tough sounding talk and authoritarian signals,” she said. “The Government must be careful to balance its desire to stamp its personal brand on the management of the economy, which they are entitled to do, with doing what is right and in the best interest of all the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

(Trinidad Newsday)

ECONOMY MAY FORCE CHANGES WITH REGARD TO THE STATE MEDIA Some $90 million was shelled out by the former People's Partnership administration last year to keep its media operations going according to T & T Communications Minister, Maxie Cuffie. He said the State, through CNMG, GISL and Parliament, owns three television stations, four radio stations and three cable channels.

But speaking about the exorbitant sum spent on their operations last year, he said, “In a contracting economy and with depressed energy prices, this appears untenable. We need to decide whether this is a good use of Government resources, while each day people are crying for better roads, houses and drainage.

“This, moreso, in a country in which already, there are 37 radio stations, 10 television stations, three daily newspapers, the Internet, including Facebook and Whatsapp, hundreds of cable TV channels and more, much more to come when we go digital.” Cuffie, a former newspaper editor and columnist, said yesterday's event was his first official function as minister, adding that he felt a great sense of pride that the invitation had come from his former media colleagues.

“I use the words 'former media colleagues' a d v i s e d l y, s i n c e I recognise that there is mutual distrust among

journalists and politicians, and that our system of government is all the more healthy for it,” he said.

“And the fact that I have now practiced in both arenas has only served to make me distrusted on both sides.”

On the issue of the State owning media houses, he said this was often viewed as an oxymoron as it was often believed the government should have no role in owning media of any kind. “That is why we have moved to install independent directors at the State-owned media companies as we chart a new direction for these organisations.

At the same time, we respect those who see a

Maxi Cuffie

role for the state in media ownership and no doubt, the views expressed today will assist in refining our final positions on the issue,” he said. He added

that his first priority, in tandem with the mandate of the Government, is to restore confidence in existing State media and ensure that this is devoid

of political agenda, propaganda. (Adapted f ro m t h e Tr i n i d a d Guardian)

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Regional

UNITE FOR ELECTION SUCCESS - GOLDING Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding has urged members of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to unite, as it will not be able to remove the People's National Party (PNP) from power if it remains divided.

Golding, who is also a former leader of the JLP, made his comments during a South West St Elizabeth C o n s t i t u e n c y Aw a r d s Banquet hosted by the party in Black River on Saturday night. He said it was only when the JLP became one strong unit that it was able to wrest power from the PNP in 2007, after more than 18 years in opposition.

"The Bible teaches us that

experience teaches wisdom. We, as a party, must learn from experience. One of the reasons why we were in opposition for so long is that we weren't singing on the same key. I remember when I became leader of the party in 2005, I made up my mind that it would be my priority number one to bring the party back together," Golding said.

"It was not easy, because some of the wounds looked like they couldn't get better, and I knew it had to get better because, as I have been quoted as saying, a piece of the Labour Party cannot

beat PNP; it has to be the whole Labour Party. I was able to mobilise a team where I knew some of them still felt a way, others were insecure, others still had latent grievances, that if you weren't careful, at the slightest little something, it would y up again. My job at the time was to appease everybody, rowing the same boat in the same direction," Golding stressed.

He told the party supporters in attendance that it was not solely the responsibility of the c u r r e n t p a r t y l e a d e r, Andrew Holness, to make overtures to members of

the party who were not supportive of him.

"What the Labour Party has to do now is part of the responsibility that Andrew has to lead in, but it can't be Andrew alone.

Because if the persons who may have issues aren't prepared as well to put the interest of the party above those personal issues - and even if there are issues, so long as the principles they are seeking to defend are not so fundamental that it outweighs the broader principles that the party stands for," he said.

"But I urge the party, this constituency

and far beyond, let's look at the big picture. Let us not look at who beat who in which selection and who is challenging who for which position in the party and who like to proďŹ le

themselves - those are the small dots; all little things," Golding added.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

INTERNATIONAL

'1,000-YEAR' RAIN FLOODS SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina in the USA is grappling with historic flooding that has led to several deaths, shut down

interstates and sent search crews scrambling to rescue those trapped by rising waters. At least six people

have died from weatherrelated incidents, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division

said. One was a state transportation employee who died Sunday in flood waters while overseeing work in Columbia, the South Carolina Department of Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n s a i d .

Details of the five other weather-related deaths were not immediately available "This is an incident we've never dealt with before," Gov. Nikki Haley said. The hardesthit swath of South Carolina stretches from the capital city of Columbia, right in the middle of the state, all the way to the coast, from

Georgetown down to Charleston.

O n S u n d a y, Columbia endured its rainiest day in history, according to the National Weather Service. And much of Charleston was pummeled by 2 feet of rainfall. "We are at a 1,000-year level of rain," the governor said. "That's how big this is." A "1,000year rainfall" means that the amount of rainfall in South Carolina has a 1-in1,000 chance of happening in any given year.

At least 600 National Guardsmen, 11 aircraft and eight swift

water rescue teams are taking part in search and rescue efforts, the governor said Sunday.

More than 200 water rescues took place in the state from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon, the state's emergency management agency said.

And it's not over yet. The National Weather Service forecast "catastrophic flash flooding" into Monday in Berkeley County, where more than 18 inches of rain had fallen in 24 hours. "The problem is rivers are going to continue to rise for several more days," CNN meteorologist Tom Sater said. (CNN)

17 KILLED IN FRENCH RIVIERA FLOODING Horrific accounts of people drowning in a retirement home and being trapped in a road tunnel by floodwater have emerged after the French Riviera was hit by extreme downpours.

Rainfall on an "exceptional scale" set off flash floods that wreaked hav o c alon g F r ance' s s o u t h e a s t e r n Mediterranean coast late Saturday, killing at least 17 people and leaving four more missing. Earlier Sunday, French officials put the death toll at 16, with three people missing.

"The assessment isn't yet complete, which just goes to show the intensity of what happened," the French presidency said on its official Twitter account. As much as 180 millimeters (7 inches) of rain in a span of three hours inundated parts

of the Alpes-Maritimes district late Saturday, authorities said. The area is home to famous seaside resorts such as Nice, Cannes and Antibes.

Details were still emerging Sunday of the chaos and destruction wrought by the sudden onslaught of water. Three people were killed in a retirement home in Biot, a community near Antibes, and another person was killed on a road in Cannes, according to authorities.

The news agency Agence France-Presse reported emergency responders and local officials as saying that five people died as they tried to park their cars, and three others drowned when their vehicle became trapped inside a tunnel.

"Searches are continuing in the hardest-hit areas, which a r e o f t e n d i ffi c u l t t o

access," the Interior Ministry said, warning there was little hope of finding some of those missing alive.

French President

Francois Hollande and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve visited the area Sunday and met with emergency workers involved in the flood

response. The prefecture said road and rail networks had been badly affected by the flooding, warning people to avoid travel.

"Actual biblical

rain here in Cannes now," Stuart Dredge, a technology journalist, wrote on Twitter. (CNN)

INTERNATIONAL

TURKEY INTERCEPTS RUSSIA JET Turkey said it intercepted a Russian jet that violated its airspace over the weekend. The country called in the Russian ambassador and lodged a strong condemnation of the violation, Turkey's foreign ministry said in a statement Monday. "The Russian Federation will be responsible for any undesired incident that may occur," the ministry warned.

The incident occurred Saturday in the Ya y l a d a g i r e g i o n o f Turkey's southern Hatay province. "The Russian aircraft exited Turkish airspace into Syria after it was intercepted by two F16s from the Turkish air force, which were conducting patrols in the region."

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Monday the violation of was "a mistake," "Our foreign minister called the Russian foreign minister and said clearly that this should not be repeated," "Whoever violates our

airspace, our rules of engagement are clear," he s a i d . " We w i l l w a r n whoever violates our borders and our airspace in a friendly manner. This country can be whichever and Russia is our neighbor, our friend. In this way,

there is no tension between Turkey and Russia. The Syria issue is not a TurkishRussian crisis," he said.

Turkey and Russia are at odds regarding the bloody civil war raging in Syria.

Ankara's position is that Syrian President Bashar al-

Assad has to go for the conflict to end. Moscow backs the Syrian leader and has begun airstrikes that it says are against ISIS militants. Moscow announced over the weekend it was intensifying the airstrikes, which started Wednesday.

T a r g e t s destroyed included an ISIS command center, communications center, training camp and ammunition depots as well as artillery weapons and vehicles, the ministry said. The U.S-backed coalition against ISIS -the United States, Britain, Turkey, France, Germany, Qatar and Saudi Arabia -accuses Russia of attacking civilians and Syrian groups opposing al-Assad.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters Monday in Moscow that Russian and U.S. officials had engaged in high-level discussions about Russia's actions in the Middle Eastern country. "Our presidents discussed it, I discussed it with Secretary (John) K e r r y, " L a v r o v s a i d , adding that the Pentagon and the Russian Defense Ministry also held a video conference. "Both sides agreed to cooperate to avoid unintended incidents."

With regard to the Russian air-strikes, in a recent interview, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said, "It must succeed; otherwise the whole region, not only one or two countries, will be destroyed”. (Adapted from CNN)

HOPE DIMS FOR FINDING SURVIVORS OF DEADLY GUATEMALA MUDSLIDE Guatemala— Hope has faded for finding any survivors of a mudslide that killed at least 131 people as the smell of

rotting bodies spread across the enormous mound of earth and rescuers reported the buried dwellings they reached were filled with

water, suggesting anyone trapped inside would have drowned.

Rescue workers on Sunday pulled more corpses from the mound created when a hillside collapsed and covered about 4 acres (1.7 hectares) with mud and dirt as deep as 15 yards (meters). At an improvised morgue, 82 bodies have been identified and handed over to relatives, said municipal medical examiner Dr. Carlos Augusto Rodas Gonzalez. However, other bodies, some of which were found in pieces,

remain unidentified.

The grim list of the dead who have been identified included at least 26 children and teenagers.

Rescuers decided to keep individual emergency workers, relatives and reporters off the increasingly foul-smelling mound of dirt. Instead of digging by hand and listening for survivors, crews planned to use mostly backhoes and bulldozers to speed up the search for bodies.

"The people who could have been alive have drowned," said services

coordinator Sergio Cabanas, explaining that rescue personnel on foot would be sent out mainly when a backhoe turns up a corpse. "Ninety percent of it we will do with heavy machinery." Authorities said about 300 people may still be missing. But they left open the possibility that many of them had simply fled and taken refuge with relatives without contacting authorities, or But family members who had already identified their dead at the improvised morgue

resigned themselves to the grim task of burying them in the crowded local cemetery. City workers rapidly prepared burial niches in a large crypt wall for the dead, with dozens of square holes awaiting coffins. At least 16 coffins had been interred by Sunday, and the names of the deceased were etched into the fresh cement used to seal the crypts. But lines of families with coffins, some holding the remains of children, crowded the narrow pathways that lead through the graveyard to the wall of crypts. (Yahoo

SP RTS CAIRNS TO STAND TRIAL IN LONDON FOR PERJURY Former New Zealand allrounder Chris Cairns will appear in a criminal trial at London's Southwark Crown Court, s t a r t i n g o n M o n d a y.

Cairns has been charged with lying under oath during his 2012 libel case against former IPL chairman Lalit Modi and, if found guilty, could be imprisoned for a maximum of seven years.

A number of high-profile witnesses including some of Cairns' former New Zealand team-mates are scheduled to give evidence.

Cairns has been charged under the UK Perjury Act. The CPS alleged that Cairns wilfully made a statement in the legal proceedings

against Modi, "which you knew to be false or did not believe to be true namely t h a t y o u n e v e r, e v e r cheated at cricket and nor would you contemplate doing such a thing".

The case is being brought by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the UK, arising out of what it believes to be criminal acts committed by Chris Cairns and his former lawyer Andrew Fitch-Holland during the 2012 libel case against former IPL chairman Lalit Modi. Fitch-Holland has been charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Cairns sued Modi in the UK's first Twitter libel case over a defamatory tweet sent in

January 2010. Modi had alleged Cairns' involvement in matchfixing but High Court judge David Bean said his team had "singularly failed" to prove the case.

When Cairns gave evidence in the civil trial against Modi in 2012 he signed a statement of truth where he agreed to be bound by the obligations of the UK Perjury Act. A breach or deliberate contravention of that Act can trigger criminal sanction. If found guilty following the criminal trial, Cairns' sentence could include a jail term of up to seven years.

Modi will not be directly part of this trial.

But he has pressed a separate civil claims case

Chris Cairns

against Cairns, listed with the High Court in London.

That case has been stayed pending the outcome of the CPS trial. Modi has claimed repayment to tune of £2.4m from Cairns.

That amount includes the damages of £90,000

Cairns won in 2012 and around £1.5m that Modi was ordered to pay towards legal costs.

B r e n d o n McCullum, the current New Zealand captain, will be the most high-profile witness to give evidence.

Others expected to appear include Vincent, former New Zealand players Stephen Fleming, Shane Bond and Andre Adams, and New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White. (Adapted from Espncrinfo)

MANOHAR TAKES CHARGE OF THE BCCI Shashank Manohar

Shashank Manohar has been formally elected BCCI president at the board's special general meeting (SGM) in Mumbai on Sunday. Soon after, at his first press conference, he announced a wide range of measures

to tackle various critical issues facing the board, including conflict of interest, corruption in cricket, the lack of transparency in the board's operations and financial accountability of the state

associations.

His overall message was clear: "Nothing is wrong in the board." The problem, he said, was one of perception, created by the lack of information flowing from the board.

"Therefore, to clear that myth and change the perception, we would [implement the changes] immediately," he said.

How immediate? "In two months' time all these things about which I have spoken will be implemented in full force."

He also stressed on the board's unity, a point

reinforced by his specific comments - "Excellent secretary, better than most of the secretaries I have seen in this board" - on N Srinivasan, the ICC chairman and seen as an adversary. "We are not working here with a vindictive attitude," he said. "The entire Board, when we discussed together, were united. All 30 members including the Tamil Nadu Association said we have to work together and build the image of the Board and not fight amongst ourselves."

For starters, he said, the BCCI would

appoint an independent official to preside over matters relating to conflict of interest - the one issue at the heart of the BCCI's credibility problem since 2008, when the constitution was changed to allow officials to be stakeholders in the IPL. "The board would frame regulations with regards to conflict of interest of administrators, players and their staff. That would be done within a month's time," he said. "And the board would also appoint an ombudsman or an ethics officer who would be independent of this board and who would look

into the complaints regarding conflict of interest."

Much of the public distrust of the board is the lack of transparency, especially in financial matters, which has given the BCCI an image of being a closed club. The board is not accountable to any outside agency, nor even to the public under the Right to Information legislation, and Manohar stressed that the latter should apply only if the government amends the l a w. ( A d a p t e d f ro m Espncricinfo)

SP RTS TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR FORMER WICB CEO Tributes have begun to pour in for Former West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Stephen Camacho. Camacho, who served for 18 years aboard the West Indies Cricket Board ship passed away Saturday morning after a brief period of declining health.

The 69 year old former administrator, who was also a Guyanese born batsman, was one of several former players to return to serve the game in management functions.

Meanwhile, the executives and staff of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) expressed condolences to the family and friends of the late Stephen Camacho, A release from the board stated, “It is always heart-wrenching to

lose our loved ones.

Camacho was loved dearly within the cricket fraternity. The righthanded Guyana and West Indies batsman played 11 Tests with his highest score being 87. For Guyana he was exceptional with seven centuries and 24 halfcenturies.”

“Off the field, Camacho earned immense respect and admiration as a We s t I n d i e s C r i c k e t administrator and selector.

His approach to his job and the manner in which he carried himself exemplified class and success. For 18 years he served as the CEO of the West Indies Board of Control (WICBC) now known as the WICB.” The board added, “We at the GCB acknowledge and

celebrate the legacy this remarkable gentleman has left us. We are praying and grieving with his family at this time. We wish to let them know that Stephen Camacho will always be remembered!”

A ls o , T h e Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (CRG) extended its, “deepest condolences to his wife Allison and family and his many relatives and friends in Guyana, across the Caribbean and around the world.”

C a m a c h o distinguished himself as one of the finest and most widely respected cricket administrators in the region, having been the first full-time employee of the WICBC (subsequently changed to WICB). “

Stephen Camacho

It added that with a quiet demeanour and exuding elegance Camacho was widely admired, respected and loved in the cricket fraternity and further afield. During his career Camacho played 11 Test matches for the West Indies and represented the-

then British Guiana and subsequently Guyana after Independence.

Camacho scored seven first-class centuries and 24 half-centuries, debuting for the West Indies against England in 1968. His highest Test score was 87, scored against England in

Trinidad during his debut series. After his retirement from playing, Camacho initially lived in Barbados while he served as a WICBC administrator and subsequently in Antigua where he had settled and where he passed away on Saturday morning after a brief period of declining health.

U.S. OWNERS SACK LIVERPOOL'S MANAGER

Liverpool's U.S. owners sacked manager Brendan Rodgers Sunday after a stuttering start to season for the former giants of English football. Rodgers was given his marching orders just hours after his team drew 1-1 at Everton in the Merseyside derby to stand 10th in the English Premier League standings with 12 points from eight games.

The 42-year-old Rodgers took Liverpool to the brink of its first English title in 24 years in the 2013-14 season before losing out to Manchester City. But with star player Luis Suarez departing to B a r ce lo n a , Li v e r p o o l could only finish sixth last season and finished it with

a disastrous 6-1 defeat at Stoke.

Results in the current campaign have been patchy despite an outlay of nearly $450 million on players, with signings such as Mario Balotelli failing to make an impression. An announcement on the club's official website sealed Rodgers' fate after three and a half years in charge, the Northern Irishman having initially been given the news in a phone call.

"We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Brendan Rodgers for the significant contribution he has made to the club and express our gratitude for his hard work

and commitment," Liverpool's American owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) said in a statement. "All of us have experienced some wonderful moments with Brendan as manager and we are confident he will enjoy a long career in the game.

"Although this has been a difficult decision, we believe it provides us with the best opportunity for success on the pitch." Rodgers, who arrived from Swansea City in 2012, gained accolades for the expansive football which Liverpool played in coming so close to adding to its tally of 18 top-flight titles in England. ( A d a p t e d f ro m C N N Sports)

Brendan Rodgers

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TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR STEVE -see page 17

Stephen Camacho 1945-2015