GNN Online Newspaper - Nov 30, 2015

Monday November 30, 2015

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KATO $1B SCHOOL COMPLETED DECREASE IN NEW HIV CASES FROM 2006

Director of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS); Dr. Shanti Singh

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IDB assessing five sites for possible hydro power

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson

Government is determined for Guyana to have hydro power generation facilities.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) states that Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson said that in keeping with this thrust, five out of 67 possible sites are currently being assessed by the Inter-American Development Bank

(IDB) for development.

The assessment is expected to be completed by May 2016.

Patterson said the five sites are Kamira, Kumu, Tumatumari, Tiger Hill and Amaila and pointed out that the government will be using $80M from the Norway funds that were set aside for renewable energy development.

“At the end of this process, we will

obviously assess them, however we will look to use the $80M in the most acceptable means of renewable energy … but it could be any form of large scale renewable energy – which is the understanding that we have so it’s a process which we are going through, and I think it’s a wise way to go forward,” He stated.

He added that the government is also working with the Government of Brazil and other interested stakeholders in seeking additional funding for the hydro power/ renewable energy project.

“We are moving ahead, and we working through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continuing discussions with them. There are other individuals who have MOUs. I think

Kumu falls, there is a company that has an MOU with us and it remains to develop that falls, Tumatumari, Moco Moco - we are going out for an expression of interest to resuscitate the Moco Moco hydro falls so we haven’t excluded any project.

It’s always a question of time and cost,” the Minister explained.

Last week, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, hinted a lifeline for the scuttled Amaila Falls Hydro Project. He stated that the Kingdom of Norway is keen to finance another review to determine forthrightly the viability or nonviability of the project.

He said the review is indicative of the government’s position that the project which the People’s Progressive

Party Civic (PPPC) government envisaged, was flawed.

While delivering the 2015 Budget earlier in the year, he had pointed out that it would be criminal act of deception to proceed with the project in the state it was under the PPPC. The PPP is adamant that if the government abandons the project Guyanese for many years would have to

endure high electricity rates which would also impact negatively on the manufacturing sector.

Started under the Bharrat Jagdeo Administration, the project was basically scuttled by the then APNU + AFC Opposition which held a one-seat Parliamentary majority under the Donald Ramotar government.

Gov’t getting less from CJIA expansion - Jagdeo Former President Bharrat Jagdeo is singing the same tune as it relates to lack of transparency that the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) chanted while in opposition during the 10th Parliament.

The Opposition leader is calling out the coalition government on what he deems “corrupt practices” with regard to a number of projects.

He spoke specifically to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project.

During the 10th Parliament the then Opposition voted against the airport expansion project, while admitting that it was good for Guyana

they said it was riddled with corruption.

However, the coalition government shortly after it took office in May of this year announced that it would be moving ahead with the project but under a different model than the one proposed by the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.

The modified plans included the expansion and extension of the runway to satisfy the international requirement for “large type aircraft” landing and operating out of the CJIA and a modified airport terminal which would allow for the completion of the project within the funds available.

T h e

government had said that the US$150M identified for the project was far below what was required, in other words, the former administration had underestimated the total.

It claimed that several areas of financial expenditure were not included in the original contract documents.

These included a car park for US$2.7 million; terminal building for US$16 million; navigational aids required to change and upgrade at US$1.3 million; the existing Generator Building and Pump House to cost US$60,000; the perimeter fence and security lights at US$565,000; an additional US$250,000 to complete the

relocation of the GDF electrical and mechanical e n g i n e e r i n g d e p a r t m e n t .

The relocating of the airport operators and the other facilities cost US$510,000, among other expenditure, which adds up to an additional US$65 million to complete the project.

Jagdeo told the media on Saturday November 29, that the PPP/C government had turned down a request by the contracting company China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) request for additional funds. “We had said no, it is a design bill contract.

You (CHEC) did the geotechnical surveys so you bear that risk and you have to fulfill the

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

original specification for the sum of money,” said Jagdeo.

However, he noted that the present government has taken a decision to move ahead with the project but did not say on what conditions.

“What I’ve been hearing is that the footprint of the terminal building has reduced and the numbers of these bridges to the Aircraft have bee reduced drastically, so whilst you’re not getting a higher price, you’re getting reduced work…a net effect they have acceded to the request,”

Jagdeo pointed out.

He said the government is getting less being built for the amount of money it had approved. The airport expansion project was conceptualized under the PPP/C government.

A contract was inked with CHEC in 2011.

“We would like to see some more details about this, the country would like to see that. And we want to know more about the Marriott Hotel.”

He questioned whether the government will be completing the entertainment section.

Kato $1B Secondary School to be opened in January

The Kato Secondary School complex

Chief Education Officer (CEO), Olato Sam, says that the new Kato Secondary School has been completed, and will be opened to facilitate students next year.

According to the Government I n f o r m a t i o n Agency (GINA), the completion of the school is a continuation of the trend of making education accessible to all Guyanese.

Located in Region Eight, (Potaro/ Siparuni), the Kato Secondary School was specially built to ease the distance students traverse to access secondary level education. Its

dormitories will cater for those students from far off communities in the region.

Sam noted that the school is currently being furnished, and indicated that the related human resources are ensuring that this is taken care of in time for 2016, along with other elements.

This school was initially billed at $780M, but Government said the final tally could be about $1B.

For the Kato Secondary School to be self- sustaining, resources such as solar energy and agricultural projects are being considered, Sam pointed out.

Solar energy will be a boost for students while studying for their exams, completing assignments, and of course, providing electricity for all classrooms.

Implementation of agricultural projects in the school will supply food for students livingin at the dormitory.

The CEO pointed out that ongoing is the filling of vacancies for various positions: Principal (Headmistress/ Headmaster), Senior Master/Mistress, Heads of Departments and Assistant Mistresses/ Masters to teach Social Studies, Mathematics,

English and Science among other subjects.

The school has an adjoining administrative block, teachers’

quarters, kitchen and sanitary facilities.

Apart from the dozen classrooms, the school will boast computer and science

laboratories, and industrial arts, home economics, visual arts and agriculture departments.

THREE ARRESTED OVER ILLEGAL GUN FIND A man and two women have been arrested and are in police custody as investigations continue into the discovery of an illegal gun and ammunition.

According to the police, a search was conducted on a house at Vigilance South, East Coast Demerara,

this morning at about 10:30 hrs.

D u r i n g the search an unlicensed .32 Rossi Revolver along with 46 matching rounds were found.

It is not clear as to what may have prompted the police to conduct the search.

$76M rehab slated for stellings The Bartica, Leguan and Parika stellings will be rehabilitated to the tune of $76M by the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

The Bartica stelling will see the change of decking; fixing

of piles; and upgrades to the office area and the washrooms worth $30M. According to the Ministry, The next phase of the rehabilitation of the Bartica stelling is scheduled to commence next year.

For the Leguan stelling, maintenance

work will be conducted on the driveway, decking, beams and some piles.

The fender system will also be rehabilitated. The total cost for the Leguan stelling rehabilitation is pegged at $24M.

Meanwhile, the Parika stelling is slated to undergo approximately

$22M worth of rehabilitation. Amongst its work are repairs to the roll on/roll off area and the fortification of the catwalk. The dilapidated area will not be a part of this phase; rather, this area will be tackled early next year as part of the next phase.

Conflict at Hope Estate over raised rents -Matter heading to Court

Anil Nandalall

Farmers at the Hope Estate is claiming that the Chairman of Hope Coconut Industries Board of Directors; singlehandedly increased the rent for lands at the location from $3000 to $15, 000 without consultation with the farmers and some Members of the Board. The farmers are claiming they cannot afford to pay the increased sum which takes effect next year.

The Hope Estate which was formerly used to cultivate coconut is being rented to rice and cash crop farmers.

GNN spoke to a Board Member -Harrinarine Ramgopaul who is also a rice farmer.

He stated that given the situation in the rice industry, the farmers cannot afford the increase in rent.

“Right now the paddy price deh down, we getting

2,200 a bag and we can’t afford to pay 15,000 dollar per acre for the land them.

Thing deh down, the expense and everything for rice very high and the price of the paddy deh right down, there is nothing we can do for that” he said He added that no consultation was hosted on the issue.

A n o t h e r rice farmer; Jairam Hemanchal noted that he cleared the land which was covered in bushes and still have not been able to pay the excavator operators that undertook the work. “Now they raise the rent and me can’t afford it because me aint even pay the people that clear the land” Hemanchal stated.

He added that “in any part of the world, If you want to increase rent, you have to notify your tenant or whoever

but no notice was given to the farmers”.

However chairman of the Board; Dr. Lamei Aowmathi refuted

this complain noting that consultations were held with the Board members.

He stated that “that’s a matter for the board, I didn’t raise anything, it was a decision made by the Board. We informed all the board members for meetings and we always have regular meetings”.

The issue will be taken up

by Attorney Anil Nandalall who stated that there are

laws governing the increasing of rent for Agriculture lands.

“Rent in respect of agriculture holding is governed by law, and the law prohibits the unilateral increase of rent for agricultural holdings by the landlord. The law prescribes that a process must be undergone; there must be an assessment tribunal which involves the farmers and the landlord”

Nandlall stated.

He added that many of the farmers were granted the current rate of rent which they are paying because their crops and live stocks were damaged in the Mahaica and Mahaicony creek and no monies were paid to them for the damage.

He noted that the matter will be taken up in the Court in the coming week.

Region 10 water distribution network to be improved

Dr. Van West Charles

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has commenced a structured programme aimed at improving the overall level of service provided to GWI customers of Linden, Region 10.

A statement from GWI stated that a proposal was made to the Regional Democratic Council, Region 10 Members of Parliament and representatives of the Business Community

and other relevant parties to improve the water distribution system in Linden.

This will cause some disruption to the service in the communities and therefore the GWI is requesting some support and patience of the residents.

GWI will be implementing the leakage reduction programme immediately and will

be mobilising labour, tools and equipment to explore all areas in order to repair leaks and decommission old mains, the statement said.

Chief Executive Officer; Dr. Van West Charles, said “About 58% of the water produced by the plants in Linden is Non-Revenue Water… this is water we cannot account for because it is lost through leaks or breakages in the

distribution system.

Many customers at the end of the distribution system are receiving low levels of service due to this.

Hence, it is imperative that customers be vigilant and report leaks immediately’.

Emphasis will be placed on repairing leaks and breakages in the distribution network, the Chief Executive Officer stated. He added that enhancements will be done to the water treatment facilities at West Watooka and McKenzie, including improvements to the filtration systems.

The GWI Chief Executive also addressed the operational challenges at the new water treatment facilities at Wisroc and Amelia’s Ward which were constructed under the Government of Guyana and Inter-American Development Bank

(IDB), Linden Water Supply Rehabilitation Programme (LWSRP) to supply potable water to the communities.

“During the testing phase it was discovered that both facilities were not producing adequate amounts of water and GWI was required to continue providing service via the older production facilities at West Watooka, McKenzie and LPC.” The statement noted.

It added that further investigation revealed a flaw in the filtration system utilized by the water treatment plants which prevented the facilities from operating at full capacity.

Following consultations with an IDB Consultant and a team from GWI, an ‘action plan’ was developed to rectify the fault discovered in

the filtration system.

Dr. Van WestCharles indicated that the company would first implement the recommendations presented by the IDB Consultant with particular regard to the filtration systems utilized by the plants.

He further stated that leakage and wastage were among the factors contributing to low levels of service in Wisroc and Amelia’s Ward.

He indicated that along with implementing the recommendations to improve the performance of the plants, GWI would be partnering with community leaders, heads of Religious Organizations, schools, Parent Teacher Associations and the business community to create more awareness on reporting leaks and curbing wastage.

General decrease in new HIV cases from 2006 - NAPS Stigma and Discrimination remains major problem

As Guyana joins in the observation of ‘World AIDS day 2015’, stigma and discrimination against persons affected by the epidemic is one of the major problem faced locally.

During an exclusive interview with the Director of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS); Dr. Shanti Singh, she said “whether it has been internalized or it has been coming from persons, one of the greatest challenge is the issue of Stigma and Discrimination. We find that some workplaces still discriminate because they found out that someone is HIV+ and so that person loses his or her job, we find that people reach out to churches or their faith leaders and they find themselves in a position where they feel compromised or they didn’t get any help and there were discrimination, we find it among family members very often that persons who are diagnosed HIV positive will not tell the family members for the fear of discrimination”.

She noted that this poses a significant problem with the overall combatting of the epidemic as persons who are afraid of others finding out about their sta-

tus, often miss their medications and visits to the clinic.

To deal with the problem, it was highlighted that NAPS and other organisations have been working with persons through support groups and the clinics.

The Programme Director said “at our treatment sites, we have a disciplinary team comprising of a nurse, a physician, a lab person taking the blood, but a critical component is the social worker. The social worker does all of the patient, look at the social issues, the economic issues, the family arrangements, the living arrangements, how it is in the workplace and so. We also have support group where persons with HIV meet once per month and discuss their issues and lend support to each other.

However, she noted that there has still been an increase in the number of persons seeking treatment over the years, leading to less persons dying from HIV/AIDS.

“A lot of progress have been made from 1987 to now to the point that if you look at the HIV prevalence for example, we have sort of stabilized it. In the early 90’s when

we looked at our report for our PMTCT (Parent or Mother To Child Transmission) program, HIV prevalence among anti-natal pregnant women were close to 3-4%, right now we we’re seeing about 1.5% HIV prevalence among that group.” She added.

This has been attributed to the increased access to testing and treatment service across the country.

There have also been increased attention to ‘Key Populations’ for which a number of civil societies have been engaged to lend assistance.

Dr. Singh pointed out that “we’ve got a number of civil society organizations going out and speaking to the commercial sex workers in the nights; trying to meet the female commercial sex workers and doing outreaches.

Few years ago, those projects were only accessible in regions three and four and we train a lot of persons as peer educators” In 2014 HIV prevalence was estimated at 1.5% which is about 8,300 persons living with the disease in the country and several trends from that year still persists in 2015.

“We continue to

see in terms of the HIV cases reported to the Ministry, the largest proportion is in our productive workforce, so between the ages of 2549 age group for 2014 have accounted for 61.4% of all of our cases. There is almost an equaling in terms of men and women and in 2015, so far, the results follow a similar pattern” she said.

Region four continues to be disproportionately affected compared to the other regions so we continue to prioritize region four in our response In 2014, the PMTCT program recorded 12, 592 women who came through the anti-natal clinic being tested for HIV.

It was reported that HIV prevalence among key population have gone down as HIV prevalence among MSM (men who have sex with men), in 2005 was 21.25%, in 2008-2009 was 19.4% and in 2014, that was 4.9%. Prevalence among Sex workers; 1997 as 45% (small study), in 2005 it was 26.6%, in 2008-2009; it was 16.6% and in 2014, It was reported at 5.5%.

There has been a general decrease in the number of new cases from 2006 the Director said.

She further dis-

Dr. Shanti Singh

closed that the funding for works to combat this epidemic which receives funding from the Global Fund and PEPFAR are continually being transferred to the Government of Guyana Budget.

“A lot of human resources, consumer grocery, agents, training, to be used by the program has been transitioned +…So e.g. in our Budget for the Government, almost of our ARVs will be procured by government, in 2014, it was 25% and this year was 35%.

All of our test kits and laboratory consumer goods that we need for routine monitoring of our patients is supplied by the government”.

World AIDS day will be observed tomorrow under the theme “ending the AIDS epidemic through sustainable development goals”. Locally, there are several activities slated for tomorrow including the launching of a Women’s arm of G+ (the organization of people living with and affected by the disease), the launching of a book “My HIV stories”, a market place at the CARICOM Secretariat where the different awareness booths will be set up, the annual ‘flame in the ribbon’ to be hosted by Artistes in Direct Dupport and other countrywide activities.

Gov’t re-introducing efforts to control births and deaths registration - Rohee

Former Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee has rejected comments made

by Winston Felix, Minister of Citizenship that the staff at the General Registrar’s Office (GRO) are corrupt.

Minister with responsibilities for Citizenship, Winston Felix, said major loopholes have been uncovered in the issuance of birth registration and in the Immigration section under the former administration.

Felix, in a release made the disclosures in justifying the need for a Ministry of Citizenship, noting

that the issues which have to be fixed are “numerous” and deserve all the attention and resources available.

He stated that within the system for making these services available to citizens, corruption was allowed to run rampant under the former administration, and it is now his task to clean up the confusion which exists.

That revelation by Felix has angered Rohee, who told a media conference on Monday that ‘the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) views with utter disdain the uncalled for allegation by Felix that the

staff at the GRO are engaged in corrupt practices.”

According to Rohee, Felix publicly chastised his own staff, adding that it must be demoralizing for staffers who are known to be diligent and professional.

He said the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) left behind a competent and professional staff at the GRO and the Immigration Services Section at the Ministry of Home Affairs. “Mrs. McDonald did a formidable job bringing the GRO technologically and otherwise to a level at which it never was up to the time when the PNC left

it in 1992,’ Rohee added.

According to Rohee, “Felix must tell the nation why he got rid of such a competent woman of worth who did so much to make the GRO comparable in delivery of service with any other civil registry in any other CARICOM country. Systems were put in place by Mrs. McDonald to minimize corrupt practices at the GRO such as less access to and contact between staff members and members of the public.”

He said questions have arisen about new internal arrangements that have replaced those that

Clement Rohee

were in place prior to May 11, 2015, and the efficacy and objectives of these new internal arrangements.

Felix had announced that approximately 4,000 birth records are to be entered daily from data which is to be taken from the current paper-based birth and death certificates and will be entered into a Civil Events Registration System (CERS) which is intended to produce electronic birth and death certificates, the former Minister said.

Felix had further announced that “over three million birth, marriage and death records are to be

computerized and according to Rohee, it is the two million birth registration records that is worrying.

“Word has it that the Department of Citizenship was created to re-introduce efforts by the PNC to control the births and deaths registration process with a view to manipulating the voters’ list by keeping the name of dead persons on the list of electors and by transferring names of underage persons from the birth register to the preliminary voters’ list,” Rohee told the media.

Epilepsy awareness month ends with walk in City Awareness of Epilepsy – a brain disorder where a person has repeated seizures over time – is gradually growing in Guyana through awareness campaigns and walks such as the one hosted yesterday by the Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana (EFG) and the University of Guyana Medical Students’ Association (UGMSA).

The awareness walk which commenced at Main Street Georgetown and ended on the Seawalls opposite the 1823 monument, brought the curtains

down on Epilepsy awareness month which was observed during November.

According to Christopher Martin, a third year medical student and a Director of the Epilepsy foundation, the initiative was first launched last year in an attempt to sensitize and educate the public on what epilepsy is, and treatment available.

Following the walk, mural paintings were done on the seawalls by the participants, some of whom are victims of Epilepsy. “It was a great

effort. It’s encouraging to see people come together for a good cause” Martin said.

Preceding this, he noted, was a visit by two neurologists to Berbice, where clinic sessions, lectures and workshops were held.

This was organized by the two associations.

Epilepsy is the third most common neurological disorder after stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. In nearly 70 per cent of cases, the cause is unknown.

The most common causes for the remaining

Some participants of the walk posing for a picture 30 per cent include; head trauma resulting from automobile accidents, gunshot wounds and sports accidents; brain

tumor and stroke; poisoning, such as lead or alcohol; infection and maternal injury.

Some rare forms

are genetic. Epilepsy is never contagious – it is impossible to get it from or give it to another person.

Patterson meets with residents affected by CJIA runway extension

Minister of Public Infrastructure, Hon. David Patterson, addresses residents of Timehri North

19 houses in Timehri North will be relocated some 200 metres west of their current location, as efforts to extend the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) runway gets underway.

This was according to a release issued by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, which revealed that that these 19 properties are in the direct path of the proposed site for the extension of the runway.

It was revealed that Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson yesterday met with residents of the area, who will be directly affected to shed light on the proposed expansion and an alternative solution to the problem.

During the first session, the Ministry said, the residents of the 19 affected homes were able to speak directly with Minister Patterson and voice some of their concerns on the matter.

In response, Patterson explained that the mass movement of everyone out of the area would not be necessary and only the homes directly in the path of the expected runway will be relocated, within the same community.

While he noted that the expansion heralded development for Guyana, Minister Patterson reasoned that this new development should not severely upturn the lives of Guyanese and that

persons who would have dedicated their

lives to the Timehri North community should not have to suffer.

According to the Ministry, construction on the identified plot of land has already began and is expected to be completed in by next year. Though a direct time was not provided, the developed area is expected to be with roads and utilities such as electricity and water while the homes will become the properties of the residents.

O f f e r i n g that, “This is the right thing to do,” Patterson reasoned that if someone is moved from their home, then they must be compensated equally.

A subsequent meeting was held with members of the Timehri North community to discuss general developmental plans.

During the meeting, the

Minister interacted with the residents and shared plans underway for the community.

Amongst these plans were the regularization of the community; inclusion of standpipes for improved water access; and the rehabilitation of the main road. He said too that there will be improved infrastructure such as roads, water supply, and electricity.

“However, Minister Patterson said that while the Ministry will be working towards bettering the community, the residents must also do the same.

He reminded them that the ultimate aim is to see the community become registered and he therefore urged them to keep an eye out for squatters” the statement said.

A section of the area which the 19 Timehri North residents will be relocated to. The area is currently under construction

GRANGER SAYS JAGDEO’S COMMENTS ON CLIMATE CONFERENCE UNFAIR -Willing to meet on related issues

President David Granger

President David Granger has signalled his interest in engaging former President Bharrat Jagdeo on climate change matters.

Mr. Granger was at the time responding to a statement made by the former President, with regard to the government’s position on climate change.

“If he has a strong view, we can meet and sit down and discuss it. We are an inclusive government and we are prepared to sit down and benefit from his experience. But to stay afar off and start to attack a representative of the present Government

is not the behaviour we expect of a former Head of State… We are not at war with the PPP… We were the ones who held out a hand of friendship and I would welcome Mr. Jagdeo sitting down and giving us the sort of brief that I feel the new government is entitled to,” Granger said.

At a media conference at Freedom House on Saturday November 29, Jagdeo who has vast experience in the area of climate change committed to sharing his expertise with the coalition government.

“We’re willing share any information that the

government….I made it clear already that any information that is national in nature, we’re prepared to assist with but under certain circumstances,” Jagdeo stated.

At the press conference the former President raised his concerns with regard to the coalition government’s position on climate change. “So this is a government that has no climate strategy, has no plans for advocacy at the global level,” the former President told reporters.

He has urged that President Granger attend the Climate Conference which opened today in Paris, since he believes that it was the only way that Guyana’s position on climate change could be heard. He said the President’s presence would have been more impacting that that of Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman, who has responsibility for

Natural Resources and the Environment. “We’re sending a person there was has a very vague understanding of these concepts in the person of Minister Trotman to the negotiations and we expect good to come out of all of this.”

To this, Granger responded calling the former President’s comments misplaced, unfair and unhelpful.

He noted that the new administration is focused on a holistic approach to managing and mitigating the harmful effects of climate change. The President declared that there is a conceptual difference in the approach to environmental management than that of the previous administration.

Expanding on the divergence of the Government’s position from that of what he called a deficient approach to climate

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

change under the previous administration, the Head of State said that the modified policy focuses on the development of a green economy, which covers areas beyond just the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

With a focus on areas such as coastal zone management, rising sea levels, water management, energy generation and other areas, President Granger said, “We have to ensure that there is a strategy for developing a truly green economy. The previous administration never

even used the word green economy. It is just LCDS and funds. That is all it was. But now we are talking about the real green economy of which LCDS will be part.

We are the first people to speak about that.”

While climate change continues to be one that is a critical part of the development agenda, President Granger has indicated that he will not be attending COP21 since he needs to take some time to focus on domestic issues at home.

Guyana/Venezuela border controversy to end in three years -President The 2015 Communique outlined strong support for Guyana’s position on the Venezuela border controversy, as the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) concluded in Malta on Sunday.

The document states, “The Geneva Agreement of 1966 between the Parties provides a range of mechanisms for an expeditious solution to the controversy arising from Venezuela’s contention of invalidity of the 1899 Arbitral Award which definitively settled the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.”

The Heads of State expressed full support for the United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon to choose a means of settlement to bring the controversy to

a definitive end.

Responding to the content of the Communique, President David Granger said, Guyanese can be satisfied that this year the process has moved closer to finality than it has for several years. He thanked both the United Nations’ Secretary General and the outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General, Dr. Kamalesh Sharma for helping to advance the process, particularly over the last six months.

T h e C o m m o n w e a l t h’s unequivocal support for the safeguarding of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as expressed in the document, is a stance President Granger expressed appreciation for, noting that the matter had been given prominence under

the leadership of outgoing Secretary General, Sharma.

G r a n g e r also noted that the C o m m o n w e a l t h’s support complements the efforts of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who the President interacted with briefly at the CHOGM, to have the matter resolved. He added that under the SecretaryGeneral there has been a markedly intensified engagement from the United Nations which has moved the process much further along the road to a final solution.

“That’s what Guyanese could look forward to if we maintain this pattern and this pace.

I think they can see the controversy coming to a satisfactory conclusion, within the next three years or so. I am very happy with the way

President David Granger and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, during today’s closing session at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta

the process is moving now”, the President said.

Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart, who was also at the CHOGM 2015, told Guyanese journalists that “We have made it very clear in CARICOM, to Venezuela, that the

territorial integrity of Guyana is not up for a compromise.”

The Prime Minister added, “In 1899, there was an Arbitral Tribunal that decided what Guyana’s territory was going to be and what Venezuela’s territory was going to be. The decision of that Arbitral Tribunal

has not been reversed and it cannot be reversed by rhetoric. It cannot be reversed by protest. It cannot be reversed by hostile acts or seemingly hostile acts. It can only be reversed by a judicial process, because the Arbitral Tribunal was a judicial process in the first place.”

MAN CHARGED FOR MURDERING HOSPITAL WORKER Alan Sim, fifty-five yearold, was this morning charged with the murder of Melissa Skette, who was stabbed and dumped on a City Street last week.

S k e e t e , who worked as an Ambulance Dispatcher at the Georgetown Public

Hospital Corporation, subsequently died at the institution while receiving medical treatment.

Sim, a Taxi Driver of Paradise Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, was not required to enter a plea

when he appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

According to information, Sim picked up the thirty-one year-old Skeete from the hospital and sometime after she was found stabbed in the vicinity of Church Street.

Skeete who

MAN SHOT AT WHARF

A fifty-three year-old man is currently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation nursing a gunshot wound.

According to the police, the man, Zhifa Zu, was involved in an argument with a man at about 07:20 hrs today

at the Meadow Wharf.

During the altercation, Zu was shot to his right foot and was rushed to the hospital.

Investiga-

Melissa Skette

was a mother of four, reportedly had a child for Sim. According to reports he allegedly confessed to the offence.

He has been remanded and is expected to appear back in court on January 10, 2016.

tions

are

ongoing.

POLICE STILL TO NAB DRIVERS IN RECENT HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENTS

Traffic Chief, Superintendent Dion Moore, is calling on the drivers involved in the Carlton Hall accident earlier this month during which a woman was struck and killed and three others injured at Mahaicony, and the driver in the Sheriff Street accident on Thursday, when a 17 year-old motorcyclist was killed, to turn themselves in.

Both drivers fled the scenes of the accidents Moore, who spoke to the Guyana News Network, stated that the driver from the Carlton Hall accident which claimed

the life of a mother of seven remains on the run even after contacting the police to say that he was going to turn himself in with his lawyer.

There is suspicion that the man might have fled the country in his bid to escape the arm of the law even as the relatives of the dead woman and those who were injured in the accident are continuing their call for justice.

Meanwhile in the case of the latest hit and run accident which took place on Thursday of last week, the Traffic Chief explained that the police

have since received some information in relation to the whereabouts of the vehicle and possible driver. That information is being worked on.

He said that should all go well and the information provided proves to be accurate, the police are likely to rein in the errant driver of that accident and also take possession of the vehicle to have same inspected.

Dion Moore explained that thus far there has been no recorded accident over the weekend and that is credited to the increase in the

Altaf Bacchus wanted for questioning for the Mahaicony accident presence of police ranks throughout the country.

He said that the police were taken aback at the accidents which took place last

week claiming the lives of several persons and as such they stepped up their operations. Moore added that in the case of the Sunday lime at the

creeks along the Linden Highway, the police also had a high presence in the vicinity and along the East Bank corridor.

to interact with the drivers on the issue of defensive driving.

While he spoke of the importance of adhering to codes of the road and the penalties which can follow should one fail to comply, Andrews spoke of the conduct of minibus operators especially drivers when performing their duties.

He cautioned the operators about the

recklessness with which some persons use the road and their failure to look out for pedestrians and other road users.

The Engineer from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure spoke of the capacity of the roadways especially in the areas the targeted operators work and the importance of the decision by the Ministry to place the traffic lights at the locations

those are placed.

Much has been said recently on the need for more consultations with motorists pertaining to the usage of the roads and regarding the number of vehicles coming into the country and the inability of the present road networks to accommodate this steady increase.

DRIVERS SEMINAR HELD TO CURB ROAD LAWLESSNESS

Traffic Chief Dion Moore

The Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force on Saturday held a “Drivers Seminar� to sensitize drivers of the importance of

following road codes and adhering to same.

The event was held at the Guyana Red Cross Headquarters in Georgetown where the

drivers from Cummings Lodge and the University of Guyana were targeted.

The event was held in collaboration with the National Road Safety Council and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Addressing the participants were Traffic Chief Dion Moore, Ministry of Public Infrastructure engineer Kester Hinds, and Ian Andrews who represented the minibus union.

Traffic Chief Moore explained that the main focus was

DAILY DOSE OF WALNUTS LINKED TO HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS A handful of walnuts every day could lower people’s levels of risk factors for type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.

Participants in the study who were given walnuts every day for six months saw improvements in their blood vessel function and decreases in their levels of “bad” (LDL) cholesterol, compared to those who were not given walnuts. Poor blood-

vessel function and high levels of LDL cholesterol are risk factors for type 2 diabetes, the researchers said.

Walnuts are rich in essential fatty acids and other nutrients, such as folate and vitamin E. However, they are also quite high in calories, said Dr. David Katz, the lead author of the study and the founding director of the YaleGriffin Prevention

Research Center in Derby, Connecticut.

“We know nuts are really nutritious, but they’re really loaded with calories. So the question was, if we tell people to eat nuts every day, will they over time start to gain weight? And will weight gain over time start to offset the metabolic benefits that come from the highquality nutrition of nuts?”

Katz told Live Science.

At the end of those six months, there was a 12-week break, and the groups were switched, so that the other people received the walnuts, and those who had been receiving them no longer did.

It’s important to note that body fat increased more on the walnut-rich diet among the participants who were not counseled about restricting their

calories, compared with the participants who were counseled to lower their calorie intake,

the researchers said.

But like in most things, moderation is also probably key.

(Adapted from MSN)

Tasty Turmeric milkshakes for a head-to-toe boost

At Locali—a “conscious convenience” shop and healthy deli with two locations in Los Angeles—a new vegan milkshake called The Mystic counts the powerful adaptogen [AKA an ingredient that helps the body adapt to and manage stress in a healthy way] as the star of the show. It’s featured alongside a cast of superfoods that are equally adept at fighting inflammation.

“Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, and research

backs up its innumerable health benefits—it’s anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial,” says Melissa Rosen, Locali’s CEO who is also a certified holistic health counselor.

“I added the black pepper and organic olive oil because they increase the bio-availability of the turmeric [meaning they help your body absorb and make use of the turmeric], plus they’re great for hair and skin and loaded with antioxidants.”

The shake is topped off with cinnamon and ginger (both of which are also, you guessed it, anti-inflammatory) along with pineapple (which is great for digestion) and non-dairy coconut “ice cream,” (good for you fatty acids!), and a probiotic shot.

The end result is smooth and comforting, but with a noticeably spicy kick—check out the adapted recipe below, and prepare your blender for a busy winter.

Locali’s The Mystic “Milkshake” Makes 1-2 servings

1 Tbsp olive oil 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp ginger 2/3 cup hemp or coconut milk ½ cup frozen pineapple chunks 1 cup coconut ice cream (Note from Rosen: “Naked Coconut from Luna & Larry’s works great in this recipe.”)

1 shot vegan Bio-K (optional for an added probiotic boost)

Combine olive oil, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, and milk in a blender. If using a high-speed blender, blend mixture until warm. Add pineapple and ice cream and continue to blend until smooth. (Yahoo)

Why you shouldn’t drink coffee when you’re drunk If you’ve had a couple of drinks with dinner, you might be inclined to order a cup of coffee with dessert. Your hopes: to sober up and to perk up.

But that’s not a smart choice, says Robert Swift, M.D., Ph.D., the associate director of Brown University’s Center for Alcohol & Addiction Studies. Caffeine can trick your brain into thinking that you’re less drunk than you actually are, he says.

Here’s why: As soon

as you start drinking, alcohol signals your brain to pump out higher levels of the feelgood neurotransmitter dopamine.

In turn, dopamine activates the production of a chemical called cyclic AMP. Cyclic AMP makes your brain more active. You feel happier, and you’re more talkative and energized. To make sure your brain doesn’t go into overdrive during this time, your body keeps the chemical in check using special enzymes. ( But once you stop, alcohol’s sedative properties start

to kick in. The alcohol sparks the release of other neurotransmitters that start to slow down all of your brain’s processes.

You begin feeling tired and fuzzy, and your reaction time gets sluggish, says Dr. Swift.

But when you add an 8-ounce cup of coffee to the mix, the caffeine blocks the special enzymes that control the energizing cyclic AMP. This ramps up alcohol’s feel-good effects while turning down its sedating effects.

So even though alcohol continues to make your brain more

sluggish, you start to feel more energized and not as drunk. You may be more likely to go for another round or attempt to drive home.

And that’s problem because caffeine masks alcohol’s sedation, but it doesn’t actually reduce the amount of alcohol in your blood, says Dr. Swift. You’re still drunk.

What’s more, this alcohol-coffee mix screws with your body in bed. A few hours after you stop drinking it, alcohol causes an energizing rebound in your brain, which can cause you to wake up in

the middle of the night.

Your best bet, then, is to separate your booze from your brew. But if you must end your

meal with some coffee, make it decaf. (Adapted from Yahoo Health)

Couple, 2 young sons dead; apparent murder-suicide Authorities in a New Orleans suburb say a couple and their sons, aged 2 and 4, have been found fatally stabbed in an apparent murdersuicide at a home.

S h e r i f f Newell Normand has identified them

in a news release as 46-year-old David Mata, 40-year-old Kelli Mata, 4-yearold Caden Mata and 2-year-old Liam Mata.

He says Kelli Mata’s 18-year-old daughter by a previous marriage found the bodies when

she returned home shortly before midday Sunday from a trip.

S h e r i f f ’s spokesman Col. John Fortunato says investigators believe David Mata killed the others and then himself in the

house in Marrero, outside New Orleans.

He says both adults’ bodies were in the living room, and that the boys’ bodies were in separate bedrooms.

(MSN)

Brazilian police hunt Santa Claus who stole helicopter

Brazilian police are hunting for a Sao Paulo Santa Claus who kicked off the Christmas shopping season by stealing a helicopter.

The thief rented the aircraft late Friday from an air taxi service at the Campo Marte airport in Sao Paulo for a Black Friday “surprise,” the Sao Paulo state security secretariat said on Saturday.

During the flight, the Santa forced the pilot to fly to a small

farm outside of Sao Paulo city, where they were met by a third person, the secretariat said.

The pilot was tied up and the two perpetrators flew away.

After several hours, the pilot managed to escape and alert police. There has been no sign of the helicopter, a Robinson model 44, authorities said. (MSN)

Intruder dies in chimney after homeowner lights fire A suspected burglar who attempted to enter a California home through the chimney died on Saturday after the homeowner lit a fire without realizing anyone was inside, police said.

The man appeared to have climbed into the chimney during the night while the owner was away and then became stuck, according to

the Fresno County Sheriff ’s Office.

After the owner of the home in Huron lit a fire in his fireplace Saturday afternoon, he heard a man yelling inside the chimney as the house filled with smoke, the sheriff ’s office said in a statement.

T h e homeowner tried to extinguish the flames, but firefighters who dismantled the chimney during

a rescue effort found the suspect dead inside, the sheriff ’s office said.

The deceased man’s identity and cause of death have not been determined, Lieutenant Brandon Pursell of the Fresno County Sheriff ’s Office said by phone on Sunday. (Yahoo)

Dad-to-be drowns, two friends survive deadly Fishing Trip A fishing expedition on the Godineau River, La Romaine ended in tragedy on Saturday night as a father-tobe drowned after the pirogue he was in capsized after colliding with concrete pillar.

Vinod Lyndon Madho will never be able to celebrate the birth of his first child, expected

in February. Police said around 10 pm, Madho, 33, was in a pirogue with his relatives, Vasu Sookdeo, 29, and Suraj Katwaroo, 50, when it overturned along the Godineau River, where highway construction works are being done.

All three men were thrown off but Madho became stuck

under the vessel. His body was fished out of the river by Katwaroo a short while later but by then he was already dead.

Speaking at his family’s home yesterday, Madho’s father, Jainarine, said his son was eagerly awaiting the birth of his baby.

“His said that Madho could not swim and before he left on

the trip he insisted on wearing a life jacket.

For several minutes, Katwaroo and Sookdeo searched the waters hoping to find Madho, who was wearing a reflective life jacket. It was only later on they realised that Madho was trapped under the boat. (Adapted from the Trinidad Guardian)

Climate change: Why you should pay attention to the COP21 summit in Paris In Paris, world leaders are fretting over 2 degrees Celsius. Sound like a trivial pursuit? No. It’s huge.

That rise in average global temperatures would put us in a world never before known in recorded history.

The potential consequences? Think of a dystopic desert out of “Mad Max.” That 4-year extreme drought parching California? Try a 20-year megadrought drying out about eight states, desperate fights for drinking water and forest fires eight times the size of current ones.

Right now, we’re at about 0.85 degrees Celsius (1.53 degrees Fahrenheit) above the average temperature on Earth before massive carbon emissions

began. We should hit 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) by about midcentury.

So, back to Paris, where nearly 150 world leaders are working fight global warming at the COP21 -- it stands for Conference of Parties, and this is its 21st annual meeting. There has been a deal -- or treaty -- in the works to try to corral nearly 200 countries into getting a handle on the carbon emissions, which most all scientists agree is driving global warming.

It’s a very bare-bones agreement hammered out last year in Lima, Peru, at the COP20.

Back then, delegates came up with a basic principle

-- that the burden to cut emissions would be different for developed and developing countries.

Rich countries would help poor countries meet their goals and also help out with calamities caused by global warming -- like refugee crises triggered by coastal flooding. The details of the treaty to be hopefully signed this year in Paris were left pretty open. The leaders of the two biggest players in the deal met Monday in Paris. China and the United States are also the biggest emitters of greenhouse gasses.

Afterward, Obama said the two were on the same page about lowering carbon

emissions. “Nowhere has our coordination been more necessary or more fruitful than the topic that we’re here to discuss during the Paris conference, and that is how the world can come together to arrest the pace of climate change.”

There has been a recent hopeful sign, after China announced a plan to deal with emissions -- a capand-trade model. For the first time in China, there’d be a cost to companies for emitting carbon into the environment. With a cap on carbon emissions for individual companies, firms would trade or buy permits from each other to emit additional pollution.

But there has been despair as well. Though it’s

a start, critics don’t think China can accurately measure its output of carbon dioxide and other gasses and fear enforcement could easily get muddled.

Then there’s the United States. Early in his presidency, Obama attempted to enact a capand-trade system, but was unable to overcome bipartisan opposition, partly fueled by fears that such a law could hamper economic competitiveness with emerging economies like China’s.

And then there’s a major historic fail. It shows how hard it can be to get the world to work together on climate change.

Remember the Kyoto Protocol? It was adopted

ahead of the U.S. President. It was his first stop in Paris after arriving for climate talks with other world leaders.

It took him 45 minutes to get to the site from Orly Airport, where Air Force One touched down late Sunday.

The President’s motorcade arrived at the site in silence, passing down a cordoned-off Boulevard Voltaire at a slow speed. Heavily

armed French police stood guard at the corner of Rue Oberkampf, a block and a half from the theater, preventing pedestrians and traffic from passing by.

Obama is one in a succession of world leaders, British Prime Minister David Cameron included, who have paid respects at the Bataclan. But his visit was shrouded by tighter security, occurring

under cover of darkness on an abandoned avenue.

Police shouted at nearby residents peering out windows to return inside, and onlookers were told to continue walking toward the Place de la République. Obama himself was gone before long, remaining at the site for only minutes before continuing onward.

(CNN)

Ho w e v e r, nowhere is his call for peace and reconciliation more pressing than in Central African Republic, where thousands have died and hundreds of thousands have been displaced in clashes that have split the country

along religious lines.

Both the Christian majority and the minority Muslims have welcomed the pope’s visit, hoping he can spur renewed dialogue and help restore peace. Thousands of

PK5’s Muslims lined the road into the enclave to get a glimpse of the pontiff. (Adapted from Al Jazeera)

at the COP3 in 1997.

It was the bestknown milestone to come out of a previous COP -a nonbinding agreement by 192 states to lower greenhouse gas emissions to 5% below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012.

The United States did not ratify it and dropped out of it completely in 2001. Canada dumped it, too, in 2011. And China, India and other developing countries were exempt from it. (CNN)

Obama pays his respects to those slain in Paris President Barack Obama paid a midnight tribute Monday to the victims of the Paris terror attacks, laying a single white rose at the Bataclan club where ISIS terrorists unleashed carnage two weeks ago.

Saying nothing in blustery darkness, Obama paused to survey an overflowing pile of bouquets at the entrance to the theater, a makeshift

memorial to the 90 who died inside as gunmen stormed though.

He was joined

by French President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, each arriving

Pope Francis has made a visit to a communally sensitive neighbourhood in the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), urging the Muslim and Christian communities to set aside their differences and focus on rebuilding relations.

Francis visited on Monday the central Koudoukou mosque in the besieged Bangui district of PK5, an area that has seen some of the most horrific ChristianMuslim violence since a coup of March 2013.

He described Christians and Muslims as brothers, urging them to reject hatred and move towards a path of reconciliation.

“Christians and Muslims are brothers

and sisters ... those who claim to believe in God must also be men and women of peace,” he said. “Together, we must say no to hatred, to revenge and to violence, particularly that violence which is perpetrated in the name of a religion or of God himself.

God is peace, salam.”

PK5 has been cut off from the rest of Bangui for the past two months by a ring of anti-Balaka Christian fighters, who block supplies from entering and Muslims from leaving. A series of reprisal attacks in and around the PK5 enclave have claimed at least 100 lives since late September, according to Human Rights Watch.

CAR descended

into chaos in early 2013 when mainly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power in the majority Christian country, prompting reprisals from Christian armed groups. Leaders from both sides say the hate has been manipulated for political gain.

Addressing residents crowded into the mosque, Francis said his visit to CAR “would not be complete if it did not include this encounter with the Muslim community”.

Healing rifts between Christian and Muslim communities has been a theme throughout the pope’s first visit to the continent, which has also taken him to Kenya and Uganda.

Pope visits mosque in Africa

Kobe Bryant to retire at end of season “My body knows it’s time to say goodbye” wrote five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant as he poetically announced his intention to retire at the end of the season.

During a 20year career with the LA Lakers, the 37-year-old

Bryant has scored 32,683 points, though in recent seasons his form has been hindered by injury.

Bryant signaled his plan to retire in a poem on the Players’ Tribune website, later telling the media he felt “at peace” with his decision and

“excited for what’s to come.”

Ranked third on the NBA’s all-time list, the two-time Olympic gold medalist averaged

more than 25 points per game in his 1,293 NBA matches.

(CNN)

Olaf Scholz, the mayor of Hamburg, said the Games would cost up to $12.6bn with more than 75 percent of that amount being drawn from taxpayers.

H a m b u r g ’ s withdrawal comes after four of six bid cities dropped out midway through the campaign for the 2022 Winter Games, while Los Angeles replaced Boston as the US choice for the 2024 Summer Olympics earlier this year after the latter pulled out over financial concerns.

“The city [Hamburg] also misses

the investment of the IOC of about $1.7bn to the success of the Games, which compares to the 1.2bn euro [$1.27bn] Hamburg wanted to invest,” an IOC spokesman said.

The hosting of the Olympics has been increasingly scrutinised by residents living in the areas where the events take place. The lasting economic value of the Games has been put in the spotlight following reports about the abandonment of Olympic stadiums in Greece following the Athens 2004 event.

Some analysts have suggested Greece’s hosting of the Olympics played a role in the debt crisis that nearly brought about the collapse of its economy. The 2016

event in Rio has been criticised as the Brazilian government clears the way for new developments by destroying favelas housing the city’s poorest.

(Adapted from Al Jazeera)

of the Chandigarh Lions in the now-defunct Indian Cricket League in 2008.

The prosecution at Southwark Crown Court claimed Mr Cairns had lied when he promised during that earlier trial that he had never cheated. He was also accused of perverting the course of justice by inducing fellow New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent to give a false witness statement in a Skype call.

Speaking after the verdict, Mr Cairns, from

Auckland, said: “It’s not a victory as such because in a case like this, I really don’t think there are any winners.

It’s been hell for everybody involved. “I think reputationally I’m completely scorched, burned completely, but it hasn’t stopped me and it won’t stop me.”

Asked if he would work in the sport again, he replied, “No, no, no”, adding: “It’s my choice. I think it would be quite a hard environment to go back into. There has been

a lot of damage done and I think that’s unfortunate.”

Brendon McCullum, the current New Zealand captain, also gave evidence against Mr Cairns, accusing him of twice asking him to fix matches - the first time in Kolkata, India, the second in Worcester.

Mr Cairns acknowledged both meetings had taken place, but said there was nothing sinister about them and Mr McCullum’s version of events was wrong.

(Adapted from the BBC)

Narine may be able to play in domestic cricket events played under the auspices of the West Indies Cricket Board.

The development is a massive blow not only for Narine but for West Indies, especially with the Twenty20 World Cup set to be played in India starting next March.

He had opted out of the 50-over ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year, choosing rather to continue rehabilitation on his action,

after running into problems with his action last year.

Narine is currently the leading bowler in

both limited overs formats of the game. (Adapted from the (Trinidad Newsday)

German city votes to reject hosting Olympics

Residents in the northern German city of Hamburg have rejected plans to host the Summer Olympics in 2024, effectively ending the multi-billion dollar project. Just under 52 percent of 650,000 voters decided against the plans on Sunday, leaving Los Angeles, Budapest, Rome and Paris to compete for the right to host the event.

The bid’s CEO Nikolas Hill said organisers had “expected a different result” but the

results of the referendum will be respected. “The result nevertheless is clear for us, we have to accept it. There will be no discussion or rethinking it. That is it. That is what they wanted,” Hill told the Reuters news agency.

The move by residents of Hamburg is the second time Germans have scuppered plans to host the Games. Munich earlier rejected proposals to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. In October

Ex-New Zealand cricket captain cleared of perjury

Former New Zealand cricket captain Chris Cairns has been found not guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice. Mr Cairns, 45, was accused at Southwark Crown Court of falsely declaring under oath during a 2012 libel case that he had “never,

ever cheated at cricket”.

He had successfully sued Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi for accusing him on Twitter of match-fixing.

The retired all-rounder said the trial had been “hell for everyone involved”. His former adviser, barrister

Andrew Fitch-Holland, 50, from Manchester, was also cleared of perverting the course of justice.

Mr Cairns is considered one of New Zealand’s greatest ever all-rounders, having played 62 Tests for his country between 1989 and 2004.

In the 2012 libel case - England’s first Twitter libel trial - Mr Cairns won damages of $130,000 (£90,000).

Mr Modi’s tweet in 2010 accused the cricketer of match-fixing while captain

The career of beleaguered West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine lay in tatters yesterday after the International Cricket Council banned him from bowling in international cricket because of an illegal action.

The 27-year-old was reported following the third One-Day International against Sri Lanka earlier this month and after undergoing testing at the Loughborough University on November 17, his action was found to exceed the 15 degrees level of tolerance on “all

variations of his deliveries”.

Narine will be allowed to play in West Indies Cricket Board tournaments but will be forced to curtail all other international commitments. He is currently campaigning in the Bangladesh Premier League and will now have to abort his campaign for Comilla Victorians.

“The International Cricket Council today confirmed that an independent assessment has found the bowling action of West In-

dies Sunil Narine to be illegal and, as such, the off-spinner has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect,” the ICC said in a release.

“In accordance with Article 6.1 of the regulations, Narine’s international suspension will also be recognised and enforced by all National Cricket Federations within domestic cricket events played in their own jurisdiction, save that, with the consent of the West Indies Cricket Board,

Narine banned from bowling by ICC

Monday November 30, 2015

-SEE PAGE 14

NARINE BANNED FROM BOWLING