GNN Online Newspaper - Oct 14, 2015

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

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GOVERNMENT PAY HIKE:

“TRUST US” -PAGE 2

GOVERNMENT PAY HIKE:

“TRUST US”-TROTMAN

Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman addressing the media

Government is not reneging on its decision to raise the salaries of Ministers, Parliamentarians and Advisors even though it has come in for harsh criticisms over such move. Minister of Governance Rapheal Trotman at a post Cabinet

media conference on Wednesday stated that the increases are justifiable as was explained over time by a number of his colleagues.

Trotman was quoted at a press conference on August 5, 2015 saying that “Cabinet Ministers will

not be given astronomical increases,” however, when asked about the recently gazetted increases against the backdrop of Public Servants receiving 5% increase Trotman stated that “50% is not astronomical, 100% is astronomical, 50%

is fair.”

At the same press conference on August 5, Trotman gave the assurance that government will not be pushing ahead with the proposed increases this year.

When further

pressed by the media Trotman stated that “We say to the people of Guyana to trust us, you've trusted us with government on May 11 we ask for you continue to trust and believe in us… we are not numb to the concerns of the people but we are asking for the people to trust us so that we can bring that better life to them.”

The Minister of Governance further justified the increases when he said that if a comparative analysis were to be done on salaries of Government and Judicial officers throughout the Region it would reveal that what the Government is giving is in no way above or far from the norm.

Further, he explained that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo got just about 5% increase and there is nothing that says everyone got the same. “I think were also escaping the fact that the leader of the opposition got a sizeable increase so did every Member of Parliament.”

He revealed that there is a proposal before Cabinet for consideration to be given for former Members of Parliament of all the parties who have served throughout the years. ”Many of them get a sum of $20,000 and they complain from the Parliament so we are looking to address some disparities and some asymmetries that exist,” Trotman stated.

He said there is no part of the world has the increase of salaries, particularly politicians gone down well, adding that there is always pubic opinions. He alluded to the fact that in some countries it has led to riots.

Some members of Trade Unions, Civil society Groups, and ordinary citizens along with the Opposition, have spoken out against the Government's move pointing out that Public Servants were only offered a 5% increase in this year's budget.

HARMON'S COMMENTS NOT NECESSAIRLY GOVT'S POSITION - TROTMAN

Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman

Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman has distanced himself and government from comments made recently

by Minister of State Joseph Harmon regarding the

salary increases. Harmon was quoted in the media as saying that government has “no apologies” to make for increasing the salaries of Ministers and other officials.

When asked by the media about government's “no apologies” posture on the issue Trotman explained that Harmon was giving an opinion and it was not

necessarily the general position of the government. “The Press has been quoting a Minister who was asked to give a comment at an event was quite momentous and symbolic, perhaps he was caught off guard, not necessarily that it was misspeaking but it think he was giving an opinion,” he added.

H o w e v e r, following Harmon's statement in the media persons have since come out in condemnation, saying that it was “disrespectful” coming from a Minister of Government.

GNN made contact with Harmon on Monday October 12, for a comment on the issue

following the criticisms, however, he was unapologetic. “I have said what I have to say on the matter and I don't have anything more to say,” Harmon declared.

Trotman on Wednesday told the media that “it's not a matter of giving an apology or not giving an apology, but we provided, in our opinion – the explanation to the nation…we are not hiding…there is no need for us to run and hide there is no desire to do so.”

I n a n Extraordinary Official Gazette published on September 25, it was noted that the order for the increases was made on September 23, by Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

According to the order, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo will now be paid $20,580,000 per annum which works out to just over $1.7M per month.

Vice Presidents will receive $11,135,064 per annum or $927,000 per month. Senior government Ministers are slated for a $10M annual salary at 869,000 per month while Junior Ministers will receive close to $700,000 per month.

Parliamentarians will also be paid $2, 4 0 2 , 5 3 2 e a c h y e a r.

Increases were also given to the Chief Whips and the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.

COMMUNITY RECREATIONAL FACILITIES BEING DEVELOPED

As part of its efforts to restore the integrity of the Georgetown, the City council is working to restore play areas/recreational facilities in each community. According to Public Relations officer (PRO) at the Mayor & City Council (M&CC) Debra Lewis, these interventions will help to keep youths out of crime related activities.

“What would've happened for some time, we have given the playgrounds and park to some communities to manage and over some time, persons would've died, persons would have migrated, some of the community groups would have become defunct, so it's now being reclaimed by the M&CC” the PRO explained.

Lewis added that Play areas are common around the world in cities while research has proven that the value for houses in communities where play areas are available increase.

She noted that the project is being funded by the council in collaboration with private businesses.

“Most of the money is coming from the council's coffers and we have private citizens. People are providing their services free, we don't have to pay them and that makes the work even easier…we have the youth volunteer corp, we have a lot of private citizens on board, agencies that are seeking to partner with us, …people are coming onboard and helping in

the venture” A d d i t i o n a l l y, the council has embarked on a 'refuse receptacle campaign' Robb and Regent Streets where it was discovered that some businesses do not have the necessary receptacles which is mandated under the municipal and district council's act. This causes persons to litter. Lewis said in this regard, persons were issued notices to have the receptacles provided to customers.

These initiatives forms part of a wider 'cleanup campaign' that is being undertaken around the city. The project thus far saw the desilting of several drains and cleaning of alleyways and parapets.

CONTROVERSY BREWING OVER DATE FOR DEEPAWALI -strong possibility of two celebrations this year

If what is being articulated by some representatives of the Hindu community were to be realised, then for the first time in Guyana, there could be two celebrations of Deepawali on different nights. The date on the Hindu calendar, as prepared by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha

(GHDS), is for the festival to be celebrated on Wednesday, November 11, 2015. However, the Viraat Sabhaa, a newly formed local Hindu organization, is disputing this and is calling for the celebrations to be observed on Tuesday, November 10.

Speaking to GNN, a senior official of t h e Vi r a a t S a b h a a explained that, traditionally, four Hindu organisations, including the GDHS, would collaborate and agree on such dates. However, the official pointed that three have disagreed with the

date reflected on the G H D S c a l e n d a r. T h e official noted that the Viraat Sabhaa has become the largest local Hindu organization with respect to number of Pandits associated across the country. He said that the Viraat Sabhaa has since presented a petition to the government for consideration of a possible intervention to help prevent the festival from being celebrated on two separate days.

The petition was signed by approximately seventy Hindu leaders and Pandits which the official claims to be a vast majority of Hindu representatives in Guyana.

“We are willing to work with anyone, but would not compromise a violation pertaining to our religion”, he noted. GNN also spoke with the President of the GDHS, Dr. Vindiya Persaud, who

was pellucid that her organization would not want to engage in any fight over the date. She said while it's a free country, she would not want to see any division within the Hindu community.

She explained that the GDHS has been pronouncing on these dates for forty-one years and based on the same calculations used over that period, the 2015 date was derived. She added that other organisations were invited to participate in the deliberations but some chose not to attend. She noted that the GDHS would celebrate Deepawali on the Wednesday, November 11. The Viraat Sabhaa said its petition is based on calculations that show the moon ending at 01:47 p . m . o n We d n e s d a y, N o v e m b e r 11 , a f t e r which, automatically, a

new moon begins.

According to the Viraat Sabhaa, Deepawali cannot be celebrated in the new moon but must be observed on the darkest night of the year which, to its calculation, is Tuesday, November 10. The Viraat Sabhaa claims the calculations were based on the knowledge of renowned Astrologists, Kaushik, Kaashi and Bhaskaar. In addition, the Viraat Sabhaa explained that there are world zones for these dates and the zone for Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname shows the festival to be observed on November 10. Trinidad's celebration is slated for that date.

B o t h organisations remain cognizant of the possibility of two separate nights for Deepawali celebrations and the challenges it could pose for unity within the Hindu community.

BANDITS SEEM TO HAVE HAD KNOWLEDGE OF PICK UP – ROSHAN KHAN Founder of RK's Security Service, Roshan Khan, said that the men who attacked his security personnel on Sunday seemed to know the time and place of pickup hence they were able to spray the vehicle with bullets. During a press conference today (Wednesday) Khan noted that from information received the men who committed the robbery were awaiting the arrival of the transfer team and the pickup of the cash.

According to the company head he is of the view that there are cases where families, friends, workers and other persons collude to compromise and betray their employers and other families in an effort to aid killers, bandits and

robberies.

According to Khan, the situation on Sunday was a case where the security personnel could not have done anything as bullets were being sprayed from all over. Added to that, he told journalists that the rank injured in the attack is out of danger as expressed thanks to the Balwant Singh Hospital.

In addition, he announced that his company is offering a one million bounty for the person or persons who can provide his company or the police with information that may lead to the capture of the bandits who attacked his money transfer officers during the daring robbery on Sunday.

He pointed out that his company is not interested in the money, vehicles or any

other material things but rather the injury to the security personnel who were injured during the attack.

On Sunday the car in which ranks from the security firm were travelled in came under fire moments after they drove off from the Balwant Singh Hospital where they picked up just under four million dollars to deposit into a City bank on behalf of the hospital.

The Security Firm assured that the money is insured and that the process has already began to ensure that it is paid back to the health f a c i l i t y. T h a t p r o c e s s includes the submission of reports and the insurance company doing its own investigations coupled with some information from the Guyana Police Force.

ROSHAN KHAN

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EDITORIAL

SHOWING APPRECIATION; EVEN IN POLITICS It should not be difficult to assume that people give compliments to others where it's necessary and express appreciation in the same manner; at least generally for life without such seems unimaginable; generally of course. Who, regardless of gender, would not welcome a compliment? Who would n o t w e l c o m e commendable remarks in the execution of duties or for being thoughtful and doing something that positively impacts on others? While we are thought to do things not for compliments and accolades, it never hurts to receive; the challenge seems to be more in giving.

From all the school of thoughts, expressing appreciation generally tend to have a positive effect on the recipients. Some believe that an over indulgence by the givers may dilute sincerity and borders on being mockingly sarcastic.

While it may sound harsh, it seems an acceptable reality. Of course, like everything else, there are extremes. Some thrive on receiving such accolades, deservingly or not, and routinely prepare themselves as a receptacle.

This exacerbates and sustain the related expectations. However, when not forthcoming, despondency tends to prevail. But that's just an

extreme.

On the other hand, it appears that some just don't recognize the need to express any form of appreciation in any situation. This may be two-fold; simply oblivious of such a need or not being expressive. Again, extremes. But it would be remiss to omit an old cliché to the effect that a lack of expression of affection must not be interpreted as an absence of the feelings of emotion.

In other words, not because a compliment or appreciation is not expressed means that the task achieved is not appreciated. This points to the less or non-expressive o n e s . C o n v e r s e l y, expression of such may not necessarily be genuine as alluded to earlier.

The foregoing can generally and safely be classified and accepted as n o r m a l h u m a n interactions more on a “private” basis; of course with exceptions. It drastically changes however, or should, when dealing with what is considered as “public affairs”. This obviously relates to the utterances of public officials; more importantly, Politicians, specifically, those in the National Assembly. It sets up the question; why compliments and appreciation are not common among them?

Incidents of such were sporadic; very! Given the influence they have on the populace, it could not hurt or depreciate one's standing in the Noble House to expression appreciation.

Foremost for them, and in this case, the citizenry, is to express appreciation to all those who served and continues to, in the National Assembly and in the various governments over time. This becomes necessary given that those who served gave up their time and lives (for many, if not all) in service of our people; of us. All of our Presidents, Ministers and Members of Parliament, past and present, have basically dedicated their lives to serve people and country. While fondness would not be holistic for each, the fact is that they serve our country and each would have had instances when they would have impacted positively on lives of Guyanese. That must not be forgotten.

Of course, they are humans and subjected, g e n e r a l l y, t o s a m e emotional turbulence like all others. But their positive contributions must be recognized. The same for Ministers and Members of the National Assembly. Each sacrificed time taken from what could have been spent on family to help make a

difference. Success was not holistic and that should be understandable. What must be understandable and should be put into practice, is to routinely recognize not only successes, but the efforts of all of them, by them.

Imaging the impact, given their influence, if Members from both sides of the House were to engage in this. Not to over indulge of course, for which the consequence would defeat the intended purpose.

2016 marks fifty years for us as a nation, as the preparations begin, the mindset for genuine

inclusivity and appreciation must basically run on the same tract. What is wrong or what could be lost if a member of the Opposition were to commend a Minister on a project or initiative openly in the House? Similarly, what is wrong or what could be lost if a member of the government were to commend a Member of the Opposition? While there were few instances, the call for social cohesion through unity, can be boosted by such.

Genuinely of course!

Certainly, it must induce similar sentiments in the

populace.

The results can only be a positive one.

Death must not be the seemingly only opportunity to shower accolades on fallen mates.

The cliché of never speaking ill of the dead must not be the only impetus to force an e x p r e s s i o n o f appreciation. Let the old adage of “giving jack his jacket” be a guide. All are eligible for a jacket. Give them now for many sittings of the Noble House are assured. So too are press engagements.

POLICE CONFIRM 13 YEAR OLD WAS MOLESTED

The police say they have received reports of an allegation of sexual assault committed on a thirteen year old of Region 2, by a number of persons on more than one occasions.

Police, in a statement issued on Wednesday said the matter is under investigation. The statement clarified that the

teen was not gang raped, as was reported by one of the local daily Newspapers.

“The reports received in this matter on October 05, 2015, indicate that the victim was allegedly sexually assaulted by a number of persons over a period of time and not gang- raped on any one occasion as

stated in the article,” the statement clarified.

The police further clarified that contrary to what is stated in the article, no one has yet been charged in the matter and the Police are currently seeking legal advice.

Habitat Grassroot project in Region 10 stalled The Habitat For Humanity Guyana (HFHGY) Incorporated is awaiting response from the National Industrial and Commercial and Investments Limited (NICIL) to recommence construction of its 'resource center for creative community innovation' in Linden, Region Ten. This is according to Director of the HFHGY; Rawle Small during a recent interview.

The project which received funding to the tune of US $100,684 from the Japan government under its Grassroot Human Security project in February this year, was scheduled to be c o m p l e t e d i n approximately eight months. However, due to major setbacks with the

building, it is now expect to be completed by May, 2016.

“When we went to actually to start construction, we realised that part of the land is used for the old bauxite run-off; what's called the washer pond area so we could not have just laid the foundation because as we were taking out the dirt, slush kept coming back in.

W e g o t s o m e engineers...NICIL who leased us the land had a board meeting last Friday and the decision of that meeting will be contacted to us to know whether we are moving or not" Small explained.

However other components of the project is moving along. The

project includes four components focusing on solving social issues in the Region Ten communities.

The other three components are namely the dream catchers program, Restore and an open space initiative.

The Dream catchers program targeting youths from ages 15-25 will provide training on how to address social issues with communities by changing the way youths look at problems and instead help them to create jobs that solve the issues says the director.

H e s a i d " We would like to change the mindsets in terms of how young people view challenges in their community, often times

young people view these c h a l l e n g e s a s insurmountable or something that they are concerned about...or having an inability to do something about it..."

Persons will be required to identify problems affecting residents and formulate solutions while Habitat will commit to provide linkages to promising projects that require financing.

"It aims to help young people recognise, not only the potential but ways to apply creative thinking so some of the challenges they face. We're going to teach them problem solving skills, have to choose a social challenge at the

Community level, and apply the techniques" the director said.

Small said a consultant was contracted from International Centre for Applied Creativity and Imagination in Pennsylvania and is already helping to develop a curriculum for the programs as well as doing some training for trainers.

The 'Restore' component will help resell donated home improvement and construction material while the 'Open space initiative' will be used to demonstrate innovations

that are done at the centre.

Habitat is partnering with the Regional municipality, Regional Executive office, Linden technical institute , and churches in the communities as well as the government.

The Japan project under which he fund was donated aims to help non - governmental organisations develop their infrastructural capacity and enhance their skills training program targeting vulnerable youths.

Islamic New Year

begins The Islamic New Year will commence with the month of Muharram 1437 AH, on Thursday October 15th, 2015. This is according to a release from the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) The Hijri New Ye a r s y m b o l i z e s t h e historic journey of Prophet Muhammad (SAS) from Mecca to Madinah.

The Prophet's migration teaches us the virtues of unity, solidarity, sacrifice and fraternity.

This event has been celebrated over the centuries as a great victory for Islam and it provided unparalleled examples of brotherhood in our religion.

“Our New Year's resolution must include increasing our knowledge o f I s l a m a n d implementation of this knowledge in our private and public lives, “the release added.

T h e H o l y Prophet, Peace Be Upon Him, established Islam more than 1436 years ago on the principles of peace, justice, tolerance and respect for every human being irrespective of race or religion. Muslims must live in peace with the creator as well as the creation.

The population of Muslims in the world today is approximately 1.57 billion and can be found in every country.

“The Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be upon Him taught us that the power of peace is stronger than violence, the CIOG added.

The CIOG has extended New Year's Greetings to all Guyanese as it hopes that 1437 would be a year of progress and prosperity for the country and its people, and peace to prevail throughout the world.

MMA/ADA Issued Leases In Error

The Mahaica /Mahaicony/ Abary Agricultural Development Authority

(MMA/ADA) said it had to repossess lands leased to farmers at No. 42 village or

Seafield and No. 40 v i l l a g e , We s t C o a s t Berbice earlier this month

because the lands were issued in 'error'.

Speaking to the General Manager of the MMA/ADA Aubrey Charles he noted that the MMA/ADA was taken to court in October, 2014 for claiming the lands as state lands after the body regularized state lands in Region five. However the body still went ahead and leases the lands to other farmers causing it to once again having to repossess the lands pending the outcome of the matter.

He stated that “It was leased by the MMA but the leases were issued in error because there was a pending court matter and we went ahead and issued

the leases (in November, 2014) so when we recognize there was a matter before the High Court, we had no other alternative than to put a public notice in the paper for us to cancel those leases” He says the move was not political as is being suggested by the People's Progressive Party/Civic, (PPP/C).

During a recent press conference, it contended that the government is engaging of the repossession of farmlands through the MMA/ADA to give to its supporters. It further condemned the act of placing the notice in the

daily newspapers rather than delivering it to the farmers.

H o w e v e r, General Manager of the agriculture body clarified that the notices are usually published in the newspapers.

Following its recent repossession of the lands earlier this month, the MMA/ADA was once again taken to court on Friday last by the three farmers who claimed much monies will be lost following the authority's most recent decisions.

Communities benefitting from disaster response training Several communities have been benefitting from community based disaster response training through the Guyana Red Cross Society (GRSC) in partnership with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Regional Democratic Councils, the Ministry of the Presidency, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown.

Residents of Imbotero and Smith's Creek in the Barima River, Region 1, Kaiburi and Friendship in the Pomeroon River, Region 2, Crane and the Met-en-Meer-Zorg on the West Coast Demerara (WCD), Region 3, Albouystown, Lodge and Ruimveldt in Region 4 and Moraikobai in Region 5 are being trained. At the end of October, the participants

will be prepared to respond to future local or national disasters.

First Aid and Occupational Health S a f e t y ( O H S ) C o o r d i n a t o r, o f t h e GRSC, De Vaughn Lewis says the exercise is in response to the severity of the damage sustained and the level of vulnerability observed in these communities following the July 2015 flooding.

Demonstration exercise by youths of Orealla/ Siparuta

Heavy rains during that month caused severe flooding in five regions in Guyana: B a r i m a - Wa i n i , Pomeroon-Supenaam, Essequibo Islands- West Demerara, DemeraraMahaica and MahaicaBerbice. It resulted in varying degrees of damage to housing and buildings, livestock and farms, cash crops and water and sanitation facilities.

“Coming back

from that assessment and also reports, we decided that those communities were vulnerable and needed the help,” he said.

Using the sum of 148,142 Swiss francs obtained from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF), Lewis explained that from August 1, the GRSC began supporting the

delivery of disaster risk management assistance to 2,500 people (500 families) in these 10 communities.

He explained that this support, which is expected to conclude

by October 31, includes first aid training, CPR, as well as water and sanitation, hygiene and road safety (in some communities boat safety) promotion.

(GINA)

Bank of Guyana unveiled $80, $150 revenue stamps The Bank of Guyana today unveiled two revenue stamps valuing $80 and $150 respectively via collaboration with the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC). The stamps were made available at selected post offices countrywide. This symbolic event was hosted one day ahead of the bank's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Governor of the Bank Dr. Gobind Ganga s a y s t h e e v e n t commemorated the second stamp, since the establishment of the Bank.

The stamps were chosen with the theme of “Promoting Financial Development for Guyana's Prosperity” as this captures the past, the present and the

future roles of the Bank, in fostering monetary and financial stability, not only for the welfare of the people, but for sustainable growth and development of the country Ganga said.

He explained that “The cover shows the stamps and building of the Bank, which is an iconic landmark in Georgetown, since it was opened in 1966. The stamps and cover serve not only as treasured pieces of the Bank's history in its contribution to Guyana's development, but also as a t e s t i m o n y, a s a n institution that reflects the tenacity of an independent people.”

Abdul Hassan, GPOC Post Master G e n e r a l ( a g ) ,

congratulated the bank on its golden jubilee, stating that the commemorative stamps form the perfect souvenir to mark the anniversary. “ These stamps are treated internationally as valuables, a case in point is the British Guiana one-cent stamp, printed

locally, issued in 1856, and which is one of the world's most expensive and rarest stamps, sold last year at an auction for approximately US$9M, this stamp follows the same pattern,” Hassan outlined. He was referring to the British Guiana 1 cent Magenta stamp.

Also present at the event was Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson, indicated that the achievement is laudable.

The Minister said “The key in this economy is service, and as service providers, we

must forge effective and lasting partnerships built on trust, integrity, and reciprocity. The service sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in most economies, and we must all ensure that we provide s e r v i c e s o f q u a l i t y, ” (GINA)

TROTMAN DENIES CANADA TRIP WAS AN AFC MEETING

A Government delegation that recently visited Canada to “engage members of the diaspora who has interest in investing here,” has come under some scrutiny.

The delegation was led by First Vice President and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and comprised second Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin, and Public Infrastructure Minister David Pattersen.

Governance Minister Raphael Trotman told the media on Wednesday that the visit was a follow up one suggested by President David Granger who visited Canada last month and s p o k e o f t h e overwhelming sentiments expressed by Guyanese living there to return home and contribute to the development of the country.

Trotman said too

that there was a great interest in investment and development projects, especially infrastructural development.

The question was asked at a press conference on Wednesday whether it was indeed a government delegation that journeyed to Canada or it was fulfilling a request from the diaspora to meet with officials from the Alliance for Change (AFC) faction of the coalition.

T r o t m a n maintained that the delegation left on government business, adding that he did not realize that the team comprised of AFC members.

“We have one government comprising six political parties in one coalition, so any Minister or group of Ministers representing a meeting… whether I stand here before the press as a Minister I don't wear a

Minister Khemraj Ramjattan addressing the gathering in Canada.

In the background are the four Ministerial Advisors on the Diaspora

political hat, I wear a government hat so it quite escaped me, in fact, that it was comprised of only persons who are deemed to be AFC Ministers, Trotman said.

He said that when the President visited Canada in September

t h e r e w a s n o representative from the AFC on the delegation, but no one said that it was an APNU delegation.

“We don't see things in terms of party colour, we see things in terms of government, Trotman explained.

However, it was reported in the media that the delegation attended a Leadership Dinner on Monday at the Woodbine Banquet Convention Hall in Toronto.

At that event the appointment of four Ministerial Advisors on

the Diaspora was announced.

T h e n e w Ministerial Advisors are Tameshwar Lilmohan, who is the President of the AFC in Toronto, and Dr. Rohan Somar, Ron Alert and Earth Marshal from the United States.

AMAZING WORLD

“Aunty-Christ” aunt sues young nephew

A Manhattan woman is “Auntie-Christ” after being called the “Aunt she sued her 12-yearfrom Hell” and the o l d n e p h e w f o r

breaking her wrist when he hugged her.

Jennifer Connell had

arrived at her nephew's birthday party in Westport, Connecticut.

That's when the little boy, Sean Tarala, then eight, leaped into her arms, saying "Auntie Jen, I love you."

“She falls backwards and falls on her wrist, breaking it.

She was suing for more than $127,000 worth of damages,” New York Daily News reporter Chelsia Rose Marcius told INSIDE EDITION. That was four years ago but Connell's wrist was still wrapped in a brace as she left c o u r t o n Tu e s d a y.

Connell claimed she still suffers from the break, saying on the

stand that her injury was so bad she had difficulty holding a plate of hors d'oeuvres at a recent party.

The jurors apparently didn't appreciate the fact that an aunt was suing her little nephew, who lives in an Upper East Side walkup. It took them just 25 minutes to reach a verdict and send Aunt Jenny home without a penny.

“We just couldn't find him, you know, liable for what happened," one juror told reporters as she left court. The juror was asked: “Was it an easy decision for you guys?”

“No, it wasn't,” she

replied.

The little boy, now 12 years old, looked perplexed when he sat in court. To compound the family drama, Sean's mother, Lisa, passed away suddenly just a year ago.

The drama continued as the aunt, who insisted she loved her nephew, was driven away from court.

"Our client was very reluctant to pursue this case, but in the end she had no choice but to sue the minor defendant directly to get her bills paid... Her hand was forced by the insurance company," Connell's attorney said. (Yahoo News)

Giant, ancient viruses are thawing out in Siberia

Melting ice in the Arctic circle has been thawing out some gigantic ancient viruses. Last month, researchers announced they were studying a 30,000-year-old giant virus called Mollivirus sibericum that they found in melted Siberian permafrost. The virus was functional and able to infect amoeba.

This isn't the first time researchers have

found big viruses that have challenged what we thought we knew about the tiny invaders.

Mimivirus, discovered in 2003, has 1,200 genes and is twice the width of traditional viruses. But it was this most recently discovered virus which prompted several outlets to suggest that once it thawed out, it could escape and make lots of people sick.

New York Times columnist and " APlanet of Viruses" author Carl Zimmer said, "These particular viruses infect amoeba. So if you're an amoeba, yeah you should be really scared," "There are no human pathogens that have burst out of the Siberian permafrost.

That's not to say that viruses won't emerge, but there are so many viruses circulating in living

animals, I think we should put these frozen viruses very low on our list of concerns."

Instead, Zimmer said they were more fascinating than scary.

These viruses are about 30 times bigger than your average virus, rivaling the size of a bacterium. Here's a shot of Mollivirus sibericum under the microscope: In addition to its

unusual size, Mollivirus sibericum has other components which separate it from the vast majority of viruses. It has more than 500 genes, for example, which give the virus instructions for making proteins. By contrast, HIV has just nine genes. "They're in and of themselves fascinating and they really challenge us to think about what

viruses are," said Zimmer.

Viruses are technically not considered alive, but these giant viruses do seem to have some of the qualities of being alive, like a functioning metabolism. If we're ever going to rethink the characteristics of viruses, these giant thawed-out viruses will be the ones to make us do it. (Adapted from Yahoo News)

Regional

Regional

JAMAICAN WINS KAMLA RACKS MAN BOOKER PRIZE UP $6M

HELICOPTER BILL - ROWLEY Marlon James

Jamaican author Marlon James has won the Man Booker Prize for his novel inspired by the attempted assassination of Bob Marley in the 1970s. Michael Wood, chair of the judges, described A Brief History of Seven Killings as the "most exciting" book on the shortlist.

The 680-page epic was "full of surprises" as well as being "very violent" and "full of swearing". James was announced as the winner of the £50,000 prize in London on Tuesday. He is the first Jamaican author to win the Man Booker Prize.

Receiving the award, he said a huge part of the novel had been inspired by reggae music.

"The reggae singers Bob Marley and Peter Tosh were the first to recognise that the voice coming out our mouths was a legitimate voice for fiction and poetry." The 44-year-old author was presented with his prize by the Duchess of Cornwall. He admitted it was "so s u r r eal " t o w i n an d

dedicated the award to his late father who had shaped his "literary sensibilities".

Set across three decades, the novel uses the true story of the attempt on the life of reggae star Marley to explore the turbulent world of Jamaican gangs and politics. Wood said the judges had come to a unanimous decision in less than two hours.

He praised the book's "many voices" - it contains more than 75 characters - which "went from Jamaican slang to Biblical heights". He said: "One of the pleasures of reading it is that you turn the page and you're not quite sure who the next narrator will be."

B u t h e acknowledged that some of the content might be too much for some readers. "Someone said to me they like to give Booker winners to their mother to read, but this might be a little d i f fi c u l t . " Wo o d admitted his own mother wouldn't have got beyond the first few pages on the basis of the

swearing.

"A lot of it is very very funny," he added. "It is not an easy read. It is a big book.

There is some tough stuff and there is a lot of swearing but it is not a difficult book to approach." In his novel's acknowledgements, Marlon James himself thanks his family but adds: "This time around maybe my mother should stay away from part four of the book".

This is the second year the Man Booker prize has been open to all authors writing in English, regardless of nationality.

James, who currently lives in Minneapolis, US, can expect a dramatic boost in sales following his win. After A Brief History of Seven Killings was named on the Booker shortlist last month sales tripled to more than 1,000 copies a week, according to Nielsen Book Research.

(Adapted from the BBC)

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says the Leader of the Opposition Kamla Persad-Bissessar flew for 636 hours while she was head of government at a cost to taxpayers of more than $6 million. Rowley made the statement during his contribution to yesterday's debate on the 2016 national budget in the House of Representatives.

He said that might be linked to a dubious contract for use of specific helicopters by the National Operations Centre.

Rowley told legislators: “That kind of expenditure ought not to be on the backs of the people of T&T.” He said he had no intention to follow in Persad-Bissessar's

footsteps and would be travelling by land and sea.

He said the NOC, which was set up as a coordinating agency for national security agencies in the country “seems to be trying to become another operational arm of the State.”

Rowley said when he assumed office as Prime Minister he saw a document requesting payment of a $500 million commitment for a company called Bell Helicopters. He said he had “some concern as to how that contract was issued.” He said there was no money budgeted for that helicopter contract “but the country was contracted by an officer of

the State.” He said when questions were raised about who authorised the contract nobody knew.

Rowley said the National Helicopter Services Ltd (NHSL) was approached “to try to get them to sign on to this thing and they refused.”

According to Rowley, the “transaction regarding the loan financing was not completed by NHSL.” Rowley said it was a questionable arrangement.

He told Parliament the Ministry of National Security “will look into this and report to the population further as we go forward.”

(Adapted from the Trinidad Guardian)

INTERNATIONAL

'Dead' man wakes up on autopsy table, dies after

A homeless Indian man who had been pronounced dead woke up on an autopsy table, shocking hospital staff who were about to begin a post-

mortem. Police in Mumbai said they found the man, who has not been named, unconscious and suffering from multiple infections on

Sunday morning and took him to the local hospital.

A doctor at the Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital certified the

man as dead and sent the body for autopsy, according to deputy Commissioner, Ashok Dudhe. "As the autopsy was about to begin, the man awoke triggering chaos after which the doctors rushed to the room. Then they snatched the death certificate from my staff and tore it up," Dudhe said.

Hospital dean Dr Suleman Merchant said the police forced the error by asking doctors to examine the man on the road outside the hospital, because they were busy with security arrangements for a visit by

Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"They forced my doctor to examine the patient on the roadside as they wanted to rush back to the prime minister's security duty," Merchant said. "Had the police allowed my staff to take the man indoors, they might have been able to do a better job," he said.

The man is being treated in the hospital for severe malnutrition, suspected alcoholism and substance abuse, Merchant said. "He is delirious still and we are trying to stabilise him.

Let's hope the damage from his past can be tackled," the dean said.

Police officer Dudhe called the suggestion police were responsible for the mix-up "ridiculous" and said the hospital was "trying to cover up their negligence".

Mumbai's police are regularly faced with unclaimed dead bodies and media reports have suggested mortuaries are running out of space to hold the corpses.

T h e m a n subsequently died.

(AFP/Yahoo News)

China's Millionaires Are Leaving China The jury may be out permanently on the old question of if money can buy happiness, but that hasn't stopped wealthy Chinese families from trying. There is a growing trend among China's richest to use their wealth to move themselves and their families abroad.

This is done primarily in the form of investment visas.

On the flip side, a number of countries are opening the doors to the estimated 1 million Chinese millionaires, provided they bring their money with them.

It's something of a bidding war in reverse, for which Australia wins the prize: all it takes is AU$5 million

(US$3.6 million) of investment to apply for permanent residency.

Other countries are n o t n e a r l y s o g r e e d y, although the different terms on offer make the price of a visa difficult to compare.

The U.S., for example, will take just $1 million for a green card, offering residence. That's for an investment that generates 10 jobs for at least two years, although under the so-called EB-5 program, investment in a public development project can be a less-risky substitute.

This figure halves if the investment is in a rural area or in an industry suffering from high employment.

Terms from other countries vary, investing 1 million pounds ($1.5 million) in the U.K. will buy up to five years of residency while purchasing 500,000

euros ($569,000) worth of Spanish property grants foreigners residency for as long as the property is retained.

None of these visas

are restricted to Chinese nationals. However, China's the place to find nouveau riche these days, and since being introduced, the programs have all been dominated by potential investors from the Middle Kingdom who want out.

Chinese citizens made up eight of 10 investor visas issued by the U.S. State Department last year. George Osborne, the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, declared that the U.K. would focus on making it easier for Chinese investors to enter the country.

Canada is going in the opposite direction. It canceled its investment visa earlier this year after the

process became overrun by Chinese applicants. It was one of the cheapest routes out of China. The Canadian government said the program significantly undervalued Canadian permanent residency. It also provoked local resentment, as wealthy immigrants bid up property prices in places like Vancouver.

Chinese parents are concerned about raising kids in an environment with filthy air and a critical lack of clean water. It all sounds a bit mercantile. But if it's not happiness they're buying, sounds like they're still getting a lot for their money.

(Adapted from Yahoo News)

US Court revives lawsuit over NYPD spying on Muslims A coalition of Muslim groups can pursue a civil rights lawsuit that accuses New Yo r k C i t y p o l i c e o f conducting secret surveillance of Muslims in New Jersey without suspicion of criminal activity, a U.S. appeals court ruled on Tuesday.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia reversed a lower court's decision to throw out the case, finding the plaintiffs had legal standing to assert claims that the counterterrorism program violated their rights.

"We have learned from

experience that it is often where the asserted interest appears most compelling that we must be most vigilant in protecting constitutional rights," Circuit Judge Thomas Ambro wrote for a three-judge panel, invoking the U.S. internment of Japanese-Americans during World War Two. A spokesman for the city's law department said the city was reviewing the ruling. The program became widely known after a series of articles by the Associated Press, which reported that police officers were infiltrating Muslim

organizations throughout the greater New York region in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, who criticized the effort on the campaign trail, ended the program after taking office in 2014, according to media reports.

The plaintiffs in the case, including New Jersey imams, business owners and students, sued New York in 2012, claiming the surveillance subjected them to discrimination, threatened their careers and caused them to stop attending

religious services, among other effects.

But U.S. District Judge William Martini in Newark, New Jersey, dismissed the case in February 2014, finding the city had persuasively argued that the surveillance was an antiterrorism, not an antiMuslim, program. The appeals court decision does not resolve the merits of the case but returns the lawsuit to Martini for further proceedings.

"There is no Muslim exception to the Constitution," said Baher Azmy, legal director for the

Center for Constitutional Rights, which represents the plaintiffs along with Muslim Advocates. The case is one of several lawsuits filed against New York over the program.

T h e N e w Yo r k Civil Liberties Union brought a similar claim in Brooklyn federal court in

2013. In addition, a group of civil rights lawyers filed papers in Manhattan federal court, claiming the surveillance runs afoul of a longstanding court order limiting how the police can monitor political activity.

Both of those disputes have been settled, according to court filings.

(Reuters/Al Jazeera)

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RTS

MALIK'S DOUBLE KARUNARATNE'S AND SHAFIQ'S TON KEEP TON GRIND WI AT BAY IN ENGLAND

SRI LANKA Dimuth Karunaratne

Asad Shafiq helped Pakistan put on a record score against England for the fifth wicket

Playing his first Test match in five years, Pakistan's Shoaib Malik compiled 245 in a ten and a half hour turn at the crease. He was supported by Asad Shafiq who hit 107 at the end of day of the first Test against England. Played in Abu Dhabi, Pakistan has clearly seized the initiative with a first innings score of 523 for 8 declared.

England in reply were 56 – 0 with Captain Alistair Cook on 35 and Moeen Ali on 15.

The MalikShafiq partnership was a fifth-wicket record for Pakistan in Tests against England, beating the 197run stand at Lord's between Javed Burki and Nasim-ul-Ghani that had stood since 1962. It continued their run of staggering batting form in Tests in Abu Dhabi, where they have never yet lost a

match and where they have now recorded 11 hundreds in their last twoand-a-half Tests, dating back to the visit of Australia last October.

M a l i k , i n particular, batted with the insouciance of a man in utter command of the attack and the conditions, and Rashid bore the brunt of his aggression, not least when he opened his shoulders with his doublecentury in the bag, first to wallop him over extra cover for four before pumping his next delivery clean down the ground for the third of his four sixes.

Pakistan's declaration left England needing to bat out 23 overs in the day, a task that put a particular spotlight on Moeen Ali, whose 30 wicketless overs weren't exactly the ideal way to focus his mind for the task

ahead.

But to his and Cook's credit, they made it to the close with the minimum of fuss.

Pakistan's seamers found as little in the conditions as England had extracted, and arguably were even less effective given their slightly erratic lines of attack.

The only real alarm came from the second ball of the innings when Cook jabbed down in the crease at Rahat Ali and all but emulated his mentor Graham Gooch in punching the ball away from his stumps as it bounced up alarmingly.

Gooch, at Old Trafford in 1993, couldn't help himself; Cook managed to resist his urges and lived to fight another day.

(Adapted and modified from Espncricinfo)

An unbeaten century from Dimuth Karunaratne ensured Sri Lanka negotiated the opening day of the series with a sense of calm and lost only two wickets on a slow Galle pitch. Sri Lanka grew increasingly dominant as the day progressed. The final session produced over 43% of the runs they scored on the day, and ended with a punchy Karunaratne straight drive that took the score from 246 to 250 for the loss of 2 wickets.

West Indies did themselves no good by dropping two catches in

the middle session. The first spill didn't cost them Lahiru Thirimanne, the reprieved batsman, was disimissed soon after - but the other - a backtracking Jerome Taylor failing to grasp Dinesh Chandimal at mid-on when he miscued an attempted pull off Devendra Bishoo certainly did. Chandimal, who was on 11 at that point, went on to end the day unbeaten on 72, having added 149 with Karunaratne.

In the first two sessions, accurate bowling and a slow pitch ensured Sri Lanka never ran too far ahead of their

opponents. But they took control in the period immediately after tea, when West Indies began proceedings with Bishoo and Marlon Samuels and kept them going in tandem for 16 overs. It was a strange tactic, given that We s t I n d i e s ' a t t a c k contained four frontline quicks - it was, perhaps, an admission that they had got the selection wrong and those 16 overs went for 53 runs - the run rate of 3.31 comfortably above the rate of 2.56 that Sri Lanka had scored at until tea.

(Adapted from Espncricinfo)

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RTS Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets beats Police to advance to Telenec semi final Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets has set up a mouth-watering clash with Young Warriors Cricket Club in the only semi final of the Bobby Deonarine a n d To m G r u n t z e l sponsored Tenelec Inc 2015 50 Over Round Robin First Division Cricket Competition organized by the Berbice Cricket Board, by beating Police by four wickets in a low scoring encounter, the final playoff game.

The match which was fixed for the Edinburgh ground, was switched to the Area 'H' ground at the last minute due to a sudden downpour

in the East Bank, Berbice area with the agreement of both teams and umpires, saw Police winning the toss and decided to take first strike in a game that was reduced to 36 overs a side due to the late start.

T h e y immediately lost skipper Brentnol Woolford who was bowled by pacer Clinton Pestano for no score and never recovered. They were eventually bowled out for 101 in 26.5 overs.

Essequibo senior opener Norwayne Fredericks was the only batsman providing resistance with 27.

Bowling for Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets, pacer Keon Sinclair took 3 for 13 off 7 overs, Collis Butts 3 for 30 off 6.5 overs with Berbice senior pacer Clinton Pestano and Troy Mathieson supporting with two wickets a piece.

Needing to score 102 from 36 overs on a tricky pitch due to late preparation, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets suffered an immediate set back by losing test player Assad Fudadin caught at first slip off the first ball off the bowling of former Berbice pacer Michael Newland for no score.

However, Jason Sinclair then joined Vidal Crandon and together they put on 47 for the 2nd wicket before Crandon was trapped LBW by Kwesi Mickle for 15.

Sinclair also went via the same route for a well played 35. Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets lost Renwick Batson (00) and Clinton Pestano (05) in quick succession to be shakily placed at 70 for 5 in the 19th over.

They were saved by level headed batting by the experienced Rajiv Ivan (15) and Eon Hooper 12 who took the score to 93 before Hooper was

bowled by Mickle. Ivan was unfortunately then struck in the eye from a sweep shot and retired hurt for 15.

Skipper Shawn Pereira 05 not out and Troy Mathieson 01 not out saw their team to victory and into the semifinals which is fixed for Saturday October 17th at the Area 'H' ground. Bowling for Police, offspinners Andel Doris claimed 3 for 14 and Kwesi Mickle 2 for 26.

Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club has named a strong 15 man squad for the semifinals.

The squad would be led

by Shawn Pereira with Clinton Pestano as his deputy. Collis Butts is the Coach. Full squad: Shawn Pereira (captain), Assad Fudadin, Vidal Crandon, Royston Crandon, Jason Sinclair, Rajiv Ivan, Clinton Pestano, Eon Hooper, Renwick Batson, Troy Mathieson, Collis Butts, Keon Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Keith Simpson and Junior Sinclair.

The winner of the semi final will take on the invincible Albion on Sunday October 27, 2015 (tentative) at a venue to be named.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

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ROSE HALL TOWN ADVANCE TO TELENEC SEMI FINAL -see page 13