Tuesday, October 27, 2015
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RAMOTAR AND EU AMB. SPAR OVER GRANTS SPENDING IS NECESSARY TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY -PAGE 7
Guyana explores green technology opportunities
Minister Raphael Trotman
Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman last week represented Guyana at the Fifth KoreaCaribbean High-Level Forum which focused primarily on opportunities for new and renewable
energies that are made available by Korea to the Caribbean and Guyana. According to Minister Trotman, the timing of the forum was fortuitous for Guyana, as the country transitions into
a green economy and looks elsewhere for good examples for adaptation. He noted that the Republic of Korea is a noted developer and utiliser of alternative energy technologies and has
signaled its strong commitment to working with individual Caribbean states - bilaterally, or through the CARICOM Secretariat, to bring these new technologies to the Caribbean. Minister Trotman also used the opportunity to hold one-on-one discussions with Korean government ofďŹ cials and with executives of the manufacturing companies with a view to inviting a delegation to visit Guyana in the near future to advance opportunities for both government and the private sector here. The meeting was hosted under the theme "Enhancing the KoreaCaribbean Partnership in the Field of New and Renewable Energy," set against the backdrop of the challenges posed by climate change. The delegates
included representatives from the CARICOM Secretariat, Guyana, Suriname, Haiti, Jamaica, Antigua, Dominica, St. Vincent, St. Kitts & Nevis and the Bahamas and were afforded several opportunities to discuss policy matters on energy and climate change. In addition, they were able to interact with manufactures and stakeholders. Site visits were facilitated to several renewable energy generating sites including; a range from hydro to solar and bio-mass power generation. Delegates at the inaugural KoreaCaribbean Forum, held in 2011 discussed a Development Strategy and International Cooperation with the Caribbean, and KoreaCaribbean Cooperation for Green Growth. The following year at the
second Forum eGovernment, Marine E n v i r o n m e n t Management and New and Renewable Energy were discussed. The Third Forum sought practical and productive ways to increase cooperation between Korea and the Caribbean States and in particular to promote tourism cooperation. The Fourth Forum reviewed progress in KoreaCaribbean cooperation since 2012 and discussed avenues to further deepen and broaden the partnership. This Fifth Forum revisited some topics previously discussed such as Renewable Energy and E - G o v e r n m e n t Management, but also addressed the new and extremely vital topics of Climate Change and Disaster Management.
TEN PATIENTS BENEFIT FROM EYE SURGERIES AT GPHC Ten patients recently benefitted from follow- up eye surgeries performed by a four-man team from “ Wo r l d C l a s s E y e Surgeons” based in Port of S p a i n , Tr i n i d a d . T h e surgeries were performed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). During the visit, D r. R o n n i e B h o l a , a Trinidadian Vitreo-Retinal Specialist and Head of World Class Eye Surgeons was able to perform surgeries on patients who had earlier undergone retinal surgeries in Trinidad, but needed
follow-up surgery. Dr. Adesh Maharaj, an Orbit and Oculoplasty Specialist, conducted operations on four children with strabismus (squint eye). The aim of strabismus surgery is to correct the misalignment of the eyes. The four children were operated under general anaesthesia at the GPHC. A f t e r t h e surgeries on Saturday morning, the children were excited about getting their eyes correctly a l i g n e d . D r. L a m y Badette, ophthalmologist, working in the
An eight- year old patient, before and after her surgery by the visiting team of Trinidadian doctors at the GPHC
Department of Ophthalmology at GPHC, also worked along with Dr. Mahabir on these paediatric cases. On October 23, the ophthalmologists were also involved in a
Continued Medical Education (CME) Session, organised by Alcon Tr i n i d a d / A n s a M c A l Group and GPHC. They delivered lectures on various eye conditions and were able to enhance the
knowledge base of local ophthalmologists, optometrists, general physicians and students. The Eye surgeons pointed out that they were extremely happy with this mission and they hope to
continue doing such charitable missions to Guyana in the future. The patients were also thankful, not having to make the trip to Trinidad for the services.
As Christmas approaches…
Security readiness of Regent St. Businesses examined arrangements in place to protect their customers and or themselves. This is not the first time that Commander Clifton Hicken would have
Commander Hicken during his walk-about in Regent Street today
The police in “A” Division today conducted a walk about along Regent Street as part of preparations ahead of the Guyana Police Force annual Christmas Security arrangements. The team was headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police and “A” Division Commander Clifton Hicken.
He was also accompanied by his deputy, Senior Superintendent Ian Amsterdam, Divisional Detective Huge Jessemy and woman Traffic Inspector, Layne. During the walk about the police team met with owners and supervisors of businesses along the route where the issue of advance and
adequate security postures for the upcoming high economic period are catered for. Examinations were done to the CCTV set up at the establishments and advice was given to the principles. During the visits there were some businesses which were found to be operating without any forms of security
walked Regent Street to check on the security postures of the business located along that route. T h e s a m e approach was adopted
twice last year and the feedbacks were used to form the security posture for the Christmas Security arrangements for that part of the city.
Ramotar and EU Ambassador spar over support grants
Former President Donald Ramotar
Former President Donald Ramotar says the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Guyana Jernej Videtič, did not acquaint himself with the issue regarding the withholding of budget support grants due to Guyana by the EU before pronouncing on it. The Ambassador via a Facebook post stated that the grants were withheld because Guyana was not in compliance with the conditions required for disbursement. He said “in fact, it was the previous government of Guyana that did not deliver on the terms of the agreement with the EU, including by making little progress in public finance management reforms and by effectively suspending parliamentary oversight of the budget through the prorogation of the parliament. It must be remembered that these funds are European citizen's taxes, and we have a duty to carefully ensure all of our criteria are met before any funds can be released.” The Ambassador said Mr. Ramotar also implied that the sugar industry's difficulties were caused “by the changed trading arrangement of the European Union”. According to him, the EU sugar regime was changed not due to a unilateral decision by the EU, but due to a ruling by the World Trade Organisation. “In order to mitigate the effects of this ruling the European Union has given over €110 million – that is 26 billion Guyanese dollars – to Guyana to restructure its sugar industry. The European Union has been a strong and reliable partner of Guyana for over forty years, and will continue to be in the future”, the Ambassador's statement pointed out. However, Ramotar in a statement issued today, noted that “In January 2015, my Government issued a release stating as follows: "Government now wishes to make publicly available the attached communication from the same EU Delegation, dated 8 September 2014, indicating clearly that Guyana had met the eligibility criteria required to qualify for disbursements totaling €25,858,025, and that the same Delegation had recommended disbursement of this sum to the EU Budget Support Steering Committee in Brussels which was due to meet on 17 September 2014." The former President said at the time of making that release, his government pointed out that the EU Delegation had stated in writing that the conditions were fulfilled and had further stated in writing that they were recommending the disbursement of €25.9 million on the basis of their satisfaction with fulfilment of the required conditions. Ramotar went on to state that at the time of the January 2015 statement, it was further pointed out that Parliament was not prorogued until 10 November 2014, so the prorogation of Parliament could not possibly have been a basis for withholding a disbursement due since September 2014. “In fact, after Guyana had qualified for the
EU Ambassador to Guyana Jernej Videtic
grants and encountered the first delays in their disbursement, in a meeting in my office with the then EU Ambassador, I was advised that the reason for the delay was the impasse over the anti-money laundering legislation. No mention was made about the prorogation of Parliament, not surprisingly because prorogation was only to come much later, and no mention was made about any conditions not being met. The sole matter mentioned was the delay in passage of the anti-money laundering legislation, Ramotar clarified. According to the former Head of State, the indisputable fact is that Guyana did meet the conditions required for disbursement, the technical officers at the EU Delegation and the EU's contracted technical experts were satisfied that these conditions were met, they confirmed this in writing to my Government at the time, but the disbursements were subsequently withheld with absolutely no legitimate basis. Indeed, with all that has transpired since, it is now evident that the withholding of these grants was an act of political interference. “I maintain my earlier position that Guyana had qualified for the budget support grants and that these were unjustifiably and arbitrarily withheld by the EU, and I reproduce hereunder the communication previously released publicly in January 2015. Below is a copy of the email provided by the former President ---------- Forwarded message ---------From: SANDKER Ewout (EEASGEORGETOWN) Date: Mon, Sep 8, 2014 at 4:07 PM Subject: Budget support payments To: Ashni Singh Cc: "KOPECKY Robert (EEASGEORGETOWN)", "MADL Benedikt (EEAS-GEORGETOWN)", Tarachand Balgobin, Sonya Roopnauth Dear Minister, This is to inform you that the Delegation has submitted a positive disbursement advice to its Headquarters with regard to the budget support tranches listed below. They will all be discussed for decision by our Budget Support Steering Committee on 17 September 2014. If I am not mistaken it is the first time that the budget support disbursement requests for Guyana have been submitted this early in the second semester, maximizing the chances for
payments within the budgetary year (as they are always subject to availability of payment credits). I believe this is illustrative for the good cooperation between your office, the line Ministries involved and the Delegation, for which I would like to express my appreciation. I take the opportunity to thank you for providing us with detailed information on the nonl e g i s l a t i v e m e a s u r e s r e l a t i n g t o C FAT F recommendations, which I am sure our colleagues in Headquarters will find very useful and informative. As soon as we have been debriefed by our Headquarters we will let you know about the result of the Steering Committee. Kind regards, Ewout Sandker 10th EDF Sea Defences: Fixed tranche 2013: 2.8 Mio € - the Delegation recommended full payment based on fulfillment of general conditions Variable tranche 2014: 3.5 Mio € - the Delegation recommended payment of 2.905 based on fulfillment general criteria and of specific criteria 1 and 2 (except for sub-indicator on the condition survey not reaching the required length surveyed). Sugar AAP 2012: Variable tranche: 2. 784 Mio € recommended for full payment based on fulfillment of general conditions and indicators 3 and 8 Sugar AAP 2013: Fixed tranche 6.9 Mio € - - the Delegation recommended full payment based on fulfillment of general conditions Variable tranche 12. 075 Mio – the Delegation recommended payment of 10,469,025 based on fulfillment of the general conditions and indicators 1,3,4,6,8. Indicator 5a was not considered fully met as the foreseen investment of the whinch system at Skeldon was not done during the foreseen time. Total: The Delegation recommended payment of 25,858,025 EUR.
BARAMITA RESIDENTS' CONCERNS BEING ADDRESSED Residents of Baramita have raised concerns regarding security, roads, governance, young girls engaging in early sexual activities, children consuming alcohol at an early age, suicide, child labour, and other social ills as issues affecting the c o m m u n i t y. T h e s e concerns were raised during meetings with residents and government ministers at the weekend. The residents are asking for more medical outreaches, since they are cases of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases among the youths. They are also calling for interventions to help combat Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), tackle suicide, sexual abuse and substance abuse. The number of suicides, between the years 2006 and 2015 has risen to 69, with 10 in 2014 alone while the most recent case of rape was an eight -year old Carib girl, who was hauled into the bushes, raped and left there. It was alleged that the perpetrator was a coastlander and nothing
was done with regards to a proper investigation. It was mentioned that while high-wine usage is common, marijuana, cocaine and other illicit drugs are also being utilised. To address the concerns, Minister of Social Protection; Simona Broomes instructed the Baramita Village Council to immediately identify at least three persons from the village to be trained as welfare officers, as the Ministry will facilitate that training. In the interim, a Social Welfare Officer will be stationed in area. Also it was noticed that the shops are located in the pathway leading into the back dam where young people have to pass to get home. This Broomes noted act as traps for the young girls and therefore letters are being prepared to give notice to shop owners, to remove their structures by November 01, 2015. The issue of absenteeism and school dropouts was also raised as the Baramita Primary School, which started the 2014/2015 school year
with an enrollment of 261 students from Nursery to Grade 9, now have about 187 students. The facility also has four untrained teachers at the school, a Headmaster and a senior mistress, all of whom are from the coastland. It was noted that the lack of teachers from the village cause a language barrier in the Carib community. Residents requested that the government establish programmes to prepare the secondary aged students for CXC so they could be involved in meaningful activities as parents are reluctant to send their children to the North West Secondary School in Port Kaituma. In this regard, Minister of Indigenous People's Affairs; Sydney Allicock told the large gathering that the government will be fully supporting them, to tackle the issues that are affecting their development. A d d i t i o n a l l y, the residents are calling asking for training to be conducted for the current village leaders, to ensure
Controversial Welshman charged
Johnny Welshman
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock engaging members of the Baramita Village Council
accountability and transparency as the previous village council misused funds and other resources. There were complaints of parked vehicles donated to the council, little records of monies received from miners, prevalence of unlicensed rum shops in the community and little help from the police. M i n i s t e r Allicock assured the residents that will be conducting an audit of the monies at the village council. He added that the Ministry is currently
executing the Land Titling and Demarcation Project from which the community of Baramita will be benefitting. He also spoke of the need for Baramita to get involved in other economic activities, such as agriculture (farming and livestock), so that they can provide the miners with their produce. He said that his Ministry is fully aware of the challenges, especially regarding the road from Baramita to Matthews Ridge and the Papaya Bridge. As such, the Minister will be
engaging the Minister of Public Infrastructure on the issue. The community also received $4m for the construction of a hot meal kitchen, and the purchase of sports gear and school supplies. Located in the Matarkai sub-district of Region One, Baramita is the largest Amerindian settlement in Guyana, and the biggest Carib village in the Caribbean; it boasts a population of about 3000. (Adapted from GINA)
Johnny Welshman was granted bail in the sum of GYD $25,000 after he pleaded not guilty to obtaining money by falsely pretending to be a lawyer. He appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann Mc Lennan this morning. The Court heard that on October 21, 2015 We l s h m a n k n o w n a s Johnny William-Luchart, obtained GUY$40,000 from Alicia Fernandes by
pretending to be a lawyer known same to be false. The Court also heard that on October 21, 2015 Welshman of 2519 Layou Street, North Ruimveldt, allegedly told Fernandes that he could have represented her in a case involving the custody of her children by her mother. Fernandes was advised to seek the services of a lawyer to
regain custody of her children after she allegedly had several issues with the Child Welfare Officers. Tw e n t y - t h r e e y e a r o l d We l s h m a n became popular when he went to the media accusing a prominent Lawyer in government of abusing him as a teenager. He is to return to court on December 29, 2015.
Ramsammy supports sugar workers call for increased wages -Strike action is political – Govt.
pegs in round holes by the former government. He advised that the coalition government has taken a hands-off policy allowing managers to administer. “We have put in an interim management team, you have seen the productivity has gone up. In fact we have surprised targets over the last three or four weeks,” Holder stated.
Ramsammy believes that the COI into GuySuCo is being used as an excuse not to start wage negotiation. He said the COI did not deal with wages and salaries since it was not part of their Terms of Reference. He pointed out that there is also a COI for the Public Service but one suggested that the public servants wait until the
COI for the Public Service was completed to discuss any possible wage and salary increase in the public service. The public servants received a pay hike, even though it was paltry and the argument was that only a paltry increase was possible because of a bankrupt treasury.
SUGAR STRIKE ENDS Former Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
Former Agriculture M i n i s t e r, D r. L e s l i e Ramsammy, says he is fully supportive of the demand by sugar workers for increase in wages. Ramsammy, in a statement noted that since 1992, sugar workers have had a pay increase every year, even if it was not always to their expectation. He said under the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, Ministers of Agriculture were mandated to ensure that GuySuCo found ways to provide salary and wage increases to workers. “Personally, as Minister of Agriculture, I stood resolutely on the side of the workers. Former CEOs, Dr. Rajendra Singh and Mr. Paul Bhim would testify to my resoluteness on this matter. I insisted then, as I insist now, that we must separate the difficulties that Sugar was and is facing from the right of the workers to a pay increase”, Ramsammy noted. “They certainly are more deserving of a pay increase than the Cabinet members. ]The Minister of Agriculture, who I must assume reflects the position of APNU+AFC, has already dismissed the demand of the workers by stating that this is a political strike,” he noted. According to R a m s a m m y, s u g a r
workers have always been militant and when it comes to their wages they have always stood firm, no matter which party is in Government. H o w e v e r, t h e government believes that the strike action taken by sugar workers attached to the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers U n i o n ( G AW U ) i s political in nature. Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder said he
immediate reason for this closure is the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) continuing postponement of discussions on the wages issue for 2015. It said the Union's wage claim was submitted to GuySuCo since March 08, 2015. Holder is of the view that G AW U ' s r e q u e s t f o r negotiation is unrealistic given the fact that there was an ongoing Commission of inquiry
Agriculture Minister Noel Holder
cannot fathom the rationale behind the strike since the industry is experiencing a turn around. In a statement, GAWU, which is aligned to the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) insisted that the
(COI) into the operations of the industry. He said one of the problems with the sugar industry is that it is being used as a “political football, “hence the result is the reduction in productivity over the years and the putting of square
The Guyana Agricultural a n d G e n e r a l Wo r k e r s Union (GAWU) says field and factory workers currently on strike will resume work tomorrow (Wednesday, October, 28). President of GAWU, Komal Chand noted that the Union consulted with the workers who agreed to give the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) some more time to consider its meeting with the union. Chand stated that “the decision is that they'll give them some time now to consider meeting with the union after all… the workers, after we consult with them, they say leh we give them some time now, having protested for three days, leh we give them
some time to reconsider our request for us to meet”. The sugar workers represented by GAWU went on strike on Sunday last to protest the delay of a meeting between the union and GuySuCo to discuss the union's wage claim submitted since March, 08, 2015. The meeting forms part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement established between the two partners. GAWU noted that the industry's current crop could come to an end in four or five weeks and the wage must be addressed before the crop ends. The union is claiming a 9% increase in wages for all its field and factory
workers. Meanwhile, GuySuCo says it is awaiting the release of the findings of the Commission Of Inquiry's report into the Sugar industry which is being considered by the government. It says it has informed the union that it will not be logical to commence discussions when the outcome of such an important report is being awaited. Up to yesterday (Monday, October, 27) the Skeldon Sugar Factory, the Blairmont Facory and the La Bonne Intention sugar factory have been functioning. The strike has been labelled as political by Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder.
Venezuela needs to agree to judicial settlement of border issue-Greenidge Foreign Affairs Minister and Vice President Carl Greenidge has clarified that Guyana will need Venezuela to agree on its move to take the border controversy to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). “If for example, as we are suggesting the SG [Secretary General of the United Nations] puts to the court- 'give us an opinion on this matter' – the court could do so without the agreement of Ve n e z u e l a . I f i t i s , however, that you are asking them to deal with a matter of substance they would, as I understand, Venezuela's concurrence will be required,” he explained. Greenidge was addressing a media conference on Tuesday. Guyana has two options when it approaches the ICJ,
Greenidge said, one of which would be for the court to make a decision on the issue and the other for the court to offer an opinion. Venezuela has already indicated that it is not in favour of the matter being taken to the World Court. The Minister pointed out that foreign mining and oil companies that have b e e n a w a r d e d concessions offshore and onshore Guyana have over the years been scared away by Ve n e z u e l a t h r o u g h diplomatic and military actions. Venezuela has been unable to produce any evidence to support its contention that the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award was null and void, Greenidge stressed. According to him, if the ICJ accepts the case and
makes a pronouncement, the role of the UN would be based on the legal opinion. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has already dispatched team to Caracas and Georgetown ahead of a decision on whether to give into Guyana's demands for the controversy over the award to be taken to the ICJ. F o r m e r President Bharrat Jagdeo at a press conference last Friday, October 23 told the media that he had some clarifications over Guyana's move to settle the matter through the ICJ. He questioned whether the UN would be completely left out of the process. “There are several other options. I am not saying the juridical option is bad…I am saying if we decide as a
Minister Carl Greenidge
country to go this route, can we go it alone? What if Venezuela does not want to go this route? C o u l d G u y a n a unilaterally go the juridical route or do we have to get Venezuela's agreement?” He asked. He stated that five options were explored by the People's Progressive Party (PPP)
administration to settle the border controversy. The former President opined that whatever action is taken by government, the United Nations ought to be involved to the end. The border controversy over the mineral and forest-rich Essequibo Region widened in late May, 2015
days after American oil giant, Exxon-Mobil, announced the discovery of a significant oil deposit offshore the Essequibo Region. Venezuela has since unilaterally extended its maritime space to include all of the waters offshore Essequibo.
Spending is necessary to stimulate the economy -Sharma
Minister Jaipaul Sharma
Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma has rebuffed claims by former President Bharrat Jagdeo that the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government has embarked on elaborate spending. Jagdeo, an economist and former Finance Minister at a press conference on Friday last stated that the coalition government seems to have an obsession with spending without paying attention to generating revenue.” What I see is an obsession with spending and so we see a lot of cleaning work being done and it's wonderful and I
support it but cleaning is an expenditure,” Jagdeo asserted. He said his major concern about the economy and it grinding to a halt and it's not just reflected in growth rate, it's reflected in loss income and loss jobs. He opined that the same effort being put into spending needs to be channeled to support the productive sectors as well as job creating sectors. “You can spend money only if you earn it, and it is a country too and my fear is that they are so big on the spending side that they are forgetting that after some time if you
don't fix the side that generates the revenue you're going to run into greater difficulty, he stressed. “This seems to be the philosophy driving the government now,” he added. H o w e v e r, t h e Junior Finance Minister in his rebuttal noted that the government's job is to stimulate the economy. “More money it spends it is creating employment,” the Minister declared. Minister Sharma wasted no time in tossing the blame on the past Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for the state of the economy. He said the PPP/C slowed down the economy since in 2014 with the prorogation of Parliament, its failure to host Local Government Elections (LGE), and the hosting of the Regional and General Elections before the time it was constitutionally due without even thinking
how it would affect the lives of citizens. In addition, Sharma noted that the APNU+AFC government has to now play “catch up” and based on the manner in which the PPP/C left the economy it cannot even “recover up to now.” Sharma stressed that in order for the economy to keep moving spending is necessary. With regard to generating revenue, Minister Sharma highlighted that the government is looking to regularize the largest revenue collection body, which is the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). Mechanisms are being put in place to ensure that the body is properly managed. J a g d e o ' s comment about excessive spending, Sharma said is “double standards,” since the PPP/C's spending during Jagdeo and former President Donald Ramotar's tenure was
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo
more exorbitant than ever. He made reference to the Fibre optic cable from Brazil, the Amalia Falls Project, the attempted construction of the Specialty Hospital, the construction of the Skeldon sugar factory, Marriott Hotel and the One Lap Top per family initiative, which were all deemed “wasteful expenditure,” by Sharma. With regard to
Jagdeo's comment about monies being spent on cleaning exercise, which he openly supported, Sharma said the government is doing what it promised to the people, which is a green city. “It is the vision of President Granger to have a green city and to return the city to what it once used to be, the garden city,” Sharma explained.
Greenidge for official visit to Barbados
Minister Carl Greenidge
Vi c e P r e s i d e n t a n d Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, will pay an official visit to Barbados this Thursday,
October 29, to Saturday, October 31. He will also participate in the Third Session of the BarbadosGuyana Joint Commission
from October 29 to 30. During his threeday visit, Greenidge is expected to meet with Prime Minister Freundel
Stuart; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean; Minister of Industry, Donville Inniss; Minister of Education, Ronald Jones; and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, Senator Irene SandifordGarner. A cocktail reception will be held in his honour on Thursday while on Friday he will participate in the signing ceremony of the Third Barbados Joint Commission. This ceremony will comprise the signing of the Agreed Minutes of the 3rd Joint Commission; the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Barbados
Tourism Marketing Inc. and the Guyana Tourism Authority; and the initialling of an MOU between the Barbados Port Inc. and the Guyana Port Authority. On Saturday Greenidge will tour of the We s t I n d i a B i s c u i t Company (WIBISCO. This will be followed by a meeting with seven Guyanese hospitality workers on internship at the Crane Beach Hotel. Barbados and Guyana established formal diplomatic relations on November 30, 1966, and, over the years, the two countries have worked together, both bilaterally and through various regional projects. At the inaugural Joint Commission
meeting in 2007 in Georgetown, Guyana, it was agreed that Joint Commission meetings should take place biennially and alternately in Guyana and Barbados. This meeting resulted in the two sides identifying a number of agreed areas of cooperation in which joint endeavours could be pursued. Specific areas in which decisions have been made include investment and exports, tourism, hospitality and air services, agriculture and fisheries, maritime administration and marine affairs, education, immigration and security, culture, and youth and sports. (Adapted from Nation News)
FATF urges Guyana GUYANA NEGOTIATING to do more to ADDITIONAL RICE address money laundering MARKETS
Despite the passage of the amended Anti- Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) wants more implementation. FATF determined that certain strategic deficiencies remain. Guyana needs to do more to identify, trace and freeze terrorist assets along with ensuring a fully functional and operational Financial Intelligence Unit, according to FATF's website. The world governing body called on Guyana to continue to implement its action plan, as part of its ongoing review of compliance with
the AML/CFT standards. This will include e n s u r i n g a n d implementing an adequate legal framework for identifying, tracing and freezing terrorist assets along with ensuring a fully operational and effectively functioning financial intelligence unit. FATF also urged Guyana to establish effective measures for customer due diligence and enhancing financial transparency and implement an adequate supervisory framework. Guyana has committed to work with the FATF and CFATF to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies. Attorney General Basil
Wi l l i a m s a t t e n d e d a Meeting of the International Country Risk Guide (ICRG) at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Conference Centre in Paris France on October 20 for the presentation of the report on the enactment of the AML/CFT Amendment Act 2015 The AML/CFT Bill, presented by Attorney General Basil Williams was passed in the National Assembly on June 26 after it got the support of all members of the government side. The AML/CFT bill was not passed in the tenth Parliament due to the back and forth with the then PPP/C government and the Parliamentary Opposition over critical aspects of the legislation. As a result, Guyana was blacklisted by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) – the regional body that deals with financial crimes.
In wake of the closure of t h e Ve n e z u e l a n r i c e market, the Agriculture Ministry is engaging several countries including Mexico, Haiti and the Bahamas to buy rice from Guyana. Subject Minister; Noel Holder says “I have even had discussions with the Minister, during the Mexico meeting, so we are pursuing that, we are looking at new markets, it is an ongoing situation, we are even discussing with the Bahamas, they have an interest as well, and Haiti, we are looking at it as well.” The Minister advised that Guyana currently sells rice to 50 countries around the world. “As a matter of fact, currently, the Portugal market is as big as the Venezuelan market, about 30 percent or so, I think too much of a big thing is being made out of the lapse in the Venezuelan market,” the Minister commented. He added that government is pursuing the
Panama market. Earlier this month, the Minister stated that government was successful in securing an increased market arrangement with
Panama, for which shipment has begun. The shipment has been increased from 4000 to 7,200 tonnes.
HEALTH
YOUR VEGGIE HOT DOG MAY CONTAIN MEAT ... AND HUMAN DNA Hot dogs — both vegetarian and meat-based — were found to contain a lot more than you bargained for in a new report by a food watchdog group. Think you're making the healthy choice by picking a vegetarian hot dog? Check the brand you're buying: A new report found that 10 percent of the vegetarian hot dogs tested contained meat, including chicken in a vegetarian breakfast sausage
and pork in a vegetarian hot dog. But that's not all. Clear Food, a company that genetically tests food products, looked at 345 hot dog samples from 75 brands, including meat-based and meat-free franks. Of those 345 hot dogs, 14.4 percent had some sort of issue, be it a labeling inaccuracy or hygiene problem. Some dogs were labeled pork-free —
important for certain religions — but were found to contain pork after all. Others listed only one type of meat but included several or didn't contain all the ingredients listed. Even grosser: 2 percent of all samples were found to have traces of human DNA in them. Veggie dogs were the worst off, accounting for 67 percent of the hygiene issues and twothirds of the human DNA
found. The good news: As bad as some brands were found to be, there are some trustworthy options out there. The report lists the soy chorizo and meatless corn dogs at Trader Joe's as safe picks for vegetarians, and Taveritte's, Whole Foods' 365 brand, Aidell's, Hebrew National, Ball Park, Oscar Mayer, and Johnsonville for meat eaters. (Yahoo Health)
EAT MORE GINGER, RECOVER FASTER It turns out that ginger, the antioxidant-packed spice long thought to bolster immunity, can also enhance your fitness by lowering inflammation and dulling pain in your muscles. The latest study of this root found that ginger speeds musclestrength recovery after you lift weights. Previously, research revealed that ginger can tame exercise-induced inflammation and mute muscle pain caused by running or resistance training. Yet another study, this one published in 2014, showed that after taking ginger supplements for six weeks, male endurance runners had lower levels of the immune-system-suppressing cytokines produced by strenuous exercise. Taken together, these findings make a solid case for working more ginger into your diet — especially when working out in fall and winter's cooler temps, and at the start of
cold and flu season. Candice Kumai, celebrity chef and author of Clean Green Eats, suggests adding fresh ginger to vinaigrettes, meat marinades, or pancake mixes; sipping on ginger tea; or making this immunity- and workout-boosting ginger smoothie:
Ginger Recovery Smoothie Blend the following ingredients together for 1 minute: 1 cup almond milk ½ banana ½ pear 1.2 cup Greek yogurt 1 and ½ cups ice 1 tbsp fresh ginger 1 tsp vanilla extract (Yahoo Health)
SHOULD WOMEN BE ALLOWED TO EAT DURING LABOR? NEW RESEARCH SAYS YES
Withholding good nutrition during labor may lead to longer labors, according to a new report. For years, women have been advised to fast during labor due to concerns they might accidentally inhale or choke on food or liquids. It's current protocol to offer only ice chips and clear liquids to pregnant women once they reach the Labor and Delivery unit. But new research is questioning this practice.
An analysis of 385 studies presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists annual meeting determined that most healthy women don't need to fast and can actually benefit from eating a light meal during labor. Researchers from Canada's Memorial U n i v e r s i t y, S t . J o h n ' s analyzed studies published in 1990 or later and found aspiration — when liquid or food is inhaled into the lungs, which can cause
pneumonia — today among women in labor is almost non-existent. In the U.S., there was only one case of aspiration between 2005 and 2013, but the patient had a complicated labor. They also discovered that there were no deaths from aspiration in the U.K. between 2000 and 2005, compared to 1.5 cases per 1,000 women in labor in the 1940s. Researchers say this may be due to advances in anesthesia care. Withholding good nutrition during labor may even lead to longer labors and fetal distress, they found. For years, standard hospital practice only allowed women to eat ice chips during labor. In 2009, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists relaxed its recommenda on, announcing that women
who have an uncomplicated labor may drink “modest amounts of clear liquid.” But Jason James, MD, medical director at Miami's FemCare Ob‐Gyn, tells Yahoo Health that the restrictions are there for a reason. “ Tr a d i t i o n a l l y, women are advised not to eat during labor because of the potential for an emergency cesarean section,” he says. “In some cases, either due to th e s er io u s n es s o f th e emergency or due to difficulty performing a spinal or epidural adequately, some patients need to be intubated and have general anesthesia.” P e o p l e undergoing general anesthesia — while in labor or not — are typically advised not to eat for hours beforehand due to the risk of aspiration if they vomit
while they're unconscious, which can lead to choking. Pregnancy causes a woman's stomach to empty at a significantly slower rate, James says, and aspiration is more likely to occur than in a woman who isn't pregnant. “Aspiration can lead to severe pneumonia, which can cause a patient to become critically ill, and can even occasionally be fatal,” he says. Vomiting from pain experienced during contractions is also a concern with having a full stomach and may lead to aspiration, says Melissa Goist, MD, an ob/gyn at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. But boardcertified ob/gyn Pari Ghodsi, MD, points out that most women don't want to eat while they're in labor. “Every woman is different,
but I have found that most women that have started the active stages of labor lose their appetite,” she says. However, experts agree that a light meal may be beneficial to a laboring woman who doesn't have complications and is at low risk for needing an emergency cesarean. “The ability to eat light amounts would appeal to patients, certainly improve their satisfaction with their experience, and probably supply some additional nutrition to help them muster the strength to push when it comes time to finally deliver,” says James. Goist says it can be especially beneficial for a woman in prolonged labor. “A patient that understands the potential risks (although small) should be able to proceed with eating,” she says. (Yahoo Health)
OUR WORLD
DOG NAMED TRIGGER STEPS ON GUN, SHOOTS OWNER Sometimes you have to hunt for a good story. Other times it does the hunting for you. Allie Carter was hunting with her dog Trigger in northern Indiana over the weekend when she became the object of an international punch line. The 25-year-old laid her 12-gauge shotgun on the ground. The safety was off. Her 10-year-old chocolate
lab did the rest. "A dog stepped on the trigger, causing the gun to go off and strike a female hunter in the foot," Indiana Conservation Officer Jonathon Boyd said. Yes, a dog named Trigger shot her human, accidentally as far as we know. Trigger has had little to say about the matter. Authorities said
Carter was released from a local hospital with minor foot injuries. A local hunter said don't blame the dog. "That was more human error than anything," Deloren Thompson told the affiliate. "I've hunted with dogs and stuff before and never had problems." Treat every gun like it's l o a d e d , B o y d
recommended. Keep the safety on when you're not using it, and point it away from you. Also, put your dog through hunting safety training too, Thompson said. And maybe, don't name him Trigger either, just to stay out of the headlines.
'STRONG EVIDENCE' OF GENOCIDE IN MYANMAR – AL JAZEERA
Al Jazeera's Investigative Unit has uncovered what amounts to "strong evidence" of a genocide coordinated by the Myanmar government against the Rohingya people, according to an assessment by Yale University Law School. The Lowenstein Clinic spent eight months assessing evidence from Myanmar, including documents and testimony provided by Al Jazeera and the advocacy
group Fortify Rights. "Given the scale of the atrocities and the way that politicians talk about the Rohingya, we think it's hard to avoid a conclusion that intent [to commit genocide] is present," concluded the clinic. Exclusive evidence obtained by Al Jazeera's Investigative Unit and Fortify Rights reveals the government has been triggering communal violence for political gain by
inciting anti-Muslim riots, using hate speech to stoke fear among the Myanmarese about Muslims, and offering money to hardline Buddhist groups who threw their support behind the leadership. As the first fully contested general election in 25 years approaches on November 8, eyewitness and confidential documentary evidence obtained by Al Jazeera reveals that the
ruling, military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has attempted to marginalise Muslims and target the Rohingya. Al Jazeera has made several requests for comment to the Myanmar President's office and government spokespeople but has not received any response. The investigation, presented in a new d o c u m e n t a r y, G e n o c i d e Agenda, consults legal and diplomatic experts on whether the government's campaign amounts to systematic extermination. The University of London's Professor Penny Green, director of the International State Crime Initiative (ISCI) said: "President Thein Sein [of USDP] is prepared to use hate speech for the government's own ends, and that is to marginalise, segregate, diminish the Muslim population inside Burma. "It's part of a genocidal process." An independent report by the ISCI concluded that riots in 2012, which saw conflicts
between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims erupt, were preplanned. The violence saw scores killed, and tens of thousands of people displaced after several thousand homes were burned. "It wasn't communal violence," said Green. "It was planned violence. Express buses were organised" to bring Rakhine Buddhists from outlying areas to take part in the aggression. "Refreshments, meals were provided," she said. "It had to be paid by s o m e b o d y. A l l o f t h i s suggests that it was very carefully planned." Former United Nations Rapporteur on Myanmar Tomas Ojea Quintana, meanwhile, called for President Thein Sein of the USDP and the ministers of home affairs and immigration to be investigated for genocide. Genocide Agenda presents evidence that Myanmar government agents were involved in sparking anti-Muslim riots.An official military document, a copy of which
has been obtained by Al Jazeera, shows the use of hate speech, claiming the Myanmarese are in danger of being "devoured" by Muslims. While there has been evidence that Myanmar's military rulers deliberately provoked communal unrest during the years of dictatorship, until now there has been no evidence that this continued after the transition towards a partial democracy. But since the military junta stepped aside in 2011, hardline Buddhist groups have taken advantage of liberalisation to gain influence in the country's politics. Muslim candidates have been largely excluded from the upcoming election, in what also appears to be an attempt to assuage hardliners. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya M u s l i m s w e r e disenfranchised earlier this year when the government withdrew the temporary citizenship cards that allowed them to vote. (Adapted from Al Jazeera)
24-YEAR-OLD NEVADA WOMAN FROZE TO DEATH IN CRYOTHERAPY CHAMBER A 24-year-old Nevada woman has died reportedly after freezing to death in a cryotherapy chamber. A local news station in Las Vegas reported that Chelsea Ake, of Henderson was trapped in the chamber for at least 10 hours at Rejuvenice, a local clinic that offers cryotherapy, which involves stepping into a “cryosauna” or “cryochamber” with dry air
and that dips below -240 degrees Farenheit. The therapy has been used to reduce inflammation, slow signs of aging and help heal sports injuries, but effects are seen after only about two minutes. News3LV.com reported that Ake, a Hawaii native, was the manager of Rejuvenice. Her coworkers found her frozen inside the machine last week. "I do
know that she was alone closing the shop up, and then did go into the machine and apparently did not turn off," her friend Shae-Lynn Bee told the news station. According to a local police report, Ake used the machine without assistance and likely suffocated. Investigators said the death was due to an “operator error.” “It's very
frustrating to know because you know there are no cameras in there,” Bee told News3LV.com. “Basically, the only person that does know what happened is Chelsea." O w n e r s o f Rejuvenice had no comment on Ake's death but said they are saddened by the loss of their friend. "I just want everybody to know she was awesome and
she loved everybody,” Bee told 3NewsLV.com. “Her
legacy will definitely move on through us." (Fox News)
Regional
Regional
Simmons 'revenge porn' case…
Keep your sex lives in the bedroom and not on camera Lendl Simmons
That's the advice given by Therese Ho, the 24-yearold former girlfriend of T&T and West Indies cricketer Lendl Simmons after she awarded $150,000 in compensation in her lawsuit against him for disseminating photographs of them engaged in a sexual
encounter after their brief relationship ended in 2013. The case, the first of its kind to be heard by local courts, is expected to be used as a precedent for other victims seeking recourse against people who leak their personal photos on the Internet. An
– Ex-lover emotional Ho warned: “Don't take pictures. Don't trust anyone. Both men and women must stop. There must be an end to it.” Asked about her decision to file the lawsuit knowing that her personal relationship would be exposed in the public, Ho said she took the difficult decision with her two young daughters in mind. “As a mother of two young girls, it is my duty to ensure that they will grow up in a place where a woman and her character is not under attack by those around her...Women shouldn't be smeared because of a
ruined relationship or something that went sour,” Ho said. Asked if she felt the compensation awarded by Justice Frank Seepersad in the landmark judgment was sufficient, Ho said no. “Honestly, no amount of money, none whatsoever, would be able to compensate me for all the trials and tribulations that I have gone through. Up to this day my kids ask me, 'mummy we saw you in the papers and we know what it was about because we looked it up in the dictionary?' So now I have the challenge where I would need to sit down
and speak to them when they get a little older and explain exactly what happened to me,” Ho lamented. Despite her warnings and her own traumatic experience, Ho maintained she did not regret her relationship with Simmons or for allowing him to take the photographs. “I wouldn't say I regret because what has happened to me has made me a stronger person. It has taught me strength and forgiveness and has strengthened me to be a better person,” Ho said as s he claimed s h e h ad forgiven Simmons for his
actions. “At this stage I do find forgiveness and have reached the stage now where I am willing to let go and forgive him for what he has done.” She also called on the Government to take steps to amend legislation to consider revenge porn and other forms of harassment on s ocial media. In his defence, Simmons had claimed that there was no confidentiality attached to their relationship, which he deemed “strictly sexual” and admitted that he only decided to send the photos after she (Ho) had sent them to his then fiancé and now wife. (Adapted from the Trinidad Guardian)
JLP Gov't will put buggery law to referendum Opposition Leader Andrew Holness says a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Government will allow the Jamaican people to vote in a referendum to determine if there should be any amendment to the Buggery Act. "You will also know that when it comes to time to determine whether or not we should make any changes to the Buggery Act, or to any other act that determines how Jamaicans see the family, you know that we are not going to take it up onto ourselves in
Parliament to make that decision. We are going to come to you, the people of the country, to make that decision," Holness told a the JLP Area Council Four meeting held at the Mannings School here on Sunday H o l n e s s , meanwhile, lashed Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller who he quoted as saying that her immediate focus is to address the poverty of the Jamaican people, when she was asked for a schedule on amendments to the
- Holness
Buggery Act. "... So they asked the prime minister, 'Prime minister, what is the timetable for the removal of the Buggery Law? And she says: 'Well, we have to go and we have to consult with the people you know, we have to go and consult with the people, but right now it is not a priority because we have to deal with the poverty of the people.' And I reflected on what she said," Holness said, adding that he had to ponder how the Government's push for the
Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was going to end poverty in Jamaica." Said Holness: "I have asked the prime minister before and I have told the Parliament before [that] when you can tell me how the CCJ is going to end poverty in this country, I will join you in that crusade. "In the same way that that matter is not a priority, I don't see how the CCJ is going to make one person in Jamaica richer than they were before. It might, maybe for a few lawyers, but I
Andrew Holness
don't know," said the JLP leader. "This is an independent country and when that time come you know that a Labour Party
Government is going to put that question (of the CCJ) for you to decide where we go with it," said Holness. (Jamaican Observer)
TT's piracy concerns raised The issue of piracy along the maritime borders between Trinidad and Tobago and Ve n e z u e l a w a s a m o n g several matters discussed in Caracas during a recent meeting between Cabinet officials and Venezuelan state authorities. A delegation including Minister of National Security Major General Edmund Dillon,
Minister of Foreign Affairs Dennis Moses, Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Community Development Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, and Minister of Energy Nicole Ollivierre, met with Venezuelan officials as part of ongoing efforts to revive a high-level consultative mechanism between both nation states, first introduced
under former Prime Minister ANR Robinson's tenure. Communication Minister Maxie Cuffie confirmed maritime boundary security – and the related issued of piracy – were among the agenda items. Also tabled for discussion were matters relating to the joint monetisation of the Loran–Manatee gas field. While the meeting was a bilateral one, Cuffie said Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o ' s possible role as a broker between Venezuela and Guyana in relation to the boundary dispute between
those countries, was also likely to be touched upon. In relation to the problem of piracy – which most recently saw armed Spanish-speaking pirates attack Trinidadian fishermen last Friday, the latest in a series of violent encounters which have killed at least two – Cuffie said this was covered by the discussions. “Part of the discussions between the ministry and the officials would be regulations in relation to what happens at sea and how we should monitor our maritime borders,” the Communications Minister said. “It would be covered by
the discussions that are taking place which relates to general maritime issues.” Former Minister of National Security Gary Griffith yesterday said it was possible that a “pirate industry” has developed in Venezuela, with attackers seeking to earn income through opportunistic attacks at sea. “It is possible,” Griffith told Newsday. “But it may not be appropriate to say that our territorial waters have now become lucrative for pirates of the Caribbean, as most, or even all of these recent incidents can be the result of one specific group of
felons, which then cannot make it a pirate industry. However it cannot be denied there has been an increase of pirate-related incidents in recent times, but there are a few policies that can reduce this via appropriate deterrents and an immediate response.” He said while the State has acquired equipment to deal with border patrols, more needs to be done. (Adapted from the Trinidad Newsday)
INTERNATIONAL
ISIS ties foes to Palmyra columns and blows them up Rights relies on activists inside Syria to document human rights violations in the country. Not much else is known about the executions, including the names of the men or what they were accused of.
ISIS, which comes up with more and more heinous methods of execution, has ramped up its cruelty: Members of the group tied three people to the pillars
in the ancient section of Palmyra and killed them by detonating the pillars, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. The group said it
learned of the killings from local sources in the city, which has been under ISIS control since May. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human
But ISIS has killed for the slightest of offenses and used brutal ways to do so. In another recent execution, ISIS ran over a member of the Syrian military with a tank "because he ran over dead bodies of the Islamic State soldiers by tank." Some sentenced to death have been forced to dig their graves with their own hands before being put to death. ISIS, also known as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, has taken over large swaths of both nations
in an effort to create a caliphate. Where the group holds sway, it has imposed harsh Islamic Sharia law. ISIS jihadists seized control of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the surrounding area from Syrian government forces on May 20. Since then, the Islamic extremists have beheaded the antiquities expert who looked after the ruins and set about demolishing their architectural riches. In August, they leveled two temples of immense cultural significance -- the Temple of Bel and the Temple of Baalshamin -- prompting outrage and condemnation from around the world. The Arch of Triumph, consisting of one large arch flanked by
two smaller ones, opened onto Palmyra's elegant Colonnade. The top of the arch was decorated with "beautiful geometrical and plant ornaments," the Syrian antiquities directorate said. The militants, however, are unapologetic over their step-by-step trashing of one of the world's most important ancient sites, publishing photos of some of the destruction. Palmyra, northeast of Damascus, is known as the "bride of the desert" for its magnificent collection of structures along a historical trade route that once linked Persia, India and China with the Roman Empire. (CNN)
Afghan-Pakistan quake: Rescue efforts expanded Rescue efforts are being stepped up to help those affected by the magnitude-7.5 earthquake which hit remote areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan on Monday. More than 300 people are known to have died, most of them in Pakistan, and at least 2,000 were injured. Rescue teams have been sent to remote mountainous areas where the impact of the quake is still unclear.
officials said at least two glaciers in Pakistan's Karakoram mountain range had burst and several others had cracked because of the earthquake, raising fears of flash-floods.
Many people across the region, afraid of a new quake, spent the night sleeping outside in temperatures close to f r e e z i n g . " We h a v e insufficient food and other The Taliban, which aid," said Abdul Habib Sayed controls some areas affected, K h i l , p o l i c e c h i e f i n called on aid agencies "not to A f g h a n i s t a n ' s K u n a r hold back" relief supplies. A province. "It has been raining spokesman said Taliban for four days and the weather fighters had been ordered to is very cold." help the victims. In another Afghan officials d e v e l o p m e n t , P a k i s t a n i said at least 82 people had
been killed and more than 260 injured. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, in a televised address, urged those living in affected areas to help the rescue effort while Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah warned that the death toll was expected to rise. The governor of Badakhshan province, Shah Waliullah Adeeb, said survey teams were heading into more remote areas on Tuesday but landslides had blocked roads and helicopters were needed. Afghan victims included 12 schoolgirls killed in a crush as they tried to leave their classes in Taluqan, Takhar province. In Pakistan,
at least 231 people were killed and 1,632 injured. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province alone,
authorities said at least 184 people had died, and more than 1,400 were injured. At
least another 30 died in the north-western tribal areas. (BBC)
Saudi prince held over record Beirut airport drug bust A Saudi prince and four other people have been detained in Lebanon in the largest drug seizure in the history of Beirut airport, a security source has said. Prince Abdel Mohsen Bin Walid Bin Abdulaziz was among those detained by airport security while allegedly "attempting to smuggle about two tonnes of Captagon pills and some cocaine," the security source said.
that has been foiled through the Beirut International Airport," the source told the AFP news agency on condition of anonymity. Captagon is the brand name for the amphetamine phenethylline, a synthetic stimulant. Manufacturing of the substance thrives in Lebanon and war-torn Syria, which have become a gateway for the drug to the Middle East and particularly the Gulf.
2014 report that the amphetamine market is on the rise in the Middle East, with seizures mostly in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria accounting for more than 55 percent of amphetamines recovered worldwide. The security source said the drugs had been packed into cases that were waiting to be loaded onto a private plane that was headed to Saudi Arabia.
"The smuggling operation is the largest one
The UN Office of Drugs and Crime said in a
Lebanon's state new s ag en cy s aid th e
private plane was to head to Riyadh and was carrying 40 suitcases full of Captagon. The five Saudi citizens were still in the airport and will be questioned by Lebanon's customs authority, the source added. In April 2014, security forces foiled an attempt to smuggle 15 million capsules of Captagon hidden in shipping containers full of corn from Beirut's port. (Al Jazeera/AFP)
'We need to work on our temperament' - Holder
Jason Holder
Captain Jason Holder laid the blame for West Indies' series loss largely at the feet of his batsmen, and marked out the top order's Test-match temperament as an area much in need of improvement. West Indies'
highest score of the series was 251, and they fell well short of 200 in both innings at the P Sara Oval. The visitors did m a k e r e g u l a r breakthroughs in the second Test, restricting Sri
Lanka to 200 and 206, and conceding only one opposition half-century. But they only produced one half-century themselves in this match, and only three in the whole series.
"It's clear that the batting let us down," Holder said. "I think we need to work on our temperament. At times we need to be a lot more patient and know which phases of the game to hang in and in which phases of the game we can attack. Sometimes we may look a little rash and sometimes we may look a little defensive. We just need to curb aggression with some defence." Holder did not believe technical flaws against spin were prevalent in his side. Of t h e 4 0 We s t I n d i e s wickets that fell in the series, 27 went to Sri Lanka's spinners, with Rangana Herath claiming 15 scalps. "I wouldn't say we have a difficulty playing spin," Holder said. "The nature of our wickets at home is not too far apart from here in Sri Lanka. It's just a case of
not being patient enough and trusting our defence. Holder was full of praise for his attack, however. Jerome Taylor was particularly impressive on a dry deck, claiming two wickets in each innings and posing difficult questions of the Sri Lanka top order. "Our bowlers have come up trumps for us, and did a very, very good job in the series," Holder said. "We got 10 wickets in the first Test match in Galle where we only got one chance to bowl. And we got 20 wickets here, which is what we asked of the bowlers. It's not easy conditions to play for fast bowlers, but every time I called on a fast bowler, he came up and he gave a good effort”. K r a i g g Brathwaite - the part-time o ff s p i n n e r - t o o k a n unexpected six wickets in
the second innings at the P Sara, while debutant J o m e l Wa r r i c a n impressed with figures of 6 for 129 from the match. Warrican had been picked on an excellent record in first-class cricket, in which he had taken 66 wickets at 16.44 heading into the Test. "Jomel's firstclass stats speak for themselves," Holder said. "He's a guy who I've played cricket with my entire life, from youth cricket straight to now. He's always been a wicket-taker - a guy who can come and do a job for you. He can also hold down an end (and) in the second innings (showed) that he can bat. He was a bit of a livewire in the field. I think it was a good start for him. It's important he builds on it and doesn't fall back." (Adapted from Espncricinfo)
Amir Khan: I am the frontrunner to face Manny Pacquiao Amir Khan says he is the favourite to face Manny Pacquiao in the Filipino boxing legend's final fight. Khan had earlier suggested the match was unlikely but now believes there is a "big chance" of taking on the sevenweight world champion. Alongside Khan, Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum has also named Terence Crawford and Tim Bradley as possible contenders for his star's last bout. "There's a big chance of the fight happening, it's all about making sure my team is on point with the deal and they need to make sure they get the fight that I want,” Khan noted. He Khan hoped to be Floyd Mayweather Jr's final opponent before the multiple world champion
opted to fight Andre Berto instead but Khan believes Pacquiao, 36, is looking for a higher profile end to his career. "It would be Manny Pacquiao's last fight and end his career in a big way, not like Floyd Mayweather where, no disrespect to Berto, but I think Floyd finished his career on a low note," he added. As an alternative to Pacquiao, Khan is not ruling out an all-British clash with Kell Brook despite also identifying rematches with Danny Garcia and Lamont Peterson and a bout with Shawn Porter. Brook, 29, defeated Porter over 12 rounds last year but Khan insists his fellow Brit still needs to prove himself against the best. "My body's taken all the wear
Amir Khan
a n d t e a r w h e r e I ' m even fighting half of it's a big fight, we go into fighting the best fighters them," said Khan. "I want the ring 50-50 and it's a in the world and he's not him to prove himself so massive fight not only for
Great Britain but around the world." (Adapted from the BBC)
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
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B.M. SOAT SPONSORS GSSF COSTUME STEEL CHALLENGE MATCH
Mrs. Priya Mohamed of B.M. Auto Sales hands over sponsorship funds to GSSF President, Ms. Vidushi Persaud (center left) in the presence of GSSF Secretary, Mr. Steve Ninvalle (right) and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, Mr. Ryan McKinnon (left)
The Guyana Sport Shooting Federation will be hosting the ďŹ rst Costume Steel Challenge Shooting Match on Halloween, Saturday 31st October, 2015 at the GDF Timehri Range. The themed competition has been exclusively sponsored by B.M Soat Auto Sales and is expected to be a keenly contested one with Participants expected to take part donning costumes of their liking.
Costumes can range from very simple such as funny hats, special shoes, to the more elaborate and even terrifying in keeping with the theme. The rules of the Steel Challenge Shooting Association a sister body of the United States Practical Shooting Association are expected to be adhered to along with safe ďŹ rearm handling throughout. This action-packed handgun shooting sport presented by the GSSF
attracts Guyanese pistol shooters from all around the country on a regular basis and on the 31st October it will be no different as various 'characters' will come out to participate. Steel Challenge Shooting is considered to be the fastest practical shooting competition in the world. The upcoming competition promises to be an exciting one and consists three stages where competitors will shoot at 5 individual steel targets per
stage. Shooters will be scored using an electronic timing device, penalties of added time are applied for any misses and the total time resultant is used for score. Ultimately the shooter with the lowest time recorded overall in the match will be declared the winner. At the small ceremony at the Showroom of B.M. Soat Auto Sales, located at Lot 9 Croal Street, Georgetown,
President of the GSSF, Ms. Vi d u s h i P e r s a u d , i n accepting the kind sponsorship, conveyed thanks to Mrs. Priya Mohamed, Manager of B.M. Soat Auto Sales. The Federation's match organising committee reported that everything is all set for Saturday's Match. Thanks to B. M. Soat Auto Sales, trophies have been secured for two SCSA Divisions: Wildcat and Limited. The prizes will be awarded to
the top three overall in each division. Wildcat Division will see competitors using .32ACP and other calibre pistols lesser than 9mm while those in the challenging Limited Division will shoot 9mm or higher calibre hand guns. More information can be found online at GSSF's website www.GuyanaSportShootin g.com