GNN Online Newspaper- Nov 24, 2015

Tuesday November 24, 2015

NOT GANGER’S FAULT ERC MEMBERS NOT SWORN IN -PAGE 6

SWEARING IN WAS OVERLOOKED RAMKARRAN REFUTES PPP ON EXPIRATION OF SALARY INCREASE MOTION -PAGE 4

50 STREETS TO BE RENAMED IN THE CITY The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown will be renaming fifty streets in the city for the 50th Independence Anniversary celebration.

The M&CC would be hosting a special forum to address the naming and renaming of Streets at the National Library Conference Room on Main Street, Georgetown at 6 pm tonight.

Public Relations Officer at the M&CC; Debra Lewis

stated that the aim is to remove names that were not recorded. She added that the council have several proposals while the others will be finalized with the residents of the areas.

Lewis explained that “what we are trying to do; you know some of the roads and streets in Georgetown were not named or properly named, and so we are looking at some specific areas like Albertown, west Ruimveldt, Cummings Lodge, and

not only in downtown Georgetown as a whole and we are looking at fifty names for the fiftieth anniversary”.

She added that “there are some roads that name, access road and front road and back road, we want to change some of those and have them properly recorded”.

The M&CC will also be consulting with the people who live in the area the PRO stated.

LADY NORTHCOTE TO RESUME OPERATIONS NEXT WEEK After two months of rehabilitation works, Motor Vessel Lady Northcote is expected to resume its public trips from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, Region One sometime next week.

The vessel was undocked from the E.C. Vieira Dockyard, Houston, East Bank Demerara today after its $140M rehabilitation.

A statement from the Ministry of Publiuc Infrastructure stated that “amongst the extensive works done to Lady Northcote were the repair of its hull; servicing of all on-board machinery; improvement of interior and exterior deck-

ing and upgrades to the main and passenger decks. The facilities onboard have also been improved through the upgrade of the galley while the vessel’s crew is expected to be more comfortable thanks to improved beds and washroom facilities.”

Ad d it i on a l ly, the offloading and loading capabilities were improved while all of the vessel’s plates were changed. In terms of safety, the vessel now holds 100 life rafts.

The underwater propellers were also completely rebuilt. This is expected to cut down on this travel time.

Broadcaster/Journalist Raschid Osman to be laid to rest tomorrow

Late veteran Broadcaster/Journalist Raschid Osman will be laid to rest tomorrow.

The funeral service will be held at the First Assembly of God Church, Durban Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown.

Wake will be held at the Church’s parking lot this evening from 19:00 hours.

GNNL’s General Manager, Michael

Gordon said the company will be standing all of the expenses for the wake and funeral.

Osman passed away early Saturday morning last at his home, suddenly. He was at the time a serving editor of the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper and would have served the paper in the past as Editor in Chief.

Osman was not ill at the time of the death

and it was only on Friday that he was seen by many at the National Culture Centre where he showed up to cover opening of the Drama Festival for the newspaper. Osman was an avid support of the arts and entertainment in Guyana and also had a passion for radio and classical music.

He was 78 at the time of his death.

Raschid Osman

MAN FINED FOR STEALING MANICKCHAND’S CELL PHONE A twenty year-old man pleaded guilty, apologized and made an oath not to steal again when he appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore today for stealing a cell phone belonging to PPP Member of Parliament and former Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand.

The accused, Daniel Wilson, allegedly stole Manickchand’s I-phone from a vehicle while it was in Rosemary Lane, South Ruimveldt last Sunday. The phone is reportedly valued at about $280,000.00.

Pleading guilty, Wilson claimed that

he is very sick. He was fined $50,000.00 and faces a three month prison term if he fails to pay up.

It is believed that he stole the phone which was in the front seat of the vehicle while Manickchand was occupied during a charitably endeavor.

SUGAR WORKERS STRIKE EXTENDED TO ALL ESTATES- GAWU More sugar workers have joined in the fight against the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) Annual Production Incentive (API) offer. This is according to President of the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU); Komal Chand during a telephone interview where he noted that Albion Estate also joined the strike today.

He stated that

“Albion also struck and they haven’t indicated to us when they will be returning to work”.

He added that the Union have contacted GuySuCo, however they have not communicated any decision to convene any further meetings with the Union.

The workers are protesting against GuySuCo’s offer of a day’s pay for every 85,000 tonnes of sugar produced this year.

The strike began on Saturday at some estates and then extended to others.

The Union says it is asking for a day’s pay for 37, 125 tonnes of sugar as it noted that a day’s pay was given for every 48, 053 tonnes produced last year and the Corporation saw better production this year.

Efforts to contact a representative from GuySuo so far have proven futile, however in

a statement issued late yesterday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GuySuco, Errol Hanoman said talks on Friday with GAWU regarding the API were left unfinished, after GAWU indicated that they wished to meet with their membership and thus he is surprised at the strike.

He further encouraged workers to return to work as the industry is just about

jbally has said that he will not buckle to pressure from the PPP to tender his resignation, and will do so when he feels that the time is right.

A number of other previously stated concerns were also raised, including GECOM’s refusal to respond to its call for electoral reform.

The PPP is insisting that GECOM is not ready to host the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) maintaining that there is need for urgent changes at the Commission before the long overdue LGE is held.

It is contending that the Commission has not demar-

cated the boundaries in major constituencies and that it needs to get its acts together.

According to the PPP, GECOM has not commenced the merging of constituencies with low populations.

In the Local Government Elections, the 580 constituencies being contested by candidates come under either Municipalities or Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) and have

13,000 tonnes away from achieving its 2015 sugar target of 227,443 tonnes.

GuySuco is confident it will reach its individual and overall targets, irrespective of the present industrial action

by some workers. As of yesterday, production stood at 133,146 tonnes for the second crop, while the year- to -date total stood at 214, 290 tonnes the statement said.

to be demarcated (boundaries laid out).

PPP/C Member of Parliament Zulfikar Mustapha told a press conference on Monday that GECOM had submitted the demarcated boundaries to them a few weeks ago and sub-

sequently, a new one.

However, despite all of these concerns the PPP has stated that it has already shifted into preparation mode for the March 18, 2016 poll as it has long indicated its readiness.

PPP protest against GECOM -Repeats calls for electoral continued today reform Clement Rohee during today’s protest

-Repeats calls for electoral reform The Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) continues to mount pressure on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to pay attention to its concerns.

The party continued its picketing exercise outside the Guyana Elections Commission

(GECOM) Kingston head office today.

A group led

by General Secretary Clement Rohee, comprising supporters and well-wishers, and other members of the Executive restated calls for the removal of Dr. Steve Surujbally as Chairman.

However, Suru-

Government to repossess unused lands There are many persons who possess lands in large Housing Schemes, however they have not been utilizing the plots

of land and left it to be overgrown with bushes. This caused residents in the area to be concerned for their security.

In this regard, the Ministry of Communities will be moving to repossess the lands.

Minister within the

Ministry; Keith Scott, during an interview, noted that persons with lands since 2004 and are not using it will be repossessed. He added that it is not a situation whereby they cannot afford to utilize the lands.

“If they can’t afford to build? You cannot say that because there are other areas where they are provided with core houses and collabora-

tions with habitat for humanity who looks after some of the persons who can’t build. The occupation of land has nothing to do with they can’t afford to build, it has to do with more or less, many people when we check have had people living other places and some of them are even turning around and renting and not accessing what they have…we cannot have

persons taking lands for 10-15 years and not using it” he pointed out.

It was also disclosed that the Ministry in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is investigating incidences of persons reselling lots and homes without the CH&PA’s knowledge.

Ramkarran refutes PPP on expiration

of salary increase motion Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran has clarified that a motion cannot expire unless the Parliament expires it.

His comment came in light of the notion being peddled that the Opposition Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) motion to annul the salary increases given to government Ministers, Members of Parliament and other government officers will expire on December 1, some forty days after it was tabled.

PPP/C’s Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira told the media at a

press conference last week that the party has officially sought advice from the Clerk who is the point person by the constitution and standing orders who advises on Parliamentary proceedings, norms and conventions, given that the motion will expire on December 1.

However, Ramkarran explained to the nt life has come to an end or unless the Parliament is prorogued.”

Contrary to what the PPP/C is saying that their motion will expire in forty days, Ramkarran said he is not aware of that.

The former Speaker noted that even if that

is so once a motion is not debated and defeated it can be re-tabled.

This revelation has put to rest doubts by the Opposition party that it may not be afforded an opportunity to debate its motion on salary increases since the next date for the sitting of the National Assembly may not be anytime soon.

R a m k a r r a n’s revelation is in contradiction to what is being said by the PPP’C that under the standing orders when a motion is tabled it has a forty days life.

She told the media last week that the party had written

Ralph Ramkarran

to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs for advice on the way forward with its motion. The party is seeking clarity on whether its motion can be re-tabled.

When contacted by GNN today for an update on the situation,

Teixeira said she has “not received any word from the Clerk.”

She said the party is still waiting on his advice.

Since October 22 there has been no sitting of the House and from all indications there will not be any sitting anytime soon.

This newspaper spoke with the government’s Chief Whip, Amna Ally on Monday concerning a possible date for the resumption of Parliament, however, she could not give a date or time period.

BICYCLE BANDITS SHOOT BERBICE MAN IN FACE A Stanleytown, New Amsterdam man was last night shot to his face after he was attacked by two bandits.

According to a police statement, thirty-eight year-old Deon Primus was driving a motor vehicle along a road at Stanleytown, when he was attacked by two men, one of whom was armed with a hand-

gun at about 19:30 hrs.

During the incident Primus was shot to his jaw and the men escaped on a bicycle.

He has been admitted to hospital as the investigations continue.

It is not clear at what rate was Primus driving to have been attacked by the bicycle bandits.

GUYANA TO BENEFIT FROM US$165 MILLION AGREEMENT ural assets resulting from climate vulnerability ($31 million).

The agreements will spearhead USAID’s 2015-2019 Regional Development Cooperation Strategy that covers youth, HIV/AIDS, and climate change programming in Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Kitts & Nevis, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, SuriUS Ambassador Perry Holloway and Ambassador Irwin LaRoque at today’s signing name, and Guyana.

The United States contribution from the in target communi- C A R I C O M General, Agency for Interna- United States Govern- ties ($89 million), the Secretary Irwin tional Development ment to the Eastern and achievement of epi- Ambassador (USAID) and the Ca- Southern Caribbean. demic control of HIV/ LaRoque and USAID ribbean Community Guyana will AIDS among key pop- Eastern and Southern Mission (CARICOM) signed benefit from the fund- ulations ($52 million), Caribbean an agreement value ing which will go to- supporting initiatives Director, Christopher US$165 million de- wards reducing youth that reduce the risks Cushing, initialed the velopment assistance crime and violence to human and nat- five-year Development

Objective Agreements (DOAGs) during a brief ceremony at the CARICOM Secretariat.

U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway, was among several dignitaries who witnessed the signing.

Ambassador Holloway stated that “The United States Government and USAID are pleased to partner with CARICOM in these initiatives which will improve the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable groups, including youth and socially marginalized populations. Our success over the years has been possible largely due to the support of our partners, without whom implementation would not be possible.

CARICOM, by virtue of its commitment to improving the economic, social, cultural, and technological advancement of Caribbean people remains a beacon in this regard. ”

In welcoming the partnership initiative, Ambassador La Roque added that “These Agreements are rendering assistance in areas that have been identified as critical to the well-being of our citizens. Combatting the challenges posed by climate change, HIV/AIDS, and crime and violence, with reference to youth participation, are right at the forefront of the issues facing our Community today.”

Patience must be exercised at all times when caring for the elderly

– First Lady

(L-R), Training Facilitator Ms. Ismay Griffith, First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger, Social Worker, Mrs. Hazel Halley-Burnette, and Matron of the Palms, Ms. Gainmattie Latchman, following the opening of the training session

First Lady, Sandra Granger, urged caregiv-

ers to take advantage of training opportunities

while underscoring the importance of practi-

Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally says the coalition government cannot go ahead and swear in the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) Commissioners that were appointed under the previous administration.

In an invited comment by the Guyana News Network (GNN), on the status with the ERC Minister Ally explained that when the Commissioners were named during the 10th Parliament the then President Donald Ramotar did not swear them in.

Further, she explained that “This is the 11th Parliament and the entire procedure has to go over in order to

install the Ethnic Relations Commission.”

According to her, the Commissioners will have to be appointed through the appointive committee of the National Assembly, then it will be forwarded to the President. Prior to that she said the entities will have to send in the names of their nominees.

The following names were appointed by the former President: Dr. John O. Smith (Christian Religion); Rajkumarie Singh (Hindu Religion); Shaykh Moeen-ul Hack (Islamic Religion); Gomattie Kalicharran (Youth Organisations); Ruth Howard (Women’s Organisations);

and Peter Persaud, Barrington Braithwaite and Neaz Subhan of the Amerindian, African and Indian ethnic groups respectively.

“At the moment that is at a standstill, Commissioners cannot be sworn in. We have to go over the procedure,” Minister Ally added.

She made it clear that it is not President David Granger’s fault that the Commissioners were not sworn in, but that of former President Ramotar.

Meanwhile, GNN sought a comment from Mr. Ramotar as to why he did not swear in the Commissioners. He admitted that he erred in this regard. Ramotar

tioners in the field to have a love for the care of the elderly, since it is only then they would be able to function effectively.

Mrs. Granger was at the time opening a five-day training session for caregivers for the elderly, at the Recreation Centre of the Palms Geriatric Institution.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the First Lady in her charge to the participants said the session will prepare them for a new niche that is becoming even more relevant in today’s society. “My first charge is to you is to like what

you are doing, because if you don’t enjoy interacting with seniors, it’s going to be a job and not something that you are going to enjoy,” she said.

While acknowledging that caring for the elderly has its challenges, she stressed the need for patience to be exercised at all times. She commended the participants, all of whom are women, for their participation as she noted that while they are all are caregivers in their own right, it is remarkable that they have decided to seek training.

The participants were also encouraged to continue along the

path as they seek to become specialists in their field. The First Lady also reminded the participants that their journey as caregivers should be a learning experience as elderly persons more often than not have a wealth of knowledge.

Facilitators for the training include Social Worker, Mrs. Hazel Halley Burnette and Ms. Ismay Griffith. Notably, Ms. Griffith was among a group of Guyanese living in Brooklyn New York who had met with the First Lady during a recent visit and had promised to render her service to Guyanese.

Not Granger’s fault ERC Commissioners not sworn in – Amna Ally -‘It was overlooked’ - Ramotar

Former President Donald Ramotar

Minister Amna Ally

went on to explain that it was an oversight on his part. He said due to the “Political situation and all the other things that were happening at that time, that seems to have been overlooked.”

Ramotar however said if the government is serious about establishing the ERC it should move ahead with the process as explained by Minister Ally.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo when questioned at a media conference in September as to why the PPP/C administration did not swear in the Commissioners when it had ample time to do so, he said the APNU+AFC should not hold itself to

the standards of the former PPP/C government.

“If we blundered and I am not saying that we did, then this government should not hold itself to that standard,” he stated.

Recently the PPP has called for the re-establishment of the ERC.

This was followed by another call from the Indian Action Committee (IAC) ON Monday November 23.

The IAC’s call was premised on the PPP concern regarding the ethnic imbalance of staff recruited for the upcoming Local Government Elections.

“Given what appeared in the public domain regarding the

issue in question, the IAC believes it further underscores the need for the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to be immediately established. The IAC reiterates its necessity and believes it is integral to meaningful interventions for the mitigation of such sensitive issues and to prevent any related escalation,” the IAC said.

The ERC is a constitutional body established as an undertaking by the Herdmanston Accord and by Constitutional Amendment (#2) Act of 2000. The Commission is headed by several commissioners and a Chief Executive Officer.

Police move against CG motorcyclists Ranks in the police ‘A’ Division have turn up the heat on persons using motorcycles in and around the city especially CG motorcycles to carry out criminal acts.

This was confirmed by divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, who said that the trend of the robberies committed on persons with the use of these motorcycles are increasing and the division will not condone it.

Speaking with media operatives this morning at the Division’s headquarters on Brickdam, Hicken said that they have found that the riders of these motorcycles which are being used to aid in the

crimes of execution style killing, armed robberies, ride-by shootings, are making the ordinary and law abiding citizens very uncomfortable.

He also spoke of those who ride around the city and its outskirts at night with no lights on their motorcycles, snatch things form persons and make good their escape with their number plates not being recorded because of the lack of lighting. That too he stressed, the police have been grappling with has a plan to nip it in the bud.

Hicken used the opportunity to comment on the two murders in his division yesterday and the one major robbery that has investigators working overtime

to have them solved.

According to Commander Hicken, in the case of the murder of a young man in Albouystown by another, the now deceased man was said to be the aggressor in a related incident. The incident stemmed from a relationship that that apparently went sour between the now dead man and a female. Reports are that the female befriended another man who was forced to defend himself during the attack.

With respect to the incident where a woman was picked up from her workplace at the Georgetown public Hospital by her boyfriend and later stabbed and dumped out of the

vehicle, the Divisional Commander said that they are in receipt of the photograph of the man who committed the act and the police investigators are at the moment hunting him.

The dead woman was employed at the Georgetown Public Hospital an Ambulance attendant.

It is unclear what might have led to

that incident but from all indications the woman and her boyfriend were not having any issues at the time he picked her up from her work place.

This morning the hospital management team and several staff were preparing to visit the woman’ s Plaisance east coast Demerara home to show support to her family and other relatives.

Clifton Hicken said that both incidents have left his division in a state of shock since they were of the view that things were returning to normalcy since no disorderly murders were committed recently in the division.

Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.

PPP accuse PNC Commissioner of playing key role at GECOM -Says he seems concern about one group of Guyanese

Clement Rohee

The Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is questioning whether Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner Vincent Alexander has become chief spokesperson for Dr. Steve Surujbally, Chairman of the Commission.

General Secretary of the PPP, Clement Rohee made reference to the announcement made by Alexander which was carried in one of the dailies captioned

“GECOM ready for Local Government Elections.”

According to Rohee, in the said story, Alexander is quoted as speaking on behalf of the GECOM Secretariat stating that ”GECOM is ready for local government elections and will address everyone of PPP’s concerns prior to the elections.”

The PPP General Secretary questioned how can these startling disclosures in such great detail by Mr.

Alexander be explained?

Mr. Alexander is one of the three Peoples National Congress (PNC) representatives at GECOM, and according to Rohee, “no amount of white-washing his presence on that body shading him as an independent, impartial Commissionercandenythisfact.”

Rohee said this is the same Vincent Alexander who made a hue and cry earlier when the PPP delegation at a recent meeting

with GECOM asked the question about the ethnic balance of GECOM staff at its Secretariat.

Rohee pointed out that Alexander is a member of the Cuffy 250 Committee whose objectives inter-alia, is to “encourage socio-economic revitalization within the African-Guyanese Community…”

He quoted Alexander as saying at a press conference on August 5, 2015 that “The ground work of the Ministry of Social Cohesion would be laid if that Ministry addresses the problems faced by Afro-Guyanese and others of other groups at the Regional level.”

Rohee noted that the emphasis was placed on Afro-Guyanese in particular.

Alexander was again quoted at a forum held at the Critchlow Labour College held under the theme “The 50th Anniversary of our Independence and the positioning of the African Guyanese.” Alexander allegedly claimed that “The promise of a good life

comes at a time when the Nation should seize the opportunity which was once an elusive dream for Guyana and the African Guyanese in particular.”

He allegedly went on to say “This moment and its sustainability may very well represent the renaissance of African Guyanese.” In other words the PPP is claiming that Alexander has only the interest of Afro- Guyanese at heart.

Rohee questioned if this does not represent where Mr. Alexander stands ideologically and philosophically, what else would?

During a recent meeting with a PPP delegation and GECOM concerns were raised about the ethnic imbalance of persons employed by GECOM to work at the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE).

GECOM’s Chairman Dr. Surujbally explained that the Commission has a procedure which it follows when hiring to ensure the process is fair and transparent.

Surujbally had

said in response to the PPP’s concerns that “If you want to change the procedure and say we must have “x” amount of this race and “y” amount of that then, GECOM will have to be under another Chairman…”

He urged that political parties stop using the race card.

Meanwhile, the Indian Action (formerly Arrival) Committee (IAC) on Monday November 23 called for an independent review of GECOM is the light of recent accusation by the PPP of alleged ethnic-based employment by the entity.

In a statement, the IAC said that the independent review “would aid in the allaying of fear with respect to the Party’s concern and could vindicate GECOM”s position. With regard to the latter, it would reinforce that Guyanese, regardless of their ethnicity, could deliver their duties professionally and without favour or ill will.”

Hindus observe Kartic Snaan tomorrow Hindus worldwide would tomorrow be observing Kartic Anaan or Teerath which is specially dedicated to the presiding deity that governs the seas sacred rivers. The festival occurs on Purnima, half-moon in the month of November, (Kartic).

Hindus and other aspirants will gravitate to the various wa-

terways to make special offerings. On this day, Devotees take a sacred bath and give thanks to mother nature especially, Ganga Mata, for her productive interventions in their lives.

It is believed that all the waters in the world converges atmospherically on this date.

This occasion also in-

the absolute truth.

The Viraat Sabhaa will be collaborating its efforts with the members of the Shree Satnarayan Mandir of Mon Repos to observe the occasion at the Mon Repos seashore, with a continuous program from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Lectures will be done by Pandits Rabindranauth Persaud and Hardesh Tiwari and others.

cludes the worshipping

of Sat Narayan Bhag-

wan

who

represents

Head teacher Dismissed for hitting students will a bell Sand Creek Primary School head teacher was found Guilty by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) of hitting three students with a bell and therefore recommended to be dismissed.

GNN today spoke with Secretary of the Teaching Service Commission; Pulandar Kandhi, who noted that the teacher attended a meeting at the Commission on November 19, where he pleaded

guilty to the allegations.

Kandhi said “the matter came to us through the Ministry of Education’s Regional Education Officer of Region Nine, and the headmaster was summoned to a meeting here where he pleaded guilty and was found guilty and he was dismissed from the Teaching Service”.

He said a letter was sent to the Region Nine Education

Officer “with a date effective from when he should be dismissed.

GNN contacted the REO; Carl Parker who confirmed that the Headmaster was dismissed.

The Head Teacher of the Region Nine Primary School; Michael Alfred hit three students at the facility on October 09 with a Bell after they entered the school compound without saying ‘good morning.’

The two female students ages; ages 10 and 12+ and one male; age 10+, suffered injuries and were taken to the Lethem Hospital. An official from the ministry was on October 12 sent to the school to complete the investigation after which the incident was handed over to the TSC. Initial investigation revealed that the teacher which was recently transferred to

the school was experiencing personal difficulties and as a result

took out his frustration on the students.

the country and the region. It must be based on democracy and justice,” said Ramotar.

Any other route will only spawn more terrorists and more acts of terrorism. “Let us work to remove the real cause of terrorism so that the lives of the victims would not be in vain,” the former President added.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon last week reiterated the coalition Ggovernment’s strong condemnation of the most recent terrorist attacks by Islamic Jihadists in Africa and France.

Harmon said Cabinet was briefed following the recent attacks in France and extended its solidarity and condolence to those af-

fected. He stated, “Government is resolved to ensure that no form of religious extremism will be allowed or tolerated, in Guyana, resulting in the loss of life which occurred in Paris.”

President David Granger has joined other world leaders in condemning the latest spate of terrorist attacks in Africa and Europe which have left close to two hundred persons dead and many more wounded.

The President recently said that this country has strengthened its resolve as a member of the United Nations community, to support the fight against this type of transnational crime. He added that, “All states are vul-

nerable and we must stand together with France to bring an end to this abomination”.

He also noted that the Caribbean as a community, must oppose the forms of extremism that give rise to this type of criminal activity that threatens the peace and stability of large and small states alike.

The Central Islamic organisation of Guyana (CIOG) had also condemned the act.

The body said irrespective of nationality, religion or creed those who lost their lives are citizens of the world, and deserve to live in peace in their homeland.

Ramotar joins condemnation of religious extremism

Former President Donald Ramotar

Former President Donald Ramotar has condemned any form of religious extremism.

His comment came in light of the terrorist attack in Paris, France on Friday November 13,

2015 whereby some 130 innocent civilians enjoying a night out died in a bloody carnage at several locations in Paris.

In a statement, Ramotar said it is hoped that the lives of the in-

nocent victim of terrorism must not be in vain.

He is of the view that serious and honest discussions and negotiations must start now. “The overriding interest must be that of the people in

WOMAN DEAD AFTER BEING FOUND STABBED ON CHURCH STREET A woman who was found stabbed in Church Street last night, died a few hours after at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

A story carried by the Guyana Chronicle stated that Melissa Skeete who was em-

ployed as a dispatcher with Georgetown Hospital Ambulance Services, was found on Church Street with stab wounds to her body.

She was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately did not survive from

the wounds inflicted.

It is believed that she ended a relationship with a man who is suspected to have fatally wounded her.

Investigations are ongoing.

MAN DEAD FOLLOWING FIGHT OVER WOMAN Thirty-seven yearold Troy Brutus, died from his own weapon following a fracas reportedly over a woman in Garnett Street, Georgetown, last night.

According to information, Brutus reportedly visited Michael Raley at Garnett Street and awaited him. As the

thirty-six year-old Raley returned home, he was reportedly pounced upon by Brutus who chopped him several times to his hand.

During the brawl, Raley is believed to have relieved Brutus of the weapon and fatally wounded him in the process

Sources said that the woman at the center of the incident walked out on Brutus allegedly due to abuse.

Investigations are ongoing.

BANDITS SHOT AND ROBBED MARKET VENDOR HOME OWNER SHOOTS BANDIT DURING INVASION A La Penitence Market vendor was last evening shot and robbed by bandits as he was about to enter his yard.

According to information, forty-six year-old Bheerkumar

Ramrattan known as Django of Hogg Street, Albouystown, had just left the market where he sells fruits. AS he was about to enter his yard, two man attacked and shot him to the leg.

A bandit is believed to have been shot last night by an Eping Avenue home owner.

According to the police, four men, two of whom were armed with handguns, invaded the home of thirty year-old Nicholas Coates at abort 19:55 hrs late last evening.

During the attack, Coates, was shot to his right foot but however managed to

discharge rounds from his licensed firearm and is believed to have hit one of the men.

The bandits escaped is a waiting motor car.

Coates has been admitted to hospital as the investigations continue

It is believed that the bandits escaped with a bag that contained cash.

After being shot, Ramrattan collapsed in his home.

Investigations are ongoing.

Could a mosquito wipe out Malaria?

Scientists in the U.S. say they’ve created a new strain of mosquito that could eventually help eradicate malaria. Researchers at the University of California used a gene editing technique to insert DNA into the germ line of the Anopheles stephensi mosquito -- a leading vector of the disease.

They found the gene stopped the transmission of malaria through 99.5% of their offspring, according to a statement on the university’s website. “This opens up the real promise that

this technique can be adapted for eliminating malaria,” said Anthony James, Distinguished Professor of molecular biology & biochemistry and microbiology and molecular genetics at UC’s Irvine campus.

To change the genetic makeup of the mosquitoes, scientists used the CRISPR gene-editing tool, which allows access to a cell’s nucleus to remove DNA, replace mutated genes, or insert new ones. Further testing is needed -- as well as potential field studies -- but the scientists say this is

a “significant first step.”

“We know the gene works. The mosquitoes we created are not the final brand, but we know this technology allows us to efficiently create large populations,” James said.

Malaria is a potentially deadly, though preventable and curable, disease that’s primarily transmitted through the bite of the female Anopheles stephensi mosquito.

It’s caused by Plasmodium parasites, and of the five species which cause malaria in humans, the

most deadly are P. falciparum and P. vivax, according to the World Health Organization.

This year alone, some 438,000 people are estimated to have died

of malaria, according to WHO figures released in September. Of 214 million cases this year -most were in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 91% of the deaths were report-

ed, and where P. falciparum is most common.

Early symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, chills and vomiting. If not treated within 24 hours.

(Adapted from CNN)

A woman in Turkey has filed a lawsuit against the doctors who treated her for uterine cancer five years ago because they accidentally left a pair of surgical scissors inside her body.

According to the Central European News (CEN), 67-yearold Hanim Ozgul has been living with severe pain since leaving the hospital after her 2010 surgery. And even though she has repeatedly complained about

suffering from chronic agony, doctors continuously informed her that this was simply a normal part of her recovery.

“I started feeling pain in my stomach and abdomen and they could never find a reason,” the mother of four told CEN, which was published in the Sun. “Later I went to another hospital. The doctor said that my body had an inflammation.

Later they told me to have an X-ray.

When the X-ray machine

started up it became beeping and a doctor said to me: ‘You have scissors in your pocket.’ They then found out that I had scissors in my abdomen.”

Her son, Hasan Ozgul, told the news outlet, “My mum didn’t carry us as much as she carried the scissors.

We will continue with our legal fight until the end. We could have lost lost our mother.” The scissors were finally removed from Hanim’s abdomen last week.

the most common type of heart disease that occurs when a blocked artery leads to a heart attack, and can commonly lead to heart failure—by lower-

ing major risk factors like high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol. (Adapted from MSN)

Woman lives with scissors in her body for five years

Are You Exercising Enough to Prevent Heart Failure?

Your daily half-hour exercise session might not be enough to keep your heart healthy, according to a new meta-analysis published in the journal Circulation.

After analyzing the exercise habits of almost 400,000 people from 12 studies, the researchers discovered that those who followed the recommended guideline of working out for 30 minutes a day only lowered their risk for heart failure by 10 percent— what they described as just a “modest” reduction.

But people who worked out for an hour

cut their odds almost 20 percent. And those who found the time to sweat it out for two hours a day?

They slashed their risk by 35 percent. That’s fantastic—if you have two hours a day to work out. But in reality, it’s hard enough to find the time to exercise each day, let alone for multiple hours in a row.

So here’s what you can do instead: Make your short workouts harder.

While the researchers didn’t specifically look at intensity in the study, they believe performing 30 minutes of intervals—

like sprints—can be more effective in protecting against heart failure than doing a moderate workout—like a jog—for the same amount of time, says lead study author Ambarish Pandey, M.D., a cardiology fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School.

Here’s why: Interval training—workouts that alternate between high-intensity effort and lower-intensity effort— causes your heart rate to stay up for short bouts of time and then go back down over and over again.

This “up-and-down” format is what ultimately strengthens your heart.

That’s because it forces the muscle to work harder than if it had to consistently maintain the same steady beats per minute.

And at the end of the day, a strong heart is one of the most important factors in decreasing your risk of heart failure—which occurs when the muscle gets too weak to pump enough blood through your body, says Men’s Health cardiology advisor Prediman Krishan Shah, M.D.

While this particularly study only focused on heart failure risk, other evidence shows that moderate exercise is great for preventing coronary artery disease (CAD)—

Teen dumped body after rape and murder of Teacher

Surveillance photos shown in court Monday in Philip Chism’s murder trial show the then14-year-old outside the Danvers, Massachusetts, school, wheeling a recycling bin that prosecu-

tors say held the body of his slain algebra teacher.

The photos, apparently taken from a security camera video, come a week after the prosecution showed school security video

of Chism following his teacher into the restroom, where he allegedly killed her. Prosecutors contend Chism, now 16, followed teacher Colleen Ritzer, 24, into a girl’s bathroom on the second floor of

Danvers High School on October 22, 2013.

Photos show Chism outside the girl’s bathroom, barefoot with blood on his hands and jeans. After he’s seen walking outside with the recycling bin, cameras later caught Chism in the school in a black sweatshirt, black shorts, and blue sneakers, and prosecutors allege he changed clothes in a bathroom on the third floor.

Photos showed what prosecutors described as Chism taking the recycling bin into the bathroom with

Fifteen million dollars and apologies from the mayor and police chief is what an attorney says the family of Ahmed Mohamed is demanding from city and school officials in Irving, Texas, or they say they’ll file a civil suit. In September, 14-year-old Ahmed made international headlines when he brought a handmade clock to school to show his teachers.

One of them thought it was a bomb and notified school au-

thorities, who then called police. Ahmed was detained, questioned and hauled off in handcuffs. At the time, the school said it reacted with caution because the contraption that had wires could have been an explosive device. It wasn’t. It was just a clock.

In a whirlwind of publicity about the case fueled by social media, #IStandWithAhmed became a trending topic on Twitter, President Barack Obama invited the teen to attend

an event at the White House and a foundation offered him a scholarship to study in Qatar.

But despite the surge of support for Ahmed, the attorney representing his family says the teen suffered severe psychological trauma and that his “reputation in the global community is permanently scarred.”

In two letters sent Monday to attorneys representing the school district and the city, attorney Kelly Hollingsworth says

that Ahmed’s civil rights were violated by the way the case was handled.

Hollingsworth, who says he was recently retained by the teen’s father, alleges that the teenager was not read his Miranda rights during his arrest and that those involved with the incident tried to cover up mistakes “with a media campaign that further alienated the child at the center of this maelstrom.”

“Ahmed will now forever be associated with bomb making

wholly without basis,” Hollingsworth says.

Among numerous allegations, the letters say that the authorities interrogated the Muslim teenager, alone, for at least one hour and

25 minutes, a period that was recorded on a police officer’s iPhone.

“Ahmed clearly was singled out because of his race, national origin and religion,” the letters say.

(Adapted from CNN)

Dooley, 18, faces charges of possession of a destructive device and intimidation, after investigators found

bomb-making materials in his bedroom in Mooresville, Indiana, about 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Indianapolis, according to a probable cause document filed in Morgan County Circuit Court.

Authorities began investigating the possible plot after a counselor at Mooresville High School told police that Dooley threatened to blow up the building because he was upset with recent-

ly being kicked out of school for making sexual advances toward another student, according to the document.

During the investigation, authorities found several ingredients used to make explosives in his bedroom. Dooley told investigators he planned to build pipe bombs and ignite them near the school’s four structural pillars and that he had a military sniper rifle on layaway at

a local gun store, the court document said.

Dooley told investigators he gets “crazy thoughts when he gets mad,” the document said. He was arrested on Friday and is being held in Morgan County Jail without bond, according to authorities and online jail records. No attorney was listed for Dooley in the court’s online database. (MSN)

a balaclava around his neck, then subsequently walking out with the balaclava over his face.

Prosecutors say at least one other security video implicates Chism. Footage captured at the AMC Theater in Danvers on the day that Ritzer died shows a person prosecutors identified as Chism purchasing tickets for “Gravity.”

Lida Parsons, the theater’s general manager, testified the name on the credit card receipt was that of Colleen Ritzer.

Several items of clothing were placed

into evidence, including a black sweatshirt, a pair of jeans, white T-shirt, red sweatshirt, a pair of dark green women’s underwear and a pair of white gloves found in the woods outside the school all tested positive for blood. A reddish-brown stain on Chism’s left hand as well as brown stains on a box cutter also tested positive for blood.

Chism has pleaded not guilty to murder, aggravated rape and robbery charges. He is being tried as an adult.

(Adapted from CNN)

‘Clock boy’ Ahmed Mohamed’s family seeks $15 million, apologies from Texas City

Teen charged with planning to blow up school

A central Indiana teenager was charged on Monday with plotting to blow up his high school with sever-

al pipe bombs that he planned to construct at his home, according to a local prosecutor.

Jahnathan

FATHER, SON KILLED IN ACCIDENT A trip to the doctor’s office ended in tragedy yesterday when a Princes Town man and his 25-year-old son were killed after the car they were in collided with a ten-tonne delivery truck along the M1 Ring Road in Princes Town.

The father’s wife and seven-year-old daughter, both cheated death as they escaped from the crash with non-life threatening injuries.

Police sources said the child, Tricia, suffered a broken

arm and leg and was up to last night, receiving treatment at the San Fernando General Hospital where her mother Howantie Harriram, 30, was warded for observation. The woman suffered minor injuries.

Namdeo Harriman, 41, a gardener of Daly Road, Torrib Trace, New Grant in Princes Town and his son Lalchan, 25, perished in the tragic accident which occurred near the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) construction site.

An eyewitness told Newsday little Tricia was seated on her mother’s lap in a black Toyota Altis car owned by Namdeo. Looking at the badly damaged vehicle covered with blue tarpaulin be-

Relatives of Brian Smith, whose body was fished out from sea on Sunday morning, last night burnt tyres and caused major traffic gridlock along the Western Main Road as they claimed the 30-year-old was killed by regiment officers and called for justice.

Around 7.15 pm, police had managed to douse the burning tyres and other rubble added before they arrived but their presence seemed to ignite the anger in the relatives. The officers told the relatives that their method of seeking justice was wrong and they could not get anything right by going about it the wrong way.

But relatives

said since the incident had taken place on Friday, police had not done a proper investigation.

According to relatives, Smith was drinking with regiment officers attached to the Engineer Battalion last Friday when they got into an argument over an illegal electrical connection.

Relatives said the soldiers beat Smith with a shovel and after he complained to neighbours, he was hit in the head and thrown into the sea. His body was seen floating around 7 am on Sunday by prison officers on their way to work at Carrera Prison.

“In my book them murder my son and that is what I think.

They murder my son.

That is what I know I believe, I have no proof but that is what I know,” a grieving Gloria Smith, Brian’s mother said.

When the T&T Guardian visited the area yesterday afternoon, soldiers were seen drinking coconut water and a clear liquid from a bottle. The men were sipping on the drink and when told of the report laughed.

Two men who were partaking of the beverages told the T&T Guardian that the claims by the relatives were unfounded. One man said it was the work of something supernatural that led to Smith’s death, while another swore none of the reg-

cause of the drenching rains, the eyewitness who didn’t want to be named, said the tragedy could have been far worse.

“We found the little girl still sitting on her mother’s lap in the front

seat when we ran to the rescue shortly after the accident. I was horrified.

Newsday was told the family was on its way to San Fernando where Lalchan, who was said to be ailing with the flu, was to have seen the doctor. He was at the time lying across the back passenger seat when death came calling.

Truck driver Dave Ramkissoon and his brother Nizam Mohammed, both of GP Road Barrackpore escaped injury in the accident. They

were on their way to deliver goods to a supermarket in Princes Town.

Investigators last night told police that incessant rainfall yesterday morning is believed to have been the catalyst behind the fatal accident. The car, sources said, picked up a skid on the wet road and veered into the path of the truck travelling in the opposite direction. Both vehicles careened off the road and ended up in a nearby ditch. Father and son died on impact. (Adapted from Trinidad Newsday)

iment officers touched Smith other than pushing him away after he became verbally abusive.

“I didn’t see anybody hit him. I left and I saw him walking out to the sea. I heard he went to take a sea bath but them soldiers

ain’t have nothing to do with that,” the man said.

When contacted last evening, however, Corporate Communications officer of the T&T Defence Force, Major Al Alexander, said the allegations were “incredible” and had sullied the name

of officers who were in the area assisting with the repairs of a home after a low-flying helicopter assigned to the T&T Air Guard had destroyed part of it. (Adapted from the Trinidad Guardian)

Suriname has devalued its local currency by more than 20 per cent, four years after it devalued the currency in 2011 by 16.4 per cent and announced tax raises on alcohol, tobacco, gasoline and basic services.

The Central Bank of Suriname blamed the drop in global prices for oil and gold for the decision to devalue the currency which will now trade at four Suriname dollars to the US dollar, up from $3.25.

The Central Bank said that the financial reserves had declined to US$370 million from one billion dollars in December 2012.

“Suriname is momentarily experiencing a genuine commodity shock,” the Central Bank said in a statement, while opposition legislators said the devaluation was a “smack in the face to all Surinamese”.

President Desi Bouterse, who was

sworn into office for a second consecutive term in May, had pledged to restructure the Dutch Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country’s economy and lessen its dependence on commodities including gold and bauxite.

(Jamaican Observer)

Soldiers blamed for death of man

Suriname devalues local currency

Suriname’s President Dési Bouterse

Turkey shoots down Russian jet One of the world’s most volatile regions was roiled further Tuesday when a Russian warplane went down near the Turkish-Syria border. Turkey said it “responded” to a plane after the aircraft repeatedly violated its airspace and ignored several warnings. NATO has called an extraordinary meeting later Tuesday to discuss the incident.

Turkish presidential sources reported that the Russian Su24 was “hit within the framework of engagement rules” in Syria’s

Bayirbucak area, near the border with Turkey.

But Russia’s state-run Sputnik news agency said that, “According to preliminary reports, the plane was gunned down from the ground.”

Russian officials denied that the plane had violated Turkish airspace. Both pilots ejected from the plane, but their fate is unknown, Sputnik said. Turkey released a purported image of the flight path of the plane showing that it had violated Turkish airspace and said it issued 10 warnings to

the aircraft before responding “within engagement rules” near the Turkey-Syria border.

But the Russian Defense Ministry said “objective monitoring confirmed” the plane was not in Turkish airspace. The Su-24 bomber jet was in Syrian airspace at the altitude 6,000 meters, the Russian Defense Ministry said,” according to Sputnik. “The pilots were reportedly able to parachute out of the jet before it crashed.”

A U.S. defense official told CNN Turkey informed Washington

that it had shot down a Russian military aircraft near the Syrian border after an airspace violation. U.S. forces were not involved in the incident, the official added.

Syria has been embroiled for four and a half years in a brutal civil war that has killed hundreds thousands of people, sent millions fleeing, and laid waste to entire

cities. Turkey vehemently opposes the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad. Russia is propping up the Assad regime.

(Adapted from CNN)

as the bombing of a Russian airliner in Egypt, for which ISIS has claimed responsibility.

The State Department said that U.S. citizens should factor updated information into personal travel plans, and urges anyone with specific safety concerns to contact local law enforcement authorities.

A State Department official told Fox News that worldwide alerts “are issued periodically when there is a higher threat level,” and are not the same as a warning tied to a particular event,

like an election or hurricane. “We want folks to still travel, but just to exercise greater vigilance,” the official said.

But despite the label “worldwide,” the alerts do not cover the territory of the United States itself. The State Department said the U.S. is exchanging information with allies about threats of international terrorism. There have been a total of six worldwide travel alerts in the last four-anda-half years. (Adapted from Fox News)

mission requirements - in order to minimise the risk of collateral damage, particularly any potential harm to non-combatants.

When asked about ISIL casualties, CENTCOM said it

does not release the number of ISIL fighters killed. “As of November 13, the coalition has damaged or destroyed 16,075 targets.”

(Adapted from Al Jazeera)

US issues worldwide travel alert

The US State Department issued a worldwide travel alert Monday over possible risks due to increased terrorism threats. The alert comes amid information that ISIS, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, and

other terrorist groups continue to plan attacks in multiple regions by employing a “wide variety of tactics,” according to the State Department.

Authorities believe the likelihood of

terror attacks will continue as members of ISIS return from Iraq and Syria, as well as the threat from “unaffiliated persons” planning attacks inspired by major terrorist organizations.

The State Department said that U.S. citizens should “exercise vigilance when in public places or using transportation” and “avoid large crowds or crowded places.” Americans are also urged to exercise particular caution during the holiday season, and at holiday festivals or events. The worldwide travel alert expires on Feb. 24, 2016.

The alert was issued after multiple attacks in the past year in France, Nigeria, Denmark, Turkey and Mali in the past year, as well

At least 3,952 people have been killed in the US-led coalition’s campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group in Syria, according to a monitoring group.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said on Monday the death toll included a total of 250 civilians.

The air strikes occurred in the period between September 2014 and November 23, 2015, SOHR said. The

US announced the formation of the coalition against ISIL in Syria and Iraq in September 2014 which then included 28 countries. It now includes 65 countries. Among those killed were 66 children below the age of eight, and 44 children above the age of 18.

At least 3,547 ISIL fighters were killed in air strikes on Hama, Aleppo, Homs, Hasaka, Raqqa and Deir Az Zor. The air strikes also killed 136

al-Nusra Front fighters.

The US Combined Joint Task Force’s Public Affairs desk told Al Jazeera the US Central Command (CENTCOM) takes all allegations of civilian casualties seriously and applies standards in its targeting process to avoid or to minimise civilian casualties.

“We take all allegations of civilian casualties seriously, and we apply very rigorous standards in our targeting process to avoid

or to minimise civilian casualties in the first place,” a CENTCOM media officer said.

“We take great care - from analysis of available intelligence to selection of the appropriate weapon to meet

US coalition strikes in Syria ‘killed 250 civilians’

FIFA ethics committee seeks life ban against Platini The FIFA ethics committee has requested a life ban for Michel Platini, the Frenchman’s lawyer said Tuesday, a move that would rule the UEFA president out of the race to succeed Sepp Blatter.

Thibaut d’Ales told The Associated Press that the maximum sanction was asked for when the FIFA ethics committee investigations unit submitted its final case report.

Platini faces a hearing before FIFA ethics judge Joachim Eckert in December. “The overreaching of the request really convinces us of this commission’s total lack of credibility,” D’Ales said in a telephone interview. “There is not a single tangible element in this case that can confirm the suspicions.”

Platini is currently serving a 90-day ban over a

$2 million payment of FIFA money he received in 2011 as backdated salary. He worked as a presidential adviser from 1998-2002 for Blatter, who also faces the ethics court’s judgment in the case. He denies wrongdoing and says he had a verbal contract with Blatter to receive the money.

A spokesman for the FIFA ethics prosecutors declined to confirm

what sanction was requested last week. Platini aims to clear his name and stand as a candidate in the FIFA presidential election on Feb. 26 to succeed Blatter, who is stepping down. Blatter announced his exit plans on June 2 under pressure from American and Swiss federal investigations into bribery and corruption at FIFA. Platini was

Platini

quizzed on Sept. 25 at FIFA headquarters as “between a witness and an accused person,” according to attorney general Michael Lau-

ber. A FIFA life ban has been overturned

by CAS in the past.

(Adapted from MSN)

Tyson Fury says boxing has a ‘big problem’ with doping

British heavyweight Tyson Fury says boxing has a “big problem” with doping. Fury, 27,

will fight for the world title against Wladimir Klitschko in Germany on Saturday. Speaking to

BBC Radio 5 live, Fury said: “I can look at a man and tell you if he’s full of drugs by one glance at his body with his top off.

“Boxing has got a big problem with drugs.

But it doesn’t bother me because at the end of the day it’s about determination over drugs.” The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) said it was firmly against doping in the sport and

general secretary Robert Smith told BBC Radio 5 live he did not agree there was a “major problem”.

Fury believes the only way to make things “fully fair” is to legalise doping in sport, but concedes taking such drugs can have a long-term impact on a person’s health. “I think being in a democratic world means we have to be open to different things,”

said Fury. “Why don’t they make drugs totally legal in sports and then it would be fully fair?

“If the governing bodies want to do that, it will be a bit fairer. You can’t tell me that 99% of these sportspeople ain’t taking drugs if they’ve got bodies like Greek gods. “If a man wants to pump himself full of drugs it’s only shortening his life isn’t it? When you’re pump-

ing yourself full of drugs it’s putting pressure on your heart, your liver, your lungs, your kidneys.

In a statement, the BBBoC said it was “committed in its fight against drug use in professional boxing”.

Ukrainian Klitschko, 39, is a heavy favourite to beat Fury when the two meet in Dusseldorf on Saturday, but Fury believes his opponent is “quaking”.

(Adapted from the BBC)

Kohli throws weight behind day -night Tests

India’s Test captain Virat Kohli has come out in support of day-night Tests, even expressing

his willingness to play with the pink ball. Test cricket, the long cherished traditional form

of the game, will start a new chapter in its evolution when Australia and New Zea-

land play the inaugural day-night Test starting at the Adelaide Oval from November 27.

In recent weeks, there has been a raging debate among players, administrators and fans on the feasibility of day-night Tests, particularly the challenges of reading a bright coloured ball during late evenings, and the difficulties batsmen are likely to face due to an exaggerated swing. The main reason to play day-night Test cricket, according to the ICC, is to promote the longer form of the game and arrest the fast-declining crowds at grounds.

For Kohli, daynight Tests are both an experiment as well as a forward-looking step in the game. “It is a landmark Test,” Kohli said, speaking on the eve of India’s third Test against South Africa in Nagpur.

“It is a big experiment.

It is a big step towards changing something in Test cricket. I hope it works. I hope it can be another option as well.

“I’m glad two teams have actually agreed to play an official Test like that as an experiment. Credit to Australia and New Zealand, both, that they have decided to do this. Hopefully it will

be better for the game.

It will be a step which we all might remember few years down the line. Let’s hope so.”

I n c i d e n t a l l y, Kohli is the first Indian voice, be it player or administrator, to give an opinion on day-night Tests. Kohli said he was open to playing such a match because he saw it as a positive step to promote Test cricket.

Kohli has never featured in a match involving a pink ball, so he said his opinions on the challenges were based on what he had heard recently from other players. (Adapted from Espncricinfo.com)

Tuesday November 24, 2015

MOTIE SPINS JAGUARS TO VICTORY Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie picked up his third five-wicket haul in four innings to send the Barbados Pride to a nine-wicket defeat on the final day of their Regional First Class encounter against Guyana Jaguars at Providence on Monday.

Starting the day on 166 for three and requiring a further 67 to avoid an innings defeat, Pride were dismissed for 272, with the 20-yearold Motie finishing with impressive figures of six for 79; part time spinner Steven Jacobs also chipping in with two for 105.

Shamarh Brooks, who resumed on 30 overnight, ended his innings on 53 while Roston Chase scored exactly

50 as Pride lost their last seven wickets for 106 runs to be all out just before tea at the National Stadium at Providence.

Looking for 40, Jaguars lost Shimron Hetmyer, lbw to left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn for nine with the score on 23 but offered valuable batting practice to captain Leon Johnson who struck three fours and a six in an unbeaten 20 off nine balls, to end the contest swiftly.

The victory was the third straight for the defending champions and it propelled them to 53 points, 19 clear of Jamaica Scorpions on 34. Pride earned just three points from the contest and languishes in third spot on 28 points.